I’m continuing to work on a major edit of Contingency. One of the things on my checklist is changing or getting rid of passive verbs. Passive verbs indicate the subject is acted upon, rather than taking action. I am disappointed to discover how often I write in passive voice. Maybe it’s because I live that way. It’s not that I never do anything – I stay busy, believe me – but I’d much rather react, than take action. Paul encourages Timothy to take action in his letters. There are a lot of verbs in those two short epistles, and they’re all active. Be an example… reject false teaching… flee ungodliness… be diligent… be strong… hold fast… preach the word… convince, rebuke, exhort. So convicting.
Redeemed… again
It SNOWED this morning. No accumulation, but still…
We had an ‘incident’ at church yesterday morning, that sent Jon and me home fully torqued off. I was ready to rant this morning. Last night at the evening service, Jon had opportunity to speak to party involved. (It wasn’t planned at all. The other person opened the door, and my husband who has the gift of discernment, walked through it.) This person was crushed by the results and perception of his actions. They were the opposite of his intentions.
It reinforced what God said about David- “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then there’s 1 Corinthians 13:5 – “Love thinks no evil.” Love gives the benefit of the doubt, doesn’t jump to conclusions. And when you put that with John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Anyone can get ticked off, and it seems it especially easy with our brothers and sisters, but the fact is, Christ calls us to a higher standard, a much higher standard. Had I ranted yesterday, not only would I have torn down a fellow believer – even if the person never knew about it- but I would have missed the lesson that came instead. Once again, Christ redeemed my sin.
Women of Faith
Wise Decisions
It’s been a couple of days and I apologize. Wednesday is going to be too busy to get a decent posting in, so I had already given up on that. Yesterday… I had a migraine hangover. It’s like having the flu for a day without the fever. I have some kicking Rx migraine medicine- which I did not have with me when said migraine started Wednesday evening. Stoopid… Finally, things are back to some semblance of normal.
I found a great blog- Rachelle Gardner’s Rants and Ramblings on Life as a Literary Agent.
I find that people are missing out on some of the ‘nuts and bolts’ skills for living a God-honoring life. This is from a monthly NavPress newsletter called Bible Study Zone.
It deals with a skill we assume far too many of us have. (Wise decisions… like carrying your migraine medicine with you… Don’t worry. I learned.)
Making Wise Decisions
As small-group leaders we need God’s wisdom and discernment, especially when we have to make tough decisions. Author Gordon S. Jackson suggests using this practical decision tree.
1. Is your decision in accordance with Scripture?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” don’t go any further.
2. Does your decision find support in your prayers?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” don’t go any further.
3. Does the advice of others you trust support your decision?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” don’t go any further.
4. Have circumstances made it possible for you to act on your decision?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” consider the matter closed or go back to Scripture and prayer.
5. Having reached this point, do you have a sense of peace about your decision?
If “Yes,” then you can feel confident in your decision; if “No,” consider the matter closed or go back to Scripture and prayer.
Taken from A Handbook for Discovering God’s Will. © 2008, by Gordon S. Jackson. All Rights Reserved.
One of Those Days
This is one of those days… it’s cold, gray, rainy, and my mental health index is slipping. This is the kind of day in which I get overwhelmed by all there is to do, all that’s been left undone. If I don’t get a handle on it right away,
then I get pulled in to a hole that takes two or three weeks to get out of.
Here are my tips for dealing with this kind of day-
1. Admit it. Don’t say things are ‘fine’. Lying- even to yourself- makes it worse.
2. Tell a few of your best friends- those people who go their knees for you- let them know this is a shaky day.
3. Go to “the notebook”. I’ve got an ongoing notebook of verses and comments for days like this. Something in there will stick. It always does. God’s word always fulfills its purpose.
4. Go out to eat- or at least for ice cream.
Here’s what jumps out of my notebook on this ‘one of those days’- Psalm 94:19. “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” (NAS) or “When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” (NLT)
Renewed hope… it was there all along. I just lose sight of it.
Editing Life
I’m getting ready for the final (I hope!) major edit on Contingency. It’s always a tough process, because it means I have to slow down and critically examine every word, every sentence, every paragraph and every scene with emphasis on “critically”. Sometimes that means paring down some things I liked, my favorite lines even, all with an eye to the finished product. Occasionally, I have to fill in things that were missing. I have to ask hard questions- Does this scene advance the plot or is it just ‘there’? Is the POV clear?
Is it tight with no unnecessary words?
My life needs regular editing, too. Have I gotten off-track, wandering aimlessly with no clear purpose? Is my life filled with things that simply add to the clutter without
contributing to the forward progress? Do I have a clear focus on the end product?
I read an article about John Maxwell and his singular focus on the ministry God gave him. In the coming days, I plan to take some time to examine what the purpose of my writing is. What is my mission, my vision? I’ve invested a good deal of time and effort and I’ve definitely seen God’s hands in it, but what is the big picture? Why am I doing this?
What do I intend to accomplish?
See why editing takes so long!