Patti Wolf

Christian Flash Fiction Week 6 Prompt

I’m Patti Wolf your host at Christian Flash Fiction. We are into a second month of scribbling spiritual sand through fiction. If you’re a reader, enjoy! If you’re a writer, please join us.

Have you ever felt you have compromised what you believe in from the Word of God? Maybe dark shadows hide your light? That can happen when we are not being true to God. Let the quote below from the book of Romans be your guide in our next prompt.

Thanks for stopping in 💕

Your Prompt for Week is from Romans 13:12

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light
Romans 13:12

A Few Rules:

Be creative with your 200 words or less not including your title
Include the prompt in quotes
Take time to read other posts
Make sure to use the whole quote somewhere in your story
Play nice, try to encourage not tear down
This is a weekly prompt which has a weekly limit
In the comment box add your name and enter the direct URL to your answer to the prompt
On your blog, please provide a link back to Christian Flash Fiction. So others can be blessed

The Darkness of Conviction

It was late and I was finishing the dirty dishes. As I looked out the dark window a strange feeling overwhelmed me.

“Lord, ‘the night is far spent’. How long before ‘the day is at hand?’”

Work had been hard. There are things a follower of Christ just can’t do. My struggle was justified. I needed this job. How could I wake up another day and walk in the Light?

The last sermon at church had brought conviction. ‘Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness!’ My pastor’s words dug deep in my weary heart.

I thought there is no room for compromise.

The last of the dishes clanged as I stacked them. A tower of plates, bowls and cups balanced awkwardly. They teetered as I placed the last plate atop the rest. I adjusted the items so I could put a pan over everything.

I stared at the overloaded strainer. My compromises at work had piled up like dirty dishes. Something needed to be done. I knew what it was. ‘And let us put on the armor of light.’

I smiled. A tower of dishes and a metal pan taught me a lesson. Tomorrow I would walk in the light of Christ.

Monday Morning Mist

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14

Most mornings, of late, a mist seems to cling to the earth early in the morning. The sun is rising a bit later. Summer is beginning to take a bow. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

The seasons seem to change quickly, especially in Wisconsin. Life can be like that. Families torn apart, job changes due to personal conviction, countries being led by evil rulers and poor news from the doctor. There are so many ways our lives can be turned up-side-down.

Yet, doesn’t God say He is with us always? He is the One from eternal past and through eternity itself. Why do we doubt? Perhaps, it’s human nature. Whatever we face this week, God already knows about it. Wait on Him.

Within hours of finishing this post one of my grandkids had a seizure. After several hours of testing, nothing was found. Those few hours seemed endless and now there will be weeks of wondering if it will happen again. Worry and concern will try to take my focus off God. That is when I will remind myself, “God already knows about it.” Then I will wait on Him! Won’t you please join me in trusting God this week?

The I Am the Light series!

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

Jemi’s Noble Quest

Come meet Jemi as she travels back in time to the first days of Creation. Weep and cry with her as she discovers her inner spiritual abilities. Join her as she trusts God through trial after trial. Jemi’s noble quest will not easily be forgotten, as this young woman seeks the meaning to her life.

Scene Images from Jemi’s Quest
(online photo credit)

For years during Jemi’s childhood, she listened to the great stories of Job’s sorrowful but rewarding life. She spent her days dreaming of ancient creatures; Behemoth with his bronze stature and Leviathan from the depths of the sea.

Jemi is now ready for a journey. However, she will experience things unbelievable along the way of her noble quest. Time and time again, Jemi will struggle and fail. Yet in the end, her heart will be drawn to the memories of an ancestor who showed fortitude in the most extreme circumstances

Jacob’s Narrow Journey

“Jacob’s Narrow Journey” reveals that the true journey is not through the desert sands, but rather the personal wilderness that we all encounter. Pilgrimages can serve to instill a true peace which we all can encounter in a growing relationship with God.

Scene Images from Jacob’s Journey
(online photo credits)

In an adventure, not soon to be forgotten, Jacob makes a spiritual journey into manhood as we travel with him in “Jacob’s Narrow Journey”. This is the sequel and second book in the “I Am the Light” series. It reveals the continued saga of life which is centered during early New Testament times. The story unveils a sincere scenario of the hardships, joys and even a bit of true love.

Jacob’s bloodline filters down from the Biblical character of Job. Jacob’s mother, Jemi, has kept their heritage alive with recounted tales. A shadow of her earlier adventures, from the first book in this series, “Jemi’s Nobel Quest”, builds on the continued foundation for her family.

Travel with Jacob’s family as they are uprooted. The reader will journey from the Great Sea, through the desert and end at the Sea of Galilee. During their travels they will meet all types of controversy. Each storm of life will touch them in different ways.

Patti Wolf, author of the I Am the Light series

Murmuration Monday

As a writer, I am always observing. Yesterday morning was no exception. A couple hundred blackbird flew overhead, in the sky, as I was walking my dog. This is my second encounter with a murmuration. It’s a surreal moment in time. Unfortunately, I did not have my cell phone on me to snap a photo. By the time I went back to the house to get it, the moment was over.

What moments will you miss this week? Are you in touch with the Spirit’s leading? If not, dig into the Bible and reconnect with Abba , Father!

Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness
Psalm 143:10

Although Starlings are not the only birds that do it, a murmuration is a term more specifically used for starling flocks. Starlings use murmuration to confuse predators and to keep warm. Most other birds “flock together” to travel long distances and flocking reduces their energy expenditure
http://lifeonsphere.com

Christian Flash Fiction: Inviting Writers

I’m Patti Wolf your host at Christian Flash Fiction. We are completing our first month of scribbling spiritual sand through fiction. If you’re a reader, enjoy! If you’re a writer, please join us.

This past week one of my son’s best friends suddenly died. He left behind a wife and two young children. It has been 36 years, this month, that my husband suddenly passed away leaving me with two very young children.

As most know, the sting of death is always with us. Perhaps, it’s a way of keeping the memory of a loved one alive. I would never have survived the grief I endure without a loving, caring, compassionate God!

Your Prompt for Week 5 is from Psalms 56:8

“You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?”

A Few Rules:

Be creative with your 144 words or less not including your title
Include the prompt in quotes
Take time to read other posts
Make sure to use the whole quote
Play nice, try to encourage not tear down
This is a weekly prompt which has a weekly limit
In the comment box add your name and enter the direct URL to your answer to the prompt
On your blog, please provide a link back to Christian Flash Fiction. So others can be blessed

A Bottle of Tears

It was early morning. I strolled out the front door. Hopelessness encompassed me.

“Lord, why?”

The night before a mist from heaven fell as I left the hospital. Tears for my grief, I thought.

“Lord, ‘You number my wanderings’’, but not this. I have two children to raise without a father!”

I crumble to the ground.

A mourning dove called in the distance. It was a sad sound which filled my heart.

Tears streamed down my face. I could cry a million tears and still there would be more.

Looking up I said, “Lord, I ‘put my tears in Your bottle’ for this is when I need You the most.”

It was then I asked, “ ‘are they not in Your book?’”

I stretched my hands upwards. No matter how difficult the weeks ahead, I would trust in God.

P. Wolf; author of the “I Am the Light” series

Available now on Amazon

Book Release: Second Book in the “I Am the Light” series

“Jacob’s Narrow Journey” reveals that the true journey is not through the desert sands, but rather the personal wilderness that we all encounter. Pilgrimages can serve to instill a true peace which we all can encounter in a growing relationship with God.

Scenes from “Jacob’s Narrow Journey”

“I Am the Light”series

Jemi’s Noble Quest
Jacob’s Narrow Journey
Ruth’s Empty Road (TBA)

Jacob’s Narrow Journey: Calling of Messiah available on Amazon

Christian Flash Fiction: Writers Invited

Welcome,

I’m your host, Patti Wolf, for Christian Flash Fiction. Each Wednesday the porthole opens up with a new prompt. This week we are strolling through open fields. Don’t be shy, stop in and leave your contact (direct URL) information in the comment section. Have fun with it!

Your Prompt for Week 4

“The pastures are clothed with flocks;
The valleys also are covered with grain” Psalm 65:13

A Few Rules:

Be creative with your 144 words or less not including your title
Include the prompt in quotes
Take time to read other posts
Make sure to use the whole quote
Play nice, try to encourage not tear down
This is a weekly prompt which has a weekly limit
In the comment box add your name and enter the direct URL to your answer to the prompt
On your blog, please provide a link back to Christian Flash Fiction. So others can be blessed

Open Fields

‘The pastures are clothed with flocks’, but in our case they are just speckled with wild flowers,” Carol smiled.

“Nana Carol, what are they doing in that field?”

“They are harvesting ‘the valleys are covered with grain.’”

“Cool.”

“Decades ago farmers would work together during harvest time. Picking, cutting and storing fruits from the earth. When it was over there would be a hoedown.”

“What’s a hoedown?”

“It’s a big picnic with food and dancing.”

“No playing?” Nick scowled.

“Of course they played. Now neighbors have little time for each other.”

“Hello,” said Nick to an elderly man.

“Morning, I see you’re out for a walk.”

“Yep, we saw a harvester.”

“Oh, I remember the days I drove a harvester.”

“Really?”

The man looked at Carol, “Would you care to come sit for awhile?”

“What do you think, Nick?”

“It’s a great idea!” Nick smiled.

Patti Wolf, Author of the series I Am the Light

Recently released on Amazon. Be one of the first to read the continuing story of Jemi’s family.

Another Monday to Serve the Lord!

Each of us has a mission this week.

Some people I know will still be battling Covid. Others are starting school. My grandkids are grasping on to the last, lazy days of summer. My son’s host mom is preparing for their first daughter’s wedding. Many at my church are putting in the final touches to next week’s VBS. The topic is “The Time Machine”!

Can you imagine traveling through time with Jesus from eternity past to eternal future!

We are. If you are a child of God, every minute of every day you are on a journey with our dear Savior, God the Father and our Helper the Holy Spirit.

Weather you’re changing baby diapers or ministering to elderly parents, you are serving God. Rely on Him to get you through. You know He loves you. Whatever your daily ministry is, do it all for the love you have for Jesus!

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God
I Peter 4:10

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 36:7

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 4:3

And some of us will still be editing. Patti Wolf, Scribbling Spiritual Sand

Christian Flash Fiction; Inviting Writers

Welcome,

I’m your host, Patti Wolf, for Christian Flash Fiction. Each Wednesday the porthole opens up with a new prompt. This week we’re starting a tad early to give writers a little extra time to join. Don’t be shy, stop in and leave your contact (direct URL) information in the comment section. Have fun with it!

Your Prompt for Week 3

“Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust,” Psalm 143:8a

A Few Rules:

Be creative with your 144 words or less not including your title
Include the prompt in quotes
Take time to read other posts
Make sure to use the whole quote
Play nice, try to encourage not tear down
This is a weekly prompt which has a weekly limit
In the comment box add your name and enter the direct URL to your answer to the prompt
On your blog, please provide a link back to Christian Flash Fiction. So others can be blessed

Refections

Sarah slammed her Bible shut!

“This just doesn’t work.”

She strolled into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and grabbed her favorite ice cream, chocolate mint. Single parenting was a difficult task. Her son, James, was failing sixth grade. Marie, her daughter, suffered from asthma. Sarah’s job demanded overtime, while her desire was to spend more time with her kids.

“How can my pastor say there’s a loving God?”

After putting her bowl in the sink, she glanced out the window. It was dark as she saw her reflection in the glass. Her hair was disheveled and in need of a trim. She signed.

“Sarah, when life gets tough I call to God.” Her deceased mother’s words made her smile, as a tear slid down her face.

“‘Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning. For in You do I trust, Lord.”

P. Wolf, author of the “I Am the Light” available on Amazon and locally at Faith & Giggles

August Cries

As cicadas sing in swaying pines , squirrels scramble in search of winter’s stash and swallowtails soar in blue skies, August is ushered in my backyard. All is at peace as summer marches on.

It’s no wonder the days linger long, as school days are short at hand. One more vacation, one more pool day, one more picnic before; cicada, squirrel and swallowtail vanish from my landscape. “Just one more time,” cry the children as school days approach, little too soon, in a big world of fun.

Brilliant, brazen blooms;
nodding in late summer breeze
an early farewell.

P. Wolf visiting August around the world at:

https://dversepoets.com/2021/08/02/haibun-monday-8-2-21-august/