R.A. Nelson's Blog, page 2

“GENTLY!” – A 2020 Reflection

Friends, it’s been a rough fortnight at the Nelson homestead.

Two weeks ago, the hubs got very sick. This would be distressing enough at any time, but it’s 2020, y’all. COVID-fears blended with the usual sickness-anxieties, and all our plans for the week promptly evaporated into mist. Thankfully, the COVID test came back negative, and my poor spouse eased his way back into recovery—just in time for me to come down with the ...

Reflection on Election

Hello, friends.

This morning, amidst the ongoing anxiety of these election days, this verse struck me:

“We could say more but could never say enough;
let the final word be: ‘He is the all.’”
~ Ecclesiasticus 43:27

It commingled with the aforementioned anxiety, and a poem came out.

It’s called “Reflection on Election (and Ecclesiasticus)”.

Take heart, dear ones.

Reflection ...

Let’s Talk MORE About Writing

Let’s talk MORE about writing, friends.

I recently read a chapter entitled “Faith and Fiction” from Frederick Buechner’s Secrets in the Dark. His thoughts on “the Muse” fascinated me:

The word fiction comes from a Latin verb meaning “to shape, fashion, feign.” That is what fiction does, and in many ways it is what faith does too. You fashion your story, like you fashion your faith, out of the great hodgepodge of your life . ...

Let’s Talk About Writing

Let’s talk about writing. Specifically, let’s talk about writing books.

In Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, Grisha become stronger and healthier by using their power. If they try to hide their power, the strain manifests in physical debilitation—but all they have to do is use their power to bring a glow to their skin and a sparkle to their eye. Literally. Observe:

“Right,” I said, and snatched the mirror from her. But the...

Sit Down

“What are your deepest fears?”

I vividly remember the answers I gave to my first boyfriend when he asked me this question. (Alas, I have no memory of his answers when I reciprocated the query; great listening there, Ruth.) Perhaps I remember them so distinctly because they surprised me. The first words out of my mouth were:

“Being wrong.”

Followed swiftly by:

“Not being loved.”

The more I reflect on it, however, the less surpri...

Legacy

My grandaddy was a Pentecostal preacher in the deep south.

He held tent revival meetings in the 40s and 50s and faced violent opposition–not because of his message, but because his meetings were open to people of EVERY race. My dad has a vivid memory from early childhood of his father bringing home and ministering to a fellow preacher who had been beaten nearly to death by the KKK.

This is my heritage.

My dad, too, became a preacher, but...

The (Painful) Ascent

My heart is heavy, friends. And it should be.

I’ve been pondering “growth” lately. My 35th birthday was last week, and it transpired in the middle of a strange soul-spring. I can feel new roots pushing down, uprooting long-cherished weeds to make room for deeper, harder truth. I sense new blossoms and strange fruit eager to burst forth from these fresh, ancient roots. My whole being seems alive to the turn of the season as Life erupts sl...

Writing a Marathon

I ran a marathon in my neighborhood on Saturday, May 9th.

My 35th birthday is coming soon, and I had already run four marathons, so “5 Before 35” seemed like a worthy goal. Somehow, although my training runs had been terrible, pace-wise, I ran my fastest 26.2 miles ever (3:53:12!!!), helped throughout by Imagine Dragons and The Critshow. (Thanks, friends.)

I celebra...

“Um, So . . .”: The World According to Doc – Chapter 6 (Bee-ing Scared)

Um, So . . . The World According to Doc
Chapter 6: Bee-ing Scared

Um, so . . . hi. I am Doc. Today I want to talk abowt bee-ing scared.

I noe a lot abowt bee-ing scared. I used to bee-ing scared all of the times, but now I am only bee-ing scared sum of the times. 

I like to be under or bee-tween things when I am bee-ing scared.

I think I was bee-ing scared a lot more bee-cuz of bad things that used to happen to me alot. (Ive had a hard life.) But, now, I have...

“Um, So . . .”: The World According to Doc (I’ve Had a Hard Life)

This week, Doc dives deep into his sad past . . . 

Um, So . . . Chapter 5: Ive Had a Hard Life

Um, so . . . hi. My name is Doc.

I have had a hard life.

I do not noe a lot abowt my life bee-for my Mommy and Daddy fownd me. I do not think it wuz verry gud. They sed the verry nice peepel at the shell-ter had fownd me wanderr-ing arownd in the streetz. I wuz all uh-lone. I try not to think abowt it.

I do noe I wuz verry scared a lot of the times. I wuz a littel...