Every part of her body ached. There had been too many men today. She knew protesting was useless. Either she would be denied food, beaten or worse and she had the scars to prove it. Climbing, no crawling really, on to the pallet where she was not only forced to entertain customers but … Continue reading A Pearl of Great Price
His heart racing, he turned from the broad alley into a narrower one, glancing behind every few paces to assure he was not being followed as he raced ahead. He pulled his robe tighter around him, though the air was still and the night not chilly. Thankful that there weren’t many about to take … Continue reading Chasing a Shadow
Sometimes when the fighting is over, the battle has just begun All he could see were broken bodies around him, but his eyes searched for only one. To his left, the flaming Humvee was on its side, wheels still spinning. It was difficult to see through the cloud created by the smoke. He had to … Continue reading The Soldier’s Salvation
Fear is a prison. You can be free. The Taking I hate the library. The air is still and almost stifling because there’s hardly ever anyone in it and even less movement. Overhead the fluorescent lights are muted, an attempt to create a comfortable calm and peacefulness, I suppose, but at night it’s just a … Continue reading The Torturer
You’re never too dead for a resurrection… It’s never too late for a new beginning Out on the beach, angry waves rolled and crashed against the outcropping rocks that stood stalwart against the assault. Charging the sand, they lashed at it, licking savagely but unable to get past the shoreline. Overhead, the dark clouds threatened … Continue reading A Cry Before Drowning
Sometimes dreams come true in unexpected ways Over the old city, dawn was slowly breaking. As the sun crept over the eastern horizon, its rays crawled across slate and tile roofs glinting and flashing on the spires and domes of ancient buildings. Warmth was already announcing its presence, heralded on the breeze from the harbor … Continue reading A Distant Dream
You are one of a kind. Unique. No one else can do what what you’re meant to do. Live your destiny. Marimba was tired. They had traveled a long way and the hour was late. She looked at Josak wearily and sighed. “How much farther?” He stopped and turned to look at her. … Continue reading A Different Destiny
You are created for a purpose and stronger than you know. Use your strength. Overhead the harvest moon seemed to dominate the sky, the pale orb almost cloudlike with its blurred face and frayed edges. Around it, the deep blue-black night sky appeared still, the stars indistinct and barely flickering. The crisp air hung cool … Continue reading the Light Bearer
If you want to avoid cancel culture, then just… From the early days of my ministry, I’d been told by a very dear friend, an older minister, a mentor really, never to read my own press. Don’t read the positive or negative reviews, editorials or social media comments and certainly never pay attention to “likes” … Continue reading Fruit Bandits
Never believe the lie that you aren’t valuable The quiet on the deck was welcome as I stood by the rail. Always an early riser, it had become more pronounced as my journey took me into time zones behind where I had come from. I supposed most of the other passengers were busy packing their … Continue reading The Arrival
Lisa Greco Filali 