Pursuit for Publication? God Is Able by Priscilla Shirer, and A Giveaway!

We all know that this road to publication is difficult.
And I have learned the hard way that no matter how much I pray, how much I believe in my work, or believe that God will answer my prayers the way I want Him to, the outcome really does not depend on what I do.

Priscilla Shirer

If you read my post last week, you'll know that I am going through a time of stepping back, re-centering my heart on God and not my own desires or pursuits. So, when I was given the chance to review Priscilla Shirer's book, God Is Able, I must say that I went into it with a bit of hesitation. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read anything besides God's Scriptures. After all, I wanted this time to be one of  focus only on God...nobody's opinion of Him, nor temptation that might come in a self-help type book to apply the mantra that if I did this...then I could get God to do so and so...

With a guarded heart, I began to read God is Able. And after just the introduction, I felt my walls break down and my heart receive God's truth pouring out from this small book in the most God-focused way. Priscilla's style is simple yet wise, and gripping with vivid analogies. Her examples are down-to-earth with glimpses of God's handiwork in ordinary, day-to-day living. Instead of outlining ways to satiate my desire in a self-help fashion, she dug deep into Scripture, took me by the shoulders like a loving friend, and turned me away from my circumstance and toward God and ALL HIS ABILITY to use my circumstance for so much more than I would hope.

The book's entire structure is based on significant points made in Paul's doxology in Ephesians 3:20, 21. I've color-coded the subject of each of the phrases dedicated to entire chapters in the book:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
With exploration of original language, historical context, and true life situations, Priscilla presents the fullness of these words that do nothing less than glorify God, elaborate on His love for us, and humble us before His perfect will. The book reminds us to push our circumstance aside in comparison to grounding our faith in the God who goes "exceeding abundantly beyond what we ask or think". 

One of the greatest points that met me right where I was at on this pursuit of publication is:

"But whether or not God CHOOSES to do something is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability. Whether or not He Will do it is His business. But believing that He CAN--that's our business." pg 62.

Do you truly believe that God is able in your present circumstance? Do you truly believe that He wants to go beyond what we ask or think, and are you ready to surrender completely to Him no matter the outcome? It is hard to think that this waiting game might end without publication, but if I remain grounded in my faith, it is NOT because God can't do it, it is because He chooses not to, AND, He has something in the works that will be above and beyond what I could even imagine--with or without a contract. How exciting...and freeing! As Priscilla says on pg 140,

"...ultimately, our lives are all and completely about Him. 
We exist today for His fame...For His praise and His glory."

The outcome of this pursuit, this writing for Him, really only means something if He's "gettin' Him some glory when He acts on our behalf." pg 140.

So why in the world do I get so antsy? It's about time to stop giving into my fleshy want (which will never be satisfied with earthly things), and start surrendering to the Spirit's nudging (which will always lead to God and true satisfaction). Embracing ALL God has for me, isn't really about what's for me, but ALL about what He wills to bring Him the glory. And who am I to tell God what that may be? I can ask, and pray, but trust that He knows the best way to answer.

Priscilla's tiny red book drew me to God's loving arms with security and peace in the wait. I close the book, craving more time with Priscilla. Her voice is conversational and down-to-earth, and her heart reflects God's truth. If you are struggling with publication, or perhaps something more pressing in your life, God is Able will draw you close to God and to a faith beyond all circumstance, with a mind and heart set on nobody's glory but His!

I could list a whole book full of quotes from God Is Able, but instead, why don't you leave a comment and get entered in a drawing for the book to read them for yourself?? Also, tell me which section of the doxology appeals to you most in your present circumstance?

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

The Anointed Author

“An author can pen a book without the anointing, but only the anointed author can write words that carry the weight of God to accomplish eternal purposes in the lives of readers.” -Priscilla Shirer, Anointed Tranformed, Redeemed Workbook

I recently took a study on David called, Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. Yes, three amazing women teaching about an amazing God! I was excited to hear Priscilla, because she used examples of mothering and writing as she spoke on being anointed. Right up my alley!;)

 I write this post to give Christian writers encouragement to continue on this path, with the awareness that you are chosen to live an anointed life in all you do, even in writing!

Natural vs. Supernatural
As believers in Christ, we are all anointed to live in a “supernatural way” in our daily lives. Priscilla illustrates it in the following example:

The Task: Mother two small children

The Natural Accomplishment: Take care of their daily needs, and    provide a home for them

The Anointed Accomplishment: Instill in them a love for the Lord and a desire to serve Him

As a Christian fiction writer, I follow in her example and write:

The Task: Writing novels

The Natural Accomplishment: Create stories with word pictures, intriguing plots and characters.

The Anointed Accomplishment: Weave Christ through the story to touch the heart of the reader and bring glory to God

Sometimes I sit and struggle with weaving spiritual truths into my writing. I get swept away with the plot, the characters, what I assume the reader wants, and then realize I have turned my back on my anointing.
God is faithful though, and I know I am truly anointed to display God's truth in fiction, because of the unsettled feeling I have when I write away from His will. When I submit to Him again, He blesses me with an A-ha moment that knits His truth so perfectly in my writing.

Opposition to Our Anointing
Just yesterday, I was getting back into my wip, after a month hiatus (yikes!) and started down a path that wasn't necessarily against God's will, but was more of an easy way out for me as the author, and could have stolen away the impact I would have on my reader and ultimately fall short of bringing God His glory. Priscilla talks about opposition to the anointing, using King David's constant opposition as an example. But we all know that we have an enemy, and if we are doing something to bring God glory, that enemy will certainly show up! She says:

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“We have an enemy. He seeks to divert us from the course set for us by our Father. Once we are saved, our enemy cannot destroy us, but he will work hard to distract us. It seems he most likes to startle us when we have just closed our eyes and turned our chins upward to enjoy a sunny patch in our existence.” Priscilla Shirer, Annointed, Transformed, Redeemed Workbook

For a writer, that “sunny patch” is when the writing pours out, or your work advances in a writing contest, or you get a new idea for a story you can be passionate about...it is at these moments that you protect your calling, cling to prayer, focus on the God you seek to bring glory...because at these moments, opposition to our anointing will attack at full force.

In the study workbook, Priscilla says:
“We can stand firm against the Enemy's attacks because we stand on a foundation of unwavering faith and trust in the truth of God's word.”

Remember, Friends, you are writing for a divine purpose as an anointed author. And even though we can stumble, even in our fiction, in our salvation we can't fall so far that God steals away His purpose:

“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:57-58, NASB).