All for One and One for All by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu

Do you know Paul’s instruction about spiritual gifts applies to writers, too?

We hear a lot about writing being a team sport. And it’s true—to achieve success as an author, you need critique partners, encouragers, editors, (possibly) an agent, publisher, cover designer, promotions team, influencers, retailers, etc.

In a letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul wrote this about followers of Christ: “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body” (1 Cor. 12: 18-20, ESV).

To adapt the verses that follow to the writing world, the author cannot say to the editor, “I have no need of you,” nor again the publisher to the designer, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the team that seem to be invisible are indispensable.

But not only does an author need a “team,” he or she needs other writers. There are many examples in Christian fiction of writers who have banded together to learn and grow, resulting in each one of them getting published.

Jealousy and competition may be prevalent (so I’ve heard) at secular writers’ conferences, but they have no place among Christians. Now, I’ll be the first to confess the green monster inhabits me when I hear of certain other writers signing with a fabulous agent or winning a contest I entered or getting a multi-book deal with a big publisher, especially if they’ve not been writing as long as I have. At those times, I have to adjust my attitude and be happy for my fellow author.

Because Paul goes on to say this in verse 26: “If one member [author] suffers, all suffer together; if one member [author] is honored, all rejoice together.”

I’ve seen this attitude displayed in full force in ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Members pray for other members who are going through hard times, whether physically, financially, or career-wise. And members celebrate the finalists and winners in the various contests. I’m sure that’s true of other groups, too.

When one Christian author is lifted up, God is glorified. When one book sells well, it means people are reading, and readers want more books of excellent quality.

Awards season is beginning and, with God’s help, I’ll swallow my ego and rejoice with those who are rejoicing. We are a writing community as well as the body of Christ, and each writer is a valuable part of the body.

All for one and one for all, right?

How have you been encouraged by other writers? Leave a comment below and encourage our readers. 

About the Author

The Secret Heart
by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu began making up stories soon after she began talking. Her most recent title, The Secret Heart, and its prequel, an e-book novelette titled The Divided Heart, are published by Write Integrity Press, along with the award-winning For Such a Moment and Thirsting for More. She and her husband divide their time between Iowa, near their two children and four grandchildren, and Florida, where it’s warm all winter. Marie is working on a historical novel set in western Kentucky, her home state.

Marie is a regular contributor to Seriously Write. For more posts by Marie, click here.

Are We Only Looking for a Healing Miracle? by Zoe M. McCarthy

In studying and teaching the Gospel of John this year, I’ve learned to look at people suffering from long-lasting conditions differently. I see many as strong, heroic, and doing their Father’s work.

Familiar Joni Eareckson Tada has progressively suffered quadriplegia, chronic pain, and breast cancer. Actually, I don’t think suffer is the right word. The more correct word is used. She has learned to use the physical attacks on her to do her Father’s work. She has received the bonus of a much closer relationship with her Lord.

In the article in Christianity Today, “Joni Eareckson Tada on Something Greater than Healing” by Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Joni relates, “In John 14, Jesus says, ‘Anyone who has faith in me will do … even greater things than these.’ We tend to think Jesus was talking about miracles, as if Jesus were saying, ‘Hey guys, look at these miracles! One day, you’ll do many more miracles than me!’

“The thing that Jesus was doing wasn't necessarily the miracles. He was giving the gospel; he was advancing his kingdom; he was reclaiming the earth as rightfully his. When Jesus gave that promise, he was saying, ‘I'm giving you a job to do, my Father and I want the gospel to go forth, and I promise you’ll have everything you need to get that job done, and you’ll do an even better job than me.’ Jesus ministered for three years, and at the end, he had a handful of disciples who half-believed in him. After Jesus went to heaven and the Holy Spirit came down – my goodness, Peter preaches one sermon and thousands believe. That’s the greater thing that God wants us to do.”

Joni goes on to list the types of medical persons who ask her the tough questions about her illnesses and her faith. She is delighted at the chance to answer their questions.

Perhaps you are thinking, “Well that’s the convictions of one celebrity invalid. Many other Christians don’t see their suffering that way.” That’s true, but I am seeing more and more who do.

Take friend John for example. After a diagnosis of MS, he went about his Father’s work. From his wheelchair, he has become a Christian lay speaker, gives the children’s message in church, and he and his wife deliver shawls and pray with suffering people in the community. What an example of hope for children and adults. He says he has enjoyed a much deeper relationship with the Lord since the onset of his illness, and that he’s thankful that God healed him from a recent serious fall so he can continue to serve his Lord.

Before I thought of these two examples, God showed me how Jesus used healing miracles as signs to reveal that He is the Lord who came to save people from their sins. Some examples are: healing the man at the Sheep Gate pool, the royal official’s son, and the man born blind. Jesus was faithfully doing His Father’s work. Although Jesus compassionately healed, calling people to faith, change, and doing His Father’s work as disciples was his priority.

The Lord Jesus was full of joy after leading the Samaritan woman and her townspeople to faith in Him. He told His disciples that doing His Father’s will was his food (John 4:34). Doing our Father’s work will fill us with joy too.

Today’s Upper Room devotion spoke of how we are to embrace what God is doing in our lives. As Jesus told the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3, God has placed before us open doors of opportunity that no one can shut. No matter what our condition is, we don’t want to miss those opportunities. Paul understood this. He said: “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13)

Whatever God has called us to do is powerful work. He gives us the miracle of His power to do His work.

Are you suffering from a “thorn in your side” or something more debilitating? Can you be about your Father’s work, even if you’re only able to offer intercessory prayers for others?

Are We Only Looking for a Healing Miracle? Click to Tweet.

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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. Her first novel is Calculated Risk. She has two more contemporary romances and a nonfiction book to help writers ready their manuscripts coming out soon. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys leading workshops 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

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

Suffering? Don't Waste It by Zoe M. McCarthy

Zoe M. McCarthy

As people in this fallen world, the reality is we will suffer.

Jesus made it clear. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peac. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NIV)

A dear friend who has suffered great losses always says, “You can choose to be bitter or better.” I think that reaction is a good beginning.

In a recent Bible study, I jotted this from the leader’s lecture:

“Don’t waste your suffering on how miserable you are, even in the worst circumstances. Ask yourself what you are doing with your suffering when it comes.”

Image by chezbeate

I think a writer who recognizes her vulnerability in dealing with her past hardships can depend on Christ’s power and use her suffering in her writing. With Christ’s help, she may boldly dredge up feelings from her past and use them to make a heroine’s feelings believable during her suffering.

Or possibly, like author Mary E. DeMuth, a writer can use her journey of suffering to write about her own or fictional harsh experiences to inform and to help others who are suffering.

Mary says, “I see my past as a dance floor for Jesus to dance on. Because I know my lack, I can only go to God’s strength to get to the next place that He’s calling me.”

Also, we can “pay forward” the comfort we have received in our suffering to comfort others in their sorrows.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)

Or we can rise above our suffering and become stronger people to do whatever God calls us to do. We can glorify God.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

I think the following true story is a great example of not wasting suffering.

Mama Kwong of Project Pearl Suffered Prison in China

While Mama Kwong sat in her cell, she received a message from the Lord. “This is to be your ministry.” She cried out, “How can I minister to anyone when I’m here alone in this cell.”

As she prayed about fulfillment of the message, she received an idea and called the guard. She asked him if she could do hard labor for him. She pointed out that the cells were filthy. If he would give her a brush and water she would clean the cells.

While she scrubbed muck from the cells, she preached Christ to wasted and tortured prisoners. When they understood they could have eternal life, they got excited and received hope. Soon all prisoners believed in Christ.

Mama Kwong did not waste her suffering and was imprisoned three times.

How have you found strength, and even joy, in the midst of suffering and let God use it for good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)


Don’t waste your suffering on how miserable you are. Click to tweet.

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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 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