For the Love of Writing

It's been awhile (too long) since attending my first Christian Writer's Den meeting, held every month in Simpsonville, but that's what I'll be doing later this morning. The ladies in this group are dedicated to developing their God-given gifts and talents. Can anyone say "inspiring"?

During a recent Barnes & Noble outing with the hubster, I came across, "Writing Basics", which has turned out to be one of my favorite writing magazines. What it lacks in luster it more than makes up for in practicality.

My all-time favorite book (hands-down) on writing continues to be "The Little Red Writing Book" by Brandon Royal (thanks Rich!)


One thing I've learned, especially since the inception of this blog, is that writing (anything more than a surface-type posting) requires time. Time to watch and to understand what God is revealing; time to allow those thoughts to marinate and then to bring them to fruition.

All things worthwhile require time and writing is no exception. It is a process that I thoroughly enjoy and feel almost compelled to complete.

"I believe God made me for a purpose,
but he also made me fast.
And when I run I feel His pleasure."
- Eric Liddell, Olympic Runner and Missionary to China

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Seems like yesterday...
but it was 26 years ago today.

(Megan, I hope you don't mind my borrowing this picture from your blog!)

Happy Birthday Brandon!

The Final Night...For Now

Tonight was the last night of our Tuesday Galatians study. I can't believe how quickly the six weeks have flown by.

It was a great group -- one that brought new faces and friendships. What a blessing!

Lord willing, we'll crank it up again in August.

The Games People Play

Our family loves games - especially word games (although game night is never the same without Brandon and Megan. We miss you!) Granted, I stand no chance of winning against the threesome (Brian, Sarah and Zach) but I enjoy the challenge.

Currently, our favorite game is Boggle. Steve and Angie introduced it to us several weeks ago and since then, we've found an online version which allows the four of us to play on the same team but in various locations. Brian and I can be playing the game on our laptops in the den, Zach on his upstairs and Sarah from her home -- and the cool part? We're all playing the same game at the same time and on the same team.

Ready to give the game a try (it's free!)? Go to www.wordsplay.net. It takes less than a minute to register and then you're ready to go! We use the 4 x 4 board.

We've had trouble finding the actual game in a local store but we plan to purchase it when we do. Until then, we'll break out the laptops!

Ah, the games people play.

A Fun Evening!

We had a GREAT afternoon/evening on Wednesday. Brian took off work a little early so we took full advantage of our time together in the downtown area.

These two pictures were taken from inside Spill the Beans.
What a view!

Here's Brian's group Last Road Bluegrass in action. There was an awesome crowd and they could not have asked for a more beautiful evening to "pick & grin" .

Benji's daughter, Abbey Grace, co-wrote a song and sang it with him on stage. Needless to say, she brought the house down!

Our friend, Kevin, celebrated his big 4-0 birthday with us!
Their family, along with the Bretts and Moores, attend our Sunday group so it was extra special having them there.

I'm proud of the hubster and I'm delighted he's able to be a part of such a talented group.

It was fun evening, indeed. :)

Brian is Playing in Greenville!

Finally, Brian's group is playing closer to home and it's sure to be a lot of fun as they expose downtown Greenville to bluegrass music. :)

Everyone is invited to come out and hear them play at the Reedy River Festival, Peace Center. I'm not very familiar with the exact location but it's outside in the amphitheater, 7-9 pm, Wednesday, July 1st.

We'd love to see you there!

The Lessons We Learn

As shared in a previous post, there's no doubt that one of the greatest benefits for anyone teaching the Word is how much we learn ourselves.

Today's lesson on our freedom in Christ was an especially freeing one for me. The irony found in the fact that the Judaizers, who were attempting to lead the Gentile believers into spiritual slavery through adherence to their Law/circumcision (and not something blatantly evil), awakened me to the fact that we can become enslaved to "good" things just as easily as we can to those things which are not.

In fact, I think it's often the "good" things that trip up Christ followers the most. Below are some of the responses received from the group:

• feeling that we must be in church every time the doors are open.
• feeling that we must serve in every area we're asked to serve in.
• our quiet time has to be at a certain time, day or place in order to be "effective".
  
• we must wear "our best" to church to please the Lord.

Being in church and serving is not only good, it's biblical. But being in church and serving with the right motives is best. God's best. It's the difference in being burdened/weighed down and being joyful (although not necessarily happy at all times!) For instance, what if, as you're getting ready to leave for church next Sunday, you receive a call from a friend in crisis who needs you now? Do you tell them it will have to wait until after church (because going to church is what you're "supposed" to do) or do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to be the church in this case?

Purposefully setting aside time to hear the Lord without all the distractions of life is not only wise, it's following Jesus' example. It's the best! But feeling burdened or guilty if you choose a different time of the day or use a different version of the Bible for your time with the Lord than others is nothing but legalism.

And feeling that you must wear your best to impress the Lord? What's going on inwardly has always superseded that which is going on outwardly in the life of a believer, as far as Jesus is concerned. Do you enjoy dressing up? That's great! Do it! But it's not necessary.

Basically, by allowing ANYTHING in addition to our faith in Christ to bring salvation or a "better standing" with the Lord, we are allowing legalism to creep in to our lives and Paul makes it very clear this is not God's desire (the best) for His children.

"For Christ's love compels us..." 2 Corinthians 5:14

Now, that is the best.

Lesson learned.