WRITE: Florida Christian Writers Conference 2013
God seems to weave themes throughout my writing life. The one for this season (and no doubt many more), seems to be relationships. I spent the first almost-eight years of my freelance career as a solo act. I interacted with clients, editors, and publishers primarily by email. But I rarely took time to email another writer, much less connect in person. Enter August, 2008 and a Cecil Murphey One-Day Writing Intensive. In addition to some great encouragement and life-changing instruction, the time spent there helped me recognize writing as my heart language. Who speaks it? Only other writers. Today, I connect with these other writers in multiple ways, including my local (Orlando, Florida) chapter of Word Weavers International. But when someone who loves God and writing asks me questions like: How do I get started in writing? What publications accept work from freelancers? What techniques and tips will improve my work? What’s the best way to connect with an agent or editor? How do the changes in the publishing industry affect writers? I have a ready answer: attend a Christian writers conference. One of the premier ones takes place almost in my backyard. The Florida Christian Writers Conference (FCWC) is held annually in Leesburg, Florida, about twenty minutes from my home. Not all of you have the FCWC so close by. But all of you who write (or want to write) should consider coming. My friends Eva Marie Everson and Mark Hancock are new conference directors following the resignation of Billie Wilson, beloved founder and longtime director of this longtime event. They’ve already spent countless hours to take the conference to a new level of excellence. This year’s FCWC, February 27-March 3, includes keynotes from top authors Alton Gansky, Rachel Hauck, Steven James, Sally Stuart, and Dan Walsh. Other offerings include a broad range of continuing classes and numerous á la carte workshops plus appointments with editors like Abingdon’s Ramona Richards and agents including Chip MacGregor and Tamela Hancock Murray. I’ve taught at conferences across the country, but I’ve seen nothing to top this lineup. Bonuses include VIP Keynoters Scholarship Breakfasts (free if you register by December 24), a flash drive loaded with handouts from all the workshops (also free with early registration), a Saturday evening Awards Banquet, and more. I can’t promote the conference without sharing my excitement over my role. I’ll represent Sisterhood (formerly SUSIE) magazine and meet with writers eager to submit their work. I’ll present workshops on three of my favorite topics (watch for more details next month). I’ll also have the privilege of serving as Conference Chaplain, a role I believe God has prepared me “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). The 2013 FCWC is a true bargain, presenting expanded value at a lower price. Concerned about the cost? This conference offers more for your money in every way imaginable. Multiple scholarships are available (the sooner you apply, the better). And relationships—genuine relationships with industry professionals, novices, and writers like you—will flourish all around. Come to the FCWC. Stretch your abilities. Make your connections. And most of all, speak the language of your heart. After reviewing the conference website, is there something you don’t understand? Do you have a writers conference testimony to share? Feel free to leave a comment or question. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Mercies in the Midst of Pain (Duchess, R.I.P.)
Duchess, R.I.P. I’ll never forget today. This summer, we added a second dog to our family. Our sweet Australian Shepherd mix, Promise, is getting old. In fact, in the first part of 2012, she seemed to be going downhill rapidly. She moved much more slowly. Her hearing disappeared. She slept most of the time. In June (amidst the turmoil of my father’s final illness), our oldest daughter brought us a beautiful red merle Aussie mix, Duchess. And Duchess brought love, warmth, and activity to our home. At first, she exhausted her adopted older sister. But soon, Promise was jumping up with her to greet us when we came home and trotting instead of dragging on our walks. The young revived the old. And the combination blessed us all. I won’t drag out the details, but our precious Duchess was killed early this morning. I grieve for her as well as for my husband and children, all hopelessly in love with our newest family member. My husband had the terrible task of taking Duchess’ body to the farm of some dear friends for burial. I offered to go with him but he refused, saying I needed to stay with our children. He was right. Tom was not expecting the youngest son of the family who owns the farm to join his work. But this young man, who has also lost pets, understood our sorrow. In fact, Tom said, he kept on digging, refusing to stop until he was sure the hole was deep enough, wide enough, and completely ready. When I think about this young man and his gift of loving service, I think of the women who anointed Jesus’ body for burial—including the one who did so with tears washed over his feet. I’m not calling my young friend by name because I don’t believe his parents want it online. But as I was talking to God about the whole situation, He showed me His mercy in the midst of pain: mercy in the form of the heartbroken man whose truck hit Duchess. Mercy in the form of a neighbor who stopped to hold me as I wept. Mercy in the form of another neighbor who did the same for my husband. And mercy in the form of a nine-year-old boy, digging and digging until he got it just right. Lord, Thank you for your always tender-mercies, even and especially in the midst of pain. Will you somehow use our hurt to prepare us to celebrate your coming? Help us pull together as a family—and help us lean harder into you. In Your holy name,...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Those Who Feel Their Efforts Go Unnoticed
Gratitude. This month, we emphasize it in ways beyond Thursday’s holiday. I’ve seen hundreds of Facebook friends posting lists of “I’m thankful for. . .” Ann Voskamp’s delightful One Thousand Gifts has many of us living lives of newfound thanksgiving. Gratitude. We get it. Or do we? I often find myself feeling as though my efforts go unnoticed. That leaves me wondering: Where are all the grateful people? And, more importantly, why do I seek their responses? If I make an effort to serve someone, I like to receive a word of thanks. If I do a job well, I like to know it’s appreciated. If I serve my family members in any one of the hundreds of small-but-large ways women do, I want them to notice—and let me know. I believe in gratitude. I teach my children to express their thanks. I try to show my gratitude to others. But God has also given me the strong reminder that when I seek responses like this from anyone except Him, I’m not offering my work as true service. In looking for the temporal, I forget the eternal. I’m making what I do for others more about me than those I serve or the God I claim to follow. “Thank you” should come not as an expected response but a bonus blessing. My knowledge of my own self-centered perspective leads me to offer the following: Lord, today I confess to feeling as though many of my efforts go unnoticed. Others don’t notice what I do. They don’t see the time I spend or the care I take. And even if they do, they often fail to express their thanks. I want cheers or words of praise, but what I get—if it comes at all—sounds more like “Duly noted” than “Thanks so much!” Father, when I feel this way, move me die to myself. Build into me an attitude of grace. Help me to appreciate and thank others in the way I like to be appreciated and thanked. Help me to offer myself, my time, my work, and my words all to you. Lord God, please turn any feelings of thanklessness into times of remembering to thank you for all the ways you bless me. You and your work go unnoticed far more than I do. May I never be guilty of ingratitude. And may I never run after words of thanks instead of finding my true fulfillment in you. In this season of Thanksgiving, I ask for the gift of a grateful heart. I thank you for the ability to serve, to work, and to offer my gifts in freedom and love. In your holy name I pray—AMEN. Do your efforts seem to go unnoticed? Do you struggle with seeking thanks or approval from the people you serve? Share your story and/or a way God is helping you deal with attitudes of...
read moreWRITE: The National Bible Bee–More than a Competition
Scripture memory? Isn’t that for kids? Well, yes. And no. The National Bible Bee, the Shelby Kennedy Foundation’s vehicle to advance the cause of Scripture memory, does focus on children. Primary (seven through ten years), Junior (eleven through fourteen years), and Senior (fifteen through eighteen years) divisions encompass a broad range of ages. Bee families, by definition, spend months studying, embracing, and memorizing Scripture. And herein lies the rub—and the blessing. I use the term “Bee families” because unlike the National Spelling or Geography Bees, the National Bible Bee carries a strong focus on family discipleship. Sword Studies, the Bee’s primary source material for local and national competitions, allow families to dig into God’s Word together. These in-depth, inductive tools provide Bible-based insights and activities that span ages and stages. Although Bee participants compete for more than $260,000, neither the Shelby Kennedy Foundation nor the Bee itself places excessive emphasis on the prize money. Rote memorization? Sure. The top 100 qualifiers in each division memorize at least 300 (Primary), 400 (Junior), or 600 (Senior) Bible verses between mid-August and early November alone. But the National Bible Bee provides so much more than the typical memorize-to-win-a-prize challenge. Contestants’ scores come from both oral and written exams and reflect not only the accurate recitation of Scripture but an understanding of biblical languages, history, theology, and context. In addition, families or individuals have the option of participating in Bee studies and local-level activities without the pressure of competition. In other words, the National Bible Bee is more than a contest with great cash prizes. It’s more than a way to challenge a child’s memory skills. It’s more than a Bible study, a summer program, or a fad. The National Bible Bee, as Shelby Kennedy Foundation CEO Mark MacMahan says, “Focuses on getting families into God’s Word—so God’s Word can get into them.” Next week, three of my daughters and I will spend time in Sevierville, Tennessee as National Bible Bee volunteers. I’ll help judge the preliminary rounds. I’ll pray with families and fellow volunteers. I’ll collect information for some stories I hope to write. I’ll experience the fruit of my labor (I had the privilege of writing the historical vignettes used in the 2012 Sword Studies). And above all, I’ll remember that Scripture memory—as defined by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation/National Bible Bee—is more than a kids’ competition. It’s a discipleship-centered, family-focused way of life. Do you have experience with the Bible Bee at local and/or national levels? Feel free to leave a...
read morePray: Prayer for Those Who Need an Anchor
Every day this year, I’ve prayed through a section of the wonderful, beautiful Psalm 119. I usually pick out at least one or two verses to emphasize. I’m amazed by the riches of God’s Word and by the needs/ and answers God’s shown me through these times of prayer. Today, I thought I’d share a prayer from today’s reading of Psalm 119:49-56. Today’s focal verses: “Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me” (Ps. 119:49-50). Lord, your word holds my hope. You are my anchor, and I place my full reliance upon you. God, I ask for your presence through your truth, your Word, today. May I see its life, its activity, its power as a two-edged sword. As I walk through my day, allow me to see your promises and purposes fleshed out before me. Father, I need to view my experiences through the lens of your Word. I ask you to infuse my spirit with the hope of those promises, the strength of those purposes. Allow me, God, to live the life you have planned for me in the way you want me to do it. God, I’ve walked through some struggles of late. I’ve had moments of despair and times of near-desperation. But I thank you, oh Father, that I’m never without hope. I’m never without joy. I’m never without peace because of my intimate connection with you. Thank you, my Savior, for holding me close. Thank you for using your Word to restore my spirit and revive my soul. Thank you that when the floodwaters mount and the wind prevails, I have an anchor in you. Thank you that I walk today as your favorite child, secure in the knowledge that your love endures forever. I pray this in your powerful name and for your everlasting glory, AMEN. Are you in need of an anchor? Share your prayer request in a comment or email me. I’ll be honored to lift you before the Anchor of...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
