Praise the Lord as You Write!

by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Feb 1, 2025 | Confident to Write

Praise the Lord as You Write!
Your 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 ©

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!”

[Footnote: “Hallelujah to the Lord!]

Psalms 150:6 (NASB)

Have you ever thought of your writing as an act of praise, as an act of worship?

As you write, create space for praise and worship!

Incorporating praise for God throughout your writing journey is a beautiful way to honor Him and recognize His presence in your writing. You understand that your purpose in life and service is to bring God glory and honor in all that you are and in all that you do. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Writing is an act of worship. You are to do everything in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17), so every word the Lord gives you can be an offering to Him when presented with the right “heartset” and mindset. As you weave His Word (a lamp to your feet and a light to your path – Psalm 119:105) into your writing, He guides your words. His inspirations into your heart are divine intercessions and creative avenues from Him, through you, to others. James 1:17 tells you, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Expressing gratitude for the gift of writing and the ability to communicate thoughts and ideas the Lord has placed on your heart is a three-fold blessing! Your obedience blesses and honors the Lord. His words bless you as you seek Him and the Scriptures for insights. Your inspired words bless your readers. Reflect prayerfully on the words He gives you throughout the writing process. Thank Him for his guidance. (Philippians 4:6)

Joyfully celebrate your written words, the writing process, and the end results of His words through you. As you celebrate God in your work and words, you are further inspired with creative ideas, you increase in gratefulness, and you are enlightened and encouraged and equipped to continue writing well. “He has done great things for you; You are glad!” (from Psalm 126:3)

Here are 3 Tips to Help You Praise the Lord as You Write

1. Adopt a new HEARTSET – Your Writing is an Act of Worship: Set your heart and mind on the Lord before, during, and after your writing sessions. Reflect on Scripture and incorporate Biblical truths into your message.
2. Attitude of Gratitude: Start a gratitude calendar that you can refer back to at the end of  the month, quarter, or year! 
3. Write with JOY: 
   • Jesus appreciates your praise. He appreciates your words as they are a tool for ministry and outreach. Let this purpose guide your thoughts and creativity. 
   • Others need what you write [In fact this is the topic of our next entry]. 
   • You need what you write! C. S. Lewis said, “We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.”

Create Space for Praise!

Set aside specific time before, during, or after your writing sessions dedicated solely to praising God through prayer, song, or journaling about what He has done in your life and in your work. 

That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Psalm 30:12, NASB

Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.

#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #Whatareyouwaitingfor #WritetoPraise #WritetoWorship

Previous: Purposefully Plan Your Writing Projects / Next: People Need What You Write

Blessed to Write with Confidence,

Karen

Purposefully Plan Your Writing Projects

by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Jan 28, 2025 | Confident to Write

Purposefully Plan Your Writing Projects

Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©

“The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the motives.
Commit your works to the Lord
And your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:1-3, NASB

Planning is a crucial aspect of the writing process, and you can approach planning from both a spiritual and practical perspective.

I hope you never get tired of me reminding you to seek the Lord first for all things and for writing “All the Things” necessary to grow and to minister. Seek Him first! Proverbs 16:3 advises you to “commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.“ By praying over your planning and your writing goals and committing them to God, you can have confidence that He is guiding your writing plans and directions with His insights.

Establish a writing schedule that works for your unique process. Develop a consistent writing habit unique to you to nurture discipline and creativity. Prioritize writing tasks (maybe even into categories like: personal writing projects, professional writing projects, and writing to post and publish). Focus on what God has laid on your heart first! F.O.C.U.S. stands for – follow one course until successful!  Be flexible! God may lead you in unexpected directions!

Reflect on the process even before you reflect on your progress. This is a particular challenge for me. Part of the process includes staying aligned with God’s vision and motivation for your work. Be grateful for every progressive small step as God works through you..

Write with others! You never have to be alone even though writing can be a lonely journey at times! Our writing group writes together weekly, monthly and quarterly. It has been such an encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25) and a definite game changer for all of us!

Here are 3 Purpose-filled Encouragements to  Help You  Plan Your Writing Projects

1. Seek the Lord for Clarity of your writing Topic & for a Concise Outline to catapult your writing project with confidence. He always answers! Seek Him first. Then “write on” with confidence that you have heard from Him. 
2. Commit to spending a minimum of 25 minutes a day writing! Choose your own time block. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the progress you make. Celebrate those minutes!
3. Clean it Up later! I’m a perfectionist and a writer, editor and publisher (a lethal combination), so I want every “i” dotted and every “t” crossed. NOW! Do yourself a favor, and write rough now, edit later. The goal is to write what’s on your heart and in your mind first and to trust the Lord is leading along the way.

By incorporating these aspects of planning into your book, along with thoughtful preparation combined with spiritual reliance, your creative journey will be more fulfilling and impactful!

Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.

#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #WritingAlltheThings #Writingeverythinginbetween #WritingtoPostandPublish

Previous: Pray Over and Through Your Writing Projects / Next: Praise the Lord as You Write!

Blessed to Write with Confidence,

Karen

Pray Over and Through Your Writing Projects

by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Jan 21, 2025 | Confident to Write

Pray Over and Through Your Writing Projects

Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©

My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 45:1, NASB

Prayer can profoundly enhance your confidence in writing. Prayer also deepens your relationship with the Lord throughout the creative writing process.

Seeking God’s guidance and inspiration in your ministry through writing can be incredibly uplifting and ought to ensure you’re on the path God has chosen for you so that there are less stops and starts. I hate those stops and starts!

Are you praying over your writing projects?

Start your writing sessions with prayer, asking God for clarity and inspiration and direction. As you pray, the Lord reminds you to listen in moments of silence to hear Him and to allow Him to speak into your heart and mind about your ministry through writing. Hearing leads to confidence and believing; believing leads to courage and obedience; and obedience produces results. You are to seek His wisdom and understanding. (James 1:5) As you write, He reminds you to trust His plan; after all, it is a plan filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

You are to ask the Lord if your writing aligns with His purpose and seek His blessing over what you have created.  Then dedicate your work and your writing to the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us that whatever we do, we should work heartily, “as for the Lord“ rather than for men. Your reward is more of the Lord and His inheritance for you!

Praying over and through your writing results in confidence and clarity and peace. Your ministry, especially your call to write, can be stressful at times. He encourages you not to be anxious, but to bring your requests before him in prayer. His peace will guard your heart as you write! Your words will bless the Lord and bless others!

Here are 3 Thoughts as You Pray Over and Through Your Writing Projects

1. Prepare to Pray: Over the years as I have walked my clients through the Purposeful Planning process, as I was reading through the book of Isaiah, I discovered that Isaiah first prepared to pray, then prayed as he prepared to do what God had called him to do. Before he prays that God will grant mercy in their time of distress, he first remembers the Lord’s loving kindness and compassion. (Isaiah 63 & 64) Aspah did the same thing in Psalm 77. I too often just jump in with my lament or requests without setting my heart right before the Lord and remembering Who He is and what He has done! Set your heart before the Lord first, remembering His Presence in the past, then pray over your next steps! 
2. Pray to Write – Now, pray over the plans and tasks set before you to serve the Lord and those He has placed before you. God promises established steps when we seek His direction (Psalm 37:23) Pray also for your readers – that your message will draw them closer to the Lord and enhance their service to Him and to those He has placed before them. (Ephesians 6:19-20) Pray over your plans and words and pray for those who will receive them!
3. Meditate further – Don’t stop with that first prayer of your workday. Meditate on His Words to you as you sought Him throughout the whole day and into the night! (Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2) I don’t know about you, but for me this requires journaling and keeping my journal close throughout the day. Keep at it! The Lord will continue to reveal new insights and will continue to establish your steps! 

Prepare to pray, pray over, and meditate on the inspired words written that enhance your ministry. Meditate on His Words and His ways. Thank Him for His confidence, clarity and the resulting blessings received through your words.

Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.

#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #WritingAlltheThings #Writingeverythinginbetween #WritingtoPostandPublish

Previous: What Are You Waiting For! / Next: Purposefully Plan Your Writing Projects

Blessed to Write with Confidence,

Karen

Dear Confident Writer, What Are You Writing For?

by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Jan 4, 2025 | Confident to Write

Dear Confident Writer, What Are You Writing For?

And what are you waiting for!

Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©

Then the Lord answered me and said,

“Record the vision

And inscribe it on tablets,

That the one who reads it [fluently] may run [to proclaim it].

Habakkuk 2:2, NASB with Footnotes

I’m a bit frustrated or at least overwhelmed with “All the Things” and “everything in between” that need to be written in my work and ministry. And I’m often asking, even though I have diligently set aside time to write, “Why am I not publishing what I write?” 

Are you discouraged as you write every work week without posting and publishing along the way? What are the top 3 things you need to write this week?

I’m a Christian woman entrepreneur (as far back as I remember) whose primary desire is to help you cultivate confidence from the Lord in life, through trials, and as an entrepreneur, especially as you write and publish. And I want to help you impart that confidence as you minister to others. 

I am a wife, mother of six, Nana of 15 grandorables, friend, writer, publisher, and so much more. I want to grow in faith, and to enlighten, encourage, and equip others to do the same as we seek the Lord and serve Him faithfully with those He has placed before us. (F.E.E.S. is the acrostic I use to define my core values standing for: faith, enlightenment, encouragement, equipping, seeking, and serving!)

And if I’m honest… right off the bat…

I’m a bit frustrated or at least overwhelmed with “All the Things” and “everything in between” that need to be written in my work and ministry. And I’m often wondering, even though I have diligently set aside time to write, why I’m not posting and publishing what I write. 

Do you wonder the same? What are three things you wish to post and/or publish; and what other things are getting in your way?

Why are we not posting and publishing what we write? Could it be because there are just so many things that need to be written each working day that writing to post and publish gets put on the back burner?

And yet, writing to post and to publish are how we influence others and impact our world and increase our income so we can continue to serve and give out of abundance. 

So, if you’re like me, it’s necessary to prioritize writing, and I’m suggesting trying something new for this New Year – writing by category. I feel if I don’t try something unique, I’ll continue writing “All the Things” and “everything in between” and what I write will rarely become posted and published works!

Here are 3 Tips to Help You Write to Post and Publish:

1. Make a list: Take some time to write down everything that you had to write last week or last month to keep your work and ministry flourishing. Add anything to it you wish, like all of those things that you didn’t write last week, but you knew you should have!

2. Categorize those writings into the following subdivisions:

• Personal – for example, I didn’t send out Christmas cards, but I did spend a significant amount of time writing and addressing and stamping and mailing New Year Wishes to my family and friends. If you want one, private message me your address!
• Professional – for example, I spent quite a bit of time following up with clients answering their questions, and I spent a significant amount of time researching and writing a rough draft for this “What are you waiting for? And what are you writing for!” 52-week series. Here’s how to sign up to receive monthly email updates!
• Posted & Published – I wrote and am ready to post the introductions for the Facebook group Guides within this “What are you writing for? And what are you waiting for!” series. And I wrote and am ready to publish several small blog posts.

3. Time-block your calendar for next week’s writing projects, and stick to it! Create blocks of time for personal, professional, and posted & published writings. I practically live my writing life within Pomodoro style blocks of time – 25 minutes of intense writing, followed by 5 minutes of a healthy break (which includes standing up, stretching, moving, and especially hydrating)! This is followed by another 25 minutes of intense work, 5 minute break, 25,5; 25:5. That’s a two hour block of intentional and productive time! It works! Try it!

Let’s be Confident to Write  “all the Things and “everything in between” together, shall we?!

Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.

#ConfidentoWrite #WhatareYouWritingFor #WritingAlltheThings #Writingeverythinginbetween #WritingtoPostandPublish

This is the first Entry in this Series / Next: What Are You Waiting For!

Blessed to Write with Confidence,

Karen