Over the years I’ve taught Bible in various children’s ministries including Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Church and Children’s camps. As I taught, God gave me revelation from His word and natural teaching experience. Yet inside I knew God wanted me to do something more. Several years later I learned He was preparing me for becoming a Christian writer.
One day, while I was reading a Christian magazine, I saw an advertisement for a correspondence course which was offered by the Christian Writer’s Guild. I sensed the Holy Spirit wanted me to send for the course, so I ordered it. I completed the Beginning Writer’s Course several months later.
A few months after completing this course, I was sitting at my computer desk working on a project. All of a sudden I became aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit surrounding me, impressing something on my heart. Then I knew God gave me the message that He wanted me to write for His purpose. I knew God was answering the prayers I had prayed, seeking direction for His will in my life.
At that point, I didn’t know any more about writing than any other person who had been through high school. Nor did I have the desire to read or write fiction. Yet I knew it was God and I wanted to obey Him. So I stepped out and enrolled in a Journalism program at North Idaho College in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. I had no idea how I was going to pay for the schooling. But I applied for financial aid.
I received enough Federal Pell Grant money and scholarships to help me pay for school. Several times the Financial Aid Office at the college called me to tell me they found more scholarship money, and all I had to do was sign the paperwork. I also participated in a College Work Study program which paid me to work part time at the college during my hours between classes. For two years I worked in the Molstead Computer Lab assisting other students who were using the computers for their school work. I went through three years of college and God provided money for my tuition and expenses, with the exception for one summer semester which I chose to do so I could finish school sooner.
During my time at North Idaho College I spent two years writing articles for the college newspaper, The Sentinel. I interviewed people on campus and wrote several feature articles and opinion pieces. I enjoyed my participation on the newspaper staff, and I learned a lot. During that time God worked several miracles, confirming and encouraging me. I shared the gospel as much as I could in my schoolwork and during breaks between classes. One miracle I remember also spoke volumes to the other students on the newspaper staff.
One day as I was sitting in the cafeteria a classmate came up to me discouraged and sharing his opinion that he didn’t think he had chosen the right subject for his degree, and he didn’t have any idea what he wanted to do. I told him about the Journalism program and how much I enjoyed it. The next thing I knew, this man signed up for Journalism and the student newspaper. Later I found out he wrote an article for the paper where shared his belief that God was found in every man, and the Christians who had spoken with him, from a church in Coeur d’ Alene, were hypocrites because he couldn’t see God with them.
I was truly mortified that this man was spreading false teachings and ridiculing Christians from a church I knew was a good church because my son and his wife had attended it for years. I knew I had to do something to counteract the impact this man made on campus so I prayed and asked God for wisdom in dealing with this situation.
As I sat down to write an opinion piece to counteract this man’s article, the Holy Spirit answered my prayer. I wrote the article entitled “God found in the Holy Spirit.” While I was working on this, God showed me He was inside of those Christians who had spoken to this man, and the man couldn’t even see God when God was trying to reach out to him from the hearts of these Christian believers who were trying to witness to him. I included this revelation from God in the article, and explained how God indwelled in the hearts of believers. After editing the article, it was still 600 words long and I couldn’t figure out how to shorten it.
Finally, I took the article to the editor of the paper and explained that I needed his help to reduce the number of words. To my surprise, the editor told me, “Robin, you’re never going to guess what happened. No one else turned in their articles, so I have to print all 600 words of your story to fill up the space in the newspaper.”
I was excited to see God move, and I found out later the editor was a Christian who was in a backslidden state because God didn’t answer a desire of his the way he wanted. God made Himself real to my editor and several classmates that day.
During my years of attendance at North Idaho College, I worked a part time job at our local McDonald’s and traveled back and forth to Coeur d’ Alene on the days I had classes. Some classes were completed over the Internet as well. After three years of classes, I graduated with an Associate of Applied Arts Degree and an Associate of Science Degree in Journalism. Previously, I had taken several Commercial Art classes which helped with my Journalism. Later I went on to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Liberty University Online.
During this same time period, several people from my local church prophesied over me, giving me direction, scripture passages, and confirmation that God wanted me to write Bible studies and other articles to share testimonies, spread the Gospel, and teach Bible lessons. Through these prophets God gave me a series of Bible Studies to write. One of these prophets is the wife of an elder who is a mentor and dear Christian sister of mine. Her prophetic words over my life consistently confirmed what God was speaking to me. I will never forget how God used her to impact my life.
One morning before church I sat at our dining table and looked through several resources I had searching for an activity, craft project or object lesson to go with the children’s church lesson I was about to teach that morning. As I struggled to find the activity, I heard God’s small quiet voice clearly say, “This is what I want you to do.” I knew God confirmed He wanted me to write Bible teaching materials.
As time passed I began praying, and God began giving me poems and parts and pieces of the Bible curriculum He wants me to write. I also began researching the topics, writing notes, and working to turn the notes into manuscripts. So far two of the books have been self-published, and I’m working on completing several more.
Testimonies, Tips and Tidbits also originated from the notes. Though this work isn’t finished yet, I believe God wants me to freely share these stories for the benefit of others. These testimonials are true stories birthed from encounters with God and experiences in working and walking with Him.
Revelation 3:21 (KJV), speaking of God’s children says, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and sat down with my Father in His throne.”
I want to be faithful to God and the calling He has placed on my life. I want this writing ministry to bring God pleasure and glory. Oh, how I look forward to overcoming and the day when I can sit on the throne with Jesus!
robinulbredtch.com 