Goodbye, Blog World!

    Hello, blog world. Again, I apologize for the absence of posts last week. Schedules gone wrong and a few other things have made getting posts done too difficult.
    In fact, it's made working on this blog a little impossible. So unfortunately, it looks like it's time for me to stop posting every week and move on. An age doesn't last forever.
    So blog world, thank you so much for visiting and reading these posts. It's meant very much to me personally, and I hope these reflections have been pleasant and relatable for you as well. I also hope that we'll all continue to walk in joy with the Lord, and see His loving-kindness everywhere we go and in everything we do.
    Again, thank you for everything, blog world. May you have a blessed day and life!
    Sincerely, Writer Redeemed

Billy Graham: "A Daily Process"

"Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ."

~Billy Graham

    It's really a breather to think about being a Christian as something gradual rather than instant, isn't it? Not that it wouldn't be awesome to become totally pure in heart and spirit the second one accepts Christ as Savior; but alas, that isn't what happens. Becoming more like Christ--more heavenly minded, selfless, faithful, strong, and all the other things God teaches us to be--is a daily process of growth. Something that's supposed to happen over a long period of time.
    Which is also a relief, when one thinks about it, because growing and making changes in life isn't easy! It's a physical impossibility for a rose bush to spring up a day or week after its seed was planted, just like it's impossible to overcome or at least lessen numerous natural sinful things like pride. The Lord does strengthen us to do it--and not too slowly--but it's very good to know that He won't get angry because one year's gone by and we're not perfect.
    Plus, the fact that growth is a daily thing gives the hope that we become "better" each and every day; that we can wake up every morning and know that we'll be getting stronger, and go to sleep every night knowing the Lord has taught us something. It's like going to a favorite class knowing we'll be learning another aspect of a skill--only without the homework!
    Growth is really an awesome part of our lives as Christians; amen? :)

Writing Games: Birthday Presents!

    Birthday presents are awesome, and also interesting in the way that they kind of reflect who we are that a certain point. At the very least, the presents we've really, really wanted accurately represent our interests. But have you ever gotten gifts that don't reflect your chief interests, but a smaller aspect of who you are? Like a book about a certain activity that you do in a class--naturally, given by a classmate from that course. In that case, the gift doesn't so much represent who you are, but what another person has gathered about you.
    Wouldn't that be interesting to apply in our stories as a writing exercise? Using birthday gifts as a way to reflect what characters think about each other? The kind of birthday present that the love interest would give the protagonist would certainly be different than the one that the antagonist would give.
    Just like no two people in real life view one person they both know the same way, characters surely would have slightly different views of each other. And any gift is a thing that the giver thinks is appropriate for the receiver. The characters who are really close with the protagonist, mainly the best friend(s) and the love interest, would probably give them a gift that compliments or matches their genuine interests and personalities. Whereas the people they meet only briefly on their adventure would probably give a gift that's more generic, or some kind of reference to something they touched on when they met (like a comment about liking sushi). The antagonist or a rival character, on the other hand, would probably give a birthday "present" entirely meant to jab at the protagonist--it could be something mocking, or it could actually be potentially harmful.
    So what kind of birthday presents would your characters get? Interesting objects? Or are they the kind of character who would really get bland things like a plain coffee mug for their birthday?

 

Psalm 11:7

 

"For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright."

Psalm 11:7 (NKJ)

    God's complete righteousness is so great. He's never sinned and never will, which means that we don't have to be afraid of Him doing something like breaking a promise or losing His temper. Also, His total righteousness is something beautiful; something pure and unequaled.
    So the Lord's goodness is both an anchor and a wonder! :D

Purpose and Procedure



   Spiritual goals are wonderful! And by "spiritual goals," I don't just mean the overall mission of witnessing, helping people see God's goodness and seek Him; but specific objectives that accomplish that. Like raising a certain amount of funds for a program, or finishing a tangible project. The absolute fact that God will use these things to save people, and to build up His eternal kingdom is an awesome thing, and it's such a blessing that He's given us all a way to participate.
    But at the same time, it can be stressful, right? Because such a potentially powerful final result takes a lot of work, often a long process, and when working through that long process, there's plenty of time to worry about messing something up. We know ourselves way too well to expect that we'll do a perfect job. Yet we--at least, I assume most people--stress about the concept of risking the final result by human error.
    But a few weeks ago at a Bible study, I heard something that really blows this kind of worry out of the water. It's a simple reminder of something we already know, really: God is with us, so what we do in ministry isn't all in our hands because the Lord guides us in the process! His Holy Spirit is stated to be the One who "bears witness" (1 John 5:6), He's called the "Helper" who will abide with us (John 14:16), and there are verses all through Proverbs where it's stated that God is the one who guides our steps (like 3:5-6, 16:3, and 16:9). The Lord has promised to never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), so naturally that must mean He won't leave alone in good work either. He'll help us be strong and encouraged to complete the work He's given us to accomplish!
    So the ultimate purpose and the procedure of a ministry-related goal is safely in God's hands, just as we are; isn't that a relief? :)

Knick-Knacks and their Potential Writerly Purposes!

    Does anybody like knick-knacks? You know, small trinkets and items that are left on a desk, like a tiny figurine or an interesting paperweight. They aren't exactly practical tools, but they still fulfill small purposes like serving as a paperweight, being souvenirs of a trip, and of adding a nice decorative touch to an area. But they can have even more purposes than that to a writer, I think. Left on the desk, within arm's reach, it has potential to fulfil some awesome writerly purposes!
    Like providing a brief diversion. Because everyone can use a very brief mental break every now and then, right? Writing or plotting the story, trying to come up with the right action or the best wording, having a cluttered, stressed mind doesn't work as well as one that's rested. Observing a knick-knack for a couple seconds can help to relax and clear the think tank for just a moment. In my case, I have a small, smooth pink rock that I turn over in my hand sometimes, to feel its coolness on my fingers and clear some of the clutter out of my mind.
    I also have a knick-knack with a verse printed on it, which encourages me to push on with writing. That's another great writer-thing knick-knacks can do: carry a message, or signify one that you'd remember just by looking at it. It could be something as straight-to-the-point as a sticky note with writing on it (which are very effective when placed on the wall behind your computer, or on the desk space around it), or it could be something symbolic like a puzzle piece (which doesn't take up that much space). And with the message so close, it's not difficult for wandering eyes to land on them and remember what's important.
    And on that same note, knick-knacks can also inspire a person as a writer. A knick-knack that represents something--like maybe finished novel manuscripts that one will try to get published--can stir up feelings of encouragement, and hope for success. It can also just serve as a reminder that "hey, I've sat at this desk to write with that paperweight on it a million times, and I still love to do it!"
    So what do you think? Do you have knick-knacks that have done this kind of thing?

Ephesians 6:13

    Hello, blog world! I'm so sorry about the absence of the last two posts; something unexpected popped up. But I'm back now!



"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Ephesians 6:13 (NKJ)

    That last part is really awesome: "having done all, to stand." Because God not only provides us with care and love, but He's given us His Holy Spirit, He strengthens us every day, and He leads us through sure plans step by step. So we don't have to stress about trying to come up with a perfect strategy on our own; the Lord is with us, and He brings the victory!
    Isn't that a confidence booster? :)