Effort: The Writer’s Choice that Shapes the Journey
Effort must rise to the level of the dream, or the dream will fall to the level of the effort. — Frank Ball Every writer knows the struggle: You want to pour yourself into a project, but doubt whispers, Will this even matter? Is the effort worth it? Will this actually accomplish anything? Scripture gives […]
Readiness: Keeping Oil in Our Lamps
What are the differences and the similarities between the wise and foolish bridesmaids? The Kingdom of Heaven is like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the groom. Five were wise, and five were foolish. — Matthew 25:1–2 The Discussion Bible One of Jesus’ most thought-provoking stories appears in the Gospel of […]
Before the First Word: Where Great Writing Starts
Ninety-nine percent of what looks like listening in the world is not genuine listening. It’s just waiting at a stoplight with the mind’s engine running until the light turns green and we can go again. — Bob Burg Communication is more than putting thoughts on a page. It begins much deeper—with learning to listen, seek […]
The Real Enemy: Where the Battle Is Actually Fought
What does temptation do, for and against people? People are tempted when their desires take them in a direction different from where God would have them go. When those desires are allowed to grow, they prompt evil deeds that ultimately lead to death. — James 1:14-15 The Discussion Bible Most people imagine the enemy as […]
The Hidden Engine Behind Powerful Writing
The magic of story is that it allows us to vicariously experience the emotion of the tale and feel it so deeply that it helps us to navigate our own issues. — Jeff Gerke Aspiring writers often focus on technique—grammar, structure, vocabulary, and style. While those skills matter, they are not what gives writing its […]
Behold the Lamb
From where did John get the term “Lamb of God”? John saw Jesus coming and shouted, “Look. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is much greater than I am’ because he […]
Patience and Persistence
Slow and steady wins the race. — Aesop (550 BC), The Hare and the Tortoise Patience is difficult for anyone, but for writers, it can feel especially tough. We’re not just waiting on results. We’re waiting on clarity, direction, and timing—and sometimes confirmation that what we’re doing even matters.What makes patience so hard is that […]
David the Giant Killer: Following God Before Knowing the Plan
What did Samuel know about Saul’s position or personality that made him think he would be killed for anointing someone else to be king? When most people think of David, they think of a sling, a stone, and a fallen giant. But David’s victory over Goliath did not begin on the battlefield. It began years […]
Writing in Partnership with God
The words may look like clods of dirt on the page. But exercising our creative muscles will pay off. The clunky words will morph into musical phrases. Just keep writing. Write the junk with the knowledge that the jewels will come. — Edie Melson Aspiring writers often wrestle with questions of inspiration, motivation, and purpose. […]
How Feelings Shape Our Lives
Be mindful of those in prison as if you are in chains with them, feeling their pain as if you were the one who has been beaten. — Hebrews 13:3 The Discussion Bible Emotion is often treated as unpredictable, inconvenient, or unspiritual—but it is none of those things. Emotion is woven into the fabric of […]
Writing Through the Fog
Confusion is confusing because we cannot readily see the discordant parts that comprise it. — Thomas Harris Confusion isn’t loud, dramatic, or obvious. It creeps in like a gentle fog and settles over our minds until we can’t be sure where the obstacles came from. Many aspiring authors have lived with confusion so long that […]
Pause Power: Stopping to Move Forward
Careful planning and hard work lead to profit, but haste makes waste. — Proverbs 21:5 The Discussion Bible Life can feel like a long trail through the hills. If you’ve hiked before, you know how easy it is to miss the posted signs when you’re moving too fast. You think you’re on the right path—until […]