For far too long the enemy has tried to silence me. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t intend to stop, but I do intend to do something about it. In order to do so, I’m leaning in to God more than ever & finding ways to face fear and live in His freedom.
I intend to rise up from the ashes of pain & suffering and see God’s beautiful redemption story play out.
I intend to rise up from the lies I’ve held on to by replacing them with God’s truths instead.
I intend to rise up as a writer and speaker in the venues which God allows.
I intend to rise up with the words I use in various forms of social media.
I intend to rise up in the places and relationships where I live and interact daily, with love & care for others.
Because when God is working in us, He works powerfully through us.
Sometimes that means being quiet and listening to the words of others.
Sometimes it means being quiet and listening to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
And sometimes it means taking a stand to say what needs to be said and learning how to do it in a way which honors the King whom we serve.
In all these ways, and many more, Christ-following believers are pushing through the tensions of platform building and online appearances to use words for His glory and our good.
God put this burden in my heart some time ago when I heard him say, “Encourage authors”. At the time, I wasn’t sure how that could happen, or what value I could provide except a heart passionate to provide encouragement.
Since then, He’s shown me it’s about far more than authors. This burden is to inspire, encourage and equip writers of all kinds. Including those who use social media, entrepreneurs, bloggers, speakers, word poets, song writers, fiction writers and the list goes on.
If you use words and want to use them well for the kingdom of God, #RiseUpWriters has room for you.
Jolene, I’m glad you listened to God’s call. I hope all Christ followers will be ready to use their words, etc. for Him. Blessings to you!
I’m so glad to have you in this community of believers Gayl! You are a treasure.
Jolene, I love the words of encouragement you send our way through Rise Up Writers and this blog as well. I so appreciate your transparency in both your blog sites. Rise Up has encouraged me in many ways. I have yet to begin my own blog. Thoughts of “does the Internet need my words?” And ” I am not really good enough” have held me back – and still are if I am truthful. As I read the Rise Up posts, I am encouraged that I maybe can do this, maybe I do have something worthwhile to share! Someday very soon, I will do this!! Thank you, Jolene.
YES! So happy to hear you are pressing in Linda and willing to press on in the steps God leads you forward in! Thank you so much for your kind words which have encouraged & blessed me. Keep writing! I can’t wait to read how you rise up in your place!
Thank you, Friend, for this opportunity! And Happy Birthday!!
XO
Tammy
Thank you Tammy!
Lover of my Soul by Marie Bride
February 26 at 3:57pm ·
2/26/2016
#RiseUpWriter
I was privileged and Blessed to come in contact with a community by the title Rise Up Writer. The very name inspires me to have hope and move forward on my journey of faith. As I step out of my comfort zone and breathe a bit of life into the Holy Spirit’s promptings of my heart.
A Blessed discovery that we are honored to inspire and thus also be inspired in return, to be prayed for and pray for others as well. A birth of new hope and healing are taking place in my life. This is a journey I have long awaited.
As I read comments, blog posts, and prayers I began to understand what a sacred privilege the Holy Spirit is bestowing upon us. I rarely post anything really personal on my own Facebook Timeline, I usually keep that information to private communities and personal relationships. But in spite of my behavior the Holy Spirit of my living God speaks to me through others and continues to inspire me even through dark days and rough roads.
A few years ago when my middle niece lost her first child was probably my first personal post and it was in those private prayer groups where I truly found a refuge of personal comfort and strength to sustain me. Last December when my youngest niece was due to deliver her first child I also posted a prayer and found comfort and strength in a friend who immediately responded with prayer.
One day I was checking in on my notifications and found someone I had wished a Happy Birthday had written me an incredibly Beautiful prayer which filled my heart with absolute JOY!
Today I am Thanking and Praising God for protecting my youngest niece who had her first baby last December because she was in a horrible accident that totaled her car. But she walked to the ambulance when it arrived and her only injury was to her wrist.
I am always humbled by my own issues with my introversion and difficulty feeling as though what I think does not matter, bit finding a community with the very name Rise Up Writer breathes inspiration into my spirit as well as hope and healing into my heart Thank You Jolene for accepting me into this sacred place where I am finding freedom from my fears as I become known as well as knowing others along this journey.
I am spending sacred time turning my fears into prayers.
Now to Him Who is able to do far more abundantly all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20
About Marie Bride Avid reader and lover of books from the time I learned my prayers at age three. Passionately in love with the Lover of my soul Lord Jesus our King of Glory! Child of the Heavenly Father, choir and hand bell member, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, and godmother. Past wife, Catechist teacher, Religious formation teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Christ Renews His Parish participant and team member, high-end retail sales representative, financial advisor and numerous other events and activities.
You may connect with Marie Bride
https://www.facebook.com/LOVEROFMYSOULMARIEBRIDE
https://www.facebook.com/marie.bride.3
https://twitter.com/marie_bride
http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Marie+Bride
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28242969-marie-bride
You know I LOVE this Marie! Thank you SO very much for sharing here. I’m truly touched with your words.
Rise up writer.
When I first considered the word rise my thoughts went to the Bible, the book of Revelation where Jesus is seated at the right hand of His father. Alive. In order for a writer to rise up, there first must be a death to sin and self. Leadership begins in service to the one who is the greatest of all creators. Jesus uses himself as an example in Mark 10:43-45.
In Hebrew one of the meanings of the word rise is “Come forth.”
A sword, a pen, a key typed, all dead to the soul, without God breathed inspiration to come to life. All meaningless without purpose. The enormity of the challenge for a writer to come forth is in integrity of each word in print to bring healing, light, wisdom, life to the reader. The call to use words that will not leave the reader without hope, faith or love. The commitment to die crucified with Christ yet alive in the faith of the one who loved and gave himself and Arise to walk in newness of life.
The battle is real.
I hear the beat of the ground connecting with hooves of horses escalating in sync.
Intensity mounts as the one who is seated on a white horse with sword in hand.
All wait, hands gripped tightly on reigns eager in anticipation for the moment to begin.
Movement of bodies shifting to come forth with heads held high, watchful, focused ready to hear the words. the choice to daily seek Him in all we do so that we might Come forth. “Writing” as a body of believers of purpose united together for the cause of Christ to lift one another up to a call to die to self and rise up to be like Christ.
There are none found sleeping.
Jolene I am not writing on my own blog right now. I took a break which I now going into its second year. I am guest posting only right now but have thoughts of launching a whole new place for my words. Rise up Writers, to me, has been a place to find truthful encouragement and perseverance when I could very easily just shut off the words in me and go live my life in peace. But God gave me a story, like all of us here, and I can’t find that peace when I bottle it up. Having the spiritual support of others and your spirit-led guidance has already filled me with the courage to keep going, to rise up on eagles wings and let God’s story shine. Thank you God’all you do for us.
Jolene,
You are an Encourager! So Blessed by your example of ‘Rising Up’! Keep pressing on – you are a Blessing!!!
Thank you Jessica. Every encourager needs encouragement too & you’ve blessed me with yours.