The Write Angle: Impressions on Paper

First Quarter 2026

Can you guess where I am as I write this first newsletter of 2026? You guessed it – the mountain RV. It’s been five months since I was last up here, due largely to my emergency surgeries and long recovery that followed. Recovery has been slow but steady, and I’m doing most things independently. I have Obee with me for what could possibly be his last visit, as he is aging rapidly: At 13 years old now, he’s virtually blind and bumps into walls. He has trouble managing stairs and has a serious heart murmur that causes pain for which he’s medicated. I’ll surely miss him more than any other dog in the past, which is why I wanted to bring him to his favorite place with me as soon as possible. Don’t get me wrong—he’s not gone yet, but I fear it won’t be too long before I’ll have to say goodbye to my all-time favorite four-legged friend. Here’s where he went as soon as we arrived:        

Current Work

As I ramp up my article submissions to Christian magazines, I thankfully am seeing success: 

a. Was selected as one of the devotion writers for the upcoming Guideposts “All God’s Creatures” yearly devotional books;

b. Based on a short summary proposal, was asked by Guideposts to write an article for a future “Angels in Our Lives” book.

I continue to work on a third book in the Spiritual Musings series: Spiritual Musings from the Pillow of a Hospital Bed. It’s coming along well, and I must say, “I’m excited!”

I’m not a poet by any stretch of the imagination, but I recently took a stab at it. I plan to attend the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference in Andalusia, AL, toward the end of next month, and submit it for award consideration. Here it is:

 Is That All?

A Poem by John Rabins

I pay the tithe,

and do good deeds.

I share the Gospel 

by planting seeds.

I read my Bible—

book, chapter, verse.

I feed the homeless.

The sick I nurse.

I ask the Master,

“Is that the right stuff?”

He says, “No, my child,

it’s not enough.”

I then remind Him

how much I pray,

both in the morning

and through the day.

I go to church

and Sunday School.

I always practice

the Golden Rule.

I ask again

if that’s the right stuff.

He repeats with, “No,

it’s still not enough.”

“You must be kidding!”

My tone bellicose.

To which He responds, 

“You’re not even close.”

With hands upraised,

I begin to scream,

“Then what must I do

to be on Your team?!”

“Your righteous acts

are filthy rags

that cannot match

your prideful brags.”

“If that’s the case,

what must I do

to earn salvation

by such as You?”

“What makes you think

it’s up to you,

and thus depends

on what you do?”

“I see,” said I,

with lifted brow.

“If that is true,

please tell me how.”

“There are no laws

to satisfy.

Good works can

never justify.

“Simpler than that—

you need not grieve.

The only thing left

is that you believe.”

He . . . asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Acts 16:30-31

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Requests

1. Please continue lifting me, and my family, up in prayer as I continue to heal from these surgeries.
   
2. Please continue to pray that my magazine submissions will be viewed favorably by the respective editorial staffs, so that the messages might bless many.
   
3. If you’ve read any of my books, please leave an honest review on Amazon—I cannot emphasize just how important reviews are to authors. Thank you for your consideration.

As I wrap up this update, I continue to pray, and am thankful, for you. Thanks especially to those of you who write me heartfelt words of encouragement—know that I’m truly touched.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9

Please write with any comments or suggestions you may have, and be looking for the next quarterly update, likely May-ish!