tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34937685710865268522026-06-09T13:52:46.872-04:00In a Christian Writer's Lifeof faith in God and writing in all genresMary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-6007186684587805672026-02-19T13:29:00.000-05:002026-02-19T13:29:11.320-05:00Common Sayings Straight from the Bible&nbsp;Have you ever run across a familiar expression while reading the Bible and thinking, “Oh, that’s where that saying came from”?Almost every language is flexible and continually changing, yet biblical expressions have often kept their initial meanings intact. For example: &nbsp; "Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9. "Old as Methuselah," (see Genesis 5:27.) "Apple of my eye," Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-1653831582604901372026-01-30T11:01:00.000-05:002026-01-30T11:01:07.552-05:00The Power of “Let”&nbsp;Have you ever noticed how often the word “let” appears in the Bible? Some translations say over a thousand time. Others report almost four thousand! Regardless, that little three-letter word caught my attention this week as though I’d never before seen it. Such a small word, yet defined by so many facets, for example: &nbsp; Let permits or allows. “We let the kids stay up a while.” &nbspMary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-36806396599506334362025-12-17T13:14:00.001-05:002025-12-17T13:14:27.266-05:00Life and Grief at Christmas<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-64844104739568950142025-11-24T15:38:00.000-05:002025-11-24T15:38:00.325-05:00What parents do NOT want to see in books for childrenOn a social media site, someone asked what parents had tired of seeing in children’s books, and the response was overwhelming! Since parents are the primary book-buyers and readers of books for kids, their voices need to be heard and heeded by those of us who write for young readers. Here’s what parents consistently dislike:Rhyming books with no sense of rhythm or musicalityText and illustrationsMary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-2496069612435244002025-11-14T06:11:00.000-05:002025-11-14T06:11:33.729-05:00What’s in a Name?&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-41405400004627400372025-10-29T11:36:00.006-04:002025-10-29T11:36:48.668-04:00Writing with the Promises of God<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-59892283966986909132025-09-27T17:08:00.000-04:002025-09-27T17:08:18.281-04:00The Necessity Many Christian Poets and Writers Lack&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-60240050880643330512025-09-19T15:17:00.000-04:002025-09-19T15:17:46.726-04:00Part 2: Learning to Cope With Being OLD&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-84480749450434606732025-09-15T10:28:00.001-04:002025-09-15T10:38:15.188-04:00Part 1: Learning to Cope With Being OLD&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-67356661881124433832025-09-06T15:45:00.002-04:002025-09-06T15:45:28.066-04:00Highly Creative InsomniacsOne of the characteristics of very creative people involves thinking outside the line, the circle, and, yes, okay, the box. These men and women typically include writers, poets, scientists, composers, philosophers, artisans, and gifted children, especially those with empathy or sensitivity to others.Often, these gifts overlap, for example, a poet might also write, create music, or paint. Or a Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-81382767376402166482025-08-18T11:31:00.000-04:002025-08-18T11:31:20.069-04:00Chosen to Write&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-15203858694566597202025-08-01T19:46:00.003-04:002025-08-01T19:46:56.720-04:00Announcing Good New to All Nations&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-88058640843606577352025-07-22T16:29:00.000-04:002025-07-22T16:29:52.159-04:00Unexpected Joy&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-3500799265303578012025-06-28T17:42:00.000-04:002025-06-28T17:42:44.093-04:00Learning to Love the Whole Body of Christ<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-44205739550313408082025-06-12T16:20:00.000-04:002025-06-12T16:20:27.764-04:00Where Do You Want Your Words to Go?&nbsp;“Ouchy! Ouchy, I stubbed my toe!” Hopefully, such words do not need an audience. Even if we’re in a room with a compassionate person, who says, “Oh, Poor Baby!” we really don’t need to commemorate those words in writing. Unfortunately, many writers, including Christians, crave attention for every woe and complaint, often going on and on as though no one will understand without lengthy Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-84509936518172906352025-05-20T12:02:00.000-04:002025-05-20T12:02:23.226-04:00Let’s Hear It For John 3:17!&nbsp;Church-goer or not, anyone who’s watched football on TV or been to a game has surely heard of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him will have everlasting life.” That’s a promise –the most vital one the Lord gives, assuring us of His plan for our salvation. Unfortunately, many people do not believe they’re worthy of such a Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-7904832617922930402025-04-16T13:49:00.000-04:002025-04-16T13:49:16.502-04:00Betraying Jesus&nbsp;At the crucifixion, all the sins of the world landed on Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice freely given by the unblemished Lamb of God – God’s Son, Who took all our blemishes to His grave, left them there, and, on Easter, arose without them. If, however, we think all the blame of this landed on Judas, the definitive betrayer, we would be wrong. For, as Jesus carried our sins, Judas carried our Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-47141149060129025072025-03-03T11:55:00.001-05:002025-03-03T11:55:39.434-05:00God messaged me through musicSince I grew up in church, hymn lyrics provided the primary poetry in my life. Well, that and Robert Lewis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verse. Decades later, I can still recite some of the latter. And I still like to swing and eat animal crackers but without the cocoa. However, the words to hymns escape me until the music begins and kinetic memory beckons me to sing along. During the day, I Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-12197245596393965532025-02-22T18:27:00.000-05:002025-02-22T18:27:11.490-05:00God, me, and overhanging trees<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-72117945472429252382024-11-09T16:10:00.000-05:002024-11-09T16:10:05.950-05:00Praying Afer Every Election!1 Timothy 2:1-4 – “Make prayers, requests, intercession, and thanksgiving for everyone – for your leaders and all in authority – so we may lead a quiet and peaceable life of honesty and dignity. For this is good in the sight of God our Savior, Who wants everyone to be saved and come to know the truth.” Lord, even if we despise someone in a position of authority, You don’t! Your will is for Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-54509082725909458632024-04-19T00:40:00.000-04:002024-04-19T00:40:01.447-04:00ABC Characteristics of Christians&nbsp;This alphabetical list describes traits commonly held among Christians from all sorts of backgrounds and church affiliations. However, numerous other possibilities exist too. For instance, we might prefer “Disciplined” under “D” or “Peacemaking” instead of “Prayerful” or “Victorious” in lieu of “Versatile.” Regardless of the variations we use as substitutes for the words selected here, theMary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-54478899661541252622024-04-13T14:27:00.003-04:002024-04-13T14:27:33.728-04:00God wants to bring good from badRemember how Romans 8:28&nbsp; assures us that "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose?" Two biblical examples of this very thing come to mind:First, when the Apostle Paul heard of some basic no-no's happening among the Christians in Corinth, he wrote a letter to chastise them. Eventually, however, he tried another approach, and by ChapterMary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-20979579738081326502022-04-03T11:03:00.019-04:002024-04-13T11:55:53.328-04:00Me, Myself, and Eye Care&nbsp;When I mentioned my macular hole (left eye) and macular wrinkle (right eye) to a fellow writer in my Christian Poets &amp; Writers group on Facebook, I learned he has a similar problem! I hope it's not a common concern among poets and writers, but if you have worsening vision, I pray these tips will help: &nbsp; Place a magnifying glass in every room where you’re apt to need one.Add Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-8451010868113850042022-01-13T09:36:00.001-05:002022-01-13T09:39:21.948-05:00When people in your presence push their politics&nbsp;(Yes, alliteration intended.) Are you weary of hearing heated debates over politics? If so, try turning disputes into a truce with these Bible tips.All Christians have a duty to tell the truth of God’s Word: “There is no&nbsp;authority&nbsp;except from God,” Romans 13.All lands are placed under God-given authority (Jeremiah 27:6.)&nbsp;All of the people in the crowd recognized Jesus’ Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493768571086526852.post-50124138276618997682022-01-08T11:43:00.003-05:002022-01-08T11:43:33.864-05:00Caregivers, Caretakers Undoubtedly, our circumstances differ in detail, but my thoughts here and your Comments below might help each of us who cares for an adult with some form of dementia or an inability to process or recall information.Note the attention span of the person in your care. One minute? Three? &nbsp;Be prepared to answer the same question or hear the same story many, many times. Offer needed instructions Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com4