Diana Scimone

90 Days to Go

So how's that book coming?  You know, the one you promised yourself way back on January 1that you'd write in 2008?

No guilt, no pressure, but just to let you know, you've got about 90 days to get started. You don't have to finish your book in 2008, but wouldn't you like to start it?  Here's a painless way to begin--two don'ts and one do:

Don't just sit down and begin writing chapter 1.  

That's the surest way to never finish.  How can you write your book when you don't know what to say--or how you're going to say it?  You may be bubbling over with info, but please do not just sit down and start writing.  Trust me on this.

Do brainstorm. 

Grab a piece of paper or a blank document on your computer--and start brainstorming.  Make a list of everything you'd like to cover in your book. Every thought, every quote, every example, every topic. Make it as long as you like.  Spend a couple of weeks on it.

Don't edit your list.  

Don't hit the delete button or erase a thing.  You're just brainstorming and you have to allow your brain the liberty to think without restraints.  There will be plenty of time to edit your list later.

If you can do that one step, you'll be on your way to writing your book.  Meanwhile, if you need help, direction, and focus, I have two tools for you:

1. How to Write a Book
2. Personalized one-on-one writer's coaching

So what's kept you from writing your book?  Share it with the rest of us.  The more we can understand the blocks to writing, the more we can overcome them.  Just click "comments" below (or go to my blog site and click on "comments" at the end of this post). Let the rest of us know the writer's blocks you face--and how you overcome them.

 

Shalom!

I love to travel...and I love to write about traveling.  Here's my just-published article about visiting Israel.  It comes out in next month's issue of Charisma magazine, and is already up on their site. 

I had fun researching it--going to Israel and then interviewing (or e-interviewing) people all over the world about their own trips.  (Can you believe I actually found someone in China who'd just returned from Jerusalem?)

This is the 3rd piece I've written on Israel.  The others are here and here.

Enjoy...and shalom!

How to Write a Book

If I had a dime for everyone who's told me they want to write a book, I'd be a rich woman. 

I can't tell you how many people over the years have said they've always dreamed of writing a book--yet don't know how to do it or where to begin.

That's why I wrote a practical and information-packed e-book called How to Write a Book.  I made it motivating and encouraging, and filled it with useful information to help you write the book that's inside you. 

In 7 practical steps, it sets out a do-able plan to help you:

• Move your book from dream to reality.
• Overcome the pitfalls every writer faces.
• Organize your thoughts and research.
• Plan what to include in your book (and what to leave out).
• Fit book-writing into your already busy schedule.
• Keep yourself motivated and moving forward. 

That's a lot of information for the cost of a few visits to Starbucks--just $14.95. 

If you're ready to learn how to write the book that's inside you, just click here to order.  You can pay by credit card or PayPal, and in about 5 minutes How to Write a Book will be in your in-box--and you'll be on your way to writing the book you’ve always dreamed of writing.

I can't wait to read what you write.

The Writer's Workshop: Another Book Trend

Yesterday I mentioned one of the trends I saw at the annual ICRS show was an increase in the number of fiction books.

Here's another trend: more self-published books than ever before. One of the largest booths was a publisher I had never heard of--WinePress.  They do "custom" publishing as well as print on demand; I'm not sure what the difference is, but you can check the various packages on their website.  WinePress had 4 book signings going on at once.  The covers were very nice and the print quality was excellent. 

There are plenty of other POD publishers in both the Christian and secular market.  Just Google "print on demand" and you'll see what I mean.

If you're considering a POD publisher, always ask for samples of their work and references from other authors they've worked with.  Read Writer Beware on SFWA's website; their warnings tend to be a little negative, but they're good to read so that you consider the advantages and disadvantages of POD.  The site also includes links to more articles and resources.

If you missed yesterday's post, click here for two great resources to help you find an agent when you're ready for that step.

Happy writing.  I can't wait to read your book.

Books, Books, and More Books

Yesterday I joined about 13,500 other people at the annual International Christian Retailing Show (formerly known as Christian Booksellers Association) in Orlando, Florida.  There were three highlights--only one of which had to do with books:

1.  I attended a book signing for my brother-in-law, John Stanko, who just published his 9th book, The Faith Files.  (You'll soon be able to download the e-book version on John's website.  In the meantime, take the free assessment on the site to find out your PQ--Purpose Assessment.)

 

 

 

   

   

2.  I met Ben Stein, whose documentary Expelled premiered earlier this year and is about to come out on DVD.  (He was signing posters for the film.) (No, he wasn't wearing his signature schoolboy shorts.)

Expelled exposed the prejudice against scientists who reject Darwinian thinking.  It took in almost $8 million at the box office earlier this year, making it the 12th most successful documentary of all time.

 

3.  I met Roy and Melanie Fields and Lindell Cooley.  Roy leads worship at the Florida Outpouring, the 4-day event that is now in its 105th day with no end in sight; I've gone to the meetings many times and loved them all.  Lindell led worship for years at the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida.  Here we are all acting goofy:

One trend I noticed at ICRS this year was the huge amount of fiction books.  So if you're writing a novel, this is your year. 

And if you've finished your novel, here are two great resources to help you find an agent: Query Tracker and Agent Query.  Who knows, maybe your book will be at ICRS next year and you'll be doing a book signing. 

The Writer's Workshop: Got Books?

Here's an interesting trend in book publishing:

Last year the production of traditional books rose only 1%, but the output of print-on-demand (POD) and other non-traditional books soared--from 21,936 in 2006 to 134,773 in 2007!

You can read the full R.R. Bowker report here.  There's more in Publisher's Weekly and The Book Marketing Expert newsletter.

This is good news for not-yet-noticed authors who haven't been able to interest a traditional publisher in their books.  Self publishing is getting easier and cheaper year by year.

Remember, you can't publish what you haven't written.  If you need help writing your book, I offer personalized writer's coaching anywhere in the world. I'll even pay for the call--via phone or Skype.

There's a book inside you and if you need someone to help you pull it out and get it on paper, a personalized coaching session can do wonders. 

Want more info?  It's here or email me at coaching@peapodpublishing.com.

And You're Not Working on Your Book Because....?

When I read about the 5 men who co-authored a new book, Lost Innocence, I knew the rest of us have no excuse for not writing our own books. 

The authors are convicted murderers serving time in prison.  They decided to band together to write a book that could help young people avoid the same mistakes they made. 

After they wrote it, they pooled their own money with help from their families to pay for an initial printing of 200 books, which they want to donate to schools, libraries, and juvenile facilities. 

You can read more here.

Now, about those excuses you've been giving for not working on your book...

The Writer's Workshop: The Greatest Fear

If you're writing a book, you already know what your greatest fear is: "I'll never finish this book!"

If your book is a novel, you need to identify your hero's greatest fear, too.  That's one of three elements that will help you weave a can't-put-it-down plot.  (For the other two, see here and here.)

What makes your hero panic?  What keeps him or her up at night?  Is she afraid of rejection?  Does he fear failure?  Heights?  Dying?  The family farm?  Her father, mother, or older brother? 

Perhaps it's ridicule, control, or drowning.  Maybe it's spiders, sharks, or snakes (think of Arachnophobia, Jaws, and Indiana Jones--although in Indy's case, snakes are more of a recurring gag; his greatest fear is probably boredom!). 

Your hero's greatest fear keeps the story moving because it's one of the elements that he or she must confront and conquer (or at least try to) by the end of the book.

That's why plot whiz Martha Alderson calls fear one of the "basic character traits that have the potential to create dramatic action scenes filled with conflict, tension, and suspense."

Click here for more from Martha's article on plot.

Spinning a Plot by Marileta Robinson also has helpful info on fear as a plot device.

Spend some time thinking about your hero's greatest fear.  It will help you overcome one of yours ("I'll never finish this book!").

 

To comment, click "comments" below (or go to my blog site and click on "comments" at the end of this post).

The Writer's Workshop: The Fatal Flaw

A few weeks ago I shared with you some of the writing lessons I've learned as I've worked on the first book for the Not For Sale project to stop child trafficking.  One of them is called the "I want" song.  The hero of your book (or film or musical) wants something--and what he or she wants is what the plot is all about. You can read more about the "I want" song here. 

Here's another powerful plot element--and what happens when it collides with the "I want" song.  This one is called the "fatal flaw."  Every hero needs a flaw.  As writers, we fall in love with our heroes and we tend to make them too perfect.  That also makes them unbelievable. 

No one--not even your hero--is perfect.  Every hero needs a fatal flaw.  That's what makes him human.  It's what we can relate to.  It's what gets her into all the trouble that carries the plot. By the end of the book, he's conquered it or it has conquered him.

Does your hero get angry too easily?  How about impatient?  Prejudiced?  Totally unorganized?  Late?  Controlling?  Codependent?  Narcissistic?  

You may be saying, "That sounds like the villain, not the hero!"  Your hero doesn't have to be possessed or totally controlled by his fatal flaw; it just has to be part of his character traits and his growth.  It's what he has to learn to overcome.  It's how she grows as she learns from her mistakes.

The fatal flaw gets the hero into trouble.  The "I want" song keeps him going in spite of it.  When those two elements collide, your plot begins to take shape.

For more on this, just Google "fatal flaw writing" and you'll come up with a lot of tips, such as this from Dara Marks, this from the "unknown screenwriter," and this from Jessica Morrell.

I have a third plot element to add to this collision and will share it with you in another post. 

Meanwhile, keep writing.  If your fatal flaw is procrastination, this is the time to take control of it. 

If you need someone to help you along, I provide personalized writer's coaching by phone from anywhere in the world and am happy to help you get your book out of you and on paper. You can email me for more information. 

Remember: You can't publish what you haven't written.  Take that first step and start writing what's inside you. The world is waiting to read it.

 

3-2-1...and We're Live!

This Wednesday morning, I'll be interviewed live on the premiere of a new internet radio program called Your PurposeQuest: The Power of a Focused Life, with Dr. John Stanko.

Thanks to internet radio, you can listen live on your computer from anywhere in the world (or listen later on demand).  You can even call in a question--it's live!

The host of the program, John Stanko, is my brother-in-law.  John has helped tens of thousands of people all over the world (including me) find their purpose and be more focused, creative, and effective at what they do.  (He and I have a running competition about who's been to more countries; sadly, he's slightly ahead...for the moment.) 

If you know John, you know he's a fantastic speaker and motivator (and very funny).  If you don't know him, you're in for a treat.  Here's what we'll be talking about:

Episode One: Write a Book, Save a Child

Have you ever thought about writing a book?  Ever wanted to travel or start a company that will make the world a better place to live?

If so, then you won’t want to miss John Stanko’s inaugural program with his guest, Diana Scimone. Diana is a publisher, author, world traveler and founder of PawPaw's Pals, a nonprofit organization working to alleviate the child trafficking problem around the world. Join John and Diana as they talk about writing, travel, purpose and how you can be a person of purpose, too!

I invite you to listen live on VoiceAmerica's website this Wednesday, May 21, at 9:00 am Eastern time.  That's 8:00 am Central, 2:00 pm in the UK, 3:00 pm in Zimbabwe, 9:00 pm in China--or for your own city, click here for a world clock. 

It's really easy to tune in.  Just go to VoiceAmerica's website, click on the "networks" tab, then "VoiceAmerica," and you'll immediately hear the program.  The program will be repeated 12 hours later, then archived on the site for on-demand play.

You can call the show while it's live at 1.866.472.5787 or email your questions to John before, during, or after the show.

John will host a new episode of Your PurposeQuest every week in the same time slot.  Join me on the premiere this Wednesday.  (And if you call in a question, please make it an easy one, okay?)   

 

To comment on this blog post, click "comments" below (or if you subscribe to this blog, click here or go to my blog site and click on "comments" at the end of this entry).

Journey to Jordan

The article I wrote about my trip to Jordan last fall has been published in Charisma magazine.  You can read it here.

I've also added a Jordan photo album to this blog; it's just to the left of this post if you're reading it on the blog itself (otherwise, you can see the photos by clicking here; double click on the thumbnails and you'll see them full-size with captions).

My journey to Jordan was great and I look forward to a return visit; it's time for more yummy mezzas and another death-defying, donkey-dodging climb in spectacular Petra.  Hope you enjoy the article and the photos!

 

To comment on this blog post, click "comments" below.

 

The Writer's Workshop: Lessons From Broadway

Exactly two years ago this week, I had an opportunity to meet Broadway writer and director Stephen Schwartz--and four of his words have stuck with me ever since.

All his words were memorable, of course, but I'm going to focus on just four of them here because they've been so valuable as I've worked on my first book for the "Not For Sale" project to help stop child trafficking.

Schwartz has written music and/or lyrics for many Broadway shows including Godspell, Pippin, and the current Broadway hit, Wicked. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on Mass, and with Alan Menken on the scores for the Disney animated features Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  He also wrote the songs for the DreamWorks animated film The Prince of Egypt. 

Can you see why when Stephen Schwartz spoke, I was taking notes?

So what are the four golden words he shared that I've remembered to this day?  They are:

The "I want" song

The hero of any musical or novel or film wants something--and what he or she wants is what the plot is all about. 

Since Schwartz deals with music, he calls it the "I want song."  As he spoke, he showed us how his musicals open with the hero singing his or her "I want" song. 

Pippin, for example, features the beautiful song "Corner of the Sky" a few minutes into the plot.  (Check out William Katt singing it on Broadway, with a little of Ben Vereen thrown in for fun.)

You can't get more "I want" than those lyrics:  "I've got to be where my spirit can run free, got to find my corner of the sky."  The rest of the musical is about Pippin's quest to run free and find his corner of the sky--with all the ups and downs and near-death experiences that his quest entails.

As you write your novel (or screenplay or musical), think about the "I want" song for your main character.  What does she want so badly that she's willing to go through an entire book to find it?  What propels him, keeps him up at night, motivates him and practically drives him crazy in his quest to reach it?

Find it, and you'll find a valuable tool to help develop your plot.

In an upcoming post, I'll talk about another powerful plot element and what happens when it collides with the "I want" song -- which is exactly what your story needs to keep readers on the edge of their seats (or paying $150 for a ticket to see it on Broadway). 

To read more of what I learned about writing from Stephen Schwartz, check out Issue #10 of my e-letter, The Writer's Workshop. (I'm no longer publishing The Writer's Workshop and have instead incorporated it into this blog, but you can find all the back issues here including the first seven, which are part of my e-book, How to Write a Book.)

   

To comment on this blog post, click "comments" below (or if you subscribe to this blog, click here or go to my blog site and click on "comments" at the end of this entry).

 

A Tip for Writers

One of my favorite free e-zines is the monthly Children's Writing Update, published by Writing4Kids.  For the next 13 days, they've got a great deal on e-books for writers (sale ends April 15).   

While most of the sale e-books are designed for children's writers, some have helpful info whether you're writing for kids or adults.  For example, Author to Editor: Query Letter Secrets of the Pros is great for all writers. (I've found it really helpful, and, yes, I paid full price :-( .)

Here are the other e-books on sale for the next 13 days:

• Improving the Odds: Insider Secrets to Getting Published
• Career Starter, The Beginner's Guide to Writing Children's Books
• The Children's Writer's Big Book of "How To"
• I've Written a Story. What Do I Do Now?
• In Their Own Words: The Best of CBI's Interviews
• CBI In-Depth: Plot Workshop
• CBI In-Depth: Character Workshop
• CBI In-Depth: Brainstorming Workshop

Click here for more info on the e-book sale. (Disclaimer: Yours truly gets a tiny percentage of your purchase price if you order anything from Writing4Kids by clicking through any of the links in this blog post.)

While you're on the Writing4Kids website, here are a few more resources for writers (most of them are free):

1.  Free e-books.  On the home page, click on "articles and tips" on the left side, then on "free e-books."  Scroll down to "free e-books," which you can download immediately. 

2.  Free how-to articles.  While you're on the same page, scroll through the list of dozens of helpful (and free) articles about how to write for children.

3.  Free monthly e-zine, Children's Writing Update.  There's a sign-up box on the home page.  You'll receive a free e-book for subscribing, Getting Started Writing Children's Picture Books.

4.  Children's Book Insider.  There's a charge for this one, but it's well worth the price.  Go to the home page and click "The Newsletter" in the upper left.

Remember, the sale on e-books ends April 15.  Happy reading (and writing)!

 

It's Coming: Celebrate a Failure Week!

Each year, Dr. John Stanko, president of PurposeQuest International, declares the last week of April as "Celebrate a Failure Week."

Really, this is not an April Fool's joke. It's a real holiday--and there's a real reason for it.

"During Celebrate a Failure Week," explains John (who happens to be my brother-in-law), "I urge you to find every way possible to celebrate the powerful role of failure in your life or the life of your organization."

Failure can be powerful?  Yes, and you can read why on John's "Monday Memo" blog by clicking here and here.

As part of the celebration, John encourages everyone to talk about their own failures and--just as importantly--to share what they've learned from them. 

So, now that I've brought it up, I guess I have to do that, right? 

One of my most spectacular professional failures occurred back when I was a special assignment correspondent for a news service that covered human rights and religious rights around the world.  My editor passed along a tip about some families in France who belonged to a religious organization that was being accused of disciplining their children in a way the government felt was too harsh.  The government had even removed 7 children from their homes and placed them in state custody.

It seemed like a clear case -- not of child abuse but of religious harassment by the government.  I talked to countless people, poured over faxes and affidavits (in English and French), and even interviewed a French Supreme Court justice by phone.  Oh, a few people felt the situations were abusive, but most everyone else I talked to said these people were just being persecuted for their faith, and there was no evidence of any abuse.

Over a period of months, I wrote numerous articles about the case.  At one point, the coverage came to the attention of an international organization, which sent a delegation to France to investigate what seemed more and more like a cut-and-dry case of religious persecution...until the organization called me with the shocking news:  This was a cult and there was abuse involved. I had been duped.

I was devastated--not only for the children who truly were in danger, but also by my ignorance and stupidity in believing lies.  My news service had to print a retraction.  My editor apologized to me for involving me in the fiasco, but I could not blame her; I did not do a good enough job of uncovering the facts.

What did I learn from this debacle?  It made me a better journalist.  I learned to check and double check.  I learned how to recognize my own biases.  And I learned a lot about child abuse that I'm using today as president of an organization working to stop child trafficking.

Would I have preferred not to go through that devastating failure?  Absolutely.  But as someone once said, "I wouldn't give you a dime to repeat that experience, but I wouldn't take a million dollars for it, either."

You've probably learned a lot through your failures, too.  "So get ready for a big celebration," says John, "for we all have some colossal failures to celebrate and some important lessons to review. We want to get failure working for us and not against us, so with that in mind, let the party begin."

 

To comment on this blog post, click "comments" below (or if you subscribe to this post, click here or go to my blog site and click on "comments" at the end of this entry).

David vs. Eliab

Last night I watched a classic David vs. Goliath story--the film Elizabeth: The Golden Age.  (You can read my post about it here.)

This morning when I checked my email, there was an article in an e-letter I subscribe to entitled "David vs. Eliab."

Everyone knows Goliath--but who is Eliab?  He's a guy we need to know as we take on Goliath-sized issues (such as child sexual trafficking), because sometimes it's Eliab whom we face, not the more obvious Goliath.

Rather than excerpt the article, I'm going to reprint it here (with permission of Elijah List, where it was originally posted).  It's by Victoria Boyson, one of my favorite contemporary spiritual writers.  (Victoria is like E.F. Hutton, when she writes, I listen.  Her contact info is below.) 

Here's her article:

DAVID VS. ELIAB

Those around you see you as insignificant but your destiny is very great, indeed. You are a giant killer.

by Victoria Boyson

As David went to the battlefield to see how he could help his brothers, he was appalled at Goliath's words against his people; he wanted to do something about it. But before David could fight against the giant, he had to overcome the accusations of his own brother Eliab.

"When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, 'Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.'

'Now what have I done?' said David. 'Can't I even speak?' He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter" (1 Samuel 17:28-30).

When I read the title of this chapter to my son Cole, he very kindly informed me that I was incorrect. "No, Mom," he said, "it's David and Goliath!" We have all read or heard about the story of David killing the giant Goliath, but shortly before he killed the giant, his brother attacked him verbally. And before David could face off with Goliath, he had to overcome the heated accusation of his oldest brother Eliab.

David trusted in God's power, but his brother did not. Eliab thought the doubts he had about David's character were really wisdom. He misunderstood the accusations in his heart toward David to be a gift of discernment into his brother's life. He thought he understood his youngest brother. He had known David his whole life; he had probably helped to raise him, but could not see David's heart for what it was.

Eliab misinterpreted David's confidence in God to be arrogance and conceit. He thought David was just "talking big" for the boys, and it angered him. He had lived with David his whole life and just saw a little brother who was only good enough to tend the sheep in their father's pasture. Eliab did not know that while David was in the position of the lowly shepherd boy, God was training him to be a giant killer.

"But David said to Saul, 'Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine'" (1 Samuel 17:34-37).

While no one was paying attention to David, God was training him to be a mighty man of faith--someone who would not rely on his own strength or wisdom, but on God's. God taught David how to fight His way and not the ways of other men. God taught David to use faith and a sling. When the fighting men of the day tried to train David to fight with armor and a sword, it was uncomfortable for him because he was not used to it (see 1 Samuel 17:39).

God Wants to Train Us

If we are willing, God Himself will teach us and train us to walk in His ways. Many times God uses the experiences of other men to train us, but there comes a time when He desires to get one-on-one with us (see John 16:13). He desires to take us through our trials Himself, step by step, and the more we learn from Him, the greater our capacity to be taught by Him.

Eliab fashioned himself after the warriors of the day, and I am sure in their eyes he ranked very high. He was certain that he knew what it took to fight; he was sure David did not have what it took. After all, Eliab was the one that Samuel thought would be God's choice for the next king of Israel. The Lord told Samuel to disregard Eliab's appearance and his height, because He'd rejected him. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks after the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

Eliab was furious with David for even thinking he, a shepherd, could fight the giant Goliath. Eliab thought David was conceited for talking with such great faith. Eliab reasoned that since he, the oldest and biggest of his brothers, would not even consider fighting with Goliath, how could his "baby brother" have the gall to think he could fight him. He was positive that David's talk was just conceit and that his intentions were wicked. Eliab was focusing on Goliath and thought he was too big for anyone to fight, but David's focus was on his God. Eliab thought that David was thinking too highly of himself, but actually it was Eliab who thought too little of God.

Turn Away from the Accuser

Have you ever been in David's position? Your intentions are honorable and your heart is pure, but those around you misinterpret your actions. They point at your confidence in God and assume it is pride, so they decide that they need to remind you of your smallness, as Eliab did when he reminded David he was only a shepherd. "And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert?" (1 Samuel 17:28).

People like Eliab allow their mouths to be used by doubt and unbelief. They will point out to every reason--why you could not possibly fulfill the call of God on your life. They are positive you could never have the things God has promised to you. Eliab felt he knew David, and he was sure there was nothing special about him. However, Eliab was not there in the fields with the sheep when God was fashioning David's heart after His own and building up his faith in Him. It was at this time that David made one of the most important decisions of his life: he turned away from Eliab and started talking to someone else.

The enemy will find those people in our lives that regard us as inferior and unsuitable for ministry, and speak through them to devour our destiny. He will use them to point out our inadequacies and remind us of all the reasons why we could not possibly do anything of significance.

But God also has a voice! He can see into our future and the motives of our heart. We need to tune our ears into Him and He will encourage us to do all that He asks us to do. He wants us to break free from the person we have previously been and see ourselves walking in our destiny in God.

You Are a Giant Killer

Beloved, God sees you as a giant killer. He sees you as victorious; He pushes you to try. Close your ears to the enemy's lies and see yourself as God sees you. God wishes to use your uniqueness to enrich the body of Christ.

God has been trying to convince you that your destiny is very great, indeed. But at the same time, those around you see you as insignificant. They may view you as anointed, but cannot possibly envision what God has planned for you. It simply is not possible for them to see your destiny. Don't expect them to; it is between you and God. He desires it to be that way until He releases you into your destiny in Him.

If David had listened to his brother Eliab, he would not have killed the giant, and he may never have become king. While anticipating the birth of our destiny, we must endeavor to turn away from the opinions of man and heed the voice of God. God promised David the crown of Israel, but he was virtually unknown until he fought and killed Goliath. It was through this step of faith that God made his name known. God gave him a platform by which he would eventually be made king and fulfill his destiny. Every step of faith and every act of obedience to God will get us one step closer to our destiny in Him. If David had not stepped out in faith here, he might not have sat on the throne of Israel.

What is the Goliath in your life today? What is God asking you to do? No matter what it is, be ready for the voice of the accuser to say you cannot do it. He wants to stop your destiny. Don't let him do it! When the enemy tries to discourage you, be encouraged by it. He would not waste his time trying to discourage you unless he actually thought you would fulfill your destiny in God.

Please pray this with me: "Dear Father, help me to hear Your voice and not the voice of the accuser. Change my vision. Help me see myself the way You do. Allow me to see others in light of Your grace, and help me see Your destiny in people everywhere I look!"

Victoria Boyson
Speaking Life Ministries
victoria@boyson.org

Reprinted with permission of:
ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
info@elijahlist.net

 

To comment on this blog post, click "comments" below (or if you subscribe to this post, just go to my blog site and click on "comments" at the end of this post).