“God gives us encouraging voices throughout our life; we need to learn how to hear them.” ~ Janice Elsheimer
Janeen wouldn’t have written a book, she said, if someone hadn’t encouraged her a few years ago. One particular friend, and a couple others, took note of her ‘way with words,’ and gently urged her to write for publication. She thought they were just being kind until the day she received their gift subscription to Writer’s Digest Magazine. The gesture moved her deeply. She began to write with fervor.
That anyone would validate Janeen’s writing seemed to surprise her. Maybe because she grew up with a critical mother. But God knew what Janeen needed to get on the creative path. He sent just the right balcony friends to counteract a lifetime of living in the basement. Not that life will never be hard again, but Janeen is now using her God-given talents and gifts.
Has God sent encouragers across your path, too? Have you paid attention? Sometimes encouragement comes in different forms - through books, artists of old, other writers, even teachers from the past.
Your most important encourager of all is God.
“What we call artist’s block often stems from reliance on oneself as a source of ideas and energy apart from our reliance on the Holy Spirit. I believe that when artists seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the breath of God stirs within them and God reveals what they are to do and how they are to do it.” ~ Janice Elsheimer, The Creative Call
When experiencing a dry spell, it does me good to remember that apart from Him I can do nothing. I need to call on Him. Wait on Him. Let perseverance finish its work. Although God seldom answers my prayers in ways I expect, He is good. He is faithful. And He does all things well.
Exhausted? Pressured? Approaching deadline and you’re drawing blanks? Consider it all joy. When God reveals Himself, that one taste of His faithfulness will move you forward.
“All of life, even the painful or dull moments, is a gift. That’s the place to start if you want to learn to look through the rosy lens of gratitude.” ~ Thomas Kinkade, artist
Pausing to thank God for the joy of experiencing:
* the lovely fall scenery outside my office window.
* the smell of hazelnut coffee brewing in the morning.
* a myriad of comforts for my achy, aging body: heating pad, vibrating chair massager, wrist brace, gel inserts for my shoes, Birkenstocks for hurting feet.
* writerly conveniences: HP printer/scanner/fax/copier, digital camera, my laptop.
* warm fuzzies: emails/cards from friends, Facebook gifts, Southern Lady magazine.
* brisk autumn air as I walk to the mailbox.
* a new recipe for pumpkin bread.
* enjoying the renewal of friendships, new and old.
* anticipating the holidays and family get-togethers.
* brainstorming for future articles, devotionals, and blog posts.
* soaking up Scriptures that reveal the Father’s heart for me.
* falling into bed each night, knowing that I am loved without a shadow of doubt.
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For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Crystal . Blessings to all of you!
“I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on, I go into another room and read a good book.” ~ Groucho Marx
When God Steps In: Stories of Everyday Grace
by Bonnie Bruno
My friend, Bonnie Bruno, has written a remarkable new book, When God Steps In. Herein Bonnie shares fifty true-to-life stories that cause us to recognize the sacred interruptions and Divine appointments of our own lives, and what they mean.
Life moves at a dizzying pace. Years slip away before we know it, leaving us with a stack of photo albums. But snapshots can’t adequately capture the pivotal events that stretch and define our lives—”aha” moments when God steps in to lovingly mold us into the people he designed us to become.
“Divine appointments and sacred interruptions may show up as ordinary, everyday events or as complex struggles—with the power to alter our lives forever.”
“A perfectly safe subject such as home, children, friends, can be ruined by an attitude of condescension, superiority and egotism on the author’s part. If you bring any of these attitudes to your material, no matter how good your writing, how fine your organization, or how cogent your arguments, that attitude will permeate and subtly poison the entire piece.” ~ Marjorie Holmes, Writing Articles from the Heart
“If you are truly a creative writer you’ll find it almost impossible to separate yourself from your material, whether you’re writing fact or fiction. Your memories, emotions, convictions, experiences and unique personality will permeate whatever you write.” ~ Marjorie Holmes, Writing Articles from the Heart
We all have something that makes our writing worth reading, don’t you think? We savor each other’s personal stories because they ring true and draw us in. While it may be safer to write less transparently, once we hear a reader say, “I feel like that, too,” we realize that’s one of the reasons we write, that our words might resonate with another.
What story is brewing on the backburner of your heart?
You need to tell it.
“Some people even approach art with a kind of romanticism that can make art itself seem like a religion. When that happens, the arts become the overriding ’spiritual experience’ of our lives and take the place of a vital, dynamic relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.”
~ Rory Noland, The Heart of the Artist
Is our passion for writing greater than our passion for God? That’s today’s probing question. Especially if our endeavors bring us any sort of notoriety. Rory Noland says he once loved his music more than God. If he can admit that, maybe we’ll let God examine our own hearts. Nothing should take the place of Christ in our lives.
Ponderables:
* Do I really want to know Christ more intimately?
* Or do I seek personal fulfillment through my art?
* Can I do both? Why or why not?
“There is no better exercise for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” ~ John Andrew Holmer
“One of the holiest women I have ever known did little with her life in terms of worldly success; her gift was that of bringing laughter with her wherever she went, no matter how dark or grievous the occasion.” ~ Madeline L’ Engle
“That man, said the little prince to himself, …is the only one of them all who does not seem to me ridiculous. Perhaps that is because he is thinking of something else besides himself.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” ~ Eeyore
“But I am convinced that each of us is given his talent for a reason. And that having talent, any talent, but particularly one for writing, imposes two responsibilties: to use it, and to use it for good.” ~ Marjorie Holmes, Writing Articles from the Heart
Here at the Gaines cottage we’re thankful every day, not just Fridays. Admittedly, our excitement builds as the weekend draws near. Can you blame us? Fall is in the air! The smell of banana nutbread is also driving me to distraction, but before I slide my loaf from the oven, here’s some links to bless your weekend:
* The Carnival of Beauty is up and running here today. Enjoy! This weekly Carnival promotes the beauty of Christ through various themes. For details please visit Amanda, the Carnival of Beauty sponsor, at Following An Unknown Path . Next week’s theme: The Beauty of Peace. Writers, start your noodling!
* Ruth Wood, my editor at Comfort Cafe has a brand new blog. You’ll love her latest post entitled: What I Learned About Life from My Piano , and if you’ve ever struggled with writer’s block: Going Deeper . Much wisdom here. Enjoy!
* Looking for a place to submit your writing? As a vital growing online ministry, Comfort Cafe provides a way to offer hope, help, and healing to women facing physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. For writing tips and specific guidelines, see Writer’s Guidelines. Not only will you learn what makes great devotional and article writing, you’ll find a list of needed ‘life story’ topics. Your words matter.
Resources:
Help for the Hurting
Healing Music: Coffee Shop Concerts
Writer’s Guidelines
Virtual Volunteers Needed
Comfort Cafe Forum
