tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post6389651675722280200..comments2023-06-10T22:42:19.087+10:00Comments on Australasian Christian Writers: Where to from here? - Jo-Anne BerthelsenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-988977266017831772014-12-03T20:13:22.648+11:002014-12-03T20:13:22.648+11:00Thanks, Ian. You know, I'm so thankful we have...Thanks, Ian. You know, I'm so thankful we have such a gracious God who just keeps on persevering with us and loving us and picking us up when we make wrong decisions and strengthening us to do better in our writing journeys and in life in general. And I'm sure you are too. God bless and guide you in 2015 as you listen to him.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-162056199841967662014-12-03T20:03:22.645+11:002014-12-03T20:03:22.645+11:00Hi, Narelle. Wow, that is a challenge to me to ref...Hi, Narelle. Wow, that is a challenge to me to reflect on whether writing--or perhaps getting published--may have become an idol in my life. Lots of food for thought and prayer, for sure. Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-10077398543059190482014-12-03T16:19:01.316+11:002014-12-03T16:19:01.316+11:00Challenging post, Jo-Anne. Thanks for sharing it. ...Challenging post, Jo-Anne. Thanks for sharing it. Yes, we creatives can fall into a trap over over-emphasising 'our calling' and as Narelle points out, this can lead to it becoming an idol.<br /><br />I always like to spend some decent time in the New Year in prayerfully reflecting on the past year and the goals for the year ahead. Ian Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192687613923596829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-85863570785496897912014-12-03T14:17:20.610+11:002014-12-03T14:17:20.610+11:00Hi Jo-Anne, Thanks for your inspiring and challeng...Hi Jo-Anne, Thanks for your inspiring and challenging post :) You've articulated a number of thoughts that have been on my mind. If we're not prepared to give up writing, have we inadvertently made our writing an idol that has become too important in our life?<br /><br />Our writing is only one aspect of our life, and we have talents and abilities that could be used in other areas. I agree, it's about obedience and being prepared to change direction, rather than our success or failure as a writer. Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-14040976539075941172014-12-03T12:11:44.184+11:002014-12-03T12:11:44.184+11:00Yes, we can be so hard on ourselves, can't we,...Yes, we can be so hard on ourselves, can't we, and be blind to all the things we HAVE achieved, while focussing on one thing we haven't! And yes, I agree with you, Jeanette, that it will never be a waste of time if we are trying our best to use the gifts and abilities God has given us and doing that with passion and dedication. Yet I have also experienced times in my own life when God was challenging me to change direction and I was unwilling to do so. So it's good to stay close to God in it all, just chatting things over with him all the time! Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-24329191191630336092014-12-03T12:01:01.713+11:002014-12-03T12:01:01.713+11:00Thanks, Iola. Sometimes it's clear we need to ...Thanks, Iola. Sometimes it's clear we need to keep persevering with our writing and with using those gifts God has given us, as Jeanette comments below. But at other times, I know I can become strangely blind and deaf when God might want to challenge me to go in some other direction in my life! Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-85102566844875026122014-12-03T09:50:06.762+11:002014-12-03T09:50:06.762+11:00sorry - missed the 'not' from 'it'...sorry - missed the 'not' from 'it's the first in first year in nine that you haven't had a book released' . Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-19317133718004598662014-12-03T09:47:55.193+11:002014-12-03T09:47:55.193+11:00Hi Jo-Anne. It sounds like you have had some great...Hi Jo-Anne. It sounds like you have had some great achievements for 2014 even though it's the first year in nine that you have had a book released (that in itself being an achievement)! It is good to look back on 2014 and then to look forward. Good to seek God's direction too. I know as an aspiring author it is as easy to be consumed with self-doubt (is what I'm doing worthwhile or am I putting in all this effort and passion for nothing). I strongly believe that, if God has given us the passion and ability to write, it is not a waste of time - but we do need to hear his voice and follow his direction which may at times be into other endeavours and adventures. And for what its worth, I'd say maybe the sequel :) Thanks for your post :)Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-47450402417952247752014-12-03T09:35:27.442+11:002014-12-03T09:35:27.442+11:00You make a good point: is writing another novel wh...You make a good point: is writing another novel what God wants for you? I think we can--and should--all be asking ourselves the same question in regard to our work, hobbies and the other things we fill our days with. Thanks for the reminder.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-55987678711552143132014-12-03T07:43:10.444+11:002014-12-03T07:43:10.444+11:00Thanks, Carol--and may the new year be equally pro...Thanks, Carol--and may the new year be equally productive and satisfying for you too. I think there must be a book somewhere in all those wonderful travel experiences you have had in the past little while!Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-64431091011199034602014-12-03T07:23:04.412+11:002014-12-03T07:23:04.412+11:00Thanks Jo-Anne. It's always good to be reminde...Thanks Jo-Anne. It's always good to be reminded to look back and forward to assess how we've been spending our time and energy. I hope the new year for you will be productive and satisfying. Carol Preston https://www.blogger.com/profile/00306981583283008014noreply@blogger.com