It has been awhile since I’ve posted to Casual Theology. Today I read the last two chapters of Revelation. While it is incredibly exciting for believers in Christ Jesus, of which I am one, the warnings make me sit up and take notice.
If you are interested in learning more, I invite you to read the full post here.
The subtitle reads “21 Devotionals that Nourish” and do they ever.
I downloaded C.J. Hitz’s Fuel for the Soul back in February, but just began reading it this week. The first entry spoke to my situation perfectly. “At times, our lives resemble these containers (snow globes) when they’re shaken up. The waters of our lives become cloudy and stirred up to the point where we lack focus and clarity.”
Sometimes being eclectically-interested and needing to buckle down can be counterproductive. It can lead to those cloudy waters Hitz spoke about. It was my lack of clarity that motivated me to write “too many choices” (see below). The entry for Day 1 helped me focus and marvel again at how the right message at the right time is so important.
Not only does the timeliness of the devotional thoughts appeal to me, but so do the parallels the author draws between our physical and spiritual well-being; Hitz examines the spiritual application of day to day events. Best of all, each entry takes only a few moments to read, but gives the reader something to think about for the rest of the day.
Fuel for the Soul is written from a biblical perspective, but is far from preachy. New believer or seasoned veteran, this little book offers big encouragement and thought-provoking observations.
I look forward to adding the daily readings to my regular routine and encourage you, if you need a little boost, to add Fuel for the Soul to your library. You can get you Kindle copy here.
And something surprising jumps to the top of the list…
You read that right. I actually have something positive to say about submissions. I fired off a picture book manuscript to Lobster Press on Friday and hope to submit four entries to Chicken Soup for the Soul by next Sunday’s check-in, if not before. I think I just might be winning the Procrastination War on this front…finally.
I plan to submit from three to five items to paying markets each week.
I’ve applied for a position at our church. Regular income is great, but with a big editing project on the horizon, I’m not sure about the timing. We’ll have to wait and see how things come together.
Complete edit of 90,000-word manuscript on prayer ~ still waiting to hear back about final tweaks
Complete edit of 27,000-word fiction manuscript ~ hope to start this soon (initial payment yet to be received)
My friend’s twelve poems have been edited. I look forward to seeing the final draft including artwork.
Continue as first editor of the Write! On news bulletin ~ newest issue fired off Friday evening
Blogging ~ must carve out more time for this
Picture books, articles, research paper, children’s chapbook ~ I’m going to have to do a lot more writing to keep up with my new submission goal.
Reading for my doula certification course ~ I will finish this by mid-May, if not before.
Reading to maintain my PTS certification ~ I want to have this done by the end of May so I don’t miss the deadline to renew my certification.
Skills development ~ There are so many great articles online I think I’ll add reading three each week to my list of goals.
Fiction ~ I have a pre-publication pdf file on the go. I should make a concerted effort to read it and get a review posted.
Finish my reading ~ see above
Complete my exam ~ first week of May
Complete my research paper ~ first week of May
Online lectures ~ first week of May, if not before
Letters of recommendation ~ I want to approach people next week, so I can pick up the letters the first week of May.
Instead of waiting until the end of May, I want to have everything in the mail by mid-May.
I’m seriously thinking of starting each weekday by working out for half an hour beginning…beginning…Oh, who knows?
Check in twice per week ~ “Copy and paste” makes this easy.
Check in with other ROWers ~ You s’pose if I keep listing it, it will actually happen?
Keep in touch with my writing buddy ~ We seem to encourage each other from a distance as we pass each other on FB and Twitter. Keep on keepin’ on, Julie. I’m rootin’ for ya.
Check out A Round of Words in 80 Days here.
too many choices
not to be missed
my mind is cloudy
thinking of this
***
should i go left
or should i go right
so many choices
now within sight
***
unfinished projects
waiting for me
wanting attention
so much i see
***
some choices whisper
some choices shout
they’re all in my head
bouncing about
***
something was said
wise words indeed
follow His footsteps
wherever they lead
***
it doesn’t matter
just what i do
as long as my efforts
are guided by You
…let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance…
Proverbs 1:5 NIV
from far and near
they never cease
to fill my heart
my joys increase
***
a smile they bring
a tear or two
just knowing that
their hearts are true
***
they blow my mind
these friends so dear
i hope they know
i hope they hear
***
if days grow dark
if they grow drear
i know my friends
are always near
***
and should my joys
overflow
there are things
i surely know
***
they’ll cheer for me
their love most grand
and when i need
a helping hand
***
they’re there for me
and i for them
i will always
treasure friends
I’m back from my son’s graduation from Nipawin Bible College. Now, it’s time to really crack down and generate some income.
I’m trying to hunt up work again. This freelancing can be tough going.
Complete edit of 90,000-word manuscript on prayer ~ Edits 1 & 2 were done Friday morning. I am now waiting to hear back from the author re: final tweaks.
Complete edit of 27,000-word fiction manuscript ~ haven’t heard anything more on this yet
Edit three more poems ~ hope to do this today
Continue as first editor of the Write! On news bulletin ~ pretty much on track
Now that I’m back, I need to get back on schedule.
Two five-minute skits for our mid-week kids’ program ~ done
Sometimes I’m tempted to look for a position as a staff writer. The whole submission thing is so uncertain except…I am certain I will not sell my writing if I do not approach publishers, editors, and agents.
Reading for my doula certification course ~ I will finish this in early May.
Reading to maintain my PTS certification ~ In favour of hunting up more work, I may put this off for a bit.
Skills development ~ I think this, too, will have to wait.
Fiction ~ I read a little of the first Wheel of Time book while I was away.
Finish my reading ~ see above
Complete my exam ~ first week of May
Complete my research paper ~ first week of May
Online lectures ~ first week of May, if not before
Letters of recommendation ~ I want to approach people next week, so I can pick up the letters the first week of May.
Instead of waiting until the end of May, I want to have everything in the mail by mid-May.
I’m seriously thinking of starting each weekday by working out for half an hour.
Check in twice per week ~ on track except for this past Sunday when I was in Saskatchewan
Check in with other ROWers ~ So far, this is a pipe dream this round.
Keep in touch with my writing buddy ~ nothing formal
Check out A Round of Words in 80 Days here.
And here’s the reason I’ll be away from the computer for the next little while.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
I’m sure I’ll have lots to share when I return from Joshua’s graduation.
Talk to you soon.
i’ll soon take flight
and west i’ll go
with hubby
and two kids in tow
***
we’re off to see
son number two
attend his grad
oh yes, it’s true
***
the years have come
and gone so fast
another milestone
almost past
***
the world awaits
both vast and wide
to learn what Josh
has deep inside
***
and this i know
from many years
excitement comes
and with it tears
***
for life awaits
my children three
plans and dreams
for them to see
***
and they must fly
off on their own
and find their way
now that they’re grown
***
and Josh will be
the first to leave
and spread his wings
and i believe
***
the world it is
a better place
for all three kids
are gifts of grace
***
and i must thank
the God above
for giving me
these gifts of love
I wrote…
juggling
daily challenge
everything in the air
so many opportunities
focus
My dear friend Janet responded…
“Focus is an interesting word for managing multiple opportunities, and you’ve got me thinking, Stephanie. When I tell myself to focus I’m saying, ‘Focus on one thing, do one thing, don’t get distracted.’ That’s what the juggler is doing too, but s/he is focusing on the balancing act, not on the individual objects being balanced. I think s/he only handles one object at a (short) time but the focus on the overall rhythm keeps the action going. Lots to think about. Thanks!”
She made my heart soar. Visit her website here and her second site, speculative, sporadic…and slightly odd, here.
Ever written something and someone saw so much more in it than you originally intended?
This is the response I got from my good friend Janet Sketchley (visit her website here) to yesterday’s poem, “Juggling Cinquain”…”Focus is an interesting word for managing multiple opportunities, and you’ve got me thinking, Stephanie. When I tell myself to focus I’m saying, ‘Focus on one thing, do one thing, don’t get distracted.’ That’s what the juggler is doing too, but s/he is focusing on the balancing act, not on the individual objects being balanced. I think s/he only handles one object at a (short) time but the focus on the overall rhythm keeps the action going. Lots to think about. Thanks!”
How cool is that!?
Now, on to my goals…
Editing Goals
Complete edit of 90,000-word manuscript on prayer ~ I didn’t get the first and second edits done by Monday night, but I still plan to have them done before we fly to our son’s graduation on Friday.
Complete edit of 27,000-word fiction manuscript (still awaiting funds)
Edit three poems ~ I edited the poems Monday night…well, technically, it was very early Tuesday morning.
Continue as first editor of the Write! On news bulletin ~ I plan to update the website today and get the first draft of the next issue together by Thursday, so I’m not thinking about it while we’re away.
Writing Goals
Blogging ~ daily poems posted; other posts lagging behind
Two five-minute skits for our mid-week kids’ program ~ first skit written and forwarded; second skit to be written and forwarded before we leave
Submissions Goals
I’ve received positive response from the article “Illness and the Christian.” (Check it out here.)
Thanks to my WB (writing buddy), I was inspired to submit my ABC book. I will look at firing off several of my picture book ideas come May.
Reading Goals
Reading for my course ~ I will finish this in early May.
Reading to maintain my PTS certification ~ Thankfully, it’s an easy-to-read text. I’ll also finish reading it in May.
Skills development ~ Perhaps I should download something onto my e-reader for the three-hour flight west…and the three-hour car ride north. (I could get most of a book read in that time.)
Fiction ~ on hold because of my busyness (Mind you, if I left the TV off in the evenings…)
Doula Certification Requirements
Finish my reading (see above)
Complete my exam ~ I may just take a day during the first week in May and complete the unanswered questions.
Online lectures ~ I only have to listen to a couple more to fulfill the course requirements.
Letters of recommendation ~ I’ll try to secure these the first week in May. (My it’s going to be busy!)
Exercise & Fitness Goals
Cardio ~ only one session scheduled for this week (I’ll do better come May. [grin])
Resistance training ~ I’ll probably get two sessions in this week…unless they have a good weight room at one of the three hotels we’re staying in. Hm…there’s an idea.
Row Specific Goals
Check in twice per week ~ just try to get rid of me (That wasn’t a challenge, Kait. Please don’t block me. [giggle, giggle?])
Check in with other ROWers ~ Twitter and FB are my best bets for this.
Keep in touch with my writing buddy ~ Though our visits are infrequent, she unknowingly inspired me Tuesday morning.
Check out A Round of Words in 80 Days here.
P.S.
Because we’re flying to Saskatchewan for our son’s graduation this coming weekend, I won’t be posting a Sunday check-in. Have a great week, all.
