The Journey
Week of 10.7.12
Cathedral Work: Writing
by Phillip G. Pattee
Excellence. Who doesn’t want to be excellent at what they do? Last week I focused on music.
Now let’s turn our attention to writing. Good writing must effectively communicate the
writer’s thoughts to the reader. Writing for me is a labor-intensive process. Usually, my first
effort is a stream of ideas that, politely put, require refinement before I have something
publishable. Critical feedback and revision are my keys to success. This process requires a
relationship with others. I need a reader to review what I’ve written to see if what I intended is
actually what they understand and whether the ideas resonated. I must want to improve, and
they must encourage, offer advice, and often provide supervision and expertise. Becoming
excellent at your craft requires development, and like many other areas, writing is a team
sport.
Feedback is available from many sources. The internet is one such source I can consult, but its
drawback is that it is generally not a source of encouragement, and the feedback is offered not
as a method to help one improve, but simply as a complaint. Those in the internet crowd have
no relationship with me, are of unknown expertise, and cannot give me specific guidance that
will help me get better. What I’m looking for is a source of evaluation, analysis and input given
and intended to help me grow in my gifts.
To develop my talent, I should learn from those who demonstrate expertise. They won’t always
share my faith, but the relationship can convey an attitude of respect and open up the
possibility for dialogue. An even better approach is to spend time with those in the church who
use their God-given talents and abilities. These are the people from whom I should seek help.
The book of Exodus tells a story of Bezalel and Oholiab, two men that God had endowed with
abilities in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. In addition to their remarkable skill, God had
given them the ability to teach others (Exodus 35:34-35). I thank the people who have invested
their time in me to help me develop my talents. I hope that you will take advantage of
opportunities offered to you to develop your own gifts. To do just that, I have signed up for the
writer’s workshop with Cliff Graham so that I can be encouraged, and develop my abilities.
I want to be an excellent writer because I want to glorify God as the source of my writing talent.
I want to use that talent for His purposes, including encouraging and exhorting others to use
their God-given talents to glorify Him.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.25 Let
us not give up the habit of meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
~ Hebrews 10:24-25
Heartland Community Church, On-Line Journey Devotional
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(You are encouraged to use the SOAP – Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer Method for a guide. Click here to read more
about developing your devotional life. Click here for an example SOAP journal entry. If you don’t own a Bible, pick up "The Story of God"
Bible available for free at the Welcome Center in our atrium.)
Week’s Overview: we’re going to press into the life of King David – weaving in observations
from his life about excellence, people of courage, and making a ‘cathedral work’ with our lives.
{note: if you’re new to our series called ‘A Cathedral Work’, click here to watch the short video
promo.}
monday, 10.8
Read: 1 Samuel 16 (focus v.7); 2 Corinthians 8:7
Study: How do verses 7 in both passages define ‘excellence’ from a kingdom perspective?
Personal: how do you personally find comfort in 1 Samuel 16:7? What challenges you about it?
Action: join us for the writers workshop hosted by bestselling author Cliff Graham, author of
the Lion of War series – along with Heartland’s own Haley Fisher and pastor/author Jon Bowles!
7pm – 8:30pm in HCC’s auditorium. Click here to register.
tuesday, 10.9
Read: 1 Samuel 17; 1 Timothy 3:12; 1 John 3:19-23
Personal: Surely you’ve experienced a moment in your life like David as described in verses 28 –
30. He was falsely accused and wrongly judged. Discouragement could have set in, David
could’ve turned back, but he didn’t. What’s stopping you from going forward?
Action: If you’re a man, it’s not too late to sign up for ManTime this weekend. Click here for
details and to register!
wednesday, 10.10
Read: 1 Samuel 18 (focus v.1); Philippians 2:1-5; Luke 6:31; Matthew 7:12
Personal: Through the passages above we see excellence through the lens of friendship. How
can you practice excellent friendship today?
Heartland Community Church, On-Line Journey Devotional
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thursday, 10.11
Read: 1 Chronicles 11; Matthew 27:27-66
Study: Who says the Bible is for softies? This passage takes place later in David’s life and
features his ‘mighty men.’ The Bible does not shy away from talking about some of his more
fierce moments. It was a different time, for sure, but in it we still see the same God – One who
is marching ultimately towards His final battle on the cross.
Personal: Where are you in battle right now?
Friday - Sunday, 10.12 – 10.14
Read: John 2:12-25; Luke 19:45-48
Study: remember that Jesus was not nice. Kind? Yes. Loving? Of course. But not ‘nice’. In fact,
you could say that He had the same fierce nature of any mighty man. But instead of applying
His strength in military battle, He chose to fight for other things. What are those things?
Personal: How do you need the ferocity of Jesus in your life right now?
Pray: pray for the men of Heartland who are at the ‘ManTime’ retreat in Cameron, Missouri.
Pray for connection, inspiration, and greater courage to follow Jesus.
If you don’t already receive weekly email notification about The Journey, click here to sign up.
Heartland Community Church, On-Line Journey Devotional
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grow (resources to help you in your study)
 Sunday’s Sermon: Click here for podcast, or video
 Books: ‘Day of War’ and ‘Covenant of War’ by Cliff Graham
 Web: lionofwar.com
 Lion of War trailer: click here to watch the promo.
 Cliff Graham would love to hear from you: lionofwarauthor@gmail.com; Twitter: @cliffgraham;
Facebook: cliffgrahamauthor
 click here for more resources – this will link you back to the journey’s main page.
 connect: click here to go to Heartland’s Facebook page
 mobile connections: download the free Heartland app for your iPhone or Android device and access
our resources virtually anywhere
go (action steps)
 prayer? Please send us an email by clicking here
 care? Do you need to talk with someone? Please call us at 913.341.5820 ext. 330
 go—Sign up to serve: email Lisa Zulke by clicking here
 grow—Join a small group, a 1:1 spiritual mentorship, or find about the many other ways to grow
 give—click here to make an online gift to Heartland and learn how you can set up recurring gifts
Heartland Community Church, On-Line Journey Devotional
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