6 posts categorized "Writing"

Calling All Budding Guest Writers!

Hello SUMites Writing

Do you have a burning story you'd love to tell? Something that could bless another reader on this blog?

Well, we're looking for guest posts and we would be delighted to receive your contributions. It is so helpful to others when they can hear the story of someone else who has walked a similar path.

So, if that lights a little flame of an idea in you, here are our guest post guidelines -- 

  • Write up to 750 words maximum
  • Focus your post on a topic that relates to spiritually mismatched marriage, or life with Jesus
  • Be honest and encouraging
  • Include a lesson or moral of some sort
  • Use scripture references, including the translation in brackets after the scripture
  • Finally, include a photo of, and short bio, about yourself, along with your full name

Once we receive your post, we will do a little edit with you so that it fits with our style, but that is a nice process of collaboration. Finally, we can't absolutely promise to publish your post, although we always try our best to!

Ok, over to you, and happy writing! 

Ann


What does my husband think of this blog?

Hi SUMites, Ann here. Ann Bryce 2

Sometimes we've been asked how our spouses feel about our writing. Good question!!

((Gulp!!!))

I remember when I was a reader of this blog and before I contributed any writing to it, I often used to look at Lynn and Dineen who, at the time, co-ran the blog, and thought "What on earth do their husbands think of this?"

They shared that their husbands supported their ministry, acknowledging that it was useful and needed. After many years of pain, Lynn's husband's reaction when she decided to start the blog was "Honey, if it helps one couple avoid what we've been through then do it."

That's nice.

So what about my hubby?

Truthfully, when I sensed a clear call in 2017 from God that I was to step forward into writing on here -- and it was a clear call -- it was a very, very difficult proposition for me. Until then I had been quietly reading the blog and commenting sometimes, but I used to keep my presence low key lest my husband saw and got offended.

Then I sensed that call. God told me I needed to step forward bravely, and essentially 'fall on my sword'. That is, die to myself. I understood that he wanted me to be brave, be willing to put myself and our story on here and trust him to keep me and my marriage protected.

It was hugely difficult, that step.

But what I found happened felt somewhat miraculous:

Once I stepped forward in obedience it felt to me like I got 'covered' by God; that is, hidden by him. It seemed I was being hidden and protected from my husband taking any offence, or even taking much notice of the blog and my activities at all.

First of all, what happened when I asked Bryce if I could write publicly for this blog was he shrugged and said "Why would I mind?" Then, ever since then he has taken no notice of it. He knows I write for it -- Quite often I will say to him, "I just need to go and write a blog post if that's ok", or "I just need to have a zoom call with someone related to the blog". Or, I'll tell him a little about our writing team: 'Amanda who lives in Arkansas', 'Ian who lives in Sydney', and 'Lynn who lives in California'. He nods and takes more interest in them than in anything else, knowing they are my friends and it's kind of interesting to think of where they each live. But the writing and blog itself: No engagement.

Sometimes if I do mention the blog he will say "Oh that website about all those heathen husbands" and laugh. I then say back (feeling sensitive), "No no, it's a website that helps people have GOOD MARRIAGES. It helps people!"

He nods again.

One time he discovered the adjective 'unequally yoked' in some correspondence I had. I cringed badly at that. But all he said in a dry, humorous tone, was "Hmm, Christians do like to use a good farming analogy."

LOL..

And through all this he has still never once read anything I have written on the blog.

"God keeps us covered in a weird way, doesn't he?" I said to Lynn once, having observed this almost noteworthy lack of interest on the part of Bryce.

"He does," she said. "We are covered."

And so us writers, we keep on writing, and we write smoothly and reasonably easily without it causing fracture. We do it bravely ... For each of us it will probably never stop being a leap of faith. But we know it's worth it because we know just how important it is when you're in a spiritually mismatched marriage to hear from others who are on the path.

Well, hope you liked reading that. I remain curious at God's covering, and just keep trusting that he will keep covering my marriage.

Love you all,

Ann


Hold on Because Your LIFE Depends On It

Hello SUM Family, Tiffany here!

I shared with you at the conference that God has been speaking to me about cedars. Legacy pendantI saw a vision of a tree that was my family

legacy. The deep roots were the word of God so deeply hidden beneath the soil. I wanted to share with you something that I have been working on. These are words that He has been saying about me. (To keep it from getting too long I will only expound on a few)  Let's call today, "Motivation Monday." May these words be a motivation for you to believe what God says about you.

Cedars of Lebanon, Tiffany Carter, 5/31/19

Champion - (1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Romans 8:37; Deuteronomy 20:4; Isaiah 6:8)

Elevator - one that lifts or raises someone/something up; exhorter - one who incites by argument, or advice; strongly urges; exultor - one who is extremely joyful; leaps for joy; rejoices); exalter - to elevate by praise; raise high; to enhance the activity of; intensify. (Deuteronomy 18:18; Proverbs 14:34; Psalm 68:3; Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 3:13)

Deeply rooted - existing for a long time and very difficult to change; firmly established; deeply implanted. (Psalm 1:3; Colossians 2:6-7; John 15:5; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Daniel 2:22; Isaiah 45:3)

Ancient - (Jeremiah 6:16; Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 1:4-5)

Righteousness - (Psalm 92:12-13; Proverbs 21:21; Psalm 112:6-8; Matthew 6:33; Hosea 10:12)

Stalwart Matriarch - woman that rules or dominates her family, group or state who is marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind or spirit. (Psalm 68:11; Proverbs 22:6; James 5:16; Psalm 102:18; Psalm 103:17; Proverbs 14:1)

Overarching Protector - (Matthew 6:10; Ezekiel 22:30; Proverbs 11:11; Jeremiah 29:7)

Freedom - (Psalm 18:48; Ezekiel 3:12; Psalm 119:45; Romans 6:14)

Legacy - something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past; carried over from an earlier time. (Psalm 145:4; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Joshua 24:14-15; Proverbs 13:22; Psalm 78:2-4; Exodus 20:5-6; Deuteronomy 6:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:2)

Emanate Love - (1 Peter 4:8; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 3:14; Ephesians 5:2; Matthew 22:37-39; Hebrews 10:24-25; Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 20:6-7; 1 John 4:11; 1 John 3:16-18)

Bethel - house of God. (1 Corinthians 9:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:1-2; Psalm 119:37; Romans 8:5-7)

Anointed - to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance; to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; to choose by or as if by divine election. (Isaiah 22:22; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20-21; 1 John 2:27; John 15:16; Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 44:3)

Non-conforming - (2 Corinthians 3:12; Romans 12:1-2; John 17:14-16; Revelation 12:11; Luke 6:27-36)

Ornamental - one who lends grace or beauty; adorned - to enliven. (1 Peter 3:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Proverbs 31:30; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Genesis 1:27; 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Samuel 16:7)

New - (Hebrews 12:24; Galatians 3:26-27; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 43:18-19; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17; 1 Peter 1:3; Mark 2:22).

Storms, temptations and trials will come and try to divert your eyes. The deceiver will come and try to cause you to doubt if not forget these life fulfilling promises.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lordyour God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

--Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Do whatever is necessary to remember and cling to these promises. I love making jewelry (see photo above) so this is a good tangible way for me to see His word on a regular basis.

How great of a Daddy we have that He would speak something so special and unique to you individually. Let's talk in the comments: What are some ways that you remember His promises in your own life? What helps you to keep your eyes on the prize set before you?

 


Change Your Life AND Someone Else's!

Dear Lynn,

I just wanted to say thank you one more time for investing in us last week! The knowledge you poured into us, I could have never afforded and the LOVE, ah, no money could buy! Having you to believe in us, is invaluable! I am humbled by your generosity and value for the stories God has place in each of us! I pray you are ridiculously blessed for what you’ve given us! —Christina

I received this note in the mail a few weeks ago. I truly care about the stories God has placed in you. I want to help you write your best story for the Kingdom.

It’s not too late to register and be part of something that can literally change your life and bring GREAT honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.

SUMite writers workshop:

The first of the workshops will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 9:00 am Pacific. Please check your calendar and your time zone prior to reserving your spot. Space is limited as I want to have live discussion and interaction. This is a two hour workshop, filled with real experience, tips and tremendous encouragement.

In this workshop I will be covering:

  • How to organize your story 
  • Defining your writing purpose
  • Defining your audience
  • Writing from the heart for transformation and healing
  • Writing style and your voice
  • How to write tight and write well
  • Grammar, punctuation and other helps
  • Where do we go from here????

This workshop will inspire you. All my workshops are Holy Spirit focused and inspired. I will also pray over you the writer's blessing. And I will release you to become a Kingdom scribe to take your story and His redemption to the world. 

This is the first of three workshops. Expect a writing assignment at the end that will get your started. Register today, this is a non-refundable purchase and holds your place in our virtual classroom. After registration, expect an email from me to confirm your registration. I will provide classroom instructions a few days prior to the class.

Thank you for trusting me to be part of your writing journey. God has called you to write and He will do amazing things through your writing. Hugs, Lynn

Writer's Workshop $25

Write Your Story For The Kingdom!

SUMite writers workshop:

The first of the workshops will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 9:00 am Pacific. Please check your calendar and your time zone prior to reserving your spot. Space is limited as I want to have live discussion and interaction. This is a two hour workshop, filled with real experience, tips and tremendous encouragement.

In this workshop I will be covering:

  • How to organize your story 
  • Defining your writing purpose
  • Defining your audience
  • Writing from the heart for transformation and healing
  • Writing style and your voice
  • How to write tight and write well
  • Grammar, punctuation and other helps
  • Where do we go from here????

This workshop will inspire you. All my workshops are Holy Spirit focused and inspired. I will also pray over you the writer's blessing. And I will release you to become a Kingdom scribe to take your story and His redemption to the world. 

This is the first of three workshops. Expect a writing assignment at the end that will get your started. Register today, this is a non-refundable purchase and holds your place in our virtual classroom. After registration, expect an email from me to confirm your registration. I will provide classroom instructions a few days prior to the class.

Thank you for trusting me to be part of your writing journey. God has called you to write and He will do amazing things through your writing. Hugs, Lynn

Writer's Workshop $25

Writer's Workshop For SUMites - Possibility

Dare To Dream
Dare To Dream

Hi SUMites,

Lynn here. 

A funny thing happened........ In the last two years, God has literally placed in my path, men and women who want to become a published authors. These believers have a story to share and they have reached out to me. I've provided writing workshops and worked personally with many of them locally in Temecula.

It used to be that once a week someone would stop me and say, "I want to write a book. Can you help me?" Now its more like two or three a week. I find it hilarious that God picked me to mentor them. But I'm deeply honored to share the years and years of knowledge I have gained in the industry. And I'm convinced God is moving people to write their story for His greater purposes in the near future.

So, this leads me to what I believe God is prompting me to do now. God told me that many of you, the SUMites, have a book within you and that I'm to offer my SUM family similar opportunities to help you get started on your writing journey.

What I'm trying to figure out is this. Are you out there? Do you have a desire in your heart to share your Kingdom story with the world? 

Dineen and I are thinking of offering some writing clinics through our online classroom (Zoom) in the next few months. These workshops will jettison your writing efforts and teach you how to get on the path to publication. We are going to offer them for a nominal fee compared to what a Writer's Conference typically charges, $300. 

The following are the three different workshops. These are the topics I teach on locally.

  • $25 Write your story - The writing process, outlines, chapters, techniques, etc. A LOT in this class
  • $25 Branding, publicity and platform; Traditional and Indie publishing platforms and how to work in both
  • $25 Preparing a proposal, Agents, Acquisitions, Conference, television and radio interviews, The professional author

Dineen is willing to offer a couple of workshops for fiction writers:

  • $25 Writing Compelling Fiction
  • $25 Publicity for Fiction Authors

We are trying to determine if there is interest. We are hoping for at least 10 in each class. Classes will be held in order once a month, with assignments to be completed in between.

Has God put it on your heart to write? Then perhaps this is your answer to your heart's desire. If you are interested in this and would be willing to register at a future date and find the value of the $25 fee per class (pending interest), please leave your name in the comments. Also, please tell me what you are thinking about writing (fiction or non-fiction and what kind of story) and if you are brand new at writing or what your experience level might be.

We are also trying to determine, just when to hold these workshops. We have a world-wide audience. So, it's impossible to make it work for everyone. But, I'm thinking a Saturday morning. That would be like, 9 am Pacific???? If we receive enough interest, we will post again with registration information.

What are your thoughts? Leave me your thoughts, dreams and hope about writing and participating in the comments. And we will see if this is something that our community might want. Hugs, Lynn