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Book Review: Lost in the Land of the Midnight Sun
I used to dream of meeting the authors of my favorite books when I was a kid. Now, as I embark on a writing journey myself, I have met some really amazing authors in various groups on the internet. I first met Christina Cattaine back in March through a podcast she co-hosts, the Christian Indie Writers Podcast. I’ll include the details at the end of this post, but let’s get into my review of Christina’s brand new novel, “Lost in the Land of the Midnight Sun.” Main character, Angelica, is a troublemaker according to her father. He is the High Priest and has high expectations of his daughter, who feels…
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Review: Welcome to the Shivoo!
“Why do Christian creatives struggle to find belonging?” This is the first question asked by author Laura Bartnick in “Welcome to the Shivoo! Creatives Mimicking the Creator.” It’s a question I’ve struggled with as I navigate my way through blogging and now wading into the waters of fiction writing. Laura explains, “the term Shivoo is borrowed from Australian lingo meaning a boisterous party.” My first reaction was “Yes!” I want my writing to be like a party, a celebration, a fun thing I get to do to glorify God with the talents and opportunities He’s given me. “Welcome to the Shivoo!” is unique. It’s friendly and conversational, more like a…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Self-Control Day 5
By the Spirit “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before,…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Self-Control Day 4
Enough is Enough “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Self-Control Day 3
Train the Young “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Self-Control Day 2
Of the Heart “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Self-Control Day 1
Slaying Dragons “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Gentleness Day 5
Unity in Gentleness “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6 The Spirit loves unity. The Spirit also loves diversity. The next part of…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Gentleness Day 2
Perfect Courtesy “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy…
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Summer Fruit Devotion: Gentleness Day 1
Meekness of Wisdom “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who…
