by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Mar 20, 2025 | Confident to Write
Write to Jesus
Pour out your heart before Him.
Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2, NASB
Writing to Jesus first can be a powerful way to express your thoughts, prayers, and desires.
Last week we focused on writing to Bless Jesus.
This week let’s dwell on writing TO Jesus. Later we’ll learn about writing to others and writing for yourself (Part 3 will hone in on things you write for others).
Speaking of writing to Jesus, before you hear from me, please take a moment to hear from Him!
What are some thoughts, prayers, and desires you might write to Jesus?
- ___________
- _____________
- _______________
Last week we wrote to Bless Him and that encompassed worship, adoration, and praise.
Let’s talk through some additional thoughts, prayers, and desires you might write to Jesus.
A. Gratitude – In addition to writing your gratitude for specific blessings from the Lord, write to thank Him for the gifts, talents, and opportunities He has placed before you within your ministry. Write about your thankfulness for God‘s faithfulness throughout history and your personal experiences. This is an uplifting journey. Psalm 100:4 instructs us to, “Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, And His courts with praise.“
B. Hope – Write about the hope you have in Christ Jesus and how it sustains you through trials or uncertainties. Romans 15:13 says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“
C. Love – Write to express the profound nature of the Lord’s perfect love. His love is sacrificial. (John 15:13) His love is unconditional. (Romans 5:8) His love is steadfast. (Psalm 136) Isaiah 54:10 says, “For the mountains may be removed, And the hills may shake, But My Lovingkindness will not be removed from you,”. Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. His love has transformed you and inspires you; comforts, heals, guides, and sustains you. Consider how transformative and all encompassing His love truly is!
D. Meditations – You may frequently read the Bible on your own, listen to sermons weekly, and enjoy beautiful worship music. Meditating on God‘s word to discover what it means and how it applies to your life encourages deeper understanding and a close relationship with him. Psalm 119:11 mentions this beautifully: “Your word have I treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against you.“ I think there’s probably more to meditation than just deeper meaning and application. Take your study of God‘s word beyond listening or reading. Lean closer, dive deeper and meditate on His word through reflection, engagement, and application.
BONUS Blog: Meditation on God’s Word:
E. Remembrances – Asaph, and so many others, especially in the Psalms, wrote to remember the Lord’s presence and provisions and miracles in their lives and to reflect on His special promises. I love Psalm 77. It is titled: Comfort in Trouble from Recalling God’s Mighty Deeds in the NASB. Asaph was discomfited: he sighed, cried and could not speak (vv. 1-6). He grieved and lost hope (vv.7-10). Then he remembered the Lord’s deeds, sonders, and works; His wonders, strength, and power (vv11-20). And Asaph was comforted! Write all the wonderful ways you remember God’s mighty deeds!
Here is an opportunity to Write to Jesus 3 Heart-felt Messages
What are some thoughts, prayers, and desires you might write to Jesus?
- ___________________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________________________
Download the Part 1 Sampler of this 52-week “Confident to Write” Series, and receive an exclusive monthly update.
Write/Work with us in loving and like-minded communities! Working with others can be an incredibly enlightening, encouraging, and richly equipping journey!
Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.
#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #Whatareyouwaitingfor #WritetoPraise #WritetoWorship
Blessed to Write with Confidence,
Karen
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Mar 12, 2025 | Confident to Write
Write to Bless the Lord
Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©
Writing to Jesus can be a powerful way to express your thoughts, prayers, and desires. Everything you write to Him can be an intimate conversation between you and Jesus, allowing you space to share your heart openly as an entrepreneur and a follower of Christ!
Write to Bless the Lord! Write words of blessing to Jesus.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”
Psalm 103:1
J.O.Y. = Jesus, Others, Yourself
I have begun the journey of understanding blessing the Lord late in life, and I am so grateful! It’s another reminder I need moment by moment to put Him first. It’s a lesson toward understanding His Majesty, Righteousness, and Worth. It teaches me to consistently seek Him and ask Him for a larger than human-sized glimpse of Who He is and how He sees things!
I’m not sure how I missed this concept! All of those Prayer acrostics include blessing the Lord.
In the A.C.T.S. prayer guide, A stands for Adoration (Adore Him!, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication).
In the P.R.A.Y. prayer guide, P stands for Praise (Praise Him!, Repent, Ask, Thank).
Here’s my favorite prayer guide because all of our family entrepreneurial endeavors are named Rhema which is a Greek word which represents an “inspired utterance from the Lord”.
R.H.E.M.A. stands for:
- Reflect on God and His Word. Begin by meditating on a passage of Scripture that speaks of His greatness and majesty. (Psalm 145) Pray: “Lord, as I seek You today, help me reflect deeply on who You are. Reveal more of Your glory and truth to me!”
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for [Or hope in] the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings [Or sprout wings/pinions] like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:28-31, NASB
- Honor Him in Worship. Take time to honor the Lord with music and song, expressing your love for him. Pray: “blessed are you, oh Lord! I honor your name above all names. You are mighty and worthy of all praise. Fill my heart with joy as I worship you.”
”Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
Psalm 95:6
- Express Gratitude. List specific blessings in your life for which you are grateful, thanking God for His provision, love, mercy, and grace. Pray: “Thank You, Lord, for your countless blessings in my life. I am grateful for spiritual blessings, soulful blessings, and physical blessings. May my gratitude, in return, bless Your heart.”
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Make Requests. Because God is great, bring your requests for others and for yourself before Him praying for wisdom, healing, strength, and guidance. Pray: “Lord, I lift up these and myself before you. Please provide us with comfort and peace. Help us to be instruments of Your love.”
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6–7
- Acknowledge His Majesty. Conclude your time in prayer by acknowledging God’s sovereignty and majesty overall. Pray: “Lord God, Almighty, I stand in awe of Your greatness! You are sovereign over all things; may Your will be done in my life and in the world around me.”
“Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.” (I love that!)
Psalm 145:3
Draw closer to God while blessing His name through reflection on His word and honoring His presence in prayer.
May your prayer life be enriched. May you receive Rhemas – special messages and revelations from God through the Holy Spirit. May you understand scripture in a deeper way, sensing God‘s guidance in specific situations, feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit to take certain actions based on God‘s will. May His active, living nature be revealed in His word. May you grow in your relationship with God and seek His voice through prayer and study of His word. May you experience moments where you receive personal insights and encouragements to enhance your faith journey. May the Lord build His foundation under you and guide you in prayer, worship, gratitude, intercession, and acknowledgment of His majesty, helping you to deepen your relationship with Him.
Write to Intercede. Ask God to bless Others.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people,…” 1 Timothy 2:1
In future articles, we will focus on praying to bless others, hoping that as you learn to bless the Lord, thinking of others comes next naturally!
Write to Receive His blessings for Yourself.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
In future articles, we will focus on praying to receive a blessing from the Lord for yourself.
Here are 3 Prompts to Help You Bless the Lord:
1. Write to Bless the Lord! Write words of blessing to Jesus.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” Psalm 103:1
2. Write to Intercede. Ask God to bless Others.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people,…” 1 Timothy 2:1
3. Write to Receive His blessings for Yourself.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
Did you notice the JOY acrostic (again)?!
Let’s talk about joyfully attending to personal writing projects, focusing on seeking the Lord first, serving the people He places before us, and self-care over these next 6 weeks!
Download the Part 1 Sampler of this 52-week “Confident to Write” Series, and receive an exclusive monthly update.
Write/Work with us in loving and like-minded communities! Working with others can be an incredibly enlightening, encouraging, and richly equipping journey!
Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.
#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #Whatareyouwaitingfor #WritetoPraise #WritetoWorship
Blessed to Write with Confidence,
Karen
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Mar 8, 2025 | Confident to Write
Your Joyful Writing is an Act of Worship!
Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©
“This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
May your writing be filled with JOY and an act of worship!
– Karen Lindwall-Bourg
J.O.Y. stands for
- Joy – the emotion I hope we all experience that includes delight, fulfillment, good fortune, happiness, success, even well-being.
- Jesus
- Others
- Yourself
I don’t even remember where I first learned this, but it’s a great reminder (for those of us who might see the glass half empty more than half full) to focus on and seek joy in all things. Really? Yes! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” James 1:2-4 encourages us, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!“
Writing should come from a joyful heart while also recognizing His majesty and expressing worship unto God.
Joy comes from the Lord, and is His offer of inspiration to you. (Nehemiah 8:10) As you write about God‘s goodness, you cannot help but express joy. (Psalm 126:2) You write from a place of joy when you joyfully express your faith through your written words. (Psalm 100:1-2) Writing about your faith and your experiences is an opportunity to reflect this joy in every circumstance. (Remember again, Philippians 4:4)
Writing is an act of worship!
JESUS First: All your work, including writing, is ultimately done for God‘s glory. (Colossians 3:23-24) Your spoken or written words should honor God, making writing an act of worship when aligned with His will. Psalm 19:14.
Others: Writing can be a gift from God and so it becomes an act of worship when shared positively with others. (James 117)
Yourself: Your writing is part of presenting yourself as a living sacrifice when done in devotion to the Lord. (Romans 12:1) In the same way that your offering of music is an act of worship, using creativity, (especially when writing) as a form of expressing gratitude toward God is an act of worship. (Ephesians 5:19–20)
Here are 3 Tips to Help You Write with JOY:
1. Choose and post a Scripture that will encourage you to begin each writing session from a place of JOY!
2. Purpose to continually ask the Lord to help you see from His perspective more than from your own! Know that He will add joy to your words.
3. Ask a like-minded writer to read your words and offer joy-filled advice!
Let’s talk about joyfully attending to personal writing projects, focusing on seeking the Lord first, serving the people He places before us, and self-care over these next 6 weeks!
J:
The joy acrostic is also a great reminder to put Jesus first. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Seeking God first means placing Him above everything else in your life. You are called to prioritize your relationship with Him and to trust that all your needs will be taken care of.
O:
You are encouraged to love your neighbor with all your heart, soul and mind and “as yourself” in Matthew 22:36-40. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. [Another reminder to put Jesus first!] The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” You are to treat others with the care and respect that God desires; and you are to count others more important. Philippians 2:3-4, even tells us to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Y:
You are a tripartite being consisting of spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 states, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Attending these three parts/this trichotomy takes some doing; especially for us girls! This verse reminds you that He cares about your wholeness and your well-being, and so should you!
Download the Part 1 Sampler of this 52-week “Confident to Write” Series, and receive an exclusive monthly update.
Write/Work with us in loving and like-minded communities! Working with others can be an incredibly enlightening, encouraging, and richly equipping journey!
Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.
#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #Whatareyouwaitingfor #WritetoPraise #WritetoWorship
Blessed to Write with Confidence,
Karen
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Mar 1, 2025 | Confident to Write
Persevere to Write Prolifically
Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12, NASB
Be Blessed!
What does the word persevere mean? -to persist, carry on, keep at it, last, endure… When the Lord places a calling before you, how do you persevere especially when faced with distractions, discouragements, difficulties, counter influences, and especially opposition?
What was the last discouragement you endured, and how did the Lord help you persevere?
_____________________
Persevere through your writing projects, grounded in faith in God and in His word. Seek His guidance and trust Him with all your heart. He provides clarity and direction in your writing. He has a promised hope-filled plan for you. Ask and ask again for inspiration and direction. Pray that your writing aligns with His precepts. (Proverbs 3:5) Trust in God‘s timing: be patient and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14; Psalm 37:7) Spiritual discernment trumps productivity! Writing takes time, and sometimes God‘s timing may differ from yours. Trust that He is working behind the scenes for good. Trust that even when you might not feel inspired or motivated, His calling on your life to write is secure!
Establish an accountability group based on your needs to persevere and the needs of those you work with to write prolifically. Support one another on your writing journeys. Share experiences, encouragements, motivations, and fresh perspectives. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Seek constructive feedback regularly as you encourage sharing writing drafts with trusted peers or mentors. Your work will improve and you’ll continue growing in motivation through the encouragement from others. (Proverbs 27:17) Celebrate even small victories together. Every word written is a step forward; take time to appreciate everyone’s achievements along the way!
You do You! What works for you?
- My friend Annette keeps a little journal with her at all times, and even if she needs to pull over to the side of the road, when a thought comes to her, she pulls over to jot it down and capture it before it fleetingly escapes her thoughts. I try to do the same. I always have my phone with me; I always have access to my Google Drive. It’s a perfect place to write down inspiration as it comes! Praise the Lord for every inspired idea!
- What hasn’t helped you to persevere in your writing projects in the past? Don’t do that anymore!
- What has helped you to persevere in your writing projects in the past? Do that more! Emplore the Lord to help you:
- Set and press on toward realistic goals. Philippians 3:4
- Cultivate a writing habit (Ecclesiastes 3:1) In Proverbs 31:15 we are told that the virtuous woman rises early to provide for her household. Can you imagine what you might accomplish if you rose only one hour earlier every day to write?!
- Find your groove, your flow. When are you most productive? What will your schedule allow?
- Prioritize projects on passion and purpose to maintain focus and reduce overwhelm. 1 Corinthians 14:40 suggests doing all things decently and in order.
- Create tools that encourage productivity and allow structure and flexibility like outlines, notes, guides, templates, and more…
- Stay committed to the calling God has placed on your heart to write. Writing is a ministry, and every word you write serves a purpose in His kingdom. (2 Timothy 1:9)
- Persevere through challenges (distractions, procrastination, perfectionism, writer’s block, and more… James 1:2-4) Challenges can strengthen your faith and endurance, and are opportunities for growth.
- And finally, embrace your unique voice. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) Your unique experiences and perspectives are valuable. Embrace them as you write, knowing that your words can touch lives!
Here are 3 Tips to Help You Persevere in Your Writing Calling
1. Persevere in attitude and in action! Pray for the attitude, inspiration and continued motivation to fulfill this writing challenge within your God-given calling! Take action and commit to write consistently by putting blocks of writing time on your weekly calendar. abound in this work… Finish it! (2 Corinthians 8:7,11)
2. Post a writing vision board and at least a 12-week schedule (maybe an annual schedule) of writing plans where you can see them every time you sit down at your computer. (Proverbs 29:18)
3. Plan your own or a group writing retreat, knowing that you can get so much more done when you’re away from your usual space and distractions. We hold a virtual writing opportunity once a week and every second Saturday, and an in person destination, writing retreat every quarter. LINK to CFFC Group.
Fulfill your God-given potential to write and share your messages with the world!
Write/Work with us in loving and like-minded communities! Working with others can be an incredibly enlightening, encouraging, and richly equipping journey!
Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.
#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #Whatareyouwaitingfor #WritetoPraise #WritetoWorship
Blessed to Write with Confidence,
Karen
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Feb 22, 2025 | Confident to Write
Promote Your Writing Proudly
Shout from the rooftops!
Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
Romans 10:15, NASB
When was the last time you proudly promoted something that you wrote?
Promoting your writing in a way that honors God is your first priority! Pray for guidance. Begin your promotional efforts with prayer asking God for wisdom, direction, and favor as you share your words. The words of Philippians 4:6-7 encourage you to seek the Lord’s blessing in your efforts. He has called you to write. He has given you a divinely inspired mandate and multiple messages! Always stay true to your God-given ministry through His and your words as you “live honorably among” others. (1 Peter 2:12)
Promoting your writing in a way that connects with like-minded writers and readers is an essential aspect of your writing journey. Once you have written, how will they receive your words if you don’t let them know where to find them? By now, you know your audience well. Who will benefit most from or be keenly interested in your writing? Focus on those who resonate with your message. Offer value-packed free resources related to your writing. (Acts 20:35)
Communities can help you connect with other writers for mutual support and reciprocal promotion. They also offer great opportunities for collaborative projects and shared guest appearances. Communities are a great place to ask for testimonials on your writing as well – positive feedback provides credibility and encourages new readers. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 encourages edification among believers.
Two are better than one! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reminds you, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
Promoting your writing in a way that aligns with your calling from the Lord is crucial. After all, the Lord has laid this writing project on your heart. He has asked you to hear Him, believe Him, and obey Him within this writing calling. Not to write could be considered an act of disobedience! You have to build an online presence and platform through a website or blog or social media sites where you can share about your writing process, offer free resources, and connect with readers. God places high value on community and connection. (Proverbs 27:17)
Show Up! Participate in writing events and speaking engagements as often as you can. Don’t hesitate to ask if you can present, even lead a writing workshop or speaking at a writing related engagement.
Proclaiming and sharing about what you have written brings it alive for others and for you! (Romans 10:14) Toot your own horn! Speaking of promoting… we offer opportunities to write in community every Monday morning, every 2nd Saturday, and at destination retreats quarterly! Toot-Toot!
Here are 3 Tips to Help You Proudly Promote Your Writing:
1. Choose 1 Promotional Goal for this month: Multitasking doesn’t work well. So, choose ONE goal to reach your fellow writers and readers with your inspired words! _____________________
2. Choose 3 Steps under that 1 Goal: What are the first three steps you need to take to reach this promotional goal? It’s best if they are repeatable steps so you develop some good promotional habits along the way.
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
3. Commit to Investing in 3 Communities of like-minded writers and readers over a period of time to build authentic connections. Adhere to their promotional guidelines, of course, but don’t be afraid to talk about who you are, what you write and your calling from the Lord. How will they know if they don’t hear? (Romans 10:14-15)
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
“Shout from the rooftops who God has called you to be and what He has called you to do. Share your work within this blessed calling.
Rarely is anyone else going to shout it for you!”
-Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Write/Work with us in loving and like-minded communities! Working with others can be an incredibly enlightening, encouraging, and richly equipping journey!
Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.
#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #Whatareyouwaitingfor #WritetoPraise #WritetoWorship
Blessed to Write with Confidence,
Karen
