spiritual journey
[Response to 2011 KRC Cultural Practice Camp] 3 Texts go deep into the editing camp to find treasures
On the last night of camp, I returned to the hotel and started packing my clothes. By stuffing the heavy books and lectures into the suitcase and checking them in, my seven-year-old son and I were able to board the flight back to Northern California.
After taking care of everything and taking a moment to breathe, an uneasy feeling filled my mind: "What if my luggage is lost?"
Books and clothes can be purchased with money, but the 230-page course notes are Teacher Su Wen'an's secretly edited treasure book; they contain the teacher's tireless teachings, classmates' brainstorming, and my vigor. If the notes written by penji are lost, even a lot of money cannot replace them. The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I became, so I hurriedly opened the box and took out the handout, and carefully put it into my backpack. On the way home, it will be a treasure that I will never leave.
▲In the editing class, Teacher Su’s witty words passed on the fire; Sister Zheng Qiongyu (second from right) and other students understood and were very happy.
priceless treasure
When they first got the handouts, the students all exclaimed in unison: "What a big book!"
Indeed, this is more than a semester's worth of lecture notes at many universities. I have participated in the writing courses taught by Teacher Su three times, from the "Writing Ministry Training Camp", "Writing Advanced and Interview Camp - You have a story and I have a pen", to this time, "Writing Advanced Editing Camp - Become a Chef of the Soul" , the handouts of each course are the writing guidelines that I always keep on my desk. When flipping through the pages, I can always feel the teacher’s passion and persistence in delivering words and ministry burning between the pages.
If "writing, interviewing, and editing" are advanced martial arts that people in the martial arts world strive for, then these handouts are the secrets that millions of people spend their entire lives seeking. According to the rules of the world, the secrets should be hidden in unknown mountains, fairy caves, etc. In this world, only the master and a few lucky disciples have the opportunity to see what's going on and secure their position as the unrivaled number one hero. But this is not the way of thinking and practice of a servant of God.
Teacher Su has invested immeasurable efforts in compiling the teaching materials in detail with the valuable experience accumulated over many years of writing work, and constantly updating the content. Anyone who is willing to learn to serve God with words can get these scriptures and unlimited guidance after class. According to the rules of the world's game, he could treat these information as extremely confidential treasures, lock them in a safe, and devote his energy to running his own kingdom of words, but he chose a different path from the world.
As a "literary pastor" chosen by God, Pastor Su Wen'an not only selflessly supports the underachievers, but also takes pleasure in students' writing achievements, and humbly calls students co-workers who learn from each other. A completely different attitude towards life than the traditional "literary people look down upon" helps us happy students to establish a healthy and correct vision and attitude as soon as we start learning to write, and understand that "workers come before work" is an essential criterion for ministers.
After attending a word camp for the first time in Northern California in January 2010, I unexpectedly embarked on a journey of spiritual discovery and healing. I am a student who does not work very hard, and I practice the "Qi Mei Movement" intermittently. Even so, the "Qiyi Movement" is still like a therapeutic searchlight, which not only illuminates the poverty, lack and darkness in my heart, but also lights up the light that will never be lost. It fertilizes the soil of the heart, cultivates a spiritual place that has never been visited before, and gradually drives away the coldness and darkness.
From the practice, I saw that relying on God’s grace can infinitely expand the boundaries of the heart. The words written by my pen are like the fruits that break through the soil after being fertilized with warmth and warmth. Although they are still few, thin, and not very sweet, I know that this will be a fruitful and fruitful journey that I can walk for a lifetime.
Regarding the handouts, there is another thing that makes me deeply grateful. The handouts for each course are prepared and bound by co-workers who squeezed out time to save money while being busy with trivial and complicated camp affairs. This kind of effort without asking for anything in return prompted me to cherish every handout even more, not daring to treat them lightly, lest I let down the self-sacrifice of so much love.
Sincerity, time, sweat
This editing course is conducted in two ways. On the one hand, you learn editing practices, and on the other hand, you gain editing wisdom by watching the highlights of the Korean TV series "Dae Jang Geum".
What I admire most about Jang Geum is that she is not only smart, but also extremely courageous. Even if she risks losing her life, she refuses to give up her ideals and persistence. She was by no means a foolhardy person who would give up easily and allow her enemies to frame her and kill her, nor did she pretend to be brave. However, when facing her fear honestly, she was able to hold her ground and avoid being swallowed by fear. With her outstanding wisdom and courage to calmly analyze and master principles, she turned the tide and brought blessings to herself, her friends, and the royal family she served faithfully.
Teacher Su has included more than ten lines in the play that are full of wisdom and worthy of careful consideration by writers, especially editors. Among them, the most touching ones are:"There is no secret recipe for cooking, sincerity and time are the secret ingredients. Only the sincerity and sweat in the rice and dishes can create a truly healthy and delicious diet."
As we reach middle age, several friends we met when we were young have stood out on the stage of life and performed their roles to applause. However, more of our colleagues who were high-spirited and talented back then are lost in the sea of people. The lofty ideals can only smile with regret and lament the bad luck. And I found that most of my friends who are outstandingly successful have perseverance and perseverance. They use sincerity, time, and sweat to cultivate their ideals step by step, and only then can they enjoy the joy of harvest. I hope that I can also use sincerity and sweat to practice perseverance, cultivate the literary field for a long time, rely on God’s grace and power, and write chapters that are in line with God’s will and beneficial to readers.
In addition to admiring Jang Geum's fate, I am also very reluctant to give up. Although the emperor she served loyally was a monarch, when Jang Geum was helplessly put into danger due to the royal family time and time again, the emperor was restricted by the complicated court politics and could not completely protect her. Compared with her, I am so lucky. Almighty God the Father is the boss of my life and service. Even though I am far less smart and brave than Jang Geum, I still have the Heavenly Father who loves me as my eternal backer.
Face to face with the editor
When I read Kingdom of God magazine for the first time, I was attracted by the in-depth themes, articles, and exquisite layout and printing. This time in the editing class, I had the honor to meet face-to-face with three senior editors in the Kingdom of God editor group who are capable of editing and writing. I listened to them share their editing experience along the way, and found that "humility and tolerance" are the editor qualities they mentioned invariably.
Editing work is complicated and trivial. It is a laborious team work. It requires close cooperation with authors, other editors, art editors, etc. You must have the qualities to appreciate others, not complain, be able to accept, take responsibility, be open-minded, and rely on God. character.
Before planning a topic and writing a book, editors must pray, do a lot of research, reading, and textual research, and never forget to hone their writing skills. In addition to focusing on editorial work, they must also put effort into managing relationships with authors and co-workers. Keep your daily life simple so that you can focus on editing and writing. No matter how busy they are, getting close to God must be their first priority, because they know very well that nothing can replace their relationship with God.
On the stage, the editors shared sincerely, and off the stage, I listened with fascination. They are really like "Dae Jang Geum", using their sincerity, sweat, and time to cook healthy and delicious literary delicacies that feed the soul.
When I was exhausted and sat at my desk for several hours unable to write a single sentence, I once asked myself: "There are already endless books and periodicals on the market, why should I bother learning to write and edit when I am just happy?" Wouldn’t it be relaxing and comfortable for readers?”
After being equipped and nurtured by Teacher Su’s three literary courses, I gradually realized from the teacher’s example and words, and the examples of my classmates and co-workers that devoting myself to literary service is to respond to God’s love and tell the world about Him with my heart and pen. good.
▲The author enjoys the expansion of life horizons during the journey, which is just like the spiritual journey of endless beauty in the service of words. The camp is over, but my journey of editing and writing is just about to begin. With tension and expectation, I am willing to follow God’s guidance, explore forward step by step, and embark on a fruitful spiritual journey.
Author profile
Zheng Qiongyu, from Taiwan, settled in Northern California with her husband and son, enjoying a simple and ordinary home life. I like reading, traveling and camping on weekdays.