Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Rougher Spots

Hi everyone,

For those of you who care to know, I have been having some tougher times with my writing. Due to different circumstances and different people's priorities and other such surrounding things, I've lost some of my joy in writing. Please pray for me! Writing is what I want to do, and I cannot quit. But you would be shocked if you knew all the thoughts that've run through my mind during the worst moments. 

I won't go into any detail. I just want to let the few of you who care know, so you can pray for me. Thank you so much. I appreciate it so much.

Love,
     Crystal.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Progress on my Book!

I have completed Chapter TWELVE! 


I'm really excited about my progress I've made in writing out the first draft of my book. I remember when I first had a dream that one night in 2005. It was so vivid and so mysterious that I knew I absolutely must write it down. It turned out to be a five page dream. More than two years later, I rediscovered it in my writing drawer. I reread it, and realized that this was really amazing novel material. 


Shortly after arrival in Redding, CA, my dreams of writing a book came back to me pretty strongly. So every time I got the chance, I took my binder of notes to the prayer house and began outlining my book. I remember how excited I was to finally have completed my drafting out all my chapters, and then deciding to split my 34+ chapters into a two book series rather than one big fat 500 page book. 


And then I began writing. Slowly, I churned out chapter after chapter.I worked on it for months. And now we're back in Canada for the summer, and I'm still working at it every chance I get.


I'm done Chapter Twelve, and already halfway done Chapter Thirteen. I can hardly believe it. Chapter Eight marks the half-done milestone. But I'm beyond half done! Chapter Twelve marks the 3/4 milestone. I'm already past that too! 


God is so good to me. Sometimes I felt completely uncreative and uninspired. But the Holy Spirit has been intimately involved with each part of my progress, and thanks to Him, I've been able to come this far. I am so grateful for that. If God ever lays it on your heart to pray for me as I write, please do so. I greatly appreciate knowing someone supports me in prayer.


God bless you!


~Crystal~

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Sin Creature

Sin Creature


Slowly, stealthily, the creature crept out of its pit. A yellow gleam in the eye and a hiss inside the throat revealed its nefarious delight in seeing its victims standing before him. Its partially scaled, partially hairy black body was not too big to be formidable; but oh, certainly big enough to beat down any one of these unfortunate humans who dared rebel his touch.


* * * 


“Crystal! CRYSTAL!”


My door swung open and I jerked upright in my bed. What? It’s three in the morning! “Calm down, Katie!” I said. “What is it?”


Katie’s eyes grew large and her voice lowered to a whisper. “It’s out again!”


The musty little trailer I had just moved into took on an even more sinister atmosphere as I realized what she meant. The time had come. Throwing my damp, lumpy quilt around my shoulders and stepping into my slippers, I rushed outside with Katie. “I’m taking care of this, Katie. Don’t worry.”


I followed Katie to the back of the village, and into the deep forest. “You say this happens every night?” I asked.


Katie nodded. “Every night.” Her voice was tight with fear.


I had heard absurd and creepy descriptions of this creature. Not that it scared me though—this was my duty.  But as we walked deeper into the forest, my heart quickened.


Obvious terror marked every face around the pit. All eyes were trained on one old man, who shook as though a shock of electricity were shooting through him. But I saw no creature! Then I remembered that this was believed to be a spiritual manifestation, so I ought to pray for my eyes to be opened.


“Do you see it?” asked Katie.


I shook my head. Holy Spirit, open my eyes. I paused. And let me not be afraid when I do see.


And then I saw it. A hideous black creature that looked like sin itself was standing up on the electrified man, licking the area over his heart.


Katie screamed when it clambered toward her, but became silent as it made eye contact with her.


“Sin Creature, STOP! In Jesus’ name STOP!” I was surprised when it did not heed my command.


“It’ll stop when finished,” an old woman said. “Always does.”


At last the creature crawled into its pit. The spell broken, everyone sighed with relief.


Why didn’t it stop? What’s this thing anyway? I was not about to let this continue another night.


Then God spoke to me. Crystal, this creature is the embodiment of sin. Many years ago, the villagers committed a sin that has woven itself into a dreadful creature that now haunts them every night. Only repentance will release them from its grip.


In as simple words as possible, I explained to Katie and the others that Jesus had died for their sins to free them from Sin Creature. They had only to repent and believe in Jesus’ power, and they would be relieved of Sin Creature’s power.


Solemnly, they confessed their sins and thanked Jesus for his sacrifice. Smiles shone in their eyes as the Holy Spirit filled their hearts.


“Now you have authority to destroy that sinful thing!” I exclaimed.


With joy in their faces and confidence in their hearts, they marched back to overcome their sin together.


“Come out, Sin Creature!” they called.


Confused, Sin Creature crept back up.


“We’re done with you!” The old man threw a stone at it.


“Can’t torment us any more!” An elderly lady hammered it with her broomstick.


“Our sins are forgiven us!” A young man shouted as he kicked the writhing creature.


Sin Creature groaned as it wriggled toward Katie.


“In Jesus’ name, LEAVE!” She shouted, pointing to the pit. “And don’t EVER return!”


Sighing and moaning, the beaten creature fell backwards into its pit. The pit closed up, swallowing the village’s sin forever.


The people erupted in cheers. “We’re free!”


That night, a heavy rain began falling. In this rain, the villagers stood with open arms, letting the grime wash off their clothes, off their skin. No more stains of sin were left on any of them.


That was a year ago. Since that rain, a large pool of cleansing water lies over the area where the pit used to be. Yes, the villagers are still human and make mistakes, but now each time they do, they bathe in the Waters of Remembrance and ask the Lord for forgiveness.


THE END

 

- Crystal Dueck (May 2009)