Services Writing became such a process of discovery I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say. ~Sharon O'Brien

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Jwwriter / Voice in the Wind

I've combined Voice in the Wind with my writing web site. Here you will find a variety of articles and other things I've written all in one location. ENJOY!

Writing

It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop.

~Vita Sackville-West

Do not put statements in the negative form.

And don't start sentences with a conjunction.

If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.

Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.

Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.

De-accession euphemisms.

If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.

Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.

Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.

~William Safire, "Great Rules of Writing"

About

I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband, a cat and a loudmouth african gray parrot. I was raised Nevada and moved to Oregon in 1980 where I attended Chemekata Community College with the intent of majoring in Journalism. However, somewhere along the line I discovered I preferred the more creative side of writing and decided not to major in jounalism after all. But took other writing courses, which came in handy later down the line when I began to submit my material for publication. I wrote for a small Christian newspaper. Unfortunately they went out of business. Writing for me is more than just a mere pass time as some non writers call it. It's a passion which God has instilled within me to express through words the wonders of creativity which dwell within me. This drive is so strong that to not write would stifle my soul and spirit and cause me undue grief. So I write.. fiction, non fiction, poetry, a blog and more. In 2003 I designed, wrote and published Voice in the Wind which began as a church newsletter. see VWM page Currently I am working on a fiction novel and a non fiction book about living with disabilities and plans for publication. If you are interested in any of the articles on my site for publication or a copy for personal use please contact me . See contact pg Note: The fiction page is by invitation only. You must submit a request to view this page Approved requests will recieve instructions to view page via email see contact page to submit request.

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Contact Me

1. To contact me please fill in the form with your name, a valid email address, subject and a brief message..

2. If you're interested my material for publication or a copy for personal use only. Please state : publication or personal copy in subject line. note if a timely response is needed in message section.

3. I'm not currently accepting submissions for Voice in the Wind. However if you've written for VWM before you may submit material to via email for review and future use. Subject line should read submission for review. By submitting material you agree that VWM to edit it as needed and use it on this site and or the blog.

Articles

Article 1

The good bad and organic

The weather was an unexpectedly warm and the sun shone brightly through the windshield as we cruised with our sun glasses on south on highway 101 towards our Gold Beach, Oregon. Finally a weekend to sneak away from the demands of work, never-ending phone calls asking questions which could be answered with a little common sense. As we drove along the often narrow and winding coastal highway we talked about how much fun we were going to have when we took a scenic mail boat cruise up the legendary Rouge River. If you've never taken a boat ride on Jerry's mail boats then you're missing a real adventure. At 6am the next morning a line of people anxiously lined up and waited to board the mail boats and filled every seat. We pulled out of the harbor seals bobbed up and down around us and sea gulls swarmed the harbor hoping for tidbits of leftover fish. As we approached the huge bridge someone was standing up there waiting to snap a Kodak Moment. So we all waved and the boat cruised onward. As we cruised deeper into is quiet mysterious canyons we noticed several waterfalls, and some very interesting residents. Otters swarm and played on nearby banks and while eagles swopped from unknown heights to snag a fish from the river only a few feet from the boat. Several miles down the river we stopped to take a break, then got back in boat and headed deeper into the canyons of the Rouge River and wondered what we would see next. A few miles up the river someone spotted a black bear making his way through the shrubbery along the canyon wall. We squinted our eyes against the hot afternoon sun in effort to see this four legged residents which roam the hillsides. But without binoculars I couldn't see him clearly, however I did see a few deer high-stepping it on the other side of the river bank. We bounced over rapids and spun wildly around as the driver drenched us with chilly river water but we all laughed and begged for more. Before long it was time to turn around and head back, but first a bite of lunch was needed. Then, finally we cruised back into the harbor and eased our aching bodies from the boat back to our jeep. Only to stop and smile knowing we'd do it again in a heartbeat. The next morning dragged our tired bodies out of bed and wondered where to have breakfast. We cruised down the road a ways and spotted an seemingly nice cafe and decided to give it a try. When we walked in the door, we sensed that something was amiss. The hostess approached us wearing a distressed frown frozen onto her thin, delicate face; the patrons were apparently were suffering from the same agony. After we were seated at a table we discovered the menu items were purely organic. So with bleak hesitation we placed our order, hoping for the best. My husband who asked for a diet coke was served an organic diet drink claiming to be something it wasn't. I don't know if you've ever tasted organic diet coke, .. Don't one sip will ruin your taste buds for the rest of the day. I ordered coffee and asked for some cream as well. But my request was completely ignored while the table next to us was supplied with several small pictures of cream, in which the one young boy speedily drank down. It soon become apparent the best service was reserved for the regular patrons the waiter and waitresses knew by name. If we'd known that we could have wore name tags, but obviously they didn't want anyone to known their secret for good service. Delegating the organic pancakes and terrible service to the next out of towners, we paid for the foul tasting coke and cream-less coffee and walked out the door. One the road again we discovered the answer to our breakfast dilemma was only a few block away at a much friendlier eatery where the tantalizing smells of breakfast cooking made our stomachs growl with hunger. By the way ; not only was the food better the service was outstanding. If you ever visit Gold Beach Oregon by all means sign up for a mail boat ride but beware of those nice looking cafes with sour faced staff serving tasteless organic foods with the main ambiance being purified air. Now you know the good, bad and organic of Gold Beach, Oregon. By J. Wallace ©2011

Article 2

Cat's Meow A column about life from a cat's perspective

On December 12, 2011 I was adopted from a local animal shelter by a nice woman who happens to spoil me rotten. She bought me a lot of toys, a special bed to sleep in and feeds me well. She even took me to get a check up at the vet, which by the way I didn't like much. I've learned a lot in the last month: the lady of the house doesn't approve of me messing with the sheers on the windows, or her fancy bedspread. She tried to fool me by covering it up with another blanket but I showed her, I grabbed the edge and dragged it off the bed. Ha! But she didn't get point, she put it right back on and even tucked it in so I couldn't pull it off again. But I'm still working it . I've also discovered that watching TV can be very educational. While she's typing away on the computer, writing blogs and working on a novel. I curl up on the couch after a hard day of play and watch the news. Yesterday, while watching the news I heard about the white stuff... they call it snow. Snow seems to cause Oregonians a lot of stress. They call in the snow plows, put dirt on the roads, and tell people to be careful driving,. Duh! I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, after all it's winter, what do they expect at least.. that's what my owner says. But I'm not sure I agree with her. She had the nerve to put me on a leash and take me outside, then promptly put me right in the middle of that wet cold slippery white stuff. I couldn't believe she did that to me.. Isn't there something in the cat manual which says we don't like being plopped in the middle of a yard filled with snow? If there is she never read it. In fact she thought it was funny. I should go on amazon. com and buy her a book on cat care. However, while we were out there she took some pictures of me to post on Facebook. I wonder if this will make me a celebrity? I could do cat commercials, my face could be on every package of meow mix in the world and everyone would talk about how cute I am. Now that would be the life... But then if I became famous she might miss me. So I think I'll stick around, after all life here is pretty good despite the white stuff. Now it's time for me to curl up on the couch and take a nap. I've had a hard day. J. WallaceCopyright 2012All rights reserved

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Article 3

Mission impossible

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Poetry

Breakfast Blues

Crossings

Liquid drug

They hid their secret under the rugdo not speak of the liquid drugit's not what it appearswipe away the tears.Don't look at the broken glassor the bruises from the slapsit won't happen again broken promises never end. Shame those who refuse to playthe gameemotions all aflamemisery hold you captive do not be passiveTear down the curtain of your pridesplit it open and wideexpose the secretsunder the rugtoss away the liquid drug Refrain from the game release the shame claim back your domain.
A bridge ,a path a doorbeen there beforetwisted paths of broken dreamsripped apart at the seamsfragments on the floorremember it no more. Seeking treasured hopelonging for strength to copeJust one more daythe answer is on the wayPush away the fearkeep the mind clearfrom doubthaunts of yesteryearWalk not blindly through the gatelest it change your fateseek advice not once but thriceA bridge, a path, a door haven't been here before cross the threshold and a new horizon you'll behold.J. Wallace.
A tear dropped into my coffeeripples spreadlike butter across my toastNo flowers to fill my morning with colorEarly walks with you through dewy grassfaded like blue jeans I wearI searched in dingy closets dusty photo albums to see if you were there. But I only found old soggy toast wilted flowers and my last pair of faded blue jeans.J. Wallace
VWM

Article 1

Voice in the Wind began in 2003 as a four page church newsletter, which I designed, wrote and published myself. I had no idea, when the Lord led me to begin this venture where it would lead, or the blessings which would follow. Voice in the Wind was designed to encourage, uplift and even motivate believers to develop a more intimate walk with the Lord. In 2007 Voice in the Wind graduated from a simple church newsletter to an online magazine format, which included other contributors and writers. If voice in the Wind has touched or changed the life of one person or caused them to come to Christ then it has been successful. During this time my writing took a huge leap forward as my writing skills improved and I gained new confidence as aspiring writer. The Lord began to deal with me about pursing my dream to become a published writer. While I longed for it, the thought also terrified me. But after attending a couple writers conferences I realized I wasn't the only one who struggled with such fears as a writer and the only way to overcome them was to face them head on. It was time to take the next step, to make my dream a reality. So I took the matter to the Lord and asked for direction. In the meantime In continued to write artilces and post them on my web site and even submitted one to a local Christian newspaper who published it. As result of prayer and taking a leap of faith in this area some new doors have opened up for me . This means I have less time to devote to Voice in the Wind . As a result I have combine VWM with my writing web site which offers a blend of my writing styles in one location. For more information about voice in the Wind or submitting material to VWM. visit the contact page

Voice in the Wind

Article 2

Plan ahead, God does

The commanding voice of ultimate faith spoke into the darkness and it trembled. Light burst forth, and each time the voice spoke another faucet of creation revealed itself. The voice continued until all was complete including the making of man and the voice declared it was good and rested. When God made man he created us in his image, body soul and spirit. The psalmist says I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Consider how a tiny egg implants itself into the wall of the it's mothers uterus and with the right temperature, environment and nutrients it becomes a tiny person. This amazing miracle is performed within the shelter of the womb to protect the frailty of life until its appointed time of delivery. Each of us begins life with our own unique set of fingerprints, DNA and personality. Such evidence bears witness we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. Let's take a closer look into the makings of who we are and the components which hold us together. One of those components is called Laminin. Laminin is found in the "extracellular matrix" the sheets of protein that form the substrate of all internal organs. Simply put this protein is vital to making sure our overall body structure holds us together. Improper production of Laminin can cause muscles to form improperly, leading to a form of muscular dystrophy and other problems. However, the most amazing part of this unique protein is that it resembles a cross. The same shape which was used to crucify Christ. A shape that speaks of God's plan for humanity long before it would ever come to be. It's as if God when planning our design made sure his signature would forever be imprinted within us. The intricate design of human flesh, muscle, nerves, tissue, and the other components of who we are was by no way a mere accident of the cosmos. We are so intricately designed it takes doctors years of education and study to understand the human body and mind and yet still lack many of the answers they need. Yet, despite our human the complicate makeup of our human bodies and the weaknesses and frailties we often endure, God's heart is filled with compassion and love towards his creation. He is deeply touched by our infirmities and weaknesses. So much so that his hand of love continually intervenes on our behalf even though we're often unaware of it. But when we clearly see the evidence of God's hand at work in our lives it evokes a sense of awe and wonder in us. Consider Jeremiah the prophet. He was called by God to be a prophet to the nations while still in his mothers' womb. Jeremiah 1:5 This is evidence that God looks far into the expanse of time and plans our life long before we are born. Jeremiah 29:11 says " I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future". God is so concerned and involved with the affairs of man, that even the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was planned before the foundations of the earth. God began to speak to his people about the coming messiah hundreds of years before it would ever come to pass. He wanted them to know he had a plan of salvation just for them long before they were even created in their mother's womb all because of his great love for them. God's plan for this world and us as is unshakable and as sure and steady as the rock himself... Jesus Christ. Nothing can keep his plans from coming to pass. Not the devices of man, or the devil. God's spoken word stands as a testimony of truth which cannot ever be defeated. God's written word clearly states we're his creation planned and purposed from the f0undations of the world, which clearly says God indeed plans ahead. J. Wallaceupdated versionPublished in Winds of Praise Newspaper2008

Article 3

Traps and Snares

" “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities against power, rulers of darkness of this age and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 We are pressed about on all sides, continually engaged in a spiritual war between good and evil and the devil uses every weapon available to destroy us. So it's vital to understand and be aware of his devices. Why, so we won't fall prey to his devices. Some of his weapons are are more obvious and we may recognize them. But what about the ones we don't? The more subtle ones, like doubt, discouragement and depression. I call them the three D's But for this lesson I'm going to only cover doubt and discouragement. The symptoms of the three D's creep in subtly a little at a time until they've conquered the intended area and you've surrendered to doubt, unbelief, discouragement and even depression. Once these things take root in your life, it's hard to get rid of them and in time they will cause you to become indifferent, cold hearted, critical and fall away from the Lord. Joyce Meyer says it this way "Where the mind goes the man follows". Doubt is described in Unger’s Bible Dictionary: A state of mind which hesitates between two contradictory conclusions. It's the preverbal concept of being between a rock and hard place. Your faced with two choices and neither one seem to be very appealing at the moment. But every time you do things your way it doesn't work out the way you planned. .In fact, it usually makes matters worse. But if you choose to do things God's way, he promises to work all things out for good for those who are called according to his purposes. (Ro 8:28} While you may not understand God's way, plans or purposes, trusting the him instead of yourself removes the rock of contradiction which causes doubt and changes the outcome. But what if you have prayed, fasted and sought the Lord and there is still no change in your situation and doubt isn't just creeping in it racing towards you like a car on the autobahn. What do you do then? How long do you wait for God to answer your prayers? As long as it takes! God always honors faith and it's one of the most important ingredients in getting your prayers answered. For example: How long did Abraham wait for the promise of a child? How long did Gods’ chosen people wait for the promised messiah? How long will we have to wait for Christ's return? Long waits and delayed answers often cause us wonder if God heard our prayers or if He'll answer them at all. The longer the delay, the more vulnerable you become. The enemy know this and plants negative thoughts and doubt into your mind. Doubt never screams its objections in our ear, but whispers them in the darkness when we're alone and afraid. Doubt says things like: It's hopeless, give up, if God loved he would have answered your prayer by now, etc. If you listen and take those things to heart you are giving the enemy a foothold into your life. I'm sure you've heard the old cliché: If you give someone an inch they'll take a mile. Well, that's exactly what the devil does. Once you open the door, he invites himself in and will continue to harass you. Doubt can also keep you from experiencing miracles and God's blessing in your life. Unbelief and doubt kept the children of Israel from entering the promise land. If God's chosen people can fall prey to doubt and lose their blessings, we can all fall prey to it, All the more reason to recognize the devices of the devil and learn to firmly stand against them. Answer negative thoughts of doubt unbelief by speaking God's Word. Ask the Lord to show you scriptures that pertain to your situation. Write them down, memorize them post them on the walls of your home. Do whatever is needful to help you stand firm in your faith as you walk through the trials and tests of life. Don't let the enemy steal your blessings or future by listening or believing his lies. The truth of God's Word can and will combat any attack of doubt you may encounter. I'm not saying it's easy to fight the good fight of faith, but God has given us everything we need that pertains to life and godliness. Let's take a look at Ephesians 6: 10 -17 " Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole amour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities , against powers and the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. These verses clearly tell us to put on the armor of God and why we need it. Verses 14-17 describe the armor and what each piece represents. So how do you win the battle against doubt or other devices of the enemy? The answer is clear.. Put on armor of Go, be spiritually prepared and know the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit. Finally when you have done all stand. It's important to note, as we fight this spiritual battle, we also need wisdom and strategy. God will provide it if we seek him first. Consider the battle that brought down the walls of Jericho. God gave them specific directions on what to do and how to do it. They obeyed the Lord and won the victory. It's not wise to jump into any battle spiritual or otherwise unprepared, as the end result can be devastating. But when you pray and seek the Lord ahead of time, he will direct your path and show you the way to victory. Doubt is only one of many weapons the enemy } devil uses against us. If you learn to recognize the symptoms before the devil gets a foothold and stand against it you can win that battle. God's promises us victory if we will trust Him, believe His word, and obey it. Don't be just a hearer of the Word, do it, live it and let others see Christ in you. How are they going to know you're a Christian if , they don't see the evidence of Christ in you. So how long do you wait for God to perform his word or answer your prayer, as long as it takes! Doubt may try to pursue your every step, but don't give up. Waiting on God may require faith, perseverance and an enormous amount of patience. But I can promise you it’s always worth it when you let God do things His way. Discouragement: to be deprived of confidence or hope or spirit. To dissuade, deter, hinder, to be discouraged from trying again. Have you ever tried to learn something new and found it too challenging? Have you ever given up on your dreams? Or maybe you’ve tried over and over to break a bad habit and failed. You’re not alone. It’s happen to all of us at some point in our life. Failure is not something to be ashamed of it’s a matter of perspective. Many of the great artists, writers and composers experienced repeated failures and discouragement. But they did not give up. If they had we wouldn't have some of the greatest works and discoveries the world has ever known. But we are the only ones who've wrestled with discouragement or defeat. The bible is filled with stories about people like you and me, who struggled with such things and at times even wished they were dead. Take Elijah for example. He was the prophet God used to defeat and kill the false prophets. Yet when Jezebel threatened his life, he ran and hid in cave. How can a mighty man of God go from such victory to complete despair? He was human prone to weakness of the flesh just as you and I are. Elijah ran because he was afraid. The fear turned to despair, despair turned to self pity. But God used the situation to teach Elijah a lesson. The lesson was that that God wasn’t in the storm, earthquake or his fears and self pity. God was found in the stillness. Sometimes the only way we can truly hear God speak is to stop the noise, racing thoughts, worries and sit in the silence until he speaks to us. The world is loud and God speaks with a still small voice. Are you listening? Can you hear him? He speaks word of life, hope and encouragement. He says “Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. What a comfort it is, to know we can come to Him with the worries, cares and discouragements of life and find hope and rest for our weary souls. J. WallaceCopyright 2011
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RAK
Share your story about a random act of kindness you did for someone, or they did for you and tell others to share their story too. Help change our world with one act of kindness at a time.

RAK..Random acts of kindness

©2012 J. Wallace/ Voice in the Wind. You may not use, save, copy, modifiy, or distribute material from or on this web site without expressed written premission from the author. unless otherwise stated.