Tag Archive - 10 Tips

8 Year Blogiversary

April 2, 2012 in On Writing with 9 Comments

2012 marks a huge milestone in my writing career. I began writing 8 years ago in 2004 before blogging was cool, hipster, and on WordPress.

My first blog was called More Words Than Webster on blogspot. I had a lot to say then as I do now! Then I changed the name to E-couragements. 

After reading some of my four-hundred blog posts–my mentor Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro named me Devotional Diva and it stuck!

I cannot say how grateful I am to have this medium on which to express myself. Without blogging I probably wouldn’t be here today. I went from a shy, fearful girl into an expressive and transparent woman thanks to blogging and writing.

Below are 8 excerpts of some of my favorite blogs and 8 helpful tips (I hope) on writing.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’re a long-time pro like me–we can all use the encouragement to keep writing!

8 Excerpts

1. Ten Tips to Renew YOUR Devotional Life – My favorite ways to stay refreshed spiritually.

2. Beautiful Girl – My favorite poem.

3. I like Big Butts – My favorite revelation from Scripture.

4. I Suck Without Jesus – My favorite devotional from Faithbook of Jesus.

5. When God Says No – My hardest lesson learned.

6. Launching Devotional Diva Ministries – My transition into full time writing as a ministry.

7. Endorsements for Not Another Dating Book – My supporters–I couldn’t have done it without them.

8. Happy Endings Do Exist – My love story.

8 Tips

1. Accidental Author – I didn’t set out to become a writer or dream of the day I’d make a living as an author. I actually wanted to teach high school math. I’m so glad I obeyed God’s nudging into writing because it turned out to be something I love and can use to support myself with.

2. Spur Others Forward – My number one passion is encouraging others through writing (1 Corinthians 14:24-25, Hebrews 10:24).

3. Publish His Deeds – I write because of what Jesus has done for me (Psalm 96:3).

4. Suffer With Those Who Suffer – One of the fruits of the Spirit is longsuffering (Galatians 5:22, NKJV). It’s easy to follow those who have everything going for them, but a real friend is one who can stick close during the hard times. I write for them!

5. Writing Is Worth It – If you’re looking for a wider audience to reach others with your writings I urge you to find a writing mentor, get into a writing critique group, and attend multiple writers conferences. If you feel writing should be your business/calling/whatever then it’s worth making the investment. I spent a couple thousand dollars to rebrand myself, which helped to catch the eye of my first publisher, NavPress.

6. Pay Your Dues – You may feel compelled to write on a certain subject, mainly your story, but to make it in the writing business you’ve got to be versatile. Pay your dues so one day you can write about what really matters to you!

7. Make Friends First – Build your audience with your friends and family first. This is usually the toughest but most loving. If Jesus wasn’t welcomed in his own hometown, then you’re going to be rejected also. Persevere because a crown is waiting for you on the other side.

8. Never Surrender – I can personally attest to the fact that writing is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. Writing my first book put me in the hospital with panic attacks. I continue to write because of the things God teaches me in every day life, and because I’d die inside if I couldn’t express those Truths that transform not only my life, but for others as well.

To watch this Wwek’s Video Blog please click here.

12 Tips for 2012

January 2, 2012 in Daily Devotionals with 7 Comments

1. First Things First. Seek God first and the rest will fall into place (Matthew 6:33).

2. Be A Follower. Disciple = follower. It’s not a spiritual term. You follow people on Twitter and Facebook, so why not be mindful to follow God?

3. Don’t Be Ashamed. Of small or new beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). Of your weaknesses. “God is weak and powerless in the world, and that is exactly the way, the only way, in which he can be with us and help us” (Dietrich Bonehoeffer).

4. If you’re bored, God’s bored. My best friend Monique told me this a long time ago and it stuck. This year, use firm resolve and don’t break devotional time with God. Be creative versus repetitive. Worship versus legalism. Devotional versus obligation.

5. Ask. If you need help; ask. God will never judge you for asking (James 1:5).

6. Community Counts. We need people. I’s okay to ask others for help. People are not mind readers. If you don’t tell others, how will they know to ask (Hebrews 10:25)?

7. Try New Things. Use your senses. Go on a field trip. Discover the world, and get to know why God is good.

8. Find Your Promise. There are a million promises. Treat your Bible as a text book and underline all your favorite verses. Hold God to them, and watch how God remains faithful to His promises in your life.

9. Play. This world is too hard and too short not to play. Buy a Nerf gun, play with a puppy, and smell the roses!

10. Fall In Love. There’s nothing that compares with falling in love…with God!

11. Give Yourself Grace. Saying “no” is hard, but saying “no” now means you can say “yes” later. It’s okay to give yourself the same grace you give others. “Not only action, but also suffering is a way to freedom” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).

12. God Is The Beginning And The End. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). That means that January 1-December 31st is all under His control.

[Photo taken from Pinterest]

10 Tips to Renew YOUR Devotional Life

May 30, 2011 in Daily Devotionals with 7 Comments

1. BE A FOLLOWER. Disciple simply means follower. It’s not a spiritual term.

QUESTION: You follow people on Twitter and Facebook, so why not be mindful to follow God FIRST?

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV).

2. DISCIPLINE TAKES TIME. Over the years I’ve discovered what works for me. Daily eVerses + Yearly devotionals + One Year Bible + journal/pen = a VERY happy Renee.

QUESTION: What have you found works best for you?

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27, NLT).

3. IF YOU’RE BORED, GOD’S BORED. My friend Monique told me this phrase, and it’s always stuck with me. If you’re in the middle of reading your daily this & daily don’t be afraid to get creative. Try a new Bible translation, time of the day, or devotional book.

QUESTION: In the past what have you found most helpful in getting creative with changing up your devotional life with God?

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts” (Exodus 31:1-3, NLT).

4. DON’T DO IT ALONE. We need community. We need people. We need help. See if one of your friends or family can keep you accountable to spend your time daily with God. If you don’t tell others, they won’t know to ask.

QUESTION: Write down the names of one or two people who help keep you accountable for reading the Word daily. If you can’t think of anyone, write down the name(s) of people who you will ask this week:

1. ______________________________________

2. ______________________________________

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT).

5. ASK FOR HELP. Don’t be afraid to lean on your accountability partner for help. When trials come (and they will), God tangibly offers His support in the form of those who are made in His image (your friends and family).

QUESTION: Are you afraid to ask others for help?

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening” (Acts 16:25, NLT).

6. KEEP WATCHING! Even when we’re asking others for support and encouragement—ultimately we need to take responsibility to stand watch and keep watching for the Lord to speak to us.

QUESTION: Where do you go to watch for the Lord? Write down at least three places including your room, the outdoors, private gardens, etc.

1. ______________________________________

2. ______________________________________

3. ______________________________________

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint” (Habakkuk 2:1-2, NLT).

7. USE YOUR SENSES. I don’t know about you, but I love the taste of food. I like how it fills me up, tastes good, and gives me energy. The Bible is like that too. We taste and see that God is good by spending time daily in the Word, through prayer, and meeting with others.

QUESTION: How do you use your senses to connect with Jesus daily?

Sight – ________________________________________

Hearing – ______________________________________
Touch – _______________________________________

Smell – _______________________________________
Taste – _______________________________________

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:33, 35, NLT).

8. FIND YOUR PROMISE. It took me eleven months and twenty-six days to find my promise of healing from God. He told me specifically “In kindness He called me to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after I have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen me, and He will place me on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10, NLT-emphasis mine).

QUESTION: What kind of promise from the Lord are you desperately searching for or have you already found one?

YOUR BIBLICAL EXAMPLE HERE: ___________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

9. MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE. If you can quote your favorite movie, you can memorize Scripture. Just sayin’.

QUESTION: When was the last time you memorized a favorite passage of Scripture?

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8, NLT).

10. LIVING FOR ETERNITY. God has given us every spiritual gift we need for living a godly life (2 Peter 1:3, NLT). Don’t let Judgment day catch you by surprise. Live each day with for eternity. Add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection, and love to your faith daily.

QUESTION: What attribute do you find most difficult and/or easy to live out loud?

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT).

NEXT STEPS:

Purchase a copy of “Faithbook of Jesus: Connecting With Jesus Daily” on Amazon and subscribe to Daily Devotionals on Air 1.com and New Living Translation Daily Devotionals.

10 Tips For Character

July 27, 2009 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

[10 Tips to Improve Your Character] – “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16b).

1. Choose Friends Wisely (1 Corinthians 15:33).
2. Be Noble (Ruth 3:11, Proverbs 12:4, 31:9-10, Acts 17:11).
3. Put on the new self –be Truthful (Ephesians 4:24).
4. Be Kind (love your enemies, Luke 6:35).
5. Stay Away from Sexual Sin (Matthew 5:29, Romans 6:13, 1 Corinthians 6:18).
6. WATCH YOUR WORDS (Proverbs 10:13, 30:10, Matthew 5:19, Mark 7:22, Romans 1:30).
7. Foster Fruit (Galatians 5:22-26).
8. Be careful what you eat (Genesis 2:16-17, Acts 21:25).
9. Don’t Go to Bed Angry (Psalm 4:4, Ephesians 4:25-27).
10. Put God first (Proverbs 4:25-27, Matthew 6:33).

10 Tips for Easter

April 6, 2009 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

[10 Tips for Easter] – “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6

Here are 10 Tips for Celebrating Easter this year!

1. Obligatory family picnic.
2. Host an Easter Egg Hunt.
3. Go to Church.
4. Read the REAL Easter Story at http://tinyurl.com/therealeaster.
5. Create an Eggsplosion of Easter goodness.
6. Replace Easter Eggs with Resurrection Eggs
7. Wear a hat.
8. Share the REAL story of Easter with at least one person.
9. Make new traditions.
10. Serve a home cooked meal to someone less fortunate.

Page 1 of 212»