Looking Up in 2015 by Marnie Pohlmann

“Look Up. Look wa-a-ay up.”

“One little chair for one of you, and a bigger chair for two to curl up in, and for someone who likes to rock, a rocking chair in the middle.”

“And there's that boot.”

“I'll go on ahead and lower the drawbridge.”1

Do you recognize these words? You may be dating yourself along with me if you do. As a child I remember pausing in play to watch The Friendly Giant, who said these lines each show. This month’s theme is looking back, looking forward, and these words of The Friendly Giant help me do both.

In my writing, when I look back I can see some advancement in 2014; but to be honest, I have to look wa-a-ay back to see any real forward movement in my writing. Over the years I have received praise from teachers and professors, known the freedom of journaling to aid in personal healing and understanding, experienced the joy of winning contests, felt the satisfaction of supporting organizations with my prose, and seen the occasional publication of a written gem. Writing is a large part of me no matter what I am doing, but any accomplishment has been happenstance, not purposed, and rarely sought.

The Friendly Giant Museum

For a while I avoided involvement with writing, but last year I reconnected with Inscribe and with some of the local writers here in the Peace Region. I was reminded that while we may enjoy different genres, we also enjoy gathering to share and sharpen our gift of writing. I wonder if writing may be a solitary pursuit best done in community. I appreciate so much the encouragement I find with Inscribe writers; there is no direct competition, simply uplifting support. No matter our preference of expression or desire to publish or not, we are all welcomed. “One little chair for one of you, and a bigger chair for two to curl up in, and for someone who likes to rock, a rocking chair in the middle.”

I am amazed at how fast the last few years have flown by,  with major life events and changes marking time in my journey. Life continued while I was not looking, and I became rusty at what I enjoy. It’s time to get in shape! Being connected to other writers is a way God is encouraging me to exercise writing - making time to write, writing specific projects rather than jumping from one unfinished project to another, and seeking to somehow share my offering. “And there’s that boot.” So in 2015, with God firmly nudging and strengthening me, and with fellow writers to encourage me through accountability, I submit to God and will be more purposed in my writing.

I hesitate to say I undertake this commitment of writing with excitement, but I embark on it because it’s clear the season is now. Nothing in my life has changed - I still minister with my husband while working full time, my health is stable with energy returning and closing on the mark of two years cancer-free, my family is still adjusting to new dynamics in living arrangements - yet the promise I made to God years ago, remains. “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 26:7 KJV) God now seems to be going before me to provide opportunities, so I will head where God is leading, as He goes “on ahead to lower the drawbridge”. What a great picture of hope for our writing - when I see in my circumstances a dangerous moat and no way across, God provides a drawbridge; a path of safety He opens for me.

Whatever genre I settle into, whatever audience of readers it is shared with, if any, God is not simply leading me in my writing - He is leading me in His eternal kingdom. Eternity is a concept hard to grasp - it makes me feel so small, like the little chairs looked next to The Friendly Giant’s hand. Yet eternity with Him is what God promises and what motivates me toward more purposeful writing in this physical realm of that eternity. The only way I know to be purposeful is to look to God for leading, clarification, and inspiration through Scripture, prayer, and relationship. 

My goals for 2015, therefore, are to “Look up, look wa-a-ay up” and to write with purpose – to deadline, to word count, to finish, and to share.

God will do wondrous works in our lives and through our writing as we look to Him this year.


1. The Friendly Giant (1958-1985), Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

photo credit:

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The Year of Writing Dangerously - Part 2 by Joylene M. Bailey

Last year the word the LORD kept bringing up to me was “Availability”.  I had/have a busy life.  I think most of us do.  I was involved in and responsible for many things, but the LORD kept nudging me to give up some things.  Good things.  Things I liked.  He wanted me to be more available.  Available for Him to use me. Available to actually sit down and write!  And so, I gave up some of my responsibilities.  Then I said, “Now what?”

And here is NOW WHAT:

  *  I joined this blog as a regular contributor

  *  I guest posted in a couple of other blogs

  *  I wrote an article for FellowScript
*  I spent more quiet time with God

  *  I prayed more

  *  I heard God speak to me

  *  I was available to engage and spend time with a hurting colleague of my husband’s 

     
The theme the LORD has given me for this year is PAY ATTENTION! 

     Now that I’m Available, I need to consciously Pay Attention.  In order to Write Dangerously, I need to Pay Attention.  Writers have to be keen observers.  So the more I pay attention, the more ‘true’ my writing will be.

But I hope that paying attention will also open my eyes to some God-assignments, times when I notice His nudge. 

Which brings me to this morning.  As I went through the checkout at the grocery store, I looked at the clerk.  She was very young, and she looked tired and sick.  I noticed, but I didn’t do anything about it.  I didn’t say anything encouraging to make her day brighter.  I don't even remember if I smiled at her.  I have since prayed for her, but I wonder if she was a God-assignment.  I need to pay more attention.

     To pay attention takes sacrifice.  It takes a sacrifice of time – sometimes a moment, sometimes a couple of hours, as in the case of a hurting colleague. 

     Paying attention often means sacrificing my own schedule.  For a list-maker/schedule-keeper like me, that one hurts. More than I’d like to admit. 

     In Bible Study last week, the study leader stated that more often than not, our choice is between sacrifice and selfishness.  Wow.  That makes one stop and think.  

     I’m glad I was obedient to the nudges God gave me last year to give up some responsibilities so that I could become available.  My life is still busy, but it is busy in a different way now.  For my Year of Writing Dangerously I plan to pay attention so that I don’t miss any opportunities, writing or otherwise, that God puts in my way.

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The Year of Writing Dangerously by Connie Inglis

                                       (artwork by my daughter Kendra)

When I look back at this past year of writing and look forward to this coming year, I am thankful for the many ways God has encouraged me and instilled confidence in my writing. So I am proclaiming thankfulness here by sharing some of those ways.

1. I can say that it has been a good year of writing for me, but don't be deceived in thinking that it has been an easy year. It has not. In fact, it has been a difficult year, especially the past 3 1/2 months. However, in the midst of pain and heartache, questions and more questions, I found time to journal my journey and put my pain to poetry. God met me there and I found release and healing--and freedom. This inspiration is spurring me on in 2015. Thanks God for who You are.

2. I have also been exhilarated by books written by writers for writers. The most recent two books have been The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield and Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle. Reconnecting with L'Engle's works has touched my soul in a beautifully unexpected way--her poetry has been especially powerful. Have you, as a writer, ever come across a fellow writer that feels like a soul mate? THAT'S how I feel about Madeleine L'Engle. Her faith and perspective on life spur me on to be a better writer and to persevere in 2015. Thanks God for leading me to these writers.

3. NaNoWriMo (November writer's month) changed my writing outlook. In November I committed to writing the memoirs of my family's two years living in the Philippines from 1992-1994. By the end of the month I had written 30,000 words and completed my writing project. Prior to this, I hesitated writing our memoirs of living overseas as missionaries because the project was too daunting. Now I know I can do it, if I give myself a goal of words per day and NOT think about the whole project. So for 2015 I am committed to writing 500 words/day. For some of you that sounds miniscule, but for me it is doable and I'm excited about where I will be by the end of the year. Thanks God for giving me the courage to sign up for NaNoWriMo.

4. The InScribe Writer's Conference was also motivating--interacting with fellow-writers, sitting under a bit of Phil Callaway's tutelage and gaining wisdom in workshops--all good stuff to help me persevere. Thanks God for a conference right in my own city.

5. My other inspiration this past year has been my writer's group. I cannot thank God enough for this Spirit-filled group of ladies. As Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend," so these ladies have sharpened me in my writing, prayed for me and my family through tough times, and have become my close friends and co-fighters in pressing on in writing. Words seem so trite in my thanks to each one of them but thanks God for bringing them into my life.

Which brings me to my theme phrase for 2015. This past week, our fearless writers' group leader referred to this coming year as our "Year of Writing Dangerously." That resonated with me and even after a few days the phrase would not leave my conscious thoughts. Then I knew it was the Spirit nudging at my mind--giving me the courage to claim it as my writing theme for 2015--to call this my year of writing dangerously. Could I? Would I? So with fearful expectancy I proclaim the phrase as mine for 2015: It is the year of writing dangerously.

 I already know that the year ahead will not be an easy one. After 5 years of living in Edmonton, my husband and I will be returning to our missionary work in Southeast Asia, living in Thailand. The city and the work we will be returning to will not be new. However, for the first time we will be leaving our children and granddaughter behind. I already know the good-byes will be difficult--that my heart will be torn. But I have learned that God is faithful--that He will provide what I need. And I have learned that I can lean on my trusted pen to name my feelings and help me process pain. In that too I am thankful.

Thanks God for words and the ability and opportunity to write. May I always write for YOU!

A Theme for 2015 - Steph Beth Nickel

Some people choose a word for the year.

Personally, each of the past few years has been marked by a theme. These themes include The Year of Encouragement, The Year of No Excuses, and The Year of the Great Declutter.

All of these carry over from year to year to one degree or another, but the focus for 2015 is slightly different. I feel this is to be The Year of Taking Responsibility.

This theme has applications in all area of life, but my specific focus is to take spiritual responsibility more seriously than ever.

I have committed to reading through the New Testament twice as well as reading selected Old Testament books as well. (Kudos to those of you who read the entire Bible at least once per year.)

One of two things can happen when rereading familiar passages. If I'm not careful, I can skim over them thinking, "I know this." But the Bible is the Living Word. What happens if I slow down and take the time to really think about what I'm reading is that I am overwhelmed by a sense of amazement and wonder. It's like rediscovering treasure I'd forgotten I had. And God's Word is always applicable, no matter what circumstances I am facing.

I have also signed on again for the 1 Minute Prayer Facebook group. (The idea is to pray one minute per day the first week, two the second week, etc. By the end of the year, participants are to be praying for an hour each day.) I joined in 2014 but fizzled out part way through the year.  I do better if I prayer journal or pray aloud. Otherwise, I admit, I get distracted. So, I've begun again.

Not all of my grown children are walking with the Lord. It's understandable that I look back and see what I could have done differently as they were growing up. I can't change the past, but I can learn from it. Whether it's sharing my faith with my own family or with others, this is another area in which, with God's help, I will take more responsibility.

I have the privilege of working alongside other believers, for which I am tremendously thankful. Because of my day-to-day responsibilities, I have many opportunities to learn new truths and grow spiritually. I am blessed abundantly - and have the opportunity to bless others. I pray that I will faithfully do so more in the new year than ever before.

Of course, I want to take responsibility in other areas as well ... as a writer, an editor, a doula, a church member, etc., etc., etc.

Like the picture above depicts, sometimes the way is steep and challenging, but when it comes to walking in obedience to God, the rewards are phenomenal.

Do you have a word or theme for the new year? I'd love to hear about it.