Who Are You Working For? - Janis Cox

Last month we wrote about all the ways we can market, promote, and get better at writing. There were some wonderful ideas to help us with the craft of writing. But without God they are worthless.

Do you ever force yourself into doing something that is not in God’s plan? I notice when I say yes to something before talking to God - I find out I would have been better not to have said YES. Sometimes saying YES before prayer leads me to where I don’t experience the joy or fruit of my endeavour. God's answer may have been NO.

I am coming to the conclusion (and yes, dear writers, I am using the passive tense because it is an on-going conclusion) that maybe just maybe … I should LISTEN more to God rather than doing things in the name of God.

Then I read from Philippians:

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Phil 2:13 NIV).

I need to have God in me in order to fulfill His good purpose – not my purpose. Oh there it is ME once again. ME.

Do I take those jobs or work on something because “I can do it” or because God wants me to do it? Do I work at something before I ask God about it? Am I in step with Him?

I want to remember that it is God working through me not me working for God.

I want to take time to LISTEN to what God wants and not to hear just what “I” want.

What do you think? I wrote about this for Under the Cover of Prayer last Friday. Obviously this has been on my mind. Do I Listen to God?

Janis Cox

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement.She has published a couple of devotionals and a number of articles. Her Bible study is available in PDF.

As owner of Under the Cover of Prayer she writes often.

Her children's book, Tadeo Turtle, is scheduled for release in October.

Email her at Janis or visit her at www. janiscox.com.

Flipping the Perspective Coin - M. Laycock

This is the season of golden light in Alberta. This fall has been glorious with temperatures remaining in the mid twenties, Celsius, for some time. It's the kind of weather that makes me want to go horseback riding, a hobby I have loved since a young child. Unfortunately my riding days are over due to a leg injury that happened when I fell while rock climbing on the cliffs of Lake Superior's north shore. The injury has finally caught up with me and keeps me from doing some things I have enjoyed in the past. It's a loss I feel deeply at times, but then, the doctors once warned me I might be in a wheelchair by now, so I'm counting my blessings.

It seems there are always two sides to the perspective coin. You can either look at all the frustrations and barriers that will continue to arise in your life and in your career, or you can focus on the obstacles that have already been surmounted and the answers to prayer that helped you leap over them.

There are times when I get frustrated with the barriers in my life and writing career, but then I remember …

My second novel, A Tumbled Stone, was published because of the generosity of a friend and the answer to the prayers of many more.

I’d prayed about the money needed to submit to A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider and three speaking engagements popped up, giving me enough to submit and purchase a few copies. God supplied what I needed just in time.

A spontaneous decision to submit a YA manuscript to Steve Laube at Write Canada led me to ask for prayer and that led to an encouraging interview and his request for the full manuscript. Once again, prayer opened doors.

Recently I prayed that God would begin to open up speaking engagements for me. After being out of the loop for over a year due to a battle with cancer, I was a bit worried that it would take a while to build up that part of my ministry again. Then I was asked to speak at a Spring Tea; another woman called to ask if I would speak at a few Christian Women's clubs in Central Alberta and another invited me to speak at a retreat in Saskatchewan. I'm now in the place of having to pick and choose which engagements to accept. God answers. God provides.

Sometimes the perspective coin lands on the wrong side and when it does I am blocked by the burdens of frustration and disappointment. It's at those times that I have to make the choice to flip the coin over. Counting the blessings releases the joy of contentment and renewed enthusiasm.

So go ahead, flip that coin.

****

Marcia's devotional ebook for writers of faith, Abundant Rain, is now available on Amazon. Visit her website for more information on her speaking and writing ministries

Growing as a Writer - by Susan Barclay

I've been writing in some form or other ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. So hopefully I've grown quite a bit as a writer over the years. Many things have helped - teachers, books, conferences, courses, other writers...

While I've had a lot of positive feedback on my writing, to grow I've had to gain, and apply, knowledge. To this end, I've taken classes at the community college level; completed The Institute of Children's Literature's "Special Publishing" course; attended conferences like Write! Canada, Packaging Your Imagination, etc.; and participated in one-off workshops like Donald Maass' The Fire in Fiction.  I've done a lot of reading - the 'for pleasure' (and learning by osmosis) kind, and books that are on writing.  The writers in my collective are a huge help as well, providing honest critique.

The key, though, I believe, is practice, practice, practice. If a tree falls in the forest, does it still make a sound? If a writer doesn't write, is s/he still a writer? And so I strive to make writing a habit.  I blog; I prepare for writers' group meetings; I work on children's picture books, short stories for adults, and on my adult novel. Sometimes I even write poetry. I'll be the first to admit that if you graphed my attempts at disciplined writing, they'd resemble stock performances since 1934. But still I strive, and the overall movement is upward. The overall trend is growth and improvement.

I'll take it. How about you?

Please visit my website at www.susan-barclay.ca

For God, in the World, With our Art - Ruth L. Snyder

Yesterday, September 28th, was the first day of the ICWF Fall Conference. Nancy Rue challenged us to consider what kind of writers we are:

• The Monk - Comes to a conference teeming with ideas, with nothing written. Praying lots. Her interior monastery (Pustinia) pulses with life, but she can't get a reading on actual production.
• The Blue Collar (Hard Hat) - Comes to conference with a perfectly formatted manuscript and knows all the marketing routine. Writing schedule. Works hard, but no soul.
• Balance Beam Gymnist - Totally gets the importance of both a connection with God and writing. Comes to conference hoping for a magic formula.

Nancy went on to share how she sets goals every year on her birthday. This year it was like God asked her, "Why don't you pray first and then set your goals?"

She challenged us to pray, "God, please show me what goals YOU have for me and how to accomplish them."

She encouraged us to continue to discover and celebrate our strengths as writers.

At conferences, and throughout the year we should:

1. Be a good steward of our time. This looks different every day! Rather than trying to cram in everything you can or just kicking back and relaxing, pray and ask God, "What do I really need to do here?"
2. Focus on the work God has shown us 
3. Be part of our spiritual community. Writing is a solitary profession. When we have an opportunity to commune with fellow writers, we need to enjoy it!
4. Listen to God through the place we''re in - Get outside and enjoy nature etc. God is always saying something! Are we listening?

Remember: This is your chance to allow God to establish His rhythm in you.

This morning I had the opportunity to prepare for my day by taking a walk, enjoying the scenery, and talking with God. I'm looking forward to what God is going to teach me today.

What about you?