Food for Your Writer’s Journey by Sandi Somers

This month’s prompt comes from Karma Pratt.

Nine Scriptures for Writers

God gave me this Scripture to share with you, “I will give you words and wisdom…” Luke 21:15. However, I’m “dry” when it comes to writing a story about it. (Perhaps I’ve been doing too much gardening?)  

In the meantime, I thought of Tracy Krauss’ comment in my April blog: “As an organization, we 'minister to writers so they can minister to others'. I think this sums up why we, collectively, do what we do, for writing is ministry.”

          As a result, I decided to share some meaningful scripture God has given me in times past, as a prayer, encouragement and food for your writing journey.

When you need to remember God’s purposes for you: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5.

When you need confirmation of God’s empowerment: “The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed” Isaiah 50:4.

When you have doubts about your abilities and your calling: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it” Habakkuk 2:2. (If you have a copy of 7 Essential Habits for Christian Writers, read Elaine Ingalls Hogg’s devotional, “When a Writer Has Doubts”, pp. 40-41)

When you are discouraged and need God’s encouragement: “I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you’…So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:9-10.

When you are uncertain: “Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness…make Your way straight before me” Psalm 5:8.

When you are afraid: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John 14:27. (I read once that there are 366 verses in the Bible that tell us not to be afraid. That’s one for every day, including leap year!)

When you go through a rough phase: “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.”

When life takes over through emergencies, family issues, etc. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1. (Read Janice Dick’s “A Time to Mourn and a Time to Write” here) 

When you need faith to ask God for something: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” John 14:13. (I also love Matthew 7:7-11)

Now over to you. I look forward to your Words from God and what He has meant to you through Scriptures.

Faith and Writing for 2018 by Sandi Somers

New Year’s Greetings to you all!

January blogs often focus on goals. This year we are broadening our theme to ask: How is God speaking to you about your faith and writing? How are you anticipating God’s presence? How does He want you to step forward in faith?

“A New Thing” for 2018

My verse for 2018 comes from Isaiah 43:19:

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

So it was with some surprise that at our church’s Christmas concert, a large display caught my attention: “The new thing I will do is…”

I look back to see how God has already begun to do new things in areas I had not expected. Our life group/ Bible study leader and his family moved from Calgary to Fort McMurray to accept a job in the oil industry. From that time, I took over the ministry of leading the group. It has been a growing experience, writing my own Bible studies to meet the needs of those who are hurting and who are seeking inner healing. In addition, I’ve been part of the healing prayer ministry at church.

As I look ahead, God is opening up new avenues in the areas of counselling and healing ministry. I will accept these new opportunities, knowing God is the author.  

My “new things” fit in nicely with InScribe’s theme verse for 2018:

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:2).

Or in today’s imagery, the NLT words it:

“Enlarge your house; build an addition.
 Spread out your home, and spare no expense!”

God is ready to greatly enlarge InScribe’s ministry, both on an individual level and as an organization, stretching our vision to new ministries, and new people where Christ is not known.

My prayer for both myself and for InScribe is: "Father, enlarge our faith so that we will ask great things from You, do great things for You and expect great things from You."

What is God saying to you as you begin 2018? How will you respond? 

5 Reasons I'm Thankful for our InScribe Family - Ruth L. Snyder

InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship started in July 1979 with a group of 12 Christian writers who called themselves the Central Alberta Christian Writers. Through many ups and downs the group has grown in number and spread across the country of Canada. Although I'm a relatively new member (I joined in 2010), there are at least five reason that I'm thankful for our InScribe family.

1. InScribe offers spiritual support

In order to become a member, writers must indicate they agree with the Apostle's Creed. I'm grateful that our organization is Christian, not only in name, but also in practice. Members regularly share lessons they are learning in their spiritual walk. Several years ago we added the position of Spiritual Advisor to our executive. This year we are privileged to have Jack Popjes and Connie Inglis both serving as spiritual advisors. They pray regularly for members and are available to talk with those who need a listening ear. Connie also writes "Midweek Moments" where she shares encouragement through Scripture, personal thoughts, and sometimes music. Members often pray and send encouraging messages to each other.

2. InScribe offers writing opportunities

InScribe members are provided with many opportunities to learn and hone the craft of writing.

Word Challenges Once a month, Glynis Belec sends out a Word Challenge or writing prompt through the InScribe listserv (private e-mail group). Members have one week to submit. Glynis compiles the submissions and then sends them back out to everyone on the listserv for feedback. Members are able to read the submissions, comment on them, and pick their top three. Glynis then tallies the votes and sends small prizes and a certificate out to each winner.

FellowScript Our quarterly magazine, FellowScript, is a 32-page magazine full of advice, encouragement, and other helpful material for writers. Members are able to submit to the magazine and receive a by-line as well as compensation (for longer pieces).

InScribe Press Members are also able to submit pieces to anthologies compiled by InScribe. In 2015, InScribe Press published 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers. Executive members are in the process of putting together details for the next anthology. Watch for further information!

3. InScribe supports local writing groups

Any member of InScribe is able to start or participate in a writing group in their local area. Although the InSpiration groups operate under the umbrella of InScribe, they are independent entities; they function under the guidance of their local leaders and their own executives. At present, we have writing groups in six provinces. The groups vary in size from small groups of 2-3 members to larger ones of 20 or more. Contact Tracy Krauss for more information.

4. InScribe offers encouragement and celebrates successes

Members describe InScribe as a family where they feel at home and are able to grow and celebrate with like-minded people. Besides our listserv, members connect in our private Facebook group. Members ask each other for advice, share helpful information, celebrate publication opportunities, and cheer each other on. Although members encourage each other to do their best, there is no spirit of meanness or jealousy.

Winter Contest - Members who had short works published during 2015 are able to submit them to the 2016 Winter Contest until February 29, 2016. (If you are not a member, but would like to submit your work, you may join InScribe and submit your pieces.)

Fall Contest - Details for the 2016 Fall Contest will be available in April. Winners of the Fall Contest are announced and recognized during the banquet at our annual Fall Conference (see below for more details).

5. InScribe offers training

2016 Fall Conference InScribe's largest event is our annual fall conference, which takes place in Edmonton, Alberta. Registration and complete details about our 2016 Fall Conference will be available in April. We are excited to welcome Linda Hall as our keynote speaker this year. We will also be offering a special pre-conference event to help authors build their platforms. Carolyn Aarsen will be teaching us and sharing about her journey from backwoods to New York Bestseller. Check our conference page for more details.

2016 WorDshops Every spring, InScribe offers WorDshops (workshops) in local areas. Plans are underway for Words of Peace events in BC, AB, SK, and MB. Contact Sheila Webster if you are interested in helping organize a WorDshop in your area.

When I walked into my first InScribe Fall Conference in September 2010, I was unsure whether or not I really was a writer. I'm thankful for the support, encouragement, and training I have received and continue to receive through this amazing writing family. Thank you to each member who helps make InScribe what it is. If you are not part of our writing family, I invite you to join us!

“Lest We Forget” – by Sandi Somers

During this Remembrance month, we remember those who have died so that we can live in peace. We also think of the memorial stones that Joshua set up after crossing the Jordan River to remind the people of what God had done for them.

 Prompt:  Choose a memory…. why you write, the books you read as a child, a memory or situation connected to your writing journey. How is this memory a memorial for you?

InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship—Then and Now

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

-         Psalm 77:11-12

This month I want to pay tribute to the great things God has done in InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship.

Our current mission is “to stimulate, encourage and support Christians across Canada who write, to advance effective Christian writing, and to promote the availability and influence of all Christians who write.”

Origins: InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship began as a result of the Billy Graham Decision School of Christian Writing in Calgary in 1979. Twelve writers decided to have an organization “to provide a vehicle for mutual support, stimulation and growth for Christian writers in Alberta.” The main feature was an annual conference—still important today. 

In 1982, there were twenty-two paid members, with an annual fee of $15.00. Today we have nearly 200 members, with memberships paid on a one-year, two-year and three-year basis.

Executive meetings were originally face-to-face, with members needing to drive some distance to meet. Now we have the convenience of online resources and can enjoy meetings from the comfort of our own homes.

Writing Contests began in 1983, and now include winter and fall contests, FellowScript contests and monthly writing challenges.

The Newsletter began as a single page in 1983, mailed to fifteen people. We now have a thirty-two page FellowScript magazine, available in print and on PDF.

The first writing group was formed on September 15, 1986. We currently have fourteen groups, and have had up to more than twenty.

Spring Workshops were added in April 1990, later named Spring WorDshops.

Cross-Canada expansion came in 1996; to reflect this expansion, we later adopted the current name, InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship. Right now we have the capacity to expand even further, to become an international organization.

Technology changed the face of ICWF. With the rise of internet, we registered our organization online and created a website with the domain name InScribe.org. We later added a members’ discussion group—the Listserve--and two blogs: InScribe Writers Online, and the Professional Blog.

InScribe has published three anthologies: Companion, in honour of the 20^th anniversary in 2000; InScribed: 30 Years of Inspiring Writers, and 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers, published in 2015.

As we grow, we mentor and minister to writers wherever they are their writing journey. We continue to develop our vision and leadership capacities of all. And as God has led us these thirty-five years, we trust Him to lead us in the future.

For reflection:

·        When and how did you come into contact with ICWF?

·        What has God done for you through ICWF? Take time to thank Him for the part ICWF has played in your writing career and in your spiritual life.

·        Who in ICWF has been influential in your spiritual and writing development? Why not email or phone these people to thank them. (Hmm…Now I have a bit of homework to do on this one.)

PS If you wish to read a devotional on Joshua’s memorial stones, click here.