My FREE Bible Study Worksheets can help you! exposed in the body of Christ. The King had a “right hand man”, Haman who was full of pride and haught. He and his wife live in Cumming, Georgia a suburb of Atlanta. A memorable one was Moses. I loved to read but was afraid to write. 8. Esther, using all of the bravery she could muster, boldly requested that she and her people be spared. When Mordecai learned of Haman and the king’s  plan, he told Esther about it. During this time he served blue-chip clients such as American Express, Thomas Nelson Publishers as well as some non-profit organizations. Other than her beauty, she was not unique in any way. These lies tell us to keep quiet and let those with better and more impactful stories speak. WRITE . She was willing to risk her own life to save the lives of many. I didn’t know. In this course, you will learn how to: Write titles for your work that draw attention ; Balance motherhood with the call to write ; Overcome the fear of marketing your message; Push past feeling overwhelmed with what God has called you to do; Continually find ideas to write about; Handle tough critics with grace and an … Her strength came from God. He introduced himself, then asked me a simple question. Good day i m Chris in south Africa born again since 2010,God told me to write a book from 2019 September . Sometimes, I need to wait on God and let His timing play out. While I have been praying about writing a Bible study on the Book of Esther which incorporates verse mapping and inductive Bible study, there are some great Bible studies on the book of Esther available, already. This is my calling. Os attended the University of South Carolina and Calvary Chapel Bible School. That was and still is the only way I am able to write. After that, write a table of contents to help guide you as you write, then break each chapter into a few sections. How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. May be you’ve felt the same way. books! Remember that he went to Esther when he uncovered the plot of the guards to murder the king. Mordechai and Esther established a holiday to commemorate these amazing events. Write the way you speak. Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. Remember that God has blessed you with your looks, but it is up to you to treat people with respect, be humble and gracious and remember Who created you. I’m so type A. There is so many thoughts and my brain is pouring out so much i can barely keep up. It is a battle against the present world order of hate, judgment and injustice. I’ve shared a downloadable/printable PDF for you containing some of these verses. I’m telling you this story because I wonder what’s happening in your life right now. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. even though I’ve never actually written a book (yet)! ( Log Out /  Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. On Jan 3rd, 2018 i asked God what assignments He’s got for me because my theme for this year is Obedience. Then, that founder called a friend in Nashville and asked if the friend knew any writers. Hi Claire, How did those things begin to let me down? Seek to live and write knowing that God is using your life and words for his purpose. Now that you’ve answered these questions, take a few minutes to write out your story as if you were telling it to someone. When he learned of the plan to kill all of the Jews, he asked Esther to go before the king. Because telling stories is a beautiful form of praise. He is married to Pamela and has one married daughter, Charis. Just last night I had a dream which requires that I do an assignment. My phone vibrated and flashed an unknown number from Michigan. Intrigue, suspense, gratitude, bravery – all in one beautiful story in the Bible. It could bless thousands of people. If the Holy Spirit says you should do it a certain way, do it. There are several beautiful and encouraging Bible verses from the Book of Esther. Pray before you write out and share your story. Great and Motivating article!! When Esther stepped up and spoke to save the Jewish people, she couldn’t have known that she would be impacting generations to come. Now don’t jump to conclusions and vow (once again) to stop reading my blog forever. He’s told me in prayer. Loved by the God of the universe, and it led to me creating this blog to share with the world the message God had whispered to me. And, then bravely face your fears. Yikes. Or not to even write professionally but somehow serve a purpose. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? But I do know that whenever I hear a testimony of Jesus doing something awesome like this, I feel that burning, and this verse always comes to mind. I wasn’t a writer. I know it’s not. Work on your writing; Two things, inspiration and discipline usually sustain the writing process. I’ve never left church so confused. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. Hi, i was asking God in prayer what else had he called me to do. I have just spent time researching and praying if this recurrent impulse to write is from God and what I am called to, I found your story so encouraging. In an interview with the Atlantic, Stephen King admits he can spend months, or even years, on writing the opening lines for a new book. The course we’re featuring today is So You Want To Write a Book with Os Hillman, who is a prolific writer and author. The king had become drunk on wine and commanded that his wife, Queen Vashti come, at once, to show everyone how beautiful she was. my email is dariennulick@yahoo.com, or u can find me on Facebook, Darien Nulick – just send a message telling me whom u r and Ill accept it. I was one of those. My FREE SOAP study worksheet with instructions AND FREE in-depth Bible verse worksheet can help you dig deeper to understand and apply His Word. Has God always been concerned about extending His love and forgiveness to all nations and peoples of the earth? (If you are struggling with finding God’s calling for your life, see this post). If God has called you to write, then write. TOTALLY CRAZY. Pray before you write out and share your story. I get the word, “write” over and over. With your support, Cru will reach students, before it’s too late. Yet, here I am, a proclaimed Christian writer with a blog and an upcoming book. Susan is a writer, speaker and the creator of Women of Noble Character ministries. I certainly would, though this definition does not accommodate the other parts of writing. That’s how I landed on your page. Characters, not plots, are the soul of good writing. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Hi Claire. Ask God for wisdom and the words to say. I believe 2019 is the year I will leave my comfort zone and trust God. If you have any concerns, please raise it with him. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? I stuffed down these self-deprecating thoughts and insults, and smashed down the burning bush moment with them. This holiday, called “Purim,” is the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar. Very nice article! We now know that this timely advice, from her trusted advisor, saved a nation. Ester tried to avoid taking any action, but Mordecai again pleaded with Queen Esther to do something to save the Jewish people. This page/post may contain affiliate links. This will help you determine how long it is going to take you to write a draft of the book. Testify! Unbeknownst to me, during this time a publisher was making a call to a non-profit in Michigan. What an action-packed story, right? Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Do you believe this? With six small children, an NFL husband, and a busy speaking and writing career, Katy McCown knows a thing or two about balancing ministry, motherhood and writing. This means that the message that we have been called to share shouldn’t be diluted or adulterated. At the end of those three days, she would then approach the king with her request. How can you continually come up with fresh material for messages, books, blog posts, devotions or articles that will resonate with today’s women? It’s so cool to hear how God moves in others’ lives. A beautiful, yet humble girl, raised by a cousin, and who saved a generation through her bravery. Two things, inspiration and discipline usually sustain the writing process. Over one phone call, they asked the founder if he thought he could compile a book. What about my life before Christ will relate most to the non-Christians I know? I believed that I had nothing worthwhile to say and I definitely had very little skill in this art. Remember that God gives the ability and he knows what you can do. It is your outlet to create and like anything we create, there will be seasons of delays and rejections. Perhaps even really big, mountain-moving stuff. God expects our obedience. When you are faced with something scary, do as Esther did: Pray. Be honest. Ask God for opportunities to share your story and the gospel with others. Going deeper in prayer is not always easy or fun. But I have NO IDEA where to begin or what to really write about!!!! Here’s my ‘burning bush’ moment… It happened in the summer of 2011. http://gracechurchsc.org/ministry-you-dont-see/god-is-in-the-facebook-business/, I love following your blog and knowing what’s going on in your life! Im a true believer in Christ. I love God and have been You’ve created your personal testimony. I call it playing the God card and frankly, it doesn’t impress me. Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. And, remember, that King Xerxes had an evil member of his cabinet, Haman, who had already convinced the king to kill all of the Jews. For more on Esther and the celebration of Purim, check out these fantastic post on Worth Beyond Rubies. Would I quit everything else and just start writing something? Whatever angle you come from you will benefit from the practical insights offered by Os Hillman. You’ve heard the lies filtering through the silence, reminding you of your questionable grammar, poor storytelling and most of all, “doubtful” message. The book of Esther is unique in that it is one of the only two books in the Bible named for women (the other, of course, is Ruth). It was this still, quiet thought that entered my heart in the  midst of a song. Reblogged this on Humanity Beautiful and commented: The earliest observances of Purim are believed to date back to the 5th century BC. And during that sermon, I felt something stirring in my heart that couldn’t be called anything but crazy. I have yet to keep up with a writing schedule and honestly do not know if i should have one. This is definitely God. Stay bless. In this lesson, Lysa TerKeurst will increase your confidence in being a ministry leader as you learn to establish a biblical plan of action to deal with tough critics, understand how to manage the pain so you can stay authentically engaged and joyous to the ministry tasks at hand and navigate it all with humility and grace. He has been featured on CNBC, in the LA Times, NY Times and in the Christian media. THAT is what it’s all about. Just trust Him.Click to Tweet, 5. We need to tell each other how God is moving. Praying and waiting for God to reveal His timing. But writing a book isn’t easy. Mordechai was a very old man during the story of Purim. Even today, there are others who are not sure they have what it takes. Esther was a Jewish woman (a lowly esteemed group) who was wife to a powerful king. It can be difficult to see God’s plan and know which road to take. With the information overload, we are constantly bamboozled with the work and success of others. Because he loves me, and he loves you, and he’s up to stuff! Hello mrs gibson. He is also involved in several entrepreneurial ventures related to publishing and Internet marketing. Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. The Lord can use you to help others come to know Christ. You are truly When you feel weak. There were many who despised the Jews. Previously, Os owned and operated an advertising agency from 1984-2001. Even though my life still isn’t perfect, how does knowing Christ help me deal with that fact? Os also has an online portal, TGIFbookstore.com serving the faith and work movement. You may have been born with physical good looks, but if your attitude or personality is sour, no amount of beauty will cover that up. Until the writing is for God, it is not a calling from God. We must fight these lies, with the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit. I was once a Ruth, believing in man perse, while i patiently waited, results…nothing but money. God can use you, too, for His plans. I know in my heart God has called me If this is your first book, it’s unrealistic to expect you can write every day for several months. It’s Time To Share YOUR Story / Write A Book, TAGSAuthor / become an author / book / GOD TV E-Course / Os Hillman / Write. Rather, she prayed, fasted and waiting for God to prompt her on when to approach the king and how to do it. For an ironnic twist, Queen Esther and Mordecai were given Haman’s estate and were honored with royal garments. Beautiful and now I have butterflies about my calling. The king reread and was reminded of how Mordecai saved his life by exposing the plot to assassinate him. “God told me to write this.” And let’s not forget its many variations. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. began sending out a daily email newsletter entitled Today God Is First (TGIF) in 1998. I sought God for revelation and when it came in the form of encouraging young Christian women like me, I was elated and grateful until the fears crept in. “You just want to write a book so you can be rich and famous. It was Brad Formsma, the founder of I Like Giving. I googled God told me to write a book, but i don’t know what to write. Learn about world-building, suspense, and other tools to be the perfect sci-fi or fantasy writer! Grab yours below. Take this easy to follow course on writing and publishing books by Mindy Gibbins-Klein. The task of writing a catchy first sentence can paralyze even the most acclaimed writers. VISION DOWN….something about writing things down that If you are working under a deadline, you may make your schedule more tight than if you have the luxury of more time to write. She has no power to determine what happens next—it’s all in his hands. Then that CEO called me. Mordecai was also very loyal. You can get some ideas and learn, For more on Esther and the celebration of Purim, check out these fantastic post on, There are several beautiful and encouraging Bible verses from the Book of Esther. Achashverosh searched four years for a queen, during which he considered more than 1400 contestants, before choosing Esther. God gave me this idea. It’s Time To Share YOUR Story / Write A Book, Islamist Terrorists Kill 300 Nigerian Christians While 72 Supernaturally Escape Firing Squad. She of course, gave the credit to Mordecai for his protection of the king and the two guards were hanged. For Years Literally YEARS I ask God what He wants me to do and I get ONE WORD…. Perhaps the Lord has been prompting you but you’ve lacked the time or energy. If you were one of those who enjoyed reading but never thought you would have the caption, writer, included in your credentials. A common advice to creatives in the 21st century lies around comparison. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. The king said yes, of course,  and asked Esther to tell him her request at the banquet. Would it take six years or six days or six months? In the 13 years of waiting to be published, Wendy Pope learned some dos and don’ts of waiting on God to open doors for dreams to true and in this lesson, she will teach you how to do the same. Now imagine if you never intended to write. Reply. As a pursuing writer for many years, i now have that tingling feeling….it’s my time. And, given a whole year of pampering and beauty treatments, her beauty could only have been enhanced. (He was already a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest court of Torah law in Jerusalem, 79 years before the miracle of Purim!). an encouragement to me and many others. Claire I’m just reading your post , I am right now in the place were I feel that God called me to do the same he even gave me scripture Jeremiah 30:1, Why haven’t I done it yet, I have started it, but thoughts come into my mind that what if I’m wrong what if no one wants to read it. He decided that Mordecai deserved a reward for this good deed, so he called Haman to seek his advice. I have to say i have already started to write. He wasn’t the first Jewish person; he’s thought to be the first person to be referred to as a Jew rather than an Israelite or Hebrew. He. It’s so hard and yet I want to be so obedient! Through So You Want To Write a Book you will learn to: Os Hillman is the president of Marketplace Leaders and Aslan Group Publishing. While there aren’t too many of us who would be faced with this type of situation, I pray that, if the situation called for it, that I would call on God and be willing to risk my own life to save others. He keeps giving me time off from work by injuries over and over again and I am getting tired of MY STIFF NECK!!!! Her first reaction was hesitation. And this requires an invitation to times of aloneness. He asked Haman what should be done for a man whom the king “delights in”. opens doors and gets us closer to our goals. You will never know how one small act of loving others can make an impact on many. In Habakkuk He said to WRITE THE Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. Trust that will lead you on a beautiful journey to growth and purpose. Fast. King Xerxes/Ahasuerus then held a grand banquet for his new queen, Esther. Helpful Hints. When Mordecai refused to bow down the Haman This bothered Haman to the point of rage. If you want to watch a fantastic movie about this story of Esther in the Bible, this is One Night with The King, a story about Esther. God’s timing is perfect. I didn’t know. A moment where heart pounding, feet tingling, you feel the presence of God and sense that what you’re hearing is audible and silent and hidden from the world, but apparent to you? Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. It can be a daunting task but don’t let that stop you from starting. Then I write at the top of several pages things like the following: (For more on mentoring and the Titus 2 relationship, see this post). A planner. Grab it below. Sounds crazy, right? The assignment states that ‘ Write an Essay about your experiences in 2017.’ I’m still processing this information and my mind is racing. God places these special people in our lives to raise up the next generation and help them to follow His ways. Abdullah June 21, 2016 at 7:54 am. I’m a work in progress. So if you want to write a non-fiction book, and you commit to writing 1,000 words a day, it will take you 60 days to write the first draft if you write every day. List some specific changes in your character, attitude and perspective on life. She was just an adopted daughter of a cousin living in a foreign land. Fast. That’s not always the best course of action, however. In many ways, the journey to writing was precipitated by years of restlessness, buoyed with desperation to do more even though I wasn’t sure of what or how. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. I had no answers. Think … The devil is quick to whisper that we are still the same, tumbling through our flaws and imperfections with nothing to show for it. This will not be easy, but we must continue, undeterred, knowing that we cannot turn from this path, no matter how rocky the road may be. How is my life different now? I started and i could not make it .I managed only 12 pages i left the idea..I was not even if sure if realy God want me to write the book.One week after as after my night prayer i went to sleep.Two man came into my dream they asked why i dont continue to write the book.I was surprised is this serous! Usborne Write Your Own Sci-Fi and Fantasy Stories (Ages 10+) – A write-in book filled with a wide range of writing activities, tips, and advice to inspire a new generation of sci-fi and fantasy writers. The king was filled with anger against Haman and had him hanged on the very pole that Haman had set up for Mordecai. From all biblical accounts, Esther was a very beautiful woman. Why did I finally decide to accept Christ (or give Him complete control of my life)? Permalink. Write the argument of your book in a sentence, then stretch that out to a paragraph, and then to a one-page outline. Becoming an author can change your life—not to mention give you the ability to impact thousands, even millions, of people. I’m praying and seeking His guidance. I ask over and over again WHAT do You Want me to write…… the answer is ALWAYS THE SAME…….WRITE…..just Write. Your words are needed and are for a particular audience. Explore more articles on sharing the gospel to learn more. I’m working on stopping. Learn about Cru's global leadership team. I will be the first to confess that my obedience didn’t make the doubts and lies disappear. “Sure,” I thought, responding to the thought. The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer – Online Course, An Italian Retreat: The Craft and Business of Spiritual Writing. Don’t forsake your other responsibilities. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. My FREE Bible Study Worksheets can help you! Aim to keep your story to three to five minutes. And what if we label it coincidence instead of calling? – Humanity Beautiful, http://gracechurchsc.org/ministry-you-dont-see/god-is-in-the-facebook-business/. So you want to write a book. As I’ve mentioned, Esther didn’t come from much, but God had a plan for her life. a Christian for many years. The king was enthralled with her physical beauty, but her quiet and humble spirit shone through, especially to Hegai, the eunuch charged with preparing the virgins for their time with the king. ( Log Out /  We need to hear each others stories—because it reminds us that he is real and good and love. As an Amazon Associate, as well as an affiliate of other programs, this means if you purchase something using these links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you! It’s going to take a while because I keep putting it off and I know I shouldn’t. I often ponder the simple sentence in Revelation 19:10, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” I have heard it used it in varying contexts with varying degrees of interpretation and have no idea it means exactly. When I think about why God could possibly want me, the girl who writes stilted sentences (even uses the word “stilted”) and still misuses her comma, to share his message as a Christian writer, I am overwhelmed by his mercy and goodness. And, then bravely face your fears.Click to Tweet. Overcoming the Challenges Every Writer Faces. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. Chioma Oparadike is a Christian Writer on a mission to inspire more women to live with purpose and intention. Sign up for the GOD TV newsletter and receive a free gift! If God is moving in my life, he’s moving in yours. And behind the scenes, without Ruth’s knowledge, Boaz orchestrates everything necessary to redeem her and her husband’s land. Titus 2 calls “mature” women to teach the younger women. Im Delicia from south carolina. This is the destination he led me. I..i mean I thought about connecting many worldly writers/ authors but I became feared mostly because now im on a spiritual journey. Like someone else said, God loves writing so One night while Mordecai was sitting by the king’s gate, he overheard two guards conspiring to assassinate King Xerxes. It is a full-length feature film, so grab the popcorn, because you won’t want to miss any of it! When Esther learned of Haman’s plan to massacre the Jews, she didn’t instantly jump up and run to the king. In this case it refers to the way Haman chose the date for slaughtering all of the Jews in Persia. At that length, it's easily something you can share in a conversation without it becoming a monologue. There was a man named Hegai who was put in charge of preparing the women for meeting the king. What motivates me now? And if I perish, I perish.” (, Since many of us won’t ever, thankfully, be faced with this type of decision, we have many other opportunities each day to love others as God commands us to. I a burning bush moment in August, I was sitting in my room and I was struggling to hear Gods voice. Queen Esther requested that the king and Haman join her at a banquet the next day. You can touch the lives of others by acting as a loving guide. It wasn’t a voice, it wasn’t a literal burning bush. Weeks went by before I started writing but I’ve written the first chapter of my book already. You have probably heard that ‘comparison is the thief of joy’, but it’s much worse than that. This, in turn, opened the door for Mordecai to be honored and Esther to ask the king to save the lives of the Jews. I can relate very well… He has called me similarly, to write, but differently… I would love to share it with you, if you are willing to listen! He is your helper and your guide. When you are faced with something scary, do as Esther did: Pray. Though she didn’t know it, there were conversations happening outside her earshot that changed her life. Esther, however, took only what Hegai advised and the king was very pleased. He will steel our vision so our path is blurred, he will kill our dreams so we don’t know who to turn to and he will destroy our hearts. “Claire, would you be willing to help me write a book?”. Then set some time aside and be led by the Holy Spirit to put pen to paper. Mordecai immediately told Queen Esther of the plan and Esther told the king. Don’t let thoughts take away what is Gods calling on your life. The story of Esther in the Bible has always been one of my favorites. Showing God in action in and through His people. Ask God for wisdom and the words to say. Ours is flawed. In this lesson, Tracie Miles shares encouragement about how to push past those feelings and provides 8 ways to build your confidence in marketing your message. Partner with Cru on a short-term missions trip. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. Don’t put it off. Just click on the image below for your printable. If you aren’t familiar with Esther, or it’s been awhile since you’ve read or hear the story. My friends, may we never forget that it is a privilege and an honour to be used by God. The fact that we are Christian writers is in itself, a battle. Hope all is well . Since reading that book, I have added a significant component to my prayer life: listening. The next day, during the banquet Queen Esther had arranged for the King and Haman, the king again asked Esther what her request was.