Faith & Culture

August 8, 2016August 8, 2016

Rusty Bars and Repentant Hearts

Note: We’re reposting Chara Donahue’s blog post because (a) she’s amazing (b) her story of her time at the Prison Outreach / Essay Presentation is honest, heart-wrenching and beautiful (c) we hope this inspires you to join us at this year’s Essay Presentation at Oregon State Penitentiary (that Chara is leading!).

We’re heading there Aug. 25, but you’ll need to sign up by Aug. 10! Click HERE to read more about this outreach and how you can be a part of it!

Out of all the invitations you receive in life, a handful entice with the potential for redemption; sometimes these requests show up in the form of a Facebook event. To truly taste these sweetened moments — the call for obedience must be heeded, or in other words, “Going” clicked. The opportunity to attend the Faith & Culture Prison Outreach Essay Presentation seemed to have these hints of the holy lingering in the background. I decided to explore by taking the first step, securing childcare.

I talked to my husband about the possibility of attending the event at the men’s high-security penitentiary, and after he said things like, “Let me pray about it. Are you sure this is safe?” I responded, “Jesus said, ‘I was in prison and you came to me.'” Then we agreed that he would watch our brood of four while I attended the event, words in hand.

Words that I had been pondering, polishing, and praying would speak to hearts. When I agreed to go I asked, “Should it be something l had already written or brand new?” It had to be both glorifying to a mighty God who’s ways are far beyond our own, and relatable to those who have been locked away for years. I kept praying about it, and one day on the elliptical at the gym, I knew.

I started crying — at the gym.

I was that person others questioned whether it would be better to help or to avoid, but I knew what I was sensing was from God. If any, I figure that is an acceptable reason to lose it in public. I hoped people would think my tears were sweat, opened up my notes app, and began to write the moments out while I ran. Later I took the gibberish of my notes, and wrote the tale I had not told before. One about a little girl who picked up the collect call delivering the news that a man she cherished, was locked up.

I met the rest of the Faith & Culture crew that were going outside the small entrance to the foreboding prison. Together we went through multiple security checks, waited for bars to slide open and clank closed, and met well over 100 prisoners attempting to improve their lives through the 7 step program. I stepped up to the microphone praying I wouldn’t cry. I made it through without breaking, but as I looked around the cold, payphone-lined room, I saw that some of those men had taken up the mantle of tears for me.

As I stood up there and told a tale of reconciliation, healing, and forgiveness framed by mountain climbing and prayers prayed, I saw the spirit of God bring rest, hope, and action to the lives of men who wondered about their families often. The other writers brought inspirational and encouraging tales as well, each one of our stories meeting different men that night in sacred places hidden behind steely bars. Men who were gracious, considerate, and kind to us, as we spoke with them after the readings.

They let us into their stories, many told us of their own wrestlings with the law, family dynamics, and God. Some were encouraged, some were broken, and some came asking, “What should I do?” Many told us they look forward to this every year and raved about Faith & Culture’s founder Cornelia Seigneur. By sharing a sliver of my own self that I won’t be disclosing to the internet, I was invited into the deep stories of others, peppered by the harsh realities of their human experience. I was also ushered into conversations covered with glory, hope, and redemption.

It feels risky to offer vulnerability to a room full of strangers, especially men the judicial system has found guilty, but it feels even more perilous to deny God the offerings he asks for, because of what will be missed in withholding. I can see their faces still, I can see how the power of God met them, and I can pray for them. That night, intertwined sagas whispered freedom to those whose bodies might be captive but whose souls could be liberated.

I am grateful for the experience, hoping to return next year, and am still amazed at the ways I found Jesus dwelling amongst the rusty bars, concrete walls, and repentant hearts.

Chara is a freelance writer, certified biblical counselor, and speaker. She holds a MSEd from Corban University and is passionate about seeing people set free through God’s truths. She loves to write about faith, culture, and the deep truths that drive our fascinations with it. Chara is the founder and editor of Anchored Voices and can be found on multiple social media platforms @CharaDonahue.

March 8, 2016March 8, 2016

Five things I’ve learned from Blogging by Jody Collins

“All things great are wound up with all things little.” Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery

When I went back to school to become a teacher at the ripe young age of 36, I joined a growing wave of what was known as ‘re-entry students.’ Our particular wave was comprised of young men, business folk and young moms like myself. The credential program consisted of getting a four year degree then embarking on the California state-mandated ‘fifth year’ training.

This fifth year included intense study in all manner of things educational, intern time in classrooms and the opportunity to put all the nuts and bolts of what I’d learned into actual practice. I finished that year with a 6 month stint Student Teaching in Kindergarten and lived to tell it. Then they handed me my credential and said I could go change the world.
It’s been 25 years since that credential–now I’ve decided to change the world one word at a time. Here are 5 things I’ve learned as I begin Blogging, Year 5:

IT’S PEOPLE, NOT PLATFORMS The best way to build readership is to build relationships.

If you participate in a weekly link up, make it a practice to say a virtual ‘hello’ to the folks who’ve posted on either side of you in the Link up. Over time, they may click back on your comment and come by to your site. You’ll begin to recognize certain ‘voices’ and the writers whose words resonate with your own.

You may also find some remarkable connections with strangers who become friends–either virtual or in person. In the last 5 years I’ve found the community of blogging has been as real to me as the folks in my congregation at church. It has bee a real treat to meet actual people for coffee or lunch or at a Writer’s Conference and add some flesh to the friendship.
I also subscribe to a handful of blogs and comment and encourage them as regularly as I can. It’s so nice to be noticed. “Why, someone read what I said! And it touched them!” Imagine how thrilled you are to find that about your own work–you can do the same for others whose words you are drawn to. Find someone to bless that doesn’t have a lot of comments on their posts and drop a line or two. It’ll make their day.

DO IT WRONG-WRITE LESS, NOT MORE —The first year I started blogging—2012—I entered 143blog posts. By the end of 2015 I had written 85 blogposts. I’m not awesome at math, but that’s almost 40% less than when I started. When I began, I was feverishly trying to keep up with weekly link ups that were so popular at the time and listening to all the advice out there about how to ‘do it right.’
Every year I’ve been blogging I’ve written LESS than the year before and I have more people reading and responding. Go figure. I also have deeper relationships with my readers, choosing that over going wide and shallow. (see #1 “People, not Platforms’ above). 3. CONSISTENCY IS HIGHLY OVERRATED**. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO POST ON YOUR BLOG TWICE A WEEK. Being sporadic is okay. Putting yourself on a schedule is not only grueling but feels insincere; you end up writing ‘fluff’ instead of substance, filling the space for that week or time because you have to. And here’s the reality—if you are Random/Abstract processor and thinker (as I am) there is going to be nothing regular or sequential or consistent about the way you work. Personally, I try to be consistent about only one thing—to make Jesus look good through my words.

That being said, I DO have a couple of series I post in regularly–something new, a “Favorite Things” round up, always on Friday, but not every Friday. And my “Just Because” posts–a Scripture and a photo–always on Thursdays, but not EVERY Thursday. ‘Sporadic’ is probably a better descriptor of any blogging ‘formula’ I have. Bottom line–trust God’s voice to guide you, trust your own voice to write when and how you feel prompted. You don’t have to do everything because the experts say you ‘should.’ (see #2 ‘Do it Wrong’ above).

WRITE REAL, NOT RELIGIOUS (see #3, ‘insincerity’ above). The first six months I was in the Christian blogosphere I poured on the churchiness and Christianese. I wanted to dazzle with my brilliance, shine with incomparable spiritual knowledge, impress with mighty metaphors. My first postswere embarrassingly long. What’s my point? To paraphrase, I believe, Mother Teresa, “People don’t care how much you know, they want to know how much you care.”
The words that resonate the most with your readers will be ones you write honest and real, a ‘Day in the Life’ of how you walk out what you know about Jesus. One week I could be talking about my sparkly Sunday shoes or the day Jesus gave me a Conga drum. Or I might write a blog post about my daughter’s miscarriage. Sometimes the world is gray, sometimes the world is beautiful, sometimes it’s just hard. God is a part of all of it.

5. SMALL MIGHT BE JUST RIGHT. Maybe blogging is a part-time interest for you, as it is for me. Or maybe you’ve got time to pour all your energies into it. It’s imperative to define what your version of ‘successful’ is. What are your goals? To build readership to 5,000 followers? To have 1,000 pageviews a week? Write a book? Be well-known? It takes a LOT of time, energy, attention and commitment, but it can be done. Sometimes small might be better.

BONUS: Writer’s block dogging you? HAVE FUN or Take a Sabbath Go for a walk, unload the dishwasher, take a shower (the most remarkable revelations come to me in the shower or under the bathroom faucet!) Sort the laundry, go pull some weeds. Your brain does so much better with some exercise, fresh air, some fun—blow bubbles, sit outside and watch the birds, dance by yourself, dance with a partner…the list is endless.

~Live your life then write it down~

***
Here’s what poet Luci Shaw has to say on the idea of disciplines in writing–an Interview with Ruminate Magazine
NOTE: The above is an edited version of this original post.

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Jody Collins served as the volunteer coordinator of the 2015 Faith & Culture Writers Conference. Find her work here: Jody Collins

February 15, 2016August 8, 2016

A Faith & Culture Sabbatical

When we started the Faith & Culture Writers Conference in 2011 at Western Seminary in Portland, our initial idea was to offer our creative event every other year at alternating higher education institutions. As the years went on, the passion for the Faith & Culture Writers Conference grew beyond the Pacific Northwest, and we began attracting attendees from across the country. Advisory board members and key team leaders suggested we reconsider our timeframe, and return a year later rather than wait two years.

Humbled and honored by the positive enthusiasm and support we began holding our conference yearly, and this last one in 2015, we even added a mini retreat to the program as well as a creative art space. And, another highlight: Rachael Thomas created this beautiful masterpiece during our two-days together. So much beauty which was reflected in our awesome feedback this year. We heard: “Faith & Culture changed my life,” “This is such a life-giving event,” “You’ve helped me launch my writing dreams,” and “I’ve found my people in you.”

Yet, 2015 was a trying year for me and this year continues to be a struggle. As most of you know, I was in a near-fatal accident suffering a brain injury in January 2015; and it was only because of the FCWC leadership team rallying together, that we were was able to pull off the 2015 event in April. It truly was God, who has always been our focus.
After the 2015 conference, as I have continued to try and focus on healing and my family and the rest of my life, I have slowly been meeting with lead team members, advisors and FCWC cheerleaders, both veteran and new, to regroup, reimagine, plan and dream for future FCWC events. I knew I needed to step back this year.

After much consideration and prayer, brainstorming about possibilities, we have decided to rest for the remainder of 2016, and look to 2017 for our next Faith & Culture Writers Conference.

We are calling it a Faith & Culture Sabbatical.

I am so incredibly grateful for the wonderful people who have come along to bring this wonderful conference to the creative community of faith. They are lifelong friends and I will never forget their hours upon hours of service. So many others have made this conference possible. I am also incredibly thankful for the various higher education institutions that have hosted us. It takes a lot to put a conference on!
Thank you for your encouragement, your prayers, your ideas, your support, your help, your believing in the vision. You are all part of our Faith & Culture Community.

In the mean time, other creative conferences have been reaching out to us to cross-promote their events, so we will let you know via our social media accounts and our blog.
And, if you are in the local PORTLAND, OREGON area, be sure to join us for our monthly Writers Connection. Our 2014 and 2015 conference emcee Velynn Brown, who came up with the word Sabbatical for our year of rest, is our new Writers Connection co-leader. We now alternate locations each month, between Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, Oregon, and Genesis Community Fellowship in Northeast Portland. Our next meeting is Wed. March 17 at Genesis, featuring Paul Pastor, and in April, we return to Rolling Hills (Thursday April 21). Thursday, May 19 we have our end of the year celebration, location, TBA!

We will be keeping our blog going, so please consider contributing a piece! Email: faithcultureteam@gmail.com

Keep in touch, with questions, email:
faithcultureteam@gmail.com

Our Social Media handles:

Twitter: @FaithCultureArt
Instagram: @FaithCultureArt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FaithCultureWriters
And, to end, I share with you our first theme verse from our inaugural event in 2011, one that keynote speaker Paul Louis Metzger gave us:

“But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”
– Jer. 20: 9

Share your story; the story God has given you, His story in you! And tell us and the world when you do! Do keep in touch.

[Note: WORDS art created by Martin French. Dove art created by Rachael Thomas]

January 15, 2016May 17, 2016

Last Year I declared “I am a writer.” This year. . .

By Chara Donahue

Last February, I was certain God had prompted me to join Twitter and start a blog. These are weird things God, I prayed, but whatever you say.

It is a habit of mine to ask God at the end of any conference, “What step of obedience should I take in response to what I have heard?” Normally, it is something a bit more understandable, like remove this thing from your life, help this person, or serve in this area.

Starting the blog fell under service, but in a way that was quite unfamiliar to me. Could my writing hobby really be used to bring glory to my Savior? I have learned to give what He is asking even when the submission falls into curious realms. I would rather be where God is moving, than to reason away what I do not understand. For it is in that space that marvel and wonder abound.

Grabbing a $5 blogger template from Etsy and shortly after joining Twitter, I took those first steps of faith that are often the hardest.

I began following a smattering of people on Twitter, and saw that Kari Patterson, a writer who had been gracious enough to give me some tips, was going to be speaking at the Faith & Culture Writer’s Conference. For Christmas my husband had gifted me a weekend away to work on my creative endeavors, and this appeared to be the perfect opportunity to cash in on his generosity.At this point, I had published a couple of posts and had rejoiced about my first freelance piece being accepted.

I realized, if I was going to go and sit amongst those who spread beauty by putting words to page, it was time to admit I was one of them.

Acknowledging this simple truth freed me to see a new reality; what qualified me to be a writer – is that I write. No lofty author had to bestow the title upon me; I didn’t need to have a book published, and there wasn’t some foreboding checklist taunting with what I must do next.

Writers, write. It isn’t about numbers or publications, but living out a God-ordained purpose for which I was created. I had to ask myself: was I willing to trust?

This venture has eclipsed all expectations, and dwarfed even my wildest anticipations. I have seen God use my words. I have been privileged to meet other writers and read what God has given them to say. I am a regular contributor on four different websites and have guest posted all over the place. A year ago I wasn’t dreaming of this, but God was leading me to it. All I had to do was give Him my yes.

As this new year begins – I am dreaming, setting goals, meeting regularly with others in the Faith and Culture circles, and lifting it all up with open hands in prayer. Whatever is to come, I want to maintain the simplicity of I will trust and obey. Whether it is more freelance work or less, the completion of a book proposal or a manuscript, or a time of rest and inspiration, I want to live in the divine tension of everything God wants for me, and from me, and will settle for nothing less.

The whispers of doubt have not fallen completely silent; I still wonder if God really cares about which social media platforms I choose to utilize. Does He really care if I keep my words to myself, or If I allow others to see them? Does He really care about this expanding facet of my life?

He does.

He wants to be in it all, at all times. And this hobby, He has chosen to make it more. He imparts the gifts we are called to use for blessing others. He helps others find hope in words delivered through my pen by His spirit.

For long before I chose to call myself a writer my God fashioned me a scribe. Would I dare tell the God of the universe, “You can have my hands but not my pen?”

“Writer” Chara Donahue’s work can be found at: Chara Donahue

August 26, 2015August 27, 2015

Writing ministry outreach to the Oregon State Penitentiary

^{Matt 25: 35-40″}

By Cornelia Seigneur

Our Writing Ministry Outreach at the Oregon State Penitentiary for our Annual Essay Presentation with the 7th Step Foundation is Thursday August 27. Thank you to those who signed up. For those who are attending (pre-approved through the prison), we are carpooling together from Rolling Hills Community Church, 3550 SW Borland Rd., Tualatin, meeting at 4:15 p.m. For those meeting us there, the event starts at 5:30 pm at the Oregon State Pen, 2605 State Street, Salem, Oregon. Email corneliaseigneur@comcast.net or call/text 503-318-3480.

Remember to wear: No prison blues or metal.

The theme for this year’s essay presentation is tied to the Oregon State Pen’s 7th Step Foundation’s Mission Statement: Helping OSP inmates to reduce recidivism through mental fitness and issues pertaining to criminal thinking, and transitional services. Our Mission is to provide information and resources to bring about change within the individual that will enable them to live a pro-social lifestyle.
Essay topics can center on topics like: empathy, change, hope, giving back, and community will work, but are not limited to these examples.

7th Step Foundation Goals:
-To provide members with cognitive skill tools to change their lives for the better.
-To enable members to return to their communities with new insight, confidence and skills.
-To facilitate the value of giving back to the community through fundraisers. Such endeavors help one to heal and give back to their victims indirectly.

Essays should be about 7 minutes tops and story/narrative driven.

August 7, 2015August 7, 2016

Rusty Bars and Repentant Hearts

Today, we’re reposting Chara Donahue’s blog post. Why? Because (a) she’s amazing (b) her chronicle about her experience at ministry is moving, honest (c) we hope this inspires you to join us for this year’s Essay Presentation.

We’re heading to Oregon State Penitentary Aug. 25. Deadline to sign up is FRIDAY, AUG. 10! Click here to for more details about the trip and how

I talked to my husband about the possibility of attending the event at the men’s high-security penitentiary, and after he said things like, “Let me pray about it. Are you sure this is safe?” I responded “Jesus said, ‘I was in prison and you came to me.'” Then we agreed that he would watch our brood of four while I attended the event, words in hand.

I started crying—at the gym.

I was that person others questioned whether it would be better to help or to avoid, but I knew what I was sensing was from God. If any, I figure that is an acceptable reason to lose it in public. I hoped people would think my tears were sweat, opened up my notes app, and began to write the moments out while I ran. Later I took the gibberish of my notes and wrote the tale I had not told before. One about a little girl who picked up the collect call delivering the news that a man she cherished, was locked up.

I met the rest of the Faith & Culture crew that were going outside the small entrance to the foreboding prison. Together we went through multiple security checks, waited for bars to slide open and clank closed, and met well over 100 prisoners attempting to improve their lives through the 7th Step program. I stepped up to the microphone praying I wouldn’t cry. I made it through without breaking, but as I looked around the cold, payphone-lined room, I saw that some of those men had taken up the mantle of tears for me.

As I stood up there and told a tale of reconciliation, healing and forgiveness framed by mountain climbing and prayers prayed, I saw the spirit of God bring rest, hope and action to the lives of men who wondered about their families often. The other writers brought inspirational and encouraging tales as well, each one of our stories meeting different men that night in sacred places hidden behind steely bars. Men who were gracious, considerate and kind to us as we spoke with them after the readings.

They let us into their stories, many told us of their own wrestlings with the law, family dynamics and God. Some were encouraged, some were broken and some came asking, “What should I do?” Many told us they look forward to this every year and raved about Faith & Culture’s founder Cornelia Seigneur. By sharing a sliver of my own self that I won’t be disclosing to the internet, I was invited into the deep stories of others, peppered by the harsh realities of their human experience. I was also ushered into conversations covered with glory, hope, and redemption.

I am grateful for the experience, hoping to return next year, and am still amazed at the ways I found Jesus dwelling amongst the rusty bars, concrete walls and repentant hearts.

Bio: Chara is a freelance writer, certified biblical counselor, and speaker. She holds a MSEd from Corban University and is passionate about seeing people set free through God’s truths. She loves to write about faith, culture, and the deep truths that drive our fascinations with it. Chara is the founder and editor of Anchored Voices and can be found on multiple social media platforms @CharaDonahue.

May 12, 2015

It’s about changing lives by sharing our stories.

By Liz von Ehrenkrook

“I love how much energy you have!”

I laughed, “This isn’t typical of me, I’m not usually excited about being social; but being with My People, I can’t really help myself.”

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Faith & Culture Writer’s Conference in Portland.

If you’re a writer, there is nothing more fulfilling than being in a room full of writers. These are the people who get you.

These are the people who know it’s a stretch to be talking for two days straight and don’t expect you to perform.

These are the people you can meet and sit in silence with and feel known.

I met online friends face-to-face, and made new friends who instantly felt like old friends. One friend spent the weekend in our guest bedroom and I gifted her a quiet retreat. She helped me discover how my husband’s and my decision to remain childfree gives us the opportunity to serve My People who have kiddos by offering a library-esque environment to escape to!

My heart is full, and my brain is processing. I was encouraged and challenged and inspired; it was like willingly drinking from a firehose and I. am. drenched.

The same resounding message bled from every kind of writer; those who are just starting blogs and learning how to tweet to those who have multiple books published and could hire someone to tweet for them.

“Your voice is unique. Be yourself. Your story matters.”

It doesn’t matter where you’re at in your writing, we all fall victim to comparison and self-doubt. We are all insecure, questioning our words and worrying nobody will read them.

- Emily Freeman -

I entered the writing contest and didn’t win. The winners were announced in the morning of the second day and I spent the afternoon volleying between feelings of joyful anxiety – I couldn’t wait to just get home and write! – and wondering why I wasn’t chosen.

I met with an editor who said the words, “I’m interested. This is what I’m looking for. I want to read this book.” I texted my writing coach the news, I called my husband. My stomach flip-flopped and I wanted to write! I was so excited I forgot about the contest until a fellow blogger emerged from her agent/editor meetings with practically a book deal.

The why not me cycle began again. I recognized she had been working really hard and came to Portland with a full manuscript in hand while I am only just beginning because of all the scrapping and re-writing and wading in the kind of memories that cause you stop and take big, deep breaths. But she is My People and her story is weaved in my own, so I will advocate without hesitation for everyone I know to read her book when it’s released.

It’s such a frustrating place to live in, being so at home among other writers, feeling loved and known while also experiencing the worst pangs of jealousy because they’re further along in their book journeys. But I know I’m not living there alone; every single one of us talked about entertaining the same emotions. We all want it to happen for each other but we also really want it to happen for ourselves.

- Karen Zacharias - (Karen Zacharias Spear)

My People will be there for me when I get a book deal, but they’ll also wonder when it’ll be their turn. It’s the nature of being a writer who deeply desires their words to be read and remembered, because all of our words matter greatly.

It’s not about money or fame, it’s about changing lives by sharing our stories.

I will tell stories. I will be myself.
I will practice writing words I can’t take back.
– Emily Freeman

I’ll no doubt be recalling things I’ve learned this weekend in future posts. I’ve spent the majority of my time since the conference writing through a fog of sinus-infected medicine head.

And, you guys, the first completed chapter of my book sounds amazing! Of course, I’ll need to re-read it when I’m not in a drug-induced haze and get back to you on the reality of that statement.

You kind of have to be a little bit crazy to call writing your thing, I think.
– Emily Freeman

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Learn more about Liz von Ehrenkrook at her website: Liz von Ehrenkrook

May 4, 2015May 4, 2015

Letting go of fear and saying, “I am a Writer”

By Leanne Sype

There’s something I haven’t told you because I’ve been fearful. I thought I was being humble. But this past weekend I attended the 2015 Faith and Culture Writer’s Conference, which turned into two-day therapy-retreat where I cried a lot and got really depressed before I became inspired. I was hindered to inspiration because I was blocked by truth.

I sat in a guided writing experience with Micah J. Murray, during the new, “Breathing Space: A Mini Retreat” that was added to the conference this year. Micah called us out our snippy inner-gremlins and fought against them by writing a fan letter to ourselves. I wasn’t going to read mine out loud because my gremlins told me that everyone else’s letter was way better, that I would be self-centered if I volunteered, and that everyone would think mine was stupid. I punched my gremlins in the face by volunteering to read mine.

I read my letter and I was okay; people liked it. Micah asked me to read it again. The second time I read it, I wasn’t okay. I began to cry and could barely get through the dang thing without snotting all over it. I got mad(ish) at Micah, “Why did you make me read this again? Look at what you made me do!” He had called me to a place of public vulnerability–then asked if the group could pray for me. He asked the sweet girl next to me, Michelle, to lay a hand on me and pray. And pray she did, so beautifully and tearfully. This was a powerful moment that I didn’t understand in the moment.

In this same class, a gentleman, Sovann Penn (@SovannPenn), read his letter. He said to himself, “You have been mistaking fear for humility far too long… you have friends who are awesome and believe in you.” This stuck with me the rest of the day the same way a rock gets stuck inside your shoe.

That night in the main session, author Emily Freeman said, “I want to write like a hostess. A hostess doesn’t leave her guests to go call all the people who RSVP’ed “no” to find out why the didn’t come and why they don’t like her. That’s crazy. I want to write like a hostess, not a crazy person.” This put another rock in my shoe, and I went home feeling depressed, annoyed, and uncertain if I would be back the next day. I snuggled up to my husband and blubbered all over him with no words to express what was wrong with me.

I woke up the next morning with the very clear voice of the Holy Spirit:

“You’ve been mistaking fear for humility; you’re missing out on the full experience of the gift you’ve been given and the ministry in which you have been invited to participate. You are scared of people rejecting you, mocking you, and being angry with you, yet in all the things I’ve given you to write never once have you experienced what you fear. Not even in your most public confessions of sin. You are a lovely hostess with many guests I’ve brought to you because they can hear you; your translation from the Kingdom to the guests is good! But you leave them so you can wait by the phone for the “no” RSVP’s to call. They aren’t calling… and you’re missing the party! You have faithful friends, family, and even strangers who believe in you, but most importantly I believe in you. I have work for you if you’re willing; the fruit will be good and beautiful if you will trust Me.”

Here’s what I want to tell you:

I’ve spent the last 14 years pouring into and editing the stories of others, defining myself as an editor and merely dabbling in my craft as a “wet-noodle” writer. I confess that while I adore, honor, and value other people’s stories, I’ve been using editing as a way to avoid the true work God has for me–writing. I have been fearful of stepping into the public arena of vulnerability, giving power to voices of the gremlins and cloaking my fear in humility so as to justify my place behind the scenes (which, incidentally, is where an editor works. How convenient.)

Yes, some of my recent writings have been more confessional and vulnerable, evidence of God’s effort in coaxing me out into the arena, but I can tell you they were published in trembling obedience and reluctant submission.

I surrender with humble declaration that I am writer. I write creative non-fiction about real-life, my story, and God’s unwavering persistence to be the anchor for both. I translate through written words what I hear, see, and feel from God so I can better understand the purpose he has for me, how I can live that purpose for His glory, and how I can invite others to discover the same for their lives. My prayer always is that through my experiences, you find yourself encouraged, inspired, and invited into a Kingdom that is safe and welcoming, and promises purposeful life no matter how broken you are. You are loved unconditionally. And so am I.

God gave me my first assignment in January– a children’s book called The Hungry Garden. It’s an alphabet book that explores the ordinary to extraordinary food that gardens grow and why these foods are so exciting. It comes with a 26-recipe “snack book” that parents and children can use in their kitchen to be creative with food. I have completed the first draft of the main manuscript, and I am currently developing and testing the recipes.

I never wanted to write a book, let alone a children’s book . . . let alone a children’s book about food. I didn’t feel qualified. But as I have been following His lead on this project, it’s becoming more clear that as a recovering anorexic patient, I understand the fear of food intimately. I know what it feels like to see food in front of me that looks scary, smells weird, and would certainly be the worst thing ever if I ate it. As a child of God living with an eating disorder, I can relate to children in a way others cannot. Only God can orchestrate such a unique connection.

I look forward to sharing with you the nutty things that have happened since beginning this process, along with the mysteries and surprises I encounter as I journey forward. I promise not to hold back anymore! I am joining the party and will step into the arena as my name is called.

And those grumpy gremlins? Well, they aren’t invited.

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Leanne Sype was a speaker at the 2015 Faith & Culture Writers Conference. She IS a also a writer, whose work can be found at Leanne Sype website

May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

Returning to this year’s conference – And cutting loose

By Jemelene Wilson

My word this year is “release”.

I didn’t want a word this year. After all, I have a whole phrase I’m living in. Who has time for a word and a phrase. Not this girl.

Well, apparently I needed to make time because when you ask the Holy Spirit to impress something on your heart and He does, listening seems to be the wisest course of action.

Two weeks ago today I rode north to Portland with my friend. Tresta is a gifted writer who speaks bold truths with a gentle gracious spirit.

Our destination was the Faith & Culture Writers Conference for 2015.

Last year I left with ideas. I had motivation. I wrote about “Coming out of the margins,” and how I was going to move forward with my writing, speaking and living out my faith by raising my voice.

Last year I prayed, “What is it Lord that you want me to write? Who is it Lord that you want me to touch? How is it Lord that you want me to move forward on this beautiful earth in my messy life?”

As I looked back over the year I saw progress. There was forward movement, lives touched and I am steps closer to fulfilling part of my calling.”

I also saw more roadblocks and detours thrown in my path. It’s amazing how easy it is to focus on the things that slow us down. The belief that my focus must be unique in order for my voice to be my own.

This year I found breakthrough and the reality that maybe it’s supposed to come in steps. Maybe growth isn’t always at breakneck speed but often it’s a one foot in front of the other affair.

This year the conference included a Friday retreat setting with a writing workshop after lunch. Seth Haines encouraged us to sit outdoors and spend the time writing from our perspective. We returned to the room to share what we wrote about.

There was a tree that stuck up over a building. It was full of blooms. I wrote of the short time this tree would look like this and wondered if anyone noticed that it was signaling that change was in the air. I lamented the short span of life the blooms had but the beauty of it’s return every year.

As writers shared their work a woman began to tell us about a tree she observed. It had reminded her of the time of year she lost her child and how it was a time of reflection. We wrote about the same tree and even some of the same observations but our words and voice were our own. Our vantage point and life experience gave us both a unique perspective with similar conclusions.

Another spoke poignantly of her own unique point of view because the community she identifies with is at a painful crossroad in history. Her lament echoed over the long wooden table as other writers admitted that we too find it hard to wrap up hard words with a happy ending.

Sometimes I write from the middle and have no ending at all.

My inbox is filled with close to a hundred drafts waiting for the perfect ending. I’ve been locked up by my own need to fix every problem I write about. To bring a conclusion to stories that need to be shared but aren’t quite finished.

We came back together to share as a larger group. As we went around the room I was tagged to share our small group observation. After relaying the revelations found in the workshop the question was posed, “How is this going to change your writing?” I blurted out “I’m cutting loose!”

I’m cutting away from the need to always give the answers when sometimes we need to sit in the questions.

I’m letting go of having to be the only one to address a topic or hiding my words because someone with a platform already said it.

Sometimes we need to repeat things in our own voice with our own words with our own space.

There is still so much more about the weekend that feels like freedom but I don’t have to wrap it all up for you now.

When I returned home there was a present waiting for me. It’s a special edition mug for Jen Hatmaker’s “For the Love” launch team. Most people chose the same hashtag. Me? I lamented over mine so much that I sent a frantic last minute email asking if it was too late to change mine from #grace.

It couldn’t have been better timing or a more appropriate word.

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Jemelene Wilson’s writing can be found at Jemelene Wilson website/blog

April 29, 2015May 1, 2015

Listening silently – then come the takeaways

By Nicholle Franke

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill

In a world of constant NOISE… Will we sit down and LISTEN?

In a world of constant NOISE… Will we stand up and SPEAK?

On April 8, 2015 Andrew and I boarded a plane way, way too early for Portland, OR. We were heading to the Great Northwest for our 10th Anniversary Trip (How is that possible?), a Tour of Two Airplane Factories (Andrew-always the plane enthusiast) and for me to attend the Faith & Culture Writers Conference (truly the reason this trip came together).

And because nothing, absolutely nothing is ever simple for me. We were also privileged to spend an extra hour in the PDX Airport with their awesome carpet awesome carpet and seriously the NICEST TSA agents on planet earth because I left my cell phone in one of the bathrooms behind security. But have no fear, they found it! HALLELUJAH!

Can you say this Power Couple (hahaha) is efficient? We killed three birds with one trip.

Plus for good measure we saw about one-quarter of the state of Oregon in a tiny little clown car, had a great lunch with my cousin at a Brewery, and rode Segway’s for the first time around Bend, OR.

When my in-laws were naming their son, I’ve often joked Efficient should have been his middle name. Of course, he did marry me, always the inefficient one. So perhaps he knew his proclivity towards exactness and needed some balance in his life. I mean seriously how many people do you know that leave their cell phone in an airport and can’t remember where they left it? Perhaps our diverse personalities are what joined us together.

But I digress. Because truly this trip was about confronting what’s next for me. It was my chance to wrestle with my passion for Revival and see what that could look like in terms of living as a Writer and even Bigger than that, engage with others around my Calling as Prophet in the Body Of Christ. And honestly, until this trip and the weeks that have followed – the jury was still out in my soul.

I had certainly spent MONTHS in total Silence with the Lord. Months wrestling with understanding what the Lord was asking of me. Months spent writing in these cute little notebooks my friend keeps supplying me with. And Months spent seeing visions of what was to Come. But MONTHS of all of that for an extrovert, can feel like AGONY!

“Listen to Me in silence, And let the peoples gain new strength; Let them come forward, then let them speak…” – Isaiah 41:1

Let me speak plainly for just a moment. I was beginning to feel like a crazy person when people asked me what I was up to these days…

“Well, umm, you know,” I’d say. And they’d say, “well no, I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.” . . . see crazy person here.

But somehow with each passing day, and each moment spent at Jesus’ feet I was gaining more strength, more hope, and more passion to SPEAK! Because each moment I spent listening to HIM was a moment of being Built Up in my inner being. The very place where I needed it most, the INSIDE OF MY FRAGILE HEART!

And therefore when I arrived at the Faith & Culture Writers Conference Friday Evening, my outside life (the one everyone sees most days) was ready to listen to what I needed to do to be strengthened to stand up and Speak the Words that the Lord was placing in my inner being.

Don’t be confused though. I have not arrived, I still have no idea what I’m doing most days, and I still wrestle. I am the very least likely person God should use to broadcast anything to the world, but like Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians-its God’s grace that calls me to announce God’s good news, which is unsearchable.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ… – Ephesians 3:8

And at the Conference, I finally found a space to rest, to find strength and courage, and to discern the words I was struggling to own about who I was. I was able to be still and LISTEN, so I can SPEAK.

So maybe you’re wondering what I heard God speak to me up in Oregon at that Conference… Me too!

But honestly as I listened to the words spoken over me at the FCWC and re-read my notes over the last few weeks I walk gently because it’s hard to follow so much collective wisdom. But here are my five key takeaways as I journey forward to speak and live out my calling in a Noisy World.

1. I will Never Arrive. Sorry this isn’t such good news to some, but there’s some strange comfort in it for me. Once I’m published, once people hear what God’s given me to say, once… There’s always another once. But from every published author, from every workshop leader, from every main stage speaker, I heard in their voices a hunger for continued obedience. So until we’re in heaven, creation will continue to wait for the revealing of our hope which is Christ.

2. There’s Beauty in the Redemption Process. Cornelia, Romal , Emily , Phil, Tony, William and everyone else that led our time there shared with fear and trembling God’s mighty work of redemption in their lives. And each of them reminded me that if the LORD has told me to listen, to write, to speak about my journey from broken-ness to wholeness – I need to see that I only have one choice: obedience.

3. My Best Writing and Theology Will Come out of Living the Gospel. Thank you AJ. I know this, and need to hear this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!

4. Gut-Wrenching Honesty is Always My Preferred Method of Hearing the Truth. You are probably saying, for real? But yes, it is for me. I heard from different agents and publishers that yes, if I want to be a published author, I’m gonna have to work HARD, HUSTLE, and GROW my platform. And even in all that it’s not a given. But it is the truth.

5. My Passion and Calling Won’t Let Up Even When the Work is Hard. Because as Jeff Goins says, “I would rather do hard things that matter than easy things that don’t.” From every person who spoke, to every volunteer, to every attendee who was at the Conference, there was this sense that we all kind of knew what lay ahead wasn’t easy, but we were all ready for whatever it was.

I have no earthly idea, if any of those takeaways will help another soul. But today I was obedient to write and here’s what i realized… although I haven’t arrived, I will share my redemption process of becoming who I’m called to be, so that as I preach, write and live out the gospel with truth I’ll give someone else a sense that what we all do matters and we are ready for whatever that is!!!!!!

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Nicolle Franke is a writer and speaker and can be reached at: Nicholle Franke Website