More Spirit-Inspired Ideas

I've been rolling around in my head the idea of doing a series of articles on parenting. Today the culmination of a couple of readings and issues that have been on my heart lately came into clearer focus. I think I'm going to call the series Godly Parents, Godly Children. I already have 5-6 titles/topics in mind and will probably add more. The series will be biblically based and was inspired by the concept addressed by Chips Ingram in his book, Effective Parenting in a Defective World.

The initial topics I have in mind are: (1) Absolute Obedience; (2)Wanting for Nothing (desiring God above all else); (3) Praying Through Life; (4) Developing Sound Judgement; (5) Clothed in the Full Armor of God; and a couple of others. My thought is that in order for our children to grow into godly adults, in order for us to adequately equip them for life as adults in the world, we must begin early and be intentional. We also must model what we teach. I'm going to use as my key scripture, Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. [Job 27:11 NIV]

Another article or series of articles I'm going to work on is on blogs and websites that are focused on, managed by, intended to uplift women.

The third idea that the Spirit gave to me today is to interview some of the amazing Christian women I know and write articles on them and their stories.

I also may create an e-book of my journaling course available for download through lulu.com.

It's pretty exciting to be back on track! "Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! [1 Samuel 12:16 TNIV]

I shared on my Divinely Designed blog that I'm praying the Prayer of Jabez every day and God's answering my request: He is enlarging my boundaries (territory)! I'm going to have be sure to take my vitamins every day if the current rate at which He's growing my ministry continues!

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that thou wouldst bless me and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep me from harm so that it might not hurt me!" And God granted what he asked. [1 Chronicles 4:10 RSV]

Woman at the Well

I've been working on Woman at the Well (poetry and devotional book) for a long time! A couple of times I felt as if "this is ready" only to find that God had other plans - either by way of a comment or suggestion from a friend or from some scripture that resonated with me or a new poem. I'll upload the files to lulu.com this week if all goes as planned.

Yesterday I made what I believe is the final edit and hope to have it printed within a week or so. I'm not stressing about it because each time I have been delayed in my plan, I found that God had a better one, so I'll wait:-)

After the annual RCWW dinner, I'm psyched and have set some ambitious writing goals for myself! I have no doubt I will miss some goals and/or modify some over the months ahead, but I have learned the importance of at least having a benchmark. I want to get back in the habit of submitting to contests and pick several publications to focus on for submissions.

Also Takeila Bynum has indicated she has several contacts that may be interested in some parenting artices, so I started on what may be a "single" or first in a series article today.

One goal I didn't post on the side bar: do 15 minutes of cleaning for every hour of writing! That will be a change and will afford us a cleaner house!