The Bible Story Family

  During the sixteen years I have served as an adjunct professor for Liberty University Online I have guided several thousands of students through the Bible Survey course. Recently, one of those students named Emani Edwards reached out to let me know that she completed her degree in Creative Writing and has published two books. She is a faithful reader of the Christian Creativity Blog and thought you might be interested as well. “When I was a child, all the way to a teenager, I had trouble finding good fiction in the library aligned with my beliefs,” writes Emani. “I would like my books to lead young people closer to Christ.” Through the Flames is set in Hawaii. Kai Aka, a twelve-year-old boy struggles with being afraid of everything from surfing to singing in public to swimming in the ocean. But when the wildfires threaten his home, he discovers that true courage comes only from God. The second novella, Above the Ashes , explores the aftermath of the fires and Kai’s journey ba...

  CREATIVE RADIO WCTS Radio, a ministry of Central Baptist Seminary, recently celebrated sixty years of broadcasting. Don Odens, my brother-in-law, has been involved with the station since those early years. He recently participated in a short video where he talks about the early days of the station. My own experience with WCTS also dates back to those early days. As a student at Central Seminary I worked as an announcer, taking the early morning shift which started at 6:00 a.m. My fiancée, Carmen Odens, lived in Owatonna, Minnesota, as a student at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. Remember that these were the days before cell phones, before email, and before Instagram. The dorms at Pillsbury had one phone on each floor, and long-distance calls were expensive. So, we made a plan. She would turn on WCTS Radio when she got up in the morning. I would, sometime during that first hour, play a song. The title was “I’ll Never Be Lonely Again.” The lyrics were written by Audrey Mieir...

“Happy families are all alike.” (Tolstoy) “Every happy family reunion is happy in its own way.” (Allen) The happy Odens reunion this summer took on the persona of an amateur Olympics. Planned by Chad Allen, the week included a plethora of competitions.             Chess             Checkers             Spud             Swimming             Scripture Memorization             Piano solo             Musical ensemble             Table Tennis             Largest fish   ...

  They are on their way to Malta. A group of teens from Fourth Baptist Church along with Pastor and Mrs. Jared Page. It is far more than just a summer getaway or a senior trip abroad. The team will be ministering alongside Missionary Luke Tanis. Pastor Page has led many of these trips. The team will learn about the work there in Malta and encourage the missionaries. They will fellowship with believers and rejoice with them over what God is doing in their lives. They will learn about the culture so they can better pray for people in that part of the world. And they will be a witness to the redemption with which Christ has blessed them as they share their faith with others. But at the same time, there will be an aspect to this trip which will make it different than other mission trips. The young people have been planning a concert. Luke Tanis has been advertising the musical service and believes it will be a way to create interest and make the people of Malta aware of the work he...

This week I had the privilege of being invited into Sam’s Club. It had nothing to do with groceries. Every Monday night Mark Telloyan in Indiana and John Telloyan in Japan zoom with their father Sam Telloyan in Michigan. They call it Sam’s Club. And they include in the meeting someone Sam knew from his many years at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. This week that person was me. We talked about people we knew, places we have been, and ministries we have enjoyed. We talked about the Lord and the privilege it has been to serve Him these many years. Sam looks great, if somewhat older. But then, aren’t we all? Mark is a judge in Indiana. John works with a church in Japan. And Sam is involved in the church in Michigan where his son-in-law Tim VanLoh serves on the pastoral staff. What a great gift Mark and John are giving to their father each week. And what a great reminder of the fellowship we will share for all eternity at the meeting in the air. We won’t even need Zoom.