what’s in a name

August 30, 2011 in real life & faith, the writing life with 0 Comments

Yesterday I wanted to quit being a writer.  I had the urge to just go get a regular job that is normal and nice and comes with a regular paycheck. Folding clothes sounded like heaven compared to the blood, sweat and tears that seem to accompany this crazy life sometimes.

Being a writer is very angsty.

I’m sure I’m the only one who has ever felt that way.

Take today for instance. I get over my urge to go apply at starbucks or the mall yesterday and reluctantly pick up the proposal I need to finish and stare at it. I have a great premise. I understand the story. I’m coming to understand the characters. I sit down to tackle the proposal, type the title of the book and then….I stop.

I don’t know the main charcaters names!!!

I cannot go further until I do!! It seems like such a small thing but I think names are an integral part of the characters and they can’t become real until I know their names*. And here’s a confession that only writers will understand. I can’t just go pick a name like I’m picking out a watermelon at the store. It has to be the right name.

And I’ve got nothing.

Where did I put that Baby Name book….

 

~Sarah~

 

 

 

 

*either that or this is a deep-seated procrastination problem that I am in denial about…

 

I feel the earth move under my feet

August 29, 2011 in monday manna devotional with 2 Comments

I have lived on the East Coast my entire life. From down south in Georgia all the way up to Connecticut and multiple states in between. (I was a very reluctant nomad which may explain why once I hit 18 I’ve stayed in the same place ever since.)

We have lots of things that happen on the East Coast. For example, hurricanes are a fact of life. So when Hurricane Irene threatened, I, like everyone else, simply went about all the normal preparations and rode out the storm and stayed alert for tornado warnings.

Earthquakes?

Ummmm. Those are new. Now, growing up we went through earthquake and tornado drills in school but since they never, EVER happened, it always felt a bit like one more school fact long forgotten.

So last week when I was sitting right here at my computer and started feeling the earth shake, and then it kept shaking, well, I didn’t know what was happening. The quake lasted about 45 seconds but felt more like a slow motion five minutes. I think it took me about 40 of those seconds to comprehend the fact – I think we’re having an earthquake!! So by the time I dredged up “what to do in an earthquake” from my memory and ran to a doorway*, the quake was nearly over.

And I shook like a leaf for quite some time after that. Hands down, there is nothing like an earthquake to remind you just how small we are. Just how big God is. And how little control we really have over anything.

By west coast standards, I realize the quake was small and slightly laughable** but for us uninitiated east coasters, it was a scary first time event for many of us.

*I have since learned that I should have gone outside. However, since school drills were the only thing in my memory banks, all I could remember was going under my desk or in a doorway (which may have been the tornado part?) Anyhow – I went to a doorway…

**

off to school

August 16, 2011 in college life & faith with 0 Comments

This week I’ve seen many Facebook good-byes as people head off to college. When I went away to school I couldn’t wait to go. I even tried out for a sports team just so I could check into my dorm a few days earlier*. Going away to college changed my life – literally. I met Jesus at college. But I have heard some startling statistics about young people who go away to college and walk away from the faith. There are probably as many reasons for that as there are people – everyone is unique.

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1)

Our faith is not something that we can neglect, ever. We have to continue to pursue God each and every day. Too many – and this isn’t just college students – think we can go off to church once a week and that’s enough to keep us spiritually strong. It’s just not. So if you’re going off to college, go with God. Make a plan on how you will stay connected to Him every day. And stick to it. God knows everything about you. He knows your strengths, your weaknesses, and what He has prepared for you to do since before time began. That’s something you can trust.

How will you connect with Him one on one? When will you do this each day?

How will you study His Word? On your own? Join a Bible Study? Work through a book?

How will you connect with other Christians? On-campus ministries? Local churches?

Every campus has lots of options to help you stay spiritually strong – no matter whether you attend a large state university or a private Christian college. Make your faith walk a priority.

~Sarah~

* You would know how hilarious and pathetic this was if you knew how completely un-athletic I was. I eventually conceded that I’d never be a jock – just a theater geek.

being brave

August 15, 2011 in destiny & purpose, monday manna devotional, real life & faith with 0 Comments

I’ve mentioned in multiple posts about the unexpected life upheaval I had many months ago and as I look back it’s been kind of interesting and beautiful how God has worked during this time. I’ve had opportunities I never would have had if I had stayed in that place I was. I’ve written two books and a screenplay. I am at work on several other projects. It’s comforting to know that even when life looks fuzzy, God is still at work and we remain in His hands.

For that, I am grateful.

But over the last month I have felt the stirring of God to step out onto the water once again. If that’s you Lord, bid me come. And He says Come! I never want to go anywhere unless it’s the Lord’s leading. That’s a good place to be, but that sometimes makes me too…hesitant. The very fact that I know the stirring and passion I feel is one that I am incapable of doing without the strength and guidance of the Lord tells me that this is not where I want to be – it’s where God is calling me. To a place where I must keep my eyes completely fixed on Him. In faith. In the full knowledge that through Him – all things are possible – even the impossible.

‘Cause to be honest, it all looks impossible. Kinda like looking at the top of Mount Everest. But I suppose most things, when looked at with our human eyes, can look that way. But that is not the way of faith. The way of faith is following Jesus. Bravely.

Nichole Nordeman has an older song called Brave that speaks of this place.

Step out onto the water. The only place to be is right next to Him.

dump and run – monday manna

August 1, 2011 in monday manna devotional with 0 Comments

I haven’t been home very much over the last few weeks. My grandmother (who lives with us) has been in and out of the hospital and two of my three children have been in a theater production that just closed last night.

When I woke up this morning (if you can call it that – I’m vertical but most definitely would not describe myself as “awake”) I realized that my house has become the victim of the dump and run.

You know; you walk in the door, drop everything and go to bed because you have to get up early to do it all again. So the clutter has amassed, and I found myself just staring at it all this morning, not having the energy to tackle it.

If we’re not very careful, it’s the way we can treat God sometimes. You know, hurry in and hurry out because we have ten other things to do. But we can’t afford to dump and run with God because it is in the lingering, the pausing, the quiet, where we are restored and refreshed to do the work He has put before us. So today, even if you have a million other things to do – resist the urge to run in and run out in your time with Him.

“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” Corrie ten Boom

~Sarah~

we interrupt your week…

July 27, 2011 in real life & faith with 0 Comments

My unintentional hiatus the last few days is for two reasons. I’ve been on a deadline and trying to finish this new screenplay before my children’s play opens….yikes!….tomorrow!

But Saturday evening I got food poisoning from a nearby restaurant. At this point: 1) I will never eat at that restaurant again and 2) am afraid to eat out ever again at all.

Food poisoning is simply awful. It’s my third bout with it in my lifetime but I was in pain for several days. It was rather preoccupying. And really, I figured you didn’t want to hear my whining about my stomach, so I ended up not blogging:-)

But now I will dutifully get back to it:-)

~Sarah~

win books! win a bag!

July 22, 2011 in books & faith, fun friday with 0 Comments

Besides hanging out here, I also like to hang out over at Girls, God & the Good Life where we offer encouragement and inspiration to teen and twenty something girls. Have you checked it out yet?

Girls, God, and the Good Life

Well, now’s a great time and I thought I’d point you over there because we are having a fun summer giveaway!

Check it out!

is your faith drifting

July 19, 2011 in college life & faith, destiny & purpose with 0 Comments

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1)

Not many of us regularly get on boats anymore (and the Bible uses quite a few boat metaphors) but let’s imagine this scenario.

Imagine yourself on the beach staring out at the Atlantic. (I’m imagining Nags Head but you can go with whatever floats your boat:-)

What do you suppose would happen if you got in a boat with no motor or sails and pushed out from the shore? You’d go wherever the tide wanted to take you. You’d be unable to steer, unable to move forward, you would just drift around in the waves.

It’s not much different with our faith. This world is very much like the ocean. It has powerful currents that will take us in any number of harmful directions. If our plan is not to head purposefully towards Jesus every day, we can start to drift. It’s not enough to be in the boat of faith. It’s not enough to simply believe. We must pursue God, each day, so that we will have the power to resist the currents that want to pull us away.

And I’m not just talking only about “things of the world” that might be harmful, but anything that distracts us from following after God. Anything that take us of course. Anything that makes us apathetic about our faith.

It’s hard to know where that course is taking us sometimes. We may not be able to see very far into the distance at all. But the one thing we can do is set our sights on Jesus alone, and those other details won’t matter because if we’re going after Him, then He’ll get us where we need to be.

Photo Credit: Andrew Beeston

face towards the Sun

July 18, 2011 in monday manna devotional with 0 Comments

20110718-030048.jpg

My sweet husband planted some sunflowers in the backyard. They are one of my favorite flowers because they always face the sun.

Just like us.

If we keep our face towards the Son, then we can survive the shifting ground beneath us. We can because He is with us. But if we turn away, even for a bit, we will begin to wither. So stay focused on the Son. And Thrive.

~sarah~

screenwriting & Act One

July 15, 2011 in media, arts & faith with 0 Comments

This is my favorite combination. My mug filled with coffee and my Mac to write on. Writing is like breathing for me. It is something I do both because I am compelled to, and because it brings joy. Oh, that’s not to say there aren’t tears (oh, there are tears) and frustrations and sorrows. My writing journey has been long, occasionally painful and worth every step.

I learned about Act One Program‘s Writing for Hollywood summer writing intensive from a friend when I was just beginning to write professionally. Over the next couple years, I had two teen novels published (with Moody Publishers) and three more contracted. But I couldn’t shake the desire to write for the screen. Act One’s writing program was usually held in LA but every so often they hold one “away” and I discovered they would be in Washington D.C. the summer of 2004. It seemed so out of reach but I applied anyway.

And I was rejected.

I was shocked by the rejection because I felt so strongly that I was supposed to be there. When I told my friend about the rejection, she promptly made some phone calls and convinced them to give me a spot in the class.

It wasn’t easy. We had to hire a full-time babysitter for my children. I had an awful commute. (Those of you who have ever commuted to D.C. know what I mean). It cost a lot of money.

And yet…

That month changed my life. Every day that I arrived in class I sat down feeling profoundly grateful that God allowed me to be there. I soaked in everything. And I learned. So. Much. Yes, I learned about screenwriting. But I also learned about myself. About what it was to be an artist who loves the Lord. And about how beautiful and varied the faith community truly is.

And that’s what is on my mind today as I sip out of this mug (that I received at our closing banquet) and continue to write my fifth screenplay. It’s an adaptation to my newest YA (my 6th novel) that I just signed a publishing contract for. I love the story. I think it could be an amazing movie. And I love re-imagining the story for the screen.

I can’t worry about how impossible it is to make a movie. All I can do is be obedient each day. And for me, that is to just do my part. So with my heart full of gratitude, I’m off to write…

~Sarah~

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