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When you think of something heroic, a pencil is probably the last thing that would come to mind. True?

Same here.

But as I was trying to find an appropriate metaphor for a youth service that I’m teaching tomorrow evening, I realized that I had undervalued our standard 7.5 inch (19cm) combination of wood and graphite. Like most of us, there’s more to the pencil than meets the eye.

1. It was designed for a specific purpose.

The Bible shows us that our lives are no accident. Each of us comes to this world with a specific part of God’s plan that only we can fulfill. It’s up to us to find that purpose and accomplish it.

2. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

The true quality of a pencil isn’t how beautiful it is on the outside—what matters is that bit of graphite on the inside. Without it, you can’t make a mark on the world or achieve the purpose for which you were born.

Without the Spirit of God in our hearts, it’s impossible to achieve our true purpose. Jesus Christ taught that what’s in the heart determines what comes out of our lives. Our world sees the outward—sex appeal, careers and wealth—as indications of success but the pencil begs to differ.

3. It must be shaved down to make a mark on the world

Imagine you were a pencil, thrust between sharp blades that cut into your flesh. Sounds painful, right?

But that’s the only way the pencil can make a difference. Without the cutting, shaping and molding, it’s unable to write a thing. The same can be said of our lives. Christ molds, shapes and cuts us to His will in order to bring us to the place that our life’s story can make a “mark” on someone else.


But now, O LORD, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8 ESV

It’s easy to become discouraged, or even rebel, when life’s circumstances cut into our very soul. We’ve been conditioned to think of God as the author of good things—which He is—but we tend to forget that He’s also a teacher who corrects, inspires and challenges us by giving us hard problems to face. Only when we see God for who He is, can we truly understand who He wants us to become.

Like being inspired? Why not follow my blog?

JP Robinson

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In honor of Christ’s supreme sacrifice, I’m giving away e-copies of Bride Tree, a sweeping allegory of the church set in the tumultuous period of the French Revolution.

Inspire your faith with this gripping fusion of intrigue, historical romance and biblical fiction. Free for a limited time only.

Get your copy here.

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This weekend, I was privileged to teach two workshops at the Lancaster Christian Writer’s Super Saturday event. With great food, fellowship (did I mention awesome Colombian coffee?), it was a day to remember.

First, a big shout-out to Jeanette Windle, LCW President, who did a terrific job hosting the event.

JP Robinson, Brian and Ronie Kendig at 2019 LCW conference (from left to right).

Second, it was a real thrill to interact with Brian and Ronie Kendig, bestselling author of multiple “rapid-fire fiction” novels. I left inspired to draft the first book in my upcoming political thriller series set in the Middle East. Stay tuned…

Finally, I heard a lot of positive feedback from my workshop attendees. Comments like, ” JP, thank YOU for sharing great info about marketing! ” and “You’re teaching things that I need to know,” really made me feel that my time was well spent.

For those of you that didn’t get to sign up for the my author-only email list, join by clicking on this link.

Several attendees were gracious enough to send me pictures of the event. Thanks all!

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“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

-Jesus Christ

Rest has been a key part of God’s plan. In Genesis, God rested. In Exodus, He told the Jewish people to observe the 7th day as Sabbath (rest). But His plan went still further as He unveiled a spiritual “rest” through the Holy Spirit that was incarnated in Jesus Christ.

Spirit-filled Christians don’t need to fear the terror, political confusion and religious noise that seems to get louder each day. We don’t need to fear the power of sin or worry about whether we’ll go to heaven or not when this life is over.

Our lives are in the hands of a perfect, omnipotent God and, no matter what each day brings, we are at rest, knowing that He is STILL in control.

I love that!

JP Robinson

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Sign up here.

In 2017 I found myself doing something I never expected: teaching an adult author education workshop. Since that time, my role as an author-educator has dramatically expanded. Here’s what’s happened at-a-glance.

  • 2017: LCW writing conference
  • 2018: Write His Answer Greater Philadelphia Conference
  • 2019:

Teaching is nothing new to me; I’ve been an educator in the public school system since 2010. But now I’m combining my experience as an educator with my passion for writing. Who knows what can happen?

I’m inviting all current and potential authors to join an exclusive professional writing community. Click here to join my author-only email list.

If you’ve written anything—or think you might one day write anything—you want to be on this list.

Here’s why:

  • Unlock access to free writing resources (power verb lists and more)
  • Attend invite-only author education webinars
  • Receive effective “ambush marketing” strategies for authors
  • One email a month 🙂

Sign up and share the message with friends and others in your writing groups. Together, Each Achieves More.

JP Robinson