Good morning :)
It's Friday so that means I get to spotlight a blog on the devotional list. I love doing this :) I love reading the responses and learning more about the wonderful people who write devotional blogs. I hope you do as well. If you are in the directory and would like to be in the spotlight, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain at yahoo dot com :) If you'd like to be added to the directory, please send an email to the same address.
Today's spotlight is Rebecca Aarup-- Undivided.
She was nice enough to answer a bunch of questions for us :)
1. Why do you write devotionals?
I write devotionals for many reasons. First and foremost because I believe it is a ministry God has called me to. Secondly, I don’t want to waste my experiences. If something I’ve been through can help someone else, I want to be attentive to that need. God’s Word is exhaustive—it covers every subject, every type of pain, and every circumstance imaginable. Devotionals are excellent ways to dive into the depths of Truth (the Bible) and apply it to every-day living.
2. What is your favorite thing about writing devotionals?
I love taking little nuggets of truth, perhaps things easily overlooked, and addressing them in a short devotional. In Bible College I recently sat through lectures on Revelation 4 & 5 and was brought to tears at the reality of what awaits those who have trusted Christ. I was especially surprised at what Rev 5:8 said concerning prayer, which gave birth to a devotional touching on the subject of prayer in a different way than one might be used to. Of course, that is one example of thousands.
3. What is your favorite book of the Bible to write over?
Oh boy, this question is impossible to answer. I can tell you my favorite chapter is Psalm 119, and I spent about 18 months studying it. I have learned to love God’s word, all of it, through the study of this Psalm. All Scripture is inspired and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16) and I really believe that. It is all precious to me and a privilege to write about.
4. Do you have a general idea what you are going to write over, or do you find a verse and just free write?
Most often I am in the middle of doing something completely unrelated when a spiritual truth will strike me about a situation. I have notebooks all over my house, in my purse, in the car…everywhere. When the idea hits I jot it down and take the research from there. Truthfully I don’t like taking random verses out of context and making them fit into my theme, rather, I try to take the word of God and expound on a theme already presented.
5. What made you decide to write?
I remember reading and writing at a very young age. The first “book” I ever wrote was about my pet hamster that died—I was 8. I never pursued publishing that one. Over the years I have always enjoyed reading and writing. But it was only recently (March 2012) that I decided to focus on writing full time, including going back to school and getting a degree in Biblical studies. God has opened many doors in a short amount of time, and I am extremely blessed in that.
6. What is your favorite part of having a devotional blog?
Meeting new people and developing relationships that otherwise would never have been possible. One woman emailed me to thank me for posting the things I have about addiction and eating disorders, and through that we developed a sort of “email” friendship and accountability. Another reader sent me a book she had written and self-published so I could review it and give her my opinion (which still blows my mind that she cared what I thought) and now we email back and forth encouraging each other.
7. What is the hardest part of having a devotional blog?
For me, the hardest part is dealing with rejection. Not everyone will like everything I write, and though I usually accept this for what it is, it can still be difficult to get negative feedback—or no feedback at all. I try to remember that I am writing for an audience of One, and to focus on pleasing Him instead of everyone else.
8. Do you have a favorite post? What was it about?
Wow, that’s tough. My recent post “Every Prayer Uttered” is on the top of the list. The knowledge of Rev. 5:8 simply brings me to tears.
9. Do you ever find yourself writing about topics you need to be working on?
I find that I ONLY write about topics I need to be working on. I am in no place to preach to others about what they should be doing unless I am first recognizing my need in that area. And even then I try to approach my writing with transparency. It won’t take long for readers to see I don’t hide anything. I don’t hide my failures, my past, or my current struggles. I allow God to use those things to mold me and I am not ashamed to talk about them. It is a part of who I am and how I’ve developed spiritually. God has taken my ugliness and turned it into something beautiful—which is what He wants to do with everyone. Perhaps my biggest pet peeve is the need many Christians have to pretend like they are “ok” all of the time, and put on a happy face at church when deep down they are really struggling. We should be comfortable around our brothers and sisters in Christ; we should be comfortable enough to reach out for help and confess our sins to one another (James 5:16) as we seek healing.
10. If you can’t for the life of you decide on a devotional, what is your back up plan?
Re-blog an old post or the post of a friend! I’ve done that a few times when I’ve been too busy to post something new, or really liked an older post that I felt should be re-visited.
11. Tell us about yourself: family, kids, schooling, (You don’t have to get too personal if you don’t want)
I’m in a unique situation. During my “wandering” years I met and married a man who was not a believer. Now I live in an unequally yoked situation, which is probably the biggest challenge I face in my Christian life. However, through that relationship my beautiful daughter, Samantha, was born (who recently turned 5). It was through her birth that God brought me back to Him and completely—radically—changed my life. I am now a student at Liberty University, as I mentioned earlier, seeking a degree in Biblical studies. I’ve also taken courses on journalism, devotional, and therapeutic writing. I work from home on my writing, attend school full time, home-school my daughter, and am involved in several ministries at my church. Life is full, to say the least.
12. Do you have a verse you try to live by (a life verse)? If so, what is it?
My life verse is probably not what most would consider “typical” but nevertheless, it is one of the most precious to me, and once again, moves me to tears just about every time I read it.
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?...[Insert list of all the vile things you can imagine people doing here]…And that is what some of you WERE. But you were WASHED, you were SANCTIFIED, you were JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
I am not defined by my past anymore, I am defined by who God says I am—washed, sanctified, and justified. Precious words to a wretched sinner like me.
13. How did you come up with your blog color scheme?
I love photography, and both of my blogs utilize my own photos. I usually try to pull out some of the more unusual tones from the pictures to use as accent colors.
14. What is one life lesson God has taught you either through blogging or in general?
Through blogging: I care far too much what people think of me and my writing abilities. It is literally an issue I must daily surrender.
In general: I care far too much what people think of me. J Once again, I must daily surrender this issue to Christ and rely on Him alone for my security. Whether or not I ever publish a book, am liked by others, or even utilized in any “major” way (as far as the world views success and purpose), I know that as long as I’m doing what God has called me to do, then I am “good enough” for the One who truly cares for me and my every physical and emotional need. Something I try to remember: I’d rather do one thing well then a dozen things in mediocrity. This keeps me from being overwhelmed in “busy-ness” and focused only on the things which I’ve been called to. All for the glory of God~
Thank you so much for being in our spotlight 'hotseat', Rebecca! Folks, please visit her blogs: Undivided www.rebeccaaarup.com S.E.R.V.A.N.T. Sisters www.servantsisters.org .
Thanks :)
~Kelly
It's Friday so that means I get to spotlight a blog on the devotional list. I love doing this :) I love reading the responses and learning more about the wonderful people who write devotional blogs. I hope you do as well. If you are in the directory and would like to be in the spotlight, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain at yahoo dot com :) If you'd like to be added to the directory, please send an email to the same address.
Today's spotlight is Rebecca Aarup-- Undivided.
She was nice enough to answer a bunch of questions for us :)
1. Why do you write devotionals?
I write devotionals for many reasons. First and foremost because I believe it is a ministry God has called me to. Secondly, I don’t want to waste my experiences. If something I’ve been through can help someone else, I want to be attentive to that need. God’s Word is exhaustive—it covers every subject, every type of pain, and every circumstance imaginable. Devotionals are excellent ways to dive into the depths of Truth (the Bible) and apply it to every-day living.
2. What is your favorite thing about writing devotionals?
I love taking little nuggets of truth, perhaps things easily overlooked, and addressing them in a short devotional. In Bible College I recently sat through lectures on Revelation 4 & 5 and was brought to tears at the reality of what awaits those who have trusted Christ. I was especially surprised at what Rev 5:8 said concerning prayer, which gave birth to a devotional touching on the subject of prayer in a different way than one might be used to. Of course, that is one example of thousands.
3. What is your favorite book of the Bible to write over?
Oh boy, this question is impossible to answer. I can tell you my favorite chapter is Psalm 119, and I spent about 18 months studying it. I have learned to love God’s word, all of it, through the study of this Psalm. All Scripture is inspired and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16) and I really believe that. It is all precious to me and a privilege to write about.
4. Do you have a general idea what you are going to write over, or do you find a verse and just free write?
Most often I am in the middle of doing something completely unrelated when a spiritual truth will strike me about a situation. I have notebooks all over my house, in my purse, in the car…everywhere. When the idea hits I jot it down and take the research from there. Truthfully I don’t like taking random verses out of context and making them fit into my theme, rather, I try to take the word of God and expound on a theme already presented.
5. What made you decide to write?
I remember reading and writing at a very young age. The first “book” I ever wrote was about my pet hamster that died—I was 8. I never pursued publishing that one. Over the years I have always enjoyed reading and writing. But it was only recently (March 2012) that I decided to focus on writing full time, including going back to school and getting a degree in Biblical studies. God has opened many doors in a short amount of time, and I am extremely blessed in that.
6. What is your favorite part of having a devotional blog?
Meeting new people and developing relationships that otherwise would never have been possible. One woman emailed me to thank me for posting the things I have about addiction and eating disorders, and through that we developed a sort of “email” friendship and accountability. Another reader sent me a book she had written and self-published so I could review it and give her my opinion (which still blows my mind that she cared what I thought) and now we email back and forth encouraging each other.
7. What is the hardest part of having a devotional blog?
For me, the hardest part is dealing with rejection. Not everyone will like everything I write, and though I usually accept this for what it is, it can still be difficult to get negative feedback—or no feedback at all. I try to remember that I am writing for an audience of One, and to focus on pleasing Him instead of everyone else.
8. Do you have a favorite post? What was it about?
Wow, that’s tough. My recent post “Every Prayer Uttered” is on the top of the list. The knowledge of Rev. 5:8 simply brings me to tears.
9. Do you ever find yourself writing about topics you need to be working on?
I find that I ONLY write about topics I need to be working on. I am in no place to preach to others about what they should be doing unless I am first recognizing my need in that area. And even then I try to approach my writing with transparency. It won’t take long for readers to see I don’t hide anything. I don’t hide my failures, my past, or my current struggles. I allow God to use those things to mold me and I am not ashamed to talk about them. It is a part of who I am and how I’ve developed spiritually. God has taken my ugliness and turned it into something beautiful—which is what He wants to do with everyone. Perhaps my biggest pet peeve is the need many Christians have to pretend like they are “ok” all of the time, and put on a happy face at church when deep down they are really struggling. We should be comfortable around our brothers and sisters in Christ; we should be comfortable enough to reach out for help and confess our sins to one another (James 5:16) as we seek healing.
10. If you can’t for the life of you decide on a devotional, what is your back up plan?
Re-blog an old post or the post of a friend! I’ve done that a few times when I’ve been too busy to post something new, or really liked an older post that I felt should be re-visited.
11. Tell us about yourself: family, kids, schooling, (You don’t have to get too personal if you don’t want)
I’m in a unique situation. During my “wandering” years I met and married a man who was not a believer. Now I live in an unequally yoked situation, which is probably the biggest challenge I face in my Christian life. However, through that relationship my beautiful daughter, Samantha, was born (who recently turned 5). It was through her birth that God brought me back to Him and completely—radically—changed my life. I am now a student at Liberty University, as I mentioned earlier, seeking a degree in Biblical studies. I’ve also taken courses on journalism, devotional, and therapeutic writing. I work from home on my writing, attend school full time, home-school my daughter, and am involved in several ministries at my church. Life is full, to say the least.
12. Do you have a verse you try to live by (a life verse)? If so, what is it?
My life verse is probably not what most would consider “typical” but nevertheless, it is one of the most precious to me, and once again, moves me to tears just about every time I read it.
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?...[Insert list of all the vile things you can imagine people doing here]…And that is what some of you WERE. But you were WASHED, you were SANCTIFIED, you were JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
I am not defined by my past anymore, I am defined by who God says I am—washed, sanctified, and justified. Precious words to a wretched sinner like me.
13. How did you come up with your blog color scheme?
I love photography, and both of my blogs utilize my own photos. I usually try to pull out some of the more unusual tones from the pictures to use as accent colors.
14. What is one life lesson God has taught you either through blogging or in general?
Through blogging: I care far too much what people think of me and my writing abilities. It is literally an issue I must daily surrender.
In general: I care far too much what people think of me. J Once again, I must daily surrender this issue to Christ and rely on Him alone for my security. Whether or not I ever publish a book, am liked by others, or even utilized in any “major” way (as far as the world views success and purpose), I know that as long as I’m doing what God has called me to do, then I am “good enough” for the One who truly cares for me and my every physical and emotional need. Something I try to remember: I’d rather do one thing well then a dozen things in mediocrity. This keeps me from being overwhelmed in “busy-ness” and focused only on the things which I’ve been called to. All for the glory of God~
Thank you so much for being in our spotlight 'hotseat', Rebecca! Folks, please visit her blogs: Undivided www.rebeccaaarup.com S.E.R.V.A.N.T. Sisters www.servantsisters.org .
Thanks :)
~Kelly
Nice to meet you Rebecca !!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. Nice to meet you too!
ReplyDelete