Why Everyone Needs An Encouragement Folder

by | Faith | 7 comments

by Cathy Baker

I remember the day I created my Encouragement Folder. I’d not been writing very long when my mom surprised me by emailing her friends and family a copy of something I’d done. Soon afterwards, she forwarded a response she’d received from her cousin, Marie, to me.

As I read Marie’s email, the words soon became murky for all the tears. You see, just one day prior, I’d asked God for specific confirmation concerning my writing. Because Marie took the time to share words of encouragement, one wobbly kneed writer became strengthened. 

This week, I had a similar experience and was once again reminded of why everyone needs an Encouragement Folder. Writers, mothers, employees, ministry leaders, _______, etc. Fill in the blank because it’s a fact that you’ll be stirred up (Hebrews 10:24), strengthened (Acts 15:32), and grace-filled (Ephesians 4:29) if you’re the recipient of divine encouragement. It’s no wonder the enemy attempts to snatch up such a powerful stirring! 

Enter, the Encouragement Folder. If When you receive a word of encouragement that stimulates you spiritually, act on it immediately. Jot it down or record it either online or in a snazzy folder (see above!) You may be surprised by how God uses another person’s words from years ago to stir you towards the future. 

Consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:24
So, here’s the pressing question: How can we help others fill up their folders? The word “consider” means to turn over in one’s mind. Encouraging others oftentimes requires thought. I have much to learn but here’s how turning it over works itself out in my mind:
1. Pray. I ask the Lord to help me see others with His eyes. He alone knows the deepest needs of those He places around us on any given day. 
2. Observe. I’ve prayed to see, I believe He will answer. Now, I watch and observe how He leads. 
3. Obey. Sometimes I feel certain of the person whom God wants me encourage or what the person may need (someone to pray with, a note, a hug, help in some tangible way, etc.) but this isn’t always the case. And that’s okay. God’s got it! I simply need to be obedient to what I sense God is leading me to do and then trust Him with the results.
How about you? Whose Encouragement Folder will expand today because we took the time to write them words of encouragement?
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, 
just as you are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11

When Encouragement Travels in a Teacup

4 Influential Seeds to Sow

by | Faith | 4 comments

by Cathy Baker

“We
benefit from the faithful artists and influencers who came before us.
They did not live to see the change, but we live because of it. Be
faithful to plant. Release the growing to God. Open up the clenched
fists and let the seeds drop into the ground, let them burrow down deep
and do their secret work in the dark. Sacred shaping happens in the
waiting.” -Emily P. Freeman, A Million Little Ways

In the words of Sir Henry John Newbold, “Let us build for the
years we shall not see.”

We
benefit from the faithful artists and influencers who came before us.
They did not live to see the change, but we live because of it.

Quick! Who just came to mind? And more importantly, will someone recall our face if asked the same question years down the road? If this is to happen, we must be faithful to plant now. We’ll never be younger than we are today and thankfully, we’re never too old to influence others for the kingdom of God. 

Growing up, my dad enjoyed organic gardening. (And that was before the organic craze!) Having a box delivered from Burpee Seeds was like Christmas morning at our house. Tiny, round, oval, black, white, etc. Oh, the variety! 

Influential seeds are no different. There’s a plethora of ways to open our clinched fists (anything that holds us back from being authentic), allowing us to build for the years we shall not see. 

Four seeds in my pocket today:

  • Speak truth into the life of another. The world offers up many “yes” men and women. Influencers are willing to show their love by lovingly speaking truth based on Word, no matter how unpopular they may become as a result. Truth rules—and love leads—in the life of one who influences.
  • Pray. Too often I’ve heard myself say, “Wish I could do more to help but I’ll keep you in my prayers.” Really? What greater gift we can offer another? “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:15b. (Righteousness, powerful, effective = influential) 
  • Say no. Many of us grew up believing that if we weren’t saying “yes” to everything (especially in the church setting) we weren’t being faithful. Not true! How can we say yes to the best (God’s desires) if we’re unwilling to say no to the good things? Knowing our spiritual gifts and serving in that realm is a seed well planted. Of course, remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit is key, as we never know when He’ll ask us to throw out a seed of a different variety.
  • Release! We can waste a lot of energy when trying to control the outcome of our planting efforts. Our responsibility is to plant and to allow the seed to do its sacred work in the dark. God will bring the growth in His timing and His ways. 

Do you have a seed in your pocket? Please release it in the comment box. 🙂 

 

 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Celebrating Our Uniqueness Tea – Invite the Neighbors!

by | Faith | 4 comments

by Cathy Baker 

Searching for a way to connect with other women in your neighborhood? What could be more inviting than conversation over a cup of tea?

With the Celebrating Our Uniqueness Tea, each woman brings her favorite teacup or mug to the gathering. It’s a casual way to learn more about those around our table—how God wired them, our commonalities, as well as our differences.

This particular tea gathering is a new one for me. I created it out of a desire to stretch myself beyond the borders of comfort. As a long-standing introvert I admit that inviting people I know only in passing isn’t a comfortable place to be, but rarely is comfort the catalyst for anything eternal bound.  

Stacks of books and fertile dust bunnies have often dictated when God’s home could be used for His glory. I’m learning, however, that the captivating aroma of Christ can only be released to its fullest potential when I’m willing to open my imperfect home to the perfect Host. 

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 

Do
not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have
entertained angels without knowing it. – See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hospitality#sthash.8noAT4jm.dpuf

What Happens When the Fragrance of Christ Mixes With Metal

by | Faith | 8 comments

 

Having the likes of Edie Melson and Marcia Moston in our local writer’s group Cross N Pens is a tremendous boon for those of us striving to hone our skills.

Over the weekend, our group enjoyed a mini-workshop featuring these talented women. Below are just a few tidbits from their talks.

Marcia Moston, the author of Call of a Coward, spoke on Creative Non-fiction (the 4th genre!) In addition to creative writing prompts, Marcia shared wisdom from her own experience, as well as quotes, all of which will stick with me:

  • Every story has a human face. Draw and display it well; for readers, it is a magnet. -Francis Flaherty, editor of The New York Times
  • When writing memoirs, we need to remember it’s not about us. We’re like the Disney cart on a ride. We’re simply the vehicle to a bigger picture.
  • Marcia shared pages of information on crafting true stories. I’m a new fan of Rick Bragg.

Edie Melson, author of Fighting Fear and Co-Director of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference, spoke on what it means to support our writing through writing. It didn’t hurt that she handed out two pages of markets willing to pay for our work. (Thanks, Edie!) Her advice, however, far surpassed the value found on any piece of paper. Below are a few of Edie’s takeaways:

  • Stay out of our comfort zones! Take chances. We’re not seen as marketable if we’re unwilling to do so.
  • The key to a good query letter is a good story.
  • What does the word deadline mean? Writing when you don’t feel like it.

Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with many gifted writers spurred me to become even more serious about my craft. Wisdom and godly conviction crossed paths that morning, and I was grateful to be smack dab in the middle of this intersection.

Let’s just say the fragrance of Christ had a hint of metal to it as it rose upwards this past Saturday morning!

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

 

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