January 13, 2019 Newsletter

January 13, 2019 Newsletter - Assignment 3
Sunday, January 13, 2019 by Cindy Sproles

Week 3 Assignment

Assignment 3 is up on the blog
I always get a tab bit giddy when we start sending the additional assignments. It means we're on the downhill side to the conference. Crunch time for me - nervous time for many of you.

In fact, it can be a bit overwhelming. I have to confess. Last Wednesday, I looked at my hubby and said, "I just don't want to go to church tonight." So we didn't. I laid out. Wouldn't be nice if we could just lay out of anything at anytime without consequence.

This week, your assignment is from Larry Leech. Larry is a great mentor and ghost writer. He continually hears writers whine about not having time. He's a pro at managing his time and this week he teaches you about scheduling time to write and keeping it in a "doable" way.

You can find Larry's assignment Stay on Track with a Writing Schedule by clicking the link. Take time to work through this assignment and get your writing schedule on track...

I do this with my own writing - serious writers do make time. Otherwise, life over rules. Thanks to Larry for this assignment. Oh - and just so you know. God never lets me get away with playing hooky. Just after church was over, our minister's wife (and a dear friend) called me. "Where were you. We were looking for you." I can't lay out and get away with it. LOL!

By the way, I don't need your assignments. These are for you as additional training.

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ROSTER
The roster is a real chore. I've asked every newsletter for you to send a 50 word or less bio and a jpg photo to [email protected]

The roster is something that I yearly question whether to do it. It's like pulling teeth to get folks to send their bios. But every time I talk myself out of it, I talk myself right back into it. It's a valuable networking tool. The folks at this conference will become your peers, your encouragement, your friends, your writing buddies.. It's important to have this tool. If you haven't sent your bio and photo, please do. One other tidbit...this helps our faculty as well. I hope you'll participate. Thank you to all those who have responded to Momma's nudge this week. You are the best.

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From here forward you will need to be sure to check the conference updates numerous times. I will send ONE NEWS LETTER PER WEEK and any additional updates will be on the Conference Update page. Under Conference Updates you will find a link called CURRENT UPDATES. This link will have important information about your check in at the Cove, last minute important news, attire, what to bring, all that kind of stuff. I cannot do this for you. Check the website on or after the third week of January at https://www.ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/currentupdates I'll start to populate that page.

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DEADLINES
Our book contest and devotion contests are nearing their deadlines. Please, AGAIN....read the website under Contests and you'll find the information you'll need about the contests, deadlines, and how to submit.

Start to pray seriously over this conference. Ask God for safe travel. Good health and perfect weather. Lift up our faculty, your peers, and the staff. We want this conference smothered in prayer.

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MENTORING
Contact Terri at [email protected] to see if there are still spots available.

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CONTEST DEADLINES
Deadlines are quickly approaching. Visit
https://www.ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/bookcontest for further information. Don't miss out on stepping forward in your writing career. It's not about winning a contest...it's about stepping out to enter. Taking a chance. Learning how to move forward in your writing. It can be scary, but you will never know until you make the effort. Writing is all about stepping out. Entering a contest is the first step in believing in yourself and trusting God will use you.

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CONFERENCE UPDATES
I am working on populating the Conference Updates link on the site. If you are new to us, all the past newsletters are posted on the site under Conference Updates and then Newsletters. The conference updates information will be things you will need for the conference, i.e. check in times, what to wear, where to go, etc. Check this page tomorrow. I'm working on it tonight.

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One final reminder
There are still a couple of invoices pending. Every year I keep a tight budget. I don't overspend. But I cannot pay the bills if the money doesn't come in. Whether it's our conference or another you may attend, please be timely with your payments. Conferences cannot operate unless the registrations are paid. If you still owe an invoice, please, please help us pay the bills and send your payment to [email protected].
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DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL
Once again, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. If you want to send me an email, PLEASE, PLEASE send it directly to [email protected]. If you reply to this newsletter I am not going to see it, so don't be upset with me if I don't respond. SEND A NEW EMAIL!

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Your Spiritual Take Away

Tempted and Tried

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” - Matthew 4:8-10 NIV

It's been a long and worrisome week. So much so, I began to wonder if Satan was attacking. It doesn't surprise me. Every year, close to conference day, things begin to happen. Folks get sick, families fall apart, deaths. I sit on the edge of my seat wondering what Satan will do next to attempt to take us down.

And this week has been no different. I've fielded more than a handful of calls from panicked, hurting, or frustrated conferees. From life situations to fear, conferees question should they come to the conference. It would be easy for me to say just stay home, but I can't do that. I can't, because I know what's happening. I seen it in the past and I experience it every year when I start to plan this conference. "Is this worth the time? Do we do any good?" You are not alone.

After the 10th call this week, I began my prayer walks through the night asking God to cover this conference with His hand. Send Satan away. Leave our conferees alone. After all, you are attending because you answered the nudge - the call - to write for God.

God did an amazing thing when He came to earth as flesh. If that wasn't enough, He insisted on feeling the same emotion and temptation we feel. Hence Jesus was tempted three times by Satan. Once to turn rocks into bread, once to dare God, and once to worship Satan. Each time Jesus shot down the tempter with scripture. When Jesus was 40 days without food, I don't doubt He wasn't hungry. He felt the growl of a starving stomach, yet He did not succumb. He had the power to call down angels, but He refused to test God. And imagine, having the opportunity to rule over everything and turning it down. Still Jesus knew, Satan couldn't give what wasn't his to give.

It's the same thing with us. Satan can take what isn't his to take.

The point is, God understands how we are tempted and He has provided the means for us to overcome within our faith. Now more than ever, it's important to shun Satan away. Don't let him fool you into thinking you aren't able to write or that your career is a dead end. Instead, look deeper into God and ask Him to shelter you from the lies of the tempter. Ask Him to show you the various lengths your writing can go.

Jesus stood firm on the rock where Satan took Him. He looked the tempter in the eye and said, no. You can too.

You've heard me say numerous times that we prayed for you to come. God answered our prayer and sent you. It may not be for you to write a book this year. It may be you need rest and encouragement. Maybe you simply need direction or it could be you need to further your learning of the craft. Either way, God has a plan specifically for you. Open your heart to His will for your writing. Let go of what you insist it is and let God show you the plan.

Sometimes things happen we have no control over. We can't control serious illness or death. But we can overcome the temptation that we "can't". You can! When you feel overwhelmed and Satan is whispering in your ear that maybe you shouldn't come, stand firm in your faith. Offer your work to Christ and He will ease your fear and worry.

We WILL see YOU in a few weeks.