Let's Go for Plan B by Steph Beth Nickel

I love lists.

When the New Year rolls around, it’s just another excuse to create a list. Resolutions, goals, aspirations … call them what you will, but I love them.

However, I go into each year cognizant that it’s highly unlikely that I’ll achieve even a small fraction of those original goals. I’ve come to realize my Plan A is not the same as God’s.

So let’s go for Plan B, as in B for better … best even.

How does this apply to my writing?

Well, when the HopeStreamRadio podcast first joined the plethora of others soaring through cyberspace, I had the privilege of being one of the first producers. However, I had a lot to learn. (I still do, but things are progressing.)

That first series of devotionals, If You Love Me … let’s just say it wasn’t particularly memorable.

This year I have the privilege of re-recording this series from the gospel of John. As I prepare to do so, I am refining each five-minute script.

One of my goals for 2017 is to publish at least two ebooks. With some modifications, this collection may be the first in my Nurture & Inspire series.

Ideally, I would love to have published four or more ebooks by the end of the year, but that’s not going to happen. For one thing, this is a new learning curve for me.

For another, God is leading me down some unforeseen paths and teaching me the lessons He knows I need to learn.

We can react in a number of different ways when our plans don’t go as we’d hoped.

We refuse to ask what His plans are.
It is my goal to commit each day, each task, to the Lord, but too often I don’t do so. If I know better and don’t do it, I can’t expect those who don’t express any desire to find God’s path for them to do better. Even so, it’s never a good thing to leave the Lord out of the planning stage.

We balk and try to continue on the path we’ve laid out for ourselves.
When we pray, we don’t always like what God shows us. We shake our head and think, “I couldn’t have understood Him correctly. He can’t possibly expect me to go down that path.” However, we must remember that God is in the business of making us holy, not necessarily happy. “His ways are not our ways,” as it says in Isaiah 55:8.

We plop down in the proverbial middle of the road and refuse to budge.
When I look back over the years, I realize I’ve often felt sorry for myself, sulked, and/or voiced my discontent—often loudly. I’ve dug in my heels and failed to consider where the Lord was leading and the lessons He was teaching. Thankfully, He is patient—longsuffering as it says in the KJV.

We walk the path God’s lays out—grudgingly. 

I can’t remember how many times I quoted Philippians 2:14 to my children when they were growing up. We are to “do everything without grumbling or complaining” (NIV).

Yet, how often do we figuratively roll our eyes and think, “Fine! I’ll do what I’m supposed to do. But I won’t like it”?

This thought may never actually cross our mind, but we may not have discovered the joy of actively pursuing God’s plan for our life.

We embrace the lessons He’s teaching us and wonder what adventure lies around the corner.

I would love to say this is always my first response, but lying is bad.

The apparent detours in life are often the best place to grow and mature—and to find fodder for our writing.

Plus, we can count on God’s timing.

It’s the right time for me to re-record the If You Love Me series. And maybe, just maybe, it may be the time for me to send my first collection of devotionals out into the world in a different format.

How about you? Do you know the next step on God’s path? Are you willing to take it? Are you trusting Him to work it out for your good no matter how far from your Plan A it is?

Breathing New Life into Unfinished Projects by Sandi Somers

Brenda Leyland, in an article called, “The Hindrance of Unfinished Projects” said, “A half-done project is much like starting a race and then dropping out before you get to the finish line. What Olympian would even consider such a thing?”  (In FellowScript, November 2012, p. 4)

                                                

Uncluttering Our Minds

What happens to our minds when we have half-completed projects?

           

I know. I’ve done it.

 I’ve had to put writing projects on hold while working on others. But my mind is sometimes still back with the first projects: mulling over ideas, jotting notes as I listened to sermons, writing thoughts in my journal—even grabbing scraps of paper to record a fleeting thought. (I once pasted these scraps of paper in my journal, giving them the title: “Unfinished Symphonies”.) It’s as if my mind knows there’s more I could say.

Russian psychologist, Bluma Zeigarnik

I experienced what is known as the Zeigarnik Effect: we remember unfinished tasks more than completed ones because we need to keep them in mind until we experience closure. If we hang on to too many unfinished projects, our minds become cluttered. Anxiety builds. We become preoccupied. We forget simple tasks. We can become so paralyzed that we don’t accomplish much at all. 

So how do we tackle those projects and untangle our minds? What are immediate and long-term strategies to get to the finish line? Although we don't have complete answers, our writers this month will give us a wide selection of experiences and strategies to help us.

Here follows suggestions I've learned over the last months and years.

From There to Here: The Way Forward

Begin with prayer. I began preparing for this month’s topic by reading Richard Foster’s book Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. He said we need vigorous prayer for “a vision to create new solutions to old problems…We must pray for God to make a way where there is no way (to) “dream new dreams and see new visions.”

Recognize how our personalities and habits affect our patterns of finishing (or not). Some people have greater organizational and efficiency skills than others. They work boldly toward their goal, while ones like me need time to think issues through before making decisions.  But sometimes we don’t finish because of uncertainty, fear, or even procrastination. Recognizing where we are is an important step.

Work towards mastery of our craft. Musicians, artists, and writers say it takes seven to ten years, or 10,000 hours, to develop optimum skills and efficiency.  It takes patience and perseverance to develop good writing skills. I found that diagnosing and listing those areas where I need more mastery provided good insight and motivation. Taking courses, receiving coaching, entering contests with constructive critiquing, and submitting what I’ve completed, all develop my skills and help me to finish a project.

Revise. Revise. Revise. “All good writing is rewriting,” is wise advice. Even Billy Graham revised his sermons up to twelve times. Our first drafts are just our initial thoughts. But the real work comes with revising.  In revising, I’m shaping my thoughts, developing insights, and adding depth and meaning.  At the same time, I’m learning how to bring my work to a satisfying conclusion.

Set realistic goals. This too is part of the learning process. Several years ago I planned to write far too many articles in a week or month. But I'm gradually learning how much I can accomplish and can plan more reasonable steps.

Develop the discipline of focus. Focusing means letting go of distractions while trying to write. Social media. TV. The laundry (it can wait). I particularly get distracted by the “Shiny Object Syndrome”, where I can’t resist writing some new exciting idea before finishing the old project, especially when we hit a snag or get mired in the middle. Harnessing those shiny objects is key. Write about them first thing as “warm-ups”. Write them in our journals. Incorporate them into our current projects. Or even let them go.

Choose the next project wisely. I’ve found Madeleine L’Engle’s process very helpful. She envisioned books she would someday write and compared her ideas to soups in different pots simmering on the back of her stove. Whenever an idea popped into her mind, she added these thoughts to the appropriate “soup”—like adding an onion or carrot to the real thing. Then when she was ready to begin a new book, she’d bring forward the most complete “soup pot” and begin writing.  God will help us choose each project in its proper order.

Take the challenge to change.  Change may not come easily. James Clear contends that small but consistent changes increase our chances of success (read his article here). Goethe advised, “Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it and finish it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” The writer of Proverbs wrote, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3 NIV). When we take courage and trust God to begin where we are, God will empower and energize us.

                       

Accept God’s promise. Know that God always leads us! “For I am about to do something new,” He said. “See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT).

What is that new thing for you?

What does God want you to forget and not dwell on?

How does God want you to begin where you are?

 “Dear Lord, I…invite you into these unfinished areas of my life…Shine your Light and show me how I got here in the first place, and how I can remove the hindrances. I long to accomplish the plans and purposes you have set before me. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” (Brenda Leyland)

God is the God of breakthroughs.

PS  Read these practical ideas on decluttering your writing. Also read Jeff Goins’ article here. Well worth reading! 

WorDshops Near You!

We have an exciting line up of ‘WorDshops’ coming your way this spring. What is a WorDshop? Think of it as a ‘mini-conference’ – a day of speakers and workshops geared to encouraging and assisting both new and seasoned writers in their craft and calling. It’s a wonderful way to connect with other writers in your area, and you’re sure to come away inspired and equipped.

This year there are several WorDshops planned across western Canada, including events in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. (See the listing below or go to the Inscribe website – http://inscribe.org/events/wordshops ) The overall theme for 2017 is ‘Write Words’, but each event has its own flair and features seasoned and award winning Canadian Christian writers as keynote presenters. As well, each WorDshop includes a variety of break out workshops.

For more information, visit the Inscribe website. Registration is online and is a two-step process. First, fill out the application form. Then, go to the online store and pay for your session. You can also register at the door, although there is a discount for registering online. Local authors that attend have the opportunity to sell their books, and there are door prizes and other incentives, too.

If you’re looking for a way to connect with other authors of faith, or if you need some inspiration, why not come to the WorDshop nearest you?

2017 InScribe Spring WorDshops

Edmonton, AB

March 18, 2017 – 9am – 4pm

Keynote: Dayna Mazzuca –

‘Write On Target’ – a ‘hands on’ day of reaching your target audience

Location: Richmond Park Evangelical Missionary Church

9340 69 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB   

Steinbach, MB

March 18, 2017 – 9am – 4pm

Keynote: Tracy Krauss

“A Call to Authenticity”

Location: Steinbach Days Inn

75 Pth 12 N, Steinbach, MB

Regina, SK

March 25, 2017 – 9 – 3:30 pm

Keynote: Janice Dick

“Sharing the Writing Journey”

Location: Argyle Road Baptist Church

3510 Argyle Road, Regina, SK

Blackfalds, AB

April1, 2017 – 9am – 4pm

Keynote: Marcia Laycock

Location: 5005 Broadway Ave

Blackfalds, AB

Aidrie, AB

April 1, 2017 – 9am – 3pm

Keynote: TBA

Location: Nose Creek Valley Museum, Symons Valley Room

1701 Main Street SW

Airdrie, AB

Fort St. John, BC

May 13, 2017 – 9am – 4pm

Keynote: Erin Peters

Location: Evangel Chapel

10040, 100^th Street, Fort St. John

 

The Grammar of Joy by Marnie Pohlmann

English grammar can be complicated. I am no expert on grammar. I have probably forgotten much of what I learned in high school, or maybe I didn't pay attention in the first place.

However, I am presently doing a study with friends on "The fear of the Lord" that has led me on a rabbit trail of researching grammar. Researching, specifically, prepositions and prepositional phrases.

My simple understanding is that a preposition modifies the subject of the sentence to define the relationship between the subject and the object of the sentence. The preposition "of" indicates a part of the whole.

When this month's prompt suggestion was the joy of writing, I was reminded of the prepositional phrase in Nehemiah 8:10.

Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 NASV

"Of the Lord" is a prepositional phrase.

"Joy" is the subject modified by "of the Lord."

This is not my joy, this is God's joy.

Joy is an attribute of God.

             "Joy of the Lord" is part of the object "your strength." 

             God's joy is our strength.

             Strength not to grieve.

             Strength to celebrate.

             Strength to share.

             Strength to worship.

In the context of this verse, the Priest read the Laws of Moses to the Israelite people. The community leaders helped to teach what the laws meant. The people were grieved when they heard the Words of God. However, the purpose of the reading was not to grieve the people but to cause them to celebrate, to motivate them towards service of others, to give them strength. Hearing and reading Scripture gives us the joy of the Lord.

The Joy of the Lord is the kind of joy I want for my writing.

             Joy-of-the-Lord-writing is modified by my relationship with God.

             This writing is not simply for me but is for God's purposes.

             This joy of writing shows God.

                           Joy-of-the-Lord-writing is strengthened by God.

                           Strength not to be grieved by writing disappointments.

                           Strength to celebrate successes.

                           Strength to share the writing.

I believe the Psalmist, David, reflects this joy of the Lord in his writing. No matter how often David begins a song or poem describing struggles in his circumstances, his self-confidence, or his heart, he does not stay in the grief. His focus moves to God, to God's promises, and to God's faithfulness. This leads David to experience the joy of the Lord. He is strengthened. David is then able to praise God; to celebrate, to serve, and to share his writing.

How encouraging to me as a writer! As I read Scripture and journal my struggles, my thoughts begin to make sense. In my writing, I do not need to stay in grief but can change my focus to God. Joy is found in the writing. My writing is influenced by the joy of the Lord, and when it is, I am strengthened.

My joy of writing

     is found in 

          the joy of the Lord.

*photos courtesy of Pixabay.com

Marnie Pohlmann writes from the beautiful northern town of Taylor, BC. Read how the joy of the Lord influences her life and writing at her blog, Phosphorescent.