It is impossible to say "Jesus was just a good man" as many people do. At least it is impossible to say logically. Jesus told us He is the son of God. If He is man, and not God, this is a lie. If Jesus is a liar, then He cannot be a good man. Therefore, He must be God or He is a bad man.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, there is no place in the Bible where it says a believer died. The terminology changed. Believers were present with the God or when to be with Jesus, but 'died' was not used.

While driving to the store tonight, I listened to a Bible teacher say this on the radio. I haven't researched it yet. I'm looking forward to finding out it is true. It is a blessed thought.

Last night I stayed up late watching The Ten Commandments for the gazillionth time. For those who are not old movie buffs, this is a 1956 re-enactment of the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt based on the book of Exodus staring Charlton Heston. It is regularly shown on the Saturday before Resurrection Sunday. Every year I find something new. This year I was reminded how even the littlest action can add meaning to the story. When Moses comes down from Mount Sinai, Aaron has been reluctantly participating in the worship of a golden calf.

This is a copy of the blog I recently wrote for Mile High Scribes - a soon to be chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers.

There are a limited number of plots for stories. I can’t remember if it is seven or nine plots, but the bottom line is that’s it – no more. So we know anytime we write a story the plot will be the same as someone else’s. Clichés all have an element of truth. That is why they are created. But, are our stories based on clichés of dozens of other authors?

Well, haven’t done so well on goal of weekly update for this blog, so I’m starting over again. I’m not even sure what I planned for the next entry when I wrote the last one, so I’m starting new. Writing is my passion – especially helping youth develop as writers. This week I was asked to head up a teen track for the Castle Rock Writers Conference. I said yes and am going forward with the plans. However, there is a glitch. There is a probability a gay and lesbian group will become one of the sponsors through a donation to the library.

It’s Thursday, January 29th and I just started working on my New Year resolutions, one of which is keeping this blog up-to-date with an entry each week. My goal for the year is to keep this blog up without missing a Thursday entry for the rest of the year. Last Tuesday I was challenged to think about why I write by speaker and author Kimberly Woodhouse. You can check her out at kimberleywoodhouse.com. It’s worth your time to check out how she brings JOY to her readers. Her challenge was to write to make your reader’s life better.

To all writers who like to laugh,

Check out www.robbieiobst.blogspot.com. Robbie is a writer who believes in laughter and finds ways to share her humor with friends. I hope you enjoy listening to her.

Chris

Hi, Kids,

Today my writing group, Words For The Journey, started meeting again after taking a summer break. It was wonderful to talk about writing with other writers. Do you have a friend who writes? Do you have someone to share your writing with?

My Fellow Writers,

Every writer, even the most experienced can always learn something new. That is one reason writers should attend every conference they can to hone their skills. No writer, however, can attend them all.

Conferences have a wide price range and the costs of transportation and housing has to be added. They also can be several days. Sometimes we don’t have the time or the money to go to a full program. Does this mean we should give up our plans of attending? No way. Check around your community and neighboring towns. Look for writers’ groups you can join for minimal cost.

Have you ever thought about words and phrases adults say that are the same—over and over? Do you like books with the same phrases? Most people don’t because it makes the story boring.

What new phrases can you come up with? How can you say the same thing in a new way? My eight-year-old grandson loves to tell stories and has started writing them down. One day when he was visiting, he surprised me by saying, “The people left to the farm.” We have all heard left from, but not left to.

How many things do you like to say that are different from most adults?