Friday, August 4, 2017

Following Your Writing Dream—When God Says You Can, You Can

Edie here. Today I'm super excited to introduce a good friend and author, Andrea Merrell. She has a new book out, Marriage, Make It or Break It, and I persuaded her to share a post with us to celebrate. Be sure to learn more about her book below. For now, give her a warm TWC welcome.

When God Says You Can, You Can
by Andrea Merrell @AndreaMerrell

I’ve always said that God has a sense of humor when it comes to me, especially concerning my writing. He knows I can’t write or even use a recorder when driving, yet that’s when He chooses to give me a lot of ideas. Most of the time I have to pull the car over or wait until I get to a stop sign or red light to jot down a thought.

When my writing career began about twenty years ago, the Lord gave me a series of poems. Poems? Seriously, Lord? I don’t even care that much about poetry. But God obviously had a plan and purpose.

After years of writing devotions, articles, essays, and a couple of nonfiction books, my husband said, “I don’t understand why you don’t write fiction since you always have your nose stuck in a novel.”

I spent fifteen minutes explaining all the reasons why that was impossible, and he walked away shaking his head. Two days later—after trying to prove to my husband and the Lord why I couldn’t write fiction—I had two chapters of my first novel. Again, God had a plan, primarily to show me that maybe I couldn’t, but He could.

When Praying for the Prodigal was released, my daughter asked if I had ever thought about writing a book on marriage. My answer was, “No, why in the world would I do that?” After she gave me all the reasons, I promised to think about it and pray about it. Again, God had another plan because that was the only thing on my mind. As a result, my newest book, Marriage: Make It or Break It was released in June of this year.

I once told someone I had written just about everything except something for children. A result of that conversation was the creation of several blog posts for a children’s website.

God has certainly shown me over the years that He can accomplish whatever He wants as long as I’m a willing vessel. These two Scriptures have become very real to me: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NLT). “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible” (Matthew 19:26 NLT).

Saying I can’t, I won’t, or I’ll never has given me nothing more than a chance to eat that proverbial crow. It has been served up broiled, fried, sautéed, and even good old roadkill. I have a friend who tells me all the time that I don’t think big enough.

What about you? Do you think big enough? If God has given you the gift of words, believe in yourself, and allow Him to stretch you beyond your self-imposed limitations. He believes in you and desires to use your words to minister to a hurting world. When God says you can … you can.

Is God calling you out of your comfort zone? We would love for you to share what He’s nudging you to do.

TWEETABLES


by Andrea Merrell

Some say marriage is a dying institution. Others say, "Stop the bus and let me get off." But Andrea Merrell after forty-plus years of marriage believes this God-ordained institution is one of His greatest gifts to men and women. Marriage: Make It or Break It is a result of a lifetime of trial and error, keen observation, and years of studying God's Word. With her signature dash of humor, she takes a candid look at attitudes and behavior that can make or break a relationship, the difference in how men and women think and approach life, and the importance of honest communication. You'll find danger signs, roadblocks to bypass, and Scriptures to personalize and pray on a daily basis. 
This journey won't be perfect, and the road is guaranteed to be full of potholes. But if you're ready to learn a few truths that will make marriage strong and a lot of things that will destroy it, buckle your seatbelt and let s get this bus moving.

Andrea Merrell is an associate editor with Christian Devotions Ministries and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is also a professional freelance editor and was a finalist for the 2016 Editor of the Year Award at BRMCWC. She teaches workshops at writers’ conferences and has been published in numerous anthologies and online venues. Andrea is a graduate of Christian Communicators and a finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards. She is the author of Murder of a Manuscript and Praying for the Prodigal. Her newest book, Marriage: Make It or Break It, is now available on Amazon. For more information visit www.AndreaMerrell.com or www.TheWriteEditing.com.

26 comments:

  1. Thanks for the encouragement, Andrea. God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. When we allow Him to work or write through us He shines through. Thanks for sharing. I am ready to read your new book.

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    1. Thanks, Barbara. I love what you said about Him shining through. It's amazing what He can do through us as long as we're willing and obedient. Blessings! :)

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  2. Welcome, Andrea. I suppose we all get a taste of the proverbial crow now and then. I've been known to go back for a second helping. I not only did not like poetry, I enjoyed saying it was not a part of my reading life. I have become fascinated with older poetry and read it daily, including the several books I've bought recently on poetic forms. I have now written enough poems to have a book for my children and grandchildren. Several of those poems fill me with such pride that I almost catch myself taking too much of the credit for writing them. "Can't" and "won't" have been too much a part of my vocabulary. Yes, we must talk ourselves out of the reality of The Plan. Jay

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    1. I think God delights in taking our weakest points (like poetry) and showing us what He can accomplish through us. I know your family will cherish the poems you have written. Thanks for sharing. Blessings! :)

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  3. Welcome, Andrea. I did not want to write. I write our of obedience to God. He has helped me refine my writing tools. I admire anyone who has completed a book. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

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    1. Thanks, Cherrilynn. I always say God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. When we follow our calling, He gives us whatever we need to complete the task. Blessings! :)

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  4. Edie, thank you so much for the warm welcome and for allowing me to share with your readers. :)

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  5. Great thought. Seems like everything I do pertaining to writing is out of my comfort zone. ☺

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    1. I definitely know what you mean, Jennifer. It's tough sometimes, but that's how we grow. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings! :)

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  6. Andrea, I've learned to never say never. :-) Really enjoyed your encouraging words.

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    1. Me too, Patricia ... well mostly. I still have to remind myself. LOL That crow just never goes down well. Blessings! :)

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  7. Welcome, Andrea. What a hopeful remainder to start the day and the weekend!

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  8. Welcome to the family, Andrea. And thanks for your encouraging words. I've learned when we say we can't, we can't. But that's the whole point. God doesn't call us to take the ball and run with it, He calls us to take His Hand and run with Him. When we do, as you and I have learned, He takes us where we never thought we could go.

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  9. So true, my friend, and well said. Thanks, Bruce! :)

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  10. Hey Lady. You glow in that headshot as your words in this article do.
    Though it felt like a kick in the behind, your article bolsters my conviction I'm on God's path 'cause He keeps giving me what I need each day in this writing chair.<3

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. God is so awesome to give us what we need, but He does use those spiritual kicks in the behind on occasion. I have the bruises and stretch marks on my comfort zone to prove it. LOL :)

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  11. This was very encouraging Andrea. Thanks for being vunerable and sharing!

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  12. Such encouraging words! I do feel God has called me to write but often get discouraged or suffer from a healthy lack of discipline. Yet, to not write is to scorn God's gracious gift. Thank you for the reminder of God's goodness, and His strength to accomplish His purposes.

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    1. My pleasure, Michelle. When God has a plan, He has the provision. Blessings on your writing journey! :)

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  13. Andrea, thank you! you're words are spot on and oh-so-timely!

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  14. Just had to remind myself of this today. And then read your reminder. Thanks! I obviously needed to hear this today.

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  15. God told me to write a book. It's been years and I'm out of excuses. I'm writing the book and a blog, among other things. Thanks for sharing. I need reminded that it's not me, it's Christ at work, through me.

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