Stir it Up!

I just LOVE the way that Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to pen these words to a young pastor:

"...fan into flames the gift of God... " "...make full use of..." or in the KJV "...stir up the gift..."  

In 2 Tim 1:6 we are urged and compelled to do something to initiate the process of developing and using our "inner fire" or "gift".  In this particular passage of scripture the reference is to a gift imparted through the laying on of hands during what we would call an ordination, but the principle applies in so many other areas.

Let's take writing for example, if we are honest muses don't really exist.  There are certain events, and people that may inspire us, or moments of creativity can at times descend like a curtain in our minds and we pen some of the most beautiful things we've ever written.  But if we wait for those moments, we will be like the man at the pool of Bethesda, in our condition a long time.  If we indeed have been born again, we have the One who troubles the water on the inside of us.  We have no business waiting poolside any longer.  

Frankly, if you've nothing important to say, by all means, continue to wait for whatever it is you are waiting for.  However, if you feel like Jeremiah, and you've become weary of holding back and His Word is as a fire shut up in your bones, then you must write. 

The Apostle Paul admits unabashedly "for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1 Cor 9:16)".  In the Message bible it reads "I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't!"  Now that is PASSION!  That is an inner fire that was fanned into flames.  

We have got to get the Word out.  Now I enjoy preaching from a pulpit.  In fact if you are a pastor or have a ministry and you desire a guest speaker, let me know.  But I am willing to get His message out by any means necessary.   Be it blogging, tweeting, evangelizing at the playground...woe is me, if I preach not the gospel!

We can no longer allow imaginary walls to keep us from pursuing our passions.  It is up to us to stir up the gift.  It is up to us to run head on into the unknown until we find inspiration.  We can't wait for mythological creatures to stir it up for us.  

Go stir it up!



{E.W. Kenyon communicates this very point so poignantly and powerfully in his tiny book "Sign Posts on the Road to Success"  It is a must read for every Christian.  I read it, and re-read it. I read it to my children.  It is the perfect "kick in the pants" I need at times to get going when I require a little extra impetus.} 

To Write or Not to Write?

I meet so many people who say, "One day I'll write a book...", yet they never do. They decide this based on some womderful insight they have into a common human condition or an amazing experience they had.  Well, I say to most of them..."Go for it!"  And I say to you "Go for it!" 
I know that we are moving toward a paperless society.  We do e-statements, e-bills, and e-mail.  Hey, I am even blogging instead of journalling in a notebook.  However, there is something about the printed word that is here to stay.  There is a passion within the human soul to discover other worlds, viewpoints and processes written in pen or pencil on... you guessed it; paper.
So if you are at those crossroads and are considering writing something, anything; write it.
Then, once you've written it, get it out there.  Anyone who knows me, knows that it doesn't take long for me to look for a way to help someone get the Word out.  Jesus said "..."This Good News about the kingdom will be spread throughout the world as a testimony to all nations. Then the end will come."(Matt 24:14 God's Word)  Well, there are places that won't let missionaries in, and there is also a profound lack of laborers willing to go.  Yet a book, mini book, tract, pamplet, e-book, blog, etc can get in there and get the message out.
You don't have to be the Pope or Joel Osteen, we each have a unique relationship with the Lord as Christians, and from those insights we gain from being with Him, studying His Word and living by faith, we can write it down and get it out.




Check out Everything in Writing to help you get started.  http://everythinginwriting.webs.com/

Impetus

There are times when words come so freely and my pen moves smoothly across the pages.  It seems at those times that I am unable to put the pen down until every last thought has been captured in ink.  Afterward, I review what I've written and only minor revisions are needed.
This however, is not something that happens on a daily basis.  In fact, the daily basis, is more of a discipline than feeling that overwhelming inspiration and free flowing creativity.  
So now I must delve deep and find out where is my impetus?  What is it that is going to motivate me day in and day out to join the pen to the paper?
Alas! No answer comes easily.
So what about you...what motivates you to write?

Not Quite a Book

Some time ago I received the Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible.  I was so excited to get it and started listening right away.  
For me, my heart longs to know more of the Word and understand it in a way that will make me more like Him.  
The Word of Promise was presented in "dramatic audio theatre."  Some of the voices were easy to recognize, like Jim Caviezel and Louis Gossett, Jr.  It also has names such as Micheal W. Smith, and Luke Perry. It comes in a great travel carrying cd case, which makes the 20 cds not seem cumbersome or bulky.  The special sound effects and fantastic reading helps you to really visualize the New Testament and is a good supplement to my regular Bible reading. 
It was difficult to find something I didn't like about the Word of Promise version of the audio bible. If I had to come up with something, it was that it is not quite a book. I realize the world is changing and we all love our technology, but sometimes I do like the feel of pages turning in my hands.  The other thing is that I wonder how many of the actors actually believe or were impacted by what they were reading.  However, as for the audio book itself, just for what it is...I loved it!   It is dramatized, so it is not just someone reading something.  It has sound effects that really help the story come to life.  It reminds me a little of how America used to gather around the radio before tv.  I listen to it in my car, especially on road trips and I listen to it when I am washing dishes and cooking, or folding laundry.  Now what really surprised me was that my six year old daughter asks to listen to it while she falls asleep.  She did find the story of demoniac and the swine to be a little scary.  The sound effects and voices make it seem so real!
The other benefit of  "reading" the audio bible is that it helped us to memorize huge sections of scripture.  Overall, I highly recommend it! And I will keep "reading" it for a long time to come.