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Fri, Feb 20, 2026

3:17am EST

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These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

by Jay O'Toole

Rated: E · Book · Personal · #2172808

We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life.

“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .”
― Charles Spurgeon

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.”
― C. H. Spurgeon

“Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
― Charles Spurgeon

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”
― Charles Spurgeon

“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”
― Charles Spurgeon

“When your will is God's will, you will have your will.”
― Charles Spurgeon

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon

(Philippians 2:13, KJV)

Here is yet another signature, that has been provided for me by my good friends, WS & GG.

Image for use by Honorable Mentions in the 2016 Quill Awards

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Jay O'Toole

Feb 4, 2026 at 12:40am
In response to "Weariness Sets In"

Don't I know it! We're the same in that regard.

Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008

Feb 4, 2026 at 12:36am
In response to "Weariness Sets In"

That is so true. Sometimes it is really hard to let go of the reins.

1 Like

Mary Ann MCPhedran

Feb 2, 2026 at 10:32pm
In response to "The Environment of Self"

b} Nice reading and your faith shined May God hold you in His heart. {/b

TJ says, "keep on keeping on!"

Feb 1, 2026 at 9:09pm
In response to "Snowy Night"

We had a snowy night last night, but our temps are above zero for the most part.

1 Like

Jay O'Toole

Jan 26, 2026 at 10:42pm
In response to "Storytelling Without TELLING a Story"

Thank you, buddhangela

& Annette

. These are very encouraging words. I'm so grateful.

Jay

1 Like

Annette

Jan 26, 2026 at 10:29pm
In response to "Storytelling Without TELLING a Story"

I think that a novel that deals with a major life change and then revolves around "now what" is very relatable.

1 Like

Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008

Jan 25, 2026 at 11:08pm
In response to "Peaceful Christmas on Sunday (January 25th, 2026)"

Beautiful!

1 Like

Jay O'Toole

Jan 22, 2026 at 4:02pm
In response to "English Sonnet: "Planning Ahead""

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Mary Ann. "Among cyber friends," indeed, it is "good to be."

Mary Ann MCPhedran

Jan 22, 2026 at 12:52pm
In response to "English Sonnet: "Planning Ahead""

Lovely words and nice to see them written by you. Good to be among
cyber friends.

1 Like

buddhangela

Jan 22, 2026 at 10:53am
In response to "Storytelling Without TELLING a Story"

Hi Jay! First, if you're a wannabe and you're writing, then you're already a writer.

A piece of advice I've heard multiple times on WdC–and in Stephen King's On Writing–is that to be a good writer, you have to read a lot. Up until I joined WdC, I was a very slow reader and didn't read much or often. Maybe it was fear of failure (?) but I was reluctant to take that advice to heart. But with encouragement from participating in low-stakes challenges like "Rach's Reading Club"

and doing reviews on WdC, I found that reading a lot helped my writing immensely and in so many ways. I've also become a faster reader–never thought that would happen! Maybe you can find an author you really enjoy and try reading more of their work? Or if you're interested in a specific genre, pick a variety of random books and give them a shot and see if you get hooked. I know some people feel the need to read a book once they've begun it–I'm definitely not one of those people. Read what you enjoy, shop around, and maybe try genres you've never read before to find out if you're missing out on something that would inspire you.

So please know that you aren't alone, and not being a speed-reader isn't a bad thing–reading's just a muscle that needs to be exercised. I promise, the effort of reading, reading, reading will help.

We're all here to learn and practice our craft, and I haven't heard of any writer–high profile, newly published, or amateur wannabe

–who doesn't think their own writing sucks. (Well, except maybe Brandon Sanderson

2 Like

February 17, 2026 at 11:36pm

#1108621

The Woven Life

Exercises:

1. Internal rhyme:
"The days of Time, a gift so prime
before we live the final state.
How wet the face within His Grace,
that feels the pain of life down here."

2. Linked, or run-over, rhyme:
"This life of deepest hoping,
coping with every day.
Trials ring the tears,
the fears of what may come.
But Time is short.
The pain will not last long."

3. Interlaced rhymes:
"'The Day of Grace is fading fast' as sung the preacher late.
The Good News hath been broadly cast, though never out-of-date.
The mind, that's hard of stubborn will will not discern what's true,
until the Lord's great Word fulfill with Day of Grace then through.
Oh, list to hear the thunders roar as tribulation rolls.
They were not loud, like this before with bells long pealing tolls.
'We missed the Way, God's open Door, His Word's oft spoke extolls.'"

4. Initial, or head, rhyme:
"My thoughts from youth are really quite a mess.
Why ought these deeds to burden me each day.
Accusings by my enemy too oft.
Refusing's peace would help my mind to change.
One Day the fires of Judgment Seat will cleanse.
Soon say, 'The peace of rest will be for e'er.'
These taunts of mind will nevermore have teeth.
These haunts of death will fade into the mist."

5. Compound rhyme:
"Perfection is quite over-done.
My goodness is all of the Son."

6. Apocopated rhyme:
"The tuba paired with piccolo's
great music we should pick."

7. Amphisbaenic, or backward, rhyme:
"How great the goals of a little slug!
'I'd fly on wings, like white sea gulls.'"

8. Sight, or eye, rhyme:
"Johnny English needed help enough.
That's why he called on Agent Jeremy Bough."

---------------------------------------------

So many threads of life are in each soul.
Good many times we ask, "How can this be?
Do we need years of childhood to be whole?"

They make of each the one the world can see.
The days we live right now are working years.
We earn the funds, that help us to be free.

The freedom crafts our days, direction steers.
Our free days come when much of strength is spent.
Retire we do amid our work friends' cheers.

What free days now as checkbook's fully rent!
We sit and wonder, "What can I do? How?"
The title had, but out the door we're sent.

Return to play in childhood's long-gone Now.
My days with others molds the lasting goal,
until my life takes bedtime's final bow.

by Jay O’Toole
on February 17th, 2026

Comment

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