Reflecting God’s Light in what we write

Christmas and Hanukah bring Holy Days of Light to Christians and Jews, but depression and desperation often come this time of year to lonely people who do not know God. As poets and writers who do know God and the Word of God given to us through the Holy Scriptures and Holy Spirit, God gives us light to bear and light to share.

As Isaiah 49:6 promises: “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to Me. I (God) will make you a Light to the nations to bring My salvation to all the peoples of the earth.”

Sometimes the word “salvation” is used so often it seems dull, but in God’s Light we see light. To re-view what the Bible shows:

Salvation offers a way of escape from bad habits and attitudes that seize and entrap.

Salvation rescues people from mistakes hanging over their heads like dead mistletoe.

Salvation delivers people from the presence of evil, bad will, and unforgiveness.

Salvation recovers who and what was lost.

Salvation brings salve and healing, wrapping us in love and offering our writing as a gift in the present as a present from God.

Only God can save. Only God is Light and gives Light to all who want to step away from dark corners or dark thoughts lurking around, threatening to overshadow. But, as poets and writers and people of God, we have brightness!

We are Christmas lights and Hanukah candles.

Our poems and manuscripts can bring all that God gives us to give to others – giving and giving yet having more and more to hold onto and keep.

Let's pray to remember, though, that reflecting the Light requires reflection.

Let's pray to remember that part of the Light is being light, and our part may be to have and to hold a light touch, levity, and humor.

Only God can put ho-ho into Holy Days – not with zaniness or phony attempts to be jolly but with the true, pure light of joy. So let's pray for joy. Pray for light. Pray for daily reflection on the Light of Christ and the Joy of Salvation as we reflect our loving Heavenly Father -- the Almighty LORD God to the world.

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© 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler, all rights reserved.

http://www.marysayler.com

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Traditional Publishing for Christian Poets & Writers

If you're drawn to writing poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or books, stories, and poems for children, you'll eventually want your work to be published, but how do you go about this? Here are some tips with Christian poets and writers especially in mind:


• Notice the names of traditional publishers whose work you enjoy reading.

• Do these publishers have a website? If so, study the titles in their book lines and the poems or magazine articles in their archives.

• List publishers whose books or publications seem similar yours.

• Study and follow the writers' guidelines on each company's website.

• Send a book proposal, article or batch of 3-5 poems to 1 editor at a time.

• Keep track of where and when you sent your work.

• If you have no response in 2 to 3 months, follow-up.

• While you wait to hear about one manuscript, begin another.

• If an editor returns your work, read the manuscript or poems aloud.

• Listen for rough spots. Revise as needed, then submit your revision to the next publisher on your list.

In addition to those tips, check the website for your denomination.

Study the Mission Statement of your church.

Study church-produced publications such as Bible studies, church curriculum, devotional guides, and children’s take-home papers.

Write the appropriate editor to express your interest in writing those materials.


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(c) 2010, Mary Sayler, all rights reserved.

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