Some things are worth repeating….
It’s amazing how God works. I didn’t plan on going to this conference but felt I must go. On the drive there, I prayed a simple prayer, “God, I need some direction in my writing. What do you want me to do? Please send someone to lift me up out of this confusion and give me some encouragement like you did with Moses. When he had grown weary you had Aaron and Hur hold up his arms and delivered him and his people from their enemies. Please deliver me from the enemies of fear, doubt and confusion.” (Exodus 17:8-16)
If you’ll take the time to read the story, it’s a passage that reminds us that we are not in a battle alone. Writing can be a lonely business. With the right motive, (to serve God and others), and with encouragement, (find a writing friend to help, you will reap friendship in return)we can overcome our struggles and be used of God in ways we would never imagine.
The last verses should be your daily decree, “The Lord is my banner…for hands were lifted up to the throne of “my” Lord… and…He will be at war against “my enemies”.
Below is Mr. Powell’s speach. It was an answer to prayer as I hope it will be to yours as well.
God Bless…Cindy
“There is a family atmosphere worth coming home to each year at SCWC, and it is great to see friends and make new ones throughout the time we are together as we focus on writing.
I have been thinking about what it means to be a Christian Writer. In the last few months I have learned a very different perspective from someone in my wife’s family. She has a sister who has a muscle disease. She does not have the use of her arms or legs, or any part of her body. Even her speaking is with distortion. But, she has her family, a very intelligent mind, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She has truly seen a deeper side of the Grace God gives to all His Children through what seems impossible moments. She realizes her Savior is not just aware of her storm, but is with her through the storm, feeling everything she feels. She told her sister that “she wished that she could lift her hands to Praise the Lord.”
As Christian writers we have an great opportunity to lift our hands to bring praise to the Lord with every word we write. I believe that we are lifting our hands when we don’t compromise our testimony in what we write, or when we don’t let discouragement cause us to put our hands down. I believe we are lifting our hands when we come to a conference like this to refresh, and learn so we can go out and stir up the gift within us, or when God gives us an opportunity that may come in a variety of ways that takes top priority as we strive for the finish line. I believe it is like lifting our hands to praise Him through the use of words.
A God given opportunity is never insignificant, I am so thankful that a few ladies who sent Carol a simple post card didn’t think it was. Carol does not know how her story was passed on by a speaker to hundreds of women at a meeting of how she wished she could lift her hands to praise the Lord. Carol received the post card on a day that was more difficult than others. The post card simply read, “Carol, We will lift our hands to the Lord for you.”
As Christian writers we have the awesome opportunity to lift our hands in such a way that brings praise to the Lord by the words we use. Through us He will lift the hands of others. I am thankful that 19 years ago, a family begin this ministry, (mailto:scwcworkshop@bellsouth.net)
of lifting the hands of writers for almost two decades. And, we may never know the impact as hundreds of folks have walked these halls, sat at these tables, and attended the classes. Nor, do we know the impact that any of us will have as we lift our hands to the Glory of God, or whose hands will be lifted through any dedicated servant of God through the course of time as He gives us awesome opportunities to serve Him through the power of communication.
When I came several years ago, I didn’t know what the future held. But, the principles I learned here definitely set me on the right course.
I had a desire to study Christian Heritage in our local region. It wasn’t long that I was invited to attend a Heritage Tourism Conference. There I fell in love with local history, local heritage, and local travel. I did not know if anyone would take any articles I had written, so I created my own newsletter….Things to do from Paulding County Georgia. I sprinkled it with Christian Heritage, local history, and local travel. Some sponsored it, some read it, and others made paper airplanes out of it.
One day one of my readers called me and asked if I could write a travel column for her publication. I began to query others who took my column. I guess I was some sort of a syndicated columnist. Some time went by and I was called to speak. They must have wanted a good laugh because surely they didn’t want to hear from me. The meeting was at a group tourist seminar
for families who were planning a family reunion. This is a big market for local CVBs, and other local travel committees. My task was to put together an itinerary to show that family time could actually be fun, and keep the kids out of their hair for most of the day.
After the seminar, I saw a need to go to the next step. I needed a book to sell. I pulled an idea together that I had been tossing around for a while. I knew folks don’t visit the Southeastern United States for vacation. They go to Disney World, or the beach, or use to…! Sometimes they go to the mountains. We are at the Southwestern tip of the Appalachian foothills…that includes the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and even Mississippi. I wrote a book called “Appalachian Foothills, Southwestern Treasures” that will be out sometime in July.
I have uncovered all kinds of gems like a food excursion section with a restaurant that is almost 100 years old, must-see tour sections with a state park that has a commercial cave with 6 world records, and I have even come full circle and included a Christian Heritage chapter with historic churches. There are sites like a sunday school class that became the largest college campus in the world. I also have opportunities to be interviewed online, on cable, and on the radio for my book.
Nothing ever happens if we let things detour us from lifting our hands to the Praise and Glory of God. But when we do, one thing is sure, it could have the same impact as one little postcard. Thank you…GOD BLESS”
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