Fifteen Great Picks from 2020

Throughout the year, our blog team share their insights and wisdom - it may be inspirational, a story of writerly struggles or triumphs; tips about the writing life and writing craft, or an interview of one of our members. Sometimes it's moving, or funny or thought-provoking or all three.. Always, it's the result of thought, research, experience, passion, creativity.

The CWD Admin team would like to give our blog team a huge thank you for your contributions throughout 2020 (and over the last decade).

As we near the end of 2020 which so many have called 'unprecedented', we thought we'd honour our bloggers' contributions with a pick of 15 blogposts that have inspired us this year (in no particular order). Out of over 100 posts, it wasn't easy to choose and there are many other posts equally deserving of notice. We have a wealth of information and inspiration on the blogsite - accessible on multiple subjects and themes.

1. Route 2020 by Jeanette O'Hagan

... In the Bible, there are moments of reflection on the way of what has been achieved (often marked by memorials) and bold promises about the tasks ahead. Mount Sinai, the crossing of the Jordan river, Joshua's declaration that he and his house would follow the Lord, and Jesus' call to follow him.

Sometimes I get so caught up with the day to day, month to month details of what I need to be doing as a Indie writer and become so anxious about what I haven't achieved, that I lose sight of how far I've come. At those times, the road ahead seems daunting, even impossble.

Maybe, the start of 2020 is a great time to tke stock, to remember and to re-group, to see the way ahead. ... Read more here.

2.  Writing Brave (Even if Your Knees are Knocking) by Nola Lorraine

Meltdown in Aisle 3

Last Thursday, I launched my author website with the tagline ‘Weaving Words of Courage and Hope’. I’d come up with that line last year and it seemed like a good fit for most of my writing. Rewind to last Tuesday, and I was standing in the toilet paper aisle at Woollies, fighting back tears because the lady in front of me had grabbed the last pack of toilet paper. ... Read more here.

3. Such a Time as This by Admin Team

“Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings)

This is not the first time the world has been in turmoil (the spread of the Bubonic plague, the invasions of Genghis Khan, two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Spanish Flu, the year without a summer, the Cuban Missile crisis and so on). And it probably won't be the last either. Even so, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feeling we've accidentally wandered onto an apocalyptic movie set. ... Read more here. 

4. The Best Scoop of All by Anusha Atukorala

... Despite the hustle and bustle around me and my frazzled nerves within, the meeting went exceptionally well. Detour or not, sweet melodies now began to hum in my heart. Our local library was willing to organise the launch of my next book ‘Sharing the Journey’. I was delighted to hear how well they’d support me. They promised to even serve wine for my guests at no cost. Oh? Yes! Yes, please!


Afterwards I realised that perhaps my detour was a reminder that the year might not flow as smoothly as I hoped! Plan for detours, I told myself when I got home. Go with the flow, Anusha. Dream on but expect the unexpected. Don’t be fooled into thinking my plans won’t get messed up. I spent the next few weeks making goals and plans for 2020. ... Read more here.

5.  How to Keep Wagging Your Tail During a Pandemic. (By Nikita the ShiChi)

In these tough times of pandemic proportions one of the most encouraging and helpful voices on social media has been Pluto, a miniature schnauzer who has been 'breaking the internets' with her wisdom and humour. If you haven't met Pluto yet, I'll pop a link to her YouTube channel at the end of this blog. She is truely good for the soul. In honour of Pluto and the other dogs and cats encouraging us humans (or two-legs as Pluto calls them) on social media, I decided to invite my dog, Nikita the ShiChi, to guest blog on CWD today :). Over to you Nikita... Read more here. 

6. Life Answer for Sceptics by Julia Archer

... But here’s the thing. Can Christian writers learn anything from this story?

Well, first, that it is a story. A true story, included in Scripture for a reason. Along with all the other forms of writing in Scripture, an honoured place is held by stories. This validates our telling stories to share Christian truth, particularly stories of how God has worked in our lives.

Even fiction is included, unless you hold that the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son and his father and brother were real, historical people ...  Read more here.

7. Blast from the Past - The Lamb that was Slain

This Easter will be like none we've experienced in many decades, but one thing is certain: The DIVINE MESSAGE of love and hope it commemorates IS eternal, from yesterday, for today, tomorrow, and forevermore.


Six years ago, Jeanette O'Hagan asked the question:

"I wonder what Easter means for you?"

She went on to say:

"For me it is a time of reflection and wonderment - that the incarnated divine Son would die for me. It tells me how much God loves and values me. It reminds me that I have new life through Jesus, that He can and will mend the brokenness inside of me and that He is a present and powerful. ... Read more here. 

8.  The Selfless Self-Promotion Conundrum by Ben Morton

... But God gave me talents so that I could use them, not to bury them and wait for him to return. I need to work and my family need to eat. How do I navigate the issue of being a humble follower of Christ when my talent is the thing I have to sell and it seems unanimous that self-promotion is how artists ‘sell themselves?’ Can I actually sell myself when I belong to Christ? ... Read more here

9. She plays the guitar. He runs with the wolves by Kirsten Hart

How many of you spend hours and hours researching what vegetables commoners would be able to afford during winter in the 18th Century, or how bad the storm was in January of 1956, in Sydney? What about how long the average person can hold their breath?


As a writer, we are always researching something, whether you’re a romance author, historical-fiction author, non-fiction author or fantasy author. ... As writers, we need to go out into the world and experience as much as we can. I would never have known the satisfying pain of accomplishment you get in the tips of your fingers if I never started learning to play the guitar. Read more here.

10.  Eyes to See by Jenny Glazebrook

This is a long post, but I wanted to share with you some of the amazing things God has done in my life and my writing over the past few months in the hope that they will encourage you.


God took my vision so that I would see him again.


He slowed me down so that I would hear his still, small voice and work with him to achieve the supernatural, in his way, his time.


He showed me again that writing is worship when I do it with him and that is when he brings about supernatural ideas. He is my limitless inspiration. He is my strength, my life.  Read more here.

11. How to answer the biggest question writers get asked ... by David Rawlings

If you're a writer reading this, you've probably been asked this question as many times as I have.

What do you write?

It's a question that writers get asked because it's a way of connecting with our art; with our ability. It's a way to pigeon-hole what we do and get a sense of who we're like, helping others to understand what we put on the page. It's a way of picturing what we do as an output.

Over the years I've found that people's engagement with that question - outside of the infuriatingly common 'I'm going to write a book one day' - depends on my answer. ... Read more here. 

12. What Makes a Good Book Dedication? by Nola Lorraine

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been giving out gift copies and review copies of my debut novel. Some readers have told me they really enjoyed the book. However, a few people have also said they loved the dedication. I’m glad they liked it, because I put a lot of thought into it, but it got me thinking about other dedications I’ve read. What makes a good one? What things do you need to consider? Do you even need one? ... Read More Here

13.  A Good Yarn by Mazzy Adams

The notes of the Westminster chimes echoed down the hallway, subtly weaving their way into my sleep-sodden psyche, insisting I relinquish my cherished nana-nap. Before dozing off, I'd been researching the etymology of the word yarn. Though I'd discovered a miscellany of interesting facts, the art of spinning the various threads of thought into the fabric of an etymology essay had proved frustratingly elusive. Read More Here. 

14. Writing with Passion - Jo Wanmer

... My dad on the other hand only wrote occasionally. His short letters were eagerly awaited, even if his spider scrawl was hard to read. He died half way through year 12….and the letters stopped. The few I still had I kept for about forty years, and then I reduced them to a few quotes.

Mum’s letters detailed her daily life. Dad’s letters taught me how to live my life.

“If you have 40 men in a hut you have to be extra careful with money and other easily stolen things. But you can usually narrow the field down in a few weeks and in due course you know who it is.”

I can’t remember what I wrote to elicit this response but he used the occasion to teach me. As I recalled his writings after his death, I realized he was trying to prepare me. Did he know his time was limited?

The other author I honor today diid know his time was limited. He wrote with passion to his ‘family’, teaching and exhorting them, cajoling and rebuking them, loving them and discipling them. ... Read more here.

15. Pressing on To Meet our Goals by Ruth Bonetti

... It’s time to stretch my writing muscle.


What goals haunt the too-hard section of your mind and heart?


“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 NRSV)

St Paul didn’t always know where he was heading, but trusted God’s driving directions. Read more here. 

...
 

We hope you've enjoyed this selective review of the many great blogs of 2020. And we'd like to thank all our active CWD members and bloggers who interact, comment and support each other and the group - and to wish you all a blessed and joyful Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and Lord and a wonderful New Year in 2021.

CWD Member Interview - Susan Barnes

Most Thursdays this year we will be interviewing one of the members of Christian Writers Downunder – to find out a little bit more about them and their writing/editing goals. 

Today’s interview: Susan Barnes 

Question 1: Tell us three things about who you are and where you come from.

 

1. I was born in England and migrated to Australia with my parents in 1964 as Ten Pound Poms

2. I’m a writer and short-term interim pastor. I’m working towards getting my first book published

3. I’ve always been an avid reader, but I didn’t grow up dreaming of being an author

Question 2: Tell us about your writing (or editing/illustrating etc).  What do you write and why?

I write to teach, disciple and encourage Christians. Mostly I write devotional thoughts based on Bible verses but I’ve also written book-length manuscripts. My manuscript, 10 Blessings of God You Won’t Want to Miss, recently won the CALEB unpublished non-fiction award. Currently, I’m working on a manuscript where each chapter is a Bible character. I particularly like to write about obscure characters or difficult stories. For example, Priscilla, Lydia, Jephthah, Jonathan, Nebuchadnezzar, Abraham sacrificing Isaac etc. 

Question 3: Who has read your work? Who would you like to read it? 

A lot of my devotions are online and I don’t get a lot of feedback. I know from the statistics that my website has always attracted more Americans than Australians, but I have no idea why. Perhaps because there are simply more of them. In the last 12 months, I’ve had a surprising increase in the number of hits from the Philippines. 

Of course, I’d like everyone to read my blog/website! But realistically, I hope my work is found by those who need a word of encouragement, challenge or hope. Link to my website.

Question 4: Tell us something about your process. What challenges do you face? What helps you the most?

Initially, my process for writing devotions was random but these days it’s highly structured. As part of my devotional times, I write about a verse that stands out to me. This means I have exercise books full of thoughts on Bible verses. When I want to write a series of devotions from a particular Bible book, I find the exercise book where I’ve written about that book of the Bible. At the moment, I’m writing devotions on Luke from notes I made in 2017.

When I’m writing a book-length manuscript, I look for a theme that I can break into ten chapters and as I approach each chapter, I look for one overall idea with three points.

My biggest challenge is not to rush. I’ve come to accept that it takes as long as it takes. If I rush the process the standard of my writing suffers. I loosely aim to write or edit 4,000 words a week for three weeks of the month. (The fourth week I write articles for my blog.) I hold this goal lightly and if it doesn’t happen, that’s okay. 

It helps me to have a routine. Most mornings I write or prepare sermons (which is quite similar). In the afternoons, I shop, exercise, read, socialise, do housework etc. It’s been difficult to explain to my hairdresser why I don’t like appointments in the morning!

Question 5: What is your favourite Writing Craft Book and why? 

My favourite writing craft book is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, not because it was brilliantly insightful but because it was so funny, despite the bad language. However, she did also share some useful thoughts, particularly about not taking yourself too seriously as a writer. I have trouble finding craft books that address the genre I write which is Christian living, but not creative non-fiction. I enjoy reading about other authors’ processes. The first one I ever read was Stephen King’s On Writing which was helpful, again, despite the bad language.

Question 6: If you were to give a shout-out to a CWD author, writer, editor or illustrator – who would they be?

I like to give a shout-out to some writers I met at the beginning of my connection with Christian Writers who are still part of CWD particularly, Jenny Glazebrook, Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Nola Passmore and Penny Reeve. These writers have inspired and encouraged me by their faithfulness and persistence over many years. In the early days of Omega Conferences, I remember their willingness to run workshops for a pittance, yet they always came fully prepared. They shared not only their talents but their love of words and their heart for God. They have been good role models for me.

Question 7: What are your writing goals for 2021? How will you achieve them?

I have been given a place in the 2021 Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing and Communication course run by Tabor College. So my goal for next year is to complete the course! I also want to keep writing three articles a week for my blog. Every other writing project is going to be put on hold.

I’m looking forward to doing this course and curiously, I only felt confident to undertake it because of receiving the CALEB Award this year. In about June I received feedback on my CALEB entry from the first-round judges, which was mostly positive and the few negatives were things I could easily fix. When I received the feedback from the second-round judges, there were again lots of positives and a few negatives. However, this time I wasn’t sure how to fix the negatives yet I also knew they were things that needed to be fixed. Still, there were enough positives to give me the confidence to pursue further study. 

Question 8: How does your faith impact and shape your writing?

Without my faith, I would have nothing to write about! 

I started writing regularly when my husband became a pastor and he asked me to write a devotional article once a fortnight for the church newsletter. At the time, I thought it was a huge commitment and how would I ever find enough to write about? Three years later, we moved to a church that had a newsletter every week, but at least by then, I could recycle a few thoughts from the previous church. 

Over the years, I’ve felt a growing sense of my writing becoming a ministry rather than just a hobby.

Susan Barnes likes to write devotional thoughts on Bible passages, book reviews and inspirational articles. She loves to challenge people's thinking and regularly posts on her blog/website. You can receive her free ebook, 10 Things My Children Taught Me About God when you sign up for her newsletter.

CWD Member Interview – Carolyn Miller

Most Thursdays in 2019 we will be interviewing one of the members of Christian Writers Downunder – to find out a little bit more about them and their writing/editing goals.

Today interview: Carolyn Miller

Question 1: Tells us three things about who you are and where you come from. 

I’m a wife and mother of 4 (3 of them teens – pray for me!), I’ve worked as a high school English teacher, and I live in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW.

Question 2: Tell us about your writing (or editing/illustrating etc).  What do you write and why?

I’ve been a big fan of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer for many years, so after experimenting with a few contemporary stories (based mostly in Australia, with Aussie characters) I tried my version of a Pride and Prejudice-type story, but with a strong God thread woven through. This first historical novel of mine became The Elusive Miss Ellison, which was published in 2017. Since then I’ve seen 8 Regency-era books published, with my ninth, Misleading Miss Verity, releasing next week (available for preorder now!). I love this era of the Regency period (1811-1820) because it was a time when England was experiencing so much social and technological change, with wars, exploration and scientific discoveries leading to a treasure trove of fascinating stories waiting to be discovered. Plus, the allure of a certain Mr. Darcy character can never hurt, can it? ☺

 

Question 3: Who has read your work? Who would you like to read it?

I’ve had lots of different people read my work, from teenage girls to elderly grandfathers, which is certainly a surprise as I didn’t expect older men to be a part of my audience! But it’s lovely to see how stories that some might dismiss as mere romance actually have enough grit and realism to appeal to a wider readership. My first two books have been translated into German and Dutch, so I guess that means there must be people in those countries who have read them, which is pretty surreal to this small-town Aussie girl! 

Who would I like to read it? Anyone, everyone! I was speaking at a ladies end-of-year gathering last week, and mentioned some of the themes of my books, and one lady asked for ‘the book about social anxiety,’ (The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey) so I hope (and pray) that people who need to connect with some of these themes, whether it be miscarriage, infertility, family dysfunction, or reconnecting with God, will find these truths wrapped up in fiction through reading these books.

Question 4: Tell us something about your process. What challenges do you face? What helps you the most?

Story sparks happen anywhere: news items, things people share, whatever intrigues me enough to want more. Eg my family and I were travelling to church one day talking about tongue twisters, and I had to google the story behind ‘She sells seashells by the seashore’ which led me to Mary Anning, and early 19^th century fossil hunters, something which I incorporated into a story that ultimately became A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, which released earlier this year. I love how random things can lead to stories! 

I’m not a huge plotter, so once I’ve got my idea I like to try and write down the scenes springing to mind, to not lose the freshness of them – it’s often where some of my best dialogue exists. Usually I’ll have an idea of the opening scene, and what major plot points need to happen, and the ending is not hard (hello, I write HEAs!), so I like to delve into writing to get the first draft out in a few weeks. This isn’t always easy, as I have to juggle family responsibilities (even more so as my hubby often works away from home for up to ¾ of the year), but I do love the sense of flow that uninterrupted writing time gives me – which usually occurs between 9 and 3 when my kids are at school.

I love quiet, so I can talk aloud to myself (well, my characters can ‘speak to me’), and hear the rhythm of words as they flow. Quiet is a valuable commodity!

Question 5: What is your favourite Writing Craft Book and why? 

I have found The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi to be really good in delving into the experience of emotions. Characters are the portal through which we experience a story, so it’s important to show not just tell their emotions, so the reader can more fully sympathise with the character, and hence engage with the story. 

Question 6: If you were to give a shout-out to a CWD author, writer, editor or illustrator – who would they be?

I first met Jenny Glazebrook at the Omega Conference in Melbourne in 2015, where I knew no one in the Aussie Christian writing scene. I’m SO glad I went, and discovered other Christian writers who had voices in their heads that simply had to be written down! Jenny’s warmth and solid Christian faith and encouragement helped this shy, unpublished newbie feel at home, and we have developed our friendship over the years to the point I’d call her one of my best friends. 

I also want to give a shout out to Narelle Atkins who also spoke at that conference about writing a series – something I’d never really considered before, but after her session could suddenly see how the various historical stories I’d already written could be moulded into a series, which has ultimately led to the publication of three (linked) trilogies, and the ideas for more. 

Go to conferences like the Omega Writers conferences – it can totally lead to God=things.

Question 7: What are your writing goals for 2019/2020? How will you achieve them?

I’ve signed another contract for another 3 book historical series (The Wallflowers) with my publishers, Kregel, which will see a slower pace of one Regency being released per year rather than three. This allows room to develop other story ideas, such as dipping my toe into the contemporary market, which I’m doing through my involvement with the Independence Islands novella collection, which will see five 50,000 word novellas release in the next 2 ½ years. It’s so fun to write contemporary, and not have to worry whether a particular word or phrase was around 200 years ago! I’ve written the first draft of my contemporary novella, Restoring Fairhaven, and this week I’m back to editing the first draft of my historical novel, after which I hope to edit the first draft of my Christmas Regency novella which will be part of a novella collection releasing next year. I work well with deadlines, and knowing Christmas is coming (plus school holidays that won’t allow so much time to write) means I’ve had to knuckle down and get drafts done. So, I’m busy, but I’m also loving it – God is good!

Question 8: How does your faith impact and shape your writing?

My husband and I pastored a church for ten years, and it was really through the challenges and the aftermath of that experience that I learned so much about God’s grace and forgiveness and love, themes I incorporate into my stories. I write unapologetically Christian fiction, so my characters pray, look to the Bible for answers, attend church, and wrestle with some of the God challenges  along the way – just like I do. I want readers to be encouraged and inspired (as well as entertained) by my words.  

The whole process has been a God journey, from praying about whether to enter particular online writing contests, to the agent who ‘just so happened’ to write Regencies, to the publisher who ‘just so happened’ to want to expand into a new genre – historical romance, to the various authors and reviewers and readers who have been kind enough to support my stories and bring them to a wider audience. 

I’m so encouraged to receive emails that say how my fiction has made readers dig deeper into their own spiritual walks, such as the reviewer who said “I am so grateful for the novel Underestimating Miss Cecilia. Carolyn Miller has penned something more than just a Regency-era novel, she has crafted a fictional place that allows the reader the opportunity to wrestle with various internal struggles and hopefully come out the other side stronger in relationship with God. Yes the plot is engaging, yes the characters are well written and endearing, yes the happily ever after is satisfying, but it is the timely themes that make this novel stellar.” That is why I write. I may not be pastoring anymore, but I see my writing as my ministry. I really want readers to come away inspired by the hope that is found in God, and know that He loves them, has good plans for them, and that He is always trustworthy and faithful.

:: GIVEAWAY ::

Misleading Miss Verity comes out next week! I am giving one away to any Australia-based commentator. The lucky reader will be randomly selected by me from those who comment below.

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher. 

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, The Making of Mrs. Hale, A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, and Underestimating Miss Cecilia, all available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Koorong, etc

Connect with her:        website | facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram

Are you troubled?

By Jenny Glazebrook

I wanted to share with you my message from conference this year. I know many members of CWD were there, but perhaps you're like me and need to be constantly reminded of what it's really all about.

So here it is in written form, starting with the Bible passage:

Luke 10:38-42

 At the Home of Martha and Mary

Image courtesy of Pinterest  www.pinterest.com.au/pin/394979829810500275/?lp=true

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

(All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™)

My question to you is, Are you troubled by many things? 

Sometimes we can live in a constant state of anxiety and intensity, never really settled and at peace. This world places so many demands on us.

And as writers, it's even more so.

          You must follow the rules of writing.

          You must share what you write with others.

          You must have an agent.

          You must be published.

          You must market and build an author platform.

          You must be on social media.

          You must know your target audience and create an author brand.

Images courtesy of Google Images

And then there’s the competition.

        To be successful, you must write this many books.

        You must have good reviews.

        You must enter competitions and have those particular judges approve of your work.

        You must have people willing to endorse your work.

The list goes on.

We can get to a point where we don’t even know who we are anymore, or why we began to write in the first place. We become defined by what others think of us, by what we have done or supposedly achieved.

I just want us to pause a moment and put all of that aside.

I want us to hear Jesus say to us, ‘You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed, only one.’

So what is that one thing Jesus says is needed?

       

Amelia with her gosling, and then again 8 months later

This is my youngest daughter, Amy or Amelia. She is nine years old. This is her with her pet goose. Named Sarah. The second picture is taken 8 months later after we realised we needed to change Sarah's name to Tom.

Amy loves animals and has a beautiful heart, but she also battles many things in everyday life. She has autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression, Van der Woude syndrome (which caused her cleft lip and palate) and has recently been diagnosed with a rare form of diabetes.

A few months ago, we were at one of her soccer games and she was sitting, waiting for the next game. A little girl fell down and hurt herself and Amy raced over and gave her a hug. Then a bit later, a toddler was getting restless and distressed, so Amy picked a flower and took it over and gave it to her. The little girl cheered up. She accidentally screwed up the flower with her chubby little toddler hands so Amy went and found her another one.

And then, a bit later, a lady was speaking to me and I was vaguely aware that Amy was sitting up the top of a grand stand talking to a boy around her age. His father was sitting there, too. I heard her say something about Jesus and I worried because Amy often doesn’t understand social situations or read social cues. But the lady I was speaking to wasn’t giving me a chance to get away.

That night I asked Amy what she was talking to the boy about. She said, as they sat up there, the boy said ‘How cool is it that we can see the whole soccer field from up here?’

And she said, ‘You know what’s even cooler? God can see every soccer field in the world at the same time.’

The boy was amazed and wanted to know more about God, so she told him how even though he’s so big and powerful he loves every person and died for them so that if they or sorry for the things they’ve done wrong and believe in Jesus, they will be forever with him when they die.

Then she told him how each night she reads stories from the Bible with her dad and they talk to Jesus about anything that’s worrying them.

The boy said he didn’t know about God before, but now he knew he believed too.

To Amy, it was an everyday situation coming from her heart of compassion and love for Jesus. But I know there was rejoicing in heaven at that moment.

Then a couple of weeks later was the soccer presentation. Amy doesn’t always understand the rules but she tries her best. Her favourite part about soccer, she says, is making friends with the opposition. Sometimes during a game she’ll miss the ball coming her way because she’s making friends with the player she’s supposed to be marking.

So Amy didn’t receive any special recognition, but another girl on her team received two trophies.

Amy said to me, ‘Mum, it’s never happened before, but I feel a bit jealous. She got two trophies.’

And so I asked Amy, do you think God would be delighted if you got all the trophies in the world? Or do you think he’s delighted that you love him and share his love and tell others about him? 

Source: www.testimoniesofheavenandhell.com

Which is better; to have trophies, or to love Jesus and to see that boy in heaven when you get there because you shared Jesus love with him?

Her eyes lit up and she smiled and I knew she got it.

My question to us, is, ‘Do we get it?’

Are we focused on the trophies of this life? In the recognition, in the competition, comparing ourselves to others? On that book deal we’re desperately striving for?

Or are we focused on Jesus; on letting all we are and all we do flow from worship and joy of knowing Him?

Note that Jesus didn’t say to Martha, ‘you are doing too many things’ … It wasn’t what Martha was doing, but why she was doing it and how she felt about it. She was driven. Exhausted. Frustrated. Doing it all in her own strength. Comparing herself to her sister. She was focused on what she was doing compared to what her sister was doing.

So what is the one thing Jesus says is needed?

Again, we immediately start thinking, ‘yes, what do I need to do?’ But the one thing that is needed … is Jesus. It is not about him requiring anything of us. It’s about us realising what we need from Him!

Jesus said ‘Mary has chosen what is better.’
Mary chose Jesus. Above all else. It is a choice. In our busy lives, we have to choose to come to Him. That is all that is needed. To know and love Jesus.

You’d be amazed how many verses in the Bible are about this!

Jesus said: Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.’

Psalm 46:10
He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’

Exodus 14:14  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

This last verse is from when the Israelites were being chased by the Egyptians. They wanted to reach the promised land. They saw no way forward – the sea was blocking their path. The enemy blocking behind.

What is your battle? What is blocking your path? 

Don’t give up. Wait for the Lord. Be still.

Maybe you’ve struggled for years to get your work published and your Christian brother or sister has their writing snapped up straight away by a publisher or agent.

What should you do?

Don't be discouraged. Don't strive harder. Come to Jesus.       

2 Corinthians 3:3
‘You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.’

It’s not what you write down on paper that matters, but what is written on your heart … not what you do, but who you are!

Yes, we are writers. It’s a gift He’s given us. But He doesn’t say we have to publish a book to love Him, to help people, to be who He wants us to be.

That urgency to write things down … God will give you the time you need. He has marked out your days. He has given you all you need. Rest in Him and you will have more to offer.

He is our inspiration. Anything good that comes from us, really comes from Him.

And what happens when we sit at his feet, when we take a moment to be still and know that He is God? To wait on Him, delight in Him as He delights in us?

It becomes a way of life. We learn to listen for His voice, to notice His tap on our shoulder.

And our inspiration is limitless because God is limitless.

Ken Duncan is an amazing Australian photographer. And he’s a Christian. He says that sometimes God gives him a tap on the shoulder and he turns around and there is an amazing photo opportunity he could never have imagined.

It is worth looking at the photo in this link:  The Master Sculptor Most people take a picture of the beach and ocean, but Ken heard God say, ‘turn around.’ And there was this amazing rock, sculptured by God. It’s an award-winning photo.

There’s also an incredible story about how his famous photos of Midnight Oil came about. You can see the photo here: Midnight Oil

This is the most famous shot of Midnight Oil – on this day, some people were making a documentary, pushing one another to get the best shots. Ken had been invited to take a photo and been given priority. But instead, he held back, waiting for others to get their shots.

It wasn’t a good day for photos and it was getting worse. The people making the documentary finally finished and Ken had an idea. He could take a photo on the dry lake. As he set up, everyone came to watch. The clouds were bad, the light was bad. But suddenly a great gust of wind blew, blowing off the hats of the band members, and the sun broke through the clouds.

Everyone watching scrambled over each other, trying to get their cameras out, one even got the cord stuck around another’s neck in his urgency to get the photo. But they were too late and Ken had his

The photos God had given him.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be like those camera men who are just out for themselves, using their own skills to clamber to the top. And then finding when they get there it’s not they dreamed of after all.

I don’t want to rush ahead of God only to find that when I finally hold my dreams and ambitions in my grasp, there is nothing of value left.

I want to wait for God’s tap on my shoulder. To let Him show me the world through His eyes.

So let’s open our hands to receive what God has given us.

Let’s sit at His feet and wait for His inspiration … what He has to say.

I have a friend in Gundagai where I live, who met Jesus at the lowest, darkest point in her life. It was about ten years ago. Her son had taken his own life, and she didn’t want to go on. But Jesus revealed Himself to her.

She has now, after living without God for 50 years, become the Anglican reverend in our small town. The love of Jesus shines from her. And people can see that she is a new creation – a completely different person to who she was.


She told me how, every morning as she wakes up, she asks the Lord what He has for that day. And every time she sits down to write a sermon she lifts her hand up in worship to receive from God, asking Him for His words.

She said that the day the joy in serving God in this way, being in full-time ministry, is gone, that is the day she will stop. And seek Him for what is next.

And though she is often run off her feet, her face shines with His love and joy. From her heart flows love for all the lost and broken, the addicts, every person she sees. She doesn’t have all the Christian jargon, the years of Christian experience and church upbringing. All she has is Jesus and her heart’s desire is to love him with all her heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love her neighbour as herself.

She would like to write her incredible story someday. And she probably will. But a book is not her calling. Loving Jesus and delighting in Him as He delights in her is her calling. And it is our calling, too. It is all that is needed.

A published book might be part of it. It may not be.

You are a child of God. That is enough.

Why do we feel we have to be extraordinary? That we have to stand out? That is what the world tells us.

When Jesus says to come to Him. To receive from Him. Rest in Him. We don’t need to be extraordinary, because He is. And when people see us do amazing things, we want them to see that really, it is all Him.

Brothers and sisters, we share the same gift of writing, but more important than this, we share the same Jesus who gave us the gift. Our Saviour. Let’s not ever let writing or publishing become something we feel we must do, something that is a burden, a scramble to the top, a battle against others who are already there.

If you are tired or discouraged, come to Jesus.

Let’s remember the one thing that is needed – knowing Jesus. To worship Him, delight in Him and depend on Him. To know and love Him as we rest in complete confidence at His feet.

All else will flow from that.

It will be something of infinite value, beyond what you could ever do on your own.

And you will find true peace and rest.

In Jesus.


Prayer:

Lord, you know our hearts. You know our dreams. Each one of us here has struggled. It’s not easy being a writer, there are so many demands placed on us. Lord Jesus, we come to you today, to rest at your feet; to look to you for inspiration, for your plans for us. We don’t choose fame, or money, or a name for ourselves. We choose to come to you and rest in you. We choose you. Above all else.

We love you Jesus.


Amen.

Jenny Glazebrook lives in the country town of Gundagai with her husband, Rob and 4 children along with many pets. She is the published author of 7 novels, 1 traditionally published, and 6 self published. She has another novel due for release on 7th December this year. She writes because words burn within her. She is an experienced inspirational speaker and a chaplain for the Omega Writers' Conference. She loves to encourage others to walk closer with God and hear His voice each day. 
Jenny’s website is: www.jennyglazebrook.com