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February 2018
FaithWriters - News & Information for the Write Brained Christian" Seek and Save the Lost Through Writing!
Devotional & Newest Member E-books Included |
| | Just Released!
Mixed Blessings - As Time Goes By
Includes Winning Challenge Entries from 50 FaithWriters
As Time Goes By, we learn to value the gift of each new today. Inside Mixed Blessings—As Time Goes By, you’ll find one-hundred-and-one perfectly bite-sized stories from FaithWriters members
There is something for every reader in a Mixed Blessings book, and this volume is no exception. Mixed Blessings—As Time Goes By 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.
Take time out of all the busyness of life to enjoy this variety-packed pick-me-up, but be warned. Reading a Mixed Blessings book is like eating peanuts. You just can’t stop at one.
See the complete list of FaithWriters who are featured in this edition HERE. Order your copy HERE.
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| | CONGRATULATIONS ELEVENTH ANNUAL
PAGE TURNER WINNER!
2017 PAGE TURNER CHAMPION - HIGHEST RATED ENTRY OVERALL
The Reluctant Camper by Joe Moreland
2017 PAGE TURNER RUNNER UP - FICTION
Scattered by Nola Passmore
2017 PAGE TURNER RUNNER UP - NONFICTION
The Perfect Religion - Where Have You Been Hiding? by Phillip Cimei
1. A fabulous cash prize of $400 (US);
2. The offer of traditional publication of their winning manuscript by Breath of Fresh Air Press (which includes editing of the manuscript, if published by Breath of Fresh Air Press);
3. Free publicity and marketing of their book on all FaithWriters' sites for twelve months following publication; and
Two Page Turner runners up will be chosen (one from each of the two categories-fiction and nonfiction). Each runner up will receive:
1. Two one-hour, live online, mentoring sessions with Deb Porter.
NEW PAGE TURNER IS OPEN HERE. |
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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
Think Again Karen - Pourbabaee
“The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 NAB
When the infant Jesus arrived on earth, the kingdom of heaven descended. The entrance of this realm upon earth became cause to ponder its meaning and impact upon our lives. Both John the Baptist, in Mark 3:2, and Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, admonished us to repent.
The Greek origin of repent essentially means to think again. Jesus wanted us to think again and believe in the gospel, for repentance is not just a rote confession of our ungodly ways in order to wipe our slate clean. True repentance involves re-thinking what is important in life and what direction our life course is taking us. What better time to re-think than the beginnings of this year?
True repentance requires action:
It will cause us to align our minds with God’s thoughts and ways, to believe in the gospel.
It will lead us to diligently change our lives. To reverse direction and go the opposite way of sin, a reformation of our ways. We can be reformed or transformed by the renewing of our minds, according to Romans 12:2: “…be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” But we cannot renew our minds without repenting, thinking again.
It will cause us to bear fruit as outward signs of our repentance. “Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance.” (Luke 3:8) Our lives should look different.
Repentance should become a life-long process leading to transformation. If you have never had occasion to repent and believe in the gospel, Jesus desires for you to reconsider your ways and allow the kingdom of heaven to envelop your life. He said this kingdom is at hand…so close. Think again and believe in Him.
Contact Karen and read more of her articles HERE.
Help us spread the good news of Jesus around the world. The FaithWriters devotional is on thousands of websites HERE , plus thousands go out by email and Twitter daily. They are also published about 90 days after FaithWriters on IDisciple HERE . Members are encouraged to submit an edited devotional for publication HERE. Submissions are a maximum of 300 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.
Watch this short video that will show you a few of the unique websites the devotional is currently on. Sites like the Church of Scotland and the Los Angeles police wives association. |
| | | Learn by Reading the Best of the Best Winning Entries |
| | NEW SITE FEATURE Download a copy of your articles in mass, with one click
Do You Always Keep a Copy of Your Articles? We STRONGLY recommend you do.
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.
Click Here to Download a Copy of Your Articles in Mass
When you click on it, a copy of all 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.
Make sure to do this today to protect your writing. Log in HERE. |
| | | You Are Just One Comment Away From Being a Great Blessing
We all know how blessed we feel when other writers take the time to comment on our articles. Keeping this in mind, we are asking all members to commit to being a blessing by commenting on at least one Challenge entry per week? 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.
Reading the work of others and critiquing them on a regular basis, helps us grow as writers too. Both parties benefit.
Thank you to all our members who do leave comments on a regular basis. |
| | 2017 Best of Best Winner - The Challenge Will Improve Your Writing!
Topic: RELAX (06/08/17)
TITLE: Relinquishment
By Ann Grover
06/14/17
The nurses are in and out all day long, and part of the night, too. Adjusting this, timing that. Everything looks great, they say. Lying through their teeth, she thinks. They should save their breath to cool their porridge. Stop tormenting me with contrived proceedings and let me go about my business.
But it has always been like this, hasn’t it? Always someone poking about, misunderstanding her. What was it her mother would say, sitting on the patio with her friends? Oh, she’s so high-strung, that girl. Too big for her britches. Fussy as all get-out. I don’t know where she gets it from. With their dangly earrings swinging, the women laugh and sip from their lipstick-rimmed coffee cups.
She doesn’t know either. She doesn’t know why she is compelled to rearrange her bookshelf and bureau drawers and toys incessantly, checking her closet twenty times a day to make sure her dresses are still arranged precisely, by purpose, by colour. It comforts her with profound though momentary calm.
Her first grade report card says she must settle down and enjoy school. But the excitement of discovery and the promise of methodicalness has infused her with eagerness.
Mistrustful of swings and teeter-totters, her belly clenches and cramps as she watches the others shriek gleefully as they rise and fall. She imagines the impact of her body on the earth, if she were to plummet to the ground. The pain. And worse, the crying. The shame, the touching hands.
She finds refuge in the library, a place to be still, unnoticed. She relishes the soft swishing of pages, the clean and bright scent of glue for mending bindings and torn pages, and she savours the gentle order, the conciseness of classification. A prescribed place for geography. History. Biology and religion and art. There is no category, no number, for the unnamed thing within her.
Older, she keeps to herself. Oh, she has a few friends. Like her. Studious. Diffident. Serious. Why the long face? people ask. You’re going to trip over that lip someday. She pretends to smile. Tries to be like the others who move so effortlessly, speak smoothly and easily, tossing their hair over their shoulders coquettishly. But it’s a fleeting and brittle façade for her.
For comfort, she reorders her bookshelf -- by topic this time -- and remakes her bed; the sheets measure exactly twelve inches down each side. She makes lists of school assignments, library books on hold. Books she’s read. In her head, she recites the names of her cousins. The students in her class. The birth dates of her siblings.
It almost, not quite, but almost, banishes the memory of heated breath on her cheek. The bitter odour of sweat. A raspy whisper commanding her to calm down. Be quiet. Be still. Just relax.
But she can’t. Not then. Not ever.
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| | Congratulations to Top Challenge Entries
Click on a link to read the entry and leave a comment. |
| | See Challenge Schedule Change 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. |
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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
There is only one unforgivable sin, the sin of unbelief. Those who believe will trust God and are led to the safety of Jesus. Those who do not believe will be like those who did not enter the Ark and were lost. The enemy is alive and rampant online with a word of unbelief. A message of hate for Christianity and Jesus. A message that is leading countless children to embrace unbelief. (Free book HERE you can review with your kids on the objective evidence for Christianity.)The number of atheist sites and organizations posting online is increasing rapidly. If you go no further in this message, at least go HERE and see for yourself the growing number of purveyors of unbelief online. Here is a short video we would like you to watch also. 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.
For quite some time now, FaithWriters has been experiencing increasing expenses and declining income. The vast majority (99%) of our members are free, even though our membership is only pennies per day. Our main ongoing expenses come from administering the Challenge, other tools that help writers improve and site maintenance. We have increasing regular expenses and heftier one time expenses like converting our large site to a mobile responsive site. We always seem to have some type of technical issue cropping up that needs to be corrected too.
We need your help by upgrading! Go Gold at $5.95 or Platinum at $10.95 per month and help support the spread of the gospel and the growth of Christian writers on FaithWriters. As followers of Jesus, we are making a difference by publishing the truth of Jesus. Men and women from over 230 countries (View Countries Here) are drawn to the FaithWriters by the various articles on the end of our virtual fishing pole. Often our visitors are from closed countries to the message of Christ and they have no other way to learn about Jesus. They are able to learn from our evangelism site and the sister-sites to which we have provided links, including sites with in-depth information in their native language.
You can also upgrade and designate it as a payment to sponsor new writers. We have many people from around the world who do not have the funds to upgrade. In some countries, even if they do have the funds, no payment processor will handle online payments due to online corruption in their country.
Upgrade or sponsor a person HERE. Just click on Gold or Platinum. As a current member you just need to do the PayPal portion. You do not need to do a new profile. When we see your PayPal come through, we will credit your account. If you wish to sponsor a member, email us after you do the PayPal and tell us your payment was for this purpose. We need to keep telling people about Jesus! Will you help us?
We wish you many blessings in Christ and thank you for your support! Michael & Bea Edwards and everyone at FaithWriters
In supporting FaithWriters you gain access to more tools to improve your writing, foster the growth of new Christian writers and spread the gospel in over 230 countries online. All for pennies per day.
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| | 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.
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Gravity True For You But Not For Me - Evidence For God's Existence and Identity
Michael Edwards
Over 200 reviews online and running 4.5 stars. Many great reviews.
5 out of 5 stars "Everybody should read this book. People who question religion, people who believe but may have some doubt, and people who already have strong faith. This book will help confirm it."
4 out of 5 stars "For anyone on the fence, backsliding, or doubtful this book clarifies misunderstandings, perceived contradictions, and outright lies. I was led to read this book at a time when I thought I was over Jesus; but truth defeat lies every time and never forsakes the believer."
Great book to give doubting family members and friends. Grab their cell phone and download it for free from Amazon for them or order print copies before they are all sold out. Then ask them to read it and talk to you after they do.
Multiple copies placed in over 1300 prisons after being overwhelmingly approved by Christian Library International. Translated into Russian and Ukrainian by missionaries and being distributed in print in those countries. Used by the Navigators on college campuses. Almost 50,000 print copies sold. Close to 100,000 e-copies downloaded by readers. In the top 10 books in its two categories for over two years. Thousands given out in one on one evangelism and at events. Find this book HERE. Learn how the program works HERE.We have some great books for you to read for free! There are over 40 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 over 180 reviews online, and it is listed in the top ten books of its two categories on Amazon. 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. 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. |
| | One Article Per Month Challenge Witness For Jesus Online
Share the Gospel Online - Visitors From Over 230 Countries
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. Mark 13:22
While the internet has a lot of great information about Christianity, it's also a breeding ground for completely false information about Christianity. There is a whole host of sites run by atheists who are doing their very best to mislead seekers and destroy Christianity, just search Jesus never existed and see what you find.
Will you make a personal commitment to publish at least one article per month in our regular articles or free reprints sharing the truth of the gospel? It does not need to be a lengthy article, just what God leads you to post. Be creative with your keywords when you post and list things like suicide, divorce, and bankruptcy to draw those who might be considering these.
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect... 1 Peter 3:15
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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. |
| | | | | | 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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| | Platinum Member Books
Now Appear in Over 100 Site Ads
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.
Watch this short video HERE. |
| | | Easily Increase the Readership of Your Articles
We are asking you to increase your readership, spread the good news and help FaithWriters by using the FaceBook share button when you publish articles. It is very easy to do, just watch this short video.
Tweeting your articles and liking them on FaceBook will help too. |
| | 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,
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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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. 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
Life Moments with Joy
Joy Bach
Your Price: $3.99
Your lives hold hidden treasures if you allow yourselves to slow down and be aware of them. Take a peak at some of Joy's aha moments.
from Amazon.com!
Fiction
Taxman
Maxx .
Your Price: $2.99
As a tax collector for the IRS, Jesse knows all about the unrestrained power his agency wields. When it turns on him, will he survive?
Secrets are part of the job. But old wounds haunt his sleep. When his faith and family are threatened, will he be destined to relive his father’s tragic mistakes?
from Amazon.com!
Non-Fiction
Secret of Secrets of The Lord
Itunu Adekayero
Your Price: $4.99
Know more about the secrets of God for His people from this Christian book of teaching, which will enlighten you on the wisdom of God. Boost your spiritual Knowledge; and always remember that, THROUGH KNOWLEDGE, THE RIGHTEOUS WILL BE DELIVERED (Proverbs 11:9, NKJV).
Login to Buy!
Available in more formats from:
Amazon.com
Poetry
The Hummingbirds Will Return: Poems and Prose Poems
Lois Lewis
Your Price: $11.95
A blend of reportage and praise, the fifty-four poems in this second collection of verse by poet Lois Lewis is a celebration of the spirit, of nature, and of life.
from Amazon.com!
Children
Oatie's search for grow
Matthew Grinage
Your Price: $2.99
Oatie's Search for grow is ideal for children ages 2-8 and the child in us all. this series, follows the heartwarming story in the life of Oatie, a little wheat seedling who learns a valuable lesson about personal growth, friends and family, when a strong wind blows him far away from his family.
Login to Buy!
Available in more formats from:
Amazon.com
Endtimes
Reap The Whirlwind
Gary Ritter
Your Price: $9.99
In an America no longer free, the State persecutes Bob Sanders for his faith. Meanwhile, James Glazier warns the nation of God's impending judgement.
from Amazon.com!
Free Reads For Reviews
Wings in the Wind: The Reign of the Mawh'eyri
David Butler
Your Price: $4.95
ThunderWing was a young warrior-eagle, a champion among the Great Eagles, who dwelt in the Mountains of Mawha. His ambition was to win the title of Windlord and the privilege of taking SilverSong as his nest-mate.
But the road to greatness is far more difficult and eventful than he anticipated.
Login to Buy!
Look Up: Redemption in this Generation
Jim Zeigler
Your Price: $3.99
Wanting to know about the end of the world is nothing new. Each of the last twenty centuries has philosophers or prophets warning that the end is near. But they have all been wrong.
from Amazon.com!
He Sent His Son
Jim Zeigler
Your Price: $2.99
This is a wonderful book to read during this coming Christmas season, to give to family and friends, and to teach children the deep blessing of Christmas or just to reinvigorate faith. Hats off to these writers who took the time to remind us all just how important and wonderful this season is!
from Amazon.com
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| | | | Thanks for your Membership and Support!
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