Lent Day 18: Who's talking?

Are you listening?

Last night I met with other writers for the monthly meeting of the Northwest Christian Writers Association. I highly recommend the organization for aspiring and published authors.

The opening devotional spotlighted grace:

• G - everyone is gifted. (Those in the room are gifted with writing, among other things.)
• R - we're redeemed. Rescued. Given a testimony to share.
• A - we're anointed to minister (writers: through writing); God's authority goes with us.
• C - we need commitment and courage. (Writers are criticized and scrutinized.)
• E - we need endurance. (The path to publication or any other worthy goal is often long ... lined with rejection and failure before recognition.)

I was ready to go home at that point. Full of things to think about.

What do you hear?

Even before our word-crafting session, an exercise to stimulate writing creativity. We were asked to choose one scripture from several on a handout. Then we wrote for 5 minutes "without editing your writing."

I chose Isaiah 55:8-9, 11 for my writing meditation. God tells the prophet (also a writer):

So shall My word be that goes forth
from My mouth;

it shall not return to Me void

but it shall accomplish what I please.

And it shall prosper in the thing
for which I sent it.

This tells me God's Word is:

1. Purposeful. God is intentional in sending out His word.
2. Proper. It comes from His mouth with intentionality, force, and character.
3. Prosperous. It is effective and accomplishes what God sets out to do.
4. Pleasureful. God is pleased when His word does its work.

The Word spoke worlds into existence. His words fill all of creation with movement, breathing among us -- the power of God-with-us.

What does the Word speak to you?

Who's talking to you today?

Do you schedule time to listen to and hear the Word -- through scripture, prayers, the church, and other believers?

• If so, what does He say to you? 
• If not, why not? You are missing out on the Grand Conversation, the mystery of a God who created us for relationship with Him.

Lent Day 1: Word wrapped in flesh

It's the first day of Lent, time to pick up words as a spiritual discipline. Sign up via email or Reader feed to get this year's blogs.

This morning I met with a gifted group of writers. Our critique group allows a half hour of discussion on each person's work. The variety of interests, stories, and vantages on life amazed me.

• Leona publishes blogs on revitalizing "the rest of life" for Boomers (target group: aged 55-65). 
• Lydia writes regular tea columns, devotionals, and has a wonderful book on grandparenting. 
• Barbara's writing goes around the world in her Journeys in Prayer (available by subscription).
• Donna asks questions about life and theology. 
• I'm thinking about compiling some of these blogs into a devotional series.

Our backgrounds include vocational ministry, music, home economics, prayer leadership, and other jobs.

From diverse backgrounds, we each love Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1). We cherish words. And we're grateful that God chose to invest his creativity in writers like us.

How is God wrapping his words in your flesh? Which words do you speak to God? To others?

Read more:
*The Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. 1 Samuel 1:27

*My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.

O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love. Psalm 5:9–12 NLT

*But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

*Jesus said, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

Moravian Prayer: On this holy Ash Wednesday, Christ Jesus, we pray that you will be with us as we enter this time of self-examination and repentance for all the ways in which we have failed to believe or act on our belief. Amen.

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