Tag: words

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Words of Affirmation: Wisdom

I sometimes become obsessed with the idea of writing a devotional based on a particular verse. My fingers fly over the keyboard for a minute or two before freezing, the well of words running dry all because I didn’t bother to inject wisdom into my writing. Instead, I tried to produce words to publish a post or to submit to a publisher.

Devotional writing is more than putting well-constructed sentences with a clear theme to the page. Discerning God’s Word through the use of commentaries and other resources helps us produce well-thought-out ideas. Our prayers during writing and before posting guide us to biblical connection and sureness. After publication, these thoughts speak to others and encourage further contemplation of God’s Word.

God has entrusted us with the power to wield words to spread his Word. This thought makes me want to put my words in his hands. How about you?

Ecclesiastes 9:17 (ESV)—The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
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Words of Affirmation: Gladness

Writers and editors, rejoice in the power of words! God has given us the ability to create words that produce gladness in another’s heart. Devotionals, curricula, novels, short stories, plays, all of these (and more!) can touch a life.

We can also support one another with praise and constructive criticism. Our words can encourage others to push forward in this tough-nut-to-crack writing world. How awesome is that?!

Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)—Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
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Words of Affirmation: Spiritual Truths

I am blessed to interpret spiritual truths

With God’s call to write and edit comes the powerful tool of words. Words that touch lives. Words that spark interest in God. Words that build up. For sure, we are blessed that the Spirit fills our words with the “hidden wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 2:7). Our call, then, becomes interpreting spiritual truths for others.

I pray you embrace this calling with all your heart!

1 Corinthians 2:13 (ESV)—And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
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Words of Affirmation: Trusting God With Your Writing

I am upheld by the Rock eternal

I love writing devotionals, but the words don’t always flow like snowmelt down a mountain slope. Whenever I feel stuck, I close the document and push that writing aside for another time.

This year I’d like to pull the writing closer. I’d like to pray over the writing more and read the Bible passage a bit more closely, including those superscript letters that denote connecting verses. I want to do so because I trust the the Rock eternal with my writing and know he’ll strengthen the words for his purpose.

In this new year, and for years to come, remind yourself the Rock eternal holds your words in his hands.

Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)—Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)—So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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Words of Affirmation: Being God’s Vessel

An affirmation: "I am God's vessel created for his purpose"

Today, I read a devotional on Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her words to the angel resounded in me: “I am the servant of the Lord” (Luke 1:38 ESV). God chose Mary for the purpose of carrying and birthing baby Jesus, and she responded with certainty that God chose her.

I also recently read the story of Gideon. His response was not as instant as Mary’s. Instead he asked the angel speaking to him, “Why then has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:13 ESV). The response: “Do I not send you?” (Judges 6:14 ESV). Clearly, God has a purpose and a chosen one for this purpose.

For writers and editors, we are blessed to be God’s vessels. God chose us to shape words and reach if not the masses then one person. As you write this coming week, remember words touch lives and God chose you to write.

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Generosity on Vacation: It’s About Attitude and Heart

Read 2 Corinthians 9

If Paul were to write a letter to travelers about generosity and tipping, I think he’d reiterate some of the same points he did to the Corinthians. He’d tell travelers to prepare in advance to give tips. He’d say tipping is an act to be done not out of obligation but with a willing heart. He’d point out that the amount travelers give does not matter as long as it comes from a heart that wants to give. He’d say travelers who give with a willing heart fulfill the material needs of others while fulfilling their own spiritual needs. He’d tell travelers that giving with a generous spirit gives other people a reason to thank God.

Whether we’re giving to the church or giving to someone else, generosity goes beyond giving—it’s about attitude and heart. Our ability to give and our willingness to give both come from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). As such, our travels deserve the same preparation that we give to other areas of our lives.

Generosity begins with spiritual preparation. Prayer brings our focus to God. The same as we ask a blessing before a meal, we need to ask for God’s blessing on our vacation. We can pray for those who will receive the tips and for the impact of the tips and ask God to prepare our hearts to give.

Generosity also requires material preparation. A budget helps us to stay within our God-given blessings. It eliminates the element of surprise, allowing our hearts to gain a spirit of generosity. We can prepare envelopes of tips for housekeeping, room service, and others who deliver services but do not charge us directly. We can also budget extra for those instances we receive exceptional service.

Before your next vacation, read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 9. What does God say to you about generosity? What do you need to do to prepare yourself to give with a willing heart?

Another Generous Act—Beyond a material tip, we have the opportunity to bless others through words. Give a shout-out to a particularly helpful person on a review website, describe the great service on a company’s survey, or tell management of the person’s hard work.

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Lessons Learned From NaNoWriMo 2021

In November, I took part in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) for the first time. Fifty thousand words in one month—a daunting challenge. It seemed impossible.


Yet I succeeded! For the first time ever, I finished the first draft of a novel.

NaNoWriMo gave me a new perspective on writing. I noticed that my usual mode of writing involves editing as I go. I constantly change sentences, add and delete punctuation, and erase scenes that I don’t believe worthwhile.

It’s exhausting…and has never led to a finished novel.

NaNoWriMo taught me the importance of getting words on the page. Even if they’re not good words. Even if the sentence is really, really bad. (I still cringe whenever I don’t like the sentence, but now I try to move on and fix it later.) Words lead to more scenes—better scenes! Words not only help my characters to grow but also help me to grow as a writer. Words spark ideas for a new novel.

NaNoWriMo also allowed me to experience goal-setting. Every day, I logged on to the NaNoWriMo website and updated my 50,000-word goal. The website also offers badges for milestones reached, such as updating your goal three days in a row and making 40,000 words. I watched as the progress bar inched closer and closer to finished. I triumphed with one day to spare. Setting this goal gave me a responsibility to myself.

Although I haven’t quite broken my old habit of revising as I go, I am writing more words every day and recording my progress as I go.

Next up: revisions!