by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Words hold power.
I can testify to this truth after recently having led a Writing to Heal workshop at a retreat for mothers who’ve lost children of any age.
Our goal during each session was simple: Take what’s on the inside and put it on paper.
The handout provided a list of writing prompts, such as:
I am…
I wonder…
I hear…
I see…
The prompts were simple—filling it out was anything but for these moms.
The grieving process differs for everyone. Yet, the commonality represented around the table was palpable as raw emotions puddled on the paper of those sharing their completed prompts. I sat in awe of these courageous women as I listened to their stories of unspeakable loss, and unshakeable faith.
It was a privilege to witness how God used ordinary writing prompts to stir conversation and put 2 Corinthians 1:4 into action. Simple words and faith-filled sorrow mingled to become an act of worship that arose swiftly and sweetly before the Lord.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When
they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has
given us. 2 Cor. 1:4
Jan, thank you for inviting me to participate in this ministry. It’s a day I won’t soon forget. God bless you all.
Also, a special thanks to Lisa from
Lory’s Place in St. Joseph, Michigan. She was incredibly generous with her time, expertise, and handouts. You were a Godsend, my friend!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
With Easter just around the corner, I thought this might be the perfect week to share some ideas for an Easter Tea Celebration! Although we have the privilege of celebrating our NEW life in Christ every day, I can’t imagine a better season to slow down, savor the depth of its meaning, and rejoice with others over a cup of tea.
It wasn’t until recently that I realized Christ never asked His followers to celebrate His birth. Instead, He asked or commanded His followers to celebrate His death.
“..And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave
it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you; do this in
remembrance of me. Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you (Luke
22: 19-20).”
The Easter Tea doesn’t include elements of the Lord’s Supper, but Jesus is our focus. You won’t find the “Easter Bunny” on this guest list! The sweet aroma of Christ is sure to stir meaningful conversation and memories that won’t soon be forgotten. To God be the glory!
To view the Easter Tea Celebration, please click here.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Would you consider taking just a moment to share one of your favorite Easter traditions or memories with us?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Growing up, one of my favorite things to do at MaMa’s (my dad’s mother) house was to sneak into her walk-in pantry, reach up as far as my tippy toes would take me and snatch a cherry lollipop from the Lollipops For Good Little Boys and Girls box nailed on the wall. Lime pops were always tossed back, of course.
MaMa, to hear my dad and uncles tell it, was a strict disciplinarian when they were growing up. No wonder! Four boys and a husband who worked 12 hour days could make for a bit of tension. As a grandmother, however, while feisty and a bit headstrong, her love was evident up until her dying day in 2010. MaMa often mentioned how she could see “Bob” (her son, my dad) in me. I believe it’s one of the reasons her face lit up every time I visited, especially in her latter years.
Now, as a grandmother, I understand her delight. When I look at my grandchildren, I see their fathers, my sons.
Colossians 3:3 says, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
As Christ followers, we are called His children (John 1:12) Because Jesus chose to be nailed to a cross on our behalf, God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of Jesus, His Son, instead. (2 Cor. 5:21) When God sees you and me, he sees his Son.
You and I can’t do anything to make God love us more, nor can we do anything to make God love us less. Thank You Jesus!
Thankfully, my ability to emerge from MaMa’s pantry with cherry laced lips was never dependent on whether I deserved it or not. Her For Good Little Boys and Girls lollipop box was nailed to the wall simply because she loved her grandchildren.
And it’s for this very reason it hangs on my kitchen wall today.
You are significant and utterly cherished. Not because you are ‘good,’ but because you are Mine. ~Jennifer Dukes Lee, Love Idol
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Tea and encouragement. I prayed God would weave them together for a greater purpose. I’d hosted tea parties in my home but sensed God shaping my desire into something even more personal.
One day, while browsing an antique shop in Myrtle Beach, SC, I spotted the answer to my prayer sitting on a shelf, painted in delicate blue/yellow stripes and shaped like a petite one-cup tea-pot. With it, all the other details flowed into place.
When we returned from the beach, I wasted no time assembling a “Barnie Basket,” Barnie, aka Barnabas,”Son of Encouragement,” from Acts 4:36.
Each week, I’d pray for God to give me the name of a woman in our church in need of encouragement. On Sunday mornings, I would ask her to meet me at my car after the service. There, I would hand off the basket and point to the enclosed note card for all the details.
In the note, I shared how God had laid her on my heart and that inside the basket was an opportunity for one-on-one tea time with her heavenly Father.
In the basket, I placed:
- One answer-to-prayer teapot
- One teacup, along with an individually-wrapped teabag
- A journal and pen (the recipient was encouraged to journal about her time with the Lord and to read the entries made by previous recipients.)
- Homemade cookies, packaged biscotti, or tea cookies
- Mini-scripture notes written specifically for the recipient
She need only place the teacup, teapot, and journal in the basket to return to me the following Sunday morning.
That was almost twenty years ago.
Five years ago, a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. I desperately wanted to lift her spirits as she would soon face a double mastectomy. Then I remembered that this friend was one of the first recipients of the Barnie Basket all those years ago. I searched my shelves for the journal that had traveled home with so many friends and turned to the page of her entry. In it, she shared in detail how she trusted God above all else — no matter what. I carefully removed the page from the journal and framed it for her, presenting it to her a few days before her surgery. It was a special moment, indeed.
We never know, do we? But God does.
Tea Maker
Steeped in His Word
Infused with His love
Sweetened by His Spirit
Stirred from above.
-Patsy Clairmont
