A little tribute to my dad that I wrote a couple years ago for him at Christmas:
A pillar of strength
On whom many rest
A father of children
Who counts himself blessed
Born to a family
That was torn into two
Adopted again
By God made anew
A man whose heart
Seeks after his Lord
Bound forever
By an unbreakable cord
Drawn ever to service
To others he gives
Especially his family
At home where he lives
A warrior at heart
One of God’s mighty men
He fights for men’s hearts
For his King them to win
Eyes full of laughter
Deep wells of love
Endlessly filled
By the Love from above
Spending time with his family
To him brings more joy
Than getting the newest
Gadget or toy
A playground for children
Always ready for fun
A comforting presence
From whom nightmares must run
Husband and father
Mentor and friend
Servant and teacher
Prince to the end
Happy Father's Day, Dad.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Running the Race...
Sunday night I was at some friends house watching a worldview course by Focus on the Family and it had a quote by Eric Liddell about why he ran the way he does or something like that and he said something like this - I run not for the praise or glory of man but because I can feel the pleasure of God when I run. So to all ya'll out there I want to encourage ya'll to run the race of life with endurance to the glory of the Most High and may ya'll feel His pleasure.
Tel
Tel
Monday, May 11, 2009
Orderly Writing
I was at a workshop the other day listening to John Erickson (author of the Hank the Cowdog books). He spoke about what it means to be a Christian writer—and I have to agree with his points. Mr. Erickson said that as Christians, our writing—or composing, or cinematography, or architecture—should be marked by excellence and order. Being “Christian” does not necessarily mean having a form of the Christian religion in your story. It does not mean that your music says “Praise ye the Lord!” every song (or some variation thereof). Rather, it means that, regardless of “religious content” our work reflects God’s order and His greatness and leaves the person better for having experienced it.
He put it something like this: Genesis 1:1-2a says “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form and void…” That is God imposing order on chaos. And then there’s Genesis 1:27 “And God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him. Male and Female He created them.” There is us, made in God’s likeness to do as He does. Therefore, in all our art—writing specifically for me and him—we should impose God’s order on chaos. It’s the only order that works anyway. Leastways, that’s what I understood Mr. Erickson to say.
And it makes sense really. As a Christian, we should strive to be the best. Our craft should be the finest. Do we have to mention God, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, or church, or the Gospel? No. Why? Because in everything we do, all should be for the glory of God (Col 3:17). Would God be glorified by shoddy work? I think not. God is the Master Craftsman. His work is always good. Should not we, who are made in His image have good works as well? And I mean “good” as in “morally upright and virtuous” as well as “superior, excellent, skillful” and even “enjoyable” and “satisfactory.”
This does not mean that I think we shouldn’t write books that are “Christian” in the sense that they actually have Christians in them (or the fantasy form thereof). If I thought that, my own work would be ridiculous! But I don’t think that we can use having Christians in our stories as an excuse for weak work. There is a lot of “fluff” (as I call it) out there. Books that have mentions of God and prayer and Christians, and church—or even more than mentions—but do little or nothing to actually leave you better for reading it. There is no substance to them. And a good book needs substance else you’ll never read it again.
Does substance mean “deep theological discussions”? No. But it does mean that it reflects God’s Truth at every instance. That even in fun, God’s law is honored. Even in something as lighthearted as Hank the Cowdog one can see the struggle between what we should do and what we do, right and wrong, good and evil. Hidden unconsciously by the author (so he said) but there nonetheless.
So I suppose my challenge to you, O writer, and myself, is to ensure that your craft and your content are pleasing to the Lord. Strive to become the best that you possibly can. Show God’s order in your work. Hide not your light but rather let it shine that men may glorify your Father in heaven!
In the King’s service,
Rien Takhid
He put it something like this: Genesis 1:1-2a says “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form and void…” That is God imposing order on chaos. And then there’s Genesis 1:27 “And God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him. Male and Female He created them.” There is us, made in God’s likeness to do as He does. Therefore, in all our art—writing specifically for me and him—we should impose God’s order on chaos. It’s the only order that works anyway. Leastways, that’s what I understood Mr. Erickson to say.
And it makes sense really. As a Christian, we should strive to be the best. Our craft should be the finest. Do we have to mention God, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, or church, or the Gospel? No. Why? Because in everything we do, all should be for the glory of God (Col 3:17). Would God be glorified by shoddy work? I think not. God is the Master Craftsman. His work is always good. Should not we, who are made in His image have good works as well? And I mean “good” as in “morally upright and virtuous” as well as “superior, excellent, skillful” and even “enjoyable” and “satisfactory.”
This does not mean that I think we shouldn’t write books that are “Christian” in the sense that they actually have Christians in them (or the fantasy form thereof). If I thought that, my own work would be ridiculous! But I don’t think that we can use having Christians in our stories as an excuse for weak work. There is a lot of “fluff” (as I call it) out there. Books that have mentions of God and prayer and Christians, and church—or even more than mentions—but do little or nothing to actually leave you better for reading it. There is no substance to them. And a good book needs substance else you’ll never read it again.
Does substance mean “deep theological discussions”? No. But it does mean that it reflects God’s Truth at every instance. That even in fun, God’s law is honored. Even in something as lighthearted as Hank the Cowdog one can see the struggle between what we should do and what we do, right and wrong, good and evil. Hidden unconsciously by the author (so he said) but there nonetheless.
So I suppose my challenge to you, O writer, and myself, is to ensure that your craft and your content are pleasing to the Lord. Strive to become the best that you possibly can. Show God’s order in your work. Hide not your light but rather let it shine that men may glorify your Father in heaven!
In the King’s service,
Rien Takhid
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Rewriting
I like writing stories. I don't like rewriting stories. At least, not that much. When I write the first draft, I feel like I'm accomplishing something. New pages of story flow with ease from my mind to the page. My friends are happy to see what happens next. I am happy to see what happens next!
Not so rewriting--especially for the sixth time. I'm dealing with storylines and descriptions that I've worked iwth before. Nothing seems fresh or new. My progress is slow. I have to resist the urge to scrap everything and start over. Sometimes I don't resist and new chapters result.
But then, when I look at what I rewrote as compared to the original, I am happy. Plot holes--even nearly invisible ones--are mended, new threads are woven in, adding richness to the tapestry of story, old threads that trailed off in ragged ends are clipped. All in all, it is a more rewarding read.
So I will keep rewriting. It is not pleasant now but the reward is far greater in the end. A bit like God's working in our lives, I suppose. "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Heb 12:11). God's always working on our lives, bringing us to a closer likeness of Himself. It isn't fun. Sometimes--oftentimes--its the same lessons that we were working on last week, last month, last year. But each time, the lesson is deeper, more profound, shaving away more of our sinful nature. And we become more like Christ. Sounds good to me!
Not so rewriting--especially for the sixth time. I'm dealing with storylines and descriptions that I've worked iwth before. Nothing seems fresh or new. My progress is slow. I have to resist the urge to scrap everything and start over. Sometimes I don't resist and new chapters result.
But then, when I look at what I rewrote as compared to the original, I am happy. Plot holes--even nearly invisible ones--are mended, new threads are woven in, adding richness to the tapestry of story, old threads that trailed off in ragged ends are clipped. All in all, it is a more rewarding read.
So I will keep rewriting. It is not pleasant now but the reward is far greater in the end. A bit like God's working in our lives, I suppose. "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Heb 12:11). God's always working on our lives, bringing us to a closer likeness of Himself. It isn't fun. Sometimes--oftentimes--its the same lessons that we were working on last week, last month, last year. But each time, the lesson is deeper, more profound, shaving away more of our sinful nature. And we become more like Christ. Sounds good to me!
Friday, February 6, 2009
New Purpose
In the beginning, this blog contained updates on Rien and Tel's progress toward winning the prize set forth in the Isle of Fire contest sponsered by Wayne Thomas Batson. That contest is long since over and we await the time when we can reap the fruits of our labors. Now I (Rien) intend to take this blog in a new direction. From this day forth it will contain the occasional update on my writing journey. And, of course, Tel's opinion of said journey and whatever else he wants to say. For now, I leave with this summary of the first book in the Narratives of Nartanis, Sword Aflame
Draw me only in the right
Against my foes the Hosts of Night
Only then, behold my light
And strike at evil with thy might
For years, the cryptic verse inscribed along his sword’s blade and strange dreams and visions have haunted Conrad Edricson’s mind and heart. Now, with the Hosts of Night on the move and the king’s army assembling, it seems that he may finally have the chance to find answers to his many questions. And so Conrad sets out on his journey—despite the fact that he knows nothing of swordplay.
But in the land of Nartanis things are not always what they seem and even the most ordinary looking objects may contain hidden power. When the battle begins, Conrad’s sword reveals itself as one of the legendary Eliorc blades, powerful weapons against the Hosts of Night. Nothing can ever be the same for the former farmer as he his plunged into a world even he never dreamed would be his.
Draw me only in the right
Against my foes the Hosts of Night
Only then, behold my light
And strike at evil with thy might
For years, the cryptic verse inscribed along his sword’s blade and strange dreams and visions have haunted Conrad Edricson’s mind and heart. Now, with the Hosts of Night on the move and the king’s army assembling, it seems that he may finally have the chance to find answers to his many questions. And so Conrad sets out on his journey—despite the fact that he knows nothing of swordplay.
But in the land of Nartanis things are not always what they seem and even the most ordinary looking objects may contain hidden power. When the battle begins, Conrad’s sword reveals itself as one of the legendary Eliorc blades, powerful weapons against the Hosts of Night. Nothing can ever be the same for the former farmer as he his plunged into a world even he never dreamed would be his.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Winner!
That's right, by virtue of hard work and helpful friends, victory is ours! Technically, it's mine since I was the official entrant and Tel didn't actually do the work. But without him pestering me constantly to get things done and then helping me post all the reviews, there is no way I could have won. So we are the victors! To see the official blog post detailing our victory click here.
Congratulations also to the others who worked hard to claim one of the top five spots. It was a pleasure "warring" against you!
We're going with "Ril Taniel" for our name in Batson's future series. What do you think?
Rien
Oh Ya its over!!! Thanks to all ya'll who helped out. Ya'll were Grrreat.
ps. Ahhhem!! I did work! I actually was the mastermind of the whole thing.
Tel
Congratulations also to the others who worked hard to claim one of the top five spots. It was a pleasure "warring" against you!
We're going with "Ril Taniel" for our name in Batson's future series. What do you think?
Rien
Oh Ya its over!!! Thanks to all ya'll who helped out. Ya'll were Grrreat.
ps. Ahhhem!! I did work! I actually was the mastermind of the whole thing.
Tel
Thursday, October 16, 2008
To Wait
It is October 16. The Isle of Fire Contest has come to an end. Tel and I were up until after midnight on the 14th making sure we got all our posts made and points in. My thanks to the following people who wrote reviews for Isle of Fire and Isle of Swords for me:
- Tel Maethanru
- Erain Thayleon
- mom o' 6
I really appreciate it!
Now all that remains is to wait. The Door Within blog is now my home page. I eagerly look forward to seeing who emerges the victor from this quest!
Rien
Now all that remains is to wait. The Door Within blog is now my home page. I eagerly look forward to seeing who emerges the victor from this quest!
Rien
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