When I miswrote the title of this post, I realized I had stumbled upon truth.
Instead of “Words aren’t Enough,” I wrote “Word aren’t Enough.”
But wait! The Word is enough.
Only Jesus, the Living Word, can comfort the Nova Scotian families* (and others) who are grieving.
Only He can wrap them in His loving arms and sustain them today, tomorrow, and into the future.
Only He can give them the strength to put one foot in front of the other.
Only Jesus can stir the compassion in our hearts and remind us to pray for those whose hearts are broken.
Only the Living Word is enough!
And only the Written Word, the Scriptures, are enough to satisfy our desperate need for answers.
We won’t find the specific answers to the whys of this tragedy, but we will find the answers to questions we didn’t even know we were asking.
Can God really be trusted?
Does He care about what we do to one another?
Does He leave us on our own?
Will He hear me when I cry out to Him?
What does He know about the pain I’m going through?
Dear readers, may you find comfort in the Written Word. And may you come to the Living Word, who promised His followers, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 ESV).
I know it doesn’t feel this way now, but when we humble ourselves and acknowledge our need of the Saviour, we learn that He is willing to bear the heaviest part of our burden on His own shoulders.
My words most definitely aren’t enough, but I pray that you will come to know the One who is the Word.
*[Note: I thank Steph Beth Nickel for this very timely and personal guest post written for Nova Scotians (of whom I am one) in the wake of Canada’s largest mass shooting, which claimed over 22 lives April 18-19, 2020. With all the world dealing with COVID-19 and other issues, this post still has something for everyone! Many thanks, my friend. ~Janet]
Steph Beth Nickel
Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
Livestreaming church services. Economic upheaval. Social
distancing. Self-isolation. Pandemic.
It’s what we talk about. It’s what we think about. It’s what
we pray about—when we can muster the energy to pray.
It seemed like a very good time to focus on some of those
things that simply never change. Here are 11 things to consider:
We are called to be outwardly focused.
As Christians, we’ve known this all along. But true
confession time … Until recently, I didn’t realize just how self-focused I am.
Am I really doing what I do to 1) honour God and 2) bless others? I want these
goals to be my motivation, but too often they haven’t been. These days are the
perfect opportunity to ask God to refine our motives. (All the while, we must extend
grace to ourselves and remember that self-care isn’t necessarily selfish or
self-centred. See below for further encouragement in these areas.)
There are always opportunities to minister to others.
Even now, there is so much we can do to bless others: post
something encouraging on social media; pick up the phone and check on a senior
who doesn’t have access to the Internet; offer to drop off groceries to someone
who is apprehensive about venturing out. Even with social distancing, there is
much we can do for one another.
Turns out our parents and Kindergarten teachers were
right; it is nice to share.
This truth needs no explanation except to say there will be
people who need financial assistance, a kind word, and/or a smile today. If we
have the opportunity, let’s be generous with what we have and trust the Lord to
provide for our needs.
We need one another.
Of course, this is another truth we’ve known all along, but
it’s crystal clear with the current situation. Kindness and acts of service are
crucial at this time. There may be restrictions as to how we can help, but we
certainly need one another.
Our healthcare workers need our prayers—as do our
government leaders.
There has never been a more important time to add our
government leaders and healthcare workers to our prayer list. With the
everchanging information about this virus that is circulating—even among the
professionals—it’s difficult for them to know what the right thing to do is.
They need the Lord’s wisdom and protection. (If you are either a healthcare
professional or a government leader, thank you so much for your service!)
During difficult, uncertain times, we have Someone to
turn to.
We’ve all gone through difficulty in our life: illness,
loss, economic hardships … God was faithful then, and He’s faithful now. When
we’re confused, overwhelmed, and struggling to make sense of it all, God
invites us to draw near to Him, promising that He will draw near to us (James
4:8).
God loves us.
Don’t you love the fact that the Bible teaches not only that
God is loving but also that He is love (1 John 4:7)? We can rest assured of His
love when things are going well—and when a worldwide pandemic has changed so
much.
God was not taken by surprise.
When the world changes overnight—and sometimes, hour by hour—we
don’t feel equipped to keep up. Could any of us have seen ourselves in this
situation a month ago? I know I couldn’t. Still, God wasn’t taken by surprise.
And whether or not we feel prepared to face the days ahead, He’ll see us
through.
No matter what happens in our world, we can rest assured
that God never changes.
This is, perhaps, the singular truth that sees me through
each day. While my life hasn’t changed all that much, I still sense the
heaviness of this new reality. I can vegetate on the couch and watch Netflix
and sleep more than usual—or I can trust in our unchanging heavenly Father and
seek to accomplish the tasks He has set before me.
We are called to extend grace—to others and to ourselves.
The word should can cause big problems. Of course,
the Bible lays out hundreds of clear Shoulds and Should Nots. However, when it
comes to facing our current, unprecedented situation, we must be careful how we
seek to impose our convictions—even God’s—on others. Even as believers, there
are many times we’d be in big trouble if it weren’t for the Lord’s grace and
Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf. We must remember that many of the people we
interact with do not know Jesus as Saviour, which I believe provides the
opportunity for us to show them we are Christians by our love—not our judgment.
There is a balance between self-sacrifice and self-care.
We can find several examples in the Scriptures that indicate that we are to put others’ needs ahead of our own. At the same time, we must remember that, unless we care for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, we will soon have virtually nothing to offer those the Lord has brought into our life. May we prayerfully seek God’s perspective in this area, as in all others.
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
Maybe you make a simple To Do List on paper or on your
phone.
Maybe you keep it all in your head. (Kudos if you do!)
Still, there’s a challenge no matter what method you use to
record your plans, hopes, and dreams … follow-through.
I can make a mean To Do List. I can decorate it with
stickers and even use fancy writing if I’m so inclined. But none of that
matters unless I take the needed steps to make my plans come together.
Sadly, creating a beautiful, comprehensive list and then
lying back on the couch to watch “just one more episode” on Netflix doesn’t get
me any closer to my goals.
Plus, nine times out of ten, I fall asleep. And when I wake
up, I either 1) restart the episode I missed or 2) head to bed, promising
myself I’ll do better the next day.
So, what practical steps can you and I take to move beyond list-making?
As much as possible, head to bed at the same
time every night and rise at the same time every morning.
Get regular exercise.
Eat well.
Pray before putting pen to paper, asking God to
guide you as you make your list.
Be honest with yourself. Just how much can you
reasonably accomplish in one day? Your list should reflect reality.
Your list should also reflect what is truly
important, including time with God, family, and friends.
Assign a time for each task, remembering to
factor in “the margins,” times to catch up on projects that take longer than
expected, and scheduled downtime.
Pray again, committing your plans to Him. After
all, Proverbs 16:9 is true, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes
his steps” (ESV).
February 17 was Family Day. I had prepared what I felt was a
reasonably long list of things I wanted to accomplish, most of them in my home
office. Before I got busy there, I did some extras around the house, which
turned out to be a very good thing. Not only did I enjoy looking around at the
less cluttered areas I had dealt with but also, we had unexpected company. (See
Proverbs 16:9 above.)
I was able to sit and chat with a young man who has been a
friend of the family for many years. And as it turns out, he has been reading
the Bible in order to overcome his dark thoughts and draw close to the Lord. He
wants to begin coming to church and was asking about baptism. What a wonderful
way to spend an hour or so!
Our visit reminded me of the importance of positioning
myself to be ready to be a blessing—online and in person. While sleep will still
lure me away, tempting me to procrastinate and escape the overwhelm that prowls
around the perimeter of my mind, there are steps I can take to make my plans
come together—and steps I can take to be attentive when the Lord is bringing
His plans together.
How do you handle your To Do List? What potential stumbling blocks do you have to overcome? What suggestions could you add to the list above?
Steph Beth Nickel
Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
The study
springs from James 1:2-4, which says, “Count it all joy, my
brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know
that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let
steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing” (ESV).
Each entry includes an excerpt from a novel, a scripture,
and an inspirational thought with room to journal in response.
On Day 1, the author asks readers to record their personal
battle.
Sure, I get in a funk every once in a while. But, hey, my
life is pretty darn good. What personal battle am I facing?
And then it
struck me. My heart is heavy because I see the hurt, misunderstanding, and
disrespect happening all around me—in the church.
And hard on
the heels of that revelation, I ask, “What can I do about it?”
Ever had
one of those instantaneous D’uh Moments?
You’re a
writer, Stephanie. So, write!
And here I
am.
Am I
writing to rag on the church? No, they’re my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Am I here
to say I’m on the hunt for the perfect local fellowship, where we all love one
another and get along 100 percent of the time? I’m almost 60 years old. I know
such a place doesn’t exist.
But am I
intent on doing my part to identify the type of community I want to belong
to—and then doing what I can to bring about change as I have the opportunity?
Absolutely.
Now, you
may be a mover and shaker, intent on following the path you feel has been laid
out before you, eyes focused straight ahead, blinders firmly in place.
Don’t get
me wrong, we need people who keep us moving on a God-honouring trajectory. But
we also need people who will identify obstacles in the road and come up with a
creative way to deal with the obstacles. Sometimes barreling right through them
is not the best course of action.
Even more
importantly, we need people who recognize that there are men and women, young
people, and children among us who may have ideas that are far better than our
own. We need decision-makers who are humble enough to learn from those without
as much experience as they have. (The Bible has a lot to say about humility and
pride.)
We also
need people who will recognize the giftings in others and nurture those
giftings, setting individuals free to minister in ways that give their
uniqueness an opportunity to flourish.
And,
without a doubt, we need people who recognize the wounded. Sure, some are obvious,
but some people have developed great skill at withdrawing into themselves
because they’ve been hurt over and over and over.
Where do
you fit?
Do you
clearly see the path ahead? Cast that vision in a way that enables others to
see what you see. Be patient with those who don’t quite get it. Don’t rush out
too far ahead. And be humble enough to consider others’ ideas and input.
Are you
motoring along, keeping your head down and doing your own thing? While we need
diligent, hardworking peacemakers who keep things moving forward, we also need
them to speak up when things aren’t moving in the right direction. Just this
past year, I learned there is a way to respectfully address concerns about the
direction our churches are going without being prideful and argumentative,
without seeking to cause descension and division. And when we see issues that
need to be addressed, it just may be our job to bring them to light.
Finally,
there are those who are so hurt and wounded that they do their very best to
blend into the shadows. Some are “so done” with church. Do we provide a place
for them to be open and honest? Do we really listen to what they have to say?
Do we consider if there is something we should change, both individually and as
a fellowship? Do we truly weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who
rejoice?
Church, there is a place for every believer in Jesus. He has made each one unique, with specific gifts and talents He has called us to develop and use. Let’s make a place for everyone at the table. (click to tweet this)
And let’s do what James said in James 1:9, “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (ESV).
Steph Beth Nickel
Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
Why do you do what you do? Complacency, contentment, or
conviction?
An onlooker might not be able to tell the difference.
Sometimes even we can’t tell the difference.
It’s what I’ve always done. That’s complacency.
I believe this is right, and it has been confirmed over
and over again. That’s conviction.
But what about contentment?
It may look like complacency, but then again, it just might
be conviction.
Contentment is my word for 2020.
As you may know, I am eclectically interested and
eclectically involved. Too often I’m distracted by the Oo, Shiny! Books, online
courses, careers …
Do you think it’s time to stop buying books (or at least
slow down) when you have over 1,000 physical and ebooks you haven’t yet read?
Most of mine are accessible on my phone. <sigh>
And what about courses and lifetime access to online
conference sessions, some of which were inexpensive, others … not so much?
I’ll buy this healthy living annual subscription and access
to this library of workouts, and I’ll be healthier by the end of the year … if
I access them and put what I learn into practice that is. (We won’t mention
the fact that I was a personal trainer and know what I need to do to get
healthier.)
Of course I’ll maintain my doula certification while
writing, editing, working as our church admin, and helping my hubby clean the
church each week. Sleep? Who needs it? (That would be me.)
To be honest, my whole life might be a case of FOMO, fear of
missing out.
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
In 2020, I will seek to live by my conviction that I have
been called to contentment.
I will read 24-36 of those books I already have.
I will complete at least 12 of those online courses I’ve
purchased and put into practice those things I learn from my paid
subscriptions.
I will devote myself to writing—and publishing—the
books I’ve begun.
I will maintain my doula certification because this is
something I’m passionate about, but I will pace myself and not leave the
requirements of my recertification to the last month or so.
I will stop becoming distracted by the Oo, Shiny! and look
for the sparkle in the opportunities and possessions I already have.
Plus, I will regularly give thanks for my life as it is in
the Here and Now.
How can you grow more content in the year ahead?
Do you have a word of the year? If so, what is it and why
did you choose it?
All the very best in 2020!
Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
If you like Christmas devotionals, check out my guest post at Patti’s Porch. Someone who comments on the post (on that site, not here) will win a print or ebook copy of my daily devotional book, A Year of Tenacity. Draw is on December 17, 2019. Link: This is the Lord’s Battle.
Can you
believe it? In a little over a month it will be 2020. Does that sound as
futuristic to you as it does to me? (Maybe I’m just showing my age.
<grin>)
I like to
make plans for the new year at the end of November.
Here are
six reasons to do so:
Making
New Year’s resolutions has a built-in expectation of failure. Let’s face it,
most resolutions get tossed aside before the end of January.
If
we leave planning until the end of the year, we don’t feel as if we have as
much time to fine tune our plans with January 1 looming before us.
We
may feel pressured by all the yearend advertising. Join this gym. Buy this
discounted bundle online. (Guilty.) Make this the year you do … (I’m sure you
can fill in the blank with any number of things.)
If
we “test run” our resolutions next month, we can do so with a minimal number of
onlookers. (Hey, even the gyms are less crowded in December.)
And
if we start in December, we can see what works and what may be best set aside.
But don’t forget to give yourself grace since many of us are especially busy
during the holiday season.
And
if you’re just coming off the writing high of trying to pump out 50,000 words
in November (NaNoWriMo), you may feel as if you can conquer the world. Why not
start before the feeling fade? (I will be away for part of the weekend. A dear
friend’s mother passed away this past week, and the service is on Saturday.
However, I’m hoping to hit 50K before getting on the road. It would be the
first time ever.)
Many of us
choose a word for the coming year. And if we’re Christians, we may feel the
Lord has laid something on our heart. That is the case for me this year. I
believe 2020 is to be my personal year of contentment, which is not to be
confused with complacency.
So, just
how can our Word of the Year line up with our List of Goals? (Notice, I didn’t
call them resolutions.)
Here are
six of my goals, all of which should lead to greater contentment. (Hint: It’s
best to frame goals as positive statements. Negative ones just make us feel as
if we’ve failed up to this point.)
If
you know me, you realize I am eclectically interested and eclectically
involved. Call it the Oo, Shiny Syndrome, the Butterfly Syndrome (I have a
tendency to flit from one thing to the next to the next), or just call it Oh,
Squirrel! Regardless, my goal is to focus more on the task(s) at hand and only
pursue something new if I’ve thought it through and maybe, just maybe, set
something else aside. (That is almost painful to commit to. Who says we can’t
spin two dozen plates at the same time?)
Narrowing
my focus means it’s far more likely than I can do some of those things I’ve
been planning for years, things like publishing a novel and a nonfiction book.
There, I’ve said it. I won’t only be content if I birth these two book babies,
I will be ecstatic.
Between
a gym membership, online fitness site memberships, and the DVDs I have on hand,
there is no reason I can’t be stronger and healthier by the end of 2020 than I
am now. That plus the fact that I actually like to exercise. Yes, I am one of
those weird people.
Hand
in hand with getting more exercise is the importance of eating a nourishing
diet. To all of you who do, kudos! Really! By the end of 2020, I want to be
consistently eating more healthfully. I’m not committing to perfection,
whatever that may mean, but the more I eat healthy foods, the more I want to do
so. I already know that. It’s just a matter of putting the knowing into
practice—and using all those fancy gadgets and cookbooks I’ve purchased, hoping
they’ll motivate me to do better.
My
To Be Read (TBR) pile is monumentally high. Plus, several of my favourite
authors will be releasing new books that I will be tempted to buy over the next
12-13 months. Contentment doesn’t necessarily mean I won’t buy some of these
books, but it does mean I will deliberately get to some of those books I have
neglected far too long.
And
speaking of books, I have numerous versions of the Scriptures—and access to the
others online. While I will be using some of the Bible study tools I have on
hand, I don’t need anything more than my Bible to grow in my faith over the
coming year. The plan is to focus more on reading God’s Word than being
distracted by all the shiny study resources that are sure to come to my
attention.
So, what
about you? Do you have a word for 2020? Have you set some goals for yourself?
I’d love to hear about it.
May 2020
overflow with the very richest of blessings!
Tweetable: 6 Reasons to make your plans for the new year at the end of November. Via #StephBethNickel #2020 #newyearsresolutions #goals [Click to tweet]
Steph Beth Nickel
Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
Melancholy or sanguine? Introvert or extrovert? Director or
connector? Analytic or expressive? Enneagram 2 or enneagram 7?
If you’ve ever taken a personality test, some or all of
these terms may be familiar to you. (I love taking quizzes. I’m pretty sure I
can chalk it up to my personality type.)
Introverts and Extroverts
Maybe the most familiar terms are introvert and extrovert—and
the more recently coined ambivert.
While there is much literature and more than a few GIFs that
explain what it means to be an introvert, it really clicked for me when I
discovered how introverts and extroverts recharge.
Typically, spending time with people drains an introvert and
energizes an extrovert.
An introvert isn’t necessarily shy and reserved. They may
enjoy spending time with family and friends. They may love to be out and about.
But there comes a time, they have to spend some time alone. Otherwise, they
will feel completely depleted.
On the other hand, an extrovert may be exhausted, wanting
nothing more than to curl up on the couch and spend the evening reading a good
book or binge-watching Netflix. However, if they have to go to a function, they
may very well be the last one to leave. Time with people whose company they
enjoy can be even more energizing than an evening on the couch.
As an extrovert “on steroids”, I can’t tell you how much I
appreciate the introverts who call me friend. Trust me, I know how
annoying I can be. <grin>
We must learn to appreciate those with different personality
types. God has made us unique and we need one another.
I think it’s humorous that I am the only extrovert in my
family. My husband, daughter, and two sons are all introverts. My firstborn may
technically be an ambivert, but he definitely falls on the introvert side of
centre. For the most part, he would be happy spending the majority of his time
at home with his wife and their six guinea pigs.
Connectors, Inspectors, Directors, and Reflectors
Not only is it a good thing to know your own personality
type. It is also helpful to know your spouse’s. In my case, I have been married
to an amazing man for over 35 years, an amazing man who couldn’t be more
different from me.
As I mentioned, he is an introvert.
Dave is also a reflector, while I’m a connector.
Reflectors “take time to listen to others, making them feel
seen and heard; drop what [they’re] doing to help someone in need; and exude a
sense of calm confidence that helps others relax when their around.” (Exhale
… p. 119)
Connectors “make everyone feel welcome, wanted, included;
exude an upbeat, optimistic mood; and enjoy taking center stage.” (Exhale … p.
116)
Of course, people rarely fit neatly into a particular box,
but we have definite leanings.
I first learned about this test from Cheri Gregory and Amy
Carroll, the hosts of the Grit ‘n’ Grace Podcast and the authors of Exhale:
Lose Who You’re Not, Love Who You Are, Live Your One Life Well.
(Don’t let the title mislead you. This is not merely a
self-help book written to make readers feel good about themselves. These ladies
truly love the Lord and want each of their readers to discover who God made
them to be.)
I learned about these personality types from Kathi Lipp and
Cheri Gregory, in their book You Don’t Have to Try So Hard: Ditch
Expectations and Live Your Own Best Life.
Sometimes, you only have to read the list to find out where
you fit.
While I try to be amiable, I definitely qualify as an
expressive. Our top emotional needs are “attention, affection, and approval.”
Our God-given assets include being having a good sense of humor, being good on
stage, and having a sensitive heart. Our potential liabilities include being a
compulsive talker, scaring people off, and being too happy for some people. (You
Don’t Have to Try So Hard … pp. 43-44)
And thankfully, my hubby is an amiable. I’m not quite sure
who else could put up with my compulsive talking and over-the-top happiness.
Amiables need “respect, self-worth, and harmony.” They have “low-key
personalities; are calm, cool, and collected; and are happily reconciled to
life.” They may be indecisive, shy, and compromising.
Challenge
Take a personality test and encourage someone close to you
to do the same.
As you learn more about yourself and those closest too you,
you will be better able to appreciate the strengths and extend grace when it
comes to the areas of potential weakness in yourself and others.
Tweetables
Typically, spending time with people drains an introvert and energizes an extrovert. (click to tweet)
Appreciate others’ strengths and extend grace when it comes to areas of potential weakness. (click to tweet)
Steph Beth Nickel
Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
At the risk of sounding cliché, the possibilities really are
endless.
How should I pursue publication?
Should I look for an agent and try to get a traditional
deal?
Should I self-publish my work?
Should I do both and become a hybrid author?
If I choose to self-publish, what will I do myself?
Format my manuscript? Create a book cover? Edit my book?
And if we’re Christian, we likely want to be certain that we’re
fulfilling God’s call on our life—and going about it as He would want us to.
But how can we know that we’re following the path He has set out for us?
Writer or not, there are a number of ways to do so—and
they’re not as mysterious as we may think.
Study God’s Word.
The Scriptures are the Lord’s primary means of communicating
with us. It’s important to become familiar with what they say and what they
mean in context.
In God’s Word we find specific instructions and principles
that apply to every area of life.
Seek to obey His commands and directives.
Are we seeking, in God’s strength, to walk in obedience to
Him? As we do, He sheds light on the path before us and enables us to take the
next step on the journey.
Spend time in prayer.
Sometimes, it’s as we pray for guidance that He gives it. At
other times, it’s as we’re praying for others that the Lord nudges us in the
direction He wants us to take.
Seek godly counsel.
Wise counsellors may be members of our family or fellow
members of our church. They may be friends, neighbours, or even those we’ve
developed relationships with online.
Wise counsel, direction that honours the Lord, points us in
the right direction—even if it’s not what we want to hear.
And we can rest assured that it will never contradict the
clear commands in God’s Word.
Use your talents and abilities as you have opportunity.
While we are responsible to develop them, God gave us our
talents and abilities. They are often a good indicator of the route we should
pursue.
Pursue that passion that just won’t go away.
We can’t do everything we’d like to do in this life. (Ask me
how I know this. <grin>)
Still, if there is a God-honouring passion that never leaves
us, no matter what our circumstances and season of life, it’s likely something
the Lord wants us to investigate—and possibly, pursue.
Persevere.
I recently heard that there are writers who give up because
the words just aren’t flowing. These individuals figure if God wants them to
write, He will give them the words and it will be easy.
Any of us who have written anything from a Facebook status
to a full-length novel know there are times it’s far from easy. The right words
seem as elusive as the bat my hubby can’t find in our house (but that’s another
story).
Still, the Scriptures have much to say about perseverance.
And if God has put it on your heart to write, I encourage you to persevere.
Develop your skills. And continue to seek Him for guidance and direction.
Tweetables
Wise counsel, direction that honours the Lord, points us in the right direction—even if it’s not what we want to hear. (click to tweet)
If there is a God-honouring passion that never leaves us, it’s likely something the Lord wants us to investigate. (click to tweet)
Any of us who have written anything from a Facebook status to a full-length novel know there are times it’s far from easy. (click to tweet)
Steph Beth Nickel
Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography
Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
