BIRTHDAY BASH: Author Guest Post with Cathy Bryant AND Winner Announcement

*My cake from last year*

Today is my birthday, and what a better way to celebrate than with a guest post from an author I admire, respect and love. Please give a warm welcome to Cathy Bryant, and be sure to check out the Miller's Creek novels.




WHY I WRITE
By Cathy Bryant

When Freda asked me to do a guest blog post about my writing, to my surprise I struggled. I wanted the post to have takeaway value for the reader, and not be just a commercial about my writing. So I’ve opted to tell you about why I write, with the hopes that it will give you encouragement and motivation for all you do.

For His Glory
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~1 Corinthians 10:31

We all enjoy getting praise from others for the things we’ve done. We enjoy knowing that someone has recognized our effort. But in all reality, those who belong to Christ should do everything for His glory. That’s not always easy to do, but we should at least make it our aim in life.

For His Name
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~Colossians 3:17

Quite honestly, words have always come easy to me. Deeds?—not always. But God’s word tells us that both our words and deeds are to be done not for our own name but for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Working For Him
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ~Colossians 3:23-24

Writing is much more difficult work than I realized when I started this journey. In fact, if I had known in advance how hard it would be, I probably would have chosen something else. But no matter our occupation, our work is ultimately for Him. We’re not on this planet to serve ourselves, but Him.

To Make Him Known
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. ~2 Corinthians 4:7

We who belong to Christ have a priceless treasure inside us. Light. Good news. We’re here to proclaim Him to the nations. When I started my blog in October 2008, I spent several days on choosing the name. I wanted the title to adequately describe not only who I was, but my mission.

All of us are earthen vessels—clay pots—but for Christ-followers, it’s all about Who dwells within us. Jesus is the Word (John 1). Since He lives with us, we’re all Word vessels, and our mission is to proclaim that Word, shine that Light, spread that Good News to the world.

Heavenly Father,

May all we do be for You and You alone. Help us to remember in the midst of our busy lives that we work for You, and the work You’ve given us to do is make You known. May these earthen vessels be worthy of the Word implanted in them.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen





Author Bio:
A Texas gal since birth, Cathy lives in a century-old Texas farmhouse with her husband of almost thirty years. Her debut novel, Texas Roads, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist, and was published in March 2010. The second book in the Miller’s Creek novels, A Path Less Traveled, came out in November 2010, and the third book in the series, The Way of Grace, will be available in 2011. Cathy has also written several devotionals which have been published in books, magazines, and online. You can learn more about Cathy at her blog, WordVessel http://WordVessel.blogspot.com) and at her website, www.CatBryant.com


Congratulations #37. apple blossom!
You have won a copy of Cathy's latest book A Path Less Traveled. Happy Reading!