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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Critique/Review (for writers) (05/06/10)
Blessed are you when you think your writing is so bad that it is fit for nothing but to be cast into the trash bin. Rejoice greatly when you realize that this work, laying amid multitudes of other trashed writing rubbish, is not to be destined for eternal extinction. Others may pat you on the back for such mediocrity but do not be deceived by false flattery – only the truth, spoken in kindness, will bring about the necessary improvement that is required.

Blessed are you when you are disappointed by your writing efforts and your lack of brilliance. Rejoice that others will stand with you and comfort you with their testimonies of similarity. Avoid being discouraged by those who are writing better than most, but look to them to give you honest encouragement, advice and help. You are blessed indeed if a gifted mentor comes alongside you to review your efforts and train you for my writing service.

Blessed are you when critics treat your efforts harshly and wrongly speak of your work for my name's sake. Rejoice that you are suffering at their hands – they are the ones who hate those who write for my glory. They will speak well of you if you stoop to join them. You will do well to resist this temptation and serve only me. They have their reward: the praise of men! Resist their efforts to bring you down to their level.

Blessed are you when others toss your finished work on the fire, for humanity has also treated my Word with similar disdain. Rejoice that you are being withstood by a world that cannot stand the truth, so resolve to stand for me alone. Seek my approval and not the acclaim of others - man cannot serve two masters – a true servant will follow only me and not another. When the world praises you then know you have ceased to write for me. Serve me and my people with your writing!

Blessed are you when you are falsely accused and attacked for being honest in recording the truth. Rejoice in your sufferings knowing that false prophets accused me likewise. Brood over your work and look neither to the left nor right but steadfastly write for me and shun all their cruel words. Remember your body is a living sacrifice to me. Be my hands and mouth to a dying world. All other efforts are unworthy in a true servant of mine.

Blessed are you when you are kind and even handed in your criticism of the work of others. Rejoice for a reward will be reciprocated by my own hand. Great works fail because of selfish ambition – I would esteem a child's scribble above the greatest masterpiece of a Godless genius. My truth is written in my blood and I will not stamp a person's work who omits it or bless those who are ashamed to write of my truth. Servant, be faithful to me!

Blessed are you my peacemaker for you are truly serving me the Prince of Peace. Rejoice at how you can offer hope to tormented writers who are languishing for respite and encouragement. Your service is not your creative ability but it is the ministry of reconciliation that I have entrusted to you. Make your works count and portray my eternal love and forgiveness to all. How can you write for me if you have an unresolved offence against another? Encourage my saints!

Blessed are you who have been called to the ministry of writing. Rejoice when you can state in honesty that you are writing solely for me. Lift up those who are bowed down by unkind criticism and thoughtlessness and be my representative to raise them up and spur them on to new creative endeavors. Be willing to esteem another's work rather than your own and know your true worth by letting me be the final judge of all things and seek above all else: My Approval and Praise!
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This article has been read 1337 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Shipman
05/17/10
Clever title! Beatitudes for writers - so original, and also very encouraging!
Kimberly Russell
05/17/10
Nicely done and very encouraging. Good job.
Jan Ackerson
05/17/10
Clever idea--I don't believe there's another entry with anything remotely like this concept.

I found a few of the paragraphs too similar to each other in content.

This is definitely something that all writers should heed, and it was one that really spoke to me.
AnneRene' Capp
05/17/10
This is so right on! Extremely creative and even more encouraging. Amen :)
LINDA GERMAIN 
05/17/10
My first reponse? Sure wish I had thought of this! Loved it~
Connie Dixon
05/17/10
All for His glory. Amen and Amen. Lots of good lessons in this entry. Thank you.
Lyn Churchyard
05/17/10
Oh well done! Not only original and creative, but a good lesson for a Christian writer. After all, we are playing for an audience of ONE!
Beth LaBuff 
05/19/10
I love your creativity with this entry (and your title). The recurring "Blessed" and "Rejoice" is excellent. Super work!
Mona Purvis
05/19/10
I've been blessed by reading this! Splendid entry.

Mona
Sara Harricharan
05/19/10
I love this! Very nice the way you crafted this and it is so encouraging on SO many levels.
Rachel Phelps
05/19/10
This is an excellent take on the topic - fun, thought-provoking and a great read.
Author Unknown
05/19/10
Nicely done! A creative spin on the topic. I'm not sure why all the italics, but that's not a big deal.

I agree with Jan about the similar paragraphs- it seems like you were trying to rework the whole beatitudes for this, but maybe a summation of the similar ones would have worked, too.

Overall, I really enjoyed this, and how encouraging!

(although, I take small personal issue with if you ever get praise from a non-Christian than you didn't write it from God-- because frankly, I hope my writing reaches more than just Christians-- but that's my hang up- I think you were trying to go for more the beatitudes language there.)

Very well done. Much applause here.
Karen Macor
05/19/10
Creative and pertinent. I found this spoke directly to me. Thanks for writing it.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
05/19/10
Clever approach. The last one was my favorite.
Lisha Hunnicutt
05/19/10
I needed this. Writing can be discouraging and oh so rewarding. I struggle to make sure that I keep my heart in check. I want to write for the right reasons and not let selfish ambition take over. I think this piece was well-crafted and deserving of all the positive comments written.