First, the highlights:
{ONE}
Highlight: Meeting Helen McIntosh
Forging new friendships and celebrating established ones. There was a time in February when I considered not attending Blue Ridge this year (gasp!). I didn’t have a particular project to pitch, and with us prepping for a move, I thought the money should be allocated toward that goal, but it was Brian who insisted I go — “if for no other reason than to re-connect with friends, you only see once a year.” Yep, that’s my hubby! As it turned out, this was a defining year at Blue Ridge when it came to meeting new friends and deepening established ones. Rosie Williams (fellow Hope Writer!) Robin Luftig, Leigh Ann Thomas, Tammy Van Gils, Jodie Bailey, Meredith Mills, Donna Nabors, Karen Friday, Jean Wilund, Nan Jones, and sweet Helen McIntosh, author of Messages to Myself, Overcoming a Distorted Self-Image, are just some of the new friends I met last week and look forward to establishing relationships within the coming years.
{TWO}
Eva Marie Everson’s Visual of Nehemiah’s Wall. I admit I was tired and ready for my evening pick-me-up (which usually consisted of peanut butter crackers and a soda) when Eva Marie told everyone to get up at the end of her keynote speech and stand around the room. As she read from Nehemiah, four hundred + people lined the walls, exhorting everyone to take their place at the “wall,” much like the 44 separate groups of people who had specific tasks to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. There was a job for every group, each person, to fulfill — and our calling is no different, regardless of what it is. I can’t do what you do in exactly the same way and vice versa because God handcrafted each of us. We literally broke the mold! You have your place at the wall, and I have mine. Now let’s get to it!
{THREE}
{FOUR}
God Stepped Up When I Stepped Out…of My Comfort Zone. Two friends made this clear at Blue Ridge. One quietly offered me a hand to join in the adventure. The other threw me overboard to sink or swim. I love them both and God used both approaches to reveal Himself.
Edie Melson, our fearless leader and Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference, encouraged us to exchange business cards with one another again this year. While there’s an array of reasons for doing this, there is one I’ve overlooked in the past⎯the opportunity to pray for fellow writers. As I begin to write each morning, I will lay my hands on the piles of cards and pray for them, for us. Prayers like:
- Keep our motives pure, Lord. (Psalm 139: 23,24) Flesh pinches the tenderest of places, tempting us to put the spotlight on ourselves, our name, and our brand when our greatest desire is to reflect You, Your name, and Your kingdom alone.
- Keep our priorities aligned in a way that pleases You, Lord. What do we gain if our name is on a book but find it no longer written on the hearts of those we love?
- Keep our eyes fixed on You, Jesus. For You are the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Let the things on earth grow strangely dim as we rejoice and write in the light of your love.
- Help us run this journey as companions, not competitors. There is no room in the kingdom for competition. This is not Your desire for us. We are on the same team: Team Your Glory.
- Infuse our writing with divine creativity for You are Creator! Your Spirit indwells within us, equipping us to write beyond our means. As Al Gansky said in his keynote speech, “Creativity Begins With The Creator.” Amen.
- Help us to release our work for Your glory. Some are called to plant, and some to water, but You alone, God, bring growth, landing our work in Your chosen places. We don’t need to manipulate, beg, or sulk. Help us to embrace truth — that You are for us, not against us, even when we cannot see, hear, or feel You at work.
- Help us to find our validation in You alone, Jesus.
Now it’s your turn! Please take a moment to share one of your highlights from last week’s conference (or another one!). Or, feel free to share which of the above prayers you will begin praying for yourself and fellow writers.
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I love Blue Ridge every year. Be assured I will be praying each of these prayers for you. Thank you for your words and your heart!
Bless you, Donna! Blue Ridge offers many benefits but none greater than the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you for your honesty and this inspiring post. It’s tough to get out of that comfort zone, isn’t it? It’s just so…comfortable : ) I also struggle with that area along with many other writers. I love the idea of praying over the business cards! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Cynthia! Such a blessing to have you here. I’m sorry our paths didn’t cross at BR this year. But I couldn’t agree more…it is tough to step out of that comfort zone, no matter the setting. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share. Hope you’ll return. 🙂 Blessings!
As someone who didn’t get to attend this years conference (first one I’ve missed in 7 years!), I am so thankful for all of the comments, videos (Thank you 2 peas in a pod productions!), live feeds, and blog posts from the week. You are all inspiring me to hang in there. I even read one post from someone I don’t even know about a submission he made, and it’s giving me a little push to stop sitting on all the things I’ve written. Thank you so much for sharing! Your excitement and enthusiasm truly does bubble over!
It wasn’t the same without you, Mary Beth. 🙂 I’m encouraged by your words and determination to move forward in all God has for you. Love from SC to you…
I’m still relatively a “newbie” at Blue Ridge, this just being my third year. It keeps getting better and better! There are so many great things (great classes, an opportunity to pitch in a non-hostile and encouraging environment, a beautiful setting, etc), but the best thing is the people–everyone is so kind and we all want success for each other. It’s not a competitive environment, but one of love and affirmation. Thanks for the great post–it’s wonderful. Wishing you blessings, Katherine
Hi Katherine! We’ll definitely need to meet at the Clouds Cafe next year. This was my sixth year and you’re right…it keeps getting better and better. 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to stop and share. Blessings to you…
infuse our writing with divine creativity for You are Creator.
Since I have the gift of prophecy I tend to tell it like it is without much story. I cut to the chase without engaging the reader. My head is spinning with ideas but I can’t seem to sort them out today. I really need to be infused with a heavy dose of divine creativity. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I love your prayer thoughts and will use them as I pray for fellow writers to be all God designed them to be.
Hi Jean! I know what you mean in needing a heavy dose of divine creativity. Praying that for you and I appreciate yours as well. Thanks for taking the time to share. Blessings!
I had the pleasure of spending time with two ladies who overdosed on creativity! What a great week.
Oh Kay! I knew I shouldn’t have depended on my memory. You definitely need to be on the list of newly forged friendships — and I’m incredibly grateful that our paths crossed. I am, however, sorry that you had to witness the silliness that followed our first video. 🙂 But we wouldn’t have a publicist otherwise. *wink* Thanks for stopping by!
My take-away from #BRMCWC was this: God is faithful. Really. He is. When we obey Him with every ounce of faith we can muster, step out onto the edge of wonder, and jump with a surrendered heart full of risk-taking faith, then the God-adventure is never dull and always more than we can ever dream or imagine. (Eph. 3:20) I stand amazed in His presence!
Love this, Melanie. I’m posting your feedback near my writing desk. Inspiring to the max! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. Blessings…
I am so proud of you Cathy!!!! And I love your scriptures for praying over our cards as well as your highlights. Beautiful blog!!!
Aww, thanks Beth! 🙂 Means a lot! Love you, friend.
Absolutely great. A thoughtful wrap-up of things special. And Blue Ridge is special. God still wants to equip his voices in craft (and fun).
Yes and Amen, Marcia! Also, thanks for the kind comment. 🙂 It was a special year, indeed.
This is so good! I loved Eva’s keynote about Nehemiah too. Alton Gansky’s keynote was the perfect ending to the conference. Lori Roleveld’s class, Soul Keeping for the Creative Christian, was just what I needed. My favorite thing was all of the people I met. It was such a friendly group! (I think I met you at one of the keynote’s). Perhaps next year we can meet for coffee at Clouds.
Yes! We did meet and I would love to meet for coffee next year. 🙂 Everything at Blue Ridge is so good — and I couldn’t agree more about Lori’s class. Last year she taught on blogging but took it took a spiritual level I’d never considered. I still read over my notes from that class a year later. We are blessed to have an amazing leadership team! I look forward to our coffee next year and I’d love for us to stay in touch via FB in the meantime. Blessings from SC!
Loved seeing you again, Cathy-friend. I too loved the visual of all of us circling the room. It is easy to buy into a scarcity mindset in writing, as if there’s only so much room at the table. How empowering to be reminded that God has a calling and a place for each one of us!
Same here, Ginger. It’s always a blessing to see you and especially spend time with you. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Favorite memory: that’s a hard one. So many meaningful conversations at meal times. But I’d have to say the worship ministered to me the most during this season of change in my life. The Lord definitely spoke to me during the songs about stepping out of my comfort zone.
I agree, Tez. Russell and Kristi are amazing and no doubt annointed. Meeting in the new auditorium also played a part in the power of the music, at least fr me. I suppose we spotted a glimpse of heaven those days at the conference. It was nice meeting you. Praying for your ministry!
What a heart for others you have! So blessed to know you’ve prayed. Isn’t it amazing that prayer is not limited to having known one another for ‘x’ number of years, vacationed or roomed together, etc? As Believers, we are united by His Spirit. Prayers pass through, move in and out among us. Thanks for praying. BTW…from your post, THIS got me: “Keep our priorities aligned in a way that is pleasing to You, Lord. What do we gain if our name is on a book but find it no longer written on the hearts of those we love?”
Yeah.
Hi, Mary! Yes, I do love how there are no limits when it comes to the power of prayer. I appreciate your taking the time to share, and encourage. I look forward to our staying in contact throughout the year. 🙂 Blessings!
Cathy, what a beautiful tribute to the family you’ve met at BR and a great encouragement for all of us to keep our precious friends (existing and new) before the throne of God.
I’m so glad your husband encouraged you to attend! I’m so thankful God sat me right beside you!
I feel the same way, Callie. 🙂 It was a divine appointment. Prayers continue for your son and I look forward to seeing how God will use your writing for His glory in 2017 and beyond. Blessings, friend!
I’ve been to a lot of Christian writers conferences. This was my first BRMCWC. I almost canceled because I was going through a ministry crisis that had thrown me into turmoil. We are in full time ministry but someone had recently pulled a rug out from under my feet. How was I supposed to relax and enjoy the conference or even pitch my project to a publisher when I was in the midst of this crisis? But my wife encouraged me to go. She said I needed the retreat to hear from God. She was convinced something was going to happen–a conversation or divine appointment that would reveal God’s plan for our lives. As I made the drive from FL alone I had a lot of time to talk (yell, plead) to God, asking about my next steps. By the time I pulled into Lifeway I too was convinced God was going to speak to me. I didn’t know how, these conferences are busy for me. Not usually a retreat.
A few days in nothing had happened that I could call profound or obvious as to a direction for my life or ministry. I wasn’t sure this was the place I’d find any answers.
Until the last day…
(To be continued. I have to meet our realtor whose helping us sell our house. I’ll be back).
Oh my goodness! I’m looking forward to the second part of this story. Praying your house sells quickly, Tez!