| FaithWriters - December 2013
"News & Information for the Write Brained Christian"
Now Featuring Today's Devotional and the Newest Member E-books. Inside: Testimony Book Update, Page Turner Winners, Christian Health Sharing News, World Vision Donations Doubled, Today's Devotional. | | | Wishing You and Your Family A Very Merry Christmas
The Christmas Letter by Jan Christiansen
Sally curled her fingers around the thick crayon, her tongue slipped through her lips in abject concentration. The letters must be formed just right. All the words must be straight, for this was the most important letter she would ever write.
Carly dried the last of the dishes as she watched her little girl bent low over her paper.
"Jotting down the things you want for Christmas?"
Sally nodded, but didn’t look up from her task.
A key turned in the lock and Daddy stumbled through the door.
Sally wrote faster.
She wrote through the yelling, through the crying, through the slamming of the door as Daddy left again. When she had finished, she carefully folded the letter and put it into an envelope and addressed it…To Jesus.
"Mama?” she said, “Can we go to the mall tomorrow?"
Through red and swollen eyes, Mama said, “You want to see Santa? To give him your list?"
Sally shook her head, “No, Santa only brings toys. I want to see Jesus for Christmas this year. Since Christmas is Jesus' birthday, he'll be at the mall, too. Right?"
Carly looked at her little girl - her spirit so strong and her body so frail. If the doctors were right, Sally would indeed see Jesus for Christmas this year. “Let’s get you back to bed, Sweet Pea. I’ll hold your letter until morning."
When Jessie came back home that night, Carly was waiting for him, holding Sally’s letter “You have to read this,” she said." Jessie read through whiskey blurred eyes what his little girl had written.
Dear Jesus,
Please make my mommy and daddy love each other again.
Your friend,
Sally
Husband and wife cried together that night and promised to work things out. Promised to allow God to mend their marriage and promised to seek Jesus for the answer to their little girl’s Christmas wish.
On Christmas morning, Sally looked up into St. Peter’s eyes. “Is this the line to see Jesus?” she asked.
"You don’t need to stand in line, Sally,” said St. Peter, “Jesus is waiting for you."
She turned to see the friend of children waiting to take her in. She ran into his arms and buried her face in his chest. “Did you get my letter?” she asked.
“Yes, child,” he said “and your wish has been granted“
Thank you, Jesus,” she reached her hand up and patted his face, “and Merry Christmas.”
This short story was written for a FaithWriters blog contest in December 2012 by a very talented FaithWriter, Jan Christiansen. It was inspired by Becky Kelley's heart-stirring video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY
|
| | Where is The Line To See Jesus? IS BACK
Based on THIS VIDEO and great interest last year, this Blog Contest has been opened again for 2013. Deadline is midnight December 24th.
|
| | | Congratulations to our Page Turner Winners
After almost 12 months of excitement and nail-biting suspense, it is time to announce the winners of the seventh annual FaithWriters.com/Finesse Writing and Editing Service/Breath of Fresh Air Press Page Turner Contest.
The 2013 Page Turner Writing Contest opened for submissions on January 1. Each year alternates between fiction and non-fiction, and the focus for this year was fiction. The Page Turner competition is open to all members of the FaithWriters Platinum 500, and 47 submissions were received before entries closed on October 31.
Entries were comprised of a synopsis, which outlined the planned book overall, and the first chapter of the manuscript. Judging was based on how well each entry worked in a number of key areas, including creativity, freshness, craftsmanship and, most importantly, page turning power and potential for publication.
This year, the standard of entries was exceptional, with a large number of the submissions showing some degree of publishing potential. It was also very exciting to see that many of the entries were not your standard “cookie-cutter” Christian fiction. It is encouraging to see Christian writers daring to step a little outside the box and try new, imaginative ways to reach readers.
The 1st place winner of the 2013 Page Turner Contest receives:
• A cash prize of $800
• Free editing of their manuscript (up to 300 pages) • Free publicity and marketing of their book on all FaithWriters’ sites for twelve months following publication
• A special Page Turner Champion award plaque
• Consideration for publication of winning manuscript by new Christian publisher, Breath of Fresh Air Press (publisher of the new line of Mixed Blessings books)
• Free conference registration for either the 2014 US FaithWriters Conference (terms and conditions apply)
The two Page Turner runners up receive:
• A special Page Turner award plaque; • The offer of half price editing for their winning manuscripts; and • Free conference registration for the 2014 US FaithWriters’ Conference (terms and conditions apply).
So, with great pleasure, we announce our 2013 Fiction Page Turner winners:
2013 PAGE TURNER CHAMPION........
AT THE WATER'S EDGE by Theresa Santy
2013 Page Turner Runners Up....
The Grimmest by Kevin Ingram The Mystic Realms of Shadow Fox by Jim McWhinnie
The 2014 Non-Fiction Page Turner Contest will open on January 1. Watch for details!
For complete guidelines, visit the official contest page: PAGE TURNER
|
| | Don't Skimp on the Editing! Click HERE for a FaithWriters approved Editor. |
| | | Give a Christmas Gift Times Two that Keeps on Giving
World Vision helps in the natural and brings the gospel to the world. Their Micro lending program lends money to small entrepreneurs so they can succeed and support their families. When these business owners pay their small loan back, the money is reused for another loan, and another, and so on.
An unnamed member of FaithWriters has offered to double, up to $20,000, the donations made by FaithWriters members to the World Vision program through Christmas day, 2013. We have set up a group page for your donation. You can donate as little as $25, or as much as you want. You can even choose the person you want to help.
Click the photo above to watch a short video. Then Click Here to learn more and donate. When FaithWriters administration sees your donation they will double it, using our donors funds.
Thank you so much for supporting this wonderful cause! And thanks to our very generous donor!
|
| | | Send your Family and Friends the Gift of Eternal Life for Christmas
Billy Graham is now 95 years old and still at work. He is behind the largest outreach to ever sweep America, and has touched literally millions of lives. If you have not seen these videos, we urge you to watch them and then send one to your friends and family by email with a heartfelt email. Be encouraged to pray and don't give up.
|
| | Give a fellow writer a Christmas Present. Read their book for FREE and write a simple review.
Many of the books you'll find in our e-book store have several five star Amazon reviews already, but it often takes more than a few reviews to attract buyers. Helping another author today will do more than bless a writer. It will also plant good seeds for the book you have written or plan to write. Be a blessing today!
|
| | | | | | | FaithWriters News
More Paid Writing Opportunities For Upgraded Members
Lately, we have been posting more writing opportunities than ever through private messenger. Many of these are paid opportunities. This is due to our pay per click ad campaign on Google and Yahoo. This ad campaign will continue next year, so get your writing resume ready. There have been some very unique and exciting freelancing jobs, and many of our members have gone on to acquire some excellent opportunities! If you have not upgraded your FaithWriters membership, this is a great time to do so.
Devotionals Needed
The Great Multitude Daily Devotional is looking for submissions from new writers, as well as those who have not submitted a devotional for awhile. Our exposure grows every month, and currently we are on thousands of websites (12,000 by email and 4,500 by twitter). Plus, these devotionals are slated to appear on the iDisciple platform in the future. Take something God has really placed on your heart, pray and write. Go HERE and read. Submission guidelines are HERE.
The Challenge We Challenge you try the Challenge! Members who get involved grow the most. Remember, Silver members can taste the Challenge now and see for themselves what all of the excitement is about.
Here is a note we received from one of the Challenge participants:
"Thank you so much for your encouragement. It was a lovely surprise to get the 1st Place in the challenge and I never expected to ever get the Editor's Choice. Then to find another win for the same story was just overwhelming - and so encouraging. Unbelievable! I was too excited to sleep that night. FaithWriters has given me the opportunity to learn and grow in my writing and a new purpose for my life. I have always wanted to write but never found the courage or the confidence to make a start. I was always afraid of failure. But before my husband died in October 2012 he asked me to promise that I would write and I made that promise. One weekend earlier this year, the Lord spoke to me about it being 'my time' and put it in my heart to share testimony in church and a short extract from the book I am attempting to write. It was unbearably difficult but I obeyed and was incredibly encouraged. A short time later I discovered FaithWriters, became a member and submitted my first Challenge article. The critiques were encouraging and helpful and I suddenly found I was no longer afraid of failure. I learned to simply try harder next time, enjoy what others had written and share gladly in their success. Our God is good. I owe a lot to FaithWriters, especially to those who have critiqued my articles and encouraged me in such a gentle way. I am thankful for their experience, expertise and advice and I thank God every single day for His amazing grace that has kept me through difficult times and steered me in a new direction. Thank you!" Pauline C.
Learn more about the Challenge HERE. The Challenge is a great way to prepare for paid writing opportunities in 2014.
iDisciple Contributors The Family Christian stores launch of the iDisciple program that we are providing content for has experienced a few issues. The scheduled October launch did not happen until November, and now it appears they were under-prepared to handle the volume of material they received from providers like FaithWriters. We have been asked to not submit any more material until after the 1st of the year so they can catch up. Currently none of our material is posted. If you are a contributor to this program, your patience is appreciated.
|
| |
Testimony Book MindStir Media is working hard to get the Testimony book released in time for Christmas, and we are hoping and praying that they do.We have reviewed the proof, and had to make a few small changes, but it looks great. Things are definitely in the final stages.
While we tried to make it work, the photo that was selected for the cover was not available in a high enough resolution. To avoid any further delays, we asked MindStir Media to come up with something, and they did. This is the book's final cover. We are very pleased with the design. |
| | December 1st EDITION OUT NOW! Articles from twelve members |
| | Affordable Health Care Act Options
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 a while, 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, has the most members, and is our first 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. We encourage you to check it out if you are in the market for new health insurance.
|
| |  |
The Great Multitude Daily Bible Devotional December 1st, 2013
Season of Advents by Karen Pourbabaee
“…be patient, strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:8
The word advent, from the Latin adventus, means “coming”. Our Lord’s coming, for which we wait. The season of Advent affords us opportunity to share in that ancient longing, waiting for the Messiah, to enter the spiritual days gone by of our Jewish forefathers. And while the season culminates in the celebration of Christ’s birth, long days of preparation can gift us with many moments of advent…little moments of joy within our soul. Divine interruptions in the fast flow of life. But we must be prepared…alert…expectant. He may come ever so quietly. Even disguised.
Prepare your hearts, and He will come. The Lord arrives along many pathways. He comes in sacrament, in a holy communion. Receive Him. It’s a little advent. In the solitude of adoration, the Lord is near. Speak to Him. It’s a little advent. He arrives in the midst of His people gathering to worship. Moments of advent to savor.
Listen for His footsteps in the reading of the Word. Contemplate His statutes and the Living Word draws near and speaks. It’s a little advent. Walk outdoors in the cathedral of nature. He whispers in the wind. His touch is seen in every brilliant fall leaf or pure white veil of snow. His face is reflected in those you meet. They may carry His revelation Word to you, embrace you with His love. He has come.
Embark upon a spiritual treasure hunt this Advent season. Many little advents await you.
Karen is a south Louisiana native currently living in Oklahoma. As a retired nurse with a lifelong yen to write, she continues her mission in Proverbs 13:17 "A faithful envoy brings healing", in her written works. Contact |
| | |
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 411 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 a few of many emails we received this month. Please pray for these people.
1) Yes I Prayed and Accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. 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 beleive 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.
2) Yes I Prayed and Rededicated My Life to Jesus. Hey my name is Adam J. I’m 13 yrs. old and I live in California, Lake Please help me get stronger with god and reach out for him. And thank him for what he did million of century’s ago.
3) Yes I Prayed and Accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Gareth, I cheated on my wife and have been using drugs to fill something in my life. I have a 1 year old daughter. I live in south Africa.
If you found this website after reading an article on FaithWriters, please tell us which article it was so we tell the writer the good news. If you cannot give us the specific article, just tell us the topic that drew you to FaithWriters and now here. Thank You:
The article about adultery
Thank You FaithWriters
|
| | 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 |
| | Great Reads is a New Feature
We are Committed to Promoting Your Writing
This newsletter Goes to thousands of members. |
| | | | | Christmas Shopping?
Avoid the crowds. Get the best prices and the best selection. Save gas! Save time!
How? By shopping from the comfort of your own home!
Shop, Save and Support FaithWriters Using Our Amazon Link in the Sites Top Banner. Or You Can Click HERE. | |
| | | Books Added to the RevelationBooks.org in the last month.
Miriam's Room
Dianne Sagan
Your Price: $2.99
In Jerusalem, mother of John Mark, Miriam faces a society in which she must hide her strength and knowledge in the sanctuary of an upper room. In the world outside she fights the influence of a young Zealot who would claim her son for his cause against Rome. Can a new Rabbi open her eyes and heart?
from Amazon.com!
Biblical studies
Women of Destiny - When Faith Leads
Norm Stewart
Your Price: $5.99
In women of destiny we see the faith, courage and ingenuity of three great women who left an indelible mark on history. In discovering their destiny, they answered when faith called, followed when faith led, and went where only faith traveled. In so doing, they changed history and saved a nation
Login to Buy!
Women of Destiny - When Faith Leads
Norm Stewart
Your Price: $5.99
In women of destiny we see the faith, courage and ingenuity of three great women who left an indelible mark on history. In discovering their destiny, they answered when faith called, followed when faith led, and went where only faith traveled. In so doing, they changed history and saved a nation
Login to Buy!
Available in more formats from:
Amazon.com
Smashwords.com
Made in the Image of God: Understanding the Nature of God and Mankind in a Changing World
Reid Ashbaucher
Your Price: $9.00
Made in the Image of God was written for individuals looking for a deeper understanding of God the creator and how he relates to his creation physically, emotionally and spiritually in a personal way. This book would also make good resource material for discussions in small groups or class rooms.
from Amazon.com!
Devotionals
Images in scripture an illustrated approach to prayer
Maggi Ogunshuyi
Your Price: $4.95
Images in Scripture an illustrative approach to prayer is a book written for those of you who have an interest in the visual creative arts. It is written for those who wish to learn how to get closer to God through illustraton, painting and drawing, photography and any other visual creative means you can think of. The book is divided into themes and encourages you to prayer fully explore your own visual interpretation of key scriptural verses. This book is designed to accommodate readers who wish to explore prayer through a creative means. The key emphasis is for you the reader to have a go and have fun creating beautiful works of art through prayer moving closer to the Lord your God through visual representation.
from Amazon.com!
Non-Fiction
Why? Finding the Truth
Bill Koch
Your Price: $5.55
Moving through our human lives begs for answers to the hard questions. What does life mean? Why am I here? Why is there pain? What is this inner angst? Is there a God? Why did God create me? How can I find what’s real?
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Help for being Alone or Lonely
LaVerne Iverson
Your Price: $0.00
Are you alone or feeling lonely?
Every man and woman wants to have companionship! Get the help you need now to STOP loneliness.
Inside this book, you will discover true stories of struggles with feeling alone.
The information and 12 easy tips in this book will help you TRIUMPH over loneliness.
from Amazon.com!
Children
Jake The Story
mary white
Your Price: $1.99
Jake's life has turned upside down. His mom is gone and he's living with his Dad in a smelly house. Now, he's done something bad and he doesn't know what to do. Should he tell his Dad or keep it a secret?
from Amazon.com!
Getting Well, A Study for Children About Spiritual and Physical Healing
John Penn
Your Price: $14.00
Getting Well is a six to twelve-week study that will help "tweens" explore healing and wholeness. As followers of Jesus we are called to spread the good news that God wants everyone to be a whole person in every dimension of life: spirit, body, mind (emotions) and relationships. The selected healing stories and activities included in this study tells us about the depth of God's love. This study will help children understand: ~ what healing is ~ why Jesus healed ~ what healing teaches us about God's love for us ~ why healing is needed today ~ how to enhance health in every stage of life by choosing lifestyles that promote wholeness.
from Amazon.com!
Equipped to Serve, A Study for Tweens About the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
John Penn
Your Price: $14.00
Equipped to Serve is a six- to twelve-week study that will help tweens explore the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This unique resource is designed for the teacher, and contain everything required for tweens in grades six to eight. Equipped to Serve includes over twenty-five creative activities, tweens can complete that reinforce the content, that are fun, interactive, challenging, thought-provoking and Bible-based. After completing this study, the children will learn: ~ what gifts are ~ why gifts are important ~ How God uses gifts to eidfy and to build up the church ~ who receive gifts ~ gifts empower the church for servant ministry
from Amazon.com!
Free Reads For Reviews
Smiling Again: Coming Back to Life and Faith After Brain Surgery
Sally Stap
Your Price: $7.99
“When I woke up. . .I quickly became aware that gliding through brain surgery recovery was not the big plan. Pain, paralysis, and single-sided deafness loomed ahead.” This is my story of brain surgery and recovery
from Amazon.com!
Non-Fiction
Grief and Loss: How to Deal With a New Reality
Lars Wilhelmsson
Your Price: $15.99
Recovering from losing a loved one is a slow process and the importance of allowing oneself to grieve and of getting support and help from others is treated at length with suggestions on methods of helping to cope with the pain and loss and to find comfort in others and God and His promises.
|
| | | | Thanks for your Membership and Support!
|
| |
