God’s promises | Write His Answer

Archive for the ‘God’s promises’ Category

You can conquer the deadly Ds

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming self-doubts, Publishing journey on May 1, 2015| 1 Comment »

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Some of you know that it took five years and rejection slips from 42 editors before the first book I wrote was accepted for publication. Before that I struggled for several years to finish the manuscript. Self-doubts, and to be honest, God-doubts had me close to giving up many, many times.

The “deadly Ds” – disappointment, doubt, discouragement, even despair – were my frequent companions. What kept me keeping on?

Promises such as Galatians 6:9: “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (TLB).

The very first words I ever felt the Lord speak to my heart: “Child, I never said it would be easy to follow Me, but I have promised always to be with you.”

My husband who has never told me to go get a “real” job even during times when things were really rough financially.

My pastor who paid my way to my first writers’ conference and held me accountable afterwards to use what I learned.

Friends who year after year babysat my three children so I could go to the St. Davids Christian Writers Conference.

The network of writing friends who encouraged me, and Gayle Roper and Anne Sirna who mentored me.

Yes, it took many long, discouraging years but that first book did get in print. The rest – seven other books, the Greater Philly and Colorado Christian Writers Conferences that I direct, the 70 conference faculties I’ve been honored to serve on, and my day-long writing seminars that I’ve given around the country over 50 times – are the fruit of abiding in Him and trusting Him to do what I could never do in my own strength.

The key really is trust, especially when the deadly Ds threaten to derail me. I’m learning that I am free to trust or to doubt, but when I do not trust, I grieve the Lord.

I want to encourage you not to give up and to make registering for the May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference a priority. The price increases May 9 so don’t delay. (Registration is also open for the July 29-August 1 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. The 16-page brochure is off press. If you’re on our mailing list, you will receive your brochure this coming week.)

If the evil one is bombarding you with the deadly Ds, trust the Lord.

If the logistics of childcare for your kids seem impossible, trust Him.

If you can’t see how to fit the conference in during a spring packed with activity and demands on your time, trust Him.

If you need more encouragement to overcome your self-doubts, trust Him and click here.

If financially it seems impossible, trust Him. Be bold. Ask family, friends, or your church to help. Apply for a scholarship. Even though it’s past the deadline, I will still consider requests for partial scholarships as well as requests for time payments.

Father God, thank You that You know the plans You have for us and our writing – and that they are good plans. Help us to trust You when we face the deadly Ds. Thank You for all the incredible people You have brought into my life these past 19 years of directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and 32 years directing the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. Thank You for all You have done and all You will do as I trust You.

Read Full Post »

Listening to the wrong voices?

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming self-doubts, Writer's Life on April 30, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Years ago my beloved friend and mentor, Lee Roddy, admonished me that I was “listening to the wrong voices.

“Like me, you’re probably all too familiar with those voices that make us question and doubt that God can use us.

Sandy Quandt, a frequent attendee at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, writes,

We allow stuff to hold us back from becoming the person we were created in God’s image to become. We put self-imposed road blocks in the way of the Holy Spirit’s working in us. The shackles bind and restrict, yet we falsely believe we will never break free. . . . Read more of this powerful message at http://www.sandykirbyquandt.com/take-those-shackles-off.

Barb Haley, the appointments coordinator and bookstore manager at both the May 13-16 Colorado and July 29-August 1 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference shares her experience as a first-time conferee 16 years ago:

I’m reminded of the time just before my first conference when I didn’t feel like I was really ready to go. I didn’t know if I was a writer, and I felt guilty squandering our money just for a fun trip. Our finances were tight at the time, and I wondered if I were being a good steward of the money God gave us. As the days before the conference ticked off, my anxiety grew. . . . Read more in Rick Marschall’s Monday Morning Music Ministry blog post, “A Mountain-Top Experience Accessible to All” at http://bit.ly/1DvtZ2F. Rick’s blog was birthed at CCWC and has almost 100,000 hits and is reprinted internationally.

I can so identify with Barb’s feelings. My pastor sent me to my first writers’ conference about 40 years ago.Talk about anxiety! I got lost on the way to the conference and felt even more lost once I arrived as it immediately became obvious I was out of my league. If my pastor hadn’t paid for the conference, I wouldn’t have stayed. But I did stay, and that conference changed my life!

There’s still time to register for the Colorado conference before the price increases May 9.

Online registration is open for the July 29 – August 1 Philly conference. Our 16-page brochure will be off press tomorrow. If you’re on our mailing list, it should be in your mailbox by mid-week. If you’d like to be added or to receive a quantity to share with your writer’s group, please email me at mbagnull@aol.com.

As you seek the Lord for His plan for your life and your writing be encouraged by the Scripture He led me to this morning:

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied)
are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him,
who expect and look and long for Him
[for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy,
and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!”
Isaiah 30:18 AMP

Read Full Post »

Easy?

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Our Christian witness, Pondering Biblical Truth on April 24, 2015| 3 Comments »

“I never promised it would be easy
to follow Me,
but I have promised always to be with you.”

These were the first words I felt the Lord speak to my spirit many years ago. I admit the first part of His message was not really what I wanted to hear then or now. After all, He could make it easy, or at least easier. He knows I’m committed to doing what He calls me to do, so why does it have to be so hard? Why do I constantly encounter problems and obstacles? I’m weary of the stress and time pressures – of feeling like I’ve got a target on my back. The spiritual battles are intense.

I’m often reminded of the apostle Paul and how he begged the Lord not once, but three times, to take away the thorn in his flesh.

Each time God said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people” (2 Cor. 12:9 TLB).

So I choose to rely on the fact that He is with me – and with you. He loves us too much to allow our faith muscles to become weak and flabby. He uses the attacks of the evil one to draw us closer to Him and to teach us to depend on Him and on His promises. And friends, it is our testimony to going and growing through the difficulties we encounter that will speak far more strongly to unbelievers than a problem-free life.

Conference Updates

It’s hard to believe that I’ll be leaving for Colorado in a little over two weeks. There is still so much to be done. I’m so grateful Cindy Watkins is here from North Carolina. I’m trusting the Lord that “he will see to it that everything is finished correctly” (1 Chron. 28:20 TLB) – and in time. Speaking of time, there is still time to register and to request one-on-one appointents with our faculty of 55 authors, editors, and agents.

I’ve worked all week on the 16-page brochure for the July 29 – August 1 Greater Philly conference. I’ve encountered far ore unexplained problems than usual, but finally it is done and at the printer. You can view it online at http://philadelphia.writehisanser.com/brochure.

Read Full Post »

Think Big!

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Pondering Biblical Truth on April 19, 2015| 4 Comments »

Saturday I had the joy of keynoting at the Stay Focused Writers’ Retreat in New Jersey. The theme of the retreat was “Think Big” based on Dr. Ben Carson’s book, Think Big, written with by good friend, Cec Murphey. I highly recommend this book and Gifted Hands, also written with Cec, and the movie, Gifted Hands.

I began my message with this powerful promise:

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. – Ephesians 3:20 TLB

In my keynote I identified a baker’s dozen attitudes and actions that block us from believing God’s promises.

1. Cut the old tapes. – “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 TLB).

2. Stop listening to the wrong voices. – “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:4 NASB)

3. Change your focus! – “Look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had” (Phil. 2:4-5 TEV).

4. Lack of vision. – “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18 KJV).

5. Set specific and measurable goals. “We should make plans – counting on God to help us” (Prov. 16:9 TLB).

6. Refuse to let disappointments derail you. “No one who believes in Christ will ever be disappointed” (Rom. 10:11 TLB).

7. Don’t sink in the sea of doubts. – “But I’m not the person for a job like that” (Ex. 3:11 TLB).

8. Refuse to fall victim to discouragement. – “He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you” (Zeph. 3:17 TLB).

9. Stop procrastinating and persist. – “Dreaming instead of doing is foolishness, and there is ruin in a flood of empty words” (Eccl. 5:7 TLB)

10. Draw near to the Promise Giver and Keeper. – “When you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him” (James 4:8 TLB).

11. Stay in the Word. – The whole Bible “is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone” (2 Tim. 3:17 TLB).

12. Get to work. – “Be strong and courageous and get to work. Do not be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord my God is with you; he will not forsake you. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly” (1 Chron. 28:20 TLB).

13. Put on the armor and commit to what He is calling you to do – NOW! – “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around” (1 Cor. 9:26 TLB).

Now you have every grace and blessing;
every spiritual gift and power
for doing his will are yours
during this time of waiting
for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:7 TLB

It’s not too late to register,
to request free one-on-one appointments
and 30 minute paid critiques.
And there is room for two more in the
“Get Them Coming to Your Blog/Website” clinic.

Secure online registration is open.
The earlier you register, the better opportunity you have
to receive your top appointment requests.
The first 75 to register receive an additional appointment.

Read Full Post »

Waiting patiently, productively, expectantly!

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Writer's Life on March 29, 2015| 1 Comment »

Spring is coming!

Actually, it arrived a week ago, but you can’t tell it from the cold the past few days.

I am so ready for spring – so ready to work in my garden. Even when it does warm up (really, it will;I KNOW it will), until the ground dries out from the winter snows, I’ll sink in above my sneakers.

Truth is, I don’t like waiting. And so Father called me to be a writer, a profession where waiting is a given!

Many of you know that my first book was rejected (returned sounds better!) by 42 publishers over a six-year period.

“I want you to learn to wait patiently, productively, and expectantly,” the Lord told me one day when I was griping and feeling sorry for myself.

I pondered those words the rest of the day. The productive and expectant part sounded okay. But patience? Surely the Lord knew I had a problem being patient. Yet I knew if I failed to learn the lesson of patience, I wouldn’t be prepared to persist during other dry spells. The challenge Lee Roddy once gave me, “write so heaven will be different,” would never happen if my lack of patience caused me to quit.

If I chose to use waiting times to indulge in self-pity and gripe to other writers about “those editors,” time that could be used productively would be lost. And the bottom line . . . failing to learn to wait patiently and expectantly would be the denial of a Scripture I promised years ago to heed. “I will keep on expecting you to help me. I [will] praise you more and more. I [will] walk in the strength of the Lord God” (Ps. 71:14, 16)—through the times when my writing is bearing fruit, as well as through the times when I must wait for it to mature and ripen.

Are you stuck in a time of waiting? Does your writing ministry seem to be on hold? Ask the Lord, “What lessons are You trying to teach me?” I’d love for you to share what He shows you.

Scriptures to encourage you: Psalm 27:14; 32:8; 42:11; 130:3-6; Isaiah 40:29-31; Hebrews 11:1.

Our four hands-on clinics are a great way to get the help you need and to connect with a small group of writers that may become forever friends. Applications (click here) are due April 1 for:

Fiction Intensive with Tracie & Jim Peterson – limit 8 participants
What makes a good story? How do you give life to paper characters? Why is setting so critical? What’s research got to do with fiction? How can you avoid mistakes like telling not showing, too much backstory, flashbacks within flashbacks, lack of motivation in your characters, and more. In addition to the application, you need to submit 15 pages.

Nonfiction Book Proposals with Cindy Lambert – limit 6 participants
Cindy will lead a group of six authors in critiquing one another’s proposals, then spend the conference improving and fine-tuning them. She will also have a one-on-one 30-minute appointment with each participant.

Get Them Coming to Your Blog/Website with Megan Breedlove – limit 10 participants
How do you bring the maximum number of people to your site so they can hear your message or receive your ministry? Learn what kind of web presence you need and where to go to get it, determine exactly who your target audience is and what they need, receive individual instruction to ensure your site does the best possible job of meeting your audience’s needs, discover how to promote your site and increase your Google ranking, expand your author platform so you can get your message out to the nations and develop a presence that will be attractive to publishers, and more.

Speakers’ Clinic with Roy Hanschke
limit 8 participants
Every writer needs to be a speaker, too. If you’ve been avoiding the challenge to begin the speaking part of your ministry or need to improve what you’re already doing, this is the clinic for you. Roy will help you 1) discover your ministry focus and how to talk about it (power statements), 2) organize one of your talks to maximize time and effectiveness (message development), 3) present your talk with power and pizzazz (voice personality), and 4) market your message through radio (media mania). You’ll have an opportunity to test what you learn and receive helpful evaluation from Roy and your peers.

It’s often said that writing and speaking go hand in hand.
That’s why I’m grateful that CCWC offered Roy’s Speakers’ Clinic.
Roy is a dynamic example of “show don’t tell”
as he actually demonstrates different methods of effective communication.
Each participant had the opportunity to try out Roy’s suggestions
in a safe and encouraging atmosphere.
We learned from each other
and went home with a notebook full of useful instructions
on how to become a more skillful communicator.
Sue Cameron

Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference – July 29 – August 1

Yes, I know it’s been a long wait, but finally the faculty and continuing sessions are in place. I’m really excited at how I see Father at work. Now I need to work at getting the rest of the website updated and the brochure to the printer. Online registration opens April 1. No fooling!

Read Full Post »

Overcoming Fear and News You Can Use

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Craft of writing, God's promises, Overcoming self-doubts, Writing Fiction on March 21, 2015| 3 Comments »

Last week I confessed my struggle with procrastination.

What about you? Isn’t it easier to stay in the comfort zone of thinking, talking, even praying about something you feel called to do (or to write) than to actually get started, much less finish? Isn’t it safer to put things off to “someday” than to risk failure?

Let’s be honest. Isn’t it really F E A R that holds us back? Fear of not being able to finish what we start … Fear of not having what it takes – of not measuring up to what others expect … Fear of rejection … Fear of failure …

Years ago, as I struggled to finish my first book, my writing papa, Lee Roddy, asked me whose voice I was listening to. He knew – I really did, too – that I was listening to the voice of fear not faith.

I’m so grateful for the many reassurances God gives me in His Word.

Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed.
I am your God. I will strengthen you;
I will help you; I will uphold you
with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:0 TLB

And I’m grateful for the lesson of the elk.

These magnificent creatures fearlessly roam the grounds of the YMCA of the Rockies and downtown Estes Park. The bulls weigh an average of over 700 pounds. Their antlers stretch close to 4 feet high and weigh around 40 pounds each. And yet, as Father, pointed out to me, they hold their head high as they charge across the fields and scale boulders.

I’ve never forgotten what He said to me one day when I was more overwhelmed than usual with everything I needed to do and fearful I’d never meet the deadlines that could not be extended. “Child,” He said, “the load is not too heavy when you are doing what I created you to do.”

Father, thank You for how You’ve reassured me that what You call me to do, You will also equip me to do. Help me to choose to walk (and run) in faith and not fear.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run [like the elk] and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 TLB

News You Can Use

Mastering POV

Linda Evans Shepherd and her Right to the Heart of Women ministry is sponsoring another webinar this coming Thursday evening, March 26. If you’ve written or are writing a novel, you know one of the biggest challenges is mastering POV (point of view). I encourage you to join Linda and her guest Cynthia L. Simmons. For more information and to register click here.

Learning Scrivener

I’ve heard great things about this powerful software for writers. Through March 24 Writer’s Digest is offering it at 25% off making the MAC version $33.75 and the Windows version only $30. For more info and to see Scrivener in action click here. I’ve ordered it, but now I need to learn how to use it. Yep, I admit I’m intimidated by the learning curve that is a given with new software. I’m trusting the Lord that He will help me get everything ready so that I can attend Debbie Allen’s 2-1/2 hour “Afternoon with Scrivener” Wednesday, May 13, at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Later that afternoon she is also teaching a 90-minute session on “Self-publishing with Scrivener.” I hope you’ll join me and that you’ll choose to walk in faith and not fear!.

Read Full Post »

Overcoming Procrastination

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming self-doubts, Pondering Biblical Truth on March 14, 2015| 2 Comments »

Procrastination is a sin;
it brings me endless sorrow.
I know I should stop doing it.
I think I’ll start tomorrow!

No doubt you’ve seen this poem or something similar. I checked the Internet to attribute it and found 4,390 entries! Obviously procrastination is a hot topic that, like the old game of hot potato, we quickly toss (pass the blame) to someone or something else. Really, isn’t it easier to blame someone else for causing us to procrastinate or to move to another task to avoid doing the thing(s) we know we need to do?

While no one is immune from procrastination, I think writers are especially prone. I’m not pointing an accusing finger at you – I’m pointing it at myself. Despite the chapter on “Overcoming Procrastination” that I wrote for my book, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers, I struggle with procrastination as much or perhaps more than others. How else could I have written that chapter? I’m an expert! If you’re curious about what I’m learning (but sadly not always applying), click here to read the chapter online.

I especially struggle with procrastination when it comes to planning the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conferences. I know Father has entrusted these conferences to me. Watching Him work and do Ephesians 3:20 things each year (it’s now 32 years for Philly and 19 for Colorado) is one of my greatest joys. It’s just the getting started that’s hard. Well, okay, the entire process is hard! I know I’ll face computer challenges and overwhelming to-do lists and time pressures that will stretch me far beyond my abilities, my limited IQ (it’s amazing how dumb my computer and smart phone can make me feel), my wisdom, my strength . . .

And that’s the problem! I procrastinate when I focus on me – on my self-doubts and feelings of inadequacy rather than trusting the Lord to enable me to do what I can never do on my own. Although the world says depending on anyone or anything but ourselves is weakness, like the apostle Paul I’d rather embrace my weaknesses knowing that “when I am weak, then I am strong – the less I have, the more I depend on him” (2 Cor. 12:10 TLB). God-confidence is far better than self-confidence!

Update – May 13-16
Colorado Christian Writers Conference

The last day to register at the early price is Sunday, March 15. Don’t delay, especially if you want to be one of the first 100 conferees and receive a free bonus 5th appointment if you register for all three days. Bios of our 55 faculty members are now online as well as editorial needs. Thank You, Father, for helping me to get the website updated.

Update – Juy 29-August 1
Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference

Although the website doesn’t yet show the progress that’s been made, the faculty is almost finalized. I’ll let you know via the conference Facebook page when I start updating the website in preparation for opening online registration April 1. That will be a challenge with all the work surrounding the Colorado conference. Thank You, Father, for making possible what often feels impossible.

Read Full Post »

It comes down to faith

Posted in God's promises, Pondering Biblical Truth on February 26, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Do you put off doing things because you don’t believe you can do them? Do you have half-written manuscripts waiting to be finished? What about ideas that you’ve tucked away – somewhere?

Yes, procrastination is a very real foe, but I am convinced the real reason we procrastinate is because we don’t believe we can do something. And actually, that’s true! We need God’s enabling to do the work He calls us to do. The key is knowing what He is calling us to do. The Living Bible paraphrase of Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”

It comes down to faith – to believing in the One who calls us and choosing to say “yes, Lord, here am I.”

I want to encourage you to read aloud the “Writer’s Statement of Faith” below. You may need to read it aloud several times a day. I know I do! I also want to encourage you to watch this video of pre-teen Jackie Evancho singing “To Believe.” Yes, Father, help us to believe that we really can make a difference and bring peace – Your peace – to our troubled world.

A Writer’s Statement of Faith

I have strength for all things in Christ Who Empowers me – I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength in me, [that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Phil. 4:13 AMP

Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies, so that God will be glorified. 1 Pet. 4:11 TLB

[Not in my own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in me – energizing and creating in me the power and desire – both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Phil. 2:13 AMP

My strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power at work within me. Eph. 6:10 TLB

In Him in every respect I am enriched, in full power and readiness of speech (to speak of my faith), and complete knowledge and illumination (to give me full insight into its meaning). 1 Cor. 1:5 AMP

Now I have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are mine during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 1:7 TLB

I actually do have within me a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16 TLB

I can be a mirror that brightly reflects the glory of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18 TLB

I will commit everything I do to the Lord. I will trust Him to help me do it and He will. Ps. 37:5 TLB

I will lean on, trust and be confident in the Lord with all my heart and mind, and choose not to rely on my own insight or understanding. Prov. 3:5 AMP

I will commit my work to the Lord, then it will succeed. Prov. 16:3 TLB

Sharing Christ is my work, and I can do it only because Christ’s mighty energy is at work within me. Col. 1:29 TLB

I will be strong and courageous and get to work. I will not be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord my God is with me; He will not forsake me. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly. 1 Chron. 28:20 TLB

I need to keep on patiently doing God’s will if I want Him to do for me all He promised. Heb. 10:36 TLB

I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in me will continue until the day of Jesus Christ – right up to the time of His return – developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in me. Phil. 1:6 AMP

His mighty power at work within me is able to do far more than I would every dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond my highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes. Eph. 3:20 TLB

From Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers. For more excerpts, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Write His Answer is not just a book to read and put down . . . I keep my copy close to my manuscript and journals, dog-eared and tattered from use. I purchased the original version years ago at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference when I had no idea how to begin a writing ministry. Although I’m excited about getting the new edition, my first copy filled with personal notes is simply irreplaceable. More than a devotional or a “how-to-and-continue-on” manual, Write His Answer is written by a woman who knows the heart of God and the heart of a writer. This has been a rich resource to encourage and challenge me to respond and remain faithful to God’s call and use His Word as my guidance for every page. This is a classic . . . for keeps. ~ Verna Bowman

Read Full Post »

Tempted to Give Up?

Posted in Called to write, God's promises, Overcoming self-doubts, Uncategorized, Writer's Life on February 13, 2015| 9 Comments »

I will commit everything I do to the Lord.
I will trust Him to help me do it and He will.

(See Psalm 37:5)

Have you ever been ready to give up? Have you tried everything you know but feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall? What do you do when the accuser tells you that your best isn’t good enough – that it never has been and never will be?

Perhaps it’s a manuscript you’ve been working on for years. You’ve rewritten it not just once or twice but many times. Still you’ve been unsuccessful in finding anyone interested in publishing it. And it makes no sense because you know it’s something God has called you to write. You’ve studied the craft. You’ve gone to critique groups and conferences trying to find that missing something. And now . . . now you’re not sure you can keep on keeping on.

That was my experience with my first book that some of you know was rejected by 42 publishers over a six-year period. If I had given up (and believe me, there were many times I wanted to), it and the eight books that followed would never have been published. I would not have founded the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference in 1983 or said yes in 1997 to directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.

Yes, there have been many times when I’ve doubted and when, as my friend and writing mentor Lee Roddy admonished me years ago, I’ve “listened to the wrong voices.” The accuser still taunts me. “You’re not smart enough. You can’t do this.” And that’s true. What the Lord asks me to do is so far beyond my abilities. I can easily become overwhelmed and stressed. Like dangling my little toe in quicksand, I can get sucked down into that dark place of doubt and fear. It happened again just yesterday.

“Worship Me,” I felt the Lord say. “Put on a CD and worship Me.” To be honest, it would have been easier to continue wallowing in the quicksand. But I obeyed. The darkness began to lift. And then a friend called. I confessed how I was struggling and she prayed for me. And Father answered and reminded me of lessons I thought I’d learned and even written about in my book, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers).

I need, we need to …

Keep our eyes on the Lord, on how far we’ve come, and on the prize. It’s easy to allow problems and challenges to consume us and to blind us to the Lord’s presence, to how far we’ve come, and to the prize. “I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us” (Philippians 3:14 TLB) Paul wrote from prison in Rome. Paul had reason to be greatly frustrated and discouraged by the loss of his freedom. He could have questioned the Lord and concluded that his ministry was over. Instead he focused on the needs of the churches and wrote letters that continue to encourage Christ-followers almost 2,000 years later.

Cut the tapes from our past. Although Paul never forgot the person he was before he encountered the Lord on the Damascus Road, he did not wallow in the past or dwell on what others thought or said about him. Instead he embraced the truth of Zephaniah 3:17: “He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you” (TLB). Paul was able to preach and write about the message of salvation because of his firsthand experience of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Don’t grieve the Lord by our lack of faith. Although sometimes it may seem that He’s not listening, we need to trust that He will equip us with all we need for doing his will (see Hebrews 13:20). It’s not easy to wait on the Lord and to have Hebrews 11:1 faith in what we can’t yet see, but “God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises” (Romans 11:29 TLB).

Do our best and trust God for the rest. The fear of failure can paralyze us if we let it, and that’s exactly what our adversary wants. I grieve for the books that have not been published and for ministries that have been abandoned because of the evil one’s accusations. I pray for those who are frustrated and discouraged by the need to build their platform and questioning their call to “write His answer.” Friends, we must not leave God out of the equation. Instead we need to affirm His promise that He is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).

Father, help us to believe You and not the accuser. Thank You for loving us and for being bigger than our fears. Thank You for encouraging us not to give up. We will keep on expecting you to help us. We will praise you more and more. We will walk in the strength of the Lord our God (Psalm 71:14, 16 TLB).

What promise do you claim when you are tempted to give up?

I keep an excerpt from Write His Answer
taped to the cabinet next to my desk.
When discouragement sets in,
when the loneliness of writing and the
enormity of the task threatens to overwhelm me,
Write His Answer spurs me on. I can think
of no better resource for helping a writer
maintain a biblical perspective than this book.

Linda J. White

Christian Author & Speaker
www.lindajwhite.com

For 24 years Write His Answer has encouraged writers.
This new edition of 176 pages includes updated resources.
Autographed copy available for only $10.
Click here for excerpts and to order.
E-book available through Amazon.com.

Read Full Post »

Spring Is Coming!

Posted in God's promises, Pondering Biblical Truth, Writer's Life on February 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Spring Is Coming!

Snow is still covering the ground (with more on its way), and it was 10 degrees when I got up this morning. Brrrr. It’s a good day to stay indoors and to remember that spring really is coming. It’s only 7 weeks away – 49 days!

I want to encourage you to take a couple of minutes to listen to Steven Curtis Chapman sing “Spring Is Coming” and to reflect on what the Master Gardener wants to do your life.

The Master Gardener

He planted the seed in the ground.
Ever so slowly it changed—
actually it died—
that it might be reborn into something new.
It began to push through the soil.
First one, then another leaf appeared.
From a spindly little seedling
it kept growing—and changing—
until it became a sturdy, bushy plant.
Buds formed, and then beautiful flowers unfolded.

In our Christian walk,
we too must first die to ourselves,
surrendering our wills to that of our Maker.
The newness of his life within us
begins to germinate and take root.
We begin to push through problems
and obstacles.
As we continue to draw up
nourishment from him—
to become strong and vigorous in his truth—
fruit that we could never produce by ourselves
begins to first bud, and then bloom.
And it is all the work of the Master Gardener.

Click here for a Bible study on “Bearing Fruit.”

The May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference is also coming! Fifteen boxes of brochures are sitting in my hallway. Hopefully you’ll have yours by this time next week if you’re on our mailing list. If I don’t have your current USPS address, please email it to me. Meanwhile, you can access the brochure on the website. Online registration is open. Remember, the first 75 to register receive an additional one-on-one appointment with the faculty of their choice based on availability. The sooner you register, the better opportunity you have to get your top picks.

The July 29-August 1 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference is presently in the planning stage. We’ve got 38 on faculty with 12-15 more to be added. Online registration opens April 1.

Every Christian writer should have a copy!
I love the emphasis on Scripture in each reading,
since it points us to the One who has called us to
Write His Answer. I found this book soon after
the 1st edition came out, and I have read and
studied and gone through it several times since then.
It has been the means God has used to encourage,
challenge, and enable me to write the books
He has planned for me to write.

Marjorie Vawter
Author, Freelance Editor

For 24 years
Write His Answer has encouraged writers.
This new edition of 176 pages includes updated resources.
Autographed copy available for only $10.
Click here for excerpts and to order.
E-book available through Amazon.com.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Write His Answer

Encouraging and equipping you to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives.

Archive for the ‘God’s promises’ Category

You can conquer the deadly Ds

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Listening to the wrong voices?

Easy?