by Niki Turner
I'm sort of the oddball around here. I've never met ANY of the Inkies in person. (Can you hear the sad strains of that tiny violin in the background?)
But that brings me to my point for today's blog-o-versary post. We've kept faith on our weekly Thursday schedule, complete with this lovely new header from the secret design studios of the amazing Miss Lisa...
... because faith is the glue that has bound us all together. We come from a smorgasbord of denominational and doctrinal backgrounds. A few of us are (or have been) pastor's wives or missionaries. Some are laypersons in their local church families. We've got family members who are believers, and family members who aren't. In short, we're a lot like our readers... a mixed bag. But underlying every blog post and comment and celebration of first (or second, or third...) book sale, is a shared faith in Christ that empowers us, energizes us, and keeps us not just blogging, but trusting God and praying for and encouraging one another. And, in turn, encouraging and edifying our readers, we hope!
I can't think of a better way to close this first faith post of Inkwell Inspiration's new year than with a prayer, the Apostle Paul's prayer from the epistle to the Philippians. It's my heart for all my Inkie sisters, and our heart for all of you, our readers, as well!
Blessings, everyone! And don't forget to sign up for one of the blog-o-versary prizes, too!I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Phil 1:3-11 NKJV
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To celebrate our Blog-o-versary,
we are giving away five prizes!
we are giving away five prizes!
Giveaways include:
1. Winner's choice of any one Inky Ebook available on Amazon for Kindle
2. Winner's choice of one of these three: Letters in the Attic, A Key in the Attic, or In Honor Bound by DeAnna Julie Dodson
3. A $10.00 Starbucks gift card to one winner
4. A $10.00 Amazon gift card to one winner.
5. A copy of Cascades Christmas, Gina Welborn's newest release
That's FIVE winners!
Please remember - you can't win if you don't leave your email address.
I love when Christians can come together across denominational lines and join in unity towards a common goal :) Niki, I have a trip to Colorado in the spring for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Do you know if that's anywhere near you? Because the violin music is pretty but too too sad.
ReplyDeleteYou are??? Awesome! That's the one in May, correct? In Estes Park? That's about 4-1/2 hours from me, very manageable, barring the odd May blizzard! I will put it on my calendar. Even if I can't swing the conference I ought to be able to get over the hill and say hi!
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading, Niki, I paused on the comment about coming from different denominations . . . and thought, "Thank you, Jesus!" The sisterhood we have in Christ binds us. And not just us to one another, but us to other Believers.
ReplyDeleteLately one verse has been mulling around in my mind. It's when Jesus tells his disciples to love one another. Why? Because all the world would know they were his disciples by how they loved one another. Well, I used to think Jesus meant "everyone" when he said "one another." But if you read the context, who he was speaking to, then "everyone" means "fellow disciples."
Imagine what an impact Jesus followers would make if we specifically focused on just loving one another. Wouldn't our practice of love and grace then naturally flow to loving others?
xoxo
g
In light of some of the things my husband and I have experienced since leaving ministry, I have to agree, Gina. We seem to have a huge challenge loving each other IN the body of Christ if we have the slightest disagreement in doctrine or in practice.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where we came up with the notion that we have to be in perfect agreement with one another in order to fulfill that command to love one another? Sounds "fleshy," doesn't it?
Yep, that's the one, Niki. I'll be teaching a continuing class and dancing. I haven't really checked out the details yet.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am So Thankful for the fellowship here and I'm glad we are all different. I couldn't stand twelve of me!
ReplyDeleteWe as the body of Christ, the bride of Christ function at such a low percentage of our power. And, it's all about LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE ( Lyrics by Michael W. Smith) Hey, if we can find such picky nits between believers how can we possibly make an impact for Christ to all the other people He just happens to love, too?
Here in Inktropolis, much like we should see in our home churches, everyone has different talents and experiences which make them perfectly fit to serve God and edify each other.
To say it for the umpteenth time, I came here for my 'career goals' DUH. He brought me here to grow in so many other ways, and the writing is just the icing.
thanks Niki.
Now, can we all pray for Blogger and our Love-Hate relationship?
Oh Deb, I concur! God had something bigger and more valuable planned than I think any of us expected three years ago. He's always about relationship, relationship, relationship, IMO. Which brings us back to that love walk discussion...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to forgive Blogger before I can pray for Blogger. *sigh*
Amen! Thank you Niki, for this beautiful post and scripture. I love the bond we all have.
ReplyDeleteOh, I almost forgot to mention - this new faith header is stunning!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing you ladies are to me. I love that we're all different but have surrounded one another with the love of Jesus. God blessed me in more ways than I could have imagined through this fellowship.
ReplyDeleteNiki, it wasn't that long ago that I joined you in a sad violin duet. Now I've met three Inkies. I hope to meet you sometime very, very soon.
Who's met the most Inkies? I'm guessing Anita.
Thanks for the post, Niki.
Good Guess Susie. Anita is everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI think Anita, too.
ReplyDeleteI feel very blessed, too, Susie. I know how much personal growth I've had since we stared. It's been wonderful.
Hi Suzie!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever get my car running long enough to make my road trip, I'll loop up your way after stopping in Vegas to see Jen and SD to see Susie!
Susie,
You got to meet Anita and Suzie AND get your picture taken with Nora Roberts this year. Color me GREEN. : )
The happiest of blogoversaries to all of the wonderful Inkys :)
ReplyDeleteI am loving the new blog look, too!
And here's to another great year of blogging!
crazi.swans at gmail dot com
Thank you from all of us, Faye!
ReplyDeleteA blessed year ahead for you, too!
Faye, I've really appreciated your blog posts. I enjoy book reviews, and you do a great job with yours (and nice to see your mom join in too.)
ReplyDeleteThank you for being one of our faithful visitors and 'commenters'!
Just dropping by to wish you ladies a happy blogversay. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on all of your projects.
Hey Nike!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit. Would you like to be in the drawing?
How did that caffeine work for your computer anyway?
Thanks, Nike, and also for you! Things have really been popping for you this past year!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm glad Angus finally got his own story in Sanctuary Point!
ReplyDeleteNIki, Niki, Niki. I sure hope I get to hug your neck really soon. We need to give that violin player a break! Seriously I love and appreciate you all immensely and am so appreciative to have you in my life.
ReplyDeleteI don't think our different denominations divide us as much as we think or sometimes let them.
Hugs,
Lisa
what a beautiful posting, niki...thanks for sharing the prayer, too.
ReplyDeletei always enjoy visiting w/ you ladies.
blessings,
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I agree with Niki, Nike. You've had a great year. Congratulations. And thank you, Nike, Faye, and Karen, for celebrating with us and for supporting us! Faye, I didn't know you did reviews. Where can I read them?
ReplyDeleteNiki, I have a solution to the sad violin song. Road trip! I think we should all take a trip on Jen's Mother Road. Somehow we can take a detour and converge upon you and haul you with us. You can use it for research for a newspaper article. ;-)
Faith is what brought me to viewing the Inkwell - more specifically, Anita's boldness on the eHarl community boards. i pinged her about her Faith and a cyber-relationship was born. Someday we'll get to meet in person.
ReplyDeleteBasically, Anita linked me to some good blogs for learning writing and the Inkwell was a follow since I wanted to support Anita. Now I get to support other neat ladies too.
God will bless Anita's boldness.
ReplyDeleteW'ere very glad you hang out with us Deb and posted with us. We do have to get Anita out to the east coast one of these days (well, she did go to NYC last year) but I guess we need to target the mid-atlantic.
DebH, I didn't know that! We love Anita's boldness around here, too!
ReplyDeleteKarenK, Thank you!
Lisa, ditto!!!
Suzie, I love the road trip idea!
Congrats...I enjoy your blog and look forward to more fun here!
ReplyDeleteI would like to be in the drawing.
Thanks!
Jackie S.
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net