When a Christian Writes

When I began writing seriously—not just for my own benefit to process my thoughts and feelings—I had many questions. In many ways, writing was a new and unfamiliar world, complete with its own language and vocabulary, rules and expectations, cultural mores and norms. I felt like a visitor, holding a passport but wanting citizenship.

I remembering asking my questions to any writer who was willing to listen. What kind of questions did I ask? Anything from the process of writing to how to grow in writing to what it means to be a Christian who writes. I also wondered, what does a writer do with the fact that many people have written on the same topic? If, for example, others have written on the topic of prayer or sanctification or suffering, how could I think I have anything to add to the conversation? After all, as the teacher noted, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9).

One of my favorite tutors on all things writing is C.S. Lewis. Christian Reflections is a collection of his essays and in his essay titled, “Christianity and Literature,” he describes the Christian writer in contrast to the unbelieving writer. “The unbeliever is always apt to make a kind of religion of his aesthetic experiences…He has to be ‘creative’; he has to obey a mystical amoral law called his artistic conscience.” Lewis describes modern literary criticism as exalting what is spontaneous, free of rules, innovative, and nonconforming.

But the believer in contrast is an imitator. "Our whole destiny seems to lie in the opposite direction, in being as little as possible ourselves, in acquiring a fragrance that is not our own but borrowed, in becoming clean mirrors filled with the image of a face that is not ours…the highest good of a creature must be creaturely—that is derivative or reflective.” As image bearers, created to image the One who created all things, our art is imitative art, meant to point to the Original Artist.

Further, Lewis notes, “Applying this principle to literature, in its greatest generality, we should get as the basis of all critical theory the maxim that an author should never conceive himself as bringing into existence beauty or wisdom which did not exist before, but simply and solely as trying to embody in terms of his own art some reflection of eternal Beauty and Wisdom.” This means we find our joy, not so much in building an identity as a creative, but in using our creativity to express the beauty and truth and wisdom of God.

While our art is imitative, it doesn’t mean it will all be the same. God created a diverse humanity with diverse voices and talents and experiences. This means that while we might write on the same topics, we write on those topics out of our God-given diverse gifts and experiences. You and I could both write on the topic of prayer and end up with two different pieces that while different, both point to the wonder and glory of the God who hears and answers our prayers.

The prophet was right, there isn’t anything new under the sun. But this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t write on a topic because other writers have already written on it. The question we ought to ask ourselves isn’t is what I’m writing new? but does what I write reflect the beauty and wisdom of God? Is it good? Does it bring him glory?

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

*Photo by Luca Onniboni on Unsplash

Life Update

Ah summer. That sweet time of year where life slows down—where there’s no agenda and lazy afternoons are spent at the pool; where the only decisions to be made are what to read next and what do we want to grill for dinner tonight?

Well, not so much. At least for my family. We’ve been busy non-stop since school ended. It’s like we are making up for lost time, doing ALL THE THINGS. Traveling. Enjoying the great outdoors. Spending time with friends and family. Serving. Summer camps. Appointments. Sports practices. Projects.

You know, all the things.

I thought I’d catch you up on a few things we’ve been up to. My oldest attended a Summit Ministries camp at Covenant College in June. It’s a camp that helps teens learn to discuss their faith, engage culture, and develop a biblical worldview. My son talked for days afterward about his experiences. I highly recommend it.

Earlier this month I tagged along with our church’s youth group on a trip to Eastern Kentucky where we helped repair houses damaged by the floods this past spring. Our original trip was cancelled due to the pandemic and we had to pivot to serve a different ministry in a different location. The teens adjusted well to this change and over the course of the week learned to do things they’d never done. So did I! I discovered that I enjoy mudding drywall; it’s quite satisfying! We also attended a local bluegrass concert and everyone got on the dance floor.

With all our activity, I haven’t written much for the blog or for anywhere else. But I am in the editing process for two projects I finished this past spring. Like Our Father: How God Parents Us and Why That Matters for Our Parenting will release with Moody Publishers sometime next spring. Stay tuned to hear more about it. I’ve also written a follow up book to Tell God How You Feel, titled God Hears Your Heart. You can expect to hear more about that next year as well. This summer, I’ve also enjoyed doing some webinars with readers in Mexico about Los ídolos en el corazón de una madre.

Do you read Tabletalk Magazine? It’s a devotional magazine published by Ligonier Ministries. I will be writing for it every month during 2022. Keep an eye out for my weekend column!

After more than a year of cancelled speaking engagements, opportunities have picked up for me since the spring to speak at women’s ministry retreats and other events. I’ve been busy preparing for upcoming events both locally and in other states. I’ll be in Pennsylvania and Nebraska next month and look forward to speaking on relationships in the church and the fear of the Lord, respectively.

I have a new position in women’s ministries at my local church: co-coordinator. Our women’s ministry team is headed up by an older and a younger woman. In case you were wondering, I am the older woman of our duo. I’m excited to serve my church in this way. In addition, over the past year I’ve been working with my pastor on developing a counseling ministry to women in crisis. We’re hoping to launch it sometime soon.

How about you? What has your summer been like?

Sixteen Years of Blogging

This month marks sixteen years since I started blogging. It’s crazy to think how long its been!

I still remember the day I created my first blog. My oldest was a baby and during one of his naptimes, I came across an article in a parenting magazine about this new thing called web-logs. People were writing online about their daily life for others to read. The article suggested a couple of free blogging sites. I selected one and published my first post.

The first couple of years, I shared photos and brief stories about my son. I documented many of his “firsts” and wrote about our daily life. My readers consisted of mostly friends and family who enjoyed the pictures I posted. Periodically, I would share about something God was teaching me. I wrote about my struggles with depression. I wrote devotional pieces. I shared parenting insights and thoughts on motherhood. The more I did so, the more people would comment and say, “that resonated with me.” In the process, I rediscovered a love of writing I had forgotten about, one I set aside to focus on school and career.

I soon got to know other bloggers and joined various blogging communities of like-minded writers. I also started writing for other blogs, then ministry websites and publications. Through consistent posting, I found my writing voice. I discovered that writing was the perfect combination of my counseling training and my love of theology.

Blogging has changed significantly since the first day I hit, “publish.” Many people I once knew through blogging have long since stopped posting on their blogs. Some have switched to “micro-blogging” on Instagram instead. People interact with me more on social media now than in the comments. I also don’t blog as often as I once did. And over the years, the topics I write about has changed as I’ve aged and moved through different seasons of life.

Despite all these changes, I still believe in blogging. I still encourage the writers I mentor to have a blog. I believe it is important for readers to have a place to find writers. Blogs are like a writer’s home where readers come to visit. A blog also provides a writer freedom to experiment, practice, and stretch in their writing. And it’s a great place to develop a topic or idea over time that might eventually grow into something bigger, like an article or book.

Anniversaries are important times to look back and see how far one has come. Of reflecting on lessons one has learned and marveling at God’s faithfulness. I can certainly testify to all the things I have learned these past sixteen years of blogging and writing. It’s amazing to consider all the experiences I’ve had, people I’ve met, and places I’ve written. I had no idea when I posted that first photo and wrote about what my son did that day in June of 2005, what the Lord would do through my blogging.

What about you? Have you ever blogged?

Favorite Books on Writing

I recently returned from the annual PCA Women’s ministry Leadership Conference where I facilitated our fifth writer’s event. (I love when things like that become a tradition!) Each year, the event has been different. We’ve explored and highlighted different aspects of writing, including growing as a writer, writing different genres, blogging, and publishing.

Each year we’ve had a variety of different women participate in a panel discussion. I love these panels because we get to hear from women of all ages and stages, both in life and in writing. We learn from those who write Bible studies and those who write fiction. We hear stories from both new and seasoned authors. We talk about the Christian’s purpose and goal in writing. And we receive encouragement to keep moving forward in our writing, one word at a time.

In thinking about our panel discussion from this year, I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite books on writing. I’ve collected a number of books over the years, including books on writing poetry and non-fiction, books on the craft of writing, books on the mechanics and grammar of writing, as well as writing memoirs from various authors.

I received C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing: What the Essayist, Poet, Novelist, Literary Critic, Apologist, Memoirist, Theologian Teaches Us about the Life and Craft of Writing for my birthday one year and it is a treasure! I savored it, reading it slowly, one chapter at a time. This book looks at the creative life of C.S. Lewis and reveals his growth as a writer, his struggles in writing, and his writing process. It is both fascinating biography and inspiration for writers. The end of each chapter contains a writing exercise to implement and practice what was discussed in the chapter.

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction is a classic every writer should have on their shelf. In his straight forward, no nonsense way, Zinsser provides practical tips on how to improve and sharpen one's writing. I also highly recommend his other books, such as Writing About Your Life, Writing Places, and American Places.

The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition is a small handbook on the mechanics of writing, including punctuation, sentence structure, and even commonly misused words and phrases. If you've forgotten what you learned in high school English class, you'll want this book on hand.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation is a fun way to learn about punctuation. The author is British, so there is some difference in how we use punctuation in the US, but she points out those differences. Punctuation does matter, and unless you are a grammarian who loves the rules of the English language, you may forget some of the finer rules. This is a great little book to add to your writing library.

Many authors have written memoirs about their writing and their creative process. Writing is an isolating and solo activity. I find it helpful to read about an author's process, what inspires them, how they keep moving forward, as well as the barriers they've faced in their writing. When I can't sit with a fellow writer and talk shop, I enjoy reading writing memoirs, such as this one by Madeleine L'Engle: Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art. Here's a favorite quote: "the chief difference between the Christian and the secular artist--the purpose of the work, be it story or music or painting, is to futher the coming of the kingdom, to make us aware of our status as children of God, and to turn our feet toward home." Another good one is Letters and Life: On Being a Writer, On Being a Christian, by Bret Lott.

The last book I will share is not a book on writing at all, but it's a book I always recommend to writers: The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy. Writing involves some challenging things for writers to navigate, including both affirmation and rejection, the uncomfortable feeling writers have in marketing one's writing, receiving critique and criticism, and much more. This short book by Tim Keller grounds writers in the truth of who we are in Christ and what God thinks of us. It is good heart preparation for all that writing entails.

These are just a few of my favorite writing books on my shelf. How about you?

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A Writer's Prayer

The last few years, I've found myself speaking on a topic I didn't anticipate speaking on. Yet, I've found myself speaking to college students, participating in panel discussions, and leading workshops on this topic. I've mentored people in person and answered questions via email on the subject. And though it was unexpected, I've enjoyed it. I’ve loved helping people find their place and encourage them in the journey. What is that topic? Writing.

People write for many reasons. Some find it therapeutic. It’s a way of releasing emotions. For some, writing is the way they process their thoughts. There's something about putting your thoughts onto paper that helps you see and understand them in a way you didn't before. Some, like me, don't even know what they think about a topic until they write about it. The very process of writing helps them think through an issue.  

For others, writing is an art form. It's a way of painting a picture, but instead of using a paintbrush, they use words. The craft of taking 26 letters and arranging them into words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs is a creative act.

For still others, writing is a way to teach and instruct. It's used to communicate a message. Such writing compels people to think differently about something, differentiates truth from fiction, and helps solve a problem. Writing is a means to an end rather than the end itself. 

For all believers who write, whatever form of writing we do, and whatever context we do it in, it's all for the glory of God. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Whether we write fiction, non-fiction, poems, or newspaper articles, each word is for the honor and praise of God. We magnify him in our writing when we work hard and write well. We highlight his wonder and majesty when we use words to point readers to who he is and what he has done. We reflect him when we write for his praise and not our own. When we craft beauty out of words, it's a way of imaging and reflecting our Creator God to the world around us. In all these ways, we write for God and his glory. 

Like all things in life, we can do nothing apart from Christ (John 15:5). Writers must abide in him and rest in his grace, wisdom, and strength. One of the ways we do that is in prayer. Like all the things we submit to our Father, we must submit our writing to him as well, asking him to use it for his glory and praise. 

A Writer’s Prayer 

Father in Heaven,

You are the Maker and Creator of all things. You spoke this world into being and keep it in its orbit. By your word, all things exist. You watch over each creature and know the stars by name. Your word made flesh, Jesus Christ, shows us who you are. And your written word feeds, strengthens, and sanctifies your children.

As your image bearer, you made me to reflect you to the world around me. You gave me gifts and abilities to use in my life and work. One of the ways I image you is in my writing. I thank you for this gift. I thank you for the joy I have in weaving words together. Words are an amazing thing, they have the power to build and the power to destroy. They can point to you or away from you. They can honor and glorify you or honor and glorify ourselves. 

Forgive me for the ways in which I have stolen your glory in my writing. Forgive me for the ways in which I have not glorified you in the words I have written. Forgive me when I fail to use the gift you've given me in a way that honors you, when I waste the gift and horde it, or when I fear what others think of my writing more than I fear you.

Help me to continue to grow in this gift. Help me to use words to build and not destroy. Help me not to worry or fret about how you will use my words, but to entrust them to you, knowing you will use them in the right time and for your eternal purposes. Whether one person reads them or many, may they be used to exalt and magnify you.

In everything I write, may it be for you. 

Because of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Why I Blog

Periodically people ask me, “Should I blog?” Some may already be blogging and wonder if they should continue. Others may write in other contexts and wonder if they should add blogging to what they already do. Still others desire to grow in their writing and wonder if blogging would help them do that.

There are many reasons people start a blog. Some do so as a way to make money. Perhaps they sell ads or promote products on their blog. Others might blog to grow and develop their platform. Tim Challies wrote an article recently about this, advocating that blogging is a good thing to do simply for the sake of blogging, not as a step to something else.

I started blogging as a way to communicate with friends and family far away about the life of my oldest son when he was first born. Blogging then was recently gaining traction and it sounded like a fun new thing to try. I loved it and it awakened a love for writing which had been buried in the responsibilities and duties of adult life. After a while, I started writing for other websites and publication and couldn’t blog as frequently as I once did. Blogging has changed a lot since the first post I wrote. Some wonder if it's even worth doing. Some have even declared that blogging is dying or is already dead. Other authors I know hate blogging. But I still love blogging and here’s why.

My blog is my writing home. It’s where I can be myself and be most comfortable. If you were to come into my physical home, I’d probably be barefoot. There’ll likely be nerf darts scattered in the corners of every room. You’ll see piles of books on every available surface, each of which I am in the middle of reading. And if it’s a Saturday, I might still be in my pajamas!

In a similar way, on my blog I can be myself. I don’t have the constraints of word count, topic, or the concern about whether it’s the type of post people are looking to read. I can play around with a new topic or technique. I can write poetry or tell a story. I don’t have to construct a list (5 Reasons to ____) or provide some defined take away. One of my friends says that when she reads my blog, she hears my voice most clearly than any other place I write.

I also think having a blog is helpful because it provides a place for people to come and visit. If I met someone in real life at the grocery store, the kids sports practice, or at church, we might enjoy spending time together. Each time we see each other we might learn more about each other. But if I were to invite that person to my home, then they’d really get to know me better. They’d see me in my element. Likewise, if someone reads something I wrote on another website and they liked it and wanted to read more, they can visit me at my blogging home and learn more about me than just the three sentence bio at the end of an article. 

Writing helps me think. I don’t know what I think about something until I write it. Blogging helps me think through the things going on in my life. It helps me practice applying the gospel to all areas of my life. I often experiment here with a topic that I later expand into an article for another place. Blogging gives me regular writing practice which only serves to help me improve in the craft of writing. 

Blogging has changed a lot since that first post I wrote almost twelve years ago. But I’ve changed a lot too. And I think blogging has played a big part in that change and for that I am grateful. For all these reasons and more, I enjoy blogging and plan to continue. How about you? Do you blog? And why?