Smoldering Embers
by Teresa Dickhoner
For me writing is seldom the burning desire I hear other writers talk about. Most of the time it’s more like a smoldering ember. But, if God stirs the coals I know it will produce warmth powerful enough to encourage both myself and others in His own perfect time.
How I became a writer, and why I write?
I don’t remember a strong urge to write when I was younger, though some noticed a small spark and encouraged me. There was the "Why I Love America" essay in fifth grade when I received first place in my small grade school. The poem I wrote during junior high that was printed in an equally small church paper. But I wasn’t officially published until my early thirties and didn’t start putting a lot of concentrated time into my writing until my late forties.
Gradually over the course of many years God stirred a growing desire in me to write the story He was lovingly writing on my heart all along. At first blank books became a companion for my thoughts as a young mother. Later I began forming some of those thoughts into short poems. Little by little, God taught me to see the world around me with different eyes.
Through the lens of grace, a bed of neglected daffodils hidden amongst a wild grove of trees radiated God’s faithfulness. Daffodils became the backdrop for my first submitted piece of writing, published in a small, monthly devotional booklet.
A forgotten apple tree begged onlookers to humbly accept God’s pruning. In 2005 my old gnarled apple tree found its way into a writing challenge for a small online magazine. Not only was it published, but the editor also invited me to participate in a writing class. The class disintegrated ahead of schedule, but I was able to learn several important skills and make friends with other writers. As a result of those contacts, I also became a member of the 4Him2U writing team at its infancy.
One afternoon God demonstrated the weight of bitterness through an evergreen tree in our front yard weighted down under a heavy blanket of snow. In 2008 this word picture inspired me to write a devotional for The Upper Room, published in January 2009.
How I’ve grown through my writing?
A few years ago I started collecting interesting quotes in a small blank book I purchased at a local bookstore. Two of the quotes in my little book sum up well what I want to say.
"We learn how to do things by doing
the things we are learning to do."
(Aristotle)
"I know not how the light is shed,
Nor understand this lens.
I only know that there are eyes
In pencils and in pens."
(John Piper)
Sixteen years of home schooling taught me teachers learn more than their students. The same is true for writers. Authors learn more from their writing than their readers. The most important thing I write about is my faith, so the most important things I learn through my writing concern my personal daily walk with Christ.
As my husband and I enter a new stage of our lives, the idea of an empty nest is weighing heavy on my heart. The gentle urging God keeps putting on my heart is for me to become more serious about my writing and I am trusting Him to lead.
_________
Teresa has published both devotionals and poems. Teresa actively encourages other women through friendships and Bible studies. Her prayer is for God to use her writing as a tool to reflect His goodness and help others find joy in Him even in ther midst of difficult and trying circumstances.
She and her husband, Tom, were married 25 years ago and are planning to celebrate via an autumn cruise. They have two talented daughters, one completig high schol and the other college.
Beginnings and Choices.
by Kathlyn Fauchon, Australia
The stillness of the house, the lack of life and voices crushed in on me. Even the cat preferred to be alfresco stretched out in the sun. I felt so alone.
I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Sucked dry by the tentacles of empty nest syndrome, I lay in a fog of inactivity.
Before I could wallow in my loneliness and self pity, an inner voice commanded me to get up and write. “Write about your cat.” The fog evaporated. I sprang up and obeyed the “inner voice”.
So began my years as a writer. To this day I believe the voice belonged to God. Indeed I believe He called me to write. The cat book focused on families, cat and human and genetics. My studies in science and the undeniable fact “life comes from life” not the “goo to you via the zoo” fairytale, directed my approach to the work. The book is not published. It is filed away as a cherished memory of connection between me, my family and my writing career.
Through interactions with writers, several writing courses and practice, practice, practice I have grown in my ability to write. I’ve grown in my attitude to rejections though I still have a long way to go, if God permits. In a recent competition I received a commendation for a short story. Cheer, cheer! I must press on for the goal of first prize.
A memory springs to mind. In my youth my dad would say “That’s good but now… ” I always felt deflated, as if I had not done my best. There must be a better way to say “don’t rest on your laurels”. We must always seek to do better, even as God continues to work His changes in our lives.
With fellow writers I studied When the Glass Slipper Doesn’t Fit by Claire Cloninger and Karla Worley. This study forced me to look at childish attitudes. I hope the lessons have helped me mature both as a person and as a Christian. I take my hat off to the God- given brilliance He has produced in these writers.
As a writer of devotionals, God prepared me for His call to be a Chaplain in Kairos Ministries. This organization reaches out to prisoners on the one hand (inside) and to those who support someone incarcerated on the other hand (outside). I felt so humbled to be called to this ministry and I still do.
Teachers acknowledge how they learn from their pupils. It is no different in the role of a Chaplain who serves those with family in jail. Their courage and their love is extraordinary. How hard it must be to have to say to a drug addict son or daughter they must find elsewhere to live? Not all cases are drug related, I’ve singled out these because of the deep emotional issues for parents and the lessons of strength I learned from them.
I’ve reached a point in my journey where I have new decisions to make. With all my heart I want to give up everything else to concentrate on my work as a writer. I want to write for children, to tell them Jesus is the best friend they can have. I’ve learned this through books given me as a child as well as through other influences in my life.
Could I relinquish my God given task to teach the Bible to children, who might not otherwise hear about Jesus? God called me into this work within days of the commitment of my whole life to Him. Is this His will for me now? Does He really want me to write for children? There are plenty of people out there who write for children, but there are only a handful of people teaching the Bible to children in state run schools.
As I declare my trust in the One who knows all there is to know, as I trust in His omniscience, I often face a barrage of opposition. Once it brought me to the point where I faltered. I laid it before my maker and He gave me Psalm 32:8 as a promise. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (NIV) God has never failed to guide me. I wait for His answer.
What a wonderful thing it is to step off and begin a New Year sheltered in the shadow of the Almighty, the Creator of the universe, the Omnipotent.
Shalom
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Kathlyn Fauchon grew up in country Australia. Fond memories of open spaces in the paddocks and on the river bank will remain with her always. At the little country school she wrote her first piece of inspirational work. The headmaster commended her on one particular achievement.
Kathlyn is married to Ian. They have four children and ten grandchildren of whom they are very proud.
Kathlyn’s accomplishments are in the form of three children’s books and many, many short stories, articles and devotionals. These publications range from anthologies, hard copy and online magazines. She holds a commendation in a literary contest.

New Beginnings
by Patricia Protzman, new writer
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Standing at the nursery window my husband Dale and I gazed upon our newborn grandson, Nathan, a beautiful, precious gift from God. On the night of August 19, 2005, at 10:52 P.M., a miracle had taken place. My daughter Ann, two weeks overdue, entered the hospital for labor induction. Almost ten hours later, labor still had not begun. Her doctor arrived at 10 P.M. to tell her and husband, Scott, a caesarian section was necessary. Ten minutes later, the fetal monitor alarm sounded indicating a problem. Dale prayed asking God to send his angels to protect Ann and our grandson; we looked up to see the nurses pushing our daughter’s bed up the hall to the operating room for emergency surgery.
During surgery, doctors found the umbilical cord wrapped around Nathan’s neck four times! He might have been born dead or suffered severe handicaps if born the natural way. Our omniscient God prepared the way to save his life giving his family a son and grandson. We thanked and praised our Lord for His mercy in sparing Nathan’s life.
Nathan is precious to our family because Ann and Scott lost a baby boy in 1995. Eight months pregnant, Ann’s routine office visit revealed the baby had died- the reason unknown. Heartbroken, our family grieved but we placed our faith and trust in God believing what He says in His Word, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
Two years passed, approaching the thirty year mark in my nursing career, I thought of retirement. Playing a game with Nathan, I silently asked God, “What can I do after I retire?” I heard a voice in my head say, “Write a Book.”
“Write a Book? Is that you speaking, Lord?”
I had always enjoyed reading; my writing experience included nursing notes, medical summaries, and teaching material, but writing a book, I wouldn’t know where to start.
I continued to pray for another year seeking God’s will for my life. In January 2009 I sat down at my computer and decided to start writing; poems and short stories flowed out. I joined a couple of Christian writing web sites, submitting my writings for critiques. Angela Posey-Arnold, a writer for 4Him2U and a published author critiqued my work, and liked it. She told me about 4Him2U. Last summer I began to write for the e-zine as a guest writer. In late October , I joined the Sonrise Writers. I thank God for leading me here to write for Him.
During the past year, I have taken a writing course and entered weekly writing contests; tying for first place in one, placing third in another, and receiving two “Highly Commended” ratings. I have found the best way for me to write is by first praying for God’s direction and giving Him time to answer. While researching my pieces, I have come upon inspirational writings completed by others which have blessed and inspired me, thus influencing me on how I write my own pieces.
Looking back on how I wrote one year ago, I can see where my writings have improved in technique, grammar, and content. I still have a long way to go. Writing about assigned topics requiring a limited number of words and a time frame disciplines me and develops my writing skills.This helps me construct a plot, decide on a point of view, write dialogue, and develop a character and setting.
But more than that, the Holy Spirit speaks to me as I write. Instead of writing just words, I see the real meaning behind them with God speaking words of encouragement, life, and love. I’ve learned to set aside time each day, reading His Word, and praying. Sometimes I have started out typing an article or story, not sure of where I’m going with it, and the Holy Spirit steps in giving me the words to write.
Nathan is now four and in preschool. He is learning to count and recite the ABC’s. Like him, I am also learning; learning to stay close to God, listen to Him, and write His words. It is our responsibility as Christians to let our light shine through our life experiences as a testimony to the Lord. He is my Rock, my Shield, and my Salvation. I am looking forward to this New Year working with my new friends and fellow writers at 4Him2U; writing inspirational stories and poems to bless and inspire our readers.
My New Year’s Prayer
Lord, another new year, twelve new months
to live for you, in word, thought and deed.
May I eagerly obey your Holy Word;
apply it lovingly to souls in need.
Amen
___________
Patricia has been penning inspirational poems and stories since hearing the Lord’s call to “write” a few years ago. Diagnosed with a chronic illness, July 2009, she has decided to use this “challenge” to glorify God and inspire and bless others. You may read more of her writings at FaithWriters.com. A registered nurse for more than thirty-two years, she recently retired. Patricia resides in Virginia with her husband of 41 years, Dale. She is the mother of three, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of one. Besides writing she keeps busy reading, caring for her grandchildren, Bible studies, antique shopping, and gardening. Patricia welcomes comments at patriciaprotzman@yahoo.com.