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...

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,...

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...

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...

This book’s title made me wonder. Really? Thirty-one days? And who defines happy, anyway? But a closer investigation of this volume revealed its power-packed value. Sometimes, even good advice can prove overwhelming. But author Arlene Pellicane (read my review of her 31 Days to a Younger You here) has combined practical tips and biblical encouragement in an attractive, easy-to-read package. Pellicane doesn’t claim to have all the answers. She centers her book around five areas of need in men’s lives, organized by the acronym DREAM: Domestic Tranquility, Respect, Eros, Attraction, and Mutual Activities. If you’ve done any reading about marriage, you’ve seen similar lists. But the way the author expands them into thirty-one days of study, encouragement, and practical tips makes personal application not only potential but real. Each chapter includes illustrations culled from real-life marriages (including the author’s); solid biblical teaching; “Notice Today,” in which the author encourages self- and marital-examination; and “Nurture Today,” an action step. Liberal doses of fun and gracious insights from others’ experiences give the book the warm, positive tone of a loving sister dispensing not a lecture but sound advice. Although happiness is only one element of a fulfilled and Christ-centered life and marriage, those who read and apply the book’s principles will find themselves drawing closer to their husbands. They’ll see God use their marital relationships to bring himself glory. And that’s what I call happiness of the best and most godly kind.  What books about marriage have helped you? Share your answer in a comment by October 29, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing to win my review copy of this delightful book plus a surprise devotional book.  I’ll choose a winner at random and post it next week. Please leave a link or email address so I can contact you for mailing information (US addresses only, please). Watch Arlene’s “3 Steps to Affair-Proof Your Marriage” here.  Find a local Christian bookstore Find this book on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or at Christian Book Distributors. (FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher. I was not required to post a review or a positive...

Father and Friend, today I come to you on behalf of those who need to keep on forgiving. The wounds have cut deep. The hurt doesn’t stop. And the forgiveness needs to keep on coming, whether seventy times seven, seven hundred times seven, or more. Lord, because of your great power and love, I ask you to pour your grace upon these dear ones. Let it splash in great pools at their feet. In that refreshing shower, God, allow them to reach out and find forgiveness once again—forgiveness they can extend, and continue extending, to the ones who have hurt them, the ones who will hurt them, and even the ones who don’t know of the pain they’ve caused. Grace, our Savior. We beg for your mercy; we long for your grace. We live in a broken, fallen world where people will continue to hurt us and where we’ll need to keep on forgiving. Draw us close to you that we may draw on your power and delight in your grace. Thank you for forgiving us first and loving us always. Release us to love much and to follow your constant example of loving forgiveness. In your holy name I pray, AMEN.   Do you struggle to forgive? What has helped you grow in this area? I’d love to hear your...