Yesterday was a great day. I ended up getting a contract in the mail from the Queensland Writer's Centre for my article, The Unutterable Phrase which will appear in their September edition. I also got an acceptance email from Copeland Publishing for my article, Earning My Stripes. They want to keep it on file to be used in a future edition of their Brisbane's Child magazine, which also has a Sydney, Melbourne and Perth version - I think they are pretty much the same just with local advertising. I guess in reality this one may never be published, but at least they want to hang on to it for a while.
I also was approached to write for CQ (Collegiate Quarterly) which is the Sabbath School lesson produced by the Adventist church for young adults. I jumped at the chance - it's a nice change to write to someone else's specs rather than just where my whim and fancy takes me. I decided to get stuck into it last night, as I'm very aware each evening could be my last before the twins arrive, and became quite inspired by it all. The end result was really pleasing. That one will be published in the fourth quarter, 2009 (Oct-Dec).
It appears that I may have found my calling. This whole process is sitting so well with me - probably because it is me. Hopefully the motivation will continue! It's just so much fun! And even my rejection letters aren't actually bothering me. I guess I've had a balance of yesses and nos, so that helps.
And I've also decided that there's a good reason why I like Christian author, Max Lucado's books. I love the way he writes and I can pick his work just about anywhere. I've decided it's because I actually write in a similar way. Now I'm not suggesting I have his ability, talent or anything else for that matter - it just suddenly hit me why his writing resonates with me so much. Who knows, maybe one day our names will appear in the same sentence!!! It doesn't hurt to dream does it??
Showing posts with label published. Show all posts
Showing posts with label published. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Hunter (published 26 April 2008 in the RECORD)
(To see this article in the RECORD please go to http://record.adventistconnect.org/ and click on the April 26 issue.)
*******************
The hunter crouches, muscles tense, watching and waiting, waiting and watching. It is silent, except for the rush of blood pumping through veins and his shallow, rapid breathing. He runs the net through his fingers one more time, rough fibres chafing at his skin. It shouldn’t be long now.
There it is! In a single movement he launches himself from his hiding place and throws the net with such accuracy, such skill, that it is obvious he is an expert. He captures his prey quickly and subdues it. He hands it over to be destroyed. The hunter is victorious once more.
This is not the hunter’s first attempt. At first he was clumsy, unco-ordinated and plain unsuccessful. He has spent many hours honing his craft, practicing in controlled situations – all to prepare him for this moment. He has invested the time, the energy and the commitment to his cause to become a skilful hunter. It was a slow process, but with each catch it became increasingly natural, increasingly automatic – as though the very nerves in his body knew how to respond and when. Now, he could complete a capture with a minimum of fuss and expend a minimum of energy. He is truly the master of the hunt.
So what exactly, is in his net? What wild beast, savage and ferocious lies tangled within the knots and folds? Is it a jaguar, or a tiger, or some kind of fearsome reptile? No, it is indeed something far more sinister, more dangerous, more unexpected. It is something that lives on every continent in the world; it can be found on desert plains and mountain ridges, in the deepest valleys and rockiest outcrops; it is present in every race, every culture, every creed. In fact, it dwells within each member of the human race.
What lies at the bottom of the hunter’s net? His thoughts. The ideas, the inspirations, the concepts, the criticisms; the flashes of words that flicker through his brain at lightning speed. These are what he has worked so hard to subdue. These are the prey he has hunted and conquered. He has read the words of Paul and he has taken them seriously: “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NCV)
It wasn’t easy at first. Initially, he wasn’t even aware of many of the thoughts that trespassed his mind. They were so automatic, so momentary that it was hard to focus on them, let alone capture them. His first job was to listen - listen to the soundtrack of his life, the running commentary of ceaseless “brain chatter” that dwelled within his mind. Listening was harder than he thought. It took time, it took effort, it took commitment. But eventually, he could hear the inner workings of his thought processes more clearly. At times he was horrified by what he heard; other times he was confused, bewildered by the logic or lack thereof of his own thoughts. But still he listened.
Once his listening skills were honed and his senses alert to the thoughts that narrated his life, the hunter was then able to begin the process of thought catching. Using the Bible as his guide, he assessed each and every thought against what he knew to be true, right, honest, pure and good. The standard was high, the effort required monumental. Those thoughts that were acceptable, pleasing and obedient were allowed to continue and to grow. He nurtured those thoughts he knew would be pleasing to his Lord. Those thoughts that were contrary and disobedient were the ones he sought to capture.
Once captured, the hunter’s thoughts were made to give up and obey Christ. How? By being reworded, revised or replaced by Christ-like thoughts. It took effort, it took time, it took commitment, it took prayer. At times he won the battle and captured a net full of useless, negative, destructive thoughts. Other times his humanity prevailed and one got away. But he didn’t give up.
Today, he was once again successful. Crouched behind the foliage of his mind, a thought had been festering. It was a critical, hurtful thought that would only bring pain and destruction. It would bring no glory to God. With ease that only comes with practice, he had waited for the right moment and had cast his net. He had captured his dangerous prey and handed it over to his Master to be destroyed. His job complete, the hunter brushed himself down and continued on his way.
Imagine if each one of us took Paul’s advice seriously. How would it transform our relationships, our families, our churches if we took captive every thought and made it obedient to Christ? It takes time, it takes effort, it takes commitment. It’s something worth thinking about. After all, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 (KJV).
*******************
The hunter crouches, muscles tense, watching and waiting, waiting and watching. It is silent, except for the rush of blood pumping through veins and his shallow, rapid breathing. He runs the net through his fingers one more time, rough fibres chafing at his skin. It shouldn’t be long now.
There it is! In a single movement he launches himself from his hiding place and throws the net with such accuracy, such skill, that it is obvious he is an expert. He captures his prey quickly and subdues it. He hands it over to be destroyed. The hunter is victorious once more.
This is not the hunter’s first attempt. At first he was clumsy, unco-ordinated and plain unsuccessful. He has spent many hours honing his craft, practicing in controlled situations – all to prepare him for this moment. He has invested the time, the energy and the commitment to his cause to become a skilful hunter. It was a slow process, but with each catch it became increasingly natural, increasingly automatic – as though the very nerves in his body knew how to respond and when. Now, he could complete a capture with a minimum of fuss and expend a minimum of energy. He is truly the master of the hunt.
So what exactly, is in his net? What wild beast, savage and ferocious lies tangled within the knots and folds? Is it a jaguar, or a tiger, or some kind of fearsome reptile? No, it is indeed something far more sinister, more dangerous, more unexpected. It is something that lives on every continent in the world; it can be found on desert plains and mountain ridges, in the deepest valleys and rockiest outcrops; it is present in every race, every culture, every creed. In fact, it dwells within each member of the human race.
What lies at the bottom of the hunter’s net? His thoughts. The ideas, the inspirations, the concepts, the criticisms; the flashes of words that flicker through his brain at lightning speed. These are what he has worked so hard to subdue. These are the prey he has hunted and conquered. He has read the words of Paul and he has taken them seriously: “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NCV)
It wasn’t easy at first. Initially, he wasn’t even aware of many of the thoughts that trespassed his mind. They were so automatic, so momentary that it was hard to focus on them, let alone capture them. His first job was to listen - listen to the soundtrack of his life, the running commentary of ceaseless “brain chatter” that dwelled within his mind. Listening was harder than he thought. It took time, it took effort, it took commitment. But eventually, he could hear the inner workings of his thought processes more clearly. At times he was horrified by what he heard; other times he was confused, bewildered by the logic or lack thereof of his own thoughts. But still he listened.
Once his listening skills were honed and his senses alert to the thoughts that narrated his life, the hunter was then able to begin the process of thought catching. Using the Bible as his guide, he assessed each and every thought against what he knew to be true, right, honest, pure and good. The standard was high, the effort required monumental. Those thoughts that were acceptable, pleasing and obedient were allowed to continue and to grow. He nurtured those thoughts he knew would be pleasing to his Lord. Those thoughts that were contrary and disobedient were the ones he sought to capture.
Once captured, the hunter’s thoughts were made to give up and obey Christ. How? By being reworded, revised or replaced by Christ-like thoughts. It took effort, it took time, it took commitment, it took prayer. At times he won the battle and captured a net full of useless, negative, destructive thoughts. Other times his humanity prevailed and one got away. But he didn’t give up.
Today, he was once again successful. Crouched behind the foliage of his mind, a thought had been festering. It was a critical, hurtful thought that would only bring pain and destruction. It would bring no glory to God. With ease that only comes with practice, he had waited for the right moment and had cast his net. He had captured his dangerous prey and handed it over to his Master to be destroyed. His job complete, the hunter brushed himself down and continued on his way.
Imagine if each one of us took Paul’s advice seriously. How would it transform our relationships, our families, our churches if we took captive every thought and made it obedient to Christ? It takes time, it takes effort, it takes commitment. It’s something worth thinking about. After all, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 (KJV).
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