The Outpouring: We Pour Out

By LaTonja Brown

Through poetry and essays, the contributing writers of The Outpouring pour out their souls. They pour out their disappointment, hurt, and grief as well as their success, happiness, and joy through the written word. The selections point to the underlying faith and hope they have in their walk with God.

Compiled and edited by LaTonja Brown, the anthology contains works by members of Pentecostal Covenant Church in Seattle, Washington. The tone, mood, and sentiment express a wide range of human emotions. The writings address a range of topics including what writing means to the writers, seeking God, becoming free, empowerment, hope, purpose, aging, and social issues.

The selections often discuss serious and heartfelt topics, as the writers pour out the emotions and feelings that are inside of them. Even during their struggles, the writers focus on their underlying belief in God. Their belief that all things will work out for their good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781532013980

LaTonja Brown

LaTonja Brown earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington as well as certificates in editing and commercial fiction writing. She has been an editor and writer for the PCC Scroll for more than fifteen years. Brown previously published an anthology called Illuminations. Visit her online at latonjab.wordpress.com.

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Copyright © 2017 LaTonja Brown.

Edited by LaTonja Brown

Graphics by Devlin Donnelly

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Unless otherwise stated, all quotations are from King James Version.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-1400-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-1399-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-1398-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016921602

iUniverse rev. date: 12/28/2016

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Outpouring

Why Write?

Outpour

The Outpouring

Seeking God

Last Night I Heard Jesus

Today

The Void

No Room In The Inn

If

Become A Living Sacrifice

Too Late

If We Would Just Ask

Seek Jesus

It’s His Space

Becoming Free

A Charge To Keep

A Slow Walk To Hell

Chain

Beauty

Who Does God Say You Are?

Empowerment

Empowered By God To Empower Others

Learn To Let Go

I’m Mad At The Devil

The Power Of Time

There Is Power

Hope

Through The Storm

A Sudden Change

Whispers

God Increase Their Faith

Imagine

Spirit-Filled Women

Purpose

Living Our Purpose

Why We Are Here

What Is Success?

Getting Back To Basics

Aging And Maturity

A Crown Of Silver

Better As You Age

Laying The Foundation

I Thought I Knew

Sage Advice

Live And Learn

Keeping Time And Desires In Perspective

True Life

Society

Cops

Blaming The Victim

Colorless

Looking At The Man In The Mirror First

Poverty Mindset

God

Ain’t God All Right

Reconnect

A King Is Crowned, Behold Your King

The Purchase Price

God Has His Problems Too

I’ve Got The I Can’t Help But…

Contributors

About Pentecostal Covenant Church

For the writers

Ursula, La’Shandra, Cheryl, and Makaila

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Habakkuk 2:2

Empowered by God

to Empower Others

Interior_Flying%20Bird_20161008081055.jpg

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, many thanks to the writers—Ursula, La’Shandra, Makaila, and Cheryl (Thank you, Brother Larry, for allowing me to use her work)—who submitted to the anthology. The Outpouring would not be here without you! It was a pleasure working with you through the process. As in the first anthology, special thanks to Ursula for keeping me moving and on schedule.

I would like to thank Kris Fulsaas, who has been such an amazing mentor to me, for copyediting the book. Kris has walked with the PCC Scroll editing team for many years, and she has played a huge part in our growth. Thank you for walking with me.

I would like to thank Devlin Donnelly, who has been an incredible coworker and friend, for once again putting together astounding graphics for us. You are a remarkable talent. You rock, and I do love your humor.

And thanks to Pastor Wilford and First Lady Jo Ann Hairston for your never-ending support. Your impact on my life has been larger than I can put into words. Thank you for the positive influence you have had on my life. When nothing else could help, love lifted me.

Thanks to my sister, Crystal Hairston, for being the last set of eyes on the manuscript. I admire your grace and elegance. You are a blessing in my life, and I thank you for walking with me on this journey called life.

I appreciate my family and friends who have encouraged and supported my writing over the years, especially those who take the time to read my blog. It means so much to me, and you mean so much to me.

In closing, I would like to thank God. My relationship with Him is the most important in my life. It’s funny, but even as a child, I have always known He was there. Somewhere. Now as an adult, I can look back and see that. I don’t subscribe to happenstance. I truly believe that each piece of the puzzle will come together, even during seasons when I don’t quite see how.

God has a way of seeing things through despite our fears, insecurities, procrastination, and attempts at self-sabotage.

Thank you for reading The Outpouring! Your support means the world.

INTRODUCTION

There is just something about being a writer. Something sacred.

As a writer, it is hard enough to put your thoughts and feelings on paper. They are so personal, and they can sometimes be extremely raw, honest, and painful. But what about actually sharing your words and opening yourself up to critique or someone speaking ill about something you put your heart and soul into? It’s scary business.

I have written some pieces that I have not wanted to share, and some I will never share. When I journal, I have a burn-after-reading mindset. There are some deep thoughts that I don’t want to share with anyone.

Then there is writing that I do share. I have purposely posted some blogs during a time I knew I had to post but then walk away because I was getting ready to leave for an event. All the while I was worried about the reaction and the comments that might be made because the post made me feel very vulnerable, very open, and very exposed.

That’s why I applaud each person