Question Mark to Exclamation Point

It was selfish on my part. 

I hoped to make friends at my new church and I wanted to improve my writing, so when the staff was taking questions at the ministry fair I blurted out “Have you considered starting a writer’s group?” 

Josh answered by asking, “What are you doing Tuesday at 10:00?”

“Um… meeting with you about starting a writer’s group?” 


Crossroads Communicators was conceived on that day five years ago. Over the course of time, God has used this group to realize my initial desires: I made new friends and my writing improved. 

But God always has more, and this was no exception. He has done abundantly beyond what I had hoped, and not just in my life.

Little did I know that God would take a question mark and turn it into an exclamation point: one simple question led to the formation of Crossroads Communicators. But then, like the proverbial pebble in the pond: 

  • Books were born 
  • Poems penned 
  • Blogs birthed
  • Curriculum created
    Author Jenn Fromke
  • Ideas encouraged 
  • Creativity cultivated 
  • Plots pondered 
  • Tales told 
  • Articles authored 
  • Stories shaped 
  • Pages published 

Our words travel around the world via the blogosphere, much to our amazement. Believers dive deep in to God’s Word using resources we’ve written. Other times our words leap off pages and are spoken from podiums. 

I couldn’t have imagined what would happen when I asked that selfish question five years ago. But I am forever grateful for a pastor with vision for what could be, for writers desirous to glorify God with pens and keyboards, and ultimately for Jesus, the Word become flesh, the Author of our faith. 

“Your marvelous doings are headline news; I could write a book full of the details of your greatness” (Psalm 145:6 MSG). 



YOU ARE INVITED: Crossroads Communicators is celebrating five years of God’s goodness by hosting a writer’s workshop, led by Vonda Skelton, on Saturday, October 5, 2013. Former members and aspiring writers in the Concord, North Carolina, area are invited to join us. For more information, email Kim Jackson at kimagine320(at)gmail.com.

16 comments:

  1. God really has used you and the others in this group, hasn't he, Kim? So glad he used this group to have me meet you and some of the other women.

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    1. Gail, please hear God's "WELL DONE" in regards to what you have poured in to so many of us! There would be no Wow Dee Wow blog without you, for example! No ongoing WOW blog. Elder Orphan Care has advanced thanks to your "investment of words." Your generosity of knowledge, skill and encouragement has made a huge difference in my life. I could go on and on, but I'll stop now and say "I am so grateful for our friendship, Gail Purath!"

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  2. That is awesome! I wish there was something like that over here on the west coast. You are blessed to be part of such a community! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart

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    1. Thank you for taking time to read and comment, Rachael! I knew I was blessed, but after writing this and reading responses, I realize Crossroads Communicators are much more of a gift than I had considered...thanks for being part of that needed reminder. I pray that God will bring you in to a similar group in His perfect timing!

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  3. Dear Dee
    How I wish I could attend, but South Africa is a tad to far away!
    Luv XX
    Mia

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    1. Mia: Yes, that would be quite a trip! I am sure I will be blogging more about Crossroads Communicators and our upcoming writer's workshop. Thanks for your ongoing encouragement, Mia!

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  4. Hi Kim! I am so happy to be a member of your blog, that will have to take the place of coming to your writers group. What a fabulous idea to start, and you have all had such fun and success together.

    God loves us all, and he sure loves your group! Nice to see you again :)
    Ceil

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    1. Ceil, I am glad you are a member of my blog, too! Thank you for your encouragement.

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  5. Oh, good for you all, Kim! Can I say that I'm jealous??? Thank you for posting on my Wednesday link up. I hope you come each Wednesday and post! You go girl! Love, Juana

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement, Juana! I plan to continue blog hopping, so I will be sure to keep coming to your Wednesday link-up. Thank you for hosting it.

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  6. Congratulations on your group's milestone, Kim! It is wonderful what you are doing in sharing the Good News of the Gospel. I enjoy reading accounts of Pastors and leaders who are open to trying something a little unorthodox but still Scriptural. May the Lord bless you with many more years of writing.

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    1. Julie, thank you for reading, commenting and encouraging! Yes, Crossroads Communicators would not have happened if our leaders had not been open and helpful. We are grateful!

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  7. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story. May God continue to bless you & use you in your writing & speaking! I was your neighbor at the Thrive at Home link up :)

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    1. Thank you for coming over and reading, "neighbor"! I am late in making my visits! I appreciate you taking time to read, comment and encourage. God bless *you*!

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  8. What a blessing to have, and be apart of, such a beautiful community. Thank you for sharing about it on Walking Redeemed last week!

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Each week I write a BOG (Brag On God) post. My prayer is that my words will invite you to brag on God, too. And together we'll make God smile.