by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Jun 11, 2024 | Writing & Publishing
He Cares; He IS
Do you ever wonder if God cares? Does the Creator of the universe care about the big things, the small things? Does He care especially about the details of your life?
He does!
If you’re like me, this isn’t a pressing question when the details of your life seem to be falling into place. But the minute things seem (from your human perspective) to be falling out of place, the question arises. “God, do You care about the details of my life?”
He does!
God is Sovereign over every detail of your life – the important things, the big problems and the small problems, even the minute or small details. God cares about everything from the entire universe to the tiny mustard seed. Jeremiah prayed (32:17) “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,…” AND God answered ( Jeremiah 32:27) “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”
Learn more…
God is fully Present for every detail of your life. God’s Presence is everywhere. The prophet Jeremiah (23:23-24) says that God fills the heavens and earth. In Psalms 139:7-12, David says God already is everywhere we might go in this life and the next. Learn more…
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
That pretty much covers ‘everywhere!’
God Knows about every detail of your life – even your smallest concerns or your most insignificant thoughts or deeds. God is that great! The Bible says, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13 Learn more…
God’s Power is over every detail of your life. He has ultimate power over all things and He is the source of all power. God’s power is everlasting and unshakeable. From Ephesians 1:18-23, we learn about the surpassing greatness of His power [“all in all”] toward us who believe. Learn more…
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
God Cares about (is Beneficent over) every detail of your life because His love reaches to such a depth and breath that it encompasses every particular detail. In our last Writing Retreat we learned that God’s kindness and goodness reaches to such a depth and breath that it encompasses every particular detail. God cares deeply about our lives. Learn more…
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you…”
1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV
The icing on the cake is
HE is SOVEREIGN.
God is able to care about the details of your life because He IS! He is Sovereign; He is all powerful, all present, all knowing, all love! It’s True! But it doesn’t always feel true! So, how do you know it is true?
Here are 9 precepts for faith-filled confidence that God cares about the details of your life!
- His Word is True!
- God Discerns Your Thoughts and Intentions
- He Counts the Number of Hairs on Your Head
- God Knows Your Sitting Down and Your Rising
- He Collects Your Tears in His Bottle and in His Book
- God Numbers Your Days
- He Considers You More Valuable than the Birds of the Air
- God Counts and Names the Stars Above Your Head
- He Counts the Grains of Sand under Your Feet
His Word is True!
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
In my darkest moments, when I focus on the world’s wisdom for help, or when I look to my own knowledge and understanding, I flounder and falter.
When I turn to the surety of God’s Words, I feel confident and freely receive His comfort within His enduring truth.
The Bible contains timeless truths that resonate across generations, offering comfort, encouragement, and direction because His Word is true.
According to Psalm 119, God’s Word commands what is true and right! God‘s Word is sincere, firmly fixed in the heavens and doesn’t change. Every one of His righteous judgments endures forever; they never get old or wear out. His word is unwavering and eternal.
The Bible is divine revelation, and provides guidance, wisdom, and comfort to those who seek the Lord.
Seek God’s Word in times of distress. He promises it will complete you and equip you! Focus on His promises.
As a Biblical Counselor, I often encouraged, even begged, my counselee’s (and myself) to spend at least as much time – if not more time – in God’s Word than they spent focusing on their distress and sharing it with others; I encouraged them to see if He didn’t provide comfort and an answer every time!
Try it!
God’s word is true. His Word also provides what is good! It serves as a guiding light, illuminating your path and providing wisdom for your lives. Remember, His word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path, providing comfort, guidance and strength. (also Psalm 119) This verse reminds you that God’s Word is not just theoretical knowledge; it’s practical guidance for your daily journey. God’s Word illuminates your way, as a lamp helps you see where to step in the darkness, showing you how to navigate life’s challenges and make choices that honor Him.
When you are desiring clarity, facing decisions, and seeking comfort, you can turn to Scripture. It provides insight, correction, and hope.
So, continue to cherish and apply God’s Word, allowing it to shape your thoughts, actions, and desires. Turn to God’s Word. Invite Him in with every challenge you face!
The future is as bright as the promises of God.
– William Carey
Learn more…
God Discerns Your Thoughts and Intentions
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
I don’t know about you, but understanding that our all-knowing God knows every thought I think and discerns the heart and intention behind those thoughts is quite sobering and kind of scares me. It shouldn’t scare you, but it should give you caution especially because from your thoughts pour words and actions and habits and values. From these your beliefs are firmly set and your future is influenced. It should give you comfort as you embrace the assurance that God understands your struggles and intentions, and accountability arises from your awareness that God knows your true motivations and actions.
Psalm 39:2-4 says God perceives my thoughts from afar. In Isaiah 55:8, God declares, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,…” But He also says in Psalm 37:4 He gives the desires of your heart to you if you delight in Him. He helps you align your desires with His Desires when you seek Him and delight in Him! You align your inner life with your outward actions and grow to know Him and make Him known. He helps you think and act with moral integrity and sincerity. He will help you know what He wants and to want what He wants.
I’m reminded of the scripture of the man who said, “Lord, help my unbelief!“ And I often pray that the Lord will help my desires align with His, and when they do my thoughts, then the outpouring of my thoughts into words, actions, habits and values will also align with His!
Pray honestly and open, without pretense. The Lord already knows your true thoughts, feelings, and needs. Ask Him to help you cultivate more faith, to be mindful and disciplined in life, and grow in faith-filled confidence as your inner thought life flows into your outer actions. Ask the Lord to divinely guide how you interact with others to foster transparency, kindness, and empathy. Ask Him to help you grow in wisdom and make your decisions right.
God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Learn more…
He Counts the Number of Hairs on Your Head
But/Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7
Being a girl, although I’m not a very girly girl, I care probably a lot more than I should about the hairs on my head! And I’m constantly amazed when I read Scripture that tells us God counts the hairs on our heads.
I’m fascinated that He cares at all, and awed that He has the power and knowledge to count the hairs on our heads when we know that every time the wind blows, and we run our fingers through our hair, or we run a brush or comb through our hair, we see evidence that our hair is falling out every second! Humanly speaking, it’s incomprehensible that He counts the hairs on our heads – what a terribly daunting task!
He is aware of even the smallest details of your life; and His infinite knowledge and attention to every aspect of creation proves He cares. God cares so much about you that the number of hairs on your head matters to Him. Be amazed and so grateful.
You can be reassured and again comforted that no detail of your life is too insignificant for God‘s attention. His divine providence and personal care for you imply that God‘s concern extends to every aspect of your existence.
In addition, you can trust in God‘s plan and care, because if He knows and cares about the details, even the number of hairs on your head can’t, then larger concerns and worries are covered by the Lord as well.
You are valued and worthy in God‘s eyes, you are significant and cherished, even to the number of hairs on your head!
Humble yourself before God. He has ultimate authority over all things. Embrace that you have a place in the vastness of his creation. Live faithfully and righteously because nothing is hidden from God and He will encourage and equip you to live in a way that honors Him in everything you do.
God knows us minutely. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He has counted and named every hair, even though they are of little value. And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
-John Piper, Even the Hairs of My Head Are All Numbered
Reflections on My First Year in the Pastorate
Learn more…
God Knows Your Sitting Down and Your Rising Up
O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2
God is so aware of you, He cares about your sitting down and – think about it – every moment of every day you are either up or down. That covers the whole 24 hours, number of minutes, and number of seconds in your day. That’s amazing!
Psalm 139 emphasizes God‘s full presence and intimate knowledge in your life. It reminds you that He knows your sitting down and your rising. He goes on to say, He understands your thoughts, scrutinizes your path or daily activities, is intimately acquainted with all your ways, knows every word before it’s on your tongue, encloses you behind and before, and lays His hand on you. Then the Psalmist declares,
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high,
I cannot attain to it.“
Verse 6
I remember a bunch of our homeschool friends asking our homeschool pastor years ago, if we were studying God’s Word and wanting Scripture to be the foundation of all of our studies, shouldn’t we also teach our children about other religions. He took us to the Deuteronomy 6:7 passage that explains, “You shall teach them [God’s Words] diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” This wise pastor said, “Sure! If you can find a time when your children are not sitting in your house and walking by the way and lying down and rising up… I think we got the point!
God knows and cares about what you are doing every moment! He is fully aware of your actions and thoughts at all times. He is interested in every detail. He cares for you and provides comfort that you’re never alone in your daily and nightly experiences when you are sitting down and when you are rising up.
Live with integrity and mindfulness and conduct yourself righteously. Live your life conscientiously and purposefully. Choose actions and make decisions that align with faith and moral values. You can be comforted and reassured that God is present in every aspect of your life, providing guidance and support, peace and solace.
Pray about even the smallest aspects of your life because God is already aware and attentive. He is present in the grand and minor moments of your life; He is there in the everyday and routine aspects of your life. Every moment is significant and known to God. A friend recently reminded me…
He sanctifies the ordinary moments and infuses them with divine importance!
Do your daily rising up routines and behaviors align with your faith? Do your nightly laying down routines and behaviors align with your faith?
Choose a more deliberate and meaningful approach to life today. Live each day and each night with purpose, knowing that your actions matter to God. Seek out ways to serve and honor God in your daily and nightly life, finding purpose in both small and very significant actions. Live with integrity and purpose!
Seek God – to know Him and His Precepts when your children are sitting in your house and walking by the way and lying down and rising up – that’s ALL the time!
-Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Learn more…
He Collects Your Tears in His Bottle and in His Book
You have taken account of my wanderings [tossings];
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your book?
Psalm 56:8
This verse conveys a deep sense of God‘s empathy, care, and attentiveness to your suffering. He cares deeply about your pain and sorrow and that all that cause you to tear up or cry when you are struggling and suffering,
Because God is Sovereign, I think that His care and collection of your tears includes all tears – when you get a bit of dust in your eye and your eyes are tearing up to cleanse and protect them; it encompasses happy tears, hilarious tears (“I laughed so hard, I cried), sorrowful tears when you’ve sinned against God, in addition to tears of grief.
I was widowed young when my husband died of cancer leaving me with children ages 7, 6, and 4 years old. I hadn’t considered myself much of a crier before then, but I made up for it those next few years, I can promise you that. I took my kids to a Grief Support center, knowing that I might not be able to attend to their grief as well as I would like to while I worked through my own journey of sorrow. It was one of the best decisions of our lives. So much so, that a year and a half later, I found myself volunteering for that organization, then going back to school to get my Masters Degree in general Counseling and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor, then working as a Program Director in a local Grief Support center, then actually going back to school to get a Doctorate in Family Therapy focusing on a Narrative Approach – a Biblically sound model, specifically with families in crisis and in bereavement.
Along that journey, one of my interns who was a Registered Nurse, shared a nursing journal article that explained that over the years they had studied the chemical composition of tears and discovered that the chemical composition was different for tears of irritation, happiness, laughter, sorrow, and grief.
They also pointed out that tears of grief held all sorts of healing properties.
God collects your tears. This should remind you that God is not distant or indifferent, but is closely involved in the details of your life and particularly in your moments of grief. Your tears are not shed in vain. He encourages and comforts you. He acknowledges your distress and is present with you throughout your trials. Your feelings of sorrow and grief are legitimate and important emotions. They are significant enough to be remembered and treasured by God.
Recently when dad was in the hospital for 35 days, we were so grateful that he never declared that he was in pain, but there were significant seasons of suffering during those days. I was so encouraged that daily he used this suffering to reflect spiritually on his life and his relationship with the Lord. Suffering fostered a deeper trust in God’s plan and presence and encouraged him and all of us to seek solace in our faith, knowing that our tears are meaningful to God. He was comforted. We were comforted.
Be comforted. God cares about your tears – all of them. He cares so much He gathers your tears and saves them in His bottle and puts them in His Book! He cares so much that He has even created you in a way that promotes healing when you cry.
- The act of collecting our tears signifies His attentiveness to every aspect of our lives, suggesting a God who is deeply invested in our well-being.
In times past, tear bottles, or “lachrymatories,” were used to catch and preserve tears as a memorial to the depth of your love and grief, and a profound plea for God’s divine intervention. God values your tears as precious indicators of your heart’s condition. He is intimately acquainted with your pain, fears and struggles; He is attentive to every aspect of your life and is invested in your wellbeing; He remembers your pain; and He is deeply compassionate and understanding.
-Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Learn more…
God Numbers Your Days
…in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
Psalm 139:16
I’m usually OK with living, although some of the days I have lived have been extremely difficult. I think I’m OK with dying believing my days are numbered by God because of the promise of heaven and the presence of God. But I have to admit, every time I suffer or someone I love suffers, I realize I’m not so OK with suffering. I grapple with trials and struggles and still haven’t found peace about it. I read God’s Word and search what others say about it.
It should bring some comfort that God numbers your days. Your lifespan is predetermined by Him. He has ordered the number of your days. As hard as it may be humanly to endure, you can trust Him with the exact number of your days and as hard as it is, you can even trust Him with the trials and suffering of the days leading up to your last day.
You can find comfort and assurance in the Divine Providence of God who numbers your days. It’s a reminder to make the most of your time and then live in alignment with God‘s precepts and values and to focus on what truly matters. It’s a catalyst to live an intentional and fulfilling life of service to God and to others in all your endeavors.
God‘s timing is divine. In your days, He teaches you patience and faith, reminding you that everything happens according to His plan, especially during difficult times. It reinforces the idea that challenges and trials are part of a larger, divine plan in a manner that aligns with God‘s divine will and purpose for your numbered days.
Consider the legacy you wish to leave behind and strive to positively impact others and contribute to their goodwill and in your community and in your world.
Strive to be a better steward of “days”!
Understanding that God ordains my number of days, I feel I can understand and be of courage during days of suffering. He provides and cares for me. I am to seek Him and His guidance in all aspects of my life, trusting His wisdom and plan for me. I can strive to live each day to the fullest, seeking God’s will and trusting in His unfailing love and provision.
-Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Learn more…
He Considers You More Valuable than the Birds of the Air
25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?
33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:25-26; 33
God takes care of the birds of the air (and later in the same Scripture, the lilies of the field), even though they don’t fully know what they need the way that you interpret knowing and needs.
Jesus reminds you that He considers the birds, and He considers you even more valuable. So, you can trust that He will take care of you.
God places higher value on you than on the birds. You are created in the image of God and given dominion over all living creatures, including birds of the air. In Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God gave you this unique image and responsibility. You can be assured of a higher level of care and consideration from God. He loves you and He values you.
Jesus says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
What a beautiful and sobering reminder that God was/is willing to sacrifice for you because He loves and cares for you.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field,
The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
Psalm 8:3-8
This Psalm reminds you of the place of honor God gives on you. He loves you and places value on your life.
Matthew 10:31 states, “ So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” This reminds me of the hymn:
His Eye is on the Sparrow (Lyrics)
Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion
My constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
I sing because I’m happy
And I sing because I am free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
Let not your heart be troubled
His tender word I hear
And resting on His goodness
I lose my doubts and fears
Though by the path He leads us
But one step I may see
His eye is on the sparrows
And I know He watches me
Whenever I am tempted
Whenever clouds arise
When songs give place to sighing
When hope within me dies
I draw the closer to Him
And from care He sets me free
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
I sing because I’m happy
And I sing because I am free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
So I sing because I’m happy
And I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpS3IvBoeKc BJ Thomas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei84uOUI2SY Keith & Kristin Getty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wg2agexH1e Selah
Learn more…
God Counts and Names the Stars Above Your Head
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars;
He gives names to all of them.
Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;
His understanding is infinite.
Psalm 147:3-5
God is Infinite in wisdom and in His creation.
Consider the stars. Stars are innumerable and beyond human comprehension. They symbolize hope, guidance and God’s infinite knowledge and infinite promises. Stars suggest God’s order (even though they definitely don’t look very ordered to us or to the human eye); and they prove His Sovereignty in that they extend throughout the vast cosmos! His creations are precise and limitless and ever under His control. God has supreme authority over all creation and you can trust His divine plan.
In addition, these verses remind you that not only did God count the stars, He named each one! When God names each star, you can be assured that every star and therefore, every one of you matters immensely to Him.
He cares for you.
His blessings are vast and boundless in nature, His faithfulness is unwavering, and His promises are always fulfilled.
Consider Abram:
When you remember Abram’s plan and watch God’s plan unfold in his life, consider the greater magnitude of God’s plan for Abram and his many future generations!
“And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:5) He continued, promising a blessing and to multiply Abraham’s seed like the stars of the heavens and the sands on the seashore! God also promised success against Abram’s enemies (Genesis 22:17-18) and abundant lands and blessings throughout his future generations (Genesis 26:3-4).
It’s humanly impossible to count the number of stars in the sky, even with our modern technology and satellites and Hubble telescopes. It’s unfathomable! God cares about the details of your life, and the details of your life are infinite in number! While you have many cares to place before Him, He cares about more details than you are even humanly aware of! All of them! – your struggles, your joys; He cares about every aspect of your life. What a double blessing!
“God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees,
and in the flowers and clouds and stars.”
-Martin Luther
Learn more…
He Counts the Grains of Sand Under Your Feet
Do you realize that the Bible says that the Lord has more thoughts to [unto] you or on behalf of you than the grains of sand?
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand…
Psalm 139:17-18
Most of our family members are drawn to water! We love going to the lake. Even more so we love going to the beach. Some of us love being in the water till we prune; the rest of us love being near the water.
There’s just something majestic and mesmerizing about bodies of water whether it’s a calm day or a stormy day. I love it all! It reminds me of the Sovereignty of God and I’m always spellbound that I can be comforted and at peace, even when close to a violent storm! I can’t humanly explain it.
The fact that God counts the number of grains of sand on the beaches is overwhelming, but when you consider that His thoughts about you number more than the grains of sand everywhere, you know without a doubt you are loved!
Remember, He knew you before He formed you in your mother’s womb! He set you apart and anointed you, called you to Himself before you were born. He was thinking about you before you were born! (Jeremiah 1:5)
His wisdom and knowledge are infinite!
His love and attention for you is boundless. The grains of sand on a beach are endless. His thoughts toward you are countless. You are always in His presence, always surrounded by His care and grace. He knows you intimately.
Take comfort in knowing that God‘s thoughts about you are immeasurable, like the grains of sand. You are cherished, valued, and never alone.
God is everywhere, in the smallest grain of sand.
-Caspar David Friedrich
Heaven is in a grain of sand.
-William Blake
You can trust God with the details of your life!
AND God Inspires Your Words (Dear Writer)
Live by Faith; Write by Faith
And the Lord answered me:
“Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
-Habakkuk 2:2
GOD:
The Bible is God’s written Word to you. His Words provide a tangible link to communicate, reflect and connect between a Divine Triune Lord and you.
God’s written Word
- Shares His Wisdom
- Preserves knowledge
- Records history
- Passes down God’s Truth for future generations
- Conveys guidance
- Encourages growth along your spiritual journey
- Teaches you to express your faith
- And so much more…
In various passages, the Bible highlights the significance of writing. Deuteronomy 31:24 records that Moses finished writing the words of the law in a book. Joshua wrote down the words of God in the book of the law in Joshua 24:26. In Jeremiah 30:2, the Lord instructs Jeremiah to write down all the words spoken to him in a book. Luke 1:3 describes how the author carefully investigated and wrote out the events for Theophilus.
I’m SO grateful for God’s Word!
In His Word, He instructs, guides, comforts, and encourages you – often to write! He communicates with you and inspires confidence in you; and He teaches you to share with and encourage others.
At a recent Writing Retreat (https://karenbourg.com/retreats) someone asked me if I, as primarily a writer and a publisher in this season of my life, believed everyone was called by God to write. I responded that not everyone is called to write and publish a book per se, but in our modern times, everyone called by God to minister and serve is writing every working day to confidently fulfill a God-given calling upon their lives. This is such timely spiritual encouragement for us all as we write!
Your highest purpose is to know God, and to bring Him glory and honor, then to make Him known to others, and to serve Him moment by moment in ways that please Him. For each of us that heart set on God, our mindset, and the steps we take on a day-to-day basis to serve Him looks a bit different. I am confidently called to write – chiefly a writer, so I am writing all the time. Ellen and Victoria are called to teach the Scriptures in depth, and writing is a fundamental and principle tool they use before teaching/speaking to their hearers. Heather is called to primarily speak, and not surprisingly she first writes her speeches to gain clarity and focus before presenting on stage. Seeing through God’s eyes, our writing from God’s perspective is invaluable!
In Matthew 5:18, God says no word, not even a jot or tittle will pass from His Law, from his Written Word:
- not one jot or one tittle shall pass KJV
- not the smallest letter or one stroke/part of a letter will pass HCB
- not an iota, not a dot will pass ESV
God cares about every stroke of his Word. He cares about the details of your life and of your every word, every dotted “i” and every crossed “t” as a writer! Your writing is an act of service to Him and is an act of worship of Him! Wow! and Amen!
You are an instrument in the Redeemer’s Hand.
You are a pen in God’s Hand.
You are a “priestly pen.”
You are called to write.
So Get Your Write On! Right on! Learn more…
“After Jesus became the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, he opened the door for anyone to become Kingdom priests and devote their lives completely to serving Him. For many of us, part of that service includes the words we write. It’s why we like referring to Christian writers as “priestly pens.” Imagine the Author of life partnering with you and I (the pens) to write words that impact others now and into eternity.”
-CJ and Shelley Hitz, Priestly Pens: 21 Days of Encouragement for Christian Writers
Learn more…
Conclusion
Dear Christian Entrepreneur/Minister, Dear Writer,
Whatever your specific calling and in all the writing required of you to serve the Lord and those He has placed in front of you, follow the Lord to know Him, to bring Him glory honor, to please Him, to serve and worship Him, and to make Him known. Remember that God cares about everything – that’s every, not some, not a few, but – all details of your life – physically, soulfully, and spiritually. All of it.
Embrace the promise of God to be with you and guide you in your calling, especially to write! He is intimately involved in the lives of His people, in your life and in your writing when you serve the Kingdom of God! Write and serve in Jesus’ Name!
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. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Grab your pen and join us as we encourage one another and write together in our Cultivating Faith-filled Confidence for Writers Facebook Group!
Write On!
Karen
All Scripture is taken from the ESV or NASB unless otherwise noted.
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Apr 16, 2024 | Purposeful Planning, Writing & Publishing
Are you a purposeful planner?
Do you plan purposefully to write?
Years ago I had a popular program I called Purposeful Planning for Christian Entrepreneurs. For some reason just recently, I opened it up to take a look at it and moved it from archived to active again in my courses. I must’ve talked about it because the next thing I knew two separate people were expressing interest in it. I figured it was a great opportunity to take it out for a spin with them and to ask them to be beta readers and give me some feedback. So, that’s exactly what we did and we were beyond thrilled with the results!
I want to encourage you to write a plan, for without plans, we fail to produce… Benjamin Franklin said it this way, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
I want to encourage you to embrace a plan specifically to write to enhance your business/ministry according to God‘s calling on your life. That looks different for everyone but is necessary for growth for everyone. And
I want to introduce you to the Purposeful Planning program, and to the new edition of that program I am calling Purposeful Planning for Confident Writers!
Embrace a purposeful plan to write a plan1 and specifically to plan to write2 to enhance your ministry according to God‘s calling on your life. That looks different for everyone but is necessary for growth for everyone.
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Based on the results we all experienced in planning purposefully, I doubt if I will ever archive this Purposeful Planning program/course again!
Thank you, Lord, for new directions and inspirations and clarity!
Write Your Plan.
Are you a planner?
I am a planner! I even have plans for my plans and lists for my lists and it works… when I work the plan and pick up the list and when I am confident that I have received direction from the Lord! He is my Source of confidence! You need a good idea and a next step to reach long-term goals and your target market. The first step is a written plan aligned with your core values! Your writing projects take hard work and a lot of time. Hanging in there with the step-by-step process for your writing project planning leads quickly to a good writing plan with major points to encourage your readers and fellow writers.
“For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”
Proverbs 3:26, NASB
What does the Lord say about planning?
With God’s guidance and trust in His Provision, the Bible says that planning is important.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established”. The Bible also warns against being presumptuous or arrogant about our plans, as we do not know what the future holds. The Bible teaches that planning and wisdom go together.
So, seek God’s counsel and direction in all your endeavors.
The word “plan” appears over 200 times throughout the books of the Bible. And while there is probably no best way to plan, He gives us some directions for a good plan! Let’s look at just a few of those verses.
Be a diligent planner: Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
Sit Down! Consider the cost of not following God’s plan obediently: Luke 14:28
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
Commit your work to the Lord. He establishes your plans!: Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. This is His Promise!
God’s plans for you are filled with hope: Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
God’s purposes are your priority: Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. And what are His purposes? The overarching message the Bible tells us is that our purpose is to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. We do that by worshiping Him, living our lives as an offering to Him, and sharing the Gospel with those around us. His purpose becomes our purpose. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Be orderly: 1 Corinthians 14:40
But all things should be done decently and in order.
Be a doer; work as the ant works: Proverbs 6:6-8
- What can we learn from the ant in this Proverbs passage about planning?
- Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. Also Proverbs 30:25
Add the Scriptures above and the quotes below to your vision board, writing journal, planner, or pins and revisit them as often as you can.
What do inspirational leaders say about planning?
Leaders are Planners! Planners are Leaders!
And they have a lot to say about planning. They all believe in the power of meticulous planning and planning ahead. They plan purposefully.
Let’s look at just a few of their encouragements. I’ve obviously chosen my favorites as they align with my Purposeful Planning process, so bear with me!
- Invest in intentional planning because “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
- Prepare to plan; prepare for tomorrow today. “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” ~ African Proverb
- Know, with confidence from the Lord, where you are going. “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” — Yogi Berra
- Commit to seeing the plan through. “A plan is only as good as those who see it through. ~ Anonymous “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.” ~ Peter F. Drucker
- Choose your tools wisely. “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first hour sharpening the axe.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
- Take action! Planning is the foundation of success. So, create a blueprint for your future and take intentional steps toward achieving your dreams! “Planning without action is futile, action without planning is fatal.” ~ Cornelius Fichtner
- Be flexible; adjust along the way! “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” ~ Confucius
Who would you quote to encourage us to plan well?
What does Karen say about planning?
- Your plans have to be purposeful and intentional. They don’t just happen because you dreamed about it and thought about it. They happen when you follow your action plan aligned with your unique mission statement, actionable vision statement, and select core values.
- Your plans have to be aligned with God’s calling on your life.
- What happens if they aren’t aligned with God’s calling on your life? Well, you head in wrong directions and stop and start and stop and start and wonder why you’re not making progress and touching lives with your new directions and your new offers.
- Your plans have to be aligned with and able to serve those God brings before you.
- What happens if your plans are aligned with God’s calling on your life? You head in an inspired and guided direction with the help of the Holy Spirit. You are on target, and you see your life transformed and the lives of those you serve transformed. Even better, you see yourself and your clients turning to the Lord with every step you take. What a blessing to be part of seeing your and their dreams come true.
- Your plans have to be specific according to your strategic goals as you hear from the Lord.
- You have to commit to the God-given order for each planning stage. They must be aligned with your calling to serve, actionable, achievable, and measurable or trackable.
- Find a tool that helps you work with the Lord through a plan. Like the Purposeful Planning for Christian Entrepreneurs Workbook and Course! [shameless plug!] Amazon.com: Purposeful Planning: for Christian Entrepreneurs Who Desire to Achieve Extraordinary Levels of Success Worth Celebrating eBook : Lindwall-Bourg, Karen: Kindle Store
- Check out my Course: Purposeful Planning for Confident Writers [https://karenbourgcoaching.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1167170 ] This could be the initial important step to help catapult your short-term goals in your writing life and writing process.
A plan that doesn’t evolve probably truly couldn’t be defined as a “plan” at all but more as a vision, or a dream, or a hope. Your unique plan will help propel your writing even if this is a new business for you or an established ministry; and when you struggle with writer’s block or have a solid writing plan and a prosperous writing career.
Now that you have a God-given plan for your writing ministry or business model and a confident project schedule, plan to write! I am a writer and my offers – services, programs and products – are mostly developed to encourage Christian Writers of all kinds.
Plan to Write.
Do you purposefully plan to write?
I finally learned how to plan to write. Everything but writing was on my calendar and I kept wondering why I wasn’t reaching my writing goals! Has that ever happened to you?
Now, writing takes precedence on my calendar and I’m achieving so much more than I ever did before!
What does the Lord say about writing?
God’s Words:
The Bible is God’s written word! There is no better Writer! There are no greater Words! I am so grateful for His Words.
God’s written Word is a testament to the value of the written word.
God’s words are His revelations and inspired words. His scribes spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit to write God‘s words down. 2 Timothy 3:16.
God commanded that his revelations and His very words be written down. The 10 Commandments were written on tablets by God‘s own finger in Exodus 31. God told Moses & Joshua and Jeremiah to write down His words in Exodus 34 and Jeremiah 30. The apostle John testified that he wrote down Jesus’ revelation that was communicated to him in Revelation 1. God commanded you to write down His laws and His divine instructions and teachings for your benefit and for others in Deuteronomy 31.
His words are written so you would remember and not forget God’s commands and His blessings, especially during your most difficult trials. I love the Psalms that encourage you to meditate on God’s Words, and remember His Presence as you witness others struggle through unimaginable griefs. One of my favorite Psalms is Asaph’s Psalm 77. I love the way he freely pours his heart out to the Lord in honesty, and doesn’t stop imploring of the Lord until he hears from the Lord and is comforted by Him.
God’s words are written so you will learn and grow in wisdom and righteousness and justice and equity. Proverbs 1, Deuteronomy 17, and like the Bereans in Acts 17.
His words were written so that you would pass His Truth on to future generations. The apostles referred to the Old Testament, and wrote to affirm their witness about Jesus in Luke 24 and Acts 17. Peter wrote so that others would be able to remember the truth and endure in 2nd Peter.
Old Testament prophets wrote down visions and prophecies, chronicling events and God’s messages. Jeremiah 20, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel. They wrote to preserve the prophecies for future generations, to allow you to test and validate God‘s words, and to remind you of God‘s promises, and of His warnings. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry as they were eyewitnesses and testified to Christ teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Paul wrote to address theological matters, encourage believers, and provide guidance. Other New Testament letters were written to preach the gospel, give practical instructions for Christian living, settle disputes in the churches, teach deep theological truths, and to spread the gospel worldwide for decades and centuries after Christ’s ascension into heaven.
God‘s words offer blessings beyond your comprehension. His Words guide and light your paths. “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105. His Word illuminates your way through dark valleys and shows you which paths to take. His Words impart wisdom and joy. “I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great spoil.” Psalm 119:162. His word uncovers precious truths about His faithfulness and compassion and mercy toward you. They give you hope, comfort, and abiding joy, because the word of God is sweeter than honey. Psalm 119:103
God‘s words teach that His love is steadfast and His faithfulness endures throughout history. You read of the stories of human struggles, and how God intervened on behalf of His people in need, and are reminded that He does the same for you. He sees and cares for you. He does not abandon you. He reminds you, “Do not be afraid.“ He gives you courage and faith-filled confidence.
Writing in the Bible serves as a bridge between you and God, preserving divine truths and guiding believers throughout history. Read His writings diligently! Then write what HE calls you to write with increasing confidence.
Your Words:
Your written words should be divinely inspired by God so you diligently record His encouragements for others.
In the Scriptures, God encourages you to write as a means of communication, expression, and preservation. And while there is probably no best way to write and best practices for writing vary, He gives us some directions for good writing goals! Your words, inspired by a Loving God, are powerful to convey messages, record history, and inspire faith within yourself and within others.
In your writing, you should:
Write readily or willingly: My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. Proverb 4
Write God’s Words: His words given to you should be the foundation of every message you share. “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.” Jeremiah 30:2
That foundation from which you write is one of
- steadfast love and faithfulness – “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” (What a bonus!) Proverb 3:3-4
- praise and thanksgiving – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 And Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Write with a clear vision for the benefit of others. “And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” Habakkuk 2:2
Write with confidence and strength from the Lord. Proverbs 3:26 – “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” and Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” And Isaiah 40:30-31, “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
What do inspirational leaders say about writing?
I love learning about writing from writers I admire! I try to find interviews they have given with hints at writing prowess! I write my first draft, and then I choose from their specific goals and step-by-step guides to reach a finish line and end goal that pleases me and my reader.
One of my favorite writers is Jan Karon who is famous for her Mitford Series of fourteen books that tell the story of a North Carolina small town with a wholesome heart. She writes of extraordinary but ordinary and endearing townsfolk who become family before you know it. They are tight-knit, loving, faithful, loyal, and friendly (well, most of them are) and they survive the toughest challenges and hurdles life can bring. Who doesn’t love a survivor? In her interview, I learned
- “You are called to write and sealed.” Jan Karon quoted Blaise Pascal who said, “ There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can’t be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.“ She charges you as a writer to remember your calling and remember your sealing!
[from Karon, Jan. Writing and Wrestling with the Heart: Jan Karon’s Washington National Cathedral Lecture. Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]
Let’s hear from other writers:
- Your courage is reborn: “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” —Anne Frank
- You are an explorer! “The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
I also love C. S. Lewis!
- You write to understand. “First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.”
- Your writing enriches, irrigates, cures. “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” And “Whenever you are fed up with life, start writing: ink is the great cure for all human ills, as I have found out long ago.”
- Write continually as well as you can about what interests you! “What you want is practice, practice, practice. It doesn’t matter what we write (at least this is my view) at our age, so long as we write continually as well as we can. I feel that every time I write a page either of prose or of verse, with real effort, even if it’s thrown into the fire the next minute, I am so much further on.” And “Write about what really interests you, whether it is real things or imaginary things, and nothing else.”
- Writing is inspired. “I never exactly made a book. It’s rather like taking dictation. I was given things to say.”
- S. Lewis Quotes About Writing | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
What does Karen say about writing?
- I say, if you are working within your God-given calling, you are probably writing something every single workday.
- I say, if you are writing every single workday, you are a real writer. It doesn’t matter if you don’t consider yourself an author, you should consider yourself a writer. [Karen/Callie – NOTE to Link to the blog, you are a real writer, which I don’t think has been published yet FINISH IT!!! ]
- I say, once you’ve mapped out a plan to write to enhance your business/ministry, and to serve the Lord by serving others He has placed before you…. You’ve got to buckle down and follow the plan and get to “writin”!!! Just do it!
- Writing things by hand is magical, opens up a flow of creativity, and actually boosts your memory. I hate it. You have a tried-and-true method of writing that works for you – by hand, typing, dictating, and more. Challenge: Step out of that familiar place as often as you can, even if just for a few minutes and see what floodgates open up!
- Remember F.O.C.U.S. stands for – Follow One Course Until Successful or Follow One Commitment Until Successful
- Make a PACT – Plan, take Action, Commit, Track – from Kim Hawkins (kimshawkins .com)
- Your writing should spring first from your firm foundation of Devotion to God – Who is loving and Faithful. Psalm 115:1 – “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth [Or faithfulness].” In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus impressed upon sister Martha that while her preparations and serving were good, Mary chose the good or better part – the best or necessary service was to sit at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
It doesn’t always take much time, once first things come first! Ask God for that initial idea and begin to establish tiny writing habits and God-sized big ideas and main ideas that will reach your readers with strong points and increase their confidence!
Dear Writer, seek Him first. Consider what the Lord teaches in His Word about your calling and writing. Learn from Him and from others you admire.
Join me and our Cultivating Faith-filled Confidence Writers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/cultivatingfaithfilledconfidence and then you will hear His voice saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant!
Be Confident and Blessed,
Karen
Karen is the Founder of Karen Bourg Companies and the RHEMA Group (with her husband Fred). She works with Christian women as they confidently navigate their paths – in life, through trials, and as they serve the Lord by receiving insight [rhema] from the Lord within their God-given calling.
https://karenbourg.com
Confidently Navigating Our Paths in Life, through Trials, and as Entrepreneurs by Receiving Rhemas from the Lord
Scriptures are taken from NASB or ESV unless otherwise noted.
