Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Are You an Orphan like Johnny on the Hot Seat? by Zoe M. McCarthy

Zoe M. McCarthy
I’ve listened to CDs from Allen Arnold’s four-day class, God's Disruptive Invitation into Creative Intimacy. Writing the following story helped me understand concepts from Allen’s first session.

Johnny on the Hot Seat

Elder: Hello, Johnny. What brings you here?

Johnny: Nothing’s going right in my writing.

Elder: Sit and tell me about it.

Johnny: I prayed God would help me, but the middle of my story sags. I’m way behind in word count. I’ve had no time to connect on my social media networks. And now my editor wants me to rewrite the first chapter.

Elder: Wow. Overwhelming.

Johnny: If God called me to write for Him, why is all this happening?

Elder: Did God call you to write for Him or to be in relationship with Him?

Johnny: I thought, both. But I guess God is more interested in a relationship with me.

Elder: True. But the Creator has given you a gift and desire to create.

Johnny: But when nothing goes right, I wonder why.

Elder: Do you think you’re an orphan?

Johnny: Orphan? What do you mean?

Elder: You agree that God desires a relationship with you and that He’s given you the gift and passion to create.

Johnny: Right.

Elder: Then why do you throw up a prayer and then proceed to create on your own? Why do you act like making everything happen is up to you? The creating, the writing, the marketing? Why do you choose to be an orphan?

Johnny: Because God calls us to bear fruit.

Elder: So, the Lord is into production more than relationship?

Johnny: Now I’m confused.

Elder: May I suggest you create with God, instead of trying to create for God. Wouldn’t you rather create with the God who made oceans, mountains, and peacocks? Or do you prefer to do it all on your own like an orphan?

Johnny: I never thought of it that way.

Elder: Yes, it’s a rare activity. And it’s disruptive. There’s no 5 steps. God’s more interested in who you are first, and what you do second. Being intimate with the Creator, your Dad in heaven, can make your work fun.

Johnny: I’d like having fun with God as I work.

Elder: Then follow Him. When He turns left, you turn left with Him. When He says let’s go for a walk, you don’t freak about word count. Your creativity will be an adventure with God.

Johnny: So, I don’t need to learn the writing craft or marketing?

Elder: Oh, they have their necessary places, but the number one thing is creating with God. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Ps. 34:10) The apostle Paul, said, “I would like you to be free from concern.” (1 Cor. 7:32)

Johnny: I want to be free from concern. Thank you, Elder. I’m off to create with my Creator.

Elder: And I, off to counsel a doctor to heal with the Healer.

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Try creating WITH the Creator of hippos, instead of trying to create FOR Him. Click to Tweet.

What do you think about working intimately with God?
About the Author
Zoe M. McCarthy believes the little known fact that opposites distract. Thus, she spins Christian contemporary romances entangling extreme opposites. Her tagline is: Distraction to Attraction, Magnetic Romances Between Opposites. Now retired actuaries, Zoe and her husband evaluated the financial risks for insurance companies. Nick, in Zoe’s debut novel, Calculated Risk, is an actuary. Christian Fiction Online Magazine published two of her short stories. Zoe self-published two books of contemporary Christian short stories. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys leading workshops at JoyWriters on the craft of writing; speaking about her faith; planning fun events for her 5 grandchildren; and exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she lives with her husband, John.
Learn more about Zoe M. McCarthy at her website: http://zoemmccarthy.com

Calculated Risk
Calculated Risk
by Zoe M. McCarthy


What happens when an analytical numbers man meets a mercurial marketing Rep? Romance is a calculated risk…

Jilted by the latest of her father’s choices of “real men,” Cisney Baldwin rashly accepts an invitation to spend Thanksgiving weekend with a sympathetic colleague and his family. Nick LeCrone is a man too much her opposite to interest her and too mild-mannered to make her overbearing father’s “list.” Now, Cisney fears Nick wants to take advantage of her vulnerable state over the holiday. Boy, is she wrong.

Nick wants little to do with Cisney. She drives him crazy with all her sticky notes and quirks. He extended an invitation because he felt sorry for her. Now he’s stuck, and to make matters worse, his family thinks she’s his perfect match. He’ll do what he can to keep his distance, but there’s just one problem—he’s starting to believe Cisney’s magnetism is stronger than he can resist.

Purchase links for Calculated Risk: http://zoemmccarthy.com/books