writing

“Know When to Fold ’em”

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments 
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. Ecclesiastes 5:3 KJV

“Keep it simple stupid.” was the phrase our professors used when explaining how to teach the high school students that awaited us upon graduation. Though I didn’t teach for long, I quickly learned just how true that was. Keeping it short when writing poetry (and preaching) also matters., and might be best explained by Kenny Rodgers in his song, The Gambler”,

“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em” (Grab the reader with the opening lines), “know when to fold ’em,” (edit ruthlessly,) “Know when to walk away,” (Know when to say amen!) “And know when to run!” (Once you’ve done your best, move on.) I certainly haven’t always adhered to these rules, and occasionally a longer presentation is worthwhile. But on the other hand, I have also discovered that editing poetry can be a lot like the day in shop class when I cut each table leg shorter until I had a table fit for kindergarteners! I lots of other illustrations I wanted to use but, I’ve got to run!

Here in my newest verse, and I hope a decent example of today’s class. To you guys sitting in the back and just doodling in your workbook, you’ll need to, stay after school for detention! Blessings all. 

Just Gently Sings

A sparrow who is hungry
Needs no bread to borrow
Nor earthly kings

The raven in the meadow
Without fear of tomorrow
Lifts up his wings

And mockingbird in morning
Who knows not of our sorrow
 Just gently sings

"Just Gently Sings"
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2024
All rights reserved

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 
Luke 12:24 ESV



Are We There Yet Dad?

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV

“Are we there yet dad?” our two sons asked in unison from the back seat. In spite of the fact that before we left. we had told them that our trip would take three days, they wanted to know exactly when we would get to our destination. Most of us can chuckle, at memories like that, yet we as adults we are often asking the same questions, only in more adult sounding ways. Now we clamor to know about new laws, our preferred candidate or a more business friendly economic policy. In the midst of this hyper-combative election year, we hear the candidates from both parties calling for peace in the Middle East, climatological peace, and peace in Ukraine, just to name a few issues. But Jesus tells us that real peace is not attainable in this world. Amazingly in today’s verse, just as Jesus is about to be arrested, beaten and crucified, He promises us a peace that looks nothing like the world’s variety. His kind of peace is not a goal: it is a gift. So, this morning, whether we are facing a natural disaster, political upheaval, or war, God offers us a peace to rule in our hearts, no matter who wins the election, what happens in Israel or even in our own families. But the peace that Jesus offers means letting go of this world’s counterfeit peace, letting Him do the driving and trusting that He knows when we will get there!

Hitting God’s Target

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?                       
1 Corinthians 4:8 KJV

Often in this time when we have the potential to reach a worldwide audience through social media, it is easy to begin chasing likes, followers, or pages read. But God’s purpose for us as Christian writers is to tell the stories that He has written on our hearts and share them in a way that people can understand. Though there is no one way to go about doing that, here are three simple ideas that I have learned along the way.

  1. Focus on God’s Target – When politicians speak, we know that they want to win elections. When prosecutors present their cases, we can be confident that they hope the defendant is found guilty. But when a Christian writer puts pen to paper the first question they should ask is “not, “How can I gain followers, but rather, “What does God want to say?” Every good story we have begins with Him. Our personal beefs, opinions and goals become secondary. But when our hearts and minds are surrendered to Him, He often cracks heaven’s blinds just enough for us to see His target.
  • Accuracy Matters! Did you know that one of the things Jesus said the most was, “I tell you the truth “If accuracy mattered to Jesus, how much more with us! Accuracy means both checking we are presenting things with a solid biblical basis, as well as checking that ALL the details we are sharing, line up with the facts (just how big was that fish?). God will only guide an arrow to the target when we shoot it with the bowstring of truth. Few things have been more disheartening to me than discovering that a supposed “true story” that I read, turned out to be phony, exaggerated, or manipulated for financial gain. But if we tell the truth in all its details with love, then others can be built up, corrected or inspired.
  • Get to the Point! An arrow penetrates its target because it comes to a point. Long introductions on why we are telling our story, along with a variety of rabbit trails simply dull our message. I am inspired by the Apostle Paul writing from a Roman prison to the church in Philippi, tells his friends no less than nine times to rejoice, culminating with “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Philippians 4:4. In his entire letter, Paul didn’t once complain about the food, the cold, or the unsanitary conditions in the jail. If Paul sitting on death row could get right to the point, then why can’t we? So, friends, lets focus on the target, check our details, and let our arrows fly!
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