D is for Diet by Susan Barclay

We’ve all heard it said, “You are what you eat.” A steady diet of junk food is not likely to serve our health well. There’s a reason it’s called “junk,” right?

The same thing is true of what we take in in other forms.

If we want to inspire others with our writing, we need to be conscious of what we’re feeding our minds. Most importantly, we need to spend time in God’s Word, meditating on it “day and night” (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2, Psalm 119:97). We need to make space in our days to listen for God’s voice, learn to recognize it, and act accordingly. Our secondary reading/viewing/listening ought also to be worthy of our time and attention, even if we're only looking to be "entertained" rather than informed or educated. What goes in is going to come out, so nourish yourself with clean reads, movies, and music to maintain pure thinking and a pure heart. If writing on non-fiction subjects, it can be important to be aware of opposing views and all angles; just soak yourself in prayer beforehand. Ask God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Ask Him for discernment, that you would not be hoodwinked by the subtle lies of the enemy.

Here's a healthy recipe for writing inspirationally:

1. One heaping cup of God's Word.
2. A full cup of prayer with a good measure of meditation thrown in.
3. Season with devotion.
4. Three Tablespoons of inspirational reading.
5. Two cups of coffee or your favourite beverage.
6. Three hours minimum of thoughtful writing in whatever atmosphere is conducive for you.
7. Marinate for at least twenty-four hours.
8. Stir. Sift out any contaminants.
   
9. Serve and enjoy.

Remember, a diet (even one that doesn't pertain to food) isn't a temporary fad - it's a way of life! "Eat" well and stay healthy!

_____________________

For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit her blog: https://susan-barclay.blogspot.com/

Discovering God’s Treasures from the Deep for Your Writing by Sandi Somers

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29

While on a mission trip to South Africa, my friend Dorothy and I walked through a gigantic mall in Durban. We were amazed at the number of jewellery shops. Of course, I thought. South Africa is the diamond and gold centre of the world. Prices were much below what they would have been in Canada. One gold necklace with myriad diamonds cost only $2,000 dollars. How much would that have been in Canada?

 As we stopped to gaze through one display window after another, we discovered many other gems--sapphire, ruby, alexandrite, tourmaline, zircon, aquamarine, some of which I’d never heard before. The most memorable gem for me was tanzanite, found only in neighbouring Tanzania. It is estimated at 1,000 times rarer than diamonds.

 *

 As I thought of how the most beautiful jewels are dug out of mines, often hidden much below ground, I couldn’t help thinking of what Scripture says about the Spirit, who reveals deep secrets to us.

 “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?...God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells” (Job 28:12, 23)

 “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10b-11).

 “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10a).     

 The Apostle Paul preached for people to know “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).

 Then God spoke of Cyrus, the Persian King who freed the Israelites after their Babylonian captivity, saying, “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).

 “The unfolding of Your words brings light” (Psalm 119:130).

*

 Just as miners tunnel underground for gold and jewels, searching in the seams and corners, we have a role to play in discovering God’s hidden treasures.

 “If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:3-5).

 *

How does this apply to us as writers? Over the last months and years, the Lord has been teaching me principles of discovering the deep things of the Spirit.

 God is the originator and source of our ideas and success. He is ready to reveal deep things of the Spirit, and He prepares us to give us those treasures.

 Be in the Word. Delve into the Scriptures and the Spirit will reveal deep things to you.

A verse or thought you’ve read time and time again lights up in your mind—like a light being turned on in a dark room. What you learned before becomes passe as the Lord makes known something new to you—the new thing you need to write.

 Saturate your preparation and writing with prayer. Develop two-way listening. He invites you to talk with Him about your day-to-day details and the larger visions of what your writing can become.

 Ask God to release the treasures that He wants you to convey to the world, and listen for what He reveals to you. Pray until you receive that spark of inspiration, an “Aha! This is it!” moment, or the Spirit’s gentle whisper, or even a progression of ideas as the days go by.

*

     I speak to you new words—I come to you with

a new vision

a new challenge

mercies, new every morning

The Holy Spirit guides, inspires, directs.

Anita Mathias

 Dare to trust God! Dare to find his Treasures from the Deep!

(Image by E! Online)

D is for Dilly-Dally by Brenda J. Wood

 

I wish I could, I know I won’t.

My pencil dull indeed.

My laptop slow and lingering,

Sadly not up to speed.

 

I want to write. I wish I would. 

No paper in my file.

The kids are wild and yelling.

My hair needs a better style.

 

So book deal rests upon my heart.

I wish I could. I know its cost.

My fingers twitch. The book is gone.

World’s masterpiece is lost.

Brenda J. Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.

D is for Deadline ~ Wendy L. Macdonald

 

Deadline can be a scary word.

One reason I’m glad I volunteered to be a regular writer for this blog is that it’s teaching me to fear deadlines less. 

Each writer needs to find out what works for them. Finishing a college writing project in the 80s on the night before it was due landed me still awake at 3:00 AM. The only reason why I got an A on that assignment was because I chose an intriguing-to-me topic. After spending weeks researching it prior to sitting down and writing the first draft, I knew what I was talking about. 

Looking back on it now, I suffered more than I needed to. It would have been better if I hadn’t procrastinated for so long. That first draft could have been written a week or more in advance rather than on the night before. The stress I felt is still fresh in my mind.

The first draft of this post was written a month ahead of time. Not that I was in the mood. But the word deadline was on my mind because I’ve been wondering if my time will soon come to have writing deadlines written on my calendar regarding bigger projects. All the practice I’ve had at showing up here—and on another blog that I used to write for—will hopefully help me not fear my deadlines, nor procrastinate regarding them.

Deadlines that involve other people can be the scariest. We don’t want to let others down and we don’t want to be looked down upon. Letting someone know you’re going to be late is an option if we’re not going to be on time.

Stuff happens. Grace happens too.

Years ago, I didn’t show up for work once. Not because I forgot. It was because I said yes to a shift I really should have said no to. Later, when I apologized and explained my anxiety about working in that department, I was forgiven and never asked to work in that position again. Instead, I got to stay in my preferred area. Apologizing when we miss a deadline goes a long way to restoring trust. It probably took me a lot longer to forgive myself than it did for them to forgive me.

The secret to fearing deadlines less is to respect them more.

Keeping them also shows respect for others and ourselves. Our reputation is especially important in the inspirational writing world because Christian publishing is a small community. You never know who you will be working with next. You never know who you may need to ask a favor of too. 

Thankfully a lot of grace abides in this community as well. 

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much..."

(Luke 16:10 NIV)

What is your favorite tip for meeting writing deadlines? I’m hoping to learn from you. 

Wendy L. Macdonald is an inspirational blogger and podcaster who loves to photograph nature on Vancouver Island. Her byline is: “My faith is not shallow because I’ve been rescued from the deep.” She enjoys interacting with readers on her website and Facebook page.