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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Inspiration » Page 3

Inspiration

A Writer’s Prayer of Lament

By Bob Hostetleron February 15, 2024
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A few months ago, the leaders of the West Coast Christian Writers Conference had the poor judgment to allow me to teach and meet with conferees. In one of the preconference sessions, I invited attendees to lament the struggles and wounds of the writing-for-publication process, following the form the psalmists often employed. Several were willing to share their efforts and one—Judy Parker—even gave me permission to feature her lament on this blog. Its honesty and vulnerability may strike a chord for you, wherever you are in the often-bruising journey of writing for publication. Here’s her guest post:

Father,

I am beaten and bruised by the assaults I have encountered on this writing journey. I believe you gave me the desire to write, not for myself but for others. I want to write because I believe it’s the calling you have given me. It is my purpose. But it has taken its toll on me, and I am weary. My energy is spent, and my mind is numb.

I can’t do what you’ve asked. It’s so hard, and I doubt I have what it takes. I’m not sure if I have the stamina or the desire to finish the task. If You have truly called me to this, why is every single step so hard? Why is affirmation and confirmation so hard to come by? Why do the voices in my head attack me with endless questions and accusations? Who am I to think I could write, not just a book, but anything? Why would anyone want to read what I have to say? Do I have anything to say?

My earthly goal is to publish a book, to get my words into the world, to help and encourage others. However, the endmost goal is to fulfill the job you’ve given me and to do it with excellence. I want to hear you say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

I will trust you. I will trust you to give me everything I need to accomplish the task. I will trust you to guide me. I will trust you to remind me when nothing is going right according to my plans, it is going precisely according to yours. I will trust you to silence the voices in my head telling me I can’t.

I praise you because you love me despite what I do or don’t do. Your love for me is not dependent on my performance. Please sink that truth deep into my soul.

I praise you and thank you for being sovereign over all things, not just some things. I praise you for always working even when I can’t see a shred of evidence. I thank you for your sacrifice for me, and I choose to sacrifice for you, even when it is hard, even when it requires my all, even when I feel I have nothing left to give. I will keep fighting and forging ahead, knowing you are with me every step of the way.

I love you.

Judy Parker is a devotional writer from Alaska who loves to help others see God in nature. Her website is Judyanneparker.com.

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Category: Inspiration, The Writing Life, Theology

The Difference We Offer

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 14, 2024
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Once upon a time, I wrote Christian romance novels for publication, and now I’m a literary agent living my happily-ever-after in representing many romance authors. Valentine’s Day is my favorite secular holiday. Ignoring fond stories of St. Valentine himself, retailers encourage spending. Giving and receiving jewelry, flowers, cards, negligees, and candy are all great ways to say, “I love and …

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Category: Inspiration, Personal

A Year in Review: A Look Back at 2023

By Steve Laubeon January 15, 2024
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It is always a good idea to reflect on the previous year. As those who follow Jesus Christ, we are pressed because the lost world around us is being crushed by the enemy called sin. And yet we should still count our blessings (and as the hymn reads, “name them one by one”). The goodness of God remains unchanged despite attempts to proclaim otherwise. The following is an attempt to review some …

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Category: Agency, Awards, Career, Christian Writers Institute, Encouragement, Historical, Inspiration, Publishing News, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

Jingle Bells, Taco Shells: The Art of Being a Mom-Writer

By Megan Brownon December 21, 2023
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‘Tis the season to be jolly, right? Well, not if you’re a mom-writer caught in the whirlwind of holiday chaos while trying to meet deadlines, market your latest book, and wear more hats than Santa himself. It’s easy to get swept up in the never-ending to-do list; but what if I told you that it’s okay to give yourself the gift of simply being a mom, especially during this …

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Category: Career, Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life

Words That Save Christmas

By Dan Balowon December 20, 2023
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I love Christmas and almost everything about it. I can’t wait until November 1 when I can “legally” start listening to the four different Christmas music channels I’ve curated on my Pandora subscription. Long ago I shifted my Christmas music preferences from the “White Christmas” category of seasonal songs to the music celebrating Christ’s birth and never looked back. One Christmas Eve many years …

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Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, Theology

The Best Reading Resolution for 2024

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 14, 2023
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Recently, one of my elderly Christian friends shocked me by admitting she’s never read the whole Bible. I feel sad for her because I can tell she’s not planning to make reading the Bible a goal. Each time I read the entire Bible, I become a better person, although never superior to others. Now is the time Whether you have never read the full Bible, have read it once or twice, or choose to read it …

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Category: Inspiration, Personal

Your Passion Is Good … but Not Enough

By Bob Hostetleron December 5, 2023
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Decades ago (yes, I’m old, what of it?), I met with a dynamic African American writer in Columbus, Ohio. He was informed and fired up about how few African American boys and young men were readers. “They don’t read,” he said. “They don’t like to read. They don’t want to read. So, I want to write a book for them—” I stopped him. Politely, I hope. I said something like, “I love your passion, but you …

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Category: Book Business, Encouragement, Inspiration

November 22, 1963

By Dan Balowon November 22, 2023
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Today marks the sixtieth anniversary of the deaths of three well-known authors: US President John F. Kennedy (he wrote three books before becoming President), C.S. Lewis, and Aldous Huxley. JFK was 46 years old when he was assassinated. In the car driving through Dallas that day, Texas Governor John Connally’s wife turned around and said, “You certainly can’t say that the people of Dallas haven’t …

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Category: Creativity, Encouragement, Inspiration

Cultivating Gratitude, Rest, and Contentment in Writing

By Megan Brownon November 21, 2023
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As the year draws to a close and the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time for content creators to pause, reflect, and cultivate gratitude. In our fast-paced world, where the demands of content creation often leave us in a constant state of hustle, the joy of gratitude can be easily overlooked. However, taking a moment to be thankful for the connections, opportunities, and …

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Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, Theology

A Writer’s Prayer of Thanks for Bible Versions

By Bob Hostetleron November 16, 2023
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God, thank you for the hundreds of Bible translations that are available to me, and for their forerunners throughout history, who have made your precious Word understandable and accessible, often at great personal cost. Thank you for the 72 Jewish elders recruited by Ptolemy II who translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek. Thank you for William Tyndale, who gave his life to “write …

Read moreA Writer’s Prayer of Thanks for Bible Versions
Category: Inspiration, Personal, Theology
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