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The Christian Writer's Den Blog

Welcome to The Christian Writer's Den! If you're a writer, ever thought about writing, or just like to hang around writers, I hope you'll join us! I post every Tuesday, but you can visit and comment anytime. Here's the schedule:

1st Tuesday-Encouragement from the Bible with application to the writing life.
2nd Tuesday-Writing instruction and kudos for recently published readers.         3rd Tuesday-Writing instruction and list of writing opportunities.
4th Tuesday-Visiting author interview and book give away.
5th Tuesday-We'll have a guest blogger--and it could be YOU!

Please don't be shy. This blog is for you, whether you're just considering writing, have been writing for years, or just enjoy hanging around writers, so please leave a comment or question any time. It's my prayer that this blog will help each of us grow in God's calling on our lives.

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Are You Running on Empty?

October 7, 2008

Two weekends ago I was in the Atlanta area where I had the joy of teaching at the Christian Authors Guild Writers' Conference. By the time I left, I was emotionally and spiritually full to the brim! Yes, I was full...but my gas tank was nearly empty. And there was no gas anywhere around. That was Saturday evening. It was Monday before my husband and I were able to find gas and get back on the road. It was not a good feeling.

We don't like running on empty, do we? And yet, sometimes that's exactly where God wants us to be, because that's when He can show Himself for who He really is.

Our youth pastor recently spoke on the story of the Widow's Oil in 2 Kings 4. The widow owed debt, but all she had of worth was a small amount of oil. But by following Elisha's instruction and trusting God's power, she was able to fill more than enough jars of oil from that small amount, allowing her to pay her debt and still have money to live on.

That story made me focus on the concept of emptiness. I admit--I don't like it. I don't like being empty. I don't like not having enough gas; I don't like looking at next year's calendar and seeing holes in the schedule. Instead of emptiness, I like to be full. Really full. I like knowing what's coming up for the next year, and that I'll have enough money to pay my ministry expenses. (Or more importantly at this point--that I'll have enough money to pay for my GAS!)

While I listened to my pastor's comments, I found a note I had written in my Bible years ago, probably the words from another pastor's sermon: "If you're not experiencing the power of God, maybe you're not empty enough."

BAM! I took it right through the heart.

Oh, that's not to say God isn't present and active in my life and ministry--He is! I'm constantly amazed at how He's blessed the work of this ministry and allowed me to share in the joy of leading women and writers to a deeper understanding of who He is.

But the truth is, I'm tired. It's been a busy year with lots to do. And even though I love every minute of it, I sometimes feel overextended and weary to the point of exhaustion. Sometimes I just feel empty. But could it be that I'm not empty enough? Could it be that God wants me to drain the last drops of me and allow Him to fill me more completely with Himself?

When we can take care of ourselves and are working in our own power, we're not depending on God to be who He is. We can only experience the fullness of His power when we're at the end of us and our strength--the end of our money, our patience, and our hope. The end of our trust in who we are as writers and speakers.

Emptiness is a gift from God to show us who He is and to bring us closer to Him and His power. But we have to be willing to be emptied. We have to be willing to be bone dry and have no one except Him around to fill our tanks.

GULP.

Are you--am I--experiencing the full power of God in our lives, our writing, our speaking, and our ministries? If not, then we must ask ourselves the determining question:

Am I empty enough?

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Could We Get Together?

Any chance you're going to be in any of these areas? I'd love to see you there!

• October 10-11: Celebrating Womanhood Women’s Event, Redeemer Community Church, Katy, TX, 281-371-2156
• October 16-19: The Christian Writer’s Den Writing Retreat for Women, Todd, NC (We’re currently full, but have a waiting list. You may still be able to go!) Email me for more details.
• October 18: Radio Interview with Linda Goldfarb at Not Just Talkin' the Talk Radio, KKYX 680AM, in San Antonio, TX 9am to 10am CT. 
• October 22-26: I had planned to be at Glorieta Christian Writer's Conference in New Mexico, but due to my sister's serious illness, I am unable to attend.  I know many of you will be there. I'll miss seeing you! ;-(
• November 1: Ascension Lutheran Church Ladies Luncheon. Contact Salli Watkins for more information at  walsallie@comporium.net or 803-802-5908. Deadline October 8.
• November 7-8: Holiday for Her, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Fountain Inn, SC, 864-862-2165.
• November 14-15: Anderson Museum Mistletoe Market and Children's Writing Workshops. Call Diane Brown at 864-260-4737 or email at dbrown@andersoncountysc.org for more details.
• November 22: Victory Baptist Church Women's Event, Maryville, TN, 865-982-2461.

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Last Call for Dana Arcuri!

Dana, you're our lucky winner of Brenda Nixon's new book, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts!  Please email your mailing address to me this week or I'll have to draw another winner. I have the copy here and let me tell you, you do not want to miss this opportunity!

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And now I hope you'll meditate on these words from our Lord, as recorded by Paul:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

October 7, 2008 | 2 Comments | View or add comments

The Window: A Glimpse of God's Calling

 

September 30, 2008

This is the fifth Tuesday of the month, so you know what that means--we have a special guest blogger! Christian Writer's Den member, Ann Wayne and I met  years ago when I spoke at a women's event at her church and I immediately knew I'd found a new friend! Ann is the owner of The Cabin Cove, where we hold our annual Writing Retreat. I hope you'll check it out for any groups or vacation needs you might have. Please welcome Ann as she shares her wisdom and insight on this journey we call writing. Thank you, Ann!

The Window: A Glimpse of God's Calling by Ann C. Wayne

I'm so excited about starting my new master bathroom remodel.  The builder will actually begin this week.  He came by a few weeks ago and  measured for the cabinets and talked about the new additions. I excitedly pointed out to him that I wanted a small window cut into the exterior wall.  You see, there has never been a window in this bathroom. 

When the builder left that day, I stood there and imagined looking out the window and seeing God's creation in the back yard.  The tall oak trees towering in the woods, the deer that pass by occasionally; and now I will be able to hear the sounds of the finches chirping as they hang on to the swinging bag of thistle seed while filling their bellies.

This small window reminds me of God's calling on those of us who write and speak.  For the past several years, God has given me opportunities to attend conferences and hone these skills a little at a time.  He hasn't opened any doors yet, but I know that He will in the right time. And for a lot of us, these skills are developed over the years through life experience and taking a class here and there.  There are a some who actually have a journalism degree to lay their foundation of writing on.  But I think it is so cool when someone says, "I have known for years that God has called me to write; I am just getting the opportunity to work on the skills."

In Psalm 102:18 ( NKJ), the psalmist writes "This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord."  This is so exciting to me, that not only are we using our gifts to glorify God, but our children and grandchildren will read what we have written and praise the Lord.   I think that this is one of the main reasons that God is calling me to write, so that I can share the hope and victories of trials with the generations to come.  Notice that the psalmist didn't say that it should be written, but that it will be written.  Now brothers and sisters, the word of God is not to be compromised.  We are supposed to act upon what we read in His word.  So get busy and write!  Or maybe you are supposed to be speaking too! 

I have actually struggled for a while figuring out what I am supposed to write, finding the time to write and how best to hone the skills that are waiting to jump out on the paper.  I would like to share a few strategies with you that are helping me to go forward.

Journal, journal, journal.  This is one of the best ways to capture your thoughts each day.  It's amazing what the Lord can reveal to you in your quiet time.  You may write only a few short notes, but you will realize that what you write today may be just the script you need later for an article or even a book.  I even have a voice recorder that I carry with me in my purse.  Sometimes, driving down the road, I will have a brainstorm with ideas for writing or speaking. Or maybe even a life experience is so unique that it will be recorded.  My handy voice recorder captures the thoughts I wouldn't be able to stop and write down.  The Lord will also gives me glimpses of opportunity as I communicate with Him through prayer.

Attend conferences or take classes. We wouldn't expect a child to learn his alphabet or how to count by figuring it out on his own.  The same principle applies to writing and speaking. We must seek out different venues for training so that we can hone our skills.  There are many Christian conferences and retreats all over the country.  Even the community colleges offer writing classes.  There are also writing mentorship programs that are very helpful and some even offer certificates and diplomas.  Yes, they cost something, but doesn't anything in life worthwhile?  The old saying goes something like this.  "You get out of it what you put into it."

Subscriptions and Publications. The Christian and secular media is saturated with all types of publications to enhance writing and speaking.  Looks for annual publications, monthly or quarterly magazines, online publications and free material that is handed out at some of the conferences.  These are great avenues to make connections with the niche you are looking for to help develop your skills.

I hope that these bits of information are helpful, especially to the amateur writer and speaker.  Look for windows of opportunity; don't try to walk through doors yet.  Wait for God to open the door; it will be in His perfect timing.

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If you'd like to be a guest blogger, please email me and I'll get you on the schedule. We'd love to read your words!

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And the Winner Is...

The winner of Brenda Nixon's new book, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts is Dana Arcuri! Dana just email your address to me and we'll send you your own copy to add to your Christmas book collection! Congratulations!

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Thank you for joining us again here at The Christian Writer's Den. I appreciate every one of you and hope you'll come back week after week for more instruction, inspiration, and direction for your writing and reading life. Writers need to hang out with other writers!

I leave you with these words from Psalm that Ann pointed us to. What does God have for you to write?

This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. Psalm 102:18

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

 

 

 

September 30, 2008 | 1 Comment | View or add comments

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