Cheryl Wolverton addresses writer’s block, burn-out, and the “dry well syndrome” in her new article at Spirit-Led Writer. It’s called Avoiding Burnout: Get Your Priorities Straight:

“We’ve all had it at one time or another. Many, however have no idea where burnout comes from, how to cope with it, or how to avoid it. While you might not always be able to avoid it, there are ways to recognize what brings it on and to halt it before it has you wringing your hands in dismay and burning your husband’s supper.”

Cheryl offers helpful insight on balanced priorities.

Read her entire article at: Spirit-Led Writer

The faith-writer trusts God for life, not just for writing.

“Immaturity considers the Lord Jesus as a helper. Maturity knows Him to be life itself,” writes Miles J. Stanford, in Principles for Spiritual Growth.

Something to ponder this Sunday.

“We must continually keep our soul open to the fact of God’s creative purpose, and never confuse or cloud it with our own intentions. If we do, God will have to force our intentions aside no matter how much it many hurt.” ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Author Randy Alcorn reminds us to pray for Virginia Tech:

“It has been over a week since the tragic killing of 32 people at Virginia Tech, but those affected need our continued prayers. Dave Broadwell, a Campus Crusade staff member at Virginia Tech, and Mark Gauthier, U.S. National Campus Director of Campus Crusade, suggest some specific ways people can pray for those involved:

• Pray that the students don’t isolate themselves. In times like this, it is a natural thing to do, but it is not helpful for them in the long run.

• Please pray that the students talk things through with their friends.

• Pray for the families of the professors who were killed or injured. Several were parents.

• Please pray for the Virginia Tech Campus Crusade staff team—they are very tired and drained. Pray for God to refresh and strengthen them, for protection for their families, and for wisdom.

• And finally, please pray for the spread of the Gospel on the campus.

Thank you, friends.

Resources:
How Could A Good God Allow Evil and Suffering?
Updates from Campus Crusade for Christ on Virginia Tech tragedy
Where is God? by John Piper

“For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am like bottled up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.” ~ Job 32:18-20

While I don’t always agree 100% with the nuances of certain books on creativity, Janice Elsheimer’s book, The Creative Call, probes, inspires, and makes me think. For instance:

“Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world. When we fail to use these gifts, we suffer the same way a person accustomed to regular physical activity may feel pent up, out of sorts, and off-balance after going for several days without exercise.”

Elsheimer says if we neglect to develop and use the talents God gives us, we feel “incomplete, unfulfilled, unfinished, even depressed.”

I especially appreciated this:

“We will find the artist God intends us to be when we empty ourselves of self and become open to His plan and to the inspiration of His Holy Spirit.”

Elsheimer challenges us to do four things:

* learn to call on the Holy Spirit as our source of inspiration
* exercise our artistic gift regularly and think of ourselves as artists
* develop the habit of journaling as a way to recognize the things that have kept us blocked.
* have a richer, deeper prayer life and a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Amen.

More wisdom from Marlene Bagnull, from Write His Answer:

“There is always a danger that the very nature of our work as writers will cause us to become hermits. It takes time to write, but sometimes we spend too much time writing. Our lives get out of balance. We need to remember that our words will become glib and empty if we lose touch with people and their needs.”

Marlene reminds us to give priority to prayer and God’s Word, seek Him for our writing vision, yet stay in touch with people and their needs.

“Christians who want to become excellent writers also need to serve an apprentice relationship with an experienced wordsmith. Ask the Lord to send someone alongside who is both a mature Christian and a gifted writer. Put yourself into an accountability relationship with him or her. And then, as you grow spiritually and professionally, pass along the same gift to another believer who wants to serve God through the ministry of writing.” ~ Marlene Bagnull, Write His Answer

The Master’s Artist announced a recent change of address. Please update your links to: http://www.themastersartist.com

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ~ Philippians 2:3-4

This is difficult for some artists because we’re typically a preoccupied bunch. And while preoccupation may be a universal ailment, there are no prima donnas in the kingdom.

The question becomes, how do we die daily to self while living in a pressure-cooker world?

“According to 1 Corinthians 12:20-25, no one is more important than anyone else. That’s why we need to look out for the interests of others instead of always trying to put our needs at the top of the agenda. This is the key to becoming a humble artist.” ~ Rory Noland, The Heart of the Artist

Pray that the Lord will imbed His truth deeply into our hearts and show us how to live.

Then watch your life radically change.

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” ~ John 12:24 (NIV)

My friend’s new book has hit the shelves:
Ransomed Dreams (Multnomah) by Amy Wallace. Amy has personally encouraged me along this writing journey so it’s sheer joy to announce her mighty-fine debut novel.

From Amy:
“As thrilled as I am to share all this, I’m praying what people see in all that I do is Jesus. I’ve written on my blog about how God is searing my heart with 2 Samuel 24:24: True worship is costly. These books, this website, living a dream come true, have all been costly acts of worship. So much so that many times I’ve wanted to walk away. Why don’t I? At the core it’s simple obedience. Writing an engaging story, sharing my heart, and inviting people deeper into Christ are what drive me to keep on taking one more step in this dream journey.”

From the reviewers:

“Amy Wallace takes the reader on a roller coaster ride through the emotions from the heart-wrenching grief of a young widow to the torment experienced by an FBI Agent when an investigation fails to the hope birthed through forgiveness. Gracie and Steven are fascinating and authentic and the author does not shy away from the hard realities of life which gives her characters a depth and purpose the reader can relate to. Her minor characters and the “bad guys” are also well-developed. The suspense is tight and the romance captivating reminding me of Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series. I have no doubt Amy Wallace is an author to watch and I eagerly anticipate the sequels which tell the stories of Clint and Michael respectively.” ~ Narelle Mollet, Melbourne, Australia

“Seldom does a debut novel create excitement, but Amy Wallace has done just that. She drew me into Gracie’s story with the finesse and skill of a seasoned author. She made me care. She also established that delicious sense of something’s about to happen right from page one… Page after page, I couldn’t put this book down. Not once did writing grow dull. The pace was just right. Wallace must be a fisherman, because she played me like a rainbow trout, letting me run with the story, then reeling me back into the tension until I leapt with surprise.” ~ Ane Mulligan

The author:
Amy Wallace is a wife, homeschooling mom, freelance writer, youth Bible study leader, and self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizen’s Police Academy and serves as the liaison for the training division of the county police department. Amy is the president of an American Christian Fiction Writers local chapter and a contributing author of God Answers Mom’s Prayers, God Allows U-Turns for Teens, Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes, and A Cup of Comfort for Expectant Moms. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Georgia.

The story:
“Gracie Ann Lang is being watched by a man who will stop at nothing to hide the truth from her. Having lost the only man she ever loved and the children who were her world, the truth is all Gracie wants—an explanation for what really happened. She longs to move forward but is bound by chains of fear. Then she meets Steven Kessler. The FBI agent assigned to an international plot to kidnap the Ambassador’s daughter awakens more than memories. He revives the possibility of a life Gracie desires. A life where healing and peace crowd out the nightmares. But his case and her past are dangerously connected. Suddenly, Gracie must decide if she’s able—let alone willing—to pay the required ransom that redeems dreams and restores hope.”

God bless you, Amy. Rejoicing with you on the launch of this dream! What an inspiration you’ve been to me and countless other writers—to faithfully ‘write down the vision’ God gives us.

Resources:
Defenders of Hope website
Amy Wallace’s website
Amy’s blog
Author Events

Reviews/Interviews:
Novel Review
Quills of Faith review
interview with Dee Stewart at Master’s Artist
Cecelia Dowdy interviews Amy
Amazon.com