tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post5948102785902144833..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Suffocating Creativity. Jeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-58867770938821760522012-10-29T09:47:48.591+10:002012-10-29T09:47:48.591+10:00I'm reading a book at the moment, Rita, called...I'm reading a book at the moment, Rita, called Sabbath Keeping, and I think that may have something to say to us involved in something like writing (which can subtly eat into our time and thoughts regardless of the day/time) and ministry. We need to rest - God made us that way, and it seems that when we neglect it (whatever that rest may mean for us personally) we suffer consequences. <br />It was lovely seeing your smiling face yesterday too. It was a very special book launch. Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-86307337045138232172012-10-29T09:45:20.141+10:002012-10-29T09:45:20.141+10:00Hi Janet, I tried not to share too much of how I w...Hi Janet, I tried not to share too much of how I was feeling at the conference because I didn't want to damper anyone's weekend. :) <br />Thanks for your encouragement (and good company as a room-mate!). Don't worry. I'll keep writing and taking care of myself so I can. I think it has been a bit of a wake-up call really.Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-37178717706920267682012-10-29T09:42:53.904+10:002012-10-29T09:42:53.904+10:00Thank you for sharing this Crystal. It sounds like...Thank you for sharing this Crystal. It sounds like you've been having a really hard time. I think sometimes it is just so encouraging to read through the Psalms - they show quite clearly that God's people have down times. And I am so thankful that it isn't my feelings that determine God's goodness and faithfulness! <br />May you have a week this week in which you can see the beautiful God has placed around you. Much love. Penny. Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-85634266074904321792012-10-29T09:02:20.042+10:002012-10-29T09:02:20.042+10:00Late in as usual. But thanks Penny for admitting w...Late in as usual. But thanks Penny for admitting what we all feel but cover up a bit too well. Yep, lack of rest and too much involvement with "must do" things does it every time. Grey days hit us all and when the downer hits me I tell the Lord "I don't feel like a Christian and I'm not what I should be. I don't feel like I care enough about other people. But Lord thanks for being with me even though you feel miles away. And eventually, when I start taking care, I come out of it.<br /><br />Great seeing you at Jo-Ann's launch!Your book stall looked really eye-catching. Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-26143750666021265232012-10-27T21:46:05.088+10:002012-10-27T21:46:05.088+10:00Hey Penny - having shared a cabin with you at the ...Hey Penny - having shared a cabin with you at the conference, I would never have thought you were struggling with thoughts like this! Don't let the enemy bring you down. God has given you a gift, and loves you sharing it with others!Footprints Australiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17623190578935913157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-47457003280020929752012-10-27T10:05:03.478+10:002012-10-27T10:05:03.478+10:00Hello Penny, To be very truthful, what I read here...Hello Penny, To be very truthful, what I read here was as if I had written it myself. I have been very depressed for a long time now. I force myself to do everything I do. As an ex Health Professional and as a Christian the last thing I want to do is admit this. I finally did one day to my 94yr old mother on the phone. Immediately she said, "well you are not a Christian then if you feel like that." Next my nephew phoned me and said "he was concerned about me....and I was not in Gods will to feel like I did." So sad when people slam you when your down. <br />I am currently with my son in north Queensland as he is not well himself. So I am here to support him, and it is a struggle. Thank you for writing this!! Its a wonderful read and I believe long overdue for many of us. I applaud you for your stance. May God Bless you and yours daily. With love Crystal Mary Lindsey Sr Crystal Mary Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03509227559164880311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-64950069940895072802012-10-27T08:24:39.189+10:002012-10-27T08:24:39.189+10:00Jo-Anne, you are such an encourager! I'm looki...Jo-Anne, you are such an encourager! I'm looking forward to the launch of Soul Friend tomorrow. <br />(And don't worry - I'll keep on writing, just might be a little more careful of how I use my time etc) :)Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-80181671431675145142012-10-27T08:22:53.081+10:002012-10-27T08:22:53.081+10:00I'd be interested to know what specifically dr...I'd be interested to know what specifically drains the extroverted writer, Jo, especially as it seems for the introverts of us space and silence seem to be so important. Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-21223663113479267322012-10-27T08:21:22.187+10:002012-10-27T08:21:22.187+10:00Your book didn't even last the week, I'm a...Your book didn't even last the week, I'm afraid. <br />I thoroughly enjoyed it and even read it while sitting on the trampoline with the toddler, supervising swimming lessons with my 10 year old, watching TV with the husband etc. I haven't read a book that expects to be carted around like that for ages. Thanks Amanda. <br />(I read The Game - been meaning to for ages)Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-64977130368870838882012-10-27T08:17:51.564+10:002012-10-27T08:17:51.564+10:00Oh dear, it seems like quite a few of us had a lit...Oh dear, it seems like quite a few of us had a little slump recently. But I agree with you: book sales like dishes would be quite nice! There doesn't seem to be much promotional work required to make that stack pile up day, after day, after day, does there? Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-89410250543958302842012-10-27T08:12:48.387+10:002012-10-27T08:12:48.387+10:00I think, Anusha, that you are on to something when...I think, Anusha, that you are on to something when you highlight the need to sometimes say no to "good things". There are so many good things that we can be doing - but we need to keep our eyes and energy out for God's 'best' for us. Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-43295802294194857442012-10-26T11:12:50.457+10:002012-10-26T11:12:50.457+10:00Hi Penny,
Thanks for your lovely post. I think in ...Hi Penny,<br />Thanks for your lovely post. I think in the modern world it's easy to get too big a dose of what's around us since the world creeps right into the sanctuary of our homes via FB, TV, Computers and the like. A lesson I learnt many years ago was that I need to keep my time with God as the biggest priority of my day and to have a several hours with Him if I could - which helps to keep everything else at the right level. I still struggle with it - because so many other things clamour for my attention all the time. But yes, it's only too easy to get fatigued - and go through the 'slumpy' periods. I have also realised I need to prioritize and say 'No' to many good things or else I get sucked dry.<br /><br />So glad all is well with you again.<br />Blessings,<br />AnushaAnusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-33016859749930743622012-10-26T09:41:58.782+10:002012-10-26T09:41:58.782+10:00Hi Penny,
Thanks for your honesty and wise words. ...Hi Penny,<br />Thanks for your honesty and wise words. I can relate to 'wordly overdose.' I'd been a bit down in the dumps since returning from the Getaway and released it's partly because I was dropped from that brief interlude in which we were sharing and getting good feedback to normal life, with housework, lessons etc. Found myself saying this morning, "It would be an ideal world if there were as many book sales as dirty dishes." <br />I'm glad you're back on track and 'want' to keep being a writer again now.<br />Blessings,<br />PaulaPaula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-78776953398977748542012-10-26T07:52:03.557+10:002012-10-26T07:52:03.557+10:00Thanks so much for this very honest blog, Penny. S...Thanks so much for this very honest blog, Penny. So glad to hear you are looking after yourself. You have a wonderful way with words, so keep on replenishing that creative part of Penny and yes--keep on writing!Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-79475239652626437922012-10-26T07:35:21.616+10:002012-10-26T07:35:21.616+10:00Yes, us introverts have to be careful sometimes do...Yes, us introverts have to be careful sometimes don't we? After the conference I fully expected to come home exhausted and 'peopled out.' But I wasn't, and I kept going with the people and work kind of business. By the time I hit this past Monday I had gotten to the sooky-la-la kind of tired. But a couple of days on my own and I'm good to go again. And yeah, it makes it hard to be creative! (PS hope you enjoy my book, Penny. :))Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-66501888526014478782012-10-26T07:11:19.424+10:002012-10-26T07:11:19.424+10:00What a wonderfully insightful and helpful way you ...What a wonderfully insightful and helpful way you have spent these few words. Thank you for sharing your understanding of yourself and so helping us see ourselves better. I relate even though I'm an extrovert. Jo Wanmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601438922741057908noreply@blogger.com