Dial-a-Personality

Back in March, I posted a writing exercise entitled: Dial-a-Writing-Promt. Today, I am posting an exercise intended to help you get going when creating a character. In addition to including positive personality traits, I thought it would be good to choose something that you may find annoying in your character as well. Since none of us are perfect, this will help you create a well-rounded person. Have fun! Feel free to post G-rated short stories that you generated using the exercise!

Dial-a-Personality

Fill out the worksheet. Examples have been given to get you started. Use the last 4 digits of a phone number to determine the personality of your main character.

Character traits that we admire in people:

0. Optimism

1. Friendliness

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Character traits that we find annoying in others:

0. Chatterbox

1. Braggart

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Possible long-term or short-term goals:

0. Finish a term paper

1. ClimbMt.Everest

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Recent or past events that can affect a person:

0. Lost a job

1. Adopted as a child

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The coolest thing I’ve ever done!

I can still remember where I was standing when I led my cousin to the Lord. I was on the phone with him in my sister’s bedroom. Then a couple of months ago, during the drive home from an evening church service, my son also accepted Christ as his Savior. But for years between those two phenomenal events, I haven’t been involved in the making of new Christians. My role in the Kingdom has been more supportive of existing Christians than anything else.

Until this past weekend.

Brother Miles Wallis came up from Talking Rock Road Baptist Church, bringing his sheaves (of paper) with him. He brought enough supplies to assemble 13,000 booklets containing John and Romans. My church was not new to this type of project, but this is the first time they’ve assembled Bibles since our family has been attending (January). Covers were folded, books were assembled, stapled, trimmed, and boxed. The booklets were printed in French, and are destined to reach thousands of souls in Kenya. It took 30-40 people (my estimation) 9 hours over a Friday evening and Saturday morning to completely finish (including loading the trailer and cleaning the church). Even the children had plenty to do, as they transported the partly assembled Bibles from station to station.

As a result, I hope to cultivate friendships with simply thousands of brothers and sisters in heaven who will be saved as a result of our church’s labor of love.

The project was one of the most satisfying events I have ever participated in, yet paradoxically, has left me starving for more! (I guess it’s because I was actually fulfilling my purpose as a Christian on this earth.)

For information on how to donate or participate, check out Seedline International.

The Guilt-Driven Life

What makes you feel guilty? I feel guilty when I gossip, watch something questionable, lose my temper with Ian, spend too much money, eat too much fat, etc. The list goes on, of course. Actually, I’m tempted to stop right now and attempt to complete the list for my own sake. A list would be a good starting point for creating a plan to help myself overcome my weaknesses. It would also be a good bouncing off point for prayer time.

Why do you feel guilty? Is it because you aren’t living up to your ideal, or do you actually suspect or even know that God isn’t happy with you when you engage in certain activities?

If you don’t think God approves, or even if you’re just not sure, why not trade in your activity for a guilt-free conscience? Is continuing in the activity really worth the guilt you’re feeling over it? Can you live without it or find something to replace it?

Even this is from a selfish perspective. I’m trying to persuade you that it’s better for you to live a guilt-free lifestyle – that you’ll be happier that way. In reality, we should be as sinless as humanly possible because that’s what God wants. He created us, and He makes the rules. As an added benefit, yes, you will be happier that way. We’re always happier when we do things God’s way.

Whenever I feel guilty about something, I try to figure out a way to stop doing whatever it is that makes me feel that way. Sometimes, I have to find a way to stop without offending other people. If I don’t want to watch something that’s playing on television or continue a conversation that includes gossip, I sometimes have trouble expressing why. I never want to make anyone feel that I think I am better than they are.

Sometimes, letting go of an activity is a process. I have to keep praying for myself over and over. Eventually, I will feel peace about letting go completely. It always feels good. I don’t even have to beat myself up over past mistakes if I know that I am truly repentant, and ready to begin a new chapter in my life.

Guilt can be a good thing. The Holy Spirit points to things in our lives that need changing. Once you have made those changes, ask for forgiveness and let go of your guilt. Why feel guilty over something for which God has forgiven you and has Himself intentionally forgotten?

Now, I’m gonna finish my list, and try to think of ways to cross things off for good.

A quick question before I go: Do any of you have a humble way of telling others that you don’t want to gossip, watch TV, etc?