CENOTAPHS AND MONUMENTS

LEST WE FORGET TO REMEMBER

My family and I have recently been required to pour over and sort through years of belongings, photos, letters, and memories of loved ones who have passed away. It has been a challenging process, in many ways heart wrenching, often confronting, sometimes joyous. It has been as though we have entered the vaults of our loved one’s lives. Their material lives are a testament of memories with stories, histories, and intimacies to tell. Remembering is a powerful process, it can be liberating and empowering.

SORTING THROUGH THE MEMORIES

During the Easter holidays this year (the time I prefer to label “The Passion week”) my wife and I spent much of our time we would spend in reflection, rest and recreation working through about 35 years of our own archives, files, and ministry notes and resources. This was a space and time-determined imperative. In the process we needed to discern what was necessary to retain and those elements that would need to be processed for shredding (including much confidential material). A monumental experience after successfully filling four wheely-bins of discarded material. Amongst all the archives we also discovered artifacts we have chosen to retain as they are eminent memories. Emotionally charged. Important. Relevant. Impactful.

The Australian Light Horse

MEETING THE LAST LIGHT HORSEMAN

 

Amongst them was an order of service that sparked a precious memory from twenty years ago.I had been invited with my family to the birthday of Albert (Bert) Whitmore (1899 - 2002). I remember being so honoured and proud of my son when he was blessed to shake his hand. Bert was the last surviving Light Horseman and last surviving South Australian World War One veteran. Having joined the service as a 17-year-old Bert joined his fellow comrades in arms shortly after they had captured Beersheba in the historic cavalry charge. Bert rode in the successful third battle for Gaza. Allied victories soon led to the capture of Jerusalem. The rest - they say- is history. Bert described the scenes he had witnessed  as "like riding through the Bible". Israel is an archaeological museum of peoples, and lives and stories and beliefs. In the midst of the war, Bert had been graced to view with his own eyes the good news places he had read of and heard about in Sunday School. Beersheba is the place of cisterns in the desert where “The well of Abraham” can be seen on numerous plaques heralding the narrative to visitors. 

Author Shane Brigg at "Abraham's Well" at Beersheba in Israel

CENOTAPHS, MEMORIALS, AND MONUMENTS

Today monuments and cenotaphs are seen in this place too of the time Bert and his mates rode through.  In Jerusalem there are many cenotaphs, memorial places, plaques, and archaeological sites of significance. The most eminent and debated over is the burial place of the risen Jesus. The word cenotaph is derived from the Greek kenos taphos, meaning "empty tomb." A cenotaph is a monument, sometimes in the form of a tomb, in our modern usage it is often utilized as a place of remembrance to a person or group of persons buried elsewhere. Including our ANZACs.

LEST WE FORGET

Bert Passed away at the age of 102. Soon after the opportunity our community had made to honour him in life we then gathered for his funeral service which took place on the 31st of October 2002. This date was also the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba. I was honoured to attend this humble man’s graveside State funeral service in the Barmera cemetery. It was a solemn, impactful, appreciation of a servant-hearted man and his comrades who had laid down their lives. The words “Lest we forget” resounded. The phrase simply implores that 'it should not be forgotten'. We say or write 'lest we forget' in commemorations to always remember the service and sacrifice of people who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. A Bugle sounded. Bagpipes played. 

Albert Whitmore. The last Light Horseman

I visited that cemetery several times over the years.

OTHERS NOT FORGOTTEN 

Among the artifacts we found as we cleaned up all those archives was the memorial service handout of a ten year old boy's funeral that I had conducted at that same cemetery a couple of years after Bert Whitmore’s farewell. I was his Chappy and Pastor caring for his family over many years. I have kept that order of service. This was a difficult memory to process. Especially considering that only a little while later I was doing another service for his Dad who had passed away after his battle with cancer. Bagpipes played at their funeral, but there was no bugle. The phrase “Lest we Forget” was not announced for these two friends of mine. But they had both fought a brave fight: one which is the battle of all young people to live their lives, grow, learn, wrestle through the challenges, connect, love and be loved by others and celebrate every heartbeat, the other was to experience the same and to have lived and loved and fought a brave battle for health. Then to have known the peace of God in the last hours as hands were held, prayers were said. I will ever remember them as having fought the good fight of faith. Sometimes this fight may have been faltering for them. Sometimes it was full of glory. Remembering them is important. It helps to anchor my own life and be thankful for the lives I have been honoured to know. It also deepens the appreciation of those whom I have not known and yet who are important to value and appreciate and take time to remember.

HONOUR TO OUR ANZACS 

This ANZAC day we will pause to remember our service people who have laid down their life and living to secure peace in our world. Many have paid the ultimate price of their life in sacrifice. No greater love. Lest we forget.

The phrase 'Lest we forget' is from a line in the1897 Rudyard Kipling poem, “Recessional”:

"God of our fathers, known of old,

Lord of our far-flung battle line,

Beneath whose awful hand we hold

Dominion over palm and pine—

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget—lest we forget!"

 

Remembering is a powerful process.

Shane Brigg Chaplain Remembrance Day Service Prayers

The memories that had been catalysed by our archival cleanout over passion week have culminated in my final thoughts here:

The opportunity to journey with loved ones (like my family and friends), acquaintances and even people less known to us but whose stories have had an impact on our lives (Like Bert Whitmore) is a blessing.

The memories literally grounded in the cemetery in Barmera are not just of deaths, but of lives and loves that have touched my life. And Life goes on.

LIFE. LOVE. LIFTING JESUS . 

The siblings, wife, family, and friends of those who we had buried at the Barmera cemetery gathered at the beautiful Lake Bonney near this landmark at the culmination of my tenure in this region. It was for a baptism in its waters. As we remembered the saving works of Jesus. No Greater Love has any one than to lay down their life for their friends. And as those who went through the waters, we recognised that this act was more than just a memorial of death. It was a living symbol of Jesus having laid down his life he rose again to give us life. Life abundant. The sister and daughter of that little boy and the dad who had passed away was baptised.

 There was no bugle or bagpipes, but someone played a guitar and we sang.

 "Lord, I lift Your name on high

Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I'm so glad You're in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us

You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift Your name on high."

(Written by Rick Founds).

We could have added a stanza we might have borrowed from Kipling (my thoughts):

God of our fathers, known of old, (and known to us)

Lord of our far-flung battle line, (Our lives, our world, our time)

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, (Jesus, you never leave us nor forsake us)

Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Lake Bonney Barmera, South Australia

The Passion week is a time for us to remember. Baptisms are a mark on our lives to memorialise in our own living Jesus death and resurrection. A testimonial of saving love. We do that conscientiously and consequentially of our faith journeys. Jesus life and death and resurrection has redeemed our past and marked and influenced our future. I am grateful.  Remembering is powerful.

The opening of the memorial portal that was stored in all the archival and material elements that my wife and I have kept and reviewed have meant that I have and will conscientiously make  time to remember my family and friends. My loved ones and their lives. To tell and write more of their stories. To bless. To heal. Those who have lived their lives and touched ours in the past and their passing have marked and influenced our future. I am grateful.  Remembering is powerful.

Love is a reminder that the story of our lives is interwoven with those of others. The strongest reminder is the greatest of love. The laying down of lives. Living sacrifices. Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is love, and no greater love has anyone than they lay down their lives for their friends. (1 Corinthians 13:13, John 15:13).

This ANZAC day I chose to remember. I chose to remember, appreciate, honour those who have served and have laid down their lives in times of war and conflict to secure a future and peace for us. I am truly grateful. 

Bert Whitmore Light Horse Memorial Barmera RSL 

On the 14th August 2022, on Albert Whitmore’s birthday a memorial was unveiled by Tony Pasin MP & Bert`s family at the Barmera RSL. The Plaque reads :

“Erected by the RSL Barmera Sub Branch to celebrate Albert (Bert) Whitmore.

The last surviving WWI Light Horseman”

 The Front Inscription reads :

“L E S T   W E   F O R G E T”.

 

I won’t.  I hope we all remember. Remembering is powerful.

Can you help judge the 2024 CALEB Award?

Call for judges in the 2024 CALEB Award

The CALEB Award from Omega Writers recognises the best in Australasian Christian writing each year. The awards are an opportunity to celebrate excellence within our Christian writing community. We invite you to help us celebrate the talent within our community by volunteering to be a judge of the 2024 Award. 

Entries will open on 1 April and instructions for writers wanting to enter will be available shortly on the Omega Writers website.

Why be a judge?

There are so many reasons! If you are a writer, it helps you interact with some of the best Australian Christian writing from the past two years. If you are an aspiring author, it can help you learn about your genre. If you are a reader, it can help you discover new Australian books. Being a judge is an opportunity to elevate the great work of others in the Christian writing community

You don’t have to be a writer to be a judge!

Anyone who enjoys reading Christian books (not just writers) can volunteer to be a judge. You don’t need specialist writing knowledge, just a bit of time to read and give your feedback on the entries. Books (except picture books) are entered electronically, so you can read them on your e-reader or computer.

First-round judges need to read and judge the first 10,000 words (of between 4 and 10 entries) between 1 May and 18 June 2024. Final-round judges will read and judge 3 or 4 whole books (up to 120,000 words each) between 1 July and 20 August 2024.

If you are entering the CALEB Award you can still be a judge in a category that you have not entered. Volunteer to be a judge here.

Are all entries Christian?

The CALEB Award recognises and celebrates excellence among Christians who write. This may include the writing of books for the Christian market or for the general market. As such, judges can expect the writing they read and judge to be consistent with Christian worldviews and values, even if they do not contain overt Christian content.

This year the award is for books published in 2022 and 2023 in the following categories:

• Published Adult Fiction
• Published Young Adult Fiction
• Published Middle Grade and Early Reader
• Published Picture Books
• Published Adult and Young Adult Nonfiction (excluding Devotionals)

Entries for the 2024 Award will open on 1 April 2024. Winners will be announced at the gala dinner as part of the 2024 Omega Writers Conference in September.

Click here to volunteer to be a judge of the 2024 CALEB Award.

The 2024 Omega Writers Conference

Looking to take the next step in your writing journey but not sure where to start? 

The Omega Writers Conference is the premier event for Christian writers in Australia, gathering writers at all career stages for a weekend of learning, encouragement and collaboration in a relaxing environment.

More value than ever before!

The 2024 Omega Writers Conference features:

• Keynote talks by best-selling, award-winning US author, Susan May Warren. Susan is an author of over sixty-five novels, a writing teacher and publishing powerhouse. 
• Ticket to the Caleb Award gala dinner
• Fiction/Non-fiction focussed craft workshops
• Sessions on writer health
• Agent, editor and mentor appointments
• Bookseller speed-dating
• Prayer support
• Networking opportunities and much more.

Plus a bonus workshop opportunity! Susan May Warren will offer an additional day-long romance fiction workshop only available to conference attendees. 

See the full program here.

What people say about the Omega Writers Conference 

“I really love the in-person conference…it was my first Christian one where I found like-minded writers and…a hub appointment turned my attitude to my writing around.” 

“It felt as though God had arranged everything and His presence was obvious. My favourite thing about conference is always the connection and encouragement I receive.” 

 “The conference is a celebration of the joy, quirks, challenges and privilege it is to write for the King of kings.” 

Take the next step! 

 Join us at the Metro Mirage Hotel Newport this September and experience the creativity that happens in a room of Christian writers and let 2024 be the year you get clarity and direction for the next steps of your writing journey. 

 Book now!

BACK TO SCHOOL

 "I am a Yarigai Logophile”  

As a school Chaplain I work with parents, students and teachers to ensure families that may be finding the back-to-school effort and outlays a little challenging are supported. Starting school or transitioning back to school after the summer holiday break can be stressful for some. Add to that the potential financial pressure on families of getting all the necessary items on the book list, school uniforms, computers, getting routines organized, and things can be a little difficult. For students this may be compounded by social and emotional stresses. Reading the social cues correctly. Saying the right words at the right time to the right people. Not saying anything at the right time. Timetabling. Behaviour expectations. Learning. Homework. Assessments.

At the beginning of my grade 4 school year, I was one of those students whose family were struggling to face the challenge of making the budget work to pay for our schooling necessities. Dad had been off work with an injury and things were tight. I remember needing a dictionary as a required part of our schoolbooks acquisition at the beginning of the school year. I remember going off to school with Dad’s old Webster's dictionary and being told quite obtusely by my teacher that it was the “wrong dictionary.” All the other kids had the correct one. I was the odd one out. I think there were tears. I remember a letter home. Embarrassing stares from my table group. I remember my honest wish to not just fit in, but also have access to the learning tools I needed. I loved words and wanted to get this part of my schooling right.

I love words.

I am sure I have said that before. Many times.

In Primary School I was the kid at school who spent hours of my lunch time sourcing fresh inspiring books in my school library. Particularly, I borrowed every book I could get my hands on about Dinosaurs. Yes. I loved the Palaeontology and the amazing forms these creatures  had. Yet, perhaps more telling I fell in love with their names, their meanings, and where their names came from. I started with the the word “dinosaur” which is from the Greek deinos (terrible) and sauros (lizard) ‘terrible lizards’. Then came words like Tyranosaurus rex  (which is derived from the Greek words tyrannos, meaning "tyrant" and "sauros" (lizard) and the Latin word rex (meaning "king"). I became a junior etymologist (at least about all things dinosaurs).

Getting my first personal dictionary boosted my logophilia.

I was so very excited when Mum bought me that book with the green cover: “ The Australian Pocket Oxford Dictionary”. Mum worked extra hours to buy me that new dictionary. What a precious gift. 

By the way, it didn’t fit in my pocket: it was so loaded with beautiful, prepossessing words.

My love of words grew.

A couple of years later, I started year 6 in an entirely different school. My new teacher placed a challenge in front of us to learn a list of hundreds of Latin and Greek roots and suffixes and prefixes. I was an average student academically, but she inspired a passion in me to learn more.

At the end of year 6 (before year 7 began in yet another school) I started to “read” the dictionary. This was at the prompting of my grandfather who was an inspiring word smith and cruciverbalist. I started in “A” and learnt and put into practice all the new words I encountered. I then dove into a 22-volume encyclopedia of animals and began to learn their names (including their Latin names). I was a rabid lexophile. I read every book in our year level reading list. Year 7 I was dux of my new school. I went on to being the first person in my family to go to university.

(I loved words even more. Words seemed to love me. I began to read the bible. I discovered that The WORD loves me and saved me and has a plan and purpose for me in sharing his love and words with others)  

My wife and I were inspired recently with the story in movie form (The Professor and the Madman) of Sir James Murray (lexicographer) who was invited by Oxford University Press to take on the job of capturing all the words then extant in the English-speaking world in all their various shades of meaning. He is known as the first editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. This fueled my back to school/ New Years resolution which was to be more intentional about my reading list (actually finish that pile of books I have waiting to be read) and ignited the other goal which is reflected in my thoughts above: to embrace my love of words.

Sir James Murray in Scriptorium

At our staff personal development at the beginning of this school year our guest relayed some mind-set thoughts with us and challenged us with this question:

“What is high performance in your context? … Discuss with your partner.”

My discussion with my partner (our teacher of Japanese) went something like how I aim to do things that are worthwhile and supporting the efforts of others to discover their purpose and meaning. My teacher friend grew excited as she explained that there is a special word in Japanese that expressed my sentiment. “Yarigai” she said “You are talking about Yarigai: it means something worth doing especially when you are helping someone else, you are helping yourself too.”

やり甲斐 = Yarigai

 

So allow me to pose that question to you :

“What is high performance in your context as a writer?”

For me it is continuing to grow in my writing prowess and embrace my love of words to help others fall in love with narratives that empower, motivate, inspire, and mobilize them.  

What is Yarigai for you?  What is your back-to-school resolution?

Perhaps for you - like me - it is to fall in love with words again. I plan to go “back to school”, dust off my old dictionary and start reading it again. Noting the words I need to learn. Finding out what they mean. I will put these words into action by utilizing them creatively, and helping to inspire others in their worthwhile living.

Shane Brigg - "I love words"

In for the long haul

 

I began my writing journey in earnest almost twenty years ago now. Back then, if you had told me I would have ten books published by 2024, I would not have believed you. I thought I had one novel burning inside me, but that turned out to be seven in the end. I also remember declaring back then that I could never see myself writing non-fiction. Yet, just last week, my third non-fiction book, Swansong, was released.

Some have asked me why – and how – I keep going with all my writing and speaking. I usually respond by saying that I still feel I have things to say that I hope will encourage and draw others closer to God. Also, I still enjoy both – so why stop? As to the ‘how’ question, I can honestly say I would not still be writing if it were not for God’s guidance and strengthening over the years through the words of Scripture, through others and directly into my spirit. While I did not know I would still be writing all these years later, God knew and has constantly given me the impetus to keep going and the opportunities to be published.

I remember with gratitude how, when I was struggling to find a traditional publisher for my first novel, a young mum in a group I was part of prayed earnestly that my novel would indeed see the light of day. Later, she told me she thought she had seen a new Christian publisher advertised in a magazine at her mother’s place. She promised to email me the relevant information and I thanked her – but, in my heart, I was sure she would forget. A few days later, however, her email arrived – and, eventually, this was the publisher who released my first manuscript.

Fast forward to around eighteen years later when I was again looking for a publisher, this time for my third non-fiction book, Swansong. In October 2022 at the Omega Christian Writers’ Conference in Kingscliff, at what I believe was God’s prompting, I booked a Zoom interview with a representative of an overseas non-fiction publisher, Authentic Media UK. A wonderful online meeting ensued – and, soon after, I was offered a contract with Authentic.

When I started my writing journey, I did not fully believe those who told me writing is a ‘long haul’ undertaking. Yet, they were right. After all, it can take months or years for one book to emerge – and it can take even longer to build up any significant body of writing and gain a wide readership. But God of course knows that – and God also knows what shape our writing journeys will take. Perhaps God has just one book for you to write – and that is absolutely fine. But perhaps God wants you in for the long haul too and has given you many ideas that are waiting to see the light of day. In this case, I want to encourage you to keep trusting and walking with God, who is more than able to strengthen and guide and bring the right publishing opportunities your way. Our role is to listen, to obey, to persevere and to give of our best, whatever shape our writing journey may take.

May God enable us all to do exactly that in 2024.

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and lives through the written and spoken word. She is the author of seven published novels and three non-fiction works, ‘Soul Friend’,  ‘Becoming Me’ and ‘Swansong’.. Jo-Anne is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and four grandchildren. For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.

Merry Christmas from Australia’s Christian Writers Network

 A message from Meredith Resce, Acting President of Omega Writers

Omega Writers: Australia’s Christian Writers Network has had a wonderful year––full of activities, successes and a few challenges. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Omega Writers management team who have worked tirelessly around their own day jobs and family responsibilities to make the year a success.

Please pray for our team as we continue to plan for activities for next year, including our bi-annual face-to-face conference, planned for September 20-22^rd 2024. Lots of work still to do for that. If you are keen to help, please let us know where your talents lie, and we’d be pleased to include you in our team of helpers.

We have begun to plan for another round of masterclasses next year. Our first will be with indie author Christine Dillion looking at “What to focus on at the different stages of your author career”. You can book your spot on this masterclass here.

After a hectic year, the committee are stepping away from their Omega Writers’ desks and taking a well-earned break. You won’t hear much from us until the new year when we start to tell you all the exciting things we have planned for the conference!

On behalf of the management committee, may I take the opportunity to send you Christmas greetings and many blessings as you and your family welcome a new year. Have a restful holiday and we look forward to resuming our activities in February.

A Spiritual Practice For Growing Healthier Writers

by Charis Joy Jackson

 Earlier this Autumn (or summer depending on which side of the world you’re in) I found myself stuck. It wasn’t exactly writers block per se but a paralyzing fear that kept me writing a sentence only to delete it and start over again.

And again, and again.

I’d been asked to write an article for a magazine read by missions leaders around the world and the topic was close and heavy, and out of reach.

One of the founders, Loren Cunningham, of Youth With A Mission, the movement I’ve worked with for over 15 years, and been around since I was six, passed away and they wanted someone, a YWAM leader specifically, to write an article about him. How I was offered this incredible honour, only God knows.

Every time I went to write though all these thoughts kept intruding and had me deleting every five seconds.

Who was I to have the authority to write about him?

What if I didn’t have all the information that would be best for this piece?

What if, what if, what if?

When these questions have come in the past, there’s always some part of me that knows I’ll get the piece written because I always find a way. But this time, one of the deepest and scariest questions was: what if I don’t this time? What if I have to pass the job to someone else?

In the end, I went back to my leader and told him I wasn’t sure I was the right person for the job. The magazine was looking for someone who was a Leader, with a capital ‘L’ and right now, I have limited responsibilities as a leader. And even my past experience as a full-on leader, lower case ‘l’, I felt, was still not the right type.

What was my leader’s response?

He shrugged his shoulders, and said, “So. You’re a leader.” I tried to protest with my lower case ‘l’ and he said, “Would it make you feel better if we co-wrote it?”

The relief I felt at having his covering was palpable.

And. It helped me get the article written.

An article, I might add, I’m pretty proud and honoured to have been a part of.

I share this story for a few reasons. One, because that pesky fellow, Fear, seems to constantly gnat away at me and I want to continue to expose him for the Liar he is — capital ‘L’. Two, writing really does flourish when we’re able to do it with other people’s help/advise/feedback. And three, the only way to get the job done is to persevere.

I feel a bit like a broken record as “fighting fear” and “recognizing that we need people around us as writers” tends to be something I often write for CWD. Maybe it’s just me that needs to process it through the act of writing about it,  but I don’t think I’m alone with these struggles and if my vulnerability can encourage you to keep going than it’s absolutely worth it.

When my leader offered to co-write the piece with me, it was such a blessing. Not only did I feel covered by him but his surprise that I wouldn’t think I could be that capital ‘L’ leader was a real boost too. A few years ago, I’d probably have seen this interchange as a failure on my part but I’ve been learning something lately about how God created us. And realising that Fear often doesn’t allow us to see ourselves the way God sees us.

Have you ever heard of something called the Tension Examen? It’s a spiritual practice I’ve been exploring over the last few months.

Imagine a string with a knot tied on both ends and another right in the middle. Each knot represents the tensions we hold every day between areas of giftedness, areas of brokenness and in the middle our natural limitations.

Giftedness ——————— Limitedness ——————— Brokenness

Giftedness — areas where you flourish. Ex. Writing, singing, art

Limitedness — areas where there is a natural limitation. Sometimes lasting for a lifetime, sometimes just a season in our life. Ex. sickness, finances, gravity ;)

Brokenness — areas where you need to see healing. Ex. How you view yourself because of lies said over you

You see, I’ve always felt my limitations were areas of brokenness that needed to be fixed/healed. But the truth is, limitations are a gift from God. If we didn’t have limitations we would be like God and, I’m sorry, but you and I would be horrible at that ‘job’.

But it wasn’t just limitations that I struggled to have grace for, it was also giftedness. It felt prideful to say things like: I’m a good writer or I’m a great teacher, etc.

I thought I was being humble by not saying those things. Even though I’ve often said that humility is being known for who you are, the bad AND the good. But I wasn’t living like that.

Anyway, as I practiced the Tension Examen, and learned to accept the areas I’m gifted in, and the areas of Limitedness, the less shame had room to condemn me for things like the above story. Does that make sense?

I’d like to encourage you, my fellow writers, to take a week (or more if you can) to explore the spiritual practice of the Tension Examen. Take 20 minutes every day and write down what’s causing you tension in your day and then ask Holy Spirit to show you where you’re limitations are, where your brokenness is and where your giftedness comes to play in that tension.

For me, it’s helped free me of that pesky ‘friend’ I mentioned earlier. I’m not done, by any means, but Papa God has definitely used the practice to help me peal another layer of fear away.

Let me finish with this … About a month ago, I was talking on the phone with a good friend about how much I hated thinking and mulling over past hurts and painful situations. I didn’t want those things to take any more of my time or energy but they just don’t seem to want to relent.

We talked about the analogy of the peeling onion and how these were layers that needed to be dealt with. Then my friend said she hated that analogy because once you’re done pealing away, there’s nothing left.

“Have you ever heard of the rainbow eucalyptus?” she said, and then went on to talk about the stunning process of how it grows. “It sheds sections of bark in order to grow taller, and when the new bark of trunk is exposed to oxygen it reacts by turning different shades of greens and reds. Even blues and purples!

You have to admit it’s a better analogy of a life of continual growth — we outgrow the layers and though it may require a bit of perseverance on our end, think of the vibrant life you’re growing into.

All this to say, keep going. As we get ready to celebrate Christmas and then look back at what we’ve done this year and start planning ahead for those New Years resolutions, keep making room to sit with I AM and grow in your understanding of what you’re good at, what areas you need healing, and learn to have grace for natural areas of limitations.

This doesn’t mean we use limitations as the excuse for Fear to be victor, but rather, it frees us us from Anxiety/Fear. And we won’t be kept back from the thing we were gifted and created to do — tell stories, write.




 

Charis Joy Jackson works as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international Christian missions movement. Currently located in a village north of London, she spends as much time in the great wide outdoors as the weather will allow. In her spare time she spins stories of speculative fiction, capturing her crazy dreams in print. Literally. You can read them in her anthology Too Bright

She has also begun a new initiative on Instagram called A Minute Of Stillness, where she reflects on what God’s creation can teach us about being still and slowing down. Her heart is to see it be a moment of peace for those who happen across her reels, and hopes it will help people to stop the endless hours of scrolling in the wee hours of the night. A recovering scrolling addict, she found the few accounts that had reels telling her to stop scrolling and go to bed helped give that extra nudge to turn off her phone and either get outside, back to work or, indeed, go to bed.

C h a r i s     J o y     J a c k s o n
Instagram || Facebook || Amazon








 

A Writer's Resilience

by Claire Bell 

I said to a fellow writer recently that creative writing is my counselling room. As a long-time counsellor and a new writer, he got my analogy straight away. It’s not that I have had an especially hard life or a history of trauma. I considered myself a relatively even-tempered person, with some good coping strategies and a great God who is the foundation of all the wonderful support I receive from others. So how do I end up in this unexpected counselling room?

I've not had to work as hard at any other role in my life as I do in professional writing. I love writing; the act of writing is the easy part. Words flow out of my fingertips with ease. I was the student who had to learn editing early because my essays were always thousands of words too long, not because of waffle but all the ideas I wanted to include after extensive literature research.

The hard work of writing for me has been largely emotional. I have plenty to learn in the way of craft but I find that can be fun. It’s the emotional roller coaster that throws me. That was the inspiration behind my blog, The Character Forge – as I develop characters in story, I am having to develop character in myself. And I have a suspicion this might be one of God’s reasons for calling me to write…

It’s ironic, really. My first degree was in Psychology but my intention to become a counsellor faded as motherhood took my attention. When I took up writing in my 40s, having had a lifelong interest in it, I thought it was a creative channelling of my earlier desire to help others with their emotional challenges. But here I am, dealing with mine more obviously than anyone else’s!

Perhaps you don’t suffer the emotional reversals that accompany my writing journey. I know I am not alone, but I also recognise there are all sorts of people who write, each with their unique personal make-up. So let me list the triggers for my emotional flip-flops:

• plotting. I love the internal experience of characters but working out how to make the external story work does not come naturally. It’s like opening a treasure chest and finding it empty.
• finding beta readers. I don’t have good networks of readers who I feel I could ask to help me this way, especially the target audience of my YA novels.
• finding publishers who are interested in what I write. I can’t even find suitable ones to attempt submission. All of us are discouraged when we submit and get no response or a rejection, and we have all had to find ways to manage those. It’s the battle to find someone to submit my manuscript to in the first place that stresses me more.
• promoting my published work. This is the biggest trigger. It registers as an existential threat! With each book, I have pushed myself to try a new promotional platform (blogging, book talks, newsletters, Goodreads, reading and commenting on others’ blogs and reviewing their books). It’s exhausting, and takes so much of the time I set aside for writing. Putting myself out there is not something I feel at all equipped for.

What’s this all about? For me, the biggest answer is that God is teaching me resilience. I am having to learn to do what we learn in prayer: to ask and keep on asking, to trust when the answers don’t come or they come differently from what we had hoped, to be patient for however long it takes, to not lose sight of the goal (which is ultimately our relationship with God and serving his purposes). I am learning (slowly!) to dream big and manage disappointments; to keep on writing, submitting and promoting; to turn my sorrows, my fears and my sense of failure over to Jesus and to let him comfort and re-energise me; to step up to activities that stretch and threaten to overwhelm me.

When I let go of the dreams or shrink them to something that looks more achievable, it’s God who eggs me on to think big. He hasn’t given up on me in this writing gig even when I have given up on myself. I think he’s plotting something I haven’t seen yet!

We all face challenges as writers and, while you may not fall apart emotionally as I do, we’re all growing in craft and character as we pursue this crazy writing life. If you have a particular encouragement that helps you in your times of struggle, please share it in the comments.

Claire Bell writes as Claire Belberg, and has published two short YA novels in a genre she calls ‘speculative realism’. She also writes poetry and is currently working towards industry engagement with her poems about the impact of her parents’ dementia (Unravelling: A story of dementia), yet to be published. She has had poems and short stories included in various anthologies, including inScribe, and in the independent Adelaide news service inDaily. She writes an occasional blog called The Character Forge loosely exploring the development of personal character through the act of writing. Claire lives in the Adelaide Hills and loves to watch birds wherever she can find them.

What did God say?

 by Anusha Atukorala

Recently, my phone seems to have a bumble bee buzzing blearily inside its bright blue bouncy bonnet! (A bee in its bonnet?) When its battery power falls below 50%, a red light starts to flash, warning me that my battery will soon be flat. My phone then switches into power-saving mode and its google chat function‘s background turns dark. In actual fact, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. It can function very well for the rest of the day even with the charge dropping steadily.

 

When my phone was new, the warning was given only when its charge was below 15% which was of course the right time to give it. Now obviously, something in the phone's power circuit has gone awry. I decided to humour my phone. Each time it starts to flash, I recharge it and pretty soon it’s well above 50%, and stops its urgent summons.

My temperamental phone reminds me of us human beings who are often prone to sink into catastrophe mode at the drop of a hat. Or into worry mode. Or to dip our toes (and minds) in the murky pool of anxiety. My health issues with chronic fatigue and debilitating pain of many years caused additional problems. 

After 12 years of the illness, I discovered that I was unable to manage negative emotions – something I’d never had a problem with before. If triggered, I’d spiral downwards into a state of anxiety and fear, unable to think my way up again. Arrrgh! Thankfully … I was given an unexpected gift this year. From an unusual quarter too! Thank You God!

I was offered a place in a clinical trial conducted by the University of NSW. Researchers had discovered that the part of the brain that controls pain also controls emotional regulation. Now I knew why I’d easily sink down like a rock into the ocean and with no warning. It wasn't me. It was my little brain, depleted of its feel-good chemicals due to a large amount of stress hormones that chronic pain had unleased! Because I now knew what caused it, I could take action.

 

Eleven of us from all across Australia took part in the trial. We had 12 weeks of face to face Zoom meetings and were given an App to use daily to practice new skills– to help us manage our emotions better. They included mindfulness meditation (I turned it into Christian mindfulness), filling our emotional tanks using helpful activities, learning healthy ways of responding to stress and so on.

When my fear circuit gets activated, I am now able to use my new skills to reach a better place. Recently I decided that each time my brain goes into panic mode, to ask myself a simple question, the question being: ‘What did God say?’ 

Now, that was a good move … remembering God’s answers to my fearful thoughts is always soothing and brings quick relief -  like a storm tossed boat reaching quiet waters and finding safe harbour. 

God says ‘Trust me.’ 

God says ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ 

God says ‘Don’t look at circumstances. Look at me.’ 

God says ‘I'll work everything out for your good.' 

God says ‘All is well’.

Such a simple question, but a powerful one. We Christian writers too are often hurt by words thrown at us from the world. Publishers tell us our work is not good enough, or our books receive negative reviews. Our own thoughts reprimand us, telling us that our writing is dismal. We might compare ourselves with other writers and feel we have little to offer. We may be sad at how few of our books are sold and assume we are failures. We hear the voice of the Enemy screaming lies at us, lies that we believe. We might even question our calling. ‘Did God really call me to write for Him?’

 

And so today, I ask you dear writerly friend, on days when life gets difficult, “What does God say to you?” About your writing. About your life. About your walk with God? The Enemy of our souls is present and active and clever at smearing our hearts and minds with murky unsubstantiated lies. Do not believe him. Believe God instead. His Word is true. It is the only truth we can depend on.

 

If God has asked you to write … go ahead. Write!

If God has said you are enough, you are. 

Of course, you are!

If God has said your failures are pillars of success – then, believe Him. You are a winner!

If God says ‘All is well’ then yes, all is well. You can rest!

 

If God calls you to write for Him ... He will use your words to achieve His eternal purposes.

And what could be more significant, 

more magnificent, more thrilling than that?

 

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” 

The Lord God Almighty

Isaiah 55:10-11

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey'.

Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! 

                            She’d love to connect with you.

 Dancing in the Rain

 Light in the Darkness