Category: for Writers

Encouraging the writer in you

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Aspiration vs Fulfilment of Purpose — a reflection

I have spent my adult life “straining forward to what lies ahead” (Phil 3), aiming high but then failing to persist. If I had no dips, would I have achieved my aim? I don’t know because I did have dips, as well as distractions. The dips — doubt and fear of success and failure — were horrible, but the distractions — like family and friends — made life worthwhile.

I have therefore, not lived my life being “me” but rather being that part of me that wants to obtain more than I’m capable of. I’ve over-stretched and I have failed.

I don’t want the same for you.

I only realise now how I pressured myself. I didn’t realise I lived to be “the best part of myself” rather than loving who I am… all parts of me, including my limitations. G-D can do anything. But He made us with talents and limitations. I was ignorant of my limitations to my own frustration; ambition opened the way to high achievement but in the process I denied some gifts in order to perfect others which could never be perfected.

If you can find the balance between fulfilling your potential, and being at peace with what level you achieve, you’ll do well.

I made a two mistakes (that I’m aware of). One is in not recognising my limitations. The other was to ignore the greatest gifts I had, not developing them to their full potential. Instead I took those gifts — in my case theatre directing and singing — for granted. Where I could perhaps have gone further, I chose not to in favour of exploring areas I’d not explored, only to discover I limited , less talented in these areas, than in the other two.

What I want for you is to be you, whoever that is, and whatever that is. What I hope is that you’ll reach your full potential, not shunning those gifts, blessings and opportunities GOD provides.

These are the words of wisdom I offer you. A good parent, mentor, coach or teacher always wants their protege to go farther than they themselves have gone. This I desire for you, the reader.

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The Call to Write (or anything specific)

In the year 2000 the Father urged me to “write”. I started and completed a fictional manuscript. The creation of that taught me I had the discipline to write. That book had some good feedback from publishers, but it wasn’t good enough to publish. Then came the boom of self-publishing, but that book was not, and probably never will be, publishable.

I have since self-published several books, have written others, have ghost-written one book, and have appeared in some literary journals and all over the web in mags and on blogs. Yes, I am a writer. I have taken GOD’s call and followed through. But now I am at another cross-roads, and I’m not sure where to go next.

I have one manuscript I want to finish for the sake of a colleague. Then what?

I don’t know where to go with my writing. I have to keep writing in order to keep sane:) Writing is my way of processing thoughts and emotions, and without it, over a period of some days, a collection of unconsidered thoughts tends to pile up and cause me to implode (temporarily) psychologically. I suppose it is part-prayer, part-self counselling. Writing is my medicine (both preventative and curative) against darkness affecting me.

So, I write. 

What about an audience? Is it important to share?

Occasionally, I have a thought, insight, perception, that is universally useful. It helps me to write it down and to share it on social media or my website. But does it matter to the world who sees it? No. There are hundreds of thousands and even millions of people posting. My post does not matter to the universe. But GOD, the Father, if He wants to make something I say of value to others, then He will sign-post it, He will make it accessible to others, He will take it forward.

Father, that is my prayer!

In the meantime, I want to make the best use of the time I have on this earth, to be the most fruitful person I can be, sowing: love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, patience and self-control into the world (Galatians 5:22).

I desire to be useful to others and to the Father. How shall I make the best use of time? First, I recognise it isn’t my time anymore, or I try not to see it as “my time”. Rather, it is the Father’s time, even as I seek to fulfil my destiny in Jesus.

Recently, my husband taught about the “Two You’s”: the You who lives in the flesh and the You who lives in Christ. His talk was profound. He is a teacher of GOD’s Word: insightful, revelatory, fearless, he writes what GOD reveals to him from the Bible. It is usually new and always rock-solid. I wish he’d publish his talks. Since he won’t, should I? 

Or has the Father called me to write simply because He takes delight in my creativity?

GOD calls us to be His hands and feet. For a truly fulfilled life, we will answer that call affirmatively. He called me to write and so far, He hasn’t asked me to stop…. I just wish the marketing would take care of itself.

If you’ve been called to write (or something else specific), do it. Make time, find a way. This simple act of obedience will be a life-saver against boredom and depression, and will give Life to others who happen to trip over your work.

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for Writers

BUNDLE OF BOOKS

I’m intending to bundle my books together, so that as a package one can receive all the books:

  1. Toddler for faith-building: THE FAITHFUL PRINCE
  2. Chapter book for question-seeking: CONFRONTING THE DARKNESS (ages 11+)
  3. Personal Growth book for prayerful introspection, study and learning: FREE to BE
  4. Evangelistic tool for faith-building, answer-gathering and sharing: WHO is GOD for the FIRST NATION PEOPLE
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for Writers

Whatever may spark your Creativity

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for Writers

Let our Writing be an Act of Praise

Praise is a key to our breakthrough

As Christian writers, let us write our praises for GOD. In anything we do, let it be an act of worship.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes,

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

There it is! .… Inherent in Paul’s instruction is to Praise. The key is to rejoice — praising and giving thanks about every single thing, and to pray continuously.

For whom are we writing

Everything is an act of worship when we live as followers of GOD’s Way. Everything. That means our lives are an act of praise and of prayer. 

So, when we write, we write for the Father

Our audience may be young people or adults, Believers or secular. But our purpose is to honour the One True GOD and to celebrate His goodness and our ability to express ourselves.

When we doubt our purpose or our calling

Let us turn to Praise. Praise will lift us up. Praise will please the Father. Praise will bring direction, clarity, vision, hope. It builds our faith when it is weak. It strengthens our resolve when we feel uncertain. It brings our breakthrough and honours our GOD. 

“Let everything that has breath, praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 150:6)

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for Writers

On a Christian’s Writing

How often do you write? 

Do you make shopping lists? Then, you write.

Do you preach sermons? Then, you write.

Do you keep a journal? Then, you write.

Have you ever heard GOD call you to write?

Have you followed that Call?

I was called to write in 2000, while on my return flight from living 3 months in Hong Kong.

Having always kept a journal of some sort, it seemed like a fun idea.

It turned into a career.

When you follow GOD’s Call, it will lead you to places you may not expect. 

You also have a deep sense of peace, knowing you are in His will and in His hands.

How perfect is that? Very “perfect”!