Mother Inferior

Look at Me: Encouragement for the Highly Distractible Writer (and others)

When my sons were toddlers, they were so easily distracted (look: a squirrel!) that I often knelt down and gently placed my hands on their cheeks to help them listen.

“Look at me,” I’d say, waiting until their eyes met mine. Then I asked them, “What did Mommy say?”

Lately, I’ve felt God kneeling down, kindly pressing His hands to my cheeks. “Look at me,” He says. It’s not only a call to attention, but to single-minded devotion.

“Yes, Lord, ” I reply, taking my eyes off Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter–and focusing on Him.

Read the rest of the post.

Guest Post: Just This One Thing, It's All You Need

A few weeks ago, I asked for stories of God's miraculous provision--a request our Wounded Women of the Bible  editor made, in order to round out one of the chapters.

I was blown away by the response. We simply had too many good stories to include in the manuscript! So, I asked the writers of a few of my favorite stories--which didn't get picked for the book--if I could share them with you here.

 

The following testimony is written by the lovely Shelly Miller, who writes powerfully over at Redemption's Beauty (and other places).

I really love this one.

Just This One Thing, It’s All You Need

Several nights a week I return to the dorm after curfew smelling of pie and wet bar towels with crumbs smeared across my brown Pippins Pie Pantry t-shirt.  The pockets of my wrap around patchwork skirt bulge with tip money to pay for college fees.

One Sunday, before fulfilling another shift, I sit in church distracted by worrisome thoughts about how to pay bills coming due. While the preacher delivers a sermon on living by faith, I usher a quick prayer, ask Jesus for a miracle.

And just as I begin to stand up, make my way out of the auditorium, an older woman sitting next to me grabs my arm, pulls me back down and asks me to wait a moment. Stunned, I watch her fidget awkward in the pockets of her coat. She leans over, whispers into my shoulder, “God told me to give you this.”  Takes my hand in her hers and carefully places a wad of bills into my trembling fingers.

I hadn’t spoken to her once during the service. I came in late, took the empty aisle seat next to her.  A stranger to me, or perhaps an angel appointed by God.  I may never know.

And I don’t remember how much money she handed me that day. Just that I went directly to the grocery store and every single item I selected meant something.

Because I purchased each one with a miracle.

That lady, she obviously practiced hearing God’s voice and I it makes me want to hear Him like that too.  So I practice and think of the disciples.

How Jesus sends the disciples out in pairs. They travel light. Without money, extra shoes, or suitcases full of clothes and toiletries.  (Luke 10)

Just carrying the name of Jesus.

Because it is all they need.

For healing the sick.

And setting people free.

They practice the name of Jesus, over and over again. In the kitchen of a friend, along a dirt road, at the store, they practice.

I stand in line at the grocery store; eavesdrop on the conversation behind me between a father and son. Look into eyes wrapped tired with lines.  Leathery hands of a father holding two loaves of doughy bread, bologna, milk, cereal. He shuffles bread into one arm, counts the bills in his stubby, cracked fingers.

Whispers to his son, “I just got paid and it’s already almost gone.”

The young boy looks at his Dad and I hear the guilt in his voice when he asks if they should put something back. Return an item from what an arm can hold, not a cart full.

Now I am the woman hearing Jesus, fidgeting in my pocket, because I must act quickly to obey in this moment.

And as I pay for my things, I give extra to the cashier and she looks puzzled. I whisper over to her that she can use it for the bill of the ones standing in line behind me.

Just before I get to my van, the father, he comes running after me. Asks me why I did that. Why did I pay for his groceries?  And I tell him, “Jesus told me to do it, because He loves you.”

The name of Jesus.  Practice using that name. It changes everything.

A Mom's Favorite Words

Mother is the most beautiful word in the English language, says a survey conducted a few years ago by the British Council. According to the survey’s results, the ten most beautiful words are:

1. Mother
2. Passion
3. Smile
4. Love
5. Eternity
6. Fantastic
7. Destiny
8. Freedom
9. Liberty
10. Tranquility

Lovely words, all of them. But reading that got me to thinking: what are a mother’s favorite words? Hmmmm…..how about sleep? Yep, that would probably be it—especially if the word is preceded by the adjective uninterrupted. Ah, bliss!

Read more.

Setting Captives Free: Writers and Readers Reach Out 2012

Who we are: A group of writers and readers endeavoring to live our gratitude out loud during these 30 Days of Thanksgiving by partnering with Make Way Partners. This amazing organization rescues widows and orphans from human traffickers and offers them hope through the love of Jesus. Make Way Partners offers ongoing medical care and education to those they’re able to set free--and that’s where we come in.

What we’re doing: Helping to build a high school for 600 orphans in a dangerous war-torn area on the border of Sudan and Darfur. Make Way Partners has built the lower grades from the ground up, adding one grade at a time as funds allowed. It’s now time to build a high school, giving these kids an education beyond that of the majority of leaders in their Parliament, and in doing so equip this next generation with tools that can change the direction of their country.

Our Request: That our readers would catch this vision with us and live their gratitude out loud, too. You can donate through Make Way’s donation form. (Your donation can be “attached” to a favorite author by filling in the field asking where you heard about Make Way. Example: WritersandReaders/AuthorDenaDyer)

Quick Facts:

• Make Way Partners was founded by Kimberly L. Smith and her husband. 
• Read more about this incredible ministry at Kimberly’s blog.  
• Download a free chapter of Kimberly’s book Passport Through Darkness. 
• If you prefer using a check or money order, you may address it to Make Way Partners, P.O. Box 26367 Birmingham , AL 35260.  
• Spred the Word: In addition to donating, everyone can be of incredible assistance by using the power of social media to spread the news of this drive. When twittering or pinning this drive please use hashtags #WritersandReaders2012 or #WR2012. (My twitter handle is @motherinferior2)
• Enlarging the Vision: As we were set to launch, one-fourth of our population was impacted by Super storm Sandy and many areas remain in distress. We’ve adjusted our sails to respond to the heartache in our own country as well. As you make your donation to Make Way Partners, please consider making a matching donation to relief efforts underway for our neighbors on the East Coast. We believe strongly our being mobilized to respond to the needs of our neighbors at this very moment is no coincidence. We’ve been given much, let us give much. One place to donate is World Vision. Another is Samaritan's Purse.
• Get the backstory on this campaign.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Help Us Build A High School for Vulnerable Orphans!

I've heard it said that "publishing is all about platform." It's my belief that a platform is useless--unless I use the influence God grants me to advance God's kingdom. In that vein, I want to let you know about a great opportunity we have to raise awareness about human trafficking--and join together to raise funds towards their rescue--through Kimberly L. Smith’s foundation, Make Way Partners.

In Novembers past, my fellow Wordserve Literary Agency client and Southern Belle extraordinaire, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, asked her readers to donate a certain small dollar amount towards a worthy cause, out of thankfulness for their own blessings.

This year, I'm thoroughly excited to be joining her--along with other amazing authors like Randy Alcorn, Julie Cantrell, and Rachel Hauck--to respectfully ask you: what would you be willing to do or give if it were your children and grandchildren being bought and sold? Some of you know that I worked with refugees for two years in Amarillo, Texas, and many of them had been almost-trafficked, or they knew people who had been bought and sold into modern-day slavery. My heart breaks when I think about it, especially for the innocent children who are treated so viciously. 

And yet, even as we are set to launch, one-fourth of our population has been impacted by Super storm Sandy and many areas remain in distress. Far too many people have seen their homes destroyed and many others have suffered the painful loss of loved ones. The winds of Sandy have literally caused us to adjust our sails as we respond to the heartache in our own country. Writers and Readers Reach Out 2012 is enlarging the vision!

As you make your donation to Make Way Partners, please consider making a matching donation to relief efforts underway for our neighbors on the East Coast. We believe strongly that our being mobilized to respond to the needs of our neighbors at this very moment is no coincidence. We’ve been given much, let us give much.

World Vision Sandy Relief

Red Cross

Salvation Army

Now on to this year's challenge...In previous years, Shellie's readers have given money out of a sense of gratitude to Life Today to drill a well in Southern Africa, among other projects. (I love that ministry--my family did the same thing years ago and it was entirely life-changing for us. Isn't that the way it is with God's economy? You are blessed when you give; even more than when you receive!) As you read these words, that well continues to supply fresh, life-sustaining water to an entire village. 

The recipient of this year’s efforts will be Make Way Partners, an organization that works with individuals, churches and other groups to help prevent and combat the evil of human trafficking and all forms of modern-day oppression. Shellie was in the planning stages of her drive and deeply burdened by what she was learning about human trafficking when she read Passport through Darkness by Kimberly L. Smith.  She says, "I knew immediately that MWP, the organization founded by Kimberly and her husband, was where we needed to focus our attention this holiday season."  (Download a free chapter of Passport Through Darkness.)

The goal of Writers and Readers Reach Out 2012 is to combine our individual platforms and thus multiply our efforts.  (Honestly, we're hoping to start a tsunami of thankfulness and hope!)

If you’ll take the time to read just a few of the real-life stories on Kimberly’s blog of women and children who Make Way Partners has rescued from slavery, and for whom they provide long-term care, I believe you’ll want to participate in this beautiful journey of restoration.

Eight years ago, Kimberly began chartering small mission planes to fly her into the war zone of Sudan where U.S. sanctions and Islamic regimes rendered thousands of orphans unadoptable. Providing food and opening a first-grade school in a lawless land with no other educational systems, MWP partnered with an indigenous leader to rescue and care for these most vulnerable orphans. Year-by-year, they’ve added a new grade to their school. Now, graduating eighth grade, the orphans of MWP have more education than many current leaders of their nation.  It is time to build a high school, making it possible to raise up the next generation of educated Christian leaders who will stop the cycle of violence and slavery.

Read about a few of these amazing students and the complete high school proposal here.

I’m so excited about the opportunity for us to join this effort! To quote the late Hellen Keller, “It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.”  Remember, it was the power of a word, written in the palm of her hand, that unlocked Ms. Keller’s heart and mind and subsequently impacted untold lives around the world.

As readers and writers, no one knows the value of education better than we. Let’s dream big and build a high school for the world’s most vulnerable orphans!

You can make your donation online using this button. It’s linked to Make Way Partners. In the field that asks where you learned about Make Way Partners, please copy and paste the following label: WritersandReaders, DenaDyer

(By the way, I--of course--don't receive anything from your donation. They are just using "tags" to keep track of where the givers heard about the campaign) If you prefer to send a check or money order, that address is: Make Way Partners, P.O. Box 26367 Birmingham , AL 35260

In addition to donating, everyone can be of incredible assistance by using the power of social media to spread the news of this drive. When twittering or pinning this drive please use hashtags #WritersandReaders2012 or #WR2012. (My twitter handle is @motherinferior2)

To my fellow authors and bloggers: It’s not too late to join this effort. If you’d like to participate please contact audreym@makewaypartners.org with your  blog site, Facebook page, website address, or any other acknowledgement you would like to use for your readers to track this opportunity.

Thirty days of thankfulness. This year, let’s give others the chance to access safety, education, and spiritual/emotional/physical support, even in the darkest corners of our world.

[Comment below if you’d like to be entered in a drawing for a free copy of Passport through Darkness. One winner will be announced at the end of the month.]

Thank you in advance for your generosity and help as we undertake this worthwhile effort. May God richly bless you this Thanksgiving season, and into 2013!

The 15-Minute Writer: Build Your Platform

Platform building has become all-important in the publishing world. And how do you build a platform? One plank at a time.  

That’s why I tell writers with day jobs and moms with kids NOT to wait until they have more time to pursue their dreams. You CAN write, and get published--in 15 minute increments. 

Read on...

Where I've Been (and Where I'm Going): Pray for Me?

Tomorrow, I leave for a writing retreat at Laity Lodge. I am soooo looking forward to it. The Lodge is one of my favorite places on the planet, and it's such a blessing to have the opportunity to visit there periodically through my part-time "gig" with The High Calling.

The retreat center is beautiful; Chef Tim cooks amazing meals; the fellowship is incredible; the schedule is restful; and the speakers and musicians are top-notch. If you've never been, check out their upcoming retreats. *They offer  scholarships, so don't rule it out just because finances are tight.*

The past two years, I took HUGELY practical and inspirational seminars with Lauren Winner (non-fiction) and Jeffrey Overstreet (fiction). This year, I'm participating in a workshop with Christianity Today editor, John Wilson.  

Would you pray for me? As one of THC editors at the retreat, I long to be an encouragement to those writers who are looking for direction and help. I also would love to hear from God about a few personal things I've been praying about. And please pray for my hubby and boys, since I'll be gone for four days. I'd sure appreciate it!

Anyway, I've been a little quiet on the blog-front lately, because I've been working on 36 devotionals-for-hire for a 2013 book from Barbour Publishing, plus speaking a few times, and meeting my monthly and bi-monthly deadlines for The High Calling, Wordserve Water Cooler (our agency's blog), and Heritage Builders.

Oh, yeah--and also being a mom and minister's wife and homeschooling two days a week. Those are my favorite jobs, and the most important ones. :)

Life is full, and kinda chaotic, but I'm trying...and mostly succeeding...to enjoy both the hectic and restful moments. I have a eight year-old AND a freshman in high school now. I can't believe it! 

I'm very grateful for the opportunities God is giving me, and long to be a good steward of them. It's such a privilege to minister in His name. In case you missed them, or are just curious, here are links to a few pieces recently featured around the web. I'd be delighted if you read, commented on, and/or shared them:

•  6 Ways to Raise Creative Kids
• Don't Stop "Beliebing"
• Moms of Summer, Dreaming of Fall
• Eating Vegan in the Land of Steak
• God-Given, Weird, Unexplainable: JOY!
• Do You Think I'm Insecure (reprint)

Finally, I was honored to participate in Rest Ministries' Invisible Illness Week as a guest speaker via Skype (that was a fun "first" for me!). You can watch my seminar, "Parenting Teens and Tweens When You Have a Chronic Illness" here.

Blessings to you, friends.  Mind if I pray for you?

Lord, thank you for both the good things and the hard things in our lives. May each day draw us closer to You, even when we don't "feel" you near. Help us to quiet our hearts so we can hear you, in the midst of a crazy or even a too-quiet day. May we bless others with our presence, just as you've richly blessed us with Your own. Amen. 

Conquer Your Fears & "Live to Give" Webcast

Is this kid inspirational, or what?!

On September 6 at 8 PM EDT, teenager, charity founder, and author Austin Gutwein will be hosting a live Facebook web event to encourage participants to conquer their fears and use their talents to help others. The webcast will center on the themes Gutwein writes about in his latest release “Live to Give: Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles” (Thomas Nelson/August, 2012). At the conclusion of the webcast, the winners of a month-long social media fueled “Get and Give” contest will be announced, including the winner of a Kindle Fire and $250 donated to the winner’s charity of choice.

Join Austin on the evening of Thursday, September 6th as he shares about his own experiences and encourages others to conquers their fears and “live to give”. Austin will also be taking audience questions and interacting with participants. PLUS – there will be several “Live to Give” giveaways-- books, gift certificates and much more! RSVP today, and tell your friends.

Based on the John 6 story of Jesus feeding the 5000, in “Live to Give” Gutwein challenges his readers that regardless of age and talent, God can use them to make a difference. Even though God could take care of everything Himself and doesn’t really need our help, He desperately WANTS us to help Him care for others. Gutwein walks young people through discovering and embracing their unique God-given strengths and abilities, then figuring out how to use those talents to help others. Sometimes doing that takes a leap of faith on our part, and often becoming fearless in the process.

More about Austin: At eighteen years old, Gutwein speaks with wisdom and has the experience to reinforce his message. When Austin was just nine years old, he watched a video that showed children in Africa who had lost their parents to AIDS. Gutwein realized these kids weren’t any different from him—except they were suffering. Feeling called to help, he took his love of basketball and decided to shoot free throws to raise money for orphans in Zambia.

On World AIDS Day in 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Through sponsorship from parents and friends, Gutwein raised over $3,000 that day to give hope to eight orphans in Zambia. Over the past eight years, Gutwein’s efforts have created Hoops of Hope, the largest free throw marathon in the world. With an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating, Hoops of Hope has raised more than $2.5 million to build schools, medical clinics, dormitories for orphanages, and the only computer lab in Zambia.

Enter to win a Kindle Fire--and have $250 donated to your favorite charity. Click for the banner for details and entry form, or visit http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13528976/livetogive. Learn more about Austin and Hoops of Hope at www.AustinGutwein.com and

Grace for the Race: Take Two

Once upon a time, I had a dream . . . to write and publish a very personal, humorous, heartfelt devotional book which would encourage my fellow moms to nestle close to Jesus. I wanted other mothers to find the help and hope He alone gives in the midst of the exhausting, terrifying and immensely joyous task we've been given. After LOTS of rejections on various proposals, Barbour offered me a contract in the fall of 2003. Whoo-hoo!

I poured my soul into the book, sitting at the computer while my oldest son (who's now a freshman in high school!) went to kindergarten each day. I was pregnant with Jackson (who's now in third grade) as I wrote. I turned in the book on April 1st, 2004, and he was born early on April 7th. Except for a great deal of "morning sickness" throughout the nine months I carried Jax, and all the crying jags I experienced while digging deep to write the book, I treasure those days.

In November 2004, Barbour released the book, and it sold reasonably well for a first-time author. I was (and am) so, so thankful. Then the next year, the book went out of print. While I still sold the book during speaking engagements, and gave it as gifts for baby showers and birthdays, my husband and I both felt like God wasn't done with "Grace for the Race." Barbour actually gave me another contract to re-release it in 2007; then, they gained a new president and he axed it. Back to
the drawing board, and the prayer closet, we went.

Now, a few years later, I am excited beyond words to share that Patheos Press has re-released "Grace for the Race: Meditations for Busy Moms," as an e-book of 31 easy-to-read devotions. This version of the "book of my heart" has been shortened, revised, and updated for
today's moms.

The best part? It's only $2.99! And you don't have to have a Kindle or Nook to read it--you can download a Kindle app on the very page you buy the e-book, and read it right on your phone or computer. :)

I would be so honored if you would consider purchasing a copy, and passing this post on to your friends and acquaintances.

Okay, sorry to be long-winded. I am grateful, humbled, and prayerful about the ways God could continue to use my testimony to encourage other women that they're not alone.

Would you pray with me, that moms who need hope and healing might find their way to "Grace"?

Thanks, friends...I treasure your support!

It All Began with a Taco: First Steps to Publishing

A boxing taco. That's the subject of the first story I ever wrote, which I read to the other second grade students in Mrs. Moore's class at Morningside Elementary: "The boxing taco fought in Madison Round Garden. When he sweated, he dripped tomato juice." Not Newberry award-winning stuff, for sure...but my classmates' laughter was like medicine to me, a shy and often frightened child.

Writing became my passion. An uncle in the publishing business showed me how to use a Writer's Market in order to check guidelines for suitable markets and submit articles, poems and stories to magazines. It was a pivotal moment in my life. By twelve, I had my first piece printed on the back of a Sunday School "take home" paper. What a thrill! I kept the $8 check in a scrapbook, which I still have. 

I continued to write through junior high and high school, collecting tons of rejections--and just enough success to keep me motivated. In 1993, I graduated with a BA in Professional Writing/Music from Baylor University. And in 1995, I took a job as a writer in the public relations office for a seminary my new husband was attending, which honed my skills in interviewing, research and meeting deadlines.

But after working for a year for barely minimum wage, I felt that I could make more money and have more fun freelancing. After praying through the decision (and with my hubby's blessing and encouragement, which have been vital), I gave my notice.

Since then, I've been blessed to write professionally as a freelancer, either part- to full-time. Though my husband has made the bulk of our "paying-the-bills money," mine has come in handy with extras and has allowed me to be home with our two sons during formative seasons in their lives. 

I'm so grateful that my Uncle H.V. selflessly introduced me to the concept of professional writing. If it hadn't been for his early encouragement, I might have decided to pursue a different career.

So if you're longing to get published, familiarize yourself with writers' markets--either those of single publishers, or large books/websites that list multiple places looking for well-written words. Market guides and sites are a wonderful place to gather new ideas, learn about existing and new publications, and find out the requirements to land a paying "gig."

Here are a few to check out:

• Writer's Market
• Sally Stuart (for Christian writers)
• Sally Clark (she highlights a different market each day)
• Market List

Who knows? The first story you write might be the start to a very interesting journey. 

Now: for a fun contest. Comment on this post, and you'll be entered to win a prize pack of books for women (including Grace for the Race: Meditations for Busy Moms).  

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm in the mood for Mexican food.