Subject: FaithWriters November 2013 Newsletter for Friend

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FaithWriters - November 2013
"News & Information for the Write Brained Christian" 
Now Featuring Today's Devotional and the Newest Member E-books.
In this issue:  How to get more reads of your articles and your books, More Paid Writing Opportunities on the way,  
Health insurance options for Christians, Today's Daily Devotional.
Thanksgiving Tree
by Pam Ford Davis 
 
Outside the Northeast Louisiana home of my mother-in-law, a decorative tree has drawn my attention. The colorful wind rustled leaves are a remarkable sight, and I wondered if the tree held a story within. Fallen leaves danced in the road when carried by southern breezes and I pondered how easily we are scattered when apart from Jesus, the Vine…

The tree, so beautiful in the autumn season, brought to mind the elderly, who radiate warmth and charm. The wise, in the spring and summer seasons of life, admire and emulate them. Yes, the tree could illustrate that truth.

This morning God opened my eyes of understanding. I gazed with delight and appreciation on the Thanksgiving tree. People decorate elaborate Christmas trees and I almost missed His gift of the Thanksgiving tree.

Around the trunk of the tree, He had spread a blanket of multi colored leaves, perfectly distributed for maximum effect. The symmetrical tree held only a few uneven branches pointing to the Creator above.

The focal message lay in the colors used by the artist: green, red, and orange.

Green represents everlasting life, His gift to all who believe in His Son. (John 3:16)

Red symbolizes the blood of Christ Jesus, sacrificed to pay for our sins. (Ephesians 1:7)

Orange signifies lives aglow with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:55)

I already anticipate next Thanksgiving Day. The Father will provide Thanksgiving trees as visible reminders of His great love for you and me. 

FaithWriters wishes everyone a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Blog Contest "How God Provides"
$290.00 in Prizes and Promotion of Your Writing

Has God Ever Provided For You?

If the answer is yes, here is your chance to let the world know how GOOD God really is!
Our newest Blog contest on thankfulness, all while promoting a wonderful Christian ministry and website. The timing is perfect too, of course, with Thanksgiving right around the corner. As a matter of fact this contest ends the day after the Thanksgiving holiday.

This contest gives you full freedom to be creative with your 750 word article submission. 

Plus, what better way to challenge yourself as a writer by writing to a topic, word count, and a deadline, as well as trying your hand at those contextual links that are so important in this internet age!

The winner's article will also be posted on 100 Christian Blogs!           CLICK HERE for guidelines
FaithWriters has members from all over the world.

Today you can encourage and support a member from Scotland who has chosen to support FaithWriters through advertising. Click on the logo and check it out.
More Reads on Your Articles and Books by Michael Edwards

The following article was easy for me to write, as the topic is something I'm passionate about. It also has generated a ton of views, simply because it is something that is a current hot topic. Are you wondering what to write about? Just watch the news. Pay attention to hot contemporary events where you can interject a Christian viewpoint the SAME DAY OR WITHIN A DAY OR TWO OF WHEN THE EVENT BREAKS. It could be a topic like the one below, or about any number of tragedies -- or victories -- that happen all the time. Untimely deaths and evil in the world are continual and give us an opportunity to present the truth. Victories and positive events can confirm and encourage Christian love and community. Utilize headlines from the major news networks and ask provocative questions to get attention. Here is an example of an article I recently posted that received 383 reads in its first five days.

Ancient Confession Found 'We Invented Jesus Christ'

Breaking in the news yesterday was the claim that Jesus is an invented character. According to the source, Joseph Atwill (a confessed atheist and biblical scholar), this information has been gleaned from historical documents that have been reviewed countless times by other scholars, but apparently was overlooked. Atwill made similar statements in his book written in 2006, and now claims to have additional information. His book, Caesars Messiah, has mixed reviews on Amazon. Many reviewers call it rubbish, and many others claim it is a great book.

This is not the first or the last time that someone will come forth with evidence they claim proves God does not exist or that the Bible is false. Attempts to disprove the Bible have continued for centuries. However, without outside media influence, the vast majority of people persist in a sense that God does exist. Never has there been discovered an atheistic tribe of people.

Mr. Atwill states that Jesus was invented by the Roman government as a form of psychological warfare to calm the Jews. You see, the Jews were under Roman oppression and many of them were hoping that the long awaited Messiah would come as a warlike figure and overthrow the Romans. Well, the Messiah did come but not in the form of a warlike figure. The author states that this was Rome’s plan. Rome invented a pacifying Messiah, one who would turn the other cheek and love his enemies. A Messiah who would say “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” A Messiah who would tell the people to obey the government, as stated in Roman 13.

In considering these statements, and without a full revelation of the author’s newest facts (to be released on October 19th), I would like to make some initial observations.

1.) The author is a confessed atheist so it makes perfect sense that he would believe that the Bible is false. For one thing, the Bible reports miracles. From an atheist’s view, these are not possible. I have personally spoken to many atheists who try and attack the Bible. I have learned from experience that what they really need to do is honestly review the evidence for God’s existence apart from the Bible. Unfortunately, most refuse to do this and have made up their minds without honestly examining the evidence.

2.) Believing that Jesus was invented in the fourth century, we would need to believe that the entire New Testament was all concocted by the Romans. I want to point out that there is not a single piece of ancient literature that has been more thoroughly investigated by scholars than the New Testament documents. The documents are historically accurate to the highest degree, according to scholars.

3.) We are supposed to believe that the Roman government, while devising a scheme to tame the Jews, just happened to write down some of the most profound ethical teachings the world has ever known? Teachings that have spanned over 2,000 years and countless attempts to rid the world of the book they are written in? Some of the most ethical teachings ever revealed in a scheme to deceive? Really Mr. Atwill?

Continue Reading this article HERE


Take note that in the regular article submission area we have added a new category - In The News - specifically for this type of article.

Remember to also add keywords that are in the news reports and in your article. In the above article I listed these keywords in the keyword box in the article submission area: Ancient Confession Found, We Invented Jesus Christ, Joseph Atwill, covert messiah, Caesar's Messiah. All of these would have been used in the large number of secular news articles written at the same time I wrote mine. I also promoted my book in this article because it applied. I encourage you to do the same if you can tie a book you have written to a current news event. 

God has been on me for years reminding me that preparation is 90% of the job. Preparation in writing includes using our God given minds and getting creative with our articles, titles and keywords. This preparation will increase your exposure tremendously and it will not cost you anything extra.
You read books, right? Of course you do! Why not make your next read a newly released Christian book that you can read for FREE!

If you haven't yet discovered the "Free Reads for Reviews" program, you don't know what you're missing! There are over thirty great books currently in this program. RevelationBooks.org

Make a commitment like Mike and Bea have done to regularly read books in this program. You will not be disappointed. Plus, you are sowing good seeds by helping
and encouraging fellow writers.
Upgrade and Support FaithWriters (Gold is only .20 a day)
At FaithWriters we want to help you grow as a writer as we work together to spread the gospel. We really appreciate all of our members. However, the vast majority are free Silver members. Like any business, we have expenses, website overhead, employees and other items. Please consider helping FaithWriters by UPGRADING to Platinum or UPGRADING to Gold.
We promise to do all we can to give you a lot more than it costs. Another way you can also help is by purchasing products through our Amazon links. They are found at the top of most site pages and are entitled Shop, Save, Support.  We thank you for your support. -- Mike & Bea and the FaithWriters staff
FaithWriters News 

More Paid Writing Opportunities on the Way

If you have ever thought about upgrading, this might be the perfect time. We have recently started a pay per click campaign on Google and Yahoo to get our writers more paid opportunities. These will be posted through private messenger to our Gold and Platinum members.

A few recent PAID opportunities posted in the last month:

1) Copywriter for a large project at a major Christian television network.
2) Content officer/ writer for a missions organization.
3) Young Men's Writer for a Christian men's ministry.
4) Creative Writing & Poetry Website

FREE READS FOR REVIEWS   For our authors and those who like to read books for free.

Would you buy a book that had no reviews from an author you never heard of? Probably not.The truth is, if you want your book to even be considered by readers, it needs reviews. 

You may ask: "But what if I get bad reviews?" We urge you to not be afraid of what you need to succeed. If your book is really as good as you think it is, you will get a decent amount of good reviews. This does not mean everyone will like it, but what do you have to lose? Is your book selling now? Step out in faith and find out what the world really thinks about your book. If it is meant to succeed, it will. However, it needs reviews to get noticed in the ocean of books that are out there. Here are three reviews from last month on books in the program.

"Woo-hoo! I so enjoyed reading The Key. It's a rich and engaging read. I love how it flows with such literary rhythm. And I much adore the Bea character. The book has a good pace and a plot that compels to read on. The element of surprise is a treat, as well. The dialogue appeals throughout the content. Yes, I do recommend The Key - with delight - yes I do." Sandra Renee Hicks 

Ridden by the Devil:  "Fast paced Western. The story carried me along at such a rollicking speed that it sometimes had me too busy riding shot gun looking out for the bad guys that I missed becoming familiar with Colt. I felt the warnings delivered at the end of most chapters detracted from the 'being right there' and turned a great opportunity for me to visit the Wild West into author intrusion. Great story line and I enjoyed it overall."

"This Little Writer Went To Market has given me direction. New at writing, I didn't know where to begin at marketing my articles, etc. I'm very glad that I read this book and now I have a plan in place to begin the next step of my journey. Thank you Linda!"

Free Reads for Reviews is our new program continues to provide many of our authors with much needed reviews on their books.  If you have a book in the store or enjoy reading great books for free, you need to check this out today. http://ebooks.faithwriters.com/readsforreviewscurrentbooks.php

In Case You Missed it,  Jan is back!  Seasoned writer and FaithWriters favorite, Jan Ackerson, has returned with her FREE writing lessons. Members rave about them! 

More Writing Lessons Added for Upgraded Member too.
Written by one of our published members (Lynda Schab) there are two new lessons HERE.
How to write Greeting Cards and Anthologies. 

Testimony Contest Winners are with MindStir Media
The manuscript is now in the publisher's hands, and we will keep you posted. No release date yet. Let MindStir publish your book.

Important Notice For Those Who Did Not Make The Testimony Book
If you submitted a testimony but did not make the book, we are setting up a FaithWriters page for the book and we want you to be a part of it. We need you to post your testimony on the site -- in regular articles section -- and then email Michael@Faithwritters.com with the link to that article on FaithWriters.

The Challenge
"I wanted to take a quick moment and thank you for FaithWriters web site. Bea and I exchanged emails when I first joined because I live in Prescott. I got involved in the weekly challenges and thoroughly enjoyed writing down "my little Africa stories" as I call them and submitting them to FaithWriters. It was very encouraging when I consistently placed close to the top of the challenge, sometimes getting first place and Editor's Choice. With my new-found writing confidence from FaithWriters, I submitted one such story to Xulon Press's July 2013 Writing Contest.To my complete surprise, I won first place, receiving a book publishing contract free. Between July 1 to October 10, I went from writing 750 word stories for FaithWriters to holding my very own book in my hand! I have never even considered writing a book. The title is Kindergarten Lessons I Learned in Africa. But the real lesson was what I learned from FaithWriters - keep doing your best, submitting your works to God (and FaithWriters), and watch what happens."

Blessings,
Claudia Thomason

Free Read for Review - Read Claudia's book for FREE right now for a review and see what won the Xulon contest.

Learn more about the Challenge HERE. 
Hard Decisions, Christian? The Solution - Play for the Coach and not the Crowd

As you know, FaithWriters.com is made up a thousands of writers, and once in a while, a post is brought to our attention that teaches something that contradicts the Bible. Everyone has an opinion, but many who claim to hear from God and be Christ followers, have never even read the Bible, while others take the Bible out of context or add to it. Bob says one thing and Mary says another and both say God told them. In today's world, many would have you believe that they are both right, even if they completely contradict each other. So what do we do? Who should we believe?

The good news is that God never changes, and we have that -- and a lot more -- in writing. The Bible states that Jesus is the Word that came and dwelt among us (John 1:1,14). It also states that Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). Therefore, the Word is the truth. Just like you trust a compass to always point north, you can trust the Bible to always point to the truth. So when you hear things out there in this big crazy world from the boisterous crowd, no matter who states it, make it a practice to vet it in context through Gods Word. 

When we have made a firm decision to keep first what we are certain is God's Word instead of the claims of men, we have stopped playing for the crowd and started playing for the Coach. The Bible calls it the Fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom, and it is really much easier to please God than trying to please all men. We simply can't please everyone. It just doesn't work. Playing for the Coach and not the crowd will keep you in line with the truth.

At FaithWriters we will stand on the Word (play for the Coach) when making hard decisions, and we hope you do too. It If you have not read our Statement of Faith - What We Believe, you should read it now. 
Want your book made into a professional looking e-book for a reasonable price with guaranteed service? Contact Lisa by clicking on the ad to the right. Another conference presenter, we highly recommend her services.

Amazon states that e-books are now outselling print books. 
The Great Multitude Daily Bible Devotional for November 1st.

Giver of Wisdom by Sheldon Bass 

“That in everything you are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge…” (1 Corinthians 1: 5 KJV) 

A man who sits in our Sunday bible class suffers from schizophrenia and sometimes cannot distinguish reality from imagination. The man lives next door to my wife and I, so we see him regularly throughout the week, and have witnessed his infrequent delusions. 

However, many times during Sunday school, the Holy Spirit has used him to speak to the group. As a teacher I must remain aware of the group’s understanding of our text and of spiritual truth. As I pose subtle queries to determine if I’m getting through to the class, this same man is the one who seems to grasp the things of God the best. He shines above the rest when it comes to the truths of God’s word, as evidenced by giving examples from his own walk with the Lord, testimony that expounds upon truth through real life situations. It is so like our Lord to grant wisdom to those whom others may tend to discount or look down upon. 

Wisdom comes from God. In 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, Paul contrasts this superior wisdom of God with the inferior wisdom of the world. The wisdom of the world shall come to naught. The day is coming when our mentally challenged neighbor and brother in the Lord will be honored above the university professors of this world, because he has sought wisdom from above. 

Sheldon Bass, Inspirational Speaker, Bible Teacher and Christian Writer, enjoys creating culinary recipes and training dogs. 
Don't Skimp on the Editing
Use a FaithWriters Approved Editor
Click HERE

FaithWriters is unique in it's dual purpose: We are writers and evangelists. On FaithWriters, you'll find fiction, non-fiction, poems, devotionals, Bible studies and other articles written from a Christian perspective. Content you would not find on a site that is strictly evangelistic in nature. With so much variety, we receive many visitors who might not go to a traditional evangelism site. Many may not even be looking for Jesus. But Jesus still meets them when they visit. In our experience, God tends to find people where they are at in their life. This may be while they are reading your article about marriage or divorce. It might happen when they read about struggles with sin or your fictional story. What we are saying is to keep on submitting your various pieces that could only be authored by you. 

Men and women from over 220 countries are attracted to the FaithWriters site by the various articles on the end of our fishing pole. Many have no other way than the internet to find out about Jesus. They are able to learn a lot from our site and the sister sites we have provided links to. 

To date, at least 395 people have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior directly on our FaithWriters. Plus we refer many people to other sites to help answer their questions and accommodate their language. We know it is not about just about numbers. We also know that accepting Jesus in their heart and confessing Him is where it starts. It is  honor to consider the fact that God would use us in this way.

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. 


Here are four of several emails that we received this month. 

Hey my name is Adam J., I'm 13 yrs. old and i live in California, Lake Elsinore. Please help me get stronger with God and reach out for him. And thank him for what he did. 

Diana S, United States. My husband is a drug addict and is in jail. We have lost our home and overdrawn $600.00. God is good and we were able to find a home right away. Bigger and less money. God is working on my husband and I believe when he gets out he will be a changed man. I thank God everyday for never leaving me and my children. I ask for the strength to continue and a financial blessing. I thank him for allowing me to serve him and for Him having chosen me and my family.

Accepted Jesus as Savior. I want to learn all I can and grow in my faith. Please send me more information. Maria P.

Yes I do accept Jesus as my savior and I want to teach people to know more about god and what he does for us and what he did for us. I need prayers and help on what to do. Donna C.

Thank You FaithWriters

Mike & Bea 
Affordable Health Care Act Options by Michael Edwards

If you are one of the thousands of people concerned about the upcoming healthcare changes, read this.

Bea and I were quite surprised when we went to check out our health insurance options with the Obamacare changes. Blue Cross of Michigan has been our carrier for awhile and we hoped to stay with them, but we were in for a big surprise. We had a $2,500 deductible and to keep a rate close to what we have had, Blue Cross told us we would need to move to a $10,000 deductible. The other option was to go to a similar deductible for about $500 more per month.

After searching other options that were even higher, we have decided to make a move to a Christian medical bill sharing ministry. There are three options, and if you join one you will be exempt from health insurance. Here they are, in no special order. 

http://www.chministries.org/  Been around the longest with the most members and our choice.

http://mychristiancare.org/  Operates most like traditional insurance even though these are not classified as insurance.

http://samaritanministries.org/  Newest to the group but with several years in operation.

These ministries are not new, and all have an excellent track record. We will be able to keep our cost about the same but with a $500 deductible instead of $2,500.
Great Reads is a New Feature
We are Committed to Promoting Your Writing
This newsletter Goes to thousands of members.
  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 at Amazon. Descriptions are unedited and taken from the Authors book page.




Books Added to the RevelationBooks.org in the last month.

Fiction


Ultimate Power
Mark Huebner
Your Price: $3.29


Join Nat and Ruth Barton and their continuing adventure to help missionaries around the world. This time they are on the island of Haiti where their encounters with a local witchdoctor and his voodoo tricks will be directly countered with a true higher power right when natural disaster strikes.
from Amazon.com!


Change in the Wind
Mark Huebner
Your Price: $3.29


Nat and Ruth Barton see everything in their life change overnight and are launched into the unknown. Little did they think that helping missionaries would turn into the adventure of a lifetime. Aimed at 9-13 year olds, this e-book series is for anyone who enjoys wholesome Christian adventures.
from Amazon.com!


Getting Home
mary white
Your Price: $15.00


This fictional story about broken hearts and second chances begins with a cursing, naked toddler who enters the world of a grieving widow and her only daughter. When Mattie, Ruby and Gracie Jo meet it is difficult to tell whose life will be changed the most. Getting Home is a tale of falling in love, losing at love and finding the way to what matters.
from Amazon.com!


Season of Justice
Bruce Hammack
Your Price: $2.99


“To everything there is a season…”
For CJ Harper, an assistant chief of police at a Christian university, it is a season of heartache, danger and deception. For David Harper, CJ’s Texas Ranger husband, it’s a season of coming clean about a secret that has kept him in bondage for years.
Things from the past have a way of turning up again. In A Season of Justice, they don’t just turn up; they explode into the couple’s lives and test their marriage to its limits. It’s time for David to be honest with everyone—starting with his wife. Then David runs into Biff, his best friend from high school, who knows David’s secret.
You will almost smell the salt water breezes drift in from the Gulf of Mexico as the Harpers confront corrupt officials, an amorous high school sweetheart and a person from David’s past that refuses to stay...shall we say, buried.
from Amazon.com!

Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com




The Fisherman's Wife
Dianne Sagan
Your Price: $2.99


Joanna's life changes when a new rabbi calls her husband Simon, a fisherman and his friends to follow him. How can she handle her new life?
from Amazon.com!


Rebekah Redeemed
Dianne Sagan
Your Price: $2.99


A Women of the Bible story in which a young girl, Rebekah is forced into servitude after the death of her father. Who will be her kinsman redeemer? How can the Nazarene teach her to forgive?
from Amazon.com!


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Non-Fiction


God's Healing Hope: Breaking the Strongholds of Wrong Thinking
John Clark
Your Price: $3.99


John Livingston Clark is a graduate of San Diego State University, and Western Baptist Seminary. He is a certified teacher. The author's unique message redefines "recovery" to mean breaking free from the negative results of incorrect religious beliefs. He
from Amazon.com!


If God Wants Me Well, Why Am I Sick?:A Bible Study Guide of Supernatural Healing
Harriett Ford
Your Price: $7.69


A paralyzed youth declares his faith, gets out of bed, and walks.

A permanently injured pilot determines to fly again and regains perfect health.

A woman battles breast cancer with only her faith in God and recovers. While a reporter explores these and many other supernatural healings.
from Amazon.com!


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Poetry


Fragrance from the Spring
Liana Wendy Howarth
Your Price: $7.95


A collection of inspirational and children's poetry.

Also included are some suggestions for greeting card inserts.

To God be the glory.
from Amazon.com!


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Free Reads For Reviews


Fragrance from the Spring
Liana Wendy Howarth
Your Price: $7.95


A collection of inspirational and children's poetry.

Also included are some suggestions for greeting card inserts.

To God be the glory.
from Amazon.com!


Kindergarten Lessons I Learned in Africa
Claudia Thomason
Your Price: $7.99


An account of the adventures of author Claudia Thomason while on missions trips in Africa. The sights, smells, sounds and life lessons are detailed for readers in colorful terms throughout this memoir, while each account is heavily grounded in spiritual insight.
from Amazon.com!  

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