Last month I introduced to you a new-to-me guest when Carol James shared treasures with us, so please welcome her back to share some thoughts....
The Power of Words
“The pen is mightier than the sword.” I
remember the first time I heard these words in school. We discussed how, in using
words to change a person’s thoughts, you can transform the
heart. Words, not swords, have the power to cause heart-change. That one idea
began my love affair with words.
Several
years ago, a friend invited me to a Beth Moore conference. It was a time when
my life was in a drought. Certain
God had called me into a new ministry, I’d begun writing. After numerous rejections
and some harsh critiques, which all writers receive, I began to question my
decision. Writing was too much work. Too hard. Too painful. If I wasn’t being
successful, maybe I hadn’t been called.
In addition
to the mental pain, I’d
been having unexplained back problems, and the thought of sitting for hours in
a stadium seat was torturous. But . . . I went, because time with my friend was
priceless.
As we
entered the huge arena, I recognized the background music. It was a recorded
song written and sung by my church’s worship pastor, Aaron Keyes. Sovereign Over Us.
What a fun coincidence! Of all the recordings they could have chosen, one by a
person I knew. A song I’d sung many times in church.
We found
our seats. Mine had an envelope on it. I glanced around the huge convention
center. Each seat held an envelope. Thousands of seats, thousands of envelopes.
Then I
opened the card. Someone had handwritten a Bible verse inside. “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed.
Save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14”
The song
about God’s
sovereignty, the verse about healing, even the typewriter, for goodness sake. I
can’t remember what Beth Moore spoke about that weekend. I’m sure it was
fabulous. But I will never forget what God said to me through the song and the
card. The words were streams in my wasteland.
Oh, the
power of words! We all have the responsibility to use our words for good. To
encourage, to build up. Especially as writers. I often struggle with finding
the perfect word to express an idea, simply because my task is to use words not
only to tell a story, but also to show God’s love.
When the
angels appeared to the shepherds, their words struck fear. Yet, the shepherds
were obedient and went to the manger, and the words they heeded changed them
forever.
Words.
Powerful. Life-changing.
Maybe that’s why John tells us Jesus is the Word.
In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became
flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:1,14
Wow, so true, Carol and how sweet! Thanks for sharing!
Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She lives in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Jim, and a perky Jack Russell "Terrorist," Zoe.
Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she'd been encouraged by the works of other authors.
Her upcoming novel, The Waiting, will be available January, 2019.
Her Christmas novella, Mary’s Christmas Surprise, is currently available on Amazon and on the Pelican Book Group website.
Connect with Carol at:
Thank you so much Carol for sharing with us.
I hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights.
Until next time good luck and God's blessings!
PamT
17 comments:
Pam, thanks so much for letting me visit!
Hi Carol,
What an encouraging post. We all need to be reminded that God's ways aren't always our ways. And His timing is perfect.
Merry Christmas.
Beautiful post. What an awesome, inspiring story. Great words to live by. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Carol,
Thank you for your inspirational post. It's a great reminder to pen the words God has given us and see what He wants to do with them.
Writers need encouragement. Thank you.
Thanks, Alicia. I’m so happy it was meaningful to you.
So true. Oftentimes it’s such a test of faith and obedience. 😊
I’m so happy you were encouraged. Yes, we all need that.
Love the image of Snoopy on his dog house typing! Words are truly powerful. That's why I love that God refers to Himself as the WORD. Thanks for sharing, Carol
Carol,
What a lovely post! I think most of us have felt the sting of rejection as writers many times and it is painful, but that makes the acceptances that much more meaningful. I also love Snoopy and when my first son was born I decorated the walls by painting Snoopy murals. Best wishes and happy holidays.
Lovely post. Words do have power, and we need to be careful how we use them.
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing words of encouragement.
Mary, thanks so much for your comments. What an awesome responsibility we have as writers. Yes, the WORD!
Jacqueline, thanks for stopping by. It's great to "meet" a fellow Snoopy-lover, and it's nice to know we are not alone in our journeys. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Pat, Thanks for your kind words. Merry Christmas!
Hey Diane, Thanks for your comment. Yes, we have an awesome responsibility. Merry Christmas to you!
Pam, Thanks again for having me.
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