Telling Lies - A Review by Tracy Krauss

I first heard about the book Telling Lies for Fun and Profit when it was mentioned by Rik Hall at the past fall conference. He mentioned it more than once, in fact, so I thought I better look into it. I discovered it was originally published 'way back' in the 80s, but has since been republished. I also discovered that it is just as relevant and insightful (and downright hilarious in spots) as it was back then! I can't believe I had never heard of it before! One thing to take note of for our purposes is that it is not a Christian book and the author, Lawrence Block, is not a Christian writer, but I believe the principles are sound and beneficial to all writers. Plus, its good for a few belly laughs. Just sayin'! Here is my review of the book:

What a gem! I literally laughed out loud at some points. The author has a very unique, albeit dry sense of humour that makes this book a pleasure to read. It’s a must for any author: successful, aspiring, or otherwise. In fact, after reading it through once, I wanted to go back and reread some chapters just for the enjoyment of it! Some chapters were more applicable to my current situation than others, but each one had at least one nugget of wisdom, from very practical writing ‘how-to’ kind of stuff, to more philosophical questions about writing as a calling versus a job. He includes plenty of personal anecdotes that serve to also show readers what ‘not to do’. I can’t believe I haven’t come across this book before. It’s timeless - as fresh and relevant now as it was when it was first published – despite the changes in the publishing industry. All I can really advise is, “Read it!”

It is a Good Thing by Susan Barclay

Does anyone else remember this little ditty (based on Psalm 92)?

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord;

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord;

And to sing praises unto Thy name,

O most High.

It was one of the first things to pop into my head when I thought about this month’s theme: it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.

It is a good thing, but not always an easy thing. When we go through trials, struggles, discouragements, despair, it is more natural to complain, whine, pout, or ask ‘why me?’ than to say, ‘thanks, God!’

I recently heard, or read, that we don’t have to express gratitude for our troubles. But in the midst of them we can always find something to be thankful for:

• Thank You for the strength to get through each day
• Thank You for those who are joining with me in prayer
• Thank You that this difficulty is drawing me closer to You
• Thank You for breath

I’m so hoping that this year will be better than 2016, but there are no guarantees. Much of what I’m dealing with is out of my personal control or even influence. I can’t make other people see the light or see reason or choose to do what is necessary to improve their situation.

All I know for sure is that I have a good, good Father, and I can decide to praise Him in this storm. It is a good thing, so I will do it, trusting that however life plays out, He always loves, cares, pursues and heals. He never forgets or forsakes His own. May His will be done.

___________

Please visit Susan's new website at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.ca

Seeing Things Differently by Steph Beth Nickel

It's so easy to go through life on fast forward and miss the wonder all around. And at this time of year, if you do take the time to slow down, the biting cold, the blowing snow, and the overcast skies may get you down. We must choose to see things differently, to focus on the beauty in the midst of it all.

I love to take pictures. There's nothing that cheers my heart like going for a photo walk and looking at life through the lens of my camera.

God created an amazing world. And Romans 1:20 says, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made" (ESV). Amazing!

Below are some of the pictures I took in years gone by (when we had far more snow). What warms your heart when the cold winds blow? What have you learned about God from His creation?

Give Thanks—in Winter! by Sandi Somers

January can be depressing. We may have financial or emotional hangovers because the holiday excitement is over. Our Christmas bills come in. Our homes feel empty after family and friends leave. Or we feel hollow if a loved one has recently passed away. We can be frustrated with the cold temperatures, bundling up to even step outside. We yearn for longer, warmer days to cheer us.

How can we be thankful followers of Christ in winter? How can our thankful hearts and attitudes change our perspective and encourage others?

My Winter Journal of Thankfulness

It was a winter of the Arctic vortex on steroids.

Several years ago, snow fell in October—and stayed. That winter was long and cold, and the Southern Alberta Chinooks seldom came. Snow continued to pile up until April’s thaw melted it.

To counter my twinges of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) that winter, I journaled about God’s many footprints. Snow sparkling in the sunlight like so many diamonds. Tiny deer tracks in fresh snow up our cul-de-sac. The golden cloud in early morning sunlight, until the wind of the cold front and snow blew in and blotted out the sun.

What that winter felt like!!

My journal recorded not only the joyous moments. Several times I wrote about “difficult thanks”; on frigid blustery days I recognized God’s sovereignty over His creation and the winter season. On those days I was particularly thankful for a warm house, adequate winter clothes, a car that worked in the cold, and city workers who plowed out our streets.

Unfortunately I didn’t continue recording moments of thankfulness.

…until this last summer.

At a ladies’ retreat, our guest speaker, Heidi McLaughlin, shared entries from her “Journal of Thanks”. She was thankful for items even as small as her bed’s soft sheets. Heidi inspired me to again journal several things each day for which I was thankful.

I didn’t realize how this practice changed my writing until I reread my 2016 journal.

It was a real eye-opener!

Normally I keep this journal for daily time with God and how He is speaking to me about my concerns. But when I began adding daily thanks items (including “difficult thanks”), the tone of my writing changed to one of gratitude for friends, family, unique experiences, His Word, and for God Himself.

Thanks and praise had lifted my writing to a higher plane. I began to include more thankfulness and praise in my regular entries.

As I meditated on this month’s theme, I realized the great potential for being thankful. If it were possible, we could thank God for something in each moment of the day.

We could be like Brother Lawrence, whose duty was to wash pots and pans in a Carmelite Monastery. Daily he practiced the presence of God and let love transform everything he did.

What does thankfulness do?

Thankfulness, along with prayer and petition, is the antidote to our worry and anxiety (Philippians 4:6).

Thankfulness takes our focus off ourselves and opens us to worship our Creator, Saviour and Lord.

Thankfulness gives our writing a fuller message so that our readers can meet God in new ways.

A Chinese pastor developed a daily habit of thankfulness while in prison. He encouraged us:

"Every morning when you wake up, don't get up; just stay in bed and for ten minutes thank God for anything that comes into your mind. It might be the wallpaper, it might be for friends, it might just be for life. Anything. Once you get going you discover that the world is full of grace, God's grace. With that attitude you are ready to live the day for God, because you are overwhelmed at how generous God is to you."

Now it’s your turn. Take your notebook, a cappuccino or hot chocolate and curl up in your favourite chair or sofa. Write about what you’re thankful for this winter, in many areas of your life and writing. What does your thankfulness tell you? How will thankfulness open you to new ways God is speaking to you about your faith and writing this year?

---