Shake Off the Fear, Spread the Love!

by Peter Leavell @peterleavell

Ellen Langer did the impossible. She sent eight 80-year-old men back in time.

The year was 1979

Eight old men on a bus, sequestered away from the world. On a retreat. Created by Ellen Langer.

Each man had been studied carefully. Hearing, joint pain, memory—everything had been documented.

Coddled by nurses in nursing homes, they weren’t ready for the upcoming shock. As the men managed to get off the bus, they were forced to haul their suitcases to their rooms themselves.

They barely made their rooms.

When they looked around, they were stunned. The decorations were from 1959, when they were in their 50’s. Magazines in racks featured Nixon and Khrushchev. Rio Bravo played on an old television. Outdated clothes hung in closets.

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009632334/
Nixon and Khruschev in 'Kitchen Debate

That week, in the evenings, the men chatted about their work, and soon they spoke in the present tense about their past. “I do this, and I do that,” became the normal chatter.

These men traveled back in time.

At the end of the week, they went through extensive physicals. All were standing straight. IQ was 64% higher. All looked younger. All were more athletic, flexible. Memories were sharper.

They were younger.

Ellen Langer was shocked at how much these men changed. She’s duplicated the experiment over and over in various ways, telling maids that their work was exercise and those who believed their work was for fitness lost weight and size, compared to those who believed cleaning was simply work. And so many more.

The body, she discovered, believes what the mind tells it. They were young again, because they believed they were in their 50's.

That’s why propaganda is so dangerous. Or useful.

Science, as usual, is catching up with the Bible.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Our future is secured, forever with Christ, Who loves us. He’s offered the forgiveness we crave. The eternity we long for.

So, why does the world see Christians as a fearful people?

The world has a point. Like those men in the experiment, we watch the media carefully for hand chosen stories that would never touch us had we not seen them on television. We cry over tragedies half a world away and we’re horrified enough to offer a quick prayer. We believe that the grave is end and the loss of possessions makes a life not worth living. We act as if politicians own our soul.

We live in a culture of fear. Magazines, movies, stories, posts on social media—our reality terrifies us. Every election we’re reminded how terrible our country is while we watch with full bellies and text our friends, inside the four walls that keep us warm.

Yes. Horror and death are real. Tragedy rips us apart. I’ve lived them. But it doesn’t end there.

Someday, our tears will be wiped away. Our pain removed. Peace restored. The lion and the lamb rest together.

Hope. Are we living it? Or are we simply adding a 'Lord willing' or 'but God is still good' at the end of our thoughts?

As authors, writers, content creators, what are we reflecting to our followers? Fear? Hatred? Or the light of Christ?

John 13:34-35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Why do people know us for our fear? Our hatred? Our anger? Our sinfulness?

What we tell ourselves is what we believe. And what we tell our followers creates the culture they live in.

Are we rehashing the promises of Christ? Or fear mongering?

We’ve a higher calling, my friends.

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Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

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Finding Hope in the Land of Fiction by Annette M. Irby

First crocus of spring at the base of a birch tree*

 

I’m not much of a talk-show watcher. Increasingly I feel distanced from the celebrities who are interviewed and the projects they’re working on. But the other day, I turned on an interview where the guest spoke of family hardships before he landed his first movie deal. He mentioned how God had gotten his family through, and the fact that after the blessing he could give back to his family. You know what surprised me? The audience’s response. Am I the only one who doesn’t expect the crowd to cheer for words like that? I half-expected his segment to be edited down. I mean, he mentioned God after all. But when he gave glory to God, and the audience cheered, I felt something—hope.

There’s a game show (again, I’m not usually a fan, but I happened to catch an episode) on TV where contestants play to win large amounts of money—nothing new about that, right? This show was developed (as stated by the creator) to help people who have helped others. So the contestants are those who are making a difference in their own communities. As they play to win, the audience is invested in their success. Collectively, the audience (and the home viewer) wants to see them win so that they can be blessed like they’ve blessed others. There’s something wired into people that wants to see goodness (selfless people doing selfless acts) rewarded. This is especially satisfying because we’re used to goodness going unrewarded so often. 

 
I think this goes back to the verse: “I would have lost heart unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13 NKJV) People are encouraged by seeing a positive outcome, by seeing God’s goodness here on earth. 

That’s why I love reading Christian fiction. I picked up a book the other day that I thought was from a Christian publisher, because I knew the author from my Christian writing friends’ circles. But from the opening pages, I could tell something was different. The story didn’t have the Christian tone I was used to. The words were harsher; the images, darker; the world more bleak and hopeless and violent. Because I had a different expectation, I was nonplussed. Reading a grim book because I choose to is different than picking up what I thought was a CBA novel and finding bleak, harsh elements. 

So, what makes a novel fitting for the CBA? That’s a question left up to each publisher, though most follow a certain, biblical-based list. I’ll tell you why I love reading Christian fiction—hope. Light. Redemption. Healing. Life. Those are elements I love to see in the books I pick up and include in the novels I write down. 

What about you? What do you like to see in the books you read, and write into the books you pen? What are the elements that, if missing, will cause you to give up on a novel and move on, or rework until those elements are included?

Write on, friends!

~~~~~ 

Husband Material by Annette M. Irby

Wyatt Hansen has no fears about commitment, but only three years have passed since his beloved wife died, and he can't bring himself to break their annual dinner date—that is until he meets restaurant owner, Lara Farr. Lara doesn't have time for romance; she has a business to run. At least that's what she tells herself so she doesn't have to admit that commitment scares her. But Lara's business is failing, and it just may take a miracle—or marketing analyst, Wyatt Hansen—to save it. Can Wyatt rescue Lara’s restaurant, help her overcome her fears, and prove he is good husband material?

~~~~~

Annette M. Irby

Annette M. Irby is a freelance editor and Christian fiction author who dabbles in gardening and photography. She has completely fallen in love with her grandson. She enjoys spending time with her family and husband of over twenty-five years. You can learn more about Annette by visiting her website or her page here on Seriously Write. 

 *Photo credit: the awesome folks at Pixabay