Monday, October 29, 2012

Tasting A Dream

Many of my followers know that I've written a novel. Years and years went into editing, cutting, and perfecting this book. I started writing my inspirational women's fiction novel in 2007. It was more of an "off and on" hobby, but in the Fall of 2010 I truly (and urgently) felt the Lord call me to give the book my full attention. I cut out all TV and any extra reading to give my writing/editing just that. My husband and boys can attest to my obsession! There were many days I'd forget about dinner and would have to throw a family-sized lasagna into the microwave and call it a meal! Finally, after a year and several months, my manuscript was complete. Oh, let the angels sing!

However, I had no idea that finishing the book was just the beginning...

My dream (lofty as it might be) was to be discovered by some huge, incredibly famous Christian publishing house and win lots of awards and accolades. However, my bubble was quickly burst when I realized how hard it is to break into this industry. The simple fact was (and is), if you're not going to self publish, you'll most likely need an agent. So, I had to pull up my bootstraps and figure out what to do.

The very first website that helped me was: www.michaelhyatt.com. I found some great articles for first time authors and some wonderful and basic general information. I even ordered his book on writing a winning book proposal (http://michaelhyatt.com/writing-a-winning-book-proposal ) which helped me tremendously. Furthermore, I scoured the websites of numerous agents - whether they represented my genre or not. I wanted to learn as much as I could, and doing this helped me gain a fuller understanding of the publishing world. In fact, I printed off so many articles I literally filled a binder!



So, when people ask me how to get started I warn them that it'll take time, time, and even more time. The best advice I could give a hopeful writer is to finish his/her book. Make it perfect. Then spend time researching what to do and which agents to pursue. Self publishing is also a viable option, especially if you have the resources to do so. I've had several friends do quite well self-publishing, and they have raved about the care they were given.

Can you taste your dream? Whatever it is, I say go for it! It may take time, and lots of frozen meals, but I can assure you it'll be well worth it!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Facing My Giant

For the past several days I've been painting a 9-foot tall Goliath. Ah, the things we'll do for our church's preschool kids. By the way, please resist commenting on Goliath's double jointed and disproportionate legs and arms!!! I am not an artist - just a committed (and crazy) volunteer!


Anyway, back to my deep thoughts for the day... As I was painting Goliath, I reflected on a time when I had to face my own sort of "giant" and failed. My giant's name was Intimidation, and his purpose was to shut me up.

I can still feel the track marks left from being thrown under the bus. To explain, I was falsely accused of saying something I didn't say simply because the girl who vomited out some information she shouldn't have shared saw a good opportunity to shift the blame.

Clueless of this betrayal, I was called into my director's office and questioned. Thankfully, and because she knew my heart and character, she didn't believe the accusations. With my director's blessing I went directly to the source and her partner hoping to clear the air. My biggest mistake was going alone.

Rather than being able to explain, I was berated because of what the guilty girl had said that I'd said. Funnily enough, while I was being told off, she stood cowardly by the supply cabinet and away from our conversation. I look back now and wish that I'd had more confidence to fight for myself, but I didn't. Intimidation won and the rest of the school year I was anxious. afraid, and overly reserved.

Right now I'm studying Nehemiah with my church Bible Study group. People often refer to Nehemiah as the "weeping prophet," but boy are they wrong. Yes, Nehemiah did cry, but his tears were for his own nation, his people, and for his beloved Jerusalem whose walls were deteriorating.

The reason I mention Nehemiah is because he was not only a wonderful leader, he was crazy brave! You see, he had his own "giants" to contend with. They came in the form of a governor, an officer, and an Arabian leader. When it came down to it, these three men went after Nehemiah because his plan to rebuild Jerusalem's walls threatened their own interests and territories. They wanted to protect themselves and their own positions.

What were their tactics? Lies and physical threats. But Nehemiah never wavered. He knew that God had called him to lead this reconstruction project, so he called his people to pray, stand guard, and trust in God.

The same held true for David, who actually did defeat (and behead) the real Goliath. Even though David was a boy, he wasn't scared by Goliath's taunts or threats. He put his hope in the One TRUE God who is mighty to save.

I look back on that school year and I can see why the enemy wanted me silenced. I was beginning to step out of my comfort zone and talk about Jesus to some of the other women. I was starting to diligently pray for certain girls whose hurts were brought to my attention. Ultimately, I was learning to look outside of myself to the needs around me and, frankly, the enemy didn't like it. I was threatening his position and territory.

What about you? Are you facing intimidation or accusations that make you want to run and hide? Rather than cower in fear, let's take Nehemiah's advice and PRAY, stand guard, trust God, and continue on with our calling.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

God's Love in the Book of Psalm (Part One)

One reason I adore the Book of Psalm is the fact that it's (mostly) authored by King David. If I had to describe King David in one word, the word would be REAL. Everything about David was real. From being a childhood shepherd, to a poet/song-writer, to a wicked giant killer, David was all around cool. But let's not forget that he was also an adulterer, murderer, and liar. 

Despite all of his good and not so good qualities, one thing remained the same. David never doubted God's faithful and forgiving nature. In fact, David was said to be a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).

Throughout his many songs (or Psalms), we see David's authentic and transparent faith shine through. He doesn't hesitate to acknowledge that life is hard. His life was full of tests, trials, and times of confusion, but one thing David's heart rested upon was God's constant love, mercy, and faithfulness.

As I began to scour the book of Psalm, it became clear to me that God was (an IS) very present. God cares, and we can run to Him and trust Him in all things. He's mighty to save!

Here, come and see what I'm talking about...

Psalm 5:11-12: But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 6:4: Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
Psalm 8:3-4: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
(AND yet He does!!!)

Psalm 9:9-10: The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Ps 10:17-18a: You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed...
Ps 13:5-6: But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 16: Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.  I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing....” Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me... You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

 Ps 17:6-8: I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings


Ps 18:1-3: I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies... He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me...  As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ps 25: 4-10: Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful...

As I close, I'm reminded of Jesus's words in Matthew 19:26 - "With God, all things are possible!" David certainly understood this fact, although just like us, he had to remind himself of it a time or two.

When you vent your problems in prayer, do you tend to stay in the moment, or are you able to redirect your thoughts to God's capable (and mighty) hands? Why do you think we struggle with fully letting go?