Tag Archives: Bible devotions

Biblical Advice For Writers!

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1 Peter 1:13

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled,

set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

 

Paul may not have written these words with a writer in mind, but I think it’s great advice. We can learn much when and where we least expect it. Let’s take a look at the verse part by part.

STEP 1: Prepare your minds .Being an excellent writer takes more than sitting down at a computer and writing. First, you must be a reader, and I don’t mean one or two books every year. One of the best ways to learn to write is to read, read, and read!

Second of all, as a Christian writer, you want to be excellent at what you do. And that means being good at the craft of writing. There are lots of ways to do that, such as classes, workshops, reading books on writing, joining writing groups and critique groups. Along with learning more about the writing craft, writers need to learn more about the business of writing as well. But whatever you do, you must prepare your mind.

STEP 2: Action. You can’t stay in step 1 forever. Some people talk about wanting to be a writer. Some people study writing.  But the only way to become a writer is to write.  So even as you continue to learn all you can about writing, you must write. Writers write!

STEP 3: Be self-controlled. So much to do and so little time to do it! We live in busy times. A multitude of people, activities, and responsibilities tug at us.  You can’t say yes to everything and still have time for writing. Being a writer takes a commitment, self-control, and self-discipline and time. Lots of time. If you can’t make a complete commitment to writing , this may not be the season for you to follow the dream as wholeheartedly as you want. You can still work on steps 1 & 2 so that you will be ready for step 3 when the time is right.

STEP 4: Set your hope fully on God’s grace. How long will it take you to reach your writing goals? I have no idea, but I can assure you it will be longer than you want or expect. Whether short or long, keep your eyes focused on God and His goodness, and know that He is faithful.

Paul’s words may not have been intended for writers, but when you consider the fact he wrote a majority of the New Testament, I believe he knew what he was talking about.

 UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

COPING WITH ADVERSITY

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Psalm 91:2

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust.

 

My newest release-DEADLY COMMUNICATIONS-features Maven Morris. At the beginning of the story, Maven is depressed! Clinically depressed or just reeling from several life-changing events? I’ll leave that up to the reader to decide, but either way she’s having trouble coping. Her coping mechanism seems to be to stay in bed–a lot!

Maven’s not the only one who has to find a way to cope with adversity. All of us at one time or another will have to. The adversity might be a loss of a loved one; loss of a job; serious health issues; or….the list could go on and on. The point is that life can be tough. As Christians, we need to cope with adversity in a godly way.

In my own life, I’ve been dealing with brain tumors; the effects of the tumors; and the side effects of the treatments for more than two years. Trust me when I say that’s a long time! I have a long list of “issues” these days. Some are permanent, like my balance issues and my hearing loss, unless God chooses to give me a miracle. Others are temporary or at least I’m praying for that.

It hasn’t been easy, but by keeping my eyes on Jesus I’m managing. Actually, I’m more than managing. Just to toot my own horn for a moment, during the time I’ve been ill I’ve written 3 full length novels and 3 novellas as well as done the editing and revisions to get them ready for publication. I can’t say that I’m never depressed or cranky, but I can say that most of the time God’s peace and joy gets me through the day with a smile on my face.

As I started to suffer the side effects of my treatments, I had to make a decision: Was I going to be a fair-weather Christian or was I going to trust God? And there will come a time in each of our lives or more likely many times when we will be tempted to give up or to get angry at God, that’s the time we need to trust God the most.

It may not be easy but it will be worth it!

To celebrate the release of Deadly Communications, I’m having a contest. Leave a comment here and you’ll be entered to win a free copy of DEADLY COMMUNICATIONS.

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!