Rabbits and Relationships - Bruce Atchison

I'm sure we all agree that the real meaning of Easter has been buried under chocolate bunnies and marsh mellow chicks. Even so, I've learned much from having rabbits living in my home. Instead of keeping them in lonely backyard hutches, they lived with me and received as much care and attention as I could pay each one.

Bunnies are timid creatures but they enjoy the company of those whom they trust. That's why winning the friendship of a rabbit is precious. Just as wounded souls need to learn to trust Christians again, so rabbits need to learn that they're safe with us.

Tenderness is one requirement of us all in Christ. As 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (Bible in Basic English) admonishes, "For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong, Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge, And so they may get themselves free from the net of the Evil One, being made the prisoners of the Lord's servant, for the purpose of God."

Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits misunderstand chastisement. To them they think they're being attacked.

When we correct wayward believers, we must consider 1 Thessalonians 2:7   and 8 (BBE). It shows how we need to be easy on each other. "But we were gentle among you, like a woman caring for her little ones: Even so, being full of loving desire for you, we took delight in giving you not only God's good news, but even our lives, because you were dear to us."

I also learned over the years to relate to bunnies on their terms rather than forcing myself on them. For example, I would lie on the floor rather than grabbing them and putting them on my lap. Every rabbit I had came to trust me and to associate that posture with being petted. Some bunnies even hopped over to me when I began to lie down.

Paul likewise learned to relate to different groups, as he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 9:22 (BBE). "To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation: I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation."

What a wonder it is that Christ also became one of us. He could have come as a consuming fire but he became the Lamb of God for our transgressions. When he comes again, he'll be the judge who will punish wickedness and dispense blessings to his children.

Ignition: How I Went Professional - Bruce Atchison

Stories were my childhood deliverers. The animals in Fables of the Green Forest temporarily led me away from the pain of my exile in Jericho. The Hobbit transported me into fantasy realms, the like of which I never dared hope for. Black and Blue Magic gave my soul wings during my sojourn in the tilted land. But we live in a practical world where money answers everything.

In the cold  wind of freedom, once my exile ended, my stories hid shivering in my heart. Inspiration went dormant as the struggles of public school and work ensued unabated. Nevertheless, a spark of my childhood fascination with the craft of storytelling survived deep within me.

Though I wrote on an amateur basis, I never dreamt I could be paid for my scribbling's. My abundant  supply of articles appeared in fan "zines" but payment seemed a total fantasy. Practicality held my muse prisoner so I only wrote CD reviews of electronic music albums and recycling tips for the work newsletter. Those utilitarian tear sheets bolstered my pride but remuneration seemed an impossible dream.

Out of the smoldering ruins of a lay off, I received a golden opportunity. The work counselor asked me about my hobbies. On the next visit, I presented him with a small stack of my photocopied tear sheets. Then he fanned my creative spark by telling me I could go professional. What had I to lose?

Certainly the magazine writing course helped me understand the value of my work but many editors rejected my fledgling prose. Then, of all publications, The New Age Journal purchased a Three-hundred-word article about a newly-formed choir of blind singers in Edmonton. I glided on air as I took that fifteen-dollar cheque to my bank. At long last, I became a professional writer.

But the path grew steep and rocky as I struggled to research magazine content and to write catchy query letters. I obeyed all the commandments of my teacher, yet few rewards arrived in my mail box for my arduous labours. In the swamp of despondency, I changed directions in the hope that the trail would grow verdant with remuneration.

So I mined the treasures of my life after taking an online course on autobiography writing.  Realizing my extensive manuscript was far too cumbersome, I divided it into memoirs. When a Man Loves a Rabbit was my first paperback. More than 200 bunny-loving friends purchased it and reported how much they enjoyed the amusing tales of my long-eared companions.

Success soon eluded me. Deliverance from Jericho was my second memoir. It bombed horribly. The sighted world couldn't relate to my narrative of being in a school for the blind for six painful years. So I racked my brain for a profitable and engaging topic on which to write.

How I Was Razed should have been a hit. I presumed Christians would be interested in how God led me out of a cultic house church to the sunlit land of his truth but few bought it.

So I turned my back on memoirs. God willing, I will write about who goes to heaven from the viewpoint of the Bible. I also hope to unleash those restless short stories pacing the back corridors of my mind. Slowly approaching retirement, my fear of being cut off from the pension I slaved so hard for is lessening. Even so, I'm learning to trust in the heavenly Father and to deal with today's evil. May my Lord be glorified by the work of my hands and this labourer be worthy of his hire.

Keeping Fresh, Keeping Green by Sandi Somers

Prompt:In spring, the world turns fresh and green. How do you keep yourself and your writing fresh as you produce new articles, books or songs without burn-out or repeating the same ideas?

A New Way of Gardening

When I moved to my current house near the edge of Calgary, I had visions of beautiful flower beds with crocuses and tulips, with petunias lining my driveway, and with perennials filling the back yard.

It was not to be.

Gradually as new houses were built up around me, coyotes moved away, and as a result, rabbits increased. And to my dismay, most of my favourite flowers made delectable rabbit dinner. They also loved my lettuce, even carrot, onion and beet tops. As the rabbits got bolder, they hopped up on my porch and nibbled at my potted plants.

How could I keep my flowerbeds and garden fresh and green?

I asked for advice from gardening experts, got a list of rabbit-proof plants, and experimented with new flowers. However, the rabbits hadn’t read that list and ate some of my new “rabbit-proof” plants anyway.

At first it was discouraging, but as I developed a new system, I discovered pink geraniums and white alyssum made an attractive display. I put my petunias in tall pots. 

Like redoing my gardening, my writing sometimes needs to be revamped. Just recently I looked at several articles in progress and knew God has deeper answers to questions of faith than I had planned.

How to develop those thoughts that would encourage my readers? I began listening more carefully to my pastor’s sermons, discovering new seeds of meaning that related to my writing. Discussing matters of life and faith with friends has broadened my perspective. Finding new and challenging artist’s dates breathes in new life to me.

But mostly I meditate more deeply in Scripture, asking God for wisdom and new insight.

And I know the Holy Spirit will infuse my writing with a freshness it didn’t have before.

Now over to you. How do you keep your writing fresh and green?

My Books Are Worth Buying - Bruce Atchison

Is there anything wrong in wanting to make a profit on one's work? As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5:18 (KJV), "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that breadth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." Is it evil to enjoy the fruit of one's work, whether it be writing or some physical task? Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:24 (KJV) "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God."

I've noticed that many people tend to scorn anybody who peddles a product.  In my experience, Christians seemed the most critical of anybody trying to earn extra income. Yet the Bible has plenty to say about the value of work. The apostle Paul made tents and probably did other jobs to finance his missionary journeys. Most of the common folks were self-employed on farms or vineyards.

In our modern society, it's far more common to be hired by business people and large corporations. An increasing number of people are working for governments. Therefore, people appear to assume that wanting to earn extra money is a sign of greed.

Furthermore, because of home invasions and the alienation of citizens one from another, people are reluctant to open their doors.

Even with social networking, peddling one's wares is considered spam by some. Because of abuses by troublesome people, the public feels burned out and distrustful of everybody. This is a tragedy since it hurts honest folks who have valuable products and insights.

Since I'm not much good at anything but writing, I feel that my experiences can provide people with wisdom and an occasional good laugh. Because of this belief, I've written three memoirs. When a Man Loves a Rabbit: Learning and Living With Bunnies tells of the amazing things I learned while having house rabbits in my home. They also got into quite a bit of mischief and made me smile with their antics.

Deliverance from Jericho: Six Years in a Blind School shows the public what life was like in that infamous government-run institution. I also wrote about the mischief which my friends and I got into.

I believe my How I Was Razed: A Journey from Cultism to Christianity testimony is my most important work. It not only shows how easily I, a naive convert, was taken in by a false prophet but how kind the heavenly  Father was to lead me into the freedom of his love. The house church elders hurt me deeply with their criticisms. Now I know that my continuing poor vision wasn't because of hidden sin, lack of faith, ancestral sin, or lusting for good vision but so God's works can be manifest in me. I hope to comfort other wounded believers who had similar experiences and to glorify God through my testimony.

I post excerpts of my books on Wordpress and Blogspot pages. I also write about related topics and tie them to my memoirs. Not only am i entertaining readers but leading them to my book pages. Additionally, I treat customers as friends. This has led to many long-lasting friendships. Often times, these contacts give me a chance to talk about the Lord. Only he knows what will come of these mentions and compassionate replies to the troubles of others.

Bruce Atchison is a freelance writer and author of three memoirs. He's active on various social media sites. See what he's up to, or down to, on RebelMouse. He lives in Radway, Alberta with his house rabbit, Deborah.

The Course That Changes My Course - Bruce Atchison

Before 2004, I never thought I could write a whole book. Though I had attempted it in the past, I became intimidated at the prospect.

An ad in Writers Weekly, an e-mail newsletter, caught my attention one morning. Among the courses advertised was a tutorial on writing an autobiography. Since freelance writing hadn't worked out for me, I thought I might give that course a try.

After studying hard and passing the autobiography writing test, I set to work on my life's story. Imagine my surprise when it grew far longer than I had believed it could.

One point stressed in the lessons I took was to focus on a theme. Instead of an autobiography, I wrote a memoir of my life with house rabbits. The first print run of When a Man Loves a Rabbit sold out so I ordered two more. Even better, I received many heart-felt complements on my debut paperback.

Encouraged by that success, I wrote my second memoir. It concerned the six painful years I spent in a school for blind and partially-sighted children in Vancouver. Being five-hundred miles from home for months at a time had a traumatic effect upon my character. But the bullying and lack of empathy from supervisors, as well as from my parents, hurt worse. Writing those painful memories down and handing the pain over to Christ had a therapeutic effect. Much of the emotional pain left me and even the nightmares don't come as often these days.

Though my Deliverance from Jericho paperback sold only a dozen copies, I decided to risk one more memoir attempt. How I Was Razed is the story of how I became enamored with a cultic house church for fifteen years and how I eventually discovered what biblical Christianity is all about. I hope to have this journey from cultism to Christianity published this year.

Because of the Writers Weekly course, I succeeded in a field of writing that once seemed daunting to me. I'd like to try short fiction stories next. Having written a few in the past, and enjoying the creative process involved in inventing them, I believe I'll concentrate on writing more once I've finished promoting How I Was Razed.

By the way, you can visit the Bruce Atchison's books page to check out my memoirs and book excerpts.

A Little Guy Who Made A Big Impact - Bruce Atchison

Of all the noble characters in Scripture, Gideon is my favourite. I can relate to him since He wasn't strong like Samson, brave like joshua, or highly educated like the Apostle Paul. As he admitted to the angel who appeared to him, "O Lord, how may I be the saviour of Israel? See, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." I love the fact that once this unassuming man knew what he had to do, he went forth and liberated his nation from the Midianite invaders.

Since the biblical Gideon was a timid person who nevertheless caused his enemies to be defeated, I named one of my house rabbits in honour of him. He certainly was worthy of his name. He was a Himalayan bunny who behaved like a fur-clad Dennis the Menace.

Like that comic strip character, Gideon had the knack of getting into trouble. He once found his way past the boards that I placed around my bed and chewed up a leather suitcase, along with assorted cardboard boxes and papers. He snipped my phone line one morning, even though I wrapped it in aluminum foil and tucked it under the baseboards. To this day, I have blankets, sheets, and pillow cases that bear his dental autographs.

Even with all the mischief he caused, I loved that pint-sized rascal. I fondly remember the many pleasant evening hours we spent together as I lay on the floor and petted him. Whenever I sat down on the rug, he came bounding over for pets. He often loafed next to my desk for hours like a faithful dog as I wrote freelance articles.

Gideon also entertained me with his playful antics. During many mornings, he raced up and down the hallway in an attitude of pure enjoyment of being alive. I also let him shred cardboard boxes and phone books so he wouldn't ruin my furniture. He even learned how to hurl rolled up socks between his hind legs like a football quarterback. I loved watching him clearing them out from under the desk and pushing them with his forelegs as if he was digging a burrow.

I wrote a book about Gideon as well as the other loveable rogues that I adopted over an eight-year period. Through hilarious and poignant vignettes, When a Man Loves a Rabbit (Learning and Living With Bunnies) describes how I discovered the true nature of these misunderstood animals by treating them like house pets rather than furry amusements. For more information regarding this memoir, as well as Deliverance From Jericho (Six Years in a Blind School), please visit my InScribe page.

Will We Meet Our Pets in Heaven? - Bruce Atchison

As much as I wish I could hug and stroke my beloved departed rabbits again, we won't be reunited with our pets. Why? The Bible doesn't teach that animals will be resurrected. Nor do they have the capability of sinning. Because of that, they aren't rewarded with heaven or punished with hell. As John MacArthur once explained, they're conscious but not self-conscious. God will populate the new earth with animals but none of our beloved companions will be raised from the dead.

Scripture has proven its veracity through historical evidence, the cohesiveness of its message, and corroborating archeological discoveries. Therefore, fanciful notions of eternity, such as the Rainbow Bridge, aren't real and only those who have surrendered their lives to Christ will be with him forever. The belief in animals being resurrected is based on wishful thinking and not biblical proof, as I point out in this excerpt from my upcoming How I Was Razed memoir.

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Brother H's notion of being reunited with our pets is also unbiblical. Ecclesiastes 3:21 says, "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" Solomon wasn't doubting the assertion of human spirits and the descent of animal spirits but was pointing out that we can't see where they go. Ecclesiastes is based on a view of life from a physical standpoint. Even so, he did make a distinction between the two kinds of spirits and their final destinations. Since Christ died exclusively for humans, the only species on Earth created in God's image and capable of sinning, we are the only ones destined for resurrection. As much as I'd love to be reunited with my long-eared companions that I wrote about in When a Man Loves a Rabbit (Learning and Living With Bunnies), Scripture indirectly precludes that possibility.

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I also wrote in Deliverance From Jericho (Six Years in a Blind School) about the time I foolishly gave our pet rabbit, Samantha, a cold bath and inadvertently killed her when I was twelve years old. Please click here for more information about these memoirs from my web page.