Write from the Deep

36 – God’s Invitation in the Deep

We often struggle when we’re in deep places, wondering what we’ve done to deserve this, why God hasn’t fixed the problems, and why oh why are we there when we’ve done all we can to follow Him? But the truth is God is there, beside you, giving you an invitation to draw closer to Him than ever before. Join the discussion with industry veteran Allen Arnold as he shares about God’s wondrous invitation to us in the deep.

Show notes

About Allen Arnold:

Allen Arnold, recipient of the 2012 ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award, spent 20 years as a leader within Christian Publishing. He was founder and publisher of Thomas Nelson Fiction, overseeing the launch of more than 500 novels spanning every imaginable genre. Today, he directs Content at Ransomed Heart—a ministry led by New York Times Bestselling Author John Eldredge—and pursues his calling to the larger creative community by helping storytellers, songwriters, and artists discover how to intimately and actively create with God.

Check out his new book The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, and Create.

And don’t forget your chance to win a signed copy of Allen’s book! Watch our newsletter for details on how to enter!

 

We want to hear from you!

What are your dreams?

What do you think about God’s invitation? Do you want to ride?

 

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The deep is the perfect place to hear God’s invitation!

35 – The Real Christmas

No one wants to be in a difficult place at Christmas time. We want to feel happy and enter into the spirit of the season. But is that really what the season is about? Or is the reality of Christmas far more reminiscent of the deep than of decorated trees and twinkling lights? Come into the deep to find the true meaning—and the deepest joy and hope—of Christmas.

Show Notes

We’re glad you’re here with us at Christmas time. But maybe this Christmas you don’t feel like celebrating. Maybe you’re going through trials, and maybe this Christmas you’re saying things like:

I HATE that this is happening at Christmas! This isn’t what Christmas is supposed to be. Everyone’s happy but me.

Or maybe things you’re hoping for haven’t come to pass. That’s an experience of loss.

Or maybe you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one, or a job, or a book contract, or a career.

Life intensifies around holidays, stress levels rise, we feel grief, depression, etc., more deeply. It all feels like loss, in so many ways. Loss of loved ones, loss of traditions, loss of things hoped for—the perfect job we were hoping for, or the life, or the spouse (if we’re single and don’t want to be). But those things happen all year round, so why are they so much more debilitating at Christmas time? Maybe it’s because we don’t really, in our heart of hearts, understand what Christmas was. And still is.

 

Isaiah 24:4-6

“The earth mourns and dries up, and the land wastes away and withers. Even the greatest people on earth waste away. The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin…”

This is not just talking about “those people over there” who’ve broken His covenant. We all have. We’re in a deep place. That’s our true condition.

 

But at Christmas, we have these expectations…

It’s a holly, jolly Christmas…It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Off to Grandma’s house we go…

Happy, happy, joy, joy—WHY AREN’T YOU SMILING???

 

For many, here’s the reality:

It’s a debt-filled, disappointing Christmas…It’s the most frustrating time of the year…

And then there are those who are not just disappointed or frustrated, but are devastated. Those who have no trouble believing the world is under a curse, because they feel as though their lives are cursed.

But none of this is the reality of Christmas, what it was and what it is. Rather, this is a perceived “reality” when we’re focused through the filter of what WE think or feel—based on traditions and expectations and so many other things—Christmas is. So today, let’s take a look at what God tells us Christmas is. And why being in the deep isn’t terrible at Christmas, but a place to experience the true intent of Christmas.

 

So what was Christmas?

Romans 8:20-23

“Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us.”

The world was dark and troubled…and troubling. It was messy. With no answers. And no hope.

34 – Can You Hear God’s “I Love You”?

Every day, in countless ways, God is saying to each of us, “I love you.” So why do so many people struggle with feeling His love? Why do we fall into doubt about the reality of God’s love for us? What if we can’t hear or feel it, no matter how hard we try? Come join us as we explore not just the reality of God’s love for us, but the need to understand how we receive and perceive love. Because more often than not, the problem isn’t listening, but learning and understanding God’s language of love.

Show Notes

Few occupations or vocations require the level of vulnerability and authenticity of writing. But the only way we can be vulnerable and authentic is if we’re secure in the knowledge that the One who gave us this task did so because of His love for us. Because He knows and loves us better than anyone else, and  because He seeks to speak through us, to use us to share truths that only we can share because of our individual relationships with Him.

The challenge comes when we start to doubt God’s love for us. When we start to wonder if God truly cherishes us. When we don’t “feel” His love as we think others do. Because without that grounding in the Father’s sure love for us, it’s so easy to lose our focus and voice, to lose our confidence not just in ourselves and our ability to write, but in the God about whom we write.

So, writers, here’s what we want to know today: Are you hearing God when He says, “I love you”?

How We Can Perceive and Receive God’s Love

* Look at the evidence in God’s actions: That He sent Jesus to Give His life for us, that He takes care of us, that He gives us gifts.

* Look at the evidence in God’s word: Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love…”

* Look at the evidence in the way He loves us through others.

* Understand what your “love language” (as described by Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages) is for receiving love.

* Words of affirmation

* Receiving gifts

* Quality time

* Acts of service

* Physical touch

* Choose to walk in trust even when you don’t “feel” it.

* Look to your secondary love language as well. Most people have more than one.

Hosea 2:19-20

“I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me, in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.”

God has acted on His love for each of us. He has betrothed us to Him because of His unending love for us. And as we learn to hear and see the ways He shows us that love, as we grow better acquainted with His love languages and His expressions of that love, we come to know Him. When we do that, we can rest secure in His love, and that will shine in our writing so that those who read our work will come to know Him too. Because, ultimately, that’s what draws people. Not our skill with words, but the powerful, all-encompassing love of God.

Books mentioned in this podcast

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

We want to hear from you!

What’s your love language? Are you hearing God’s “I Love You”?

 

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Everyday, God is saying, “I love you.

33 – Write from the Deep: A Man’s Perspective

When men are in places of deep struggle, the women who love them want to help. But knowing how to do that isn’t easy. Award-winning author James L. Rubart joins us to share practical ways we can uplift and care for the men we know and love.

Show Notes

Top Quotes

About writing from the deep…

“If I write out of the shallow places, out of stress, worry, a deadline, then it’s not authentic, it’s not genuine, it’s not coming from that deep, deep place.”

 

About silence…

“God is the source. He is the living water…Can we sit with God in silence and just enjoy His presence in a way we couldn’t if we were talking?”

 

Our work as Christians…

“I was reading Oswald Chambers this morning and basically he was saying, ‘Here is the work of a Christian: be in Christ’s presence. Be intimate with Christ.’”

 

How to be aligned with Christ…

“It’s different for everybody. I would encourage listeners to find out how they do it. How do you go to the deep? Here’s one crazy example of me going deep, when I’m on my dirt bike, and I’m out pounding on the mountains, oh my gosh, there’s such depth in that, there’s such play in that, because now I’m out there playing with my Abba, my Father, in a way that expresses who I am…Or I close my eyes, put on my headphones, and listen to worship songs…another day it might be something else.”

 

On catastrophic trials…

“You have a choice at that point. Do you dive deeper into God? Do you say, ‘You have something for me in this. Or not?’ And I chose to say, ‘God, You’re doing something, You’re in this.’ And I hit a point where it was an unbelievable freedom, and that was that I don’t have to write novels anymore. I could stop right now. I could be done. Because for the first time in my life, my validation didn’t come from being this author, it came from being the son of Abba, and that has revolutionized my life.”

“I got to a point where I realized God loves me. Not in the head, but the heart. I have a Daddy who wants to do nothing more than just go play together. His love is so immense, so overwhelming, everything else dims in comparison…But it’s not a one time process. The world can creep back in.”

 

On addictions and idols…

“It’s anything you try to use to feed your soul other than Jesus…It’s a trap. It’s a chain.”

 

The challenge to men…

“Men want to go deep. They just don’t know how to do it. They’re scared to death to be vulnerable. Any guys listening out there, my prayer for you would be: risk it. Start going deep with men. You would be shocked at the response. Keep pressing into it.”

 

What women can do to help men in their lives…

“They don’t want you to fix it…Pray…And maybe just casually ask, ‘Hey, how’s that going?’ Or ask what the plan is, and how you can support them in the plan. Give a guy something to create. Something to do.”

 

Last word of advice…

“I want to talk about Romans 7…because here’s Paul and he’s dealing with these struggles and sins and stuff going on in his life, and he says this twice in the chapter: It is not me, it’s sin in me. Vast, vast difference. Ultimately he says who will free me from this struggle? Thanks be to the Lord Jesus Christ…If we could grasp that we have a heavenly Father who loves us so utterly, so completely…we are complete in Christ Jesus…The greater we align ourselves with our true self, which is Christ in us, oh my gosh, that stuff falls away…because we are living out of our true self…it’s not striving to do that, it’s immersing ourselves in Christ.”

 

Find Jim online at jameslrubart.com

32 – Refilling Your Well of Creativity

The deep brings us many challenges, not the least of which is how it depletes our ability to be creative. How can you inspire others with your writing when it seems your well of creativity has nothing in it but dust? But God can refill that well, even in the deep. Let these simple suggestions prime the pump of your creativity.

Show Notes

One of the results of being in the deep places is that it wears on our spirit. We can grow worn out, and as a result, we find ourselves unable to write or create.

The Top Resource

Our first and best resource for being refreshed and refilled, for feeding our spirit at any time, is time with God. It can be through reading Scripture, being quiet with Him, prayer…or whatever way you focus on Him best. Let Him speak to you.

But God is a God of infinite creativity, and He speaks and refreshes us in other ways as well. Let’s look at some of those ways to supplement our focused time with Him.

More ways to Refill Your Creativity Well

* Silence

* Play

* Reading Scripture, devotions, memoir, fiction

* Story – Our God invented story. We discover truth or see it in new ways through story.

* Movies – Sometimes things from a simpler time help us step away from the difficulties of today and refresh us.

* Humor

* Nature – Delighting in God’s creation, or even the changes in weather. This can be as simple as stepping into your backyard or talking a walk in your neighborhood.

* Exercise

* Time with friends

* Time with pets

* Crafts, cooking, decorating, or other hobbies – these can free and refresh your subconscious.

If you’ve been in the deep, and if you’re feeling like you just don’t have anything left to give, any creativity left to put on the page, then it’s not only okay, but it’s imperative to step away and refresh. To find ways, sometimes small ways, sometimes big ways, to let God refill the well of your creativity. To refresh your worn and weary spirit. And to do that in a way that works for you. Because we can’t draw from a dry well and expect to bring refreshment to anyone else.

Creativity is a gift God gives to us to reflect Him and His glory. And He is faithful to provide everything His children need in His time, in His way. For your good and His glory.

 

We want to hear from you!

What are some creativity refreshers that work for you?

 

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Don’t let the deep steal your creativity.

Simple ways to refill and refresh in the deep.

 

31 – Be a True Friend in the Deep

Do you know people in deep places? People you want to help but don’t know what to say or do? Being a friend in the deep isn’t hard. All it takes is understanding, compassion, and truth. All of which can be shared through acts of kindness—some simple, some profound, all steeped in God’s love.

Show Notes

We talk a lot about how we feel and what to do when we’re in a deep place of struggle and difficulty, but what do we do when the person in that deep place isn’t us, but rather it’s someone we know and love?

Here are some things we can do:

Show up

“When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.” Job 2:12-13

 

Take the time to enter into their pain

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15

 

Really love them

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9-10

 

Roll up your sleeves and help

We’re not talking about being a fixer or a rescuer. We’re talking about paying attention to what needs they may have in the deep and seeing what we can do to help ease those needs. This doesn’t have to be a big thing. We can help in small, meaningful ways. Never underestimate the power of a small act of kindness and caring.

 

Prayer

This is our big gun. Our best offering to those in need. It’s not the last resort, it’s the first priority. Whether we see results or not, we pray in obedience and faithfulness.

 

Remember where the power to be a giver comes from

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25

God is our unending, untiring, all-powerful source. The secret is being so filled with Jesus, so satisfied in Him, that it overflows to others. We can give and give and give out of that abundance. We don’t need to receive when we’re already full. When we open ourselves to everything God wants to pour into us, it simply overflows.

 

Being a friend to your readers

The experience and understanding you gain by being a true friend will inform your writing, your message to your readers. The last thing you want to do when you’re writing for hurting people is to offer surface solutions. The only way to minister to them, to point them, in their pain, to the true source of comfort, is to be honest and authentic about the struggle, the journey.

 

Links

Click here to listen to our guest appearance with MacKenzie Monroe on the Cultivating the Lovely Podcast! It’s episode 20, Leaving a Legacy Through the Written Word.

 

We want to hear from you!

Do you know friends who are in deep places? What are some effective ways you’ve reached out to them?

 

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The keys to being a true friend to those in the deep.

30 – Awe in the Deep

The church today loves to focus on God’s love and grace and comfort, but too often they seem to forget that God is to be revered. Even feared. He is love, but He is also majesty and justice and judgment. Come to the deep and explore things we seldom seem to feel today: true awe and reverence.

Show Notes

If we don’t know the awe of God for ourselves, if we don’t experience and understand what it is to fear a holy and mighty God, how can we write the whole truth of who God is, of what God is? Yes, He loves us and extends grace and all the beautiful aspects we love to focus on. But friends, never lose sight of the truth that God is more than the pretty side. He has a fierce side. A jealous side. A fearful side. He is not to be taken lightly, he is to be revered. More than anyone or anything else in your life. When we love Him for all of who He is, our writing will take on new depth and truth. And our readers will benefit.

Links

Karen’s blog post for the Steve Laube Agency Blog: This is Why We Write

Scriptures

Exodus 19:16-19

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

Exodus 20:18-20

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Nahum 1:2-3; 5-6

2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies. 3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet… 5 The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. 6 Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.

Hebrews 10:31

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Isaiah 40:12-15; 25-26

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens. Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? 14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? 15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust… 25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?

29 – Grief in the Deep

Few things take us as deep as grief. But no depths are too much for God. Come explore how He can turn the seemingly impenetrable darkness of grief into fertile ground for trust and peace.

Photos

We recorded the podcast at Karen’s parents’ favorite beach.

 

Rocks of remembrance.

One of God’s gifts – we met up with this adorable boxer.

Later we visited Cape Arago and came upon this sea lion willing to pose for a few photos. Another small delight from God.

And there were other touches of joy…

 

 

We want to hear from you!

Have you experienced grief in the deep? What helped you get through it?

 

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No depths of grief can go beyond the reach of God’s comfort and peace!

Nothing takes us as deep as grief—but even there, you’re not alone!

28 – The Power of Community in the Deep

When we’re in deep places, it’s easy to feel alone. Like no one understands or has ever been through what you’re battling. But the truth is, there are people out there—people you already know—who have been in the deep too—or are in there now. Come join us in this podcast to learn how to harness a powerful tool for enduring and thriving in the deep: community!

Show Notes

We’re NOT alone in the deep. We can learn from each other. Encourage each other. Help each other. Isolation, or the appearance of it, is one of the most powerful tools of the enemy. Not just because we feel so discouraged, not just because we’re more vulnerable to lies, depression, and spiritual attack when we feel alone, but also because we don’t get the wisdom, council, prayer support, and words of truth that God gives others to share with us in community.

Scriptures

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity, all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. Psalm 133:1-3

He who walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

The Benefits of Community

* God designed us for fellowship. Our brains are wired for social interaction.

* Community reminds us that we’re not alone.

* Community brings us the wisdom of shared experiences.

* Community brings us encouragement.

* Community brings us truth in the face of lies.

Community Requires

* Trust

* Commitment

* Vulnerability

* Humility

* Honesty

You have to give of yourself in community to find the greatest benefit.

How to Find Community

* Prayer. Ask God to lead you to the right community.

* Look at the people around you already. At church, in Sunday School class or Bible study, at places you frequent such as your child’s school, or wherever. Who do you find yourself listening to? Who seems to understand what you say? Who would you like to spend more time with? Sometimes our community, or the beginnings of it,

27 – The Unexpected Deep of a Writers Conference

How often have you heard it: You need to go to a writers conference? And it’s absolutely true. You can find so much at conferences: teaching, fellowship, networking…all wonderful things to help you in this writing journey. But there are other things you can find at conferences. Things you won’t see on any of the brochures or websites. Things that, if you’re not prepared for them, can land you smack-dab in the middle of the deep.

Things like: insecurity, jealousy, envy, fear, offense, criticism, careless comments, doubt, fatigue, depression, discouragement.

Doesn’t compute, does it? That a place where people are focused on helping you do this task God has given you, on helping you share His truths and stories, could hold such hard, deep things? So why does that happen? Most often, it’s because of wrong focus and unrealistic expectations. So how can you avoid the pitfalls—the deep, hard places—at writers conferences? Simple: go deep with God beforehand and prepare yourself spiritually for what He has in store for you.

 

Don’t let the enemy steal what God has for you at writers conferences

How to Spiritually Prepare for a Writers Conference

* Realize the NEED to spiritually prepare

* Spend some time remembering how God gave you this task

* Submit expectations to God

* Pray for spiritual restoration and increased intimacy with God

* Pray for an openness in hearing God’s wisdom from teachers, mentors, editors, and agents

* Pray for divine appointments

* Pray for protection against spiritual attack

* Know what to do if you experience post-conference letdown

 

2 Timothy 2:15-24

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer…[and turns] some people away from the faith.

19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.

 

Also, check out Steve Laube’s blog “Your Post-Conference Strategy” for more tips on what to do after the conference.

 

We want to hear from you!

Have you been plunged into the deep at a writers conference?

How did you deal with it?

 

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