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 |    I will be adding stories & reflections as time marches on. Take a gander today! |
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Contest Entries: "The Contest Challenge"  Participant"I Write in 2018" Participant"I Write in 2019" Participant"I Write in 2020" Participant2021: Independent Writing 2122: "I Write: Enter the Second Decade" Participant2123: "Twenty-three in Eleven " ParticipantThis mixed collection contains fiction, non-fiction, prose, and poetry. Entries vary in length from very short to one that is over 3000 words. 53 entries written in 2018: ▼ 53 entries written in 2019: ▼ 43 entries written in 2020 ▼ 2 entries written in 2021 ▼ Entries written in 2022 ▼ NOTE: All Titles with ~ ~ are either non-fiction or based on a true story. |
"A Christian does not need someone to minister deliverance to them. A Christian can simply pray and ask God directly in Jesus' Name for whatever they need." How many times had she said that to her friends over the last few weeks? And, she really believed it. So what was she doing now? Melanie and many of her friends friends from church had been talking about deliverance—about demon possession and demonic oppression. As they discussed spiritual warfare, they had told her that a Christian could not be possessed but could be oppressed by a demonic spirit. Even if this was true, she did not believe she or any other Christian would need anyone to "minister deliverance" to them. And yet, here she was driving to ask her friend to pray for her. Melanie and her friends had been reading some books written by powerful Christian authors about demonic influence and deliverance ministries. Melanie's best friend Sandy had even been praying for people in Jesus' Name and commanding demons to leave them. Sandy was excited about some of the things she had been experiencing but as they discussed the subject, it seemed to Melanie like Sandy was seeing a demon behind every bush. Melanie did think there was some validity to this business of demonic influence but she just believed Sandy and the others were taking it to extremes—AND she definitely did NOT believe a Christian would need deliverance. Melanie had been struggling with feelings of despair and depression. Bogged down in an unhappy marriage, she sometimes felt as though she wanted to die. She had prayed. She had renounced a spirit of suicide in Jesus' Name. Melanie had sought God and done everything she knew to do. Then this morning, when she was once again crying out to God in despair, she distinctly felt like God, Himself was telling her to go to Sandy for prayer. So, in spite of firmly believing she could simply go to Jesus on her own, Melanie was headed to Sandy's home. She was sure of one thing: she was not going to allow herself to be sucked into all this. She was going to ask Sandy to pray but, if ANYTHING happened, it would have to be God. She was not going to make it happen—far from it. She would simply sit there like the proverbial bump on a log. After all their conversations on the subject, Sandy knew exactly how Melanie felt about this subject. When she answered her door that Sunday morning to find Melanie on her doorstep, she was not sure how to proceed. Melanie admitted her struggle and told her about feeling as though God had told her to seek prayer from Sandy that morning. They were both nervous and hesitant about the whole thing as the friends walked together into Sandy's living-room. Melanie was convinced that this was what God wanted her to do. Sandy felt somewhat put on the spot but decidely declared it was not dependent her or her strength—it was not her power, it was simply the Power in the Name of Jesus. She was just a vessel, and, before starting to pray, that's exactly what she said to her friend. Melanie sat down in a the small straight-backed chair Sandy had set in the middle of her livingroom. Sandy began to pray. She walked around a bit talking to God first in English and then in tongues. Then she put her hand on Melanie's back while keeping one hand free as she reached out for God's Power. Melanie sat still, determined not to be swayed by emotion. She was determined to be a passive participant. Melanie was not looking to Sandy for help. She was there, sitting in the chair in Sandy's livingroom allowing Sandy to pray for her simply because she believed God had sent her there. She was not looking to Sandy—she was looking to God. Taking authority in Jesus' Name, Sandy began to command a spirit of inferiority to leave. Neither of them had expected THAT! Sandy knew Melanie was struggling with marital discord and depression. As a friend, she had sometimes talked to Melanie about those things but they had never discussed INFERIORITY! And, they weren't discussing it now. Melanie was simply sitting quietly listening, watching and silently praying—wondering what would happen next. Sandy continued to speak as one with authority, "In Jesus' Name, you spirit of inferiority, I command you to leave." Sandy paused for a moment and told Melanie to renounce a spirit of inferiority in Jesus' Name. Melanie knew what Sandy was talking about—the books they had been reading together talked about it and it was one thing she was willing to do. "I renounce a spirit of inferiority in Jesus' Name." she said. Sandy continued, "You spirit of inferiority, I command you to leave in Jesus' Name!" As if in response to Sandy's words, a thought came into Melanie's mind: "I don't have to leave, I have been here longer than she can remember." Sandy immediately countered, "I don't care how long you have been there, you MUST leave IN JESUS' NAME!" Melanie was startled! First of all, the thought seemed to have come from an entity separate from her and, secondly, her friend had responded to her thought as if she had heard it! Sandy continued commanding the spirit to leave in Jesus' Name and suddenly Melanie felt as though she was being choked! She could not breathe and her eyes began to bulge as she felt as though something was blocking her throat. Sandy continued speaking with authority commanding the spirit to leave in Jesus' Name. Melanie began to cough violently. Sandy gave her a wastebasket and encouraged her to spit out any phelegm and such. Then peace came. Melanie's breathing was restored and a sense of peace filled both women and the room itself. What had just happened? This was new to both of them but one thing they knew: They had witnessed the Power of God. Written for: "Spiritual Fiction Writing Contest-CLOSED" Open Prompt: (A story based on the teachings of any spiritual/religious path.) Word Count: 1026 ~ ~ ~ JESUS is LORD! ~ ~ ~ |
The Blizzard of '93 Weather warning - stay off the roads. She'd heeded the warning time after time. She wasn't going to heed it this time. She boldly headed across the bridge. Heading from New York into Canada over the falls. Weather warning - stay off the roads. Half-way across, the blizzard hit full force. She drove through freezing wind and snow. She made it into Canada but something was wrong She stepped on the gas but the van was losing speed. Weather warning -stay off the roads. She could not see the road - she stopped. She was off the road now - so much for that. What would happen to her on the side of the road In a country that was not her own? Weather warning -stay off the roads. What was going to happen to her. She curled up in a sleeping bag on the bed in the back. Bang, bang, bang -- someone pounding on her window. She sprung like Tigger to the front of the van. Weather warning -stay off the roads. Still in her sleeping bag, she peered out the window. A Canadian policeman shined his light in her face. Afraid, she opened the window just a tad. "I'll call a tow-truck. You can wait in my cruiser?" Weather warning -stay off the roads. She remembered another warning she had heard: A fake policeman killing unwary motorist along the way. She wondered if he was really a policeman. "No, I will wait here in the cold." Weather warning -stay off the roads. She stayed in the driver's seat of her Vanagon. Her sleeping bag keeping her warm. As she watched the lights from the cruiser And wondered what her future held. Weather warning -stay off the roads. The tow truck arrived and the driver offered her a ride. Still afraid, she declined and stayed inside her van As he towed her to a gas station in a nearby town With a mechanic he was sure would help her. Weather warning -stay off the roads. She paid the driver and waited in her van. The owner to arrive and opened the station. She started to tell him what was wrong He only asked, "How much money do you have?". Weather warning -stay off the roads. Reluctantly,he pulled her van into the bay. The icy storm had frozen the port of her carburetor Allowing too much gas to flow. "It is fixed," he said, "and here is your bill." Weather warning -stay off the roads. She was not happy. He was not kind. He took her for almost every dime. But her van was not fixed at all. As she drove away it once again slowed to a crawl. Weather warning -stay off the roads. She pulled into a convenient store, not knowing what to do. She opened the engine compartment. As she befuddled peered inside, An extremely scruffy fellow stepped up and offered help. Weather warning -stay off the roads. Here she was in Canada, alone, broke and broke down. "I can't fix it but I know who can." the stranger said. "My friend Soupbone is the man." "Follow me to my house. I'll give him a call." Weather warning -stay off the roads. She had not trusted the policeman. She had not trust the tow-truck driver Now she was desperate. Slowly, she drove after the scruffy fellow. Weather warning -stay off the roads. Soupbone told them to bring her out. She climbed in her van again. Driving after them to parts unknown To meet the fella they called Soupbone. Weather warning -stay off the roads. This Sunday School teacher was nervous. The strangers who offered her help Were members of a motorcycle gang Bragging about their encounters with the law. Weather warning -stay off the roads. "Oh yeh, the po-po were here the other day." "I was stark naked when I opened the door." Soupbone laughed while he told this story While quietly, she prayed. Weather warning -stay off the roads. Soupbone started to work on her van. He toiled and he tinkered. He poured in some oil. He fired it up, "You're good to go." Weather warning -stay off the roads. She asked him what she owed."Not a dime. Not a penny." Then Soupbone pressed a wad of bills into her hand. She had been so afraid of these folks so different from her. But they extended themselves and gave all they could. Weather warning -stay off the roads. It has been years now but she still remembers And asks for God's blessing On the motorcycle gang who came to her rescue In Canada on that cold winter's day, eh? I started this poem here: " Week 6 - The Blizzard of '93 (in Canada)" This longer version was written for "Invalid Item" It is exactly 100 Lines. AND it is a true story about ME!!! ~ ~ ~ JESUS is LORD! ~ ~ ~ |
 ruwth says, "I love you!" Tim suffered from developmental delays. Although he did learn to speak, only those who knew him well could understand him. His special education teachers opted to teach him sign language to facilitate communication. His mother (my best friend) objected. She feared he wouldn't try to speak clearly if he became used to signing. She did allow him to sign "I love you!". I learned that sign, too, and taught it to my children and grandchildren. It has become a family tradition. I might have copies made of this picture to handed out to them at my funeral one day. Written for "WDC Photo Contest" Prompt (May 27 – June 2): "Your photo must have some sort of shadow in it. The shadow may come from any object, animal, or person, as long as you don't have any person's face in the picture." Word Count: 99 A Winning Entry:  ~ ~ ~ JESUS is LORD! ~ ~ ~ |
 I am Joe's burro. My life is in my master's hands. His grasp on my reins directs my path. He drops the reins and I stand quietly waiting for him to pick them up again. Standing at the edge of a precipice, I put my trust in him and calmly await his guidance. We will move forward together when it is time to go. Written for: "WDC Photo Contest" Word Count: 64 Words April 29 to May 5 prompt ▼ . Entry Received Honorable Mention. ~ ~ ~ JESUS is LORD! ~ ~ ~ |
Included below using {insert:2156774} "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."-- Mark Twain ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "I believe that God is telling me to go to a tax auction in Wagoner County." "Mom, what do you know about a tax auction? God wouldn't tell you to do something you know NOTHING about." My youngest son and I had that conversation in the fall of 2012. In spite of his objections, he did, of his own volition, use Google to find out some things about tax auctions in Oklahoma. "The tax auction in Wagoner County is held the second Tuesday in June." he told me. I started planning for it. "Cash only." he told me. Oh my, how much cash would I need to take with me? Would it be safe to carry cash like that on my person when everyone there would know? My mind was ticking away with all these wonderings. I used Google and searched for information about buying property at a tax auction. I had had an experience years and years ago where my own property had been purchased at a tax auction. Back then, I had a limited time to be able to redeem the property by paying my back taxes. This was no longer the way it was done in Oklahoma. If you purchased a property at a tax auction, you immediately received a tax deed to the property and the former owners forfeited all rights to it. The properties were advertised in a local paper starting the first week of May. This gave everyone ample opportunity to pay their back taxes. It also afforded folks like me the opportunity to check out any of the properties that were on the auction block. So, that was the plan. I bought the paper and begin to make some cursory checks. I drove through one of the neighborhoods. I saw some modest homes and some not-so-great places. The more run down properties I saw during my ride through did not discourage me--I had read somewhere that it was a good idea to buy the worst house in a neighborhood and fix it up so my plan moved forward. Well, it moved forward until it stalled. Real life threw the proverbial wrench in the works. A grandson had a crisis in his life and needed my full attention for several weeks. My checking out the properties was put on hold. Just before the tax auction, my grandson's immediate problems were resolved and I was free to move forward with my tax auction adventure. But should I? I did not have time to check out any of the properties but I decided to go for it. I looked through the listings and picked out the ones I would bid on. I decided I would choose pairs of properties to bid on... ones that were side by side... And that is what I did. I rented a site on a nearby campgrounds. I bought a money belt and got the funds from my bank on Monday. I was nervous about keeping that amount of cash on my person overnight but the auction started on Tuesday morning before the bank opened so I did not have a choice. (I had gone by the courthouse to verify all this before going to the bank.) On the day of the auction, I was the first one at the courthouse. I was given my bidding sign--a strip cut from a manila folder with the number 1 on it. I was so excited, I asked if I could keep the slip after the auction was over. The lady at the desk looked surprised and told me, "No, we use them over." So, this little sign that was nothing but a slip cut from a manila folder with the number 1 written on it with a Sharpie was to be turned back in and used again the following year. So, I sat on my walker and waited for the auction to begin. I visited with a fella who came in and sat near me. He would not tell me what property he was interested in. (That was a mistake he would not appreciate until later--had he told me, I would not have bid on that property.) The auction started. The fourth property on the auction block was one of the properties I was interested in securing. It was so exciting. I offered the opening bid and someone countered it. It was just me and one other person bidding on that first property. (A woman was doing the bidding but she was there with her husband so really they were bidding on the property). They went higher than I was willing to go on my first bid so they won--or did they. They walked up to the counter and told the auctioneer, "We'll be right back, we need to run to the bank for the money." Well, that did not work. The auctioneer then declared that I had won the bid. I said, "In that case, shouldn't it go back to my first bid?" The crowd applauded and the auctioneer agreed so I got the property for the taxes owed. That was the beginning of an adventure that continues til today. June 10, 2013 was the day I became a land baroness. When the dust settled that day, I had made every mistake that a person can make at a tax auction but I had a blast! Written for "Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest" Prompt: The Mark Twain Quote displayed above. Word Count: 887 ~ ~ ~ JESUS is LORD! ~ ~ ~ |
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