I'm taking a "vacation" from writing about writing this weekend :) There were a few general observations I've made about spiritual abuse from what others have gone through and stuff I've read.

• Spiritual abuse seems to share a lot in common with other types of abuse. I've noticed that there are a lot of needless feelings of condemnation and the like with emotional abuse.
• Most spiritually abusive people, at least from what I've seem, appear to lack any real relationship with Christ.
• Spiritually abusive people also seem to want to try to control non-spiritual aspects of peoples' lives. I've often wondered if most people who commit acts of SA have a tendency to be abusive in general.

AJtheIrishLass

There are many different types of writing out there. From niche articles that require special experience to generalized articles that anyone can write with a little research, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Journalism
This is one of the things that comes to mind when most people think of writing. Jobs that involve covering news and events generally require an appropriate degree.

Authoring
People also think of writing books when writing comes to mind. Although it's difficult to get books published by major publishers, there are many reasonable self-publishing and e-book options available.

Academic Writing
This is one of the types of writing that involves the highest pay, but typically involves a degree and teaching credentials. These jobs typically include writing textbooks, study guides and other curriculum areas.

Copywriting
This is a type of writing that involves writing material, or "copy", for advertising purposes. You may be writing copy for brochures, reports, flyers or other material.

Web Copywriting
This type of copywriting involves writing material used on websites. This also includes blogging. In many cases, the writing is used for search engine optimization purposes (SEO).

The last one is the type of writing I do.

AJtheIrishLass

Is it ever too late to become? We see tv commercials now of older people talking about what they want to be when they grow up and chuckle but really once one loses hope of growth, the only thing that remains is death. Is that also true in the spiritual realm? I think Paul voiced that thought many times in many ways.

I feel that many times in my UPC walk, we were encouraged to see the 3 step doctrine as the be all and end all to our salvation. Sure we were told to then keep the 'standards' and behave ourselves but the only potential for growth was in service or giving.

In life though, growth or 'becoming' only truly stops at death, whether a physical death or a spiritual one. While serving others and giving to the cause is many times noble, it is only a small part of growth. To grow, one needs to stretch, to attain, to reach, and to experience anew. Paul called it reaching for the 'high calling' that is in Christ Jesus.

There is so much to reach for in understanding God, Christ, even ourselves and our becoming. God is limited when our only plan has three finite steps and discourages or minimally encourages further growth.

To grow in our relationship to God, one needs the freedom to think, to study, to listen, to realize one's insignifigance but also to realize the potential in living and growing in relationship to an almighty God.

"Study to show thyself approved, a workman that need not be ashamed" - paraphrase from Paul's writings

God is not limited to any belief system, any edition of His word, any group of believers, any manmade doctrine, any interpretation proclaimed by fallable humanity.

God is beyond our human understanding. It is a big mistake to 'make God in our own image'. Like Paul, our goal should be to be ever coming to a knowledge of the the truth.

Jesus loves me THIS I KNOW, the rest is to be discovered as I become and grow until like Paul I can say I have fought the fight and run the race and look for that reward.

Nancy

The answer to this is one I think that will please you guys: Yes, of course! Contrary to popular belief, anyone can learn to write if they make up their mind to it.

What Does It Really Take?

If you can express yourself, explain detailed instructions about something, or describe something that happened to you, you can write. It's a matter of having the ideas in your head and knowing how to put them into a written, instead of verbal, form.

How About Grammar and Spelling?

It's true that nobody can write professionally and have poor grammar and spelling that is uncorrected. This is even true of sites where articles are posted mainly for page views. However, there are numerous tools you can use to help improve both. See the following examples: Commonly mispelled words (comic format), Lots of helpful Grammar Girl tips (blog format)

Some Good Practice Tips

• If you use a journal or diary, write in it regularly. This is better practice than you may realize.
• Still have your HS or college English textbook? Try some of the writing exercises.
• Sign up with a few sites, such as Yahoo! Contributor Network, Helium, Triond or Infobarrel that allow you to write articles in exchange for revenue shares. You won't get rich, but you will have possible portfolio links.
• Consider signing up as a mystery shopper, compliance auditor or retail merchandiser (or all 3). All of these jobs involve writing brief reports about your experiences that will hone your skills. Volition.com lists some reputable options. Avoid sites that require you to pay a fee to be a shopper.

I hope these are some helpful starter tips. My next post will cover the different types of writing jobs you may find.

AJtheIrishLass

This was a lesson title taught by SG Norris at ABI. I loved (and feared) SG and appreciated him immensely but as the years have gone by and my losses have been many, I am realizing the arrogance of any of us to proclaim to know with any certainty 'where are the dead'. Just as life is in God's control --we can't create it or even change it much--so death and the dead are also in God's control. I choose to believe a loving, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, God whose mercy endureth forever, will not leave ANY of us nor forsake us even through our final journey. God is LOVE. I am forever thankful that we are in His hands and not in the hands of those on earth who would decide our destiny based on their limited, finite, self righteous understanding. There is shelter in His arms.

Nancy