Getting My Priorities Straight

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you besides.”  Matthew 6:33

Whenever I feel discouraged about my writing, or equally important, don’t know which direction to take next, this quote from Matthew (and the song we often sing at church, based on it) puts me right back on track!

Marjorie Flathers

Soaring on Eagles’ Wings

“Do you not know? . . . Have you not heard? . . . those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40: 28-31

Those of us who have taken up the pen understand what a challenge it can be to capture the right words to describe, the best images to inspire, the perfect rhythm of a sentence. When our work is going well, we rejoice. Narrative, dialogue, and descriptive passages seem to flow from brain to paper — or at least to computer keys. At times like these, I feel that I no longer have both feet firmly on the floor. I revel in the sheer beauty of words. I feel bathed in a sea of sound.

The trouble is, euphoria is temporal. Left to its own devices, it doesn’t last. And eventually I not only have my feet on the ground once again, but they are very likely buried in the mud. What happened? I was riding the crest of a wave that reached its peak and crashed, tossing me head over heels into foaming surf and bruising wet sand.

It’s downright depressing when a writer loses momentum. It’s even more depressing to come to a sudden stop. Some call this writer’s block and turn away from their work. But I have been here before and I realize that the problem does not lie in lack of talent or the need to put aside my work for a time. It lies in a lack of focus.

And I ask myself some questions: From whence did my talent come? Am I remembering to give thanks for this gift? How long has it been since I rested in the Lord?

Then I open my Bible to the book of Isaiah and read passages about the valleys being lifted up, the wilderness bursting into bloom, streams of water in a thirsty land. The poetry of this book calms me and excites me . . . reassures me and challenges me. Finally, I come to what I now think of as the eagle verse. I read the words, and they are as new to me as if I’m reading them for the first time. They are as old as the mountains, and the skies, and the seas.

And I pick up my pen, or put my fingers on the keys, and I begin again, knowing that even if I grow weary, even if I stumble, I can always look forward to soaring with the eagles once more.

Contributed by Marilyn Donahue

Publishing God’s Way

I did not grow up wanting to be a writer. In fact, God had to use a friend’s desire to improve her writing skills to get me interested. When I realized this was a possible new direction for my life, I prayed for confirmation. The Lord gave me 1 Chronicles 16:24 from the New Living Translation:

“Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.”

Many of my stories and articles carry this theme, sharing my faith and pointing to the hope that only the Lord can bring. I do not always write for the Christian market, but I do make sure that my writing reflects a Christian worldview in presenting information in a clean and positive way.

Contributed by Catherine L. Osornio

Pearl of Great Price

When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Matt 13:46

Lord, discovering your call for me as an artist is like finding a valuable pearl. It brings me joy, it’s prayerful and it has provided a meaningful way for me to make a living.

You, LORD, are just in all your ways, faithful in all your works.
Psalm 145:17

I trust that you will show me the best way to invest my time, money, skills and imagination towards this gift you have given me.

Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others,
Colossians 3:23

Lord, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve you. Bind my heart to yours, so that the artwork I create is united with your good will.

God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength;
1 Corinthians 10:13

Lord, when I am tempted to agree with my overly critical voice, you send your Spirit to guide me. You give me courage when I doubt my abilities.

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Matt 13:44

Jesus, you are the treasure! I gladly offer my artistic talent to you. I pray that it may reveal you as the beautiful pearl and lead others to discover you more intimately.

Amen.

contributed by Veronica Walsh, children’s book illustrator

Scripture On Writing

Ecclesiastes 12: 10

“The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.”

May all our writing be upright and true, Gloria

Writing His Words

What a blessing to have God’s Word to

go before us. Here’s a Scripture I love

to look at and think about: “Before a

word is on my tongue you know it

completely, O Lord.” (Psalm 139:4 NIV)

I know He knows every word I write

before I even think about it.  Since I

have committed it to the Lord it all belongs

to Him!

Shirley

Glory!

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
but unto thy name give glory.
-Psalm 115:1, KJV

Feel the wind beneath our sails when God calls us to write for His purposes! And the reason we write? Not for our fame, not for our honor, but for the name of Jesus Christ to be praised!

Dear Lord, please help us keep our purpose for writing solely focused on our goal to bring glory to your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

-photo of San Francisco Bay, CA, by Nancy I. Sanders from her inspirational photoblog, Scribes

My Cornerstone Writing Scripture

Like many of you reading this blog, I’ve been called to write.

One day the Lord surprised me. He held out an unexpected gift. “For me, Lord?” I had to take it.  It was right there in front of my face. That’s what you do with gifts. You accept them graciously even if you’re not sure you can use them.  When God gave me this gift, it wasn’t my birthday. It wasn’t even Christmas.  It was an ordinary day that turned extraordinary!

When I realized what this gift was, it nearly shocked my fuzzy socks off! “Me? A writer? But, but—HOW? Really, Lord—I don’t think I can use this gift. It‘s just not ‘me’.”

God gives each one of us unique gifts to be used for His glory. They’re chosen by the Creator and I’m pretty sure gift-return receipts aren’t included (0;  Sometimes they come when we least expect them. When they do, God gives us the ABILITY to develop those gifts for His purposes.  Remember Moses?

Someone once said, The Lord doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called. It’s our responsibility to develop the skills needed to perfect those wonderful gifts He planned for us before we were born! That takes a work—HARD work.

There’s a cornerstone Scripture from II Timothy that I apply to the  things God has called me to do. He’s called me to be a wife, mother, friend, nurse—and (surprise!) a writer.

II Timothy 2:15 says: “Do your best to present yourselves to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of truth.”

This Scripture is in the forefront of my mind when I write. I want to be a writing-workman who will never give the Lord a reason to regret giving me this gift.

When writing for the Christian market, I want to be certain I don’t stray from the truth of God’s Word. When writing for the secular market, I want to honor God by never compromising and going against my God-given conscience.  II Timothy reminds me of these things as I write.

So, if you’ve just realized that the gift God handed you is to write–put your fuzzy socks back on and get busy! Remember II Timothy 2:15. Be a writing-workman for HIM and honor the blessed gift-giver with your best work.

Sherri

Some Favorite “Writerly” Scriptures

Here are a few quotes from Scripture that have been encouraging to me:

“”Brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble.”  2 Peter 1:10

“Our inner nature is being renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians 4:16

These first two have helped me confirm that being a writer is God’s plan for me.   And when the rejections are coming in quicker (and more abundantly than I’d like!) the following are a big help.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

“Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”  Psalm 37:7

The quote below tells me that it is my responsibility to continue to use my God-given gifts as He intended.

“Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.”  Matthew 25:20

This last quote is not from the Bilble, but it is one I remember my father saying.  I was barely out of my teens when he died, I remember him as a spiritual person, and I fondly remember his words of wisdom.  This was his favorite:

“God helps those who help themselves.”

It has been my guide throughout my life.

Marjorie Flathers