I'm not very good at "resting in God." I'm a fidgety, busy, energetic, creative and imaginative person. All too often I am just not able to contain or appropriately channel that creative energy! Over the last couple of weeks I've felt the spiritual energy coursing through my body, I just didn't know how to channel it. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. [Proverbs 16:3] I shared on Friday that I have been praying the Prayer of Jabez.
God has not only answered my sincere prayer that He provide me opportunities to share the Good News, he answered quickly!! Oh, my! I listed on my Godly Graffiti blog all the new writing ideas I have had today. Of course, the Spirit has cleared my mind and opened my heart to the possibilities. I just needed to quiet my soul and wait on God to guide me.
My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty;I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. [Psalm 131:1-2]
I am so excited to be excited about writing again! I'm thrilled to have new and fresh ideas. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. [Psalm 119:59 NIV]
Now my challenge will be to implement all these great ideas and still stay on track with my already established goals!
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
"I DID IT!!!" and "I Want"
The twin boys I nanny for 3-4 days a week are at a remarkable age! They are 21 months and both of them have tremendous vocabularies! I love to hear them say new words almost daily and watch their faces as they make connections with words and objects - and even some letters of the alphabet - thanks to the shows their almost-4-year-old sister likes to watch.
For the past few weeks they've been really blossoming and learning new skills at what seems like lightning speed. One of the oft-repeated exclamations these days is "I DID IT" and yes, it should be in all caps with multiple exclamation points. They get so excited and gain self-confidence with each new task mastered.
Today I notice one of the boys has learned, "I want" followed by either cup, book, more and a host of unintelligible (to me!) expressed wants.
I couldn't help but think that we never really do outgrow those two phrases. Our wants become more grand and usually more expensive or precious when we become adults, but we still often live with an "I want" mentality, don't we?
How often I have felt proud of myself for accomplishing a goal - large or small - as if I, of my own volition, could accomplish anything without God's purpose and plan for it to be accomplished. I'm not saying I'm helpless, powerless and/or without skill or talent 'on my own'. What I'm saying is that I need to remind myself often of the source of my abilities, skills, talents, and yes, my accomplishments.
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. [Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV]
All the creative musings of my mind and touching and inspiring words of my hands are wrought from the heart and mind of God. All things I want and all the goals I wish to achieve are best measured in relation to how they will help me accomplish the specific and divine purpose for which I was created.
Examined in that light there is really very little I need on this earth outside of the bare essentials to sustain my physical body and an on-going, intentional and ardent desire to be in relationship with my God.
I was reminded of these truths on Saturday night when I attended the Richmond Christians Who Write annual dinner/holiday celebration. So many lovers of the Lord, seeking His truth to share with a broken and sin-filled world! All of us readily admit that we are equally as broken and sin-filled as those to whom we reach out -- but the difference is that we rejoice in the knowledge that our sin has been forgiven and we will be made whole at the end of time when Christ comes again.
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. [1 Chronicles 29:17]
So, my "I want" is to glorify God with every word I write and every thought I think. My every "I DID IT" will, I pray, be a declaration that I have done the best I could to share the Good News with the world.
For the past few weeks they've been really blossoming and learning new skills at what seems like lightning speed. One of the oft-repeated exclamations these days is "I DID IT" and yes, it should be in all caps with multiple exclamation points. They get so excited and gain self-confidence with each new task mastered.
Today I notice one of the boys has learned, "I want" followed by either cup, book, more and a host of unintelligible (to me!) expressed wants.
I couldn't help but think that we never really do outgrow those two phrases. Our wants become more grand and usually more expensive or precious when we become adults, but we still often live with an "I want" mentality, don't we?
How often I have felt proud of myself for accomplishing a goal - large or small - as if I, of my own volition, could accomplish anything without God's purpose and plan for it to be accomplished. I'm not saying I'm helpless, powerless and/or without skill or talent 'on my own'. What I'm saying is that I need to remind myself often of the source of my abilities, skills, talents, and yes, my accomplishments.
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. [Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV]
All the creative musings of my mind and touching and inspiring words of my hands are wrought from the heart and mind of God. All things I want and all the goals I wish to achieve are best measured in relation to how they will help me accomplish the specific and divine purpose for which I was created.
Examined in that light there is really very little I need on this earth outside of the bare essentials to sustain my physical body and an on-going, intentional and ardent desire to be in relationship with my God.
I was reminded of these truths on Saturday night when I attended the Richmond Christians Who Write annual dinner/holiday celebration. So many lovers of the Lord, seeking His truth to share with a broken and sin-filled world! All of us readily admit that we are equally as broken and sin-filled as those to whom we reach out -- but the difference is that we rejoice in the knowledge that our sin has been forgiven and we will be made whole at the end of time when Christ comes again.
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. [1 Chronicles 29:17]
So, my "I want" is to glorify God with every word I write and every thought I think. My every "I DID IT" will, I pray, be a declaration that I have done the best I could to share the Good News with the world.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses
.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us [Hebrews 12:1]
These words have always been powerful for me. As a writer I love the imagery of a 'great cloud of witnesses' in Paul's letter to the Hebrews. Paul is saying that since we are indeed surrounded in this way, we are more able to throw off all that entangles us in the matters of this world--those "of the world" things.
Things like the 2-year long U.S. Presidential election process, the war in Iraq, all the unrest, wars, famine, natural disasters, and on and on and on distract us from what really matters. In the midst of this "cloud" we are energized, nourished, sustained, encouraged and supported in the "race marked out for us."
The "cloud" refers to those surrounding us. It's important with whom we associate, with whom we choose to be friends, with whom we spend time. We may not have control over these things at our jobs, but without godly friends and a strong faith community, it's nearly impossible to live live out our call as Christians.
Why? Because we tend to act like those with whom we interact. We tend to speak as those with whom we speak. We tend to spend our time the way those with whom we associate spend their time. While familiarity may not breed contempt, it can and may breed something even more insidious. When we become so comfortable and familiar with friends we may relax our standards a bit, or allow them to relax theirs. Our conversations may shift from how we can deal with difficult people by remembering they are children of God to how annoyed WE are by the challenging people in our lives.
When we get so comfortable with our Christianity we may forget that we are as broken, frail and flawed as are each of the other people in the world where we live. Our co-workers, the other commuters on the road, the clerk in the store, our spouse, our children all deserve to be viewed through the eyes of our Savior. All too often, though, we make it about "me" and that's, as it was explained to me one day recently, "idolotry." That's right: we make ourselves the center of the world rather than God when we snap at, gossip about, begrudge and bemoan all the others in our lives.
I've had an interesting month. I've attended two Christian Writer's conferences, met some amazing, gifted, wonderful Christian women writers and deepened friendships with some amazing, gifted, wonderful Christian women writers. Don't get me wrong--I'm not so selective about my friendships that I am only friends with women Christian writers! That's just where I am right now -- in the writing mode - and since I'm a Christian woman writer . . . well it kind of all makes sense.
Since I've been published (for pay) this past year, I've been asked to be a member of a panel discussion at the annual dinner of the Christian writer's group I belong to. I honestly don't know what I will say beyond the fact that I am ever humbled and awed that the God of heaven and earth has selected me to be a vessel of His word to a world in desperate need of healing and hope. I will also relate my ongoing struggle to live a life worthy of God's design for my life.
To Him belongs the glory and to Him belongs any success or wealth or recognition I have or will ever receive as a writer. "My" words are all God-breathed and spirit-inspired. When I read the words of some of my "new" and current Christian writer friends, I can tell they feel as I do--that they are blessed beyond imaginging; that they are God's willing and holy vessels of the Good News. I read their words and think they are so powerful and beautiful that I aspire to be like them.
I still love my "old" friends and they will always be important in my life! They have been some of the strong Christians that have helped keep me in line as well as encourage and uplift me. Interesting though, that all my "old" friends with whom I maintain friendships are Christian. My church is truly a Christian family - after almost 20 years together, that makes sense.
So my challenge to myself is to not be so relaxed and comfortable that I forget whose I am and how He desires me to act and think and speak. My desire is that I can be a light for my friends and family as I live out and live into God's plan and purpose for my life.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us [Hebrews 12:1]
These words have always been powerful for me. As a writer I love the imagery of a 'great cloud of witnesses' in Paul's letter to the Hebrews. Paul is saying that since we are indeed surrounded in this way, we are more able to throw off all that entangles us in the matters of this world--those "of the world" things.
Things like the 2-year long U.S. Presidential election process, the war in Iraq, all the unrest, wars, famine, natural disasters, and on and on and on distract us from what really matters. In the midst of this "cloud" we are energized, nourished, sustained, encouraged and supported in the "race marked out for us."
The "cloud" refers to those surrounding us. It's important with whom we associate, with whom we choose to be friends, with whom we spend time. We may not have control over these things at our jobs, but without godly friends and a strong faith community, it's nearly impossible to live live out our call as Christians.
Why? Because we tend to act like those with whom we interact. We tend to speak as those with whom we speak. We tend to spend our time the way those with whom we associate spend their time. While familiarity may not breed contempt, it can and may breed something even more insidious. When we become so comfortable and familiar with friends we may relax our standards a bit, or allow them to relax theirs. Our conversations may shift from how we can deal with difficult people by remembering they are children of God to how annoyed WE are by the challenging people in our lives.
When we get so comfortable with our Christianity we may forget that we are as broken, frail and flawed as are each of the other people in the world where we live. Our co-workers, the other commuters on the road, the clerk in the store, our spouse, our children all deserve to be viewed through the eyes of our Savior. All too often, though, we make it about "me" and that's, as it was explained to me one day recently, "idolotry." That's right: we make ourselves the center of the world rather than God when we snap at, gossip about, begrudge and bemoan all the others in our lives.
I've had an interesting month. I've attended two Christian Writer's conferences, met some amazing, gifted, wonderful Christian women writers and deepened friendships with some amazing, gifted, wonderful Christian women writers. Don't get me wrong--I'm not so selective about my friendships that I am only friends with women Christian writers! That's just where I am right now -- in the writing mode - and since I'm a Christian woman writer . . . well it kind of all makes sense.
Since I've been published (for pay) this past year, I've been asked to be a member of a panel discussion at the annual dinner of the Christian writer's group I belong to. I honestly don't know what I will say beyond the fact that I am ever humbled and awed that the God of heaven and earth has selected me to be a vessel of His word to a world in desperate need of healing and hope. I will also relate my ongoing struggle to live a life worthy of God's design for my life.
To Him belongs the glory and to Him belongs any success or wealth or recognition I have or will ever receive as a writer. "My" words are all God-breathed and spirit-inspired. When I read the words of some of my "new" and current Christian writer friends, I can tell they feel as I do--that they are blessed beyond imaginging; that they are God's willing and holy vessels of the Good News. I read their words and think they are so powerful and beautiful that I aspire to be like them.
I still love my "old" friends and they will always be important in my life! They have been some of the strong Christians that have helped keep me in line as well as encourage and uplift me. Interesting though, that all my "old" friends with whom I maintain friendships are Christian. My church is truly a Christian family - after almost 20 years together, that makes sense.
So my challenge to myself is to not be so relaxed and comfortable that I forget whose I am and how He desires me to act and think and speak. My desire is that I can be a light for my friends and family as I live out and live into God's plan and purpose for my life.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Christian Writer’s Conference in Virginia Beach
A few weeks ago 2 friends and I attended a Christian Writer’s Conference in Virginia Beach, about 2 hours east of Richmond. Two of us left home at 5:45, drove to meet the third member of our group, dropped off a child in Hampton at Grandma and Grandpa’s for the day and made it to the conference in plenty of time for the pastry, juice and coffee breakfast buffet.
All three of us were absolutely blown away from the minute we arrived and it didn’t stop throughout the day! We met dozens of Christian authors and entrepreneurs, all of whom had a story to tell and passion for the Lord that was contagious.
Each of the three of us continues to feel caught up in the Holy Spirit since our return. I have been honored to have a link to both my website and my blog posted on Linda Meadows’ blog and I’m meeting next week to talk with Tanya Blowe, a fellow Christian poet who lives in Richmond.
One of my friends, Kelly, ran into a high school friend (one of the authors) and Marie, our other “three musketeer” discovered one of the speakers and authors lives in her neighborhood and will be meeting up with him soon.
The message we heard loud and clear is get out of your own way and let the Lord accomplish in you what He desires. It sounded so simple hearing that message over and over again throughout the day. To a person, these successful individuals had stories about overcoming just about every obstacle and challenge imaginable. Their stories are powerful and speak to the heart of everyday living in the world.
Each of us has made a commitment to the others to report our writing activities and progress toward our goals on an on-going basis. We are accountable to each other for moving forward, even if just by baby steps. We heard loud and clear the message: Tell your story!
After the conference we realize that it is not really our story but rather the story God wants us to tell about His redeeming and grace-filled love. He wants our stories to touch lives the way we were touched at the conference!
In a day and time where the entire world seems to be spinning out of control, it is reassuring and uplifting to know that there are Christians who remain true to their call and continue to live and work and thrive in a broken, sin-filled world.
All three of us were absolutely blown away from the minute we arrived and it didn’t stop throughout the day! We met dozens of Christian authors and entrepreneurs, all of whom had a story to tell and passion for the Lord that was contagious.
Each of the three of us continues to feel caught up in the Holy Spirit since our return. I have been honored to have a link to both my website and my blog posted on Linda Meadows’ blog and I’m meeting next week to talk with Tanya Blowe, a fellow Christian poet who lives in Richmond.
One of my friends, Kelly, ran into a high school friend (one of the authors) and Marie, our other “three musketeer” discovered one of the speakers and authors lives in her neighborhood and will be meeting up with him soon.
The message we heard loud and clear is get out of your own way and let the Lord accomplish in you what He desires. It sounded so simple hearing that message over and over again throughout the day. To a person, these successful individuals had stories about overcoming just about every obstacle and challenge imaginable. Their stories are powerful and speak to the heart of everyday living in the world.
Each of us has made a commitment to the others to report our writing activities and progress toward our goals on an on-going basis. We are accountable to each other for moving forward, even if just by baby steps. We heard loud and clear the message: Tell your story!
After the conference we realize that it is not really our story but rather the story God wants us to tell about His redeeming and grace-filled love. He wants our stories to touch lives the way we were touched at the conference!
In a day and time where the entire world seems to be spinning out of control, it is reassuring and uplifting to know that there are Christians who remain true to their call and continue to live and work and thrive in a broken, sin-filled world.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us [Hebrews 12:1 RSV]
Monday, August 27, 2007
New Website!
Well, my website is finally up! I'm pretty excited about it, as it's been a work in progress for quite some time. A wonderful friend offered to set one up for me for free, so she could use some of her web design training. That didn't work out, but she and I both learned a lot and, fortunately, have remained dear friends.
I did all work on this site, and it really makes me feel good about this latest phase of my life. I never dreamed I'd be doing something so "technical!" Fortunately, I was able to use a template that did all the "programming" type work. I've been writing for pay for over a year now, and also doing some creative writing, though not as much as I would like.
I've had tremendously kind and heartfelt comments about the site from friends and family alike. I feel more blessed than I can put into words. I don't see this as a culmination of journey, but rather the beginning of a new phase.
Thank you to all who have prayed for and with me, who have encouraged me, and who have walked with me on this journey.
Blessings,
Mary
I did all work on this site, and it really makes me feel good about this latest phase of my life. I never dreamed I'd be doing something so "technical!" Fortunately, I was able to use a template that did all the "programming" type work. I've been writing for pay for over a year now, and also doing some creative writing, though not as much as I would like.
I've had tremendously kind and heartfelt comments about the site from friends and family alike. I feel more blessed than I can put into words. I don't see this as a culmination of journey, but rather the beginning of a new phase.
Thank you to all who have prayed for and with me, who have encouraged me, and who have walked with me on this journey.
Blessings,
Mary
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