Not a Plan in Sight by Joylene M Bailey

 

Portrait painters captivate me. Maybe it's because I'm not a portrait artist, but I could watch them do their thing for hours. With some artists, the image they're creating is recognizable almost immediately. That's definitely the sitter's eye, her chin, her hair. The plan is clear, the method ... well, methodical. Deliberate.

Then there are other artists who seem to slop their canvases with a mash of bright or monochromatic colours. Completely unrecognizable as a portrait. When asked at this point in the project, I've heard some of these artists say they hope a discernible resemblance eventually materializes. Indeed, as they work, pushing the paint around in sweeps and flourishes and straight lines, a likeness does begin to emerge, rising from the depths to amaze me every time. One tiny brush stroke can change a painting completely. Was that the plan all along? Or did it surprise the artist too?

*****

What writing projects make my heart sing?

I had to think about this question for a long time. I love to write all kinds of things: children's songs and stories, adult fiction, poetry and rhymes, vignettes and scenes for a novel, my blog posts. Sometimes the project makes my heart sing and sometimes it doesn't. And it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the genre. What is it about each of these writing ventures that brings a thrill. And what makes it feel offkey? 

As I dug deeper I slowly came to realize that my heart sings when I write with no plan. When I let myself go, tap into that je ne sais quoi, and let the story materialize through my fingers somehow. That's it. That's when my heart soars.

One of my favourite stories came out of a prompt given at our writers' group meeting. The prompt was simply: Hello. What grew from there was a whimsical children's story that still makes me giggle every time I read it. Maybe it's only fit to read to the grandchildren, but what a delight it was to write it. And I imagine God delighting in my delight, like I take joy in the joy of my grandchildren.

A keynote speaker and author I once heard at a writing conference called himself an intuitive writer. He related how, during the writing of one of his novels, an essential character decided to get up and leave the book three-quarters of the way in. It completely changed the trajectory of the story.

I LOVE THAT!!

I love the unpredictability and the surprise. Just when you think you're going one way, something happens to make the story change. It's unexpected, and brilliant as a firework. Like the one tiny brush stroke that completely changes a portrait.

Maybe you are a planner. You enjoy the outlines and the method. Like the methodical painter, your portraits are beautiful and full of wonderful details that delight your Creator.

Or maybe your heart sings when you have no plan and no boundaries. You too delight your Creator with your unique, surprising, and beautiful portraits. 

I think we are all one-of-a-kind creations of our Creator, created to create works of art for His glory, His delight, His purpose. And how wonderful to be able to do it in a way that makes our hearts sing.    

~~~~~

Photo by Pixabay

Today Joy writes from her home in Edmonton, where she will be living for nine more days before moving with The Cowboy to their new home in the country. You can find her Joy-infused view of the world at Scraps of Joy. 

Writing To Be Read and Other Guilty Pleasures by Bob Jones

"Work on projects that make your heart sing." Lady Bird Johnson

 

I write to be read. That is the concise answer to the questions, “Where do you find fulfillment in writing? Why do you write?” Precisely what you are doing right now is why this post came into existence. For you to read to the last word will make my day. Thank you

 

There was a solid measure of shame for answering this way. Writing to be read felt like a guilty pleasure compared to many friends who write for the sheer happiness of expression. They are quite content to fill pages of notebooks with prose only their eyes see. Not me. Well, not entirely me. The journals, jam-packed into the drawers of my writing desk, testify to a devotion to writing for myself. Every page is filled with quotes, Bible verses, prayers, musings, message ideas, and summaries of most days from the last 47 years of my life.

 

My feelings of guilt changed when I realized that writing engaging pieces that are good enough and relevant enough to be read starts with telling the truth. Not “the truth,” but writing about personal, real experiences and how they connect to a reader’s life.

 

TRUTH

 

Most people associate the truth with what is significant, and associating writing with truth can make writing significant.

 

Look at the positive effects of telling the truth when you write.

 

Truth and wholeness are correlative. Light dispels darkness. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) The depth of vulnerability in a story sets readers up to find their own freedom. Case in point, Glori Meldrum got deeply personal in “Warrior,” her story of surviving childhood sexual abuse. Thousands of readers were inspired to action by the freedom Glori found despite the horror she endured as an eight-year-old and the resultant struggle with PTSD and anxiety.

 

Have you seen the connection between editing and truth? Editing is not just a way of cleaning up a piece. Think of it as getting closer to the truth. When you go back and read what you’ve written you see that you didn’t convey exactly what you meant. Asking, “What am I trying to say?” will get you closer to the truth. Editing ensures your word selection helps readers feel and engage the truth.

 

DANGEROUS

 

Fair warning, the truth can be dangerous. In the need to be truthful about subjects that matter, I write about experiences some readers would rather not know – abuse, divorce, addiction, disease, suicide, death.

 

My most read post on the Inscribe blogsite identified how Christian teachings can support domestic violence in the Church. I addressed this issue on behalf of all women who suffered or are suffering abuse in a Christian community and cannot find help or a way out. Women who experienced abuse courageously told their truth in the comment section.

 

Maybe writing to be read isn’t such a guilty pleasure after all. The wider your readership, the greater the desire there is to tell truths that matter. 

 

My other guilty pleasures? Macaroon chocolates, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate ice cream, chocolate in my coffee. Seeing a trend?

 

Thank you for reading to the end. Now, if you would be so kind as to leave a comment you will affirm that what was written was significant. I will be grateful, not guilty.

 

That’s the truth.

 

I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.

Please follow my writing at REVwords.com

I would love to hear from you.

 

Music Calls People to Hold Onto Faith and Joy ~ by Martina Keast

 

Martina Keast Paint Pouring

Expressive Art Practitioner, Author, Musician, YouTube Creator, Online Course Creator, Workshop Facilitator and student; working toward her doctorate. 

Music has the power to call people.

It has the strength to turn heads and change hearts.

It can also turn people back to God, and I believe it is still its purpose.

 (Potter, 2006, p. 13)

 

It is clear that music is one of the most powerful communicative media we have,

and the depth of how it communicates and what it communicates,

we are just beginning to understand. (Jansen, 2017, p. 35)

 

            Music calls people to get in touch with their dreams and memories. Melodies are written, so they touch the person's life experience by engaging with the songs. ^[1] I will never forget watching ABBA win the Eurovision Song Contest on British Television in 1974. Anyone watching felt the shift, the power of the musical waves flowing through the TV screen. Still living in Germany, barely knowing any English, Waterloo had me dancing and singing.

Still, today, when I listen to Dan the Banjo Man, I get up and move with the music. ^[2] A couple of years ago, at the beginning of Covid, I listened to ‘70s music while walking down ten floors to get exercise. What joy the music brought! How easy it was to move along with the beat. I also listened to the Bee Gees, remembering the days when You Should be Dancing came out.   ^[3] From Dan the Banjo Man to the Bee Gees and then ABBA, the list of dancing songs is endless.

            In later years, attending a charismatic church, I learned about the song of the Lord and how He releases healing power, deliverance, and incredible joy in services.

The Song of the Lord still seeks to be released through us—sometimes as a roar of love that releases power, a furious sound of warfare, a groaning of intercession, and often a song of praise. (Jansen, 2017, p. 27)

 

Sometimes I miss those days when I ran through the church with a lady who had quadriplegia. She sat in her chair as I pushed her while I ran “through the camp.” I remember her giggles and laughter. Even she experienced incredible joy. She was disappointed not to receive her healing, but she felt like her old self, active and free for at least a short time.

People can be destroyed or built up by music. I remember attending charismatic church services and floating to the highest heavens imaginable, and then on the way home, all hell would break loose. The family's heart was ripped to shreds by any attempt at communication. We didn’t know if we should cry or run away. The devil joined us on the ride home. He stayed.

Creation is alive and sings praises to God. Nature is a praying song that, at times, is sweet and melodious and at other times fast and furious in temp. (Jansen, 2017, p. 26)

 

                Sitting by the campfire while the kids were swimming or boating, my heart would sing songs of gratefulness. There was peace—no fighting about money. For the moment, I forgot how disappointed I was with how my life was moving forward.

            Floating on the waters, gently kicking my feet and moving my arms, I imagined the anger, hatred, and inner rage toward abusers would drift away. I didn't know how to live without darkness. Yes, music made me smile; it carried me beyond pain and suffering and took me to Heaven, even if just for a moment.

In my opinion, the elements of melody, harmony, and rhythm generate a response from the listener. Listening to the Erlking, ^[4] the River Moldau, ^[5] the Little Bell, ^[6] and the Hallelujah Chorus,^[7]  in succession, one experiences ups and downs of terror and calmness, beauty and peace reflecting water running over the rocks, the hunt, and the dance or dreams. The story goes that the rising of the Hallelujah Chorus moved King George II ^[8] to stand in appreciation. Of course, everyone present at the concert stood up as well. They followed the King's example.

The harmony of a song can be beautiful or messy. It can capture the beauty of the piece of music and rapture one's body, mind, and spirit to the heavens. Or it can be disturbing because it is disjunct, bringing about confusion, fear, and terror.

I will forever associate the melody of “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” ^[9] with the movie called “The Net.” ^[10]I can see Sandra Bullock sitting at her computer eating pizza and responding to emails. Suspense is building. I could hardly breathe while she was struggling to survive. Of course, as the story's hero, she saved the day.

 

when people believe in themselves,

they unleash power in themselves and resources around them

that almost immediately take them to a higher level ^[11]

 

We must first believe in our potential we are to do what we are capable of. ^[12]

 

My life was changed forever as I observed and followed my mentor's example. In retrospect, the years living in an abusive, chaotic, and sometimes violent home preoccupied my mind, forgetting my musical abilities. I had no talent like those who had been musicians for over forty years. Yet they joined me. I did not know or even imagine I had potential, much fewer capabilities in worship and music. I honestly had low skill but very high sensitivity toward the Spirit of God and what He was trying to accomplish.

 

God has had a plan for us to use our gifts and talents. We need to practice diligently and invest in lessons, not knowing the outcome of my faithfulness, even sacrificially. I have not always believed in myself. Despite my shortcomings, I do believe in my life verse, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)

                He calls us through His voice, sound frequencies found in nature, and creating through man's God-given talents and abilities. He brings us to smile and be joyful. He offers opportunities to say yes, and move forward by faith into future adventures. 

 

References

 

Jansen, J. (2017). The Furious Sound of Glory: Unleashing Heaven on Earth Through a Supernatural Generation. Shippensburg: Destiny Image Publishers, INC.

Potter, D. (2006). facing the wall. Morovian Falls: Potterhaus Music.

 

 

---

[1] ABBA. Dancing Queen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s. (Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson) © 1974 Polar Music International AB Published by: Universal/Union Songs AB Video produced by: Lasse Hallström

[2] Dan the Banjo Man Dan the Banjo Man. 1974

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiTUxqH5BqA

[3] The Bee Gees. You should be Dancing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI68A-rntIk

[4] Music by Franz Schubert. The ErlKing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS91p-vmSf0 Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (see below for translation). Created by Oxford Lieder: www.oxfordlieder.co.uk Taken from the album 'Schubert Year by Year': https://stonerecords.co.uk/album/schu...

[5] Bedřich Smetana.  Vlatva (or the river Moldau).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOI_RUZGEYw

[6] Franz Liszt. La Campanella (meaning "The Little Bell") is the nickname given to the third of six Grandes études de Paganini ("Grand Paganini Etudes"). The pianist is famous Valentina Lisitsa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuQAoPGrt0g

[7] Georg Friedrich Händel - Oratorio - Messiah, HWV 56 Part 2, No. 44 Chorus Hallelujah Chorus Performed by The English Concert & Choir Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, Hallelujah! The Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever, Hallelujah! King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and he shall reign forever and ever, Hallelujah! (Revelation 19:6; 11:15; 19:16)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU

[8] Ricky O’Bannon. 5 Things you might not know about Handel’s Messiah. https://www.bsomusic.org/stories/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-handels-messiah/#:~:text=An%20often%20repeated%20legend%20about,sitting%20when%20the%20king%20stood.

[9] Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Eine Kleine Nachtmusic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy2zDJPIgwc

[10] The Net - Trailer Sandra Bullock in the movie The Net.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqg78coirF8. 1995

[11] John Maxwell p. 11

[12] John Maxwell p. 16

Love Does, A Reflection by Susan Barclay

from Pixabay

As I read this month's theme about working on projects that make your heart sing, I grimaced. I know that real writers are supposed to engage with their craft daily, even wrote a post about it almost eleven years ago. Yet here I am all these years later, still wrestling with the writing commitment. Is it that writing doesn't make my heart sing? Real writers don't seem to struggle as I do, no matter what life circumstances seem to come their way.

I recently finished reading Bob Goff's book, Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World. The book's description reads, "What fuels his impact? Love. But it's not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action. Bob believes Love Does." 

Now, after reading the book, I can tell you Bob has lived a wildly incredible life so far. He tells some pretty amazing stories of people he's met, places he's been, lessons he's learned, lives that have been changed as a result of influence God has allowed him to have. And Bob does have an advantage over most of us, or at least over me, seeing as he has the resources of a successful law practice to support his activities (money, networks, flexibility, etc.). Still, the encouragement of Love Does is that whether we bring a little or a lot to the table, we can all do something.

At the end of his book Bob asks,

What's your next step? I don't know for sure, because for everyone it's different, but I bet it involves choosing something that already lights you up. Something you already think is beautiful or lasting and meaningful. Pick something you aren't just able to do; instead, pick something you feel like you were made to do and then do lots of that. You weren't just an incredible idea that God never got around to making. The next step happened for the world when God dropped you on the planet. You're here and I'm here. God decided to have us intersect history, not at just any time, but at this time. He made us to be good at a few things and bad at a couple others. He made us to love some things and not like others. Most of all, He made us to dream. We were meant to dream a lot. We're not just a cosmic biology experiement that ended up working. We're part of God's much bigger plan for the whole world. Just like God's Son arrived here, so did you. And after Jesus arrived, God whispered to all of humanity... 'It's your move.' Heaven's been leaning over the rails in the same way ever since you got here, waiting to see what you'll do with your life.

Of course we're not going to impact the world to the degree that Jesus did. After all, He saved the world, or at least those who would believe and receive and make Him Lord of their lives. Still, as Bob suggests, we were made uniquely for a purpose only we can fulfill. 

What lights you up? What lights me up? In spite of the "obstacles" (a part-time day job, caring for my elderly mother who would not appreciate being called "elderly," helping young adult children navigate their lives), I do feel that writing is a thing (the thing?) I was made to do. And even though it's sometimes challenging making time to write even this monthly blog post, I'm glad I haven't shirked the "duty" (most months anyway) since writing my first post in September 2011 (see link in paragraph one above). While some themes bring a grimace, they still prompt the stimulation of grey matter, and that is very much needed. "Use it or lose it" as the saying goes. Or, "no pain, no gain."

Now I need to find a project (in addition to writing for Inscribe Writers Online) that makes my heart sing...

____________________

For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com