tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post4829641732487136645..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Daring RiskJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-46340572506021920782020-07-11T21:17:07.391+10:002020-07-11T21:17:07.391+10:00Thanks for sharing your recent "dare I?"...Thanks for sharing your recent "dare I?" journey, Nola. I've been one of those people inspired by your obedience as you've stepped out recently in this way, even when it's been uncomfortable for you. (Thanks! :) ) I think you're observation is right, in that the initial "first step" of obedience can be the hardest when moving in a new direction. BTW I can't take credit for that saying, but agree it's a beautifully phrased statement that well depicts our struggle with choosing God's leading over our own.Adele Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15413445554710215786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-67986803004465990842020-07-10T09:45:00.721+10:002020-07-10T09:45:00.721+10:00Great post, Adele. Sorry I missed this the other d...Great post, Adele. Sorry I missed this the other day. I think you've really hit on something that a lot of us are facing. A couple of months ago, I had a wrestling match with God when I felt he was directing me to put a devotions section on my new author website. Although my upcoming novel has Christians elements in it, I think it would also appeal to non-Christians and I didn't want my website to scream 'Christian author' in case it turned some people off. But I couldn't get away from the fact that God was prompting me to put those devotions up there. The hard part was wrestling with the idea in the first place. Once I actually gave in and started posting devotions, it was a lot easier. I know it's only a matter of time before someone out there doesn't like what I'm saying (maybe they already do), but we have to remember that God is the one who gives us the ability and inspiration to write, so we shouldn't be surprised when he prompts us to go out of our comfort zones and write what he actually wants us to write (and with a lot of grace as well as truth, as you mention).<br /><br />I really like your question: Dare we trust His version of our lives over our own?<br /><br />Let's keep encouraging each other to do just that. Thanks for sharing :)Nola Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05484579374187759802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-13373891040877682462020-07-06T22:48:22.881+10:002020-07-06T22:48:22.881+10:00I agree it's a challenge, Jeanette, and I'...I agree it's a challenge, Jeanette, and I've struggled finding the right balance in my writing too, at times. In hindsight, I sometimes feel I've not got some of those "dare I?" moments quite right, but I guess that's where I'm trying to trust God's kindness to help me do better the next time and hope that even through my fumbling obedience, He will somehow use my minced up efforts to reach the heart for which those words were created. It can also be overwhelming in the face of a competitive and difficult publishing industry, but that's the amazing thing about God - when we dare to follow in obedience to His leading, He puts opportunities in motion for just the right time, including publication pathways.<br />And thanks for your kind encouragement. So pleased you've enjoyed Blaine's adventures thus far.Adele Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15413445554710215786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-77311928870937597872020-07-06T22:11:29.668+10:002020-07-06T22:11:29.668+10:00Sounds like you're right in the "dare I?&...Sounds like you're right in the "dare I?" zone, Kirsten. I like that thought of giving ourselves permission to grapple with all aspects of that "dare I?" struggle, whilst being kind to ourselves. Thanks.Adele Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15413445554710215786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-44212942972443141462020-07-06T21:57:23.728+10:002020-07-06T21:57:23.728+10:00This is brilliant, Jo-Anne! I'll have to keep ...This is brilliant, Jo-Anne! I'll have to keep that saying close at hand as I'm presented with decision points in life. What an exciting, creative season you are in, with a fair amount of wrestling by the sounds. I'm confident you will thread together just the right words, like beads, to create a beautiful story of heart-capturing hope. Looking forward to celebrating this new release in the coming period. Adele Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15413445554710215786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-16279025732752872052020-07-06T21:41:09.230+10:002020-07-06T21:41:09.230+10:00How I love those words, Jo, to be strong and coura...How I love those words, Jo, to be strong and courageous in shining His light in our world, and I believe the promises spoken through Moses directly after that command, and repeated to Joshua, echo through the ages: "Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Obedience to His call may take strength and courage, but we do not go alone.Adele Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15413445554710215786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-48417399821872593142020-07-06T10:08:51.563+10:002020-07-06T10:08:51.563+10:00Thanks for a great article, Adele. Yes, I constant...Thanks for a great article, Adele. Yes, I constantly face the need to decide 'Is this too "full on" ', 'will it just turn people off' and yet I too, want to reach people with truth. As I am not a self-publisher, I face the risk that no publisher will want to publish what I write and I may even upset friends. I have really enjoyed your books thus far. Thanks!Jeanette Grant-Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691677119939194892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-38880510798569898252020-07-06T10:06:24.390+10:002020-07-06T10:06:24.390+10:00Only just yesterday did I have to talk to myself a...Only just yesterday did I have to talk to myself about some hard truths and do I dare take that leap? <br /><br />I believe those times when God puts something on your heart and you struggle to obey him, you need to work through the struggle with kindness. You need to work through your feelings, identify them and coax them with understanding and positivity in order to step out of your comfort zone. <br /><br />We need to treat ourselves with kindness and understanding, especially when we are fighting against ourselves to do God's good works.K.A. Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11484195910759085281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-89457055557351596342020-07-06T08:38:57.832+10:002020-07-06T08:38:57.832+10:00Thank you, Adele, for your thoughtful words here. ...Thank you, Adele, for your thoughtful words here. Someone commented on my own blog recently, 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take', and these words have stuck with me, even as I keep second guessing myself with my current novel! Keep risking putting your own words out there--you have a great, strong writing style.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-56726241576545604392020-07-06T07:40:59.430+10:002020-07-06T07:40:59.430+10:00“A culture that is aggressively post-truth” Wow. T...“A culture that is aggressively post-truth” Wow. That phrase powerfully sums up our world. Thanks for your insightful words Adele. Let us be strong and courageous and shine His light in our dark treacherous society until His light and His power prevail. Jo Wanmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601438922741057908noreply@blogger.com