Ministry Resources

Crystal Ortmann

Articles by: Crystal Ortmann

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One Narrow Lifeline

Time dragged on at the labor and delivery ward where I worked as an RN. Our patient load…

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Berate or Communicate?

Neither of us liked confrontation. Hurts and miscommunications piled up. I found myself snapping at my husband, sending…

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Sharing Your Story

Everyone has a story, or do they? I ask many people about their life histories and often they…

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Fulfilling a Dream

As a young woman, my heart’s desire was to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, south to north through…

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Dusty Thinks It’s More Fun to be Good

BOING! Dusty’s ears shot straight upward and he stood on his hind legs to see if he could…

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A Sweet Fragrance

Life is tough sometimes. Times come when there is hurt upon hurt and there seems to be one…

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Procrastination and Other Habits (Good and Bad)

We’ve all been there . . . “I’ll do it later. I’ll get to it tomorrow or maybe…

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What Will Dusty Wear?

“It’s time to get up and wash,” Dusty muttered to himself. He yawned and stretched each big foot,…

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Dusty Loves to Hop and Leap

“Life is soooo goooood!” said Dusty as he leaped in the air. He ran down the hall, kicking…

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Dusty Doesn’t Want to Share

“Dusty, come here,” called the lady. Two furry ears popped up. She’s calling me. Maybe it means a…

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Dusty and the Bully

“Aah, this sunbath feels good,” Dusty murmured as he drowsed in the sunshine. He did not know his…

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Perfectly Imperfect

“Look at that driver! Get off the phone!” “Did you ever see anyone so stupid in your life?”…

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Everyone’s Life Has Meaning

“She’s far too old and is just a bother.” “He’s so deaf that I have to yell to…

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Common Pitfalls for Writers

She leaned over the table as she spoke with quiet intensity to her friend and fellow writer. “I…

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Becoming a Professional

Now that you’ve discovered you can write, it’s time for some soul-searching. What do you really want to…

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Are You Right with God?

“I always thought Hilda was a Christian.” “So did I. She did so much for the church.” I…

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Published at Last!

“I am happy to inform you we have decided to use your manuscript. It will appear in the…

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Never Too Old

The crowded room and lively chatter intimidated me on my first visit to the Oregon Christian Writer’s Fall…

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Laughing Your Way Through Office Fiascos

You may think having a home office will be a piece of cake and you won’t have to…

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He Knows

My house bunny, Dusty, is allowed to run all over the house. We give him complete freedom, because…

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Did You Hear?

“Did you hear what she said?” “I have a prayer request and wait till you hear what it…

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Lonely, but Never Alone

Growing older isn’t much fun. For many, becoming older means more time at home alone, especially after retirement…

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What Good is a Date Night

“How can we recapture the romance of our dating time?” I mused out loud. We celebrated our 27th…

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God Provided the Lifeline

On the evening shift in the Labor and Delivery ward, quiet reigned. I felt somewhat bored. In another…

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Handling Rejection

After many months of waiting, the letter arrives. Your pulse bounds with anticipation when you see the publisher’s…

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Inner Strength

Just before midnight, I finished my work on the labor and delivery ward, wearily trudged from the hospital…

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Still Flexible

Are you still flexible enough to think of others, to continue growing, and to deal with change in…

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