Tablets of the Heart: An Anthology of Student Writings and Creations

By Christian Authors Club

Dive into the Tables of the Heart, an anthology filled with a wide variety of stories and poems created by high school students. Over a span of two years, these teen authors pulled their best works together to share their voices and passions with the world, for the glory of God. This literary collection has a diverse range of genres, time periods and settings, each deriving itself from the creative minds of the authors/ from romance to suspense to humor, from the plains of the Midwest to a kingdom in the sky, you will visit the writers worlds, both real and imagined. Be engulfed by the creative artwork of the Christian Authors Club illustrator, whose works portray the themes and thoughts of several of the selections. Be enthralled by the wit, the charm, the thrill, and the truth within Tablets of the Heart, and enjoy an anthology that promises to be like no other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477249116

Christian Authors Club

Tablets of the Heart was produced by the Christian Authors Club of Riverside Christian High School in Riverside, California, a group of students composed of a zoner, a schemer, an executioner, a virtual farmer, a doodler, an animal lover, a drummer, a romantic, a rabbit, Sleeping Beauty, a mathematician, and a reader.

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© 2012 by Christian Authors Club. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

All of the literary and artistic works contained in this anthology are copyright © 2012 by their respective authors and illustrators. Additional, earlier copyrights also apply for some or all of the works. All rights reserved

Published by AuthorHouse 08/09/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-4913-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-4912-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-4911-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012913155

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

The Point of Creation

Run

The Johnsons and the Sinner

Blind

Love is Like a Rose

Smiles

Down to Earth

Summer Flowers

The Day I Died

Victorious

The Framing

How the Little Indian Girl Got Her Moccasins

Why Americans Have Turkey for Thanksgiving

That’s Not Right

The Path to Christianity

Just Pretending

A Taste of Hardship

How the Peacock Got Its Beauty

The Thing about Frankie

Sunsets in Autumn

A Time of Hate

Mudrick

My Signature on Life

(From Everything Burns)

The Lightkeeper

The Written Word

About the Authors

Tablets of the Heart was produced by the Christian Authors Club of Riverside Christian High School in Riverside, California, a group of students composed of a zoner, a schemer, an executioner, a virtual farmer, a doodler, an animal lover, a drummer, a romantic, a rabbit, Sleeping Beauty, a mathematician, and a reader.

Dedication

To all those searching for a good story…

Acknowledgments

We’d like to acknowledge our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all He has done for us and for getting us through this pioneering—and often hectic—project.

We’d also like to thank our supportive families and friends for all that they contributed to our efforts, as well as all those who helped us raise the funds to share our work.

We specifically would like to thank the following people for their time, effort, and dedication to this anthology: Vance Nichols (advisor, general editor), Rhyen Siemer (faculty editor), Julianne Maikai (faculty editor), Sandra LaMonica (parent sponsor), Irina Gyulnazaryan (parent sponsor), John Moran (Superintendent, Riverside Christian Schools), and Janna Gilleland, who created the original cover design.

Our deepest thanks go to all these individuals and the many others who inspired this work.

Foreword

Most of us rarely speak of teenagers in the same breath as, say, J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis, Janette Oke, Frank Peretti, or Charles Wesley. Visualizing accomplished authors and poets and lyricists of Christian disposition typically conjures up images of the seasoned and the graying. Certainly, the youthful and the still-learning don’t primarily appear in our mind’s eye regarding such things as the written word; we might picture these old children with a Nook® or a Kindle® or an iSomething (not yet ®), but let’s face it, we would more likely think they were playing something than reading anything. And actually writing something? That would be entirely out of the question.

But that kind of thinking would slight the writers you’re about to read.

You see, they’re all teenagers.

It has been my blessed privilege to teach and know the students who initiated this writing and publishing project. From the very beginning, it was completely their idea. In fact, they had to twist my arm to serve as the advisor for their newly established Christian Authors Club at Riverside Christian High School. They not only wanted to find a wonderful excuse to write creatively beyond the compulsory assignments of their various classes, they wanted to experience the entire process of authoring, from start to finish. And they desired to share their creations with others.

Every one of the writers featured in this anthology—without a single exception—is amazingly humble at heart. Although their compositional skill levels may vary, their humility levels do not. All of these student authors consider others above themselves. Perhaps that is what gives these collected works such an air of wonder and innocence and naivety and, yes, a certain measure of immaturity, to be sure.

Yet it is my hope and prayer that as you read, you will remember what it was like to be a teenager. And not just any teenager, but one who believes that Jesus really is the Christ—God the Son—and wants to honor Him by utilizing the gifts and talents that have been portioned out to him or her by the Holy Spirit.

In that light, I believe you will appreciate and admire their effort, which was no small undertaking. Forget technical indiscretions. Sense the freshness! Forego pointing out potential shortcomings. Catch the pure joy of the first-published!

These young writing folk have poured the unseasoned elixir of their hearts and souls and minds into this collection. For some of them, it may be the only thing they’ll ever see in print that actually came from their own hand and imagination and keyboard.

But for some others? God only knows.

So take a little bit of time, say a little prayer, and open up this little book. See it for what it is, thanking the Lord that He continues to raise up young Christ-followers with sensitivity and intelligence and love and great enthusiasm.

Then read every word.

Vance Nichols

Riverside, California

February 5, 2012

A Word about the Commentaries

Among the many enjoyable aspects of this book are the commentaries that serve as a prelude to each literary work. These commentaries were written by three of the student leaders of the Christian Authors Club. Since this book was created over a period of two years, and because of the transition from one school year to the next (not to mention that the first set of leaders graduated from high school in the middle of the process), there were two presidents and two vice presidents who led in this anthology’s creation. The original leaders were Jennifer LaMonica (president) and Jewelayna Fisk (vice president), who founded the club and conceived the idea for this book. The next year’s set of leaders were Bella Gyulnazaryan (president) and Ginna Ward (vice president), who perpetuated the vision and guided the project to its ultimate completion.

Regarding the commentaries, not only are the majority of them humorous, but they help give the reader insight and tidbits about the author, an experience, or how the work was made. They also highlight the best qualities of each work. As one of the commentary writers noted, They were cool to make, and we hope that they will be both entertaining and informative.

The Point of Creation

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Commentary

Jen:

Mr. Nichols showed this poem to Jewelayna and me shortly after he’d written it and, though I’m not much of a poetry buff, I loved it. This poem made sense to me in more than just a simple understanding, I was able to identify with it and see in it what I believe to be my own personal calling in life. Plus, as if this weren’t enough, the whole piece is topped off with a classic Mr. Nichols word play.

Jewelayna:

What can I say about this poem and about this author . . . ? Well, the only thing I can say about it is genius, simply superb. I love this author’s work; it’s truly amazing and inspirational.

The%20Point%20of%20Creation.jpg

VANCE EVERETT NICHOLS

The Point of Creation

The tip of your pen

is the point of creation.

When your fingers rest on the pads of your keyboard,

they hover over the surface of the deep.

In an instant, your paper is no longer formless,

your screen no longer void.

In the image of your Creator,

you bring forth beauty and order and insight

from seeming nothingness.

Therefore, you are compelled to do

what you know you must.

Let there be light… and write!

Run

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Commentary

Jen:

This story was originally an assignment for a creative writing class I took my junior year. We basically were told to write a thriller and turn it in the next day. Well, the day we started I didn’t really feel in a thriller sort of mood, so I wrote Run instead. I was one of my laziest works yet it became the favorite of several of my friends.

Jewelayna:

I love this story; it’s all suspenseful and it keeps you on the edge of your seat all the time. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS STORY!!!!!!! This is your favorite story . . . . Just take my word.

Jen:

As you can see, Jewelayna is one of those friends.

JENNIFER LAMONICA

Run

Violet was nearly home. She couldn’t see her destination due to the pitch darkness but she knew; it was her instincts that guided her now. She ran on and on, pushing herself. She was almost there! She could hear the sounds of her pursuers right behind her. She knew she mustn’t slow or they would catch her.

Violet’s vision began to blur the trees before her into a wavering mass of grey. She was dehydrated. C’mon! She gasped through shuddering breaths. She kept pushing herself faster, faster, faster. No matter how fast she ran she could still hear the shrieks and laughter of her followers. She could now feel her pulse in her head. I’m not gonna make it!

Despite all her doubts, Violet pressed onwards. She faced a fear only those in such situations face, the fear that no matter what you do you’ve got no chance. Yet, you can’t give up. That would be impossible for reasons only the hunted understand. So she ran.

She pushed through the exhaustion and the pain because there was nothing else she could do. She couldn’t just give up, stop running, stop fighting because she knew if she did this she would lose everything. Any flickering ray of hope, no matter how small, would die if she did that. She just couldn’t let that happen, even if she had no chance. Especially if she had no chance. That ray of hope was all that tethered her to sanity in her nonsensical world. In that ray of hope was life.

Violet could now see the faint light from her front porch through the trees. Almost there! She gasped. In her excitement she found herself going even faster. She was only about three meters away now! She leapt forward in her joy when, suddenly, she was pulled back. Her oversized shoe had been caught in a raised root. Violet struggled to yank her foot out of the shoe and run the rest of the distance, but in that moment the children were on her.

I want a poodle!

My dinosaur popped!

Can I have a flower?

Violet hated being a clown.

The Johnsons and the Sinner

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Commentary

Jen:

I love this story because you can just feel the sincerity of it. I know Caleb, and this has him written all over it. He is such a sweet guy and his love of Jesus and his humility is so plainly seen. He’s the kind of guy that when you look at him and his life you can see God working through him. He is such a great example to me and many others at the school and this story is a great example of his heart.

Jewelayna:

This story really speaks to the heart. It’s like my friend Jen said, this story has a lot of sincere stuff in it. Caleb is a totally chill guy and God is working through him to do great things. I love this story and hope it really impacts your life.

CALEB HOUSEHOLDER

The Johnsons and the Sinner

A story of repentance:

In the city there was a Christian family that did everything together. The Johnson family—Bob, Mary, and children, John and Tabitha—did everything together.

Also in the city, in a rougher part of town, there lived a gang member named Jose’. Jose’ had problems: He used drugs, alcohol, got into fights, and had gone to jail twice. He did not know anything about God.

One day Jose’ was standing in front of the store, smoking and glaring at people who were walking into the store. The Johnsons were going into the store to get groceries and, if possible, share the Gospel. John looked at Jose’, and Jose’ glared back, as the family walked into the store. Then, as the Johnsons were shopping, John went out to Jose’ and started talking to him, getting to know him.

John saw an opportunity to share the Gospel. As they were talking, Jose’ offered John a cigarette. John refused at first, but eventually John gave in. He took the cigarette and they started smoking together. John put out the cigarette and went back inside to his family. Then the family left the store and went home.

Later that week John went back to the store and Jose’ was there. John and Jose’ hung out for a while talking. Then Jose’ said to John, You should really meet my friends.

John said, Okay, when can I meet them?

Jose’ replied, They’ll be here tomorrow. John agreed to meet Jose’ and his friends the following afternoon.

Just then John’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw that he had a text from his sister, Tabitha. The text said, Where are you? We’re about to have lunch; come home.

John replied to the text, At the store, I’ll be home in a minute.

I got to go, Jose’. John said.

Awright, can I get yo numba?

John replied, Sure and gave him his number, went home, and had lunch. In the evening, the Johnson’s went to go see a movie as the last thing that they did on that Saturday.

The next day they all got up early to get ready for church. The message was about how to live as a Christian and how to treat others, even if they may be hard to handle. The message caused John to feel slightly guilty for smoking, but he quickly pushed the guilt aside.

Once home, John left to go to the store again and hook up with Jose’ and his friends, Jordan, Kyle, and Joey. They hung out for a while, smoking together, and chatting a little bit. Once again, Tabitha texted him, and he told them that he had to leave.

The Johnsons had plans to go to the plaza to do street witnessing. While Bob and Mary were witnessing, John went to Gamestop® and other stores to look around and so did Tabitha. Bob and Mary met a person who was a friend of Jordan’s. His name was Cody. He was a person who, at times, was a skeptic. This time, however, he was open to listening and they tried their absolute best to reach him with the Gospel. It looked like it was a total failure, until about twenty minutes into the conversation. Cody realized how his choices were really messing up his life.

When the Johnsons asked if he wanted to accept Christ, he said, Yes, I would. When they heard that, on the inside they were surprised, because he had seemed to reject everything that they said at first. They went over the Gospel with him again, and they prayed with him to accept Christ. They talked with him about what it means to be a Christian, gave him a Bible, and prayed for him again. They got his number so they could keep in touch with him. John and Tabitha joined their parents, and they all headed home.

Later that night, John got a call from Jose’, asking him to come do drugs with him and his friends. He agreed, and sneaked out and went over to Jose’s house. They partied until 5 in the morning, and then he went home and went to bed. John had to sneak back into his house, fearful all the while that someone would see him and he’d be busted.

The following morning, John and Tabitha got up and readied for school. Bob and Mary had noticed that John was acting different; he also smelled very weird. Together they searched his room and found, under his bed, a pack of cigarettes. They were incredibly shocked. They prayed for God to convict John of his sin.

When John and Tabitha got home, Bob and Mary asked Tabitha to go upstairs. Mary whispered in her ear to pray for John. Tabitha said, Sure. Bob and Mary sat John down at the table. Bob said, Son, what have you been doing the last couple of days?

John replied, Hanging out with people, relaxing, things like that.

Mary asked, Who have you been hanging out with?

John said, People.

Bob said, Did one of those people give you this? Bob pulled out the pack of cigarettes and put it on the table. We found this in your room.

John guiltily admitted that the cigarettes were his. Then he said, I’m sorry, to both you and to God. Please forgive me.

Bob and Mary both said, We forgive you. John went outside and threw away the cigarettes and prayed and asked God to forgive him. Then he went inside and they had lunch together.

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