Two weeks ago we began unpacking the idea of ghostwriting. Be sure to check out the first two posts: Moral and Famous.
One thing I have failed to mention is that I am a ghostwriter. Not just for the Lord. And not for my freelance coworker who's going to make me famous. (I resigned from that job when he said something snarky about Northerners).
As a ghostwriter, I have spent a significant amount of time with my authors trying to identify their voice. I listen to the way she speaks, the way he tells stories, and her patterns of speech. I have to replicate it.
It's a challenging (fun-challenging) job where I set myself aside and speak as someone else. When I write "I," I don't mean "Katie." When I say "we," I may or may not be part of that crowd. My favorite words disappear, and his quips appear.
It takes a lot of practice to sound like someone who isn't Katie. (Then it takes practice to sound like Katie again). It's the process of finding the author's tone or her voice to accurately represent her.
If we are all ghostwriters in that we are all to be invisible and God visible, then we too need to practice finding His voice.
The more time my author and I spend talking, the easier it is for me to pick up on his patterns of speech, word choice, and idiosyncrasies (we all have them).
The more time I spend with the Lord, the easier it is to pick up on His voice as well. Is what I think God is saying consistent with His word? When I open my mouth, am I speaking the voice of the Encourager, Comforter or am I speaking as sinner Katie?
Just like I don't always get voice right in my writing, I certainly don't always get it right in my life.
I tear down instead of building up. I cling to fear rather than trust. I hesitate rather than stepping in obedience.
But I haven't given up. I'm going to keep trying. The end prize will be worth it. Nothing will be for my glory but rather the One who deserves the glory. The God who put up with my blundering, who was willing to work through my failures, who took a chance in me.
<>< Katie
Showing posts with label voice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label voice. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sounding Totally Different
When I was in Costa Rica, we went for a hike on a mountain supposedly to see a beautiful sunset and volcanic eruption. As we were climbing, we could hear this rumbling.
"Is that thunder?" We asked anxiously.
"No, that's the volcano's rumble. They sound totally different," our guide replied in an accent that sounds British when I mock it.
Sheep are no strangers to the "totally different" sound. They're relatively dumb animals but they have the amazing ability to recognize their shepherd's voice from a crowd, even after an extended period of time.
In John 10, Jesus calls His people sheep who recognize His voice, our Shepherd.
Can you hear the total difference in Christ's voice and the voice of others? Sometimes it's easy to discern. Other times it's like differentiating between a volcano rumble and thunder.
You'd think Christ's voice is totally different from anything else we hear. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to discern His voice. I wish I had some tips for recognizing our Shepherd's voice, but it really depends on the situation. However, I have learned that the more time I spend in the Word the more clear His voice is to me.
I have this joke-goal of being able to recognize my entire campus by voice, so I don't have to awkwardly venture in the living room when someone comes to visit. I want to know who's here without leaving my desk. Well, I can't do the whole campus, but I do recognize my suitemates by voice (and other things like how they close the door, where they drop their keys, and how heavily they step). I recognize other frequent visitors by their knocks and noises.
The more time you spend with someone, the easier to recognize his/her voice and behavior patterns. The same is true for God. The more time you spend with Him, the easier it is to recognize His will.
Is it consistent with the God-character shown in the Bible?
Is it totally crazy? (That usually means it's God...)
Is it confirmed through other believers?
Is it constantly on your heart/ mind?
What other tips/questions do you have for differentiating when the voices aren't totally different?
Learning to differentiate,
<>< Katie
"Is that thunder?" We asked anxiously.
"No, that's the volcano's rumble. They sound totally different," our guide replied in an accent that sounds British when I mock it.
Sheep are no strangers to the "totally different" sound. They're relatively dumb animals but they have the amazing ability to recognize their shepherd's voice from a crowd, even after an extended period of time.
In John 10, Jesus calls His people sheep who recognize His voice, our Shepherd.
Can you hear the total difference in Christ's voice and the voice of others? Sometimes it's easy to discern. Other times it's like differentiating between a volcano rumble and thunder.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:14-16Our Costa Rican guide explained the volcano's rumble and thunder would vibrate on the ear differently. I couldn't hear or feel the difference. I have reason to doubt the guide knew the difference too. When we were halfway up the mountains, the heavens opened. We were drenched through our underwear. They sound totally different, eh?
You'd think Christ's voice is totally different from anything else we hear. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to discern His voice. I wish I had some tips for recognizing our Shepherd's voice, but it really depends on the situation. However, I have learned that the more time I spend in the Word the more clear His voice is to me.
I have this joke-goal of being able to recognize my entire campus by voice, so I don't have to awkwardly venture in the living room when someone comes to visit. I want to know who's here without leaving my desk. Well, I can't do the whole campus, but I do recognize my suitemates by voice (and other things like how they close the door, where they drop their keys, and how heavily they step). I recognize other frequent visitors by their knocks and noises.
The more time you spend with someone, the easier to recognize his/her voice and behavior patterns. The same is true for God. The more time you spend with Him, the easier it is to recognize His will.
Is it consistent with the God-character shown in the Bible?
Is it totally crazy? (That usually means it's God...)
Is it confirmed through other believers?
Is it constantly on your heart/ mind?
What other tips/questions do you have for differentiating when the voices aren't totally different?
Learning to differentiate,
<>< Katie
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Our Heavenly Father's Voice
This isn't my God-moment, but it really stuck with me, so I thought I'd share.
A few weeks ago, my friend Neal was really sick with a kidney stone. His wife had gone to the pharmacy to pick up his medication, and he was in bed trying to sleep (or at least resting). No one else was home except that his dad was downstairs on the phone with his mom. Neal said whenever he could hear his dad's voice, there was a wave of peace that blew over him. Whenever his dad stopped talking (to let his mom respond), Neal was suddenly aware of the pain again. Even though he couldn't understand the words, hearing his father's voice from the other side of the house brought Neal inexplicable comfort.
Imagine what it's going to be like when we hear our Heavenly Father's voice. Imagine the comfort, peace, and rest His voice will bring us. Think about the peace and rest we can experience knowing He's here with us today.
Go in peace and serve the Lord,
<>< Katie
A few weeks ago, my friend Neal was really sick with a kidney stone. His wife had gone to the pharmacy to pick up his medication, and he was in bed trying to sleep (or at least resting). No one else was home except that his dad was downstairs on the phone with his mom. Neal said whenever he could hear his dad's voice, there was a wave of peace that blew over him. Whenever his dad stopped talking (to let his mom respond), Neal was suddenly aware of the pain again. Even though he couldn't understand the words, hearing his father's voice from the other side of the house brought Neal inexplicable comfort.
Imagine what it's going to be like when we hear our Heavenly Father's voice. Imagine the comfort, peace, and rest His voice will bring us. Think about the peace and rest we can experience knowing He's here with us today.
Go in peace and serve the Lord,
<>< Katie
Thursday, July 31, 2008
So many memories, so many miles
Four blogs in three days. I must be sick. Actually, I am. :-)
My best friend Mary came over last night. I got home from work and had a splitting headache (remember, the sick part?) and wasn't thrilled about having to play hostess. I kind of vegged around the house and did nothing until about 8:30pm when my phone rang. Without looking at it or talking to her all day, I knew it was Mary, and I knew it was because of the construction. I answered the phone,
"The bridge is out. Sorry, I forgot to tell you."
When she got here, my headache kind of disappeared, and we played games all night long. Cribbage, Life, Scattergories, Stratego, Rack-O, etc. All classic Mary and Katie games. Surprisingly, this time we actually played by the rules and didn't make up our own rules. We've played Cribbage where if you don't want to throw into the crib you don't have to. If you don't like the letter rolled in Scattergories, you can roll again (ok, we did do that a few times, but, come on, how many pizza toppings, diseases, and Biblical women start with "K"?) Although, we still did some of our quirky traditions like naming our kids in Life as they came along...
I've known Mary since I was two. It's fun to hang out with someone like that who knows you soooooo well. We've teased that we aren't allowed to speak at each others' weddings because too many embarrassing stories will come out. Like the flair on facebook says, "We'd better stay friends forever because if we become enemies, we'll have too much blackmail." Even though Mary and I no longer have any common friends, experiences, or hobbies, we can still hold a multi-hour conversation. It's not one-sided. It's not "Oh, you weren't there for that." It's not "Do you know this person?". It's not awkward when the conversation finishes. A few minutes of silence is fine before the next conversation starts itself.
That's how things should be with Jesus. He shouldn't be awkward to talk to. He's always been there. He knows all of the same people. It should be an easy conversation. When the conversation ends, the silence of just being together should be nice before the next conversation begins.
When Mary got hungry while she was here, she didn't ask if I had any food. She'd help herself to the pantry and find food I didn't even know we had. If she wanted something to drink, she found a glass and filled it with ice. Let Jesus raid your pantry. Allow Him to fill your cup! "Have a Mary heart in a Martha world". Sorry, that was bad. See Luke 10. (Did that link really work? That'd make me uber happy if it did!)
After spending twenty-four hours with Mary, I would have expected myself to be sleep deprived. Shocking we were in bed, lights out, talking put on hold by 1 am. It's appalling because we normally try to stay up all night! Even though I got enough sleep, I have no voice. Too much talking (again, remember the sick part?). People here need to learn ASL because I hate not being able to communicate effectively. :-)
<>< Katie
"[Martha] had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. " Luke 10:39
My best friend Mary came over last night. I got home from work and had a splitting headache (remember, the sick part?) and wasn't thrilled about having to play hostess. I kind of vegged around the house and did nothing until about 8:30pm when my phone rang. Without looking at it or talking to her all day, I knew it was Mary, and I knew it was because of the construction. I answered the phone,
"The bridge is out. Sorry, I forgot to tell you."
When she got here, my headache kind of disappeared, and we played games all night long. Cribbage, Life, Scattergories, Stratego, Rack-O, etc. All classic Mary and Katie games. Surprisingly, this time we actually played by the rules and didn't make up our own rules. We've played Cribbage where if you don't want to throw into the crib you don't have to. If you don't like the letter rolled in Scattergories, you can roll again (ok, we did do that a few times, but, come on, how many pizza toppings, diseases, and Biblical women start with "K"?) Although, we still did some of our quirky traditions like naming our kids in Life as they came along...
I've known Mary since I was two. It's fun to hang out with someone like that who knows you soooooo well. We've teased that we aren't allowed to speak at each others' weddings because too many embarrassing stories will come out. Like the flair on facebook says, "We'd better stay friends forever because if we become enemies, we'll have too much blackmail." Even though Mary and I no longer have any common friends, experiences, or hobbies, we can still hold a multi-hour conversation. It's not one-sided. It's not "Oh, you weren't there for that." It's not "Do you know this person?". It's not awkward when the conversation finishes. A few minutes of silence is fine before the next conversation starts itself.
That's how things should be with Jesus. He shouldn't be awkward to talk to. He's always been there. He knows all of the same people. It should be an easy conversation. When the conversation ends, the silence of just being together should be nice before the next conversation begins.
When Mary got hungry while she was here, she didn't ask if I had any food. She'd help herself to the pantry and find food I didn't even know we had. If she wanted something to drink, she found a glass and filled it with ice. Let Jesus raid your pantry. Allow Him to fill your cup! "Have a Mary heart in a Martha world". Sorry, that was bad. See Luke 10. (Did that link really work? That'd make me uber happy if it did!)
After spending twenty-four hours with Mary, I would have expected myself to be sleep deprived. Shocking we were in bed, lights out, talking put on hold by 1 am. It's appalling because we normally try to stay up all night! Even though I got enough sleep, I have no voice. Too much talking (again, remember the sick part?). People here need to learn ASL because I hate not being able to communicate effectively. :-)
<>< Katie
"[Martha] had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. " Luke 10:39
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