Welcome to our CCF Creative Writing Corner. It is here that our CCF team can share their love for prose and other expressions of creativity.  “My heart overflows with a good theme… My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45:1

So, brew yourself a cup of hot tea, curl up in your favorite comfortable chair, and enjoy the beauty and richness of these penned works.  Here are the first three contributions:

VICTORY
by Peg / CCF Contributor

Victory belongs to Christ.
It’s a gift from Him to us.
But to lay hold of it requires obedience and trust.

NEW LIFE
by Peg / CCF Contributor

Dead to sin; alive to God,
My Savior did that for me.
Resurrection power complete within.
And now I’m free!
I’m free!

GROWING UP
by Peg / CCF Contributor

“My little child, what would you like to be when you grow up one day?
Oh, Father, if I could just grow up to be like You, I pray.

But, little one, do you really know what of Me you ask?
That child in you must be put away, if the growing is to last.

Then, Holy Spirit, cut it out; put away all childish feats.
That I might grow within my soul and make my life complete.”

FULL CYCLE
by Mildred Place Panney

Two rooms and bath.
Orange crates to hold our books.
We laughed when our Murphy bed
wouldn’t open and we had to sleep on the floor.
We were young, and it was fun.

but…we dreamed of a house
Two bedrooms and bath.

At last, a home of our own and a real bed
that didn’t fold away.
Even a lawn to mow.
Instead of two of us,
now there were three – the beginning of our brood.
It was bliss.

Until…we dreamed still more
Again we moved – two baths.

Our nestlings grew and needed space to spread their wings.

Our big house welcomed us,
enfolded us and
laughed with us, and sometimes even
wept with us.

But children grow and leave the nest,
and ours flew from us one by one.

So…we dream once more

We need a smaller place that doesn’t echo every time we speak;
A place just big enough for you and me,
and maybe a few memories.

Perhaps, just two rooms and bath?

ANXIETY’S CURE
by Peg / CCF Contributor

LORD,
I’m looking,
I’m listening,
I see Your creatures pick at the ground in pursuit of daily food.  (Matthew 6:16)
I hear the hymn of the warbler magnifying Your name (Psalm 150:6)

LORD,
I’m looking,
I’m listening,
I see the spring lily neither spin nor toil, yet clothed in regal robe,
I hear the welcome sounds of new life in the spring.

LORD,
I’m looking,
I’m listening,
I see the creatures made in Your image out of work – unemployed.
They have no where to go today, nothing to produce, empty hands.
I hear the tumult of the ocean breaking beyond its boundary, the rivers have crept beyond their banks, the winds leave all manner of destruction. (Luke 21:25)

LORD,
I’m looking,
I’m listening,
I see perilous times are upon us (2 Timothy 3:1)
I hear the tumult of evil extend beyond its borders.
Soon all restraint will disappear as sin creeps beyond its distinct line (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Where are the 7,000 righteous who have not bowed their knee to the god of this world?

Raise them up, LORD to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness.
Satisfy the vexation of the righteous hearts,
Satisfy our hunger, 0 Lord (Matthew 5:6)

Lord, today, I choose to pass through the small gate; to walk the narrow way. Your kingdom of life beckons me and fulfills all my desires.  Thank You.  Amen. (Matthew 6:33;7:14 and Psalm 37:4)

PURSUING PEACE
by Peg / CCF Contributor

My needs were so great.
My soul was in turmoil.
My body trembled,
Not from fear of God, but rather of man.
I heard that peace was the key,
So I set my mind to pursue peace.

My needs were so great.
My soul still in turmoil.
My body trembled,
Not from fear of God, but rather of man.
I heard “add some laughter – get the joy”
So I pursued laughter to get the joy.

My needs were so great
My soul still in turmoil.
My body trembled,
For peace and joy had eluded me.
What next should I pursue?
Oh, perhaps love is the key that will unclasp and set me free.

So love, I pursued.
Do I love first?  I tried. Or do they love first?  I wait.
Surely, God means for me to find peace, joy and love.
Help me!  Have me!,  I cried to my Creator.
No longer can I can go on, no longer this quest pursue.
Surely, these things have eluded me, are they meant to be?
Will I ever be free?

Turning in desperation to the Christ of the cross.
Begging, “Will you have me just as I am?
I’m tired.  I’m weary from the pursuit of more.
Finally and simply, I just need to know my sins are behind me.”
Quietly He said “Look up my child and see, I crucified you together with me.”
The pursuit was over.  I fell limp at His feet.

I drank deeply from the Fountain of Living Water
And learned that drinking from the cistern I made on my own,
Only caused the gaiety of harp and tambourine to cease.
It was there the merry heart heaved a sigh and joy turned to gloom.
So, please know this, oh restless soul, it is not peace you seek, but the Prince of Peace,
He is all you need and you will find Him more than sufficient.