Flowers - Brianna

In celebration of the season, Pam led our writing group on a short study of flowers in the Bible. We looked at scripture and talked about flowers that were special to each of us. Afterwards, we wrote, either about one of the scriptures or about our special flower.  I'll share one at a time.

Here is Brianna's:

We grow and flourish like a wild flower. 

(Psalm 103:15)

Source: wunderground.com

On my runs through the municipal park near my home, I see really pretty daisies growing along the pathways. I know they are wild because the park is not landscaped. There is no structure or symmetry to their placement. They simply grow in pretty little clumps here and there.

After running past these pretty wild flowers for several weeks, I decided to pick some. Well, honestly, I did more than simply pick a few blooms. Actually, I grabbed a handful at the base and pulled an entire clump out of the ground –roots and all. Afterwards, I hurriedly stuffed my stolen treasure into the undercarriage of the jogging stroller. Looking over my shoulder, I glanced worriedly around as if a township supervisor witnessed my floral theft and was about to charge me with grand-theft daisy, but there wasn’t another soul in sight.

By the time I returned home from my run, the daisies had wilted quite a bit, but I put them in a vase of water and after an hour, they perked right up, which I took as a good sign. I’ve bought daisies at garden stores and planted them in various areas around my yard, but they never thrive. In a matter of weeks they wither away to nothing and die. My hopes are high for this wild daisy I snatched from the side of a park trail. I figure if she was thriving in dry, sandy soil on the edge of concrete, she’s got a good chance of flourishing in my slightly more organic and rich soil at the edge of my driveway.

Although I felt a little guilty for ripping her out of her natural habitat, I know I did her a favor because the last time, I ran by her ‘old home’ her sister daisies had all been mowed over. So you see, I didn’t steal her; I saved her! Now I pray she grows and flourishes in my salvation as I grow and flourish in the salvation of Christ.

See*Photo*Write

See*Photo*Write Challenge - Every Monday!

An interesting, amusing, or startling photograph

has the power to spark creativity

and arouse the writer within.

Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Do you enjoy writing prompts?

Each Monday 1st Writes offers a photo prompt for your enjoyment.
We would love to have you share your writing on this prompt.
Just provide a link to your response

or leave a response in the Comments Section below!

See*Photo*Write

See*Photo*Write Challenge - Every Monday!

An interesting, amusing, or startling photograph has the power to spark creativity and arouse the writer within.

Photo From Getty Images

Do you enjoy writing prompts?

Each Monday 1st Writes offers a photo prompt for your enjoyment.
We would love to have you share your writing on this prompt.
Just provide a link to your response
or leave a response in the Comments Section below!

From the Writer's Toolbox: Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer

I acquired the book Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer, by Roy Peter Clark, as a gift from a member of 1^st Writes. And what a power–packed book this is!

As Amazon’s description shares, “One of America's most influential writing teachers offers a toolbox from which writers of all kinds can draw practical inspiration. [Clark’s] book distills decades of experience into 50 tools that will help any writer become more fluent and effective.

Writing Tools covers the most basic (Tool 5: Get the name of the dog.) to the more complex (Tool 23: Tune your voice.) with hundreds of illustrations from literature and journalism. Bloggers, novelists, students and writers of articles, memos, e-mails, PowerPoint presentations, and love letters, will all benefit from Clark’s 50 indispensable, memorable, and usable tools.

One of my own personal favorites is Tool 10, “Cut big, then small. Prune the big limbs, then shake out the dead leaves.” Good advice!

Available at Amazon in both print and Kindle form, Writing Tools is a quick read, with short, pointed chapters to digest.

If you own a copy of this book, what is your favorite tool?

Blessings!

Pam Williams

See * Photo * Write -- Serve

See*Photo*Write Challenge - Every Monday!

An interesting, amusing, or startling photograph has the power to spark creativity and arouse the writer within.

Photo by Gillian Hamsher, NYC

Do you enjoy writing prompts?
Each Monday 1st Writes offers a photo prompt for your enjoyment.
We would love to have you share your writing on this prompt.
Just provide a link to your post about it
in the Comments Section below!

A Psalm of Spring from A to Z

From January to March 1st Writes, our inspiration and critique group, studied Psalm 119, an acrostic psalm extolling God's Word. Our assignment for the spring session was to write an acrostic psalm of our own. You can find Pam Williams' psalm, "A Psalm of Spring from A to Z",  on her blog at 2 Encourage.

My Psalm

Source: mygeegle.com

If you could write a Psalm, what would you write? 

Would you praise God? 

Would you plead with him? 

Would you tell of his glory?

Here is what I wrote at the time I was praying for little Shelby's life.

O Lord, I will trust in your promise and rely on your strength.

Though trials beat me down and threaten my sanity, I will believe.

Your power is beyond belief; miracles are nothing for you.

Every part of my life is in your hands and I will not fear.

Though I do not know your plans, O Lord, I know your ways.

Direct my path, Father, and ease my mind from worries.

Take my pain and replace it with joy in you.

You have created the world. Remember and comfort me, one of your servants.

See * Photo * Write

Swinging Bridge

See*Photo*Write Challenge - Every Monday!
An interesting, amusing, or startling photograph has the power to spark creativity and arouse the writer within.

Do you enjoy writing prompts?
Each Monday 1st Writes offers a photo prompt for your enjoyment.
We would love to have you share your writing on this prompt.
Just provide a link to your post about it
in the Comments Section below!

Quotes on Psalm 119

courtesy of Wikimedia

In our First Writes writer's group we recently concluded our study of Psalm 119. Over the years Christians have turned to it for comfort and inspiration. To read a few of their quotes stop by Pam William's blog 2 Encourage and read "Quotes on Psalm 119".

A to Z - We finished!

Source: myoneresolution.com

I have gone through the glorious contest; I have run the race; 

I have guarded the faith. 

2 Timothy 4-7 (Weymouth New Testament)

 

I thought this was a fitting scripture passage for today. How are you feeling after The A to Z Challenge?