Finding God in Life’s Challenges
How do we make the Lord our source of strength? The Lord is my source of strength, my reason for joyful singing, because he is my deliverer. Shouts of joy and victory live with the righteous. The Lord is powerful in battle. — Psalm 118:14–15 The Discussion Bible No matter how little or how much […]
Making Room for What Matters
Rejected manuscripts fill agents’ and editors’ trashcans and deleted folders because the author didn’t provide a story in which the characters captured their hearts. — DiAnn Mills Writers often wrestle with clutter. Sometimes it’s the physical kind—papers piled on a desk, unfinished drafts on the computer, or notebooks filled with half-developed ideas. We could also […]
Seeing the Signs: Why People Miss the Obvious
What makes “signs of the times” more difficult to interpret than weather? Hypocrites! You can read the signs of the earth and sky to determine what the weather will be. How can you not see what is happening now? Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? — Luke 12:56–57 The Discussion Bible In […]
The Writer’s Edge: Cultivating Sensitivity in Storytelling
If you find yourself having trouble getting into a story you want to tell, it is always a good idea to get up very close and start using your senses. — Judith Barrington Sensitivity is a creative superpower, not just a personal trait. It comes in three forms: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Physical sensitivities are […]
God’s Call to Action
If Jesus is standing at the door, knocking, why don’t more people invite him in? Pay attention, because I’m standing at your door, knocking. If you will hear my voice and open the door, I will come in. Then we can enjoy dinner together, you and me. — Revelation 3:20 The Discussion Bible Inspiration is […]
Beyond Ignorance: Why Choice Shapes Great Storytelling
To make an impact as a writer, you need to do more than make statements that are logical, well supported, and consistent. You must also find a way of entering a conversation with others’ views. — Gerald Graff In everyday life, we might say, “If I don’t know the law, how can I be responsible? […]
Withdrawing to Pray
Why did Jesus need a secluded place to pray? Before daylight the next morning, [Jesus] left for a secluded place, where he prayed. — Mark 1:35 The Discussion Bible Jesus often withdrew to isolated places for prayer. This detail isn’t included in the Gospels to fill space on the page. It’s an intentional glimpse into […]
Dependency and the Writer’s Journey
Getting help is effective only when we are willing to stop looking for magic and participate fully in solving our own problems with the help of our helper. — Thomas Harris Aspiring writers sometimes start their journey thinking, I’ll do it all myself. They want to prove their talent, maintain creative control, and avoid the […]
Just for the Asking
What does it mean to ask “in Jesus’ name” I’m not playing hide-and-seek with you. I want to be found, but you must come searching, with all your heart wanting to find me. — Jeremiah 29:13 The Discussion Bible Some people think we can ask God for anything we want, and he will give it […]
Asking the Write Way
Prayer is like the turning on of an electric switch. It does not create the current. It simply provides a channel through which the electric current may flow. — Max Handel Every writer knows the feeling: you have a dream for your work. Maybe it’s publishing that first book, landing an agent, or reaching thousands […]
Trusting God’s Timing: A Journey Through Time and Faith
We can be thankful for delays that bring patience, because endurance is essential for receiving God’s promise. — Hebrews 10:36 The Discussion Bible Time is something we all struggle to manage. With to-do lists, packed calendars, and digital reminders, we often feel in control—until we don’t. But what if the most important schedule isn’t ours […]
The Writer’s Joy
If God is at work in the world of your novel, then you have a chance at giving your readers an experience that is humbling, joyful, and maybe even transforming. — Donald Maass Sometimes the page feels like a wide-open playground, and sometimes it feels like a brick wall. Excitement and apprehension often battle for […]