Not by Sight

Thursdays - Dawn's Devotions for Writers

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7 NKJV)

Some years ago, while going through a particularly rough time in my life, I heard the song, “Walk by Faith,” by the group called Out of the Grey. My eyes teared up every time I heard it. When it played through my car radio, I hoped the person driving next to me didn’t wonder if I was losing it.

I didn’t cry because the song made me sad. I cried because it gave me so much comfort and hope at a time when my world seemed to be crashing in around me. Things changed and got better. In fact, I’m richly blessed and have a wonderful life now.

I still hold that song close to my heart, and whenever I have doubts about where my life is going, the music and words remind me. We are to walk by faith and not by sight.

This is also true when it comes to our individual journeys as writers. Some may feel they’re called to write, but become frustrated after pursuing dreams that seem illusive. The verse in 2 Corinthians reminds us to step forward - believing that God has a plan, and that He’ll show us the right path. The lyrics in the song mention that though the road ahead isn’t clear, God has brought us here. We don’t have anything to fear.

Sometimes we act like we have more confidence in ourselves than in God. But faith is believing that God is working on our behalf, even when we don’t initially see the results.

By having faith, we’re able to grab hold of the power and promises of God. Without faith, we won’t experience the supernatural work of God in our lives. We’ll be limited to what we can accomplish.

I’ve included the song, “Walk by Faith” below. If you’re struggling with anything today, may it be a balm for your soul.

Dawn

The Heavens Declare His Glory and My Own Awe-induced Expressions

Writer’s Journey Wednesday with O

The Heavens Declare His Glory
and My Own Awe-induced Expressions
by Ocieanna Fleiss

“I’d so much rather teach about rocks.” A friend in my homeschool co-op spoke this astounding sentence to me the other day. She was assigned to teach astronomy, but had hoped for geology. “I just love rocks!” she said, her eyes brightening like geodes. “Rock formations shows God’s artistry, like a painting on the earth.” She went on to describe the school of American artists like Moran who reflected God in their glorious nature paintings …

Okay. I concede the awesomeness of canyons and mountains. I too appreciate how the earth’s beauty illustrates God’s handiwork. And I’m all for nineteenth-century artists, but, hello! We’re talking about space! No rock will ever make my heart pulsate like the Horsehead Nebula, or blow my mind like the immense power of a Black Hole, or thrill me as the uncountable galaxies. Nope. Not gonna happen.

This mind-boggling conversation plunged me through the time-space continuum to my college astronomy class. My professor was a boring, grumpy, frumpy atheist, but nevertheless, I couldn’t get enough of him. I admired his knowledge and wanted more, more, more. Every slide he showed sparked my imagination. When he talked about measuring space using prisms, I didn’t get the technical side, but I was humbled by the unthinkable massiveness of the universe. Every chapter in his self-written syllabus drove me to an old-fashioned fear of God. (Probably not what he intended.)

And this awe of God’s grandeur ached to be expressed. In truth it contributed to the birth to my longing to write. The heavens themselves declare his glory. All creation sings his praises. How can I help but voice my wonder at his majesty?

So, humbled by worlds unknown and the great heavenly expanse, I attempt to pen my feeble offerings to the King of the Universe. I strive for excellence, but fail miserably compared to his unreachable creativity. Yet He receives my scribbles with joy since, by the way, He’s also my Father.

What stirs your passion to write? Tell me in your comments below and be entered into a contest to receive a free copy of my book Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington.

Reaffirmation

Reaffirmation
Net's Notations Tuesdays
Refreshed by God Series

Ever read a novel and think, “I could write better than that”? Then, you sit down to write and all your skills have vanished?? *grin* It’s probably God’s way of keeping us humble.

I’m sure we all know the difference between pride and self-confidence, but just in case…

God called you to write, right? Right. Or you wouldn’t be reading writers’ blogs, spending hours plotting your next novel and plodding through writing craft books. A tome entitled “The Art of War for Writers” (James Scott Bell) wouldn’t appeal to you, if you weren’t a writer.

How often do you doubt that call?

Whenever I cannot learn a new technique quickly, I doubt myself, and where I’m at.

Whenever I think I should have this stuff down by now (how long have I been at this?).

Sometimes when I prepare for my critique group’s meeting.

Sometimes when I witness the success of other authors and how they now have to market themselves like crazy, travel all over the planet (*grin*) and make much of themselves.

So, when I feel incapable, there’s one thing I can do that will help: pray. One Source to turn to when I worry about all the things pulling at me: God.

Dear God,

Please remind me what You said when You called me. Remind me of that initial nudge toward writing. Remind me of the pleasure of knowing I’m doing what You’ve called me to do—the shared pleasure of participating together with You in the work. (Thanks Paul Young for that image.) And affirm me, like the loving Father that You are. Where I lack, fill me up, both in skills and confidence. Don’t let me tip the scales toward pride, but help me walk humbly with You. Affirmed. Confirmed. And one day, established, as a mature believer and a success at being all You’ve called me to be.

In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

“But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)

Small Press Feature Day: Harbourlight Books

Happy Monday, everyone! As part of our Small Press Feature Day series on Seriously Write, today we're highlighting Harbourlight Books, a new launch from Pelican Ventures (parent company of White Rose Publishing). (Annette here.) It's been a pleasure reviewing some of the new projects coming in. Again, this house is open for submissions, so feel free to check out the submissions page if you have a Christian/inspiriational manuscript, maximum of 80,000 words, which isn't a romance. (For romance, consider White Rose Publishing.)

Harbourlight Books launched in mid-summer, 2010. Here's the press release with helpful links.

Harbourlight Books

Contact:
Lisa Dawn, Marketing Director
Harbourlight Books
A division of Pelican Ventures LLC
PO Box 1738
Aztec NM 87410

http://www.harbourlightbooks.com
lisadawn@harbourlightbooks.com

Pelican Ventures offers new opportunities in Inspirational fiction through Harbourlight Books.

Aztec, NM –July 27, 2010 – Nicola Martinez, founder of Pelican Ventures, LLC, a New Mexico media company, announced today that the company has launched a new publishing venture. Harbourlight Books will publish Christian fiction that ranges in length from 25,000 words to 80,000. This announcement comes just nine months after the company acquired White Rose Publishing, a Christian romance publisher of electronic and print titles.

Harbourlight Books seeks to publish all genre of Christian fiction, Martinez said. “Everything but romance.” Martinez said. “Romance will still be handled exclusively by White Rose Publishing.” According to Martinez, there is a need for the expansion of eBook availability within the Christian fiction community. Harbourlight Books will fill that niche, bringing general Christian fiction to the eBook arena where White Rose Publishing fills the gap on the romance side. The popularity of eBooks is on the rise as “…evidenced by the recent Amazon press release that announced eBooks for Kindle outsold hardbacks,” Martinez said. In addition to electronic books, Harbourlight will publish print editions of novels. Submission guidelines are available on the Harbourlight Books website.

Harbourlight Books is dedicated to providing quality inspirational fiction that adheres to mainline Christian teachings. Currently Harbourlight Books is accepting unagented submissions for short stories and novels that are already complete. The company launch its first release in 2011.

Harbourlight Books titles will be available for purchase directly from the Harbourlight Books website and through various retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others. Bookstores wishing to stock Harbourlight titles may contact the publisher directly, or use Ingram Distributing. Titles will also be available to retailers and at several public libraries as electronic downloads through OverDrive Media.

For information: http://www.harbourlightbooks.com or
Contact: lisadawn@harbourlight.com