B.J. Hoff starts the season with a wonderful idea:

“In keeping with the idea of giving gifts, though, I’ve been thinking about what a writer—in particular a Christian writer—might consider as practical gifts for readers, not only during the Christmas season but year-round. Unable to resist playing with the idea, I took each letter of “Christmas” to find appropriate “gifts” a writer’s work might bring to his/her readers. Because there are certain elements a reader might expect to find when reading the efforts of a writer who also claims to be Christian, don’t you think?”

To follow the rest of B.J’s “gifts,” visit
B.J. Hoff’s Grace Notes: For Writers & Readers.

In the book, 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing, Gary Provost tells us how to write with style and power. Below are twelve ways he says will avoid making your reader hate you:

1. Avoid jargon.
2. Avoid cliches.
3. Avoid parenthesis.
4. Avoid footnotes.
5. Don’t use transitions to conceal information.
6. Don’t acknowledge when you should explain.
7. Don’t hide behind your words.
8. Don’t intrude.
9. Don’t play word games.
10. Don’t play the Tom Wolfe game.
11. Don’t play the mystery game.
12. Don’t cheat.

Okay, most of this is self-explanatory, but what is the Tom Wolfe game? Seems he loved the use of gimmicky wordplay, like writing ZOWeee!!!!… or all caps, and other annoying visuals. Guess he could get away with that. You and I can’t.

“Evangelicals have not tried to capture the intellectual initiative as much as we should. We haven’t challenged and developed the minds of our generation. Though there are many exceptions, generally we evangelicals have failed to present to the world great thinkers, theologians, artists, scientists, and so forth.” ~ Billy Graham, in an interview with Christianity Today

This quote disturbs me. My question is, have we so surrendered to God and let His Word seal our hearts, that when we write, His Spirit infuses our craft? We each have a contribution to make. If we abide in Him, the fruit will grow. That’s all I know.

“Take your mind out and dance on it. It’s getting all caked up.” Mark Twain

Concerning religious writing, Sherwood E. Wirt, offers several resolutions for the would-be writer which seem applicable to any writer:

1. I will not write corn—banal, sentimental, obvious stuffy tripe.
2. I will either seek to write imaginatively, or I will not write.
3. I will not waste my time on insignificant materlal.
4. I will write to change lives, if I can.
5. I will politely ignore those who would flatter me.
6. I will write in quantity but strive for quality.
7. I will thankfully give whatever glory comes to God, who alone imparts all gifts, including this gift.

(taken from The Christian Writer’s Book by Don M. Aycock and Leonard G. Goss)

Many of us like to have written, but some actually enjoy the writing process. One such person was Elton Trueblood.

“I should like to convey to my readers something of the joy of writing which I regularly experience. The very act of writing can be remarkably creative. When I sit down with paper in front of me, I know in general what I want to say, but I seldom know the details. As the ideas are expressed in written form, however, they begin to grow and to develop by their own inherent logic. Always I am a bit surprised by what has been written, for I have become in some sense an instrument.”

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Hmm…and whether you write or read, or whatever you blog, do all to the glory of God.

Hello folks. Mulling over inspiring thoughts from Oswald Chambers today:

“Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives.”

“We’re all pilgrims on the same journey — but some pilgrims have a better map. ~ Nelson Demille

Nope, I haven’t taken a holiday. But let me tell you, that ol’ stomach flu is no respecter of bloggers. Hope your Thanksgiving was great. I’m still counting my blessings…

Meanwhile, I gathered some thoughts for you:

“One of the keys to living your calling is enlarging your perspective of how God wants to use your life, allowing yourself to envision a “God-sized” calling. Such a calling is one that you cannot accomplish with your own power and resources. A God-sized calling, by definition, requires God’s power and resources to succeed.” Kevin & Kay Marie Brennfleck, authors of Live Your Calling, page 114.

“There is no magic in small plans. When I consider my ministry, I think of the world. Anything less than that would not be worthy of Christ nor his will for my life.” ~ Henrietta Mears

“God’s ultimate plan for your life reaches beyond the visions he’s given you for your family, business, ministry, and finances. He has positioned you in your culture as a singular point of light. A beacon in a world that desperately needs to see something divine, something that is clearly not of this world.” ~ Andy Stanley

“A vision of what God is calling you to do may start as an interest, a tiny idea, or a fleeting thought. It can be inspired by a variety of catalysts.” Kevin & Kay Marie Brennfleck

“As workers for God we have to learn to make room for God—to give God ‘elbow room.’ Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His surprising power may break out on the right hand and on the left. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.” ~ Oswald Chambers

Okay, Pilgrim, that’s enough for my flu-recovering noodle today. One more thing, though. If you feel like your task or vision is beyond reach, it probably is. Andy Stanley says, “God-ordained visions are always too big for us to handle. We shouldn’t be surprised. Consider the source.”

Whatever the scope of our calling, we can trust God to enable us.

“Deep in our hearts, we all want to find and fulfill a purpose bigger than ourselves. Only such a larger purpose can inspire us to heights we know we could never reach on our own. For each of us the real purpose is personal and passionate: to know what we are here to do, and why.” ~ Os Guinness

“Most of us are looking for a calling, not a job. Most of us…have jobs that are too small for our spirit.” ~ Nora Watson

“We ask to know the will of God without guessing that his will is written into our very beings. We perceive that will when we discern our gifts.” ~ Elisabeth O’ Connor

“Your God-given design is a gift from your Creator, and it gives you essential clues about what God wants you to do in the world.” ~ Kevin & Kay Marie Brennfleck, Live Your Calling

“The life of faith opens our eyes to see ourselves and the world around us differently. The closer we walk with God, the more we understand God’s agenda for humanity and our part in it.” ~ Kevin & Kay Marie Brennfleck

“Before being called to something, we are called to Someone. Before we are called to do, we are called to be. Our primary calling is to be in a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ…God created us and knows our strengths, weaknesses, dreams, and fears. In spite of our imperfections, God loves us perfectly and completely. He wants us close to Him. He calls us to belong to Him.” ~ Kevin & Kay Marie Brennfleck, authors of Live Your Calling

“It isn’t what you wish to do, it’s what you will do for God that transforms your life.” ~ Henrietta Mears

“In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

John L. Mason, author of An Enemy Called Average, suggests that when we draw away for a time, we’re able to see and hear much more clearly about how to go on. Even Jesus pulled away frequently during his earthly life. Do you need to retreat? Clear your head? Pray for direction on that next writing project? Set some time away soon to be alone with God.

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:6, KJV

“Creativity is a way of living life, no matter what our vocation or how we earn our living. Creativity is not limited to the arts or having some kind of important career.” ~ Madeleine L’ Engle