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Can I be honest for a moment…sometimes when I sit down to write I only have a vague idea of what I am going to write about. I might have a starting point or I might have a verse, but a lot of the time I really don’t know what I am going to write. You see I write as a time of devotion and reflection with my Father God. He sews a tiny seed of an idea in my mind and I meditate over it, and allow God to speak to me in the form of writing. I have a lot of “WOW, Yes God!” moments during these times!
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 ESV
I write because I need God to speak to me.
I write because it is a method of communication between my Father God and me.
I write because it is the way in which I process what my LORD is teaching me.
Lysa TerKeurst talks about our Soul Thing in The Best Yes. “She longs to do that thing she wakes up in the middle of the night thinking…writing was in my soul. And it had to come out. I knew it.”
It is my passion. It is my dream. It is the world I can become lost in for hours and emerge renewed.
“in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15 ESV
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17 ESV
I write because I have to.
I write because it is how I reflect Jesus and all He is teaching me.
A couple of weeks ago Lysa TerKeurst posted a picture on Instagram that I totally related to:
My blank canvas looks a lot like Lysa’s – the final product, not so much!! A finished canvas needs a gallery and that’s what my blog is. It is the gallery in which I store my writing. It is my dream that others might be encouraged by what the LORD is teaching me, and so I share. I share knowing that somebody might take a passing glance. I share knowing that somebody might sit down and stay a while. I share knowing that somebody might find my work ugly or offensive. I share knowing that a life might be transformed. I share because I love the LORD and all that He is teaching me.
I attended She Speaks in July 2014:
- “When Lysa TerKeurst started on the path of book writing, speaking and marketing, she often wished she had someone with experience to share the dos and don’ts on that elusive path of ministry. After having to figure things out the hard way, Lysa promised God she would lend a hand to the aspiring writers, speakers and women in ministry walking this same journey. That’s exactly what happened in the summer of 2001, when Lysa and a small band of women at Proverbs 31 Ministries started She Speaks to fulfill that promise…We are a community of leaders, speakers and writers working on imperfect progress, and we’d love for you to join us as we walk forward in our calling.”
I could write for days about the take-away points from the Conference and highly recommend attending next year! During a break out session on Blogging I was challenged to move my blog to the next level and the dream was born to have my own website…join me tomorrow as I continue this dream and watch it hit a speed bump!
- How does the LORD speak to you?
- How do you record the messages He places on your heart?
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Liz said:
Reading your thoughts on writing was like looking in the mirror. I have to write to dig deeper into my relationship with God. Praying is great. Studying the Bible is great. Serving is great. But writing alone slows and traps my thoughts and open doors for me to record what God speaks to my heart.
You’ve got me intrigued about She Speaks. I’m praying for the opportunity to do something like this, so that God can push me to the next level of his higher plan. Thanks, Sarah!
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Missy said:
Yes. To everything. The writing as a “have to”, a “need”, and a “soul thing”. Sometimes, with no plan what-so-ever!
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Sarah Travis said:
…and sometimes with a plan that changes as I write!!!
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sarahschultz2384 said:
This is exactly how I write! I never have a plan until it all comes pouring out. Thabks for putting that into words!
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Sarah Travis said:
So glad I’m not the only one!! I do have a plan sometimes 😉
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claygirlsings said:
I love to write, but when I read about people having this passion and dream for writing – I don’t think that’s me. I love it, but it’s not a burning that I must do or else. It’s interesting to read the passion that you have.
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Sarah Travis said:
I think lots of people write for lots of different reasons 🙂
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Sarah Jo Burch said:
Beautiful! She Speaks sounds like a wonderful opportunity – writing is close to my heart (and also my emotional and spiritual health)
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Sarah Travis said:
She Speaks was AMAZING!!! I highly recommend it to anyone with a passion for Christian writing/speaking 🙂
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Melanie said:
I love your statements on writing….Writing because you have to…writing to reflect Jesus.
I often discover what I am thinking and feeling as I write, definitely a way God teaches and leads and reminds me.
Thank you for your words!
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Sarah Travis said:
Thank you Melanie 🙂
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Jennifer Kostick (@girlondoorstep) said:
I can relate to so much of what you had to say today! Wonderful post!
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Sarah Travis said:
Thank you Jennifer! I knew I wasn’t the only one 🙂
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susan2009 said:
I don’t usually know where my writing is going to take me either. Sometimes it is blah and sometimes I end up saying, “Who wrote that!”
Writing and while walking are two places where the Lord speaks to me. Unfortunately I have not been diligent about recording what He says. ;(
Someday I hope to go to a writing conference. You have inspired me to check this avenue of growth out.
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Sarah Travis said:
Susan, I went to the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks conference this year and it was incredible! I already have the dates in July 2015 in my calendar!
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sarahschultz2384 said:
When and where is the conference next year?
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Sarah Travis said:
It is July 23rd to 25th 2015 at the Embassy Suites Concord, NC 🙂
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wendyblight said:
Sarah, you inspire me so much. What you have accomplished this month is something only God can do. You took a great step of courage. You walked in obedience. You honored God with each and every keystroke. And you inspired, encouraged and blessed so many. I am so proud of you!! May you hear today, “Well done, my good and faithful daughter!”
Praying for God to continue to equip you and fill You with His words to teach, inspire, encourage and convict others as they walk with you on your journey to doing deeper still with God in His Word and in prayer.
Love you,
Wendy
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Sarah Travis said:
Wendy you made me cry!! Thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement 🙂
Love you, Sarah
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