What is the One Essential Tool for Writers? by Janis Cox

Thanks to Free Digital Photos.net

As Christian writers we are up against a formidable foe - Satan. That sneaky, sly fox uses everything at his disposal to pull us away from what God designs.

Taking a look at the writers I have met I can see writers who are:

• indecisive
• feeling unworthy
• too busy
• easily distracted
• burned out
• feeling frustrated, or angry 
• complaining
• judging others
• mistrustful
• living in disarray
• feeling helpless

But wait? Why do these Christians feels this way? Jesus has all ready won the battle with Satan.

Satan NO longer holds power over us.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33, NIV).

And by Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension we now have a straight clear access to the Father.

IF 

Yes there is an "if". We need to pray. 

Prayer is the essential tool in a writer's toolbox.

If you haven't made prayer a priority in your life, may I encourage you to learn more.

Let's be so intimate with Jesus that we live our lives full of prayer.

Join me at Under the Cover of Prayer  (#UTCOP) where we learn, practice and expand our communication with God.

This is will my last post for Inscribe as I am joining Kimberley Payne to write about prayer on her blog once a month. I also write about my relationship with God on my own blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. Each Sunday I post #SundayStillness where I have a place to link your posts. Join our community.

Prayer:

O Lord, help us as Christian writers to seek You every minute of the day, for every detail of our lives. Bless us as we expand our territories and as we write to glorify You and to spread the Good News. Thank you for bringing us together as Sisters and Brothers in Christ. Help us to encourage and pray for on another. We pray this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

May I pray for you? Send personal email requests to Under the Cover of Prayer.

A Scripture for the week:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthen in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Col. 2:6-7, NIV).

A thought for this week:

Knees were made for bending. When did you last use them in prayer?

Tweetable:

What is the one essential tool needed for writers?

Janis Cox

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children's book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

You can find her on Twitter - Author Janis Cox, Pinterest - Author Janis Cox, and Facebook Author Janis Cox.

How To Live in Breathless Expectation by Janis Cox

Spiritual life is the life of a child ~ Oswald Chambers.

 

Where am I in my writing? 

I am mid-month of a blogging Sabbath rest. I realized or should I say, God pointed out, that I spent too much of my time blogging. Since I started seven years ago, it is fitting that in this seventh year I take a break. I have had projects on the back burner for far too long because each blog post requires thinking, typing, formatting, picture, Tweetable and then social media shout outs.

What have I learned?

1. Listen to the Holy Spirit
2. Slow down to feel His Presence
3. Follow Jesus by making Him my priority.

Last year I wrote on Sunday Stillness about living a leisurely pace.  Then I forgot to do what I wrote.

When we are rightly related to God, life is full of

 spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.

Where do I go from here?

Since I am only 1/2 way through this process of seeking His Presence I can only say that Jesus IS leading me.

What is my progress so far?

1. I moved my blog #UTCOP - Under the Cover of Prayer, to my website - He Cares for You - streamlining my life.
2. I am having my new children's story edited.
3. I am working on the illustrations for that story.
4. I am learning to control social media so it doesn't control me.
5. Whatever I "plan" for the day I leave open to the Holy Spirit changing that plan.

As I do these things I know that I work better, and calmer but with the spontaneity that Oswald Chambers talks about.

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness. It should be rather an expression of breathless expectation ~ Oswald Chambers (emphasis mine).

I can only answer a few questions about my work in progress.

I can tell you that the story is more involved than Tadeo Turtle. It is still a picture book with watercolour illustrations but it is not written in rhyme.

Here is a short excerpt from the middle of the story:

So the years went by and the news of his tremendous gift spread outside the kingdom of Thrim. One day a man named Duff entered his shop. He admired the dolls that Yoj had created. He told him that he could make him the most famous doll maker in the world. He filled Yoj’s head with plans of expansion and lots of money.

Yoj was intrigued. Could life be even better than this? He listened intently to all that Duff told him. He didn’t take the time to ask his friends. He didn’t even ask God what He thought of his plan.

Before anyone knew what had happened, Yoj had closed his shop in Hearts Delight and moved out of the Kingdom of Thrim.

Yoj and Duff traveled for many months through different lands before they arrived in the city of Grimness in Shadow Land. The city was full of people, houses and businesses. Smokestacks dotted the sky. A light grey haze covered the sun.

Immediately after their arrival, Duff took Yoj to a large, grey, four-storey building. He put him into a small office that had a tiny window overlooking another larger grey building. There were no trees or plants anywhere. No one had the time to plant or care for them. ...

Sharing one of the watercolours I might use.

You can find me on Twitter @authorjaniscox ; on Facebook AuthorJanisCox; and Pinterest AuthorJanisCox

Tweetables:

Are you uncertain in all your ways - and happy about it? (tweet this)

Do you live in breathless expectation to see what God will do today? (tweet this)

Janis Cox

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children's book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

How Does My Writing Impact My Readers? by Janis Cox

Thanks to FreeDigitalPhotos.Net by imagerymajestic

Frederick Buechner said:

I wish that I had told my writing students to give some thought to what they wanted their books to make happen inside the people who read them.

So far I have one published book - a children's book called Tadeo Turtle. Definitely the book has a purpose - to teach children and parent and grandparents that each one of them is special in God's eyes.

This is also the theme of my blog, He Cares for You. Because I truly want people to believe what the Bible tells us:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7, NIV).

I have discovered that the more I read the Bible the more I start to understand the mind of Christ. And that is a good thing. Because I believe I am to "feed His lambs".

 I can't feed them unless I have been fed by Him.

All the writing I do starts with my learning it first from the Bible. Then I can share what I have learned. In my fiction books there is a lesson to be learned. So the characters are like me working their way through their lives and being taught by God through all their interactions.

Starting next week I am taking a blogging holiday for a month. I need that time to reassess where God wants me to spend my time. I plan to be out in my community watching and seeing where God is working and then following Him. I plan to spend more time in study and prayer. I plan to see my family as we are returning from our winter home (we are snowbirds).

I am excited. I have more energy in the past few days just getting last minute things figured out. God has been faithful in giving me lots of fodder to work with.

I love writing and I don't want to stop. But I am willing to stop if that is what I hear from God in the next 4 weeks. I want to be sure that this is the path He wants for me.

I would ask that you pray for me during this time of renewal.

I have written on this subject at Under the Cover of Prayer.

Am I Spinning My Wheels?

Is God Working Through Me?

So yes I am thinking about what I am learning and what I want my readers to learn as well.

Tweetables:

What do you want your books/writings to make happen inside your readers? (tweet this)

How does my writing impact my readers? (tweet this)

Janis Cox, a retired school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

Too Much - Too Much by Janis Cox

Sometimes it seems to be too much - too many posts, too much to read, too much to see and do.

Picture thanks to freedigitalphotos.net

What do I do?

STOP - and breathe

Then offer a prayer to our Lord. Seek Him. Rest in Him.

As His peace surrounds me I know that all of this doesn't really matter. My connection with God matters more than anything else.

My focus has been on prayer for the past two months. I have been reading three great books:

The Power of Persistent Prayer by Cindy Jacobs
Not a Fan by Kyle Idelman
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

Then  - what does God do? He sends my hubby and me to a church where Mark Batterson is preaching. Wow!

Then - what does God do? He sends my hubby and me to another church where there is a 6 week study on the Prayer of Jabez.

Every day is something new. Every day I watch how God is working and am blessed so much.

So whatever is going on around you - STOP - breathe and take time to talk to God. He will centre you and bring you back to where He wants you.

If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now (Oswald Chambers, Feb 11).

Today I forgot to post to Inscribe - so this is one more task on my list for today. But that's okay because God allowed me to tell you exactly what is on my heart.

Don't forget to connect with Him  - LOTS.

Tweetable:

What do you do when things get too much? I stop and breathe in the breath of God. (tweet this)


Have a great week.
Blessings,
Janis

Are You Hungry for God? by Janis Cox

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6, NIV).

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat (Matthew 5:6, The Message).

I believe God has a plan for redemption for each of us. I believe He uses circumstances to reveal Himself.

But I know too that only when we are empty - and ready to receive - will He indwell in us.

We can write our faith stories. People will read them. They can be touched by our words. But it takes God to fill us up.

In order to be filled up with the Holy Spirit we need to ASK Jesus. (click to tweet)

Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was non-existent until we asked (Oswald Chambers, December 17). 

The truth of redemption - that is what will fill us up.

It is never sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption (Oswald Chambers, December 17). 

But don't stop telling your stories. They are a part of God's plan. They need to be heard so others can know to make the choice to ask, "Jesus, please fill me up."

Come to Me [Jesus] with your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you are complete (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young).

Prayer:

Father, no matter where we are in our faith journey, I know you have the Plan. Continue to lead and guide us, to our emptiness where we can be filled with Jesus. In His Name. AMEN

How To Use Twitter to Reach God's People - Janis Cox

For the past two months I have purposefully worked to learn more about Twitter.

I questioned:

Why do we need it?
How can I glorify God through this?

As I started to experiment, I realized 4 important facts:

• People do read 140 characters.
• People will ReTweet (RT) your messages.
• People can be brought together.
• Twitter can be a powerful method for evangelism and conversation.

However, because Twitter is so huge, messages can get lost in all the chatter. It is necessary to find one another to spread the Good News.

For this reason Inscribe has chosen #ICwriters as their own Hashtag. Hashtags are made with the # symbol in front of words so they are easily searchable (even in Facebook).

If you are not on Twitter, I urge you to sign up. It is easy. Follow this Twitter link.

I believe if we all pull together on this we can make a strong vibrant community for Christ.

Here is an example of a Tweet with a Hashtag: (This link is Tweetable if you click on it)

http://ow.lysc950 How to Use Twitter to Reach God's People #ICwriters Can we use Twitter to glorify God? @InscribeCWF

Whenever we use #ICwriters, others can search and then ReTweet. Also I have been asked to try look after @InscribeCWF Twitter. I will be RTing all the #ICwriters through Inscribe.

So anytime you have made a post or want to connect with other Inscribers use the #ICwriters and it will be sent out.

This feature can look like a web.

Do you see the possibilities?

Whenever you write a Tweet, use #ICwriters and let's see how we can build a Twitter #ICwriters community and spread God's Word.

If you have questions please email Janis. icwriterscanada [at] gmail [dot] com.

For other posts on basic Twitter instructions see the following:

Michael Hyatt's Basic Twitter Guide

10 Beginner Guides for Twitter Users

Mom this is How Twitter Works

Personally I use the following Hashtags if you are interested:
#UTCOP - Under the Cover of Prayer
#john316books - John 3:16 Network to which I belong
#SundayStillness - a blog page with linky so others who write about God's Word can join in

Janis Cox, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

What Christmas Means to Me - Janis Cox

The creche figures, made from various woods, were created by my husband.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14, NIV). 

As we approach this Christmas season I remember back to Dec. 31, 2003 - our first Christmas Eve service in a new small country church.

The minister that night spoke about the Incarnation - the descent from Heaven of God.

Being a new Christian I really didn't know what that meant.

That night for the first time I heard the words "Immanuel" meaning God with us or as Max Lucado says, "God with skin on".

I remember my minister explaining the meaning of Immanuel.

Immanu - With us

El - Elohim or God 

I remember he said that God came to earth in the form of a baby. God became human, one of us.

The idea that Jesus, Whom I had accepted as my Saviour, became human to live and dwell among us finally sunk in that night.

We were no longer alone on this earth as God came to be with us again just as He had been in the Garden at the very beginning. He came to walk with us, eat with us and teach us.

Christmas time is very special to me since that evening.

Christmas is not about baubles, bangles or bows.

Christmas is not about families, friends or foes. 

Christmas is not about Santa, snowmen or stockings.

Christmas is not about games, goodies, or giftings.

Christmas is God coming to earth in human form.

Christmas is about God's love for us.

Christmas is about God wanting a relationship with us.

Christmas is about hope, peace, joy and love.

Janis Cox 2013

The Advent Season is upon us. How are you remembering what Christmas is all about?

That special evening years ago my minister put humanity into the Incarnation for me. Jesus became more real and continues to lead me every day.

On Sunday in our church in Arizona, we sang Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down) by Robbie Seay Band.

Enjoy the HOPE that comes from the first week of Advent.

Tweetables:

Jesus, Whom I had accepted as my Saviour, became human to live and dwell among us. 

Christmas is not about games, goodies, or giftings. Christmas is God coming to earth in human form.

Janis Cox

Janis, a retired school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

Can I Capture All the Balloons? - Janis Cox

A friend once told me that she could see me with thousands of coloured balloons around my head and how in awe I wanted each one of them.

This vision my friend had is holding true again and again. There are so many things I like to do. There are so many people I want to meet. I can’t keep still because I think of another thing to do.

I am so thankful that I have learned to start each day in quiet refection, study and prayer. As I talk to Jesus and listen, I learn that it doesn’t matter what I do or try He will be with me. What a freeing thought.

It’s been twelve years since my life changed drastically with my new found faith. Having grown up knowing God, I had never turned my back on Him. But I had put Him aside and used the theory “use only when necessary”. And I had never really understood Who Jesus and the Holy Spirit were.

After much questioning, and wrangling with God Jesus revealed Himself to me.

The world came on fire. There was new meaning in my life. And then I wanted to try everything.

Writing was one of those balloons. God led me to start writing in a journal – all my thoughts, questions and answers from Him. Then a writers’ conference appeared – close by. And soon I started writing on a regular basis.

Last year I published my first book – a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. It was totally inspired by God.

Another balloon was art. I began to paint in watercolour. I took courses, I practiced, and God inspired me.

Another balloon was prayer. Prayer became more and more important until I finally heard God say to start a blog called Under the Cover of Prayer.

So I’m having a great time. Some days I think I won’t get anything or everything accomplished.

But if I give God His time, He increases mine. (Tweet this)

How about you? What are you doing? Are you enjoying every minute of this life? Do you give God some of that time?

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

Are You Stretching Your Faith? - Janis Cox

I do morning stretches for about 15 minutes every morning. My back depends on this. As I stretch I pray for each member of my family.

Physical fitness is important but spiritual fitness is more important.

How can I become spiritually fit? Here are five ways that I think will help anyone to stretch their faith.

1.  Prayer:

In acknowledging God by talking and listening to Him, we bridge that gap between us. So remember to open the door and have a conversation.

2. Read your Bible:

I remember when I couldn't understand the Bible at all. It read like a foreign language. A friend suggested that I ask God to reveal His Word to me. So the next time I opened my Bible I prayed, "Help me Lord to understand Your Word". And He did.

I would suggest starting with the Gospel of John. Then read through the Psalms. I always stop to highlight what is getting my attention in that moment. Then you can think about that throughout the day.

3. Memorize a passage of Scripture:

 I know that for some of us we think that our memorizing days are over. However once again if you ask God He will give you the ability to memorize. Pick a Scripture that is the most meaningful to you. Write it down. Put it by your computer. Carry it with you. But keep repeating it. Then you will have it bound around your neck and written on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 3:3)

4. Join a Bible Study: 

Working alongside friends helps us to affirm our faith. Questions that need answers can be found. Each study bring us further along in our faith.

5. Appreciate every moment of the day:

 Live each moment. Go outside. Help a friend. Stop to chat. Follow God's leading.

What are other way we can become spiritually fit? Which do find easiest? Which is the hardest?

Janis Cox

Janis, a retired school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

What's Your R.B.I.? - Janis Cox

Oswald Chambers makes me think - really think. He speaks the Word clearly. He challenges me.

Every morning as I read his words I write down important points.

Today I wrote more than one or two.

The Challenge: To Be Holy

That's a tall order. But Chambers puts it clearly.

1. Restate continually the purpose for your life.

Now that might be a good thing for me to do every morning as a prayer.

Father, I am yours. Help me to be aware of Your work here and show me how I can be a part of that plan.

2. Be rightly related with God.

Father, I confess that there are many times I think of only myself - my plans - my desires. Help me to tone down me and see You more fully.

3.  Inside me: Jesus saved me to be holy.

This is the toughest one, I think, because Chambers says being holy means:

• walking unsullied
• talking unsullied
• thinking unsullied

Awareness is the key here, Lord. I know that:

every detail of [my] life is under the scrutiny of God (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, September 1).

Prayer:

Father, help me to be aware of the pitfalls during my day. Help me to pull back from them and to be holy as You are holy. And I pray in Jesus' name. AMEN.

So every morning I want to remember to:

Restate my Purpose

Be rightly related to God

Inside me - bring out the holiness of God 

Oh - RBI - Runs Batted In

Can I make a hit or more than one every day? Maybe I could keep a tally of my RBIs?

In any case, let's score big for Jesus.

The following are Scriptures that will make you think about holiness.

 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV).

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you (John 14:20, NIV).

Janis Cox

Janis, a retired school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.