Posts made in December, 2014

Saying Good-bye to 2014

Posted by on Dec 30, 2014 in Writer's Diary

As we close on 2014, I am left with a single thought: I am going to do better in 2015. I must.

Ending the year in such a headspace is difficult, but I would be lying if I implied anything otherwise. The truth is that I gave up on my dream for a season (or at least 2 months); I lost sight of what I loved and why.

I put money in place of value, and I filled my time with needless diversions and excuses rather than doing the hard work required to become a great writer. And I lamented these choices while I was making them and even more so after the fact.

Like most optimists, however, I see a benefit to these lost days. You see, I have tried–with little success, really—to share with you my writing journey–the up’s and down’s and day-to-day. If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time, you know that while I’ve shared highlights and disappointments, I’ve failed to be consistent (which is a key component of a successful blog) and am changing my goal set for 2015. If nothing else, the season when I became distracted is evidence that writers can lose sight of the prize and yet return to it—and with greater productivity and vigor than they might have had were they to have coasted through that period.

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Review : The Lamb & The Fuhrer Graphic Novel

Posted by on Dec 23, 2014 in Reviews & Recommendations

The Lamb & The Fuhrer
From Kingstone Media
Written by Ravi Zacharias
*PLEASE NOTE: I received a hardcopy of this book to review for the publisher.

The Lamb & the Fuhrer is a recent collaboration between Ravi Zacharias and Kingstone Media, and together they create a somewhat effective look at each man’s final judgment after death. I can’t praise the book entirely for what I believe is a real narrative “sin”, but I can say that the work provides some of Kingstone’s most intense and provocative material to date.

So, let me get my gripe out of the way first, and we can be positive moving forward. The book opens with the framing device of a German national taking his American friend on a tour of important locations from the Second World War and its aftermath. During the tour they discuss Hitler’s position, and what it must have been like (will be like?) in the moment he stands before Jesus Christ to give an account of his life. They interject local German hero and Christian author Deitrich Bonhoeffer as a witness during the judgement, and they envision the discussion’s content and outcome.

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Why I Intend to Keep Writing in 2015…

Posted by on Dec 16, 2014 in Writer's Diary

2014 was a hit-and-miss year. I’ve documented this. But now we’re headed toward 2015; and frankly, my mind’s been there for some time. To be honest, I’ve been wrapping some final posts for the next ten days, but my real focus is almost exclusively on the coming 12 months–and a relaunch of sorts. Lord-willing, I am going to be able to better hone my energies on a few specific goals and projects, making the next 12 months far more productive, useful, and fulfilling.

A few housekeeping items:

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Recommendation : The Kingstone Bible : Volume 7 : The Exiles

Posted by on Dec 10, 2014 in Reviews & Recommendations

The Kingstone Bible : Volume 7 : The Exiles
From Kingstone Media
*PLEASE NOTE: I received a hardcopy of this book to review for the publisher.

Kingstone Media has given comics readers another portion of the Old Testament in graphic novel form thanks to The Kingstone Bible: Volume 7: The Exiles. This interesting view into the plight of Israel is not only full of powerful storytelling but dynamic art, making it yet another valuable addition to the ongoing anthology (Volumes 1, 3, and 4, I have already reviewed). By collecting the stories of Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, the Kingstone Bible gives an impression of life for the Jewish people following their being taken to Babylon, while also highlighting some fantastic moments of this Biblical era.

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Eureka…kinda

Posted by on Dec 6, 2014 in Writer's Diary

As I look to wrap up 2014 and renew my efforts in the coming year, I have had a realization–an important one. Frankly, the last few months I was vexed by what to do with my continued writing pursuits. What projects I should abandon? What ends I should pursue? I feel like I am finally getting my answers.

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t lost some hope. In truth, my enthusiasm waxes and wanes more oft than the moon itself. I have had my days in despair; my hours of inaction. I’ve given into those “other” whispers–not the Spirit’s gentle voice or the encouragement of the Scriptures but the self-doubt and inclinations toward surrender. I’ve given ear to the accuser, to the enemy; I’ve let him sow his seeds of discontentment and fear. I’ve mused on his taunts and ill charges, and he has snatched more of my attention than I would like. He’s held me at bay longer than I care to admit.

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