Has anybody Seen my Muse?

 

by Anusha Atukorala

The other day I was hunting for my runaway shopping list. I hunted here and I hunted there; I hunted everywhere. But no! Like a magician's rabbit who had performed a vanishing trick, my little notebook had completely disappeared from sight. Until … I opened one of the current books I was reading  … and voila! There it was. Hooray!

 

Have You found anything precious inside a BOOK?  

 

I’ve found plenty of valuable nuggets inside books. Like … joy from stories that crept into my heart, head knowledge that came from books, heart knowledge that also came from books, courage from tales of bravery, smiles from jokes and humour, wisdom from learned authors, relaxation when chuckling through a good yarn, deep sleep through a good book at bedtime, camaraderie through books shared with friends, a thumping heart when glued to a page-turner, hope from inspirational writing. And more. So much more. For like feasting on delicious morsals  at a banquet, in books too I find numerous delectable goodies that fill and satisfy me.

 

Early in 2020, my brain hummed with a plethora of writing ideas. I made some impressive writing plans. I even enjoyed lots of extra time to write, courtesy of Covid-19. But now … as I look back on the year that’s fast waning, I don’t have much to show as a Christian writer.

 

Has anybody seen my muse?

 

I did find something more precious than gold in a BOOK I’ve read every day of 2020. I’ve had more time this year to pursue God. Like a parched traveler finding an oasis in an arid desert, I’ve been drinking from the inexhaustible spring of the Waters of Life. Through the written Word and the Living Word, I’ve found Life. Hope. Sustenance. Blessing.

 

So perhaps 2020 has not been a waste after all?

 

Watching Avatar the movie some years ago, it struck me 

forcibly how we humans borrow God’s ideas. All. The. Time! 

The beings in the planet portrayed in Avatar were so similar to

 humans—with arms, legs, eyes, noses, mouths just like ours

 and tails like those of animals.

The plants in that planet were a whisper of our God’s creation. 

The beauty in that sphere was a reflection of the earth’s loveliness.

The truth is that we can never improve on our Creator's work

when making a movie or in writing a story, for every idea we 

have comes from Him. The exciting reality then is that the 

closer we get to Him the better we can tap into Him and His

creativity. No, I haven’t done much as a writer in 2020. But I

have done one thing well. 

I’ve called it my Year of Jesus, and my Year of Jesus it has been!

So perhaps it was simply a divine pause in my life? 

Perhaps it was a year of being renewed in order to serve Him better in in 2021?

  

Have you, in 2020 …

1.     Read books?

2.     Edited stories?

3.     Written book reviews?

4.     Encouraged other writers?

5.     Walked with the hurting and helped others?

6.     Cared for family and friends who needed you?

7.     Simply obeyed God in all He asked of you each day?

8.     Drew closer to Jesus, the One who holds all things together?

9.     Chalked up life experiences that you can now use in your writing?

10.  Took a break from writing because of other more important callings?

11.  Lived life the best you could each day in spite of tough circumstances?

12.  Battled difficulties and tough times to become a better version of yourself?

 

If you have done any of the above, you can hold your head up high. And even if you simply  kept on living, that is something to be proud of. Sometimes life is so hard that just to keep on going is an achievement in itself. 2020 was a year that challenged me and helped me grow and stretch. And that is what I call a really good year even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

 

As I’ve sought my Muse-giver, in Him I’ve found my muse. 

For in Jesus is life and hope and truth. His light pierces the 

darkness of Covid-19 and the bleakness of our world. 

This Christmas, may you find in Jesus, all that you desire.

And from the the challenging year of 2020 may you birth 

a rich and fulfilling 2021!

Keep writing!

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, ‘Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey' and was released in March 2020.

 

Do stop by at her website Dancing in the Rain to say G’day!

Her latest Blogs are found at Light in the Darkness - where she continues her writings on the Truth who lights up this dark world  - JESUS!

Anusha's Books

A collection of 75 little God stories to bring you closer to our Saviour.

Words that will bring comfort and hope during life's tough seasons.

A sequal to Enjoying the Journey. 75 more stories that will bless and inspire.

Anusha's Facebook Author Page

Anusha on Good Reads

Celebrating a 400th birthday

Baby Bible was born in 1611. Conceived by king’s decree in 1604, his father was Bishop’s Bible. His gestation, in the womb of great universities of Mother England, was long and arduous. Aided by forty-seven expert midwives, his arrival revolutionized the Bible family. Closely resembling his father, he proudly carried the DNA of his Hebrew and Greek ancestors.

Christened King James Version, he was affectionately called the Authorized Version. In the light of his brilliance, all older English members of the Version family paled into insignificance. Such was his popularity; he was published under The Bible or Holy Bible.

Despite his regal name, he related well with the commoner. He spoke their language and deeply touched English hearts, becoming a central player in the great revivals of England and Wales.

As he matured, he traveled all over the world. He was aboard the ‘Mayflower’ and a stowaway on the first fleet to Australia in 1788. His life, though exciting, was never easy. Often suffering shocking neglect and abuse, he was trampled in the mud in the French revolution and suffered horrific burns in Germany during the Second World War. He has been spat on, profaned and ripped apart, but never destroyed, for there is no power great enough to defeat his message. The Truth he carries is supreme.

Yet his greatest grief comes from being misunderstood. Often men twist his words and use his name for their own selfish agendas. These misunderstandings have started wars and fueled angry men. The new Americas were nearly destroyed by such zealous but deceived persons. The Irish battled for years–fighting fueled by their biased interpretations.

As KJV aged, he became so revered that he was present in every court, hospital, parliament and home. Though they requested his presence, dressed in his best black suit with gold embellishments, people rarely conversed with him, or heeded his wisdom.

Realising his language was no longer common, he reproduced. English Revised Version arrived in 1885. Subsequently the Version family burgeoned, spanning countries, customs and dialects.

Today old KJV enjoys semi-retirement, resting comfortably in the bookshelves of Christian homes, surrounded by his expansive family. Though still bringing life, hope and revelation, his greatest joy is watching younger members of the Version family, who work unsung in remote tribes across the globe. They reveal Jesus, bringing peace and joy, as he did from his birth, four hundred years ago.(Thanks to Bible Society in Australia for pics)

Jo Wanmer hopes you don't mind her accessing her archives for this blog. A prolonged flu has made writing boring at best and unintelligible at worst. This article was written five years ago to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. As a writer, the Bible is her most important text book, full of amazing treasures and inspiration. 

The Original Author by Jo Wanmer

"The tablets were the work of God; 

the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets." 

Ex 32:16

According to the Bible, God's first published words were written by the His own hand and self published. This isn't surprising as He is very familiar with Words. He is the WORD. "In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was GOD..." (John 1:1) Those first words penned by God approximately four thousand years ago are well known to all of us. (Ex 20)

However those first published words were lost in a crash, not a computer crash but a crash of  frustration, of rejection. God's intended readers refused His first publication. They turned their attention to another source with disastrous consequences. (Exodus 32)

Graciously, God republished his work and presented Moses with a second set of tablets, this time in a hard cover to protect them. (Deut 10:2)  Then he instructed Moses to write down the rest of the revelation. (Ex 43:27)
Image from Wikipedia

God is very insistent about writing. In the Bible, He tells the Israelites to write on door-frames, stones, tablets, scrolls and hearts. It is because of this instruction we have the Bible. Many stories are passed from generation to generation verbally, but are eventually forgotten. Written words remain.

The Lord likes everyone to know about what he has done. This is demonstrated after Moses won a serious battle against the Amelakites. . As long as Moses held his hands in the air, his soldiers were victorious. The priests propped up his tired arms to ensure the battle was won. God told Moses to record the details and make sure Joshua, the leader of the army, read it. (Ex 17)

God is still saying 'Write, write, write.' A newer prophetic voice in Australia, Lana Vawser, has been encouraging authors to keep writing. (I posted her latest blog on Christian Writers Downunder on Facebook yesterday.) She says God is releasing new revelations, understandings of the Bible, stories, parables. He is looking for those who will record them for others to know. God is promising revelations for those who will position themselves to write.

Encouraged, I determined to write this week. But it's been a battle to even sit at the keyboard. I could list what has happened in the last few days, but if I'm honest there has still been enough time to sit and wait on Him and His revelation. It just seems hard to get there. The opposition is subtle, but strong. I need help to win this battle, Divine help, your help. We need to help each other.

Just as the priests held up Moses arms, I believe we need to pray for each other. In that way we can support each others efforts and win the battle to release His words to our nation and across the world. Will you join me as I pray?

'Lord, I pray for every one of us who write for you, from the accomplished author to those who scribble jottings in their journals. Burn in us with your passion and love. Stir up our giftings. Open glimpses of revelations and doors of opportunity in front if us. Release stories of passion and power through us. Use us to produce books that bring hope, healing and understanding. You, Lord, are the Author of all authors. You have known us from the moment you spoke us into being. Your creativity is deeply rooted in us all. Take us, Lord. Use us, lead us. May everything we pen glorify your mighty name. Amen.'

Jo Wanmer is the author of Though the Bud be Bruised, published by Even Before Publishing in 2012. She loves to write stories about real people, bringing the God of love and wholeness into real-life messes. Meanwhile she is a pastor, bookkeeper, grandmother and a few other assorted things as the Spirit requests.

Are Your Words Salty Enough?

I sometimes find myself pondering the implications of our profession as Christians and how it may differ to others. How do I experience and handle my writing and illustrating career differently to those who do not have the kind of relationship I have with God?  Is there a difference?  What does that mean, and how do I process that and how does that influence my decisions and outcome?

Personally, I believe there are some enormous and important differences!  

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth.  If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?  You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 

 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I’m putting you on a light stand.  Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. ~  Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:13-16

I am not a big fan of the Message translation but I felt these two passages were a perfect for what I wanted to illustrate. 

God’s salt to the devil is like table salt to a slug - Let us be SALTY!

SALT & LIGHT...

SOURCE: The key to all I do is to do it safely through prayer and trust. Even Christ followers can underestimate the value of prayer – isn’t that crazy! Over time God has shown me the undeniable power in the name of Jesus. I would be crazy not to submit my career to prayer regularly, when I say prayer - I mean both speak and listen!

REASON: I need to be mindful of my intention and outcome when I create anything. I need to understand what God has placed in my heart for the Works.  Life is short, and we can only produce so much, so I want to make my Works count and have a little foresight in God’s direction.  For this reason (after considerate prayer) I wrote down the answer to why I write and illustrate and what I want my writing to say and do.  I cannot tell you how much this has helped me!

I came up with three significant words I call the ETrinity (edify, encourage and empower). The 3 e’s are at the centre and forefront of my mind when I work.  Should the enemy try to distract me, or should I take even the slightest detour, I can decipher this when remembering my 3 E’s.  These are my ‘SALT and LIGHT’, and at the core of my heart. This is what God wants me to have the courage to express through my voice.

OPPOSITION: In any business there is opposing or competing elements that can create resistance.  We are in the business of God. He has our back and we have a different opposition to contend with.  We need to be aware of how the business works in the world but we also of the fight unseen. 

Knowing how God works against this opposition I turn to my personal assistant; the one I need to consult each morning and makes a difference to every day. My assistant is wise beyond all measure and has the amazing ability to find solutions to every concern.  My assistant’s name is Bible. My days ignoring Bible or prayer are always harder than need be. I am trying to be more habitual about this essential time. 

MANAGEMENT: Less planning and more flexing. Am I truly letting God lead my career path and making my time count or am I just indulging myself?

If we haven’t already figured it out, we eventually will; life following Jesus is unpredictable, exciting and sometimes challenging but always incredibly fruitful. In my humanness to manage MY business, I can sometimes forget it is not MY business - I gave it to God! 

I am a great believer in planning. I have mind maps, lists and filing systems that probably look OCD to some, but I am also open to godly interruptions. God owns my time, my life and my career. This has come in the guise of a stressed and lost person at my door, a person broken down on the side of the road, a prayer meeting I have no time for and even shifts of well panned ideas. The interruptions to my time-deprived days are numerous but I know God is behind a generous life and when I feel at peace, I have to be flexible and trust.  He is my time manager. The challenge at times, is to determine what is a distraction from God and not one from the enemy.

Why are you here?  What is your salt and light and at the core of your career and who is managing your time and business?

I pray you use every minute and every written word to honour our beautiful Jesus. I also pray that you harness the awesome power of prayer and God’s anointing, and God blesses the words that fall from your hearts with salt and light. Whether writing for mainstream or a Christian audience, may all we do eventuate in multiplying our family, and somehow draw others into a more intimate relationship with a Father who adores them.

 

Kayleen West is a children's book Author and Illustrator from Victoria. Her new picture book Adoptive Father can be found at www.adoptivefather.org

Her portfolio can be seen at: www.kayleenwest.com.au

Okay, It's THAT Time!

What happened to my day - where did it go?  Sound familiar?

This a head-shaking question I ask myself all too often, usually as my phone alarm resounds a bothersome ‘STOP what you are doing and get the kids from school Mrs Author/Illustrator MUM!’ 

Then there are the times I notice my work day creep into ‘THAT’ time.  You know - THAT time, which is apparently important to the three hungry wolves sniffing at the door dividing my work area and the kitchen. I hear sounds not dissimilar to that of my companion toy poodle – Boaz, when separated from his first love (me). The whimpering and sniffing noises inevitably invade my space and interrupt my concentration.  Their tummies on a timer and smack on time too!

My mind is reluctant to free itself from the allure of the word-littered screen or pencil lines on paper, but sensing something akin to a Myer Stock Take Sale crowd about to burst through my studio door, I’m reminded of the demands of motherhood and its associated time restraints.  The will impedes the process and the battle of right and left side of the brain begins.  

I feel the shift but it returns long enough to envisage my 3 little wolves (the little pigs arrive only after food is served) licking the kitchen side handle and possibly devouring it any moment.  “Sorry kids I didn’t notice the time, I’m coming, just one more ...” …  STOP!  I switch worlds and land on the left side of the brain with a jolt.  

Ah the delights of working from home.  At least my kiddies (mostly) honour the boundaries of mum’s creative space – it only took 3 years to instil in them!

But isn’t it wonderful to have a job that captures us so much? Don’t get me wrong, I love my family time, but I love my job too.  I don’t know about you, but I have spent too much of my life waisted on the mediocre, feeling void of life when my creative inner self is kept on hold for too long.  There was a time I stopped creating but God’s Spirit told me to use the gift I was given so I searched for the direction through Him.  But once started, I soon saw His lead and got very excited.  Turning off the visionary mind isn’t easy.  Fuelled and motioned by enthusiasm it builds like steam in a pressure cooker.  

As I microwave my coffee a third time I thought, there is something about creativity that gratifies our soul and is a necessary in our life.  Is it because we are made in the image of a creator?

 

“Mum, is it dinner time yet?”
Whoops  – “Sorry, I’m coming now!”

Kayleen West is a children's book Author and Illustrator from Victoria. Her new picture book Adoptive Father can be found at www.adoptivefather.org

Her portfolio can be seen at: www.kayleenwest.com.au