Sarah L. Frantz's Blog, page 7
June 14, 2024
Psalm Memorium
Thank you, Calla Press for including Milo & the Rattlesnake.
It warms my heart to have asked, and been granted, a memorial for the Judy & Herman Psalm days.
Judy was mentor and friend to me. Herman told me this true account which I have fictionalized with his permission.
Thank you, Herman, I will never forget those days with you and Ma’am.
To God be the glory!
From The Swing Fiction Feature Friday: A Time to Refrain from Embracing
by Michael S. Poteet
Michael Poteet has written a well-crafted story with a fluid rhythm. His characters, intrigue, historical details, and book-shop setting quickly drew me in.
Lexi has long since dug her way out of her beloved, though deceased, dad’s book collection — a quaint and adored neighborhood shop.
In its place, she’s reached the pinnacle of her trade selling rare and pristine collections brought to her by the mysterious Travis (serious other and love of her life even with limited biannual visits).
Shaken by the discovery that both her livelihood and love life were built on shifting sand, Lexi quickly and fixedly determines to remedy it despite the personal cost.
To learn more about Michael Poteet, you may find him here.
Ben Avery edited this diverse, edgy, eclectic, thrilling, masterful anthology inspired by Ecclesiastes 3.
If you love an anthology and want to add ours to your library, you may purchase your copy here!
It is available in Kindle, paperback, or hardcover!
Or you can visit my Etsy, Somebody’s Luggage to find single signature author prints by me in hardcover and paperback.
(And please consider following our anthology authors on Amazon and/or Goodreads if this is your jam.)
June 11, 2024
live slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale by Jodi H. Grubbs
Jodi Grubb’s book, published by InterVarsity Press, live slowly, is a breezy reminder to do just that. Thoughtful questions cap each chapter for personal reflection and engagement.
During this season of caretaking my dad in our home, I find myself in an ongoing wrestling match between peace and weariness — I find myself drawn to these types of book titles as I find stable footing during this season of the “long goodbye.”
Why is dementia called the long goodbye?
The fact is, Alzheimer’s is an irreversible disease and, unacceptably, has no known cure. It slowly steals the victim’s mind, leaving a long trail of broken-down, worn-out family members and caregivers behind.
{quote from Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation}
In part one, she underscores our personal need to exhale. No matter where we are or what our vocation is — we must give ourself space to breathe.
In part two, she gives examples of how to slow down leaning heavily on being present with God, self, and others.
In part three, permission is granted to enter in to a lifestyle of slower living.
Toward the end on page 176, Jodi gives the reason behind her appreciation of the open hands emoji and one of my favorite quotes which I feel summarizes the overall theme of her book.
“It has many meanings: an invitation, a blessing, a form of querying, a prayer lifted high, and a symbol of the words—may it be so.
A melting of our frozen frame of mind—open palms can feel like both a vulnerability and a welcomed truce.
Open hands lifted each morning keeps me from striving against the plan my heavenly Father has appointed for me. When I practice it, I find myself resting and being more present in the moment as a wife, caretaker, mother, Marmee, and friend.
The Eighteen Slow Living Shifts found in each chapter are listed in the appendix and followed by a helpful Group Discussion Guide making this a ready resource for a book study group.
Well done, Jodi!
If you are interested in reading Jodi’s book, you may find it here!
June 10, 2024
Monday Morning Washing in His Word
Job 35
Elihu continues
Insistent questions
“Wickedness, righteousness
Unfazes God.
Oppressed people
Cry out.
God ignores
Empty cries.
Jobs’ words
Without knowledge.”
With friends like these, who needs…
June 7, 2024
FROM THE SWING FICTION FEATURE FRIDAY: A Time to Embrace
by Kaylena Radcliff
Descriptive and beautiful writing underscores this Little Mermaid-like reversal story.
Sai’s inquisitive nature leads him to a solitary beach where he “captures” his friendly neighborhood fae, Idramos.
Mesmerized by the song of a female upworlder, will Sai and Idramos, both abyss walkers, come to her rescue?
You’ll have to read it to find out!
To learn more about Kaylena Radcliff and her writing please visit here, here or here!
Ben Avery edited this diverse, edgy, eclectic, thrilling, masterful anthology inspired by Ecclesiastes 3.
If you love an anthology and want to add ours to your library, you may purchase your copy here!
It is available in Kindle, paperback, or hardcover!
Or you can visit my Etsy, Somebody’s Luggage to find single signature author prints by me in hardcover and paperback.
(And please consider following our anthology authors on Amazon and/or Goodreads if this is your jam.)
June 3, 2024
Monday Morning Washing in His Word
Job 28
Mining silver
Refining gold
Iron removed
Smelting copper
Valley shafts
Dark depths
Earth-top
Produces bread
Deep earth
Fire churned
Saphires, gold
Unknown above
But man
Cuts channels
The deep
Remains silent
The sea
As well
No wisdom
Resides there
But who
Mines wisdom?
Where’s its
Hidden birthplace?
God alone
Knows alone
Wisdom’s place
Wisdom’s path
“To Fear
Me is
Wisdom and
Fleeing evil
Is understanding.”
“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139: 23-24
May 31, 2024
FROM THE SWING FICTION FEATURE FRIDAY: A Time to Gather Stones Together
by Reggi Broach
Reggi Broach explores a futuristic story where twelve stones promise protection and peace. As Dr. Joseph Weiseman speaks with the Creator, he comes to realize obedience and forgiveness must be paid if lives are to be spared. Will his sacrifice save them?
If you would like to read more by Reggi Broach please visit here or here.
Ben Avery edited this diverse, edgy, eclectic, thrilling, masterful anthology inspired by Ecclesiastes 3.
If you love an anthology and want to add ours to your library, you may purchase your copy here!
It is available in Kindle, paperback, or hardcover!
Or you can visit my Etsy, Somebody’s Luggage to find single signature author prints by me in hardcover and paperback.
(And please consider following our anthology auth
May 24, 2024
FROM THE SWING FICTION FEATURE FRIDAY: A Time To Cast Away Stones
by Stephen MacDonald
Kah-eel quests to know… understand… With no desire to quell his adventurous thirst for knowledge he enters a portal to the past? Or is it the future?
This story stirred my own questions, which may be totally unrelated to where Stephen was heading… does man always seek re-unification in a desire to overthrow God? Are we so small in our thinking to imagine mere numbers can equal an omnipotent God? From Babel’s tower to modern day high-rises do we constantly persist in pursuing “heaven” through man-made structures when He has offered the only humble bridge, Jesus Christ, the God-Man?
I enjoyed your world Stephen… I look forward to reading more!
Ben Avery edited this diverse, edgy, eclectic, thrilling, masterful anthology inspired by Ecclesiastes 3.
If you love an anthology and want to add ours to your library, you may purchase your copy here!
It is available in Kindle, paperback, or hardcover!
Or you can visit my Etsy, Somebody’s Luggage to find single signature author prints by me in hardcover and paperback.
(And please consider following our anthology authors on Amazon and/or Goodreads if this is your jam.)
May 20, 2024
Monday Morning Washing in His Word
Job 16
Miserable comforters
Surround Job
Windy words
Leave barren
His aching
Soul unfettered
To God
He cries
Reflection:
Banishment from the Garden ensured the possibility of redemption.
May 17, 2024
FROM THE SWING FICTION FEATURE FRIDAY: A Time To Dance
by Nathan Marchand
Nathan Marchand twirls us on an unexpected journey — from heart aching loss to grudging acceptance of sudden grief. Sometimes when death hits hard all we can do is dance. In this short story, Nathan’s protagonist Kiki is granted a tender moment she will always treasure.
Sigh….
You may read more about Mr. Marchand here and here.
Ben Avery edited this diverse, edgy, eclectic, thrilling, masterful anthology inspired by Ecclesiastes 3.
If you love an anthology and want to add ours to your library, you may purchase your copy here!
It is available in Kindle, paperback, or hardcover!
Or you can visit my Etsy, Somebody’s Luggage to find single signature author prints by me in hardcover and paperback.
(And please consider following our anthology authors on Amazon and/or Goodreads if this is your jam.)
