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FaithWriters February 2016
Be a Better Writer for Jesus!
"News & Information for the Write Brained Christian" Devotional & Newest Member E-books Included |
| | | The Challenge Will Improve Your Writing
The Suit Jacket of Grace
By Jan Ackerson
I have lunch with CoCo every Saturday at the Chocolate Café. My niece’s real name is Courtney, but when I discovered our mutual love for chocolate during her precocious toddlerhood, our Saturday afternoons became inviolable aunty/niece time, and she acquired her sweet-toothy nickname. We’ve been doing this for thirteen years now.
We go slightly insane on our lunch dates: turtle cheesecake drizzled in fudge, dark-chocolate covered cashews, triple-mocha cappuccinos. We’re veritable chocolate fiends, making “mmmmmm” and “ahhhhhh” sounds that sometimes draw the attention of other diners. CoCo’s prissy mother—my sister Tessa—would shush us, blushing, if she were here. But CoCo and I are uninhibited in our adoration of milk, semisweet, dark.
Last Saturday, CoCo plopped down without her usual “Hey, Aunt Jo.” When she listlessly selected only one chocolate chip cookie, I hooked her chin with a finger and said, ‘Okay, something’s very wrong. One cookie? C’mon, kiddo…spill.”
CoCo picked her cookie apart until her plate was covered with pea-sized crumbles. “Aunt Jo,” she said, “I made a huge mistake. With Trevor.” She smooshed a chip with her thumb.
I knew why CoCo confessed to me. I’ve mentioned Tessa—she’s a good mom, but a bit severe. I’m cool Aunt Jo; I share Tessa’s faith, but I came to God late, after a rough-and-tumble life that gives me a certain air of glamour in CoCo’s eyes. I’m older than Tessa, but I’m way cooler.
I thought for a while about what to say. Finally, I sat back and sipped my latte. “CoCo, did I ever tell you about the ‘70s?”
She looked up, surprised. “Huh?”
“Back in 1972, I was student teaching—eighth grade English. I was very fashionable back then, and I bought these great slacks, a new style called hip-huggers.”
“We have those now, Aunt Jo. But…”
“I’ll get to the point, Cokes. Bear with me. So I had these orange hip-hugger bell-bottoms…”
“Bell-bottoms! Ew!”
“…and a big problem. My shirts wouldn’t stay tucked in. I found a cool shirt that solved my problem, though--a fantastic orange-and-purple striped turtleneck that snapped at the…well, like a baby’s onesie. Got the picture?”
“Yeah…but I still don’t…”
“Hang in there, kid. So I decided to wear this lovely outfit to work. But when I was getting dressed, the first of the three snaps wouldn’t snap. Well, I still had two. So I snapped those, pulled up the hip-huggers, and left for school.
I was at my desk while the students were watching a movie about nouns, when I felt a strange sensation in my…in the area of the snaps. Number Two had come undone. I was down to one working snap.”
CoCo was stealing spoonfuls of my tiramisu now, and I’m sure I heard her snort. I continued my story.
“About the time the movie ended, my supervising professor walked in to evaluate me. He took a seat and nodded for me to continue the lesson. I dreaded standing up…what if the snap came undone? But I couldn’t teach from my desk, so I stood up and started talking about the wonders of nouns. Miraculously, the snap held. I was walking around the room, having students call out nouns, making a game of it…I knew I’d get a great evaluation. Toward the end of class, I went to the blackboard to write the homework assignment. I reached toward the top of the board—and the snap gave way.”
“Oh no! Aunt Jo, what did you do?”
“It’s not what I did, it’s what that shirt did. It flew out of my slacks and rolled up like a scroll. Oh, did I mention…my panties were not hip-huggers? A full three inches of white cotton was exposed. Kids were laughing, I was standing there with my shirt flapping, wishing for Death’s Carriage to stop by—that’s Dickenson, CoCo--and then my professor ran up and draped me with his jacket and said he’d stay with the class if I needed to leave to make…adjustments.”
CoCo grinned, then thought for a moment. Finally—“Aunt Jo, why did you tell me that story?”
I took a deep breath and picked my way carefully through my next words. “It was a mistake to wear that shirt—I knew something bad could happen, and it did. But it was covered quickly—by grace—and I never, ever wore it again.”
Did I mention how smart my niece is? She got it—right away. “Aunt Jo, you rock. Hey—can I have a chocolate croissant?”
Read more articles from Jan HERE.
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| | NEVER MISS THAT PERFECT CHALLENGE TOPIC AGAIN. GO HERE and sign up in the right hand column for a weekly new topic reminder email. |
| | | FaithWriters Gathering/Celebration in 2016
Keep these dates open and watch for further details on a FaithWriters Gathering. An informal conference with workshops and speakers.
July 15th to 16th 2016 at First Baptist Church, McDonough, Georgia.
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| | Platinum Member Books Now Appear in Over 100 Site Ads
Promote your Christian book on FaithWriters and you will helping to support our mission to grow Christian writers and spread the gospel in over 230 countries online. You will not find more exposure for your Christian book anywhere at this price.
Watch this short video HERE. |
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Great Multitude Daily Bible Devotional Receive it by email or place it on your website HERE
The World is Not Our Home Susan Barnes
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:13
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that this world is not our home, especially as we cope with the effects of floods, snowstorms, hear about bloodshed in various parts of the world and feel the despair of hurting people.
Other versions describe these people as "pilgrims." A pilgrim is someone on a spiritual journey to a holy place. As Christians we are on a spiritual journey with heaven as our destination. Abraham, when he eventually reached the promised land, lived in a tent and didn't settle permanently because he was looking "forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10). By his example he shows us what our attitude to this world should be. In the same chapter of Hebrews we are also told that Moses was "looking ahead to his reward" (v.26). Moses chose to identify with God's people who were being mistreated when he could have inherited the treasures of Egypt. But Moses knew earthly wealth is fleeting.
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, all knew they were strangers and pilgrims who were passing through this world. They had in mind the "big picture" of God's long term purposes and didn't become entangled with the affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:4). Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God (Hebrews 11:16). May the same be said of us.
Susan, an Australian pastor's wife, regularly writes devotional thoughts on Bible passages, book reviews and inspirational articles. Contact
View FaithWriters devotional on thousands of websites HERE , plus thousands go out by email and Twitter daily. Members are encouraged to submit an edited devotional for publication HERE. Submissions are a maximum of 300 words, teaching you to write to topic and word count. Help us spread the good news of Jesus around the world. You never know how your writing may inspire a brother or sister in Christ or impact a lost soul. |
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Prepare Now to Write the Book God Placed on Your Heart
Be a Better Christian Writer Money Back Guarantee
We want you to be the best writer you can be for Jesus, so we have included direct feedback from the Challenge judges with Platinum memberships. These new Challenge Rating Reports are helping Christian writers improve. We are so confident they will help you too, we are offering a money back guarantee on New Platinum memberships. Just follow our simple outlined plan and your writing will improve dramatically.
"Thank you so much Deborah. I am learning so much from these reports! The POV shift Info was such an eye opener for me. I had no idea. I can better understand and focus on working on my weaknesses. Thank you for providing the direct links to lessons that address how to improve my skills. God bless you and all your hard work."
Francie
"Such valuable insights, and guidance in this feedback report. I appreciate the feedback, and will do the suggested rewriting. This report is like gold; I feel richly blessed." Judy
"I think these reports might be the best addition to the challenge yet." Diane
"These rating reports have really helped to improve my writing. It is a way to assess what works and what doesn't work with the judges. It is also a great tool for learning how to critique others works. I believe this is only my second entry submitted. Thank you." Bonnie
Read more below or go HERE. |
| | | JUST RELEASED - Mixed Blessings: Classically Inspired
Inside this book, you’ll find one hundred perfectly bite-sized stories, articles, devotions, and poems written by members of FaithWriters for the Challenge. All titles are inspired by one of these ten classics:
• This Side of Paradise
• Crime and Punishment
• Much Ado About Nothing
• War and Peace
• The Importance of Being Earnest
• The Comedy of Errors
• Great Expectations
• Persuasion
• Where Angels Fear to Tread
• Our Mutual Friend
There is something for every reader in a Mixed Blessings book, and this volume is no exception. Mixed Blessings—Classically Inspired is filled to the brim with fun, encouragement, food for thought, and inspiration. You may find yourself chuckling one moment, and shedding a tear the next. In fact, it is the perfect mix of blessings for your daily reading enjoyment.
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| | This 2008 member article is a very popular download this time of year.
God's Box of Chocolates - A Valentine's Day Devotional
by LauraLee Shaw
Everywhere I look near Valentine's Day, there's chocolate: boxes of chocolate in all the stores, chocolate on television promising to be the only love you need, chocolate girl scout cookies--CHOCOLATE! I even saw chocolate Altoid breath mints in the grocery checkout aisle the other day! I think that's what led me to remember the famous quote from Forrest Gump: "Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get." (I even remembered it with his accent.)
In reality, that phrase can be true in many ways. We wake up every morning completely unsure of what the day may hold for us. We've made our plans. Sometimes they even happen the way we make them. But we never know for sure, do we?
The days that come with caramel in the middle are my favorite. The ones with the strawberry goo are just so so--but the ones with coconut--YUCK! I'd rather go back to bed. Then there's the days where tragedy or difficult times come out of nowhere, and the chocolate sits in the pantry untouched...there's no sweetness to be had in those moments, it seems.
God knows that life as it pertains to circumstances is uncertain for us. That's why He comforts us and reminds us so many times that He is our constant companion, our steadfast friend, our consistently loving God and Savior. He doesn't keep promises the way we do:
Continue reading this article and connect with LauraLee HERE. |
| | 2016 - Tenth Annual Page Turner Contest An opportunity for TWO FaithWriters members to be published.
This year, there will be TWO PAGE TURNER WINNERS - one from the FICTION submissions, and one from the NONFICTION submissions.
These two champions will each receive:
1. A fabulous cash prize of $250 (US);
2. The offer of traditional publication of their winning manuscript by Breath of Fresh Air Press;
3. Free publicity and marketing of their book on all FaithWriters' sites for twelve months following publication; and
4. A special Page Turner Champion award plaque.
A Page Turner runner up will be chosen from each of the two categories (fiction and nonfiction). Each runner up will receive:
1. A special Page Turner award plaque.
Congratulations again to our 2015 winners.
2015 PAGE TURNER CHAMPION
Twisted Ribbons by Debbie Roome
2015 PAGE TURNER RUNNERS UP
Voodoo Vanquishing Vixen by Harriett Ford
One Act of Defiance by Rachel Malcolm
For more information on this opportunity go HERE. |
| | We Always Respond to Emails
If you do not receive a timely response to an email, we did not receive your email or you did not receive our reply.
You should check your spam and make sure that writer-support@faithwriters.com, bea @faithwriters.com and michael@faithwriters.com are on your email providers approved list.
If you have tried more than once and get no reply, click on a contact link at the bottom of most FaithWriters pages and send us a message telling us of the issue. We will try and email you from another email provider. |
| | Trials and Triumphs II Rooted and Grounded in Love
The Powerful and Personal Testimonies of Fifty FaithWriters Members
Support fellow members by getting a copy of this inspiring book, which contains Fifty unique true stories from members around the world. These testimonies are powerful and encouraging. Makes a great book to leave on your coffee table for a conversation starter. Check it out HERE!
Limited Offer: Read for free in exchange for a review on FaithWriters and Amazon. Email Michael@faithwriters.com and request a copy.
Read the powerful testimonies of forty additional members in the original Trials and Triumphs HERE. |
| | Another Great Way to Improve The Critique Circle
Members and paid editors provide the critiques in the circle. We just added two more paid editors to the Critique Circle and they are telling us they need more submissions. You can even submit your judged Challenge entries to the circle.
"I have a few, very few, trusted friends who will edit me with a scowl. Most people want you to feel good so they give you compliments about your writing, and these don’t help at all (except emotionally). Really, you need some grouches to edit your work." Philip Yancey in a FaithWriters interview.
To see if you are paying attention, Michael is giving away free Critique Circle credits to all Platinum members who read this and respond. This limited offer means you do not need to provide a critique, you just get two, three or more critiques on a piece you submit. Just email Michael@FaithWriters.com and ask for a free credit. This is a real chance to receive some very constructive and private critiques of your writing.
This is a real chance to receive some very constructive and private critiques of your writing.
This offer available to Platinum members who have not been given a free credit in the last 90 days.
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| | Jan's Lessons Are Now Indexed so You Can Easily Find What You Need
We love Jan's courses. "I absolutely must add to these comments my own deep appreciation for the hard work you put in for us week by week. You enable people to grow and find true expression for their faith in the will of God. I've learnt so much already in such a short time, and that's because of your great advice and loving direction. Trace P. |
| | | Ann's Bite Sized Grammar Lessons HERE. |
| | | Support Fellow Christian Authors
Read Great Christian Books Free In Exchange For A Review Many already have multiple five star reviews on Amazon.
Today's book already had 14 reviews on Amazon and is running 4.8 out of 5 stars.
THE MANIFESTATION OF CALEB LEWIS - Timothy Tims
This is the magical story of Caleb Lewis and the obstacles he overcame in his wake of destruction, extortion and murder on his way to playing Quarterback for the NCAA National Football Championship. This is a story that shows; even the worst of us can find happiness, fall in love and be saved.
This is just one example of over 30 books you can read for free in exchange for a review. Many others have multiple five star reviews too. One book is running just below five stars with 87 reviews and it is listed in the top five books of its two categories. Another with over 30 reviews is running close to five stars and was honored as the book of the year by a major theological website. Another has over 20 reviews and is running almost five stars. Read one of these or one that has just joined the program and desperately needs reviews.
These are all free to read for you while others pay full price on Amazon. Plus you receive the bonus of helping a fellow believer and FaithWriters member. It takes reviews to sell books these days and other members really appreciate your help.
Go HERE to find a great book to read for FREE.
Hurry and choose one while they are still free to read! The authors can take their books out of this program at any moment.
Have you written a book and need reviews? Learn about submitting your book to this program HERE. |
| | Support FaithWriters
We now offer Silver members the ability to pay as little as $2.00 per month for their benefits to support FaithWriters. Go HERE and look for the Bronze membership option.
Fishers of Men in Over 230 Countries Together We Spread the Gospel on The Net
Together we are working to improve the writing skills of many Christian writers who will publish an untold number of articles and books pointing the lost to Jesus. At the same time we are casting a net on the web, an extremely important field ready for harvest. The enemy knows this and he is working hard on the internet to publish false and misleading material that leads people away from Jesus. As followers of Jesus we can make a difference by publishing the true message and pointing people to our Savior. Men and women from over 230 countries (View Countries Here) are drawn to the FaithWriters site by the various articles on the end of our virtual fishing pole. Many have no other way but the internet to find out about Jesus. They are able to learn a lot from our site and the sister-sites to which we have provided links. Many click on the sites we link to that offer in-depth information on Jesus because they are able to get more information in their native language.
People from around the world have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior directly through FaithWriters. We contact every person who leaves an email address, and provide them with more information. Sometimes we correspond with them several times. We even offer to place them in contact with another believer (FaithWriters member) in their country. Consider how much time people --- especially kids --- spend on the internet these days. Watch this two minute video on how Kimberly found God on the internet.
Recent email we received: "I will do so and find a good Bible-believing church to worship with other believers at. Thank you for helping in my new walk with Jesus, since I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. I'm very grateful to know and have new life in Jesus to lead me on the road to recovery from my sins. I will update you every so often to share what the Lord is doing with my faith and new life." Roger P.
Thank You FaithWriters!
The majority (99%) of our members are free members. Therefore, FaithWriters needs your financial support. In doing so you gain access to more tools to improve your writing for pennies per day. At the same time you are helping foster the growth of new Christian writers and spreading the gospel in over 230 countries online. If you already support FaithWriters, we greatly appreciate it. Platinum is only .37 day and Gold is .20 day. Please Upgrade Here |
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Be a blessing to someone today by letting others pray for you or by praying for them! |
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Don't Skimp on the Editing Hire a FaithWriters Approved Editor Today!
Joanne Sher is one of several editors offering editing services.
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| | This Months FaithWriters Great Reads Selection
We have some excellent writers and many topics to choose from at FaithWriters. Bless your fellow members by reading one or more of their books occasionally. Just imagine how you would feel if they did the same for you. Many of these books have multiple five-star reviews on Amazon.
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Books added in the last month as described by each author.
GODPRENEUR: Tapping The God Principle That Framed The Universe
Gbenga Mathew Owotoki
Your Price: $3.99
This book reveals the Uber-Magnificence of God and mirrors the powerful principles God employs in the establishing his supremacy on earth and in heaven and also shares how we can tap this God-Principles and live in dominion here on earth.
from Amazon.com!
Fiction
The Antioch Testament
Don Joiner
Your Price: $5.99
In 2004 an American army patrol rescues a frightened group of Iraqi Christians fleeing Islamic militants. The refugees’ severely wounded leader insists on handing over a mysterious bundle only to the army chaplain.
from Amazon.com!
THE MANIFESTATION OF CALEB LEWIS
Timothy Tims
Your Price: $4.99
This is the magical story of Caleb Lewis and the obstacles he overcame in his wake of destruction, extortion and murder on his way to playing Quarterback for the NCAA National Football Championship. This is a story that shows; even the worst of us can find happiness, fall in love and be saved.
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Fantasy
The Nephilim Chronicles: The Rise of the Fallen
HB Jackson
Your Price: $2.99
Rimi is the most powerful Nephilim in creation and acts as the hand of God. When God needs something done on earth he calls Rimi. He is the head of God’s secret agency. He has one job, and that is to keep the world stable. He does it by any means necessary.
Thousands of years ago before the great flood and after the war in heaven God assigned a group of angels know as watchers to watch over man kind. These watchers went rouge, fell to earth and began having sex with the women of earth. They created a race of rouge Nephilim who thought they were Gods. Because of this they were imprisoned.
Fast forward to modern times Rimi discovers a plot by a one of the fallen angels in Hell to free the watchers from their long prison. Their plan is to use human souls to start a demon army so that they can remove Lucifer as the head of the Hell council. Rimi knows that this will start a civil war in Hell. The war would spill over to earth and turn earth onto another Hell. Guided by God and the arch angel Michael, Rimi assembles a team and goes all out to prevent the watchers from carrying out their plan.
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Non-Fiction
Faith of Our Fathers
Don Joiner
Your Price: $2.99
Faith of Our Fathers features color photographs and brief histories of more than a hundred of the oldest, most historic, still-standing church buildings in the State of Georgia dating from before the American Revolution to the last year of the Civil War.
from Amazon.com!
Children
Lolli and Pop Find Kindness: The Fruit of the Spirit Series
Carolyn Snelling
Your Price: $9.99
Finding God's "Fruits of the Spirit" has never been more fun! Early readers will follow the adventures of Lolli Cake and her beagle named Pop. In this first book of nine, the duo discover kindness which can sometimes be difficult to find especially when it may mean giving up something you love.
from Amazon.com!
Changed by a Catch
Amy Crowe
Your Price: $5.99
What happens to an ordinary day when a young boy decides to do things his own way?
White dogs turn red, carpet is ruined, a briefcase is never going to be the same, and an eye looks like it ran into a big ink pad.
JJ is a young boy who faces some tough decisions.
from Amazon.com!
Women's Interest
What Makes You Awesome?
Annagail Lynes
Your Price: $9.97
God called us (Romans 8:30). He put us on this Earth for a purpose.
Too many people are sidelined by what happened in their past and cannot move onto the future. They are stuck.
In this book, learn how to move beyond your past into your future and fulfill your God-given destiny.
from Amazon.com!
Scrapbook Your Christian Faith--The Beginners Guide to Scrapbooking Your Spiritual Legacy
Donna Weber
Your Price: $2.99
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of those you love and those of future generations?
Today is your opportunity to begin to create your Spiritual Legacy through your Faithbook.
Sometimes life events which alter our lives can cause us to treasure the preciousness of life. Some of these include:
• Birth of a baby (your child or grandchild)
• Chronic Illness or Chronic Pain
• Passing of a loved one
• Retirement
• Getting your first AARP membership (in other words realizing you’re growing older.)
Are you feeling that God is nudging you to start leaving some messages or some of your personal stories of Faith? If you don’t share your stories, or your favorite verses, who will?
You are the only one who can share the Spiritual Message which God has planted in your heart.
I feel it is NO accident that you are reading this right now.
Our world has changed a lot. Our children and grandchildren must be taught that they will experience trials and hardships but if they will allow Jesus, He will be with them through everything. He will give them hope, love and comfort.
Has God called YOU to be His Spiritual Messenger for Your Loved Ones and Future Generations? Find out how to create Your Faithbook in Scrapbook Your Christian Faith—The Beginners Guide to Scrapbooking Your Spiritual Legacy.
from Amazon.com!
Free Reads For Reviews
What Makes You Awesome?
Annagail Lynes
Your Price: $9.97
God called us (Romans 8:30). He put us on this Earth for a purpose.
Too many people are sidelined by what happened in their past and cannot move onto the future. They are stuck.
In this book, learn how to move beyond your past into your future and fulfill your God-given destiny.
Login to Buy!
"Sword of the Covenant"
Mark Andrews
Your Price: $4.99
A powerful invasion force intends to destroy Israel. The United States says the Jewish nation must fight this battle on its own.
But U.S. naval aviators on an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf and Air Force pilots stationed in Turkey, all Christians, may hold the key to saving Israel.
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Mountaintop Boulevard: The Pilgrim's Journey Into Bliss
Gbenga Mathew Owotoki
Your Price: $3.99
Everyone is on a journey with different destinations in sight. This book is a story which details the journey of a Pilgrim called Glory from Valleytown to the Mountaintop Boulevard. What does it take to get to the Mountaintop Boulevard? What is the battle at Middle point all about? This will bless u
from Amazon.com!
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