| FaithWriters - August 2021
News & Information for the Write Brained Christian
Growing Christian Writers and Spreading the Gospel in over 230 Countries |
| | The Writing Challenge Current TopicYou still have time to enter.
Topic 5 – Begins July 29 / Ends August 5
CONFUSED
Winners Announced August 12
Go HERE to main Writing Challenge page for more information. Free Silver members get to try the Challenge up to four times with their membership. Enter today! |
| | Devotionals submitted from members publish on thousands of websites worldwide!
Great Multitude Daily Bible Devotional Receive it by email or place it on your website HERE
“Learning To Ask Who Not Why” - Sandra Fischer
. . .Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. . .therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes ~ Job 42:3b, 6 NIV
No life in this world is without trials and troubles. Sometimes they come in small unrelenting jabs and other times like a tsunami wave. As believers we are told to expect them, yet like Job we question God’s purpose in allowing them. We ask why, hoping if we could understand we could make sense of them and accept them. After studying the book of Job, I learned that God never answered Job’s questioning, even after God forgave him his presumptiveness, restored his losses, and honored him for his faithfulness.
Job had his audience with God and appealed to Him to give an answer for his miseries—loss of family, wealth, and health. Instead, God asked Job over seventy questions to which he had no answer. He realized God was God, sovereign over all things and that He owes no one an explanation.
Rather than asking “why” when we don’t understand what’s happening, we should consider “WHO” is behind it all, whether by His permissive or sovereign will. “Why” ends in the letter “y” which could stand for “you,” indicating it’s all about “you.” If we consider “WHO” instead, “o” represents the “One” and “Only”—God Almighty. Is anyone qualified to question God about anything? When we see God as He is and ourselves as we are, like Job, we should repent of our “presumptive” sin and trust His sovereignty and trustworthiness.
Heavenly Father, thank you for working everything together to those who love You—for our good and Your Glory.
Sandra is a FaithWriters Platinum member, author of “My Faithbook Messages” which can be found HERE.
Help us spread the good news of Jesus around the world. The FaithWriters devotional is on thousands of websites, plus thousands go out by email and Twitter daily. They are also published about 90 days after FaithWriters on I-Disciple HERE . Members are encouraged to submit an edited devotional for publication HERE. Submissions are a maximum of 350 words, helping you learn to write to topic and word count. You never know how your writing may inspire a brother or sister in Christ or impact a lost soul.
The devotional appears on many unique websites around the world. Sites like the Kenmure Church of Scotland, Los Angeles Police Wives Association, Shields of Christ, Slavic Youth Fellowship, Go the Distance Radio Ministry, New Life Assembly, Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, ETBS South Africa, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Group Seven Technology , Nassau Tabernacle of Praise , Police Wives of America and Christian Hope Church U.K. |
| | Congratulations to Our Annual Best of the Best Winners!!
After twelve months of Writing Challenge topics and entries, we had our 30+ contenders for the Best of The Best.
The annual Best of the Best awards are announced July 1 each year, the awards going to the three highest rated Editors’ Choice winners for the previous twelve months. First place gets $100, second place $50, and third place $25.
1ST PLACE Twisting Truth by Jack Taylor (Flexible Challenge)
2ND PLACE Empty by Jack Taylor (Breath Challenge)
3RD PLACE My Secret Adventure by Barbara Lynn Culler (Hero Challenge)
The Writing Challenge starts up again TODAY - Thursday, July 1 at 11am ET. Enter - you could be on this list next year! Go HERE.
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| | CONGRATULATIONS END OF QUARTER LEVEL WINNERS
April - June, 2021
BEGINNERS/INTERMEDIATE: The Way (2) by Jennifer Percell (TRAIL Challenge)
https://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level2-previous.php?id=60384
ADVANCED: Good Intentions by Laurie Kiel (WORK OUT Challenge)
https://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level3-previous.php?id=60402
MASTERS: The Finger Talker by Jack Taylor (FRESH Challenge)
https://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level4-previous.php?id=60313
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| | The Writing Challenge - Guaranteed to Improve Your Writing!
Best of Best Winner 2021 Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FLEXIBLE (07/09/20)
TITLE: Twisting Truth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
Eighteen feet of coiled steel, wrapped around the trunk of the lone tree set in the middle of a tropical paradise, concealed the venomous posture of the hooded beauty whispering death to the princess reaching for the fruit. Herpetologists bend over backwards to avoid surprising these fanged warriors but the ‘innocent one’ explored the shadowed foliage, discreetly questioning her guide.
Round pupils fixated on the gentle appendage stroking the beautiful and succulent temptation as the self-proclaimed ‘king’ adjusted his scaley exterior to refract the light into a rainbow of brilliance.
The pioneer noticed the wonder of amber, jade, amethyst, ruby, emerald, opal, and sapphire, mesmerizing as a necklace, drawing her in close.
Eye to eye they examined the hanging marvel, polished for maximum joy. “Ssssuperior, isssn’t it?”
The innocent one nodded.
“How does it compare to everything elssse you’ve tried?”
“Don’t know. I haven’t tried it.”
“Did the guardian really ssset a ressstriction on you so that you can’t enjoy any of these delicasssies?”
“Not at all. Every other option is completely fine. Just not this one. Hands off.”
There’s nothing so flexible as a truth repositioned. The subtlety as imperceptible as the rising hood of a cobra when you’re not aware.
Whether it was Adam or Eve who first added the extra nuance is uncertain. “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You must not touch it!” Where did that come from? Was it from the desire of an overprotective husband setting boundaries to guard the joy of his heart? Was it from the desire of a woman first setting limits on the very thing that drew her to try a little before restarting that diet plan?
Oh, the flexible little partial truths we tell ourselves – and others who watch.
“Is that really the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?”
“Well, now that you put it that way.”
“SSSurely the Creator of all that is beautiful is not so inflexible as to deny his favoured ones access to the wonder of all that he enjoys. Would he truly withhold something so marvelous from you? Something so simple, so inviting, so sweet.”
“It is all that you say, all right.”
It is that first tiny twist of the iron straight truth – as inflexible as the one who proclaimed it. That twist breaks the core and turns iron to jelly.
“He did make you to be like him, didn’t he? Imaged ones, carrying his design and desire? Living out his mind, emotions and will? Surely he gave you these to use so that you could be even more like him?”
The vowels and consonants snake together into hissing rationalizations, excuses, partial truths and deliberations. And while the mind is busy distracting our head with fantasy and fallacy, our hand and heart reach out.
“One second longer on that image, it’ll be over soon. One more lick – how many calories can it be? Just a little bit faster, a little bit more. What harm could it do?”
Finish reading and leave a comment HERE. |
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Be a Better Christian Writer Six Month Program - Learn More HERE |
| | The Challenge WILL Improve Your Writing!
NEVER MISS THAT PERFECT CHALLENGE TOPIC AGAIN. GO HERE and sign up in the right hand column for a weekly topic email. |
| | Do This Today!
Do You Always Keep a Copy of Your Articles? We STRONGLY recommend you do this today and occasionally in the future as you add more articles
We appreciated your patience when FaithWriters was down for over two days a few months ago, due to issues with our service provider. The issue we experienced makes this message of even more importance. We do not want you to lose your articles. Therefore, we have been pushing this for over a year and hope you have already taken advantage of it. You can download a copy of your articles in mass, with one click on the site.
We back up the site regularly but cannot give you a 100% guarantee of there safety. Things happen online as you know. Hackers are a big issue and some out there would like to take a Christian site down. If you log into the site and look in the middle left column of the My Account page under Update and Manage Your Profile/Account, you will see the following link on the website.
Click Here to Download a Copy of Your Articles in Mass
When you are logged into the site, click on that link on the website and a copy of your articles will be downloaded to your computer in a zip file. It will be fairly quick depending on your internet speed and number of articles. Save them to your computer or a thumb drive. While this should download all of your articles, sometimes a couple are missed for some unknown reason. Therefore, double check the downloaded articles by opening each one on your computer. If an important one is missed, you will need to manually copy it to your records from the site. Then going forward, make sure to keep a copy of each new article you post.
Make sure to do this today to protect your writing. Log in HERE. |
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Joanne Sher is one of several editors offering editing services. She also runs the Writing Challenge and has been with FaithWriters since the beginning of time. We love her.
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| | Our Righteousness in Christ, Not Condemnation, is the Justice God Seeks
Michael Edwards
You (Jesus) love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else." Heb 1:9 NLT
The Greek word used for justice or justified is the same Greek word used for righteousness, make righteous. 1343 dikaiosuné
You Were Made a Sinner by Adams Disobedience
Do you think it was just that you were made a sinner without even sinning, made wrong with God by Adams disobedience?
For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners…Rom 5:19a NAS
By being made a Sinner, the Bible is speaking of the fallen Sin nature we inherited from Adam. Like a dog’s nature, by nature, leads them to wag their tail. Our Sin nature, by nature, leads us to commit acts of sin that lead to death. Out of 48 times the word Sin is seen in the book or Romans, 47 times it is a noun and not a verb. Therefore, it is speaking of our inherited Sin (noun) nature. The only time it is a verb is when it is used by one of Paul's detractors who claims Paul is saying we should sin (verb) so grace may come. Since this article deals with our Sin (noun) nature, I have capitalized the word Sin in most cases.
Adam and Eve are the only ones (besides Jesus) who did not start with a Sin nature and truly had free choice. They were created in the image of God, without a Sin nature. We were created in the image of God plus Adam, with a Sin nature. Therefore, in the image of the line of fallen Adam.
When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. Gen 5:3 NAS.
So, do you think it was just that you had no choice, and at birth, you fell prey to Satan’s plan to destroy and kill you? All because you inherited a fallen Sin nature from Adam that leads to acts of sin and ultimately death. Paul talks intimately about his struggle with his inherited Sin nature in Romans 7.
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. Rom 7:14-17 NAS
The Enemies Plan is to Destroy Your Life and Kill You
Can you see Satan’s plan for your inheritance of a Sin nature that causes havoc in your life and this world? Can you see his plan for your death?
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 NAS
Do you think it is just that you inherited death? Because this is what happened. As soon as you were born, your Sin nature wrote death as your future. You did not have a choice. This is why God tells us there is no one who is righteous, right with God by their own efforts, without sin.
as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; Rom 3:10 NAS
Can you see that you were made a Sinner who commits acts of sin that lead to death?
For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, Rom 5:19a NAS
By knowing the character and heart of Jesus from scripture, we also know the exact character and heart of God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Heb 1:3 NAS
Do you think God sees the fact that we were made Sinners, who inherit death, as just?
For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, Rom 5:17 a NAS
Can you see why we cannot fix the problem ourselves? Can you see why just stopping the wrong and doing the right, can never release us from our inherited sin nature? Can you see why you need God's help?
Jesus Came to Freely Save You From Your Inherited Sin Nature that Leads to Death
Can you see that our free justification by God tells us He does not see our inheritance of condemnation and death as just?
Can you see that our free justification by God, is the justice of God being carried out by Jesus who loves justice and hates evil?
and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Rom 3:24 NAS
Can you see how God’s justification of us, making us right with Him without doing righteous works, rights a great injustice, a great evil perpetrated by Satan?
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Rom 5:9 NAS
God makes us righteous, right with Him without doing righteous works, by the obedience of Christ alone?
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 1 Peter 3:18 NAS
even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Rom 5:19b NAS
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21 NAS
Our salvation was not cheap, costing God His beloved Son. But can you see why salvation is so easy for us to obtain?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NAS
Can you see why it has nothing to do with our obedience and everything to do with our Savior’s righteousness? Can you see why we are called to seek first His righteousness?
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33 NAS
Can you see why God qualified us to be an heir of Christ now? We no longer inherit death in Adam. We inherit eternal life in Christ.
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Col 1:12 NAS
Will Jesus bring God’s final judgment that includes God’s wrath, the next time He comes? Yes.... Finish reading the rest of this study HERE.
Find more New Covenant studies HERE. |
| | Support Fellow Christian Authors - Free Reads for Reviews
Read Great Christian Books for Free in Exchange for a Review
Many already have multiple five-star reviews on Amazon.
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 appreciate your help.
Ignore the prices below. We have some great books for you to read for free!
Second: Choose a book. Here are a few that are available in the program. Search by title HERE to find the book in our store.
God’s WORD Sets You Free with Study Guide
Vicky Jeter
Your Price: $9.99
To Inspire each to read and study Scripture. This is the only way to have a personal relationship with God Himself. No church, no organization, and no relationship (marriage, friend, or companion) can do this for you. God sees the heart and only God can personally know you.
Light In Our Darkness: Essentials of Spiritual Deliverance
Bruno Sebrechts
Your Price: $9.75
This highly endorsed book, written by a seasoned minister and published author, offers an in-depth biblical exploration of the subject of spiritual deliverance. It opens the readers' eyes and hearts to the greatness, love and power of God, as revealed in Scripture and illustrated by testimonies.
Grace Trumps Guilt
Donna Cole
Tormented by your past?
Insecure about future?
Unable to forgive yourself for repeated sins?
Think God will never forgive you?
Grace Trumps Guilt is the fascinating memoir of author Donna Cole's journey from debilitating feelings of guilt to triumphant gratitude.
Kid Help (Parents Taking Control)
Florence Simmons
Your Price: $3.99
Kid Help (Parents Taking Control)
Kids are raising parents; parents aren't raising kids. Would you like to know the solution to raise your child to obey you so that he or she can learn the important values of life? These insights will save you a tremendous amount of grief.
A Tale of Two Sisters: Reluctant Caregivers
Linda Lawrence
Your Price: $2.99
This memoir is transparently told by two sisters caring for family members with Alzheimer’s. Their tales are intertwined, yet each stands alone, as they tell how God cared for them as they cared for their loved ones. It’s an inspirational story of how God brought blessings out of Alzheimer’s.
Revival, Hallelujah!: From the Shoulder
Paul Juby
Your Price: $3.99
Invisible Battles: The Quest for Hope
Jenny Fulton
Your Price: $2.99
In the land of Novus, the Dark One has all but succeeded in erasing the name of the High King from the hearts and minds of the people. The battle, however, is far from over. Unbeknownst to the Dark One, the High King has been at work among a loyal group of followers. Now he is ready to make his move
Healing Season a Women's Fiction Anthology
Michele Fleming
Your Price: $1.99
This is the second story in this anthology. Jen had ignored her father and her faith for two years, now her father was dying. Will she be able to make things right, or will a horrible snowstorm stand in her way?
It's in the Book
Jim Zeigler
Your Price: $3.99
Elton R Foor, my grandfather now in glory.
He set the example for his family with his righteous living and study of scripture. After retirement from the Pennsylvania Railroad as a shop foreman, each day, he sat by the front window and read his Bible. He marked each chapter with a tick mark when he f
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
Paraclete's Promise: The Fantastic Fantasies Of Timothy
Ennis Smith
Your Price: $7.99
Tim wants to sit before the television and immerse in the world of video games. When Mom and Dad discourage the idea, he tromps down the basement steps to find his imagination secretly awaiting his arrival, in the form of a box. A few toys and supplies are gathered, and stocked inside the box.
Life Lessons from the Hive
M.J. Miller
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Who knew you could make a connection between bees and the Kingdom of God? M. J. Miller demonstrates to the reader that God does reveal Himself in nature. Clever illustrations and humor add richness and fun to this inspirational and insightful read.
Kingdom Horizon
Ashley Nicole
Your Price: $1.99
Set in medieval times when Germanic tribes clashed with Rome, a chieftain who becomes a believer and his daughter, Charlana, who becomes a warrior priestess, are set against each other. But nothing is hopeless with a God who can change the human heart.
New Covenant Bible Studies
Michael Edwards
The purpose of these New Covenant Bible studies is to encourage the believer and remove all doubt from their heart of their Father’s love for them and their complete and total forgiveness in Christ. FREE READ for Review Seeking Reviews for Amazon and Here.
Sunrays and Lily Smiles: (Sweet Memories of Poetry Cottage)
Liana Wendy Howarth
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In Sunrays and Lily Smiles, Liana Wendy Howarth has added to and included previous writings from her e-book, Fragrance from the Spring, a sweet collection of poetry for all ages. There's something for everyone inside her Poetry Cottage ... Poetry, song lyrics and encouragement. May you be blessed.
Forgetting the things behind
Nikola Dimitrov
Your Price: $4.50
Forgetting the things behind and stretching for the ones ahead is a healing book, based on Philippians 3:13. It is a practical revelation that has helped many people to always go forward, no matter what!
When God Says Drop It: Chronicles of my Healing
Donna Martelli
Your Price: $3.99
Strange and seemingly unrelated symptoms continued to plague me. My PCP told me that there was nothing more that she could do. She refused to see me anymore for these same symptoms, although nothing that she had come up with had helped in any way. Her final conclusion was that it must be stress!
Go HERE to find other great books to read for FREE for a REVIEW.
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. |
| | 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. We are constantly battling overwhelming amounts of spam and sometimes emails we should receive end up in our spam by accident.
You should check your spam and make sure that writer-support@faithwriters.com, feedback@faithwriters.com, bea@faithwriters.com and michael@faithwriters.com are on your email providers approved list.
If you have tried more than once and did not receive a 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.
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| | Love getting comments and critiques on your articles? We all do.
We are asking all members to commit to being a blessing by commenting on at least one Challenge entry per day? It just takes a few minutes, and there are some great entries to read every week.
Be a blessing today by clicking the links below and leaving at least one comment.
We also encourage you to comment on regular articles now and then. Think of the encouragement we can be if many of us commented on one article per week or even per day! Just look at the top 200 titles and choose one that draws your attention.
Reading the work of others and critiquing them on a regular basis, helps us grow as writers. Both parties benefit.
Thank you to all our members who do leave comments on a regular basis. You will reap what you have sown.
You Are Just One Comment Away From Being and Receiving a Great Blessing. |
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Promote your Christian book on FaithWriters, and you will help 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.
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| | We can learn and improve our own writing by reading the winners.
While you are there, sow some good seed by leaving a comment.
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Support FaithWriters Spread of the Gospel
Fishers of Men in Over 230 Countries Together We Spread the Gospel On the Net
Not all of us can go around the world as missionaries in person, but we can reach the world online. We can even reach many places missionaries cannot go in person. The world needs sites like FaithWriters, prepared Christian authors and as many Christian articles and books that point to Jesus as possible. The web especially needs your Bible studies, apologetic articles, calls to salvation, nonfiction and fiction articles and books leading people to Jesus. Together we attract lost people from all over the world who need Jesus along with believers who need their minds renewed and encouraged. God has given us a great opportunity to reach many people who may have never heard of Jesus. The image above marks the location of our visitors.
Numerous 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 from Kimberly on how she found God on the internet
A few unedited emails from people who have accepted Jesus on the site.
1) This first one was from a person who hacked FaithWriters a few years ago. We feared the entire site might be lost. We prayed for our hackers and posted articles letting them know that their salvation was more important than the website. The shutdown of the site stopped and we received this message through our evangelism page. I am certain is was our hacker.
Type of prayer : first time prayer
Country : Algeria - Please leave a comment. : "I JESUS PRAY TODAY MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER I USED TO BE THIEF CRIMINAL IDENTITY SCAM BUT NOW LIFE IS BETTER UNDER JESUS CHRIST MY LORD SAVIOR."
Your work occupation : Other Religious background : Muslim
2) "Hi my name is Collin I live in Utah heber I know that we are n the last days and I want to be saved so please I need help I've been going to site to site I'm tired of going home from school a sinner I'm stressed with all my homework I cry more than ever sometimes I need Jesus." (This message was obviously from a young boy)
3) "I felt the the holyspirit lead me to you and that God's message of love drew me here."
4) "I want Jesus to be the number one in my life."
5) "I'm saved from sin and I've rededicated my life to HIM who owns me. I'm now free from lies, exam malpractice etc. Pray for me to believe that indeed "It is finished "
6) "I accepted Jesus as Lord and Need A Bible." (We sent Roger a Bible.)
7) "I have accepted Jesus and prayer not continue to commit sin any more." Matthew
8) Recently had a deputy police chief from a major city accept Jesus on the site. He is responsible for over 1,500 officers and staff and could be a big influence for Jesus. Please pray for J. Ramar.
9) "Jesus is my Lord and Savior, please save us from witchcraft, sorcery, divination, polygamy, immorality, astral projection, pride, all sin iniquity fathers, false religion, false gods, show me your way, give me purity, holiness, give me Jesus true, save me from work of devil, and evil spirit, kingdom of darkness be destroyed, give me holiness, save us from Satan and his work, premature death, I need to serve Jesus, thank You Jesus, Amen." Anna S.
We wish you many blessings in Christ and thank you for your support! Michael & Bea Edwards and everyone at FaithWriters
Free E-Book to build up your faith and help your friends and family come to Christ. |
| | | Article Comment Emails Not Getting to Your Gmail?
In the past, some members have had issues receiving notification emails when their Challenge or other articles receive a comment. We just did a test of the system and placed a Gmail test address in my profile. I then posted a comment
on one of my articles. I also did this test on a Challenge article for a member who said she was not getting the emails. In both tests, the email notification of the comment did come through to the Gmail address, but in both cases it went to the junk file in Gmail. So, FaithWriters automatic email system
is working to Gmail but may be going to your junk.
If you have not been receiving notifications of comments on your articles, post a test comment on one of your own articles and then check the junk tab on your Gmail. Be aware, my junk tab in Gmail showed there were no junk emails until I clicked on it and found the comment notification email from FaithWriters in there. If you find any emails from FaithWriters in your junk, move them to your inbox and hopefully next
time they will not go to junk. Make sure to check your junk on a regular basis and click on the other tabs just to check. Each time move them to your inbox. There is also a tab titled "view all email" that should be checked. Sometimes Gmail divides email up into different tabs, so check all the tabs once in awhile just in case. This is something you should check if you have Hotmail or others too. |
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The Challenge WILL Improve Your Writing!
NEVER MISS THAT PERFECT CHALLENGE TOPIC AGAIN. GO HERE and sign up in the right hand column for a weekly topic email. |
| | Another Great Way to Improve The Critique CircleFellow Members Need Your Help.
Providing comments and critiques for fellow members is of great encouragement to them. It is also the perfect way to improve your writing skill.
Tips on Giving Critiques
Critiquing the work of others requires balance. Being too nice will not help your fellow writers develop their work; being too harsh can crush a writer’s ego (particularly new writers, who tend to be shy about sharing their work). How can you achieve the right balance? Here are some tips:
Take care to point out both what works, and what doesn’t. If you’re new to critiquing, a good hint would be to point out one thing you like (a phrase, a description, an idea) for each thing that bothered you.
Whenever possible, be specific when pointing out things that you didn’t like (don’t just say “I didn’t like this part” or “I’d cut that,” say “I didn’t like this part because…” or “I’d cut that because…”).
Try to offer suggestions when you think a change is needed. Suggestions, even to the point of an offered rewording, can be very helpful; even if the suggestion isn’t exactly right for the author to use, he or she may get a good idea from it, or at least a better understanding of the point you are trying to make.
Be honest and direct, but in a polite and caring way. Holding back your feelings about a piece because you’re afraid to share your thoughts isn’t going to help anyone. Just be mindful of how you share your opinions!
We Also Need Your Article to Critique!
Members and paid editors provide the critiques in the circle. 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.
This is a real chance to help others and receive some very constructive and private critiques of your writing.
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| | | Increase Sales With an Audio Book or Make a Nice Income From HomeRecently, I had an email exchange with Dave Walker, a longtime FaithWriters member who grew tremendously in the Writing Challenge. Dave's book, God in the ICU, has done very well with almost 600 Amazon reviews the last time I looked. He was happily surprised to see a significant increase in sales due to the addition of an audio version. You can view Dave's book and listen to a small audio portion HERE. Dave's book was perfect for an audiobook. Dave did his narration, and for some, that might work out great. But there is an easier way and it is not that expensive. You can learn about it HERE. ACX is an Amazon company, on their site you can place your book up for narrator auditions. You then get offers from narrators who read a sample for you, posting it on ACX. You choose the one you like and make a deal. This is all done online. I recently had an audiobook done of Gravity on ACX, by a great narrator and believer named R.F. McCoy. You can hear a sample HERE. If you like R.F. McCoy's voice, make sure to request an audition from him. He was professional, diligent and on schedule. You can find his profile on ACX. It costs nothing to request auditions and you will probably get several. I paid Bob $500.00 and keep any profits myself after Amazon's cut. You can also offer to split profits and pay nothing if a narrator agrees. When your narration is complete and you have paid the bill, your book is automatically loaded for sale on Audible and other outlets. Everything is professional and that's what you want for your audiobook. Another thought for some readers is to apply to be a narrator. ACX will show you how to do this on their site. If you have a good voice, you could make a nice income from home. |
| | 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. 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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Recently Added Books as Described by the Author
Biblical studies
The Judgment: Bad News for Christians? A study on what the Bible really says about the Good News of God’s judgment.
Perry F. Louden, Jr
Your Price: $1.99
This little book focuses on what the Bible says about the Judgment and why Christians should not be troubled or anxious. The judgment is Good News for believers.
God’s WORD Sets You Free with Study Guide
Vicky Jeter
Your Price: $9.99
What if I could show you that everything will begin to change if you implement "ONE" new habit into your daily life? Your Enemy is strong, but God is Stronger! The truth, the only truth we need, is not where we have been looking. It is not some hidden treasure we cannot find., It's in plain sight.
from Amazon.com!
Fiction
THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCESS PEARL P.O.W.E.R. GIRL!
Tonja Taylor
Your Price: $7.95
When Princess Pearl's father is killed in a motorcycle accident, she moves with her family to live in beautiful northwest Arkansas. There, she meets new friends, has adventures in God, learns to really love her little brother, and discovers that being a true princess is different than she thought.
Available in more formats from:
Amazon.com
Non-Fiction
Your Holy Health
Tonja Taylor
Your Price: $4.99
"Christ died and rose again for us to enjoy Divine Life in every realm (John 10:10)! Start today to put these easy, practical, and proven tips in practice, and you'll discover more of your holy health!"
VISIONS of the King: Real-Life Experiences With Jesus the LORD.
Tonja Taylor
Your Price: $4.99
These experiences with the LORD have mostly occurred during or right after worship or prayer--when we can sense His sublime Presence most (Psalm 22:3)! I am thrilled to share these most intimate times with you, to inspire you that, if He will do this for me, then He will certainly do such for you!
Free Reads For Reviews
God’s WORD Sets You Free with Study Guide
Vicky Jeter
Your Price: $9.99
To Inspire each to read and study Scripture. This is the only way to have a personal relationship with God Himself. No church, no organization, and no relationship (marriage, friend, or companion) can do this for you. God sees the heart and only God can personally know you.
from Amazon.com!
Light In Our Darkness: Essentials of Spiritual Deliverance
Bruno Sebrechts
Your Price: $9.75
This highly endorsed book, written by a seasoned minister and published author, offers an in-depth biblical exploration of the subject of spiritual deliverance. It opens the readers' eyes and hearts to the greatness, love and power of God, as revealed in Scripture and illustrated by testimonies.
from Amazon.com!
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| | | | Thanks for your Membership and Support!
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