For me, the chief purpose and end of my writing is to communicate encouragement and good news.

(Yes, I understand that writing is art, and that art can exist for its own sake, even if nobody ever sees the finished product; and I “get” that art is its own validation.) To some extent, then, I know that my work is meaningful the moment I cue that final “period,” hit “save,” sit back, and say, “Ah-ha!”

But that is only a small part of the what is going on here:

• I write so that my readers might possibly say, “Ah-ha!” too.
• I write so that the transformational spiritual truths that challenge and encourage me will also challenge and encourage you.
• I write so that I can introduce hope, love, grace, and promise into the “that’s part of my experience!” vocabulary for more people.
• I write because I believe writing is one way that I can live – out loud – the truth of the Gospel of Love.
• I write – or at least I try to – out of the following context: “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).

BOOKS: Having a book come to print is an amazing and exciting experience (click here for a list), and – on a day-to-day basis – posting this blog keeps my thought process fresh and alive; but some of the most meaningful work I’ve ever done has been as a newspaper columnist.

Writing for The Tampa Tribune, for example, engaged me in a long-term dialog with tens of thousands of people; the interactive element had a qualitative impact on my work.

This is one reason I agreed to write a weekly column for the local news journal, Wake Forest Today, when we moved to North Carolina. It’s my opportunity to get involved in an ongoing conversation with my new community.

THE CONVERSATION: You may or may not live here in Wake Forest, but I’d like to invite you to take a look – even if it’s only as a reader, or someone who prays.

This week’s article – Learning from the Children – covers a topic that I know all of you can relate to. So please click on the link, read my column, and consider writing a “letter to the editor.” If Wake Forest Today makes a go of it, it will be because people like you were generous with their clicks and with their shares.

Here’s an excerpt: Several years ago I heard the following story about an infant boy. His four-year-old sister was excited and curious, but mom and dad became concerned when she repeatedly asked to spend some time alone with her new brother. “Please,” she begged; “it’s very important.” (read more…)

In the hope of promise, and the truth of love – DEREK