The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Hot and Cold (04/09/09)
This Challenge is fantastic! I wish I'd found it years ago. What a great opportunity to grow as a writer! The topics are so varied, and having to stick to a word limit is such excellent discipline. Being a Christian site there's no danger of stumbling on unhelpful material. In fact reading other people's entries has been such a blessing; every story brings me closer to Jesus. The other writers are such wonderfully kind and encouraging people. I've only known them a few weeks but they feel like life-long buddies. I wish the people in my church were more like them. All I hear in church are grumbles: the sermon was too long, the flowers were wilting, the music was too loud, the tea was too strong. Now, get some of my Faithwriter friends in my church and there'd be less grumbling and more encouragement all round. Maybe Deb would host the next conference here? Now there's an idea! I'll email her right away.

Three weeks later
I don't know who the judges were this week but they sure need their heads read! Placing that pathetic story about the mouse and the elephant first? Bah! Have they no taste? I write a masterpiece about the majesty of God's creation and it doesn't even place. Don't they appreciate good writing when they see it? These people are clearly unworthy of my participation. Perhaps I should start my own writers' forum? It can't be that difficult to organise after all. Hmm, I'll ponder that some more. Interesting topic this week: Space. I feel the creative juices flowing already...

One week later
Yes! Yes! Yes! They loved it! I knew they would! Whoopee! This is the hottest writer's forum in the world. Look at that lovely rosette: second place, level one. Obviously I'd have preferred first place, but I must admit the winning entry was outstanding. Intermediates here I come! And of course there aren't many entrants in level two. I'll blink and wake up in advanced! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Thank you judges! You are wonderful, wonderful, all of you are just wonderful!

Two weeks later
That's that! I'm never entering this stupid competition ever again! I leave all those lovely comments and what do I get back? 'This left me cold'. How dare she? I'm telling you, this whole game leaves me cold. Hypocrites the lot of them. They talk about loving one another and then go and stab you in the back. OK, it had some stylistic weaknesses but I wrote it straight from the heart. She mustn't have a heart at all! If only she could come listen to Pastor Bill. He'd give her what for! That sermon he preached on Sunday all about building one another up in love. Some of these guys could sure do with hearing more about that! And to think of the hours I've wasted on this wretched addiction, when I could have been having coffee with my real friends. Not to mention having to pay to get PMs. What a waste that is! I'll send my money to Oxfam in future. I'm done with Faithwriters. I'm going to start living again!

Three months later
OK, I admit it, I'm back. I couldn't resist checking the site, just to see what the new quarterly theme was. And the rush of inspiration that came! Wow! It can only have been the Holy Spirit himself. Pastor Jakes spoke such sense on God channel yesterday. How did he put it? 'God doesn't need followers who blow hot and cold. He needs people who are in it for the long haul.' I have to admit I could use some improvement there. What better place to practise than in cyberspace, hey? OK Lord, here's the deal. I'll spend a maximum fifteen hours a week on the challenge so I still have time to go to church and all that. I'll not get ruffled when I get nasty comments and I'll only leave nice ones back. That will help with the turn the other cheek business. I won't get riled when I don't win – then I'll grow in humility won't I? (Let's face it, this is only a game!) Lastly I'll pray over my entries so I only write what is glorifying to you and helpful to others. Oh, this is going to be awesome! Become a great writer and a holy woman all in one go. At this rate I'll be ready for heaven in no time!



Author's note. This was written with no intentional reference to any particular challenge entry or any individual competitor. The only person I am poking fun at is myself.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1236 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynda Schultz 
04/16/09
A lot of us can identify. Well done.
Shirley McClay
04/16/09
ROFL... that was awesome. You sure pegged us. Hmmm.. maybe you are a Faithwriter too? LOL. I especially love your Author note!
Linda Payne
04/16/09
This was hysterical! I loved it even though I felt like you must have been writing about me. It's nice to know other people have the same (sometimes not so Christian) thoughts as I do.
Sharlyn Guthrie
04/17/09
Great use of humor and illustration of the topic!
Verna Cole Mitchell 
04/20/09
I really enjoyed your story, found bits of it a little too close for comfort. I especially got a kick out of how smart the judges are when we place.:-)
Diana Smith 
04/20/09
Yowsas - I'm giggling and squirming at the same time. Great take on the topic. I do so adore your honesty and bravery (imagine the PM's you'll get from this one!!) and love that you can poke fun at yourself (and at me - ouch, stop poking!)
Jan Ackerson
04/21/09
Oh, this is rich! Loved every word (and no fair peeking around in my brain like that).
Laury Hubrich 
04/22/09
Yep, you got us all down pat.
Beckie Stewart
04/22/09
Enjoyed this as it poked good fun at me too and my poor responses. Thanks for this entry.
Janice Fitzpatrick
04/22/09
Love it! It's like our feelings and thoughts have leaked out of our ears and found their way on your pc. With a slightly red face I have to admit I could relate to this. This is so funny! They day humor usually has truth to it.:0) Keep it up! God bless ya hon!