| FaithWriters - February 2019
News & Information for the Write Brained Christian"
Seek and Save the Lost Through Writing!
Devotional & Newest Member E-books Included
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| | | Two Changes in the Challenge
1) Joanne Sher is Taking over for Deb Porter
Deb will still be around but no longer involved with the operation and judging of the Challenge. Here is a message from Deb.
To my beloved Challengers, old and new, and to all FaithWriters members.
After almost sixteen wonderful years, my husband and I have experienced some fairly dramatic changes to our circumstances. Unexpected, but God-directed every step of the way. It is this change that has finally led me to make the very hard decision to step back from my role at FaithWriters.
Every step of this new direction in my life has been God-led, and I believe with all my heart that His hand will remain on FaithWriters during this transition too. I leave the Writing Challenge in the very capable hands of longtime FaithWriters member, Joanne Sher.
Due to my new workload (a consequence of those dramatically changed circumstances), I eventually realized that I had to let go of something—either my commitment to publish the Page Turner winners from the last few years, or my longtime commitment to FaithWriters. In the end, God made it clear that I needed to surrender my service to FaithWriters and trust Him to take care of it as it moves forward.
I leave with great love for Mike and Bea Edwards, the owners of FaithWriters, and for all the precious people I’ve been privileged to meet and serve over all these years. I will still be cheering you on as you write for God’s glory, and I will still be around, here and there, helping out when needed. I don’t think I could ever completely close the door on my time with FaithWriters.
God is good. For everything, there is a season. My season with FaithWriters has been a truly delightful and blessed one.
Aspiring writer, I encourage you to sow into your time at FaithWriters. This is your season to grow, and I know there is no better place for a Christian writer to be “seasoned” than right here.
You will always have a very special place in my heart.
Deb Porter
PS: If you would like to know more about the God-directed change that happened in my life, and that of my husband, you can hear about it in my message Living on a Prayer. https://soundcloud.com/new-horizons-5/living-on-a-prayer-1
2) Challenge Changing to Three Levels of Entry
Starting in 2019, the Challenge will offer only three levels of entry. To improve the experience for newer writers, we have combined Level 1 and Level 2. We believe that combining beginners with slightly better writers will improve the learning experience for both groups. The submission page has been updated to reflect this change. Levels 3 and 4 will remain the same. |
| | | A Message From Deb About The Challenge Books
My plan is to honor all the past Challenge books (up to and including the end of 2018). Unfortunately, the books don't sell, which breaks my heart. I love them, but they are a hard sell, so I do them as a labour of love. Now that I have finished with FaithWriters, I do have some more time to work on publishing (it had to be one or the other). So the Challenge books, up until the end of last year, are still part of my plans. (If anyone would like to volunteer to help with the admin, i.e. chasing authors, I would appreciate the assistance.)
If you would like to help volunteer to help Deb get the Challenge books out, contact her through her website HERE. |
| | | CONGRATULATIONS QUARTERLY CHALLENGE WINNERS |
| | | 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. Both parties benefit.
Thank you to all our members who do leave comments on a regular basis. You will reap what you have sown. |
| | The Challenge Will Improve Your Writing Dramatically!
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Desire (01/17/05)
TITLE: The Earthquake Within
By Melanie Kerr
I stand sometimes, just watching them. They don't see me. I look at them as they lift their hands, palms up to the sky. I am too far away to hear their words, but I know that they are praying. I can tell that the god they pray to gives them joy. I see it in their smiles. Sometimes their shoulders shake a little as they laugh. Other times, even from where I stand, I can see them cry. They embrace each other and take their leave with gentle kisses, and walk away.
These Christians stir in me such desire and I lower my head to hide my tears. I wish that I could be just like them. I long to be free to raise my palms and lift my face to a loving god. I yearn to pour out my words so freely, to laugh or to cry, to feel the touch of a friend. If only…
I am not free, but a slave owned by a man who doesn't care about me. I am the doorway to his riches. He thinks that the "gift" that I possess will make him rich. He doesn't see that I am a slave twice over. The other master lives inside. He is a black and evil presence, woven around my soul. He binds my spirit and crushes my heart. He is too strong for me to overcome. He grabs my tongue and forces his own words through my lips. With my voice he unlocks the secrets of the future, spilling enough truth to carry his lies.
Of my future, he doesn't speak, but floods my mind with dark, disturbing pictures.
He pulls my body, dragging me behind a stranger. I lurch and sway, like a puppet held by invisible strings.
"These men are servants of the Most High, who are telling you the way to be saved."
Demonic words spoken through me draw a crowd of onlookers. The stranger turns and looks at me. Too many times I have seen repulsion, sometimes derision. The demon inside sniggers at my pain. This man looks at me with compassion. He sees the monster that lives inside, but he also sees me, bound and helpless.
I have always known fear. It is in the air I breathe. This time it takes a while for me to realise that the fear I feel is not my own. The demon within is quaking, naked and exposed before the stranger's gaze.
"In the name of Jesus Christ…"
The monster inside me knows that name.
Finish this entry HERE and leave a comment.
Melanie has been with FaithWriters since 2004. She has always been one of our best writers. We are very blessed to have her. Read more articles 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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Devotionals submitted from mem bers publish on thousands of websites worldwide!
Great Multitude Daily Bible Devotional Receive it by email or place it on your website HERE
Delight not Duty – Jennifer Woodley
‘This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome’ 1 John 5:3 (NIV)
When we do things out of love for God and participate in activities directed by Him, there is never a sense of duty, but delight. Yet so often we do things that leave us feeling exhausted. We tell ourselves that a particular action is important. We may strive to have things perfect, in order and under control. And we will stress and strain placing value on what, in the big picture of life, is not very important at all. We expect so much of ourselves.
We need to listen to the voice of Love. Time to leave the high expectations behind. Duty is a rigorous, demanding taskmaster, but our loving God is not. True love for God means obeying His commands and His commands will never weigh us down like heavy burdens. The spontaneity of love is never crushed by the commands of a loving God. God’s commands will always bring us delight, not a sense of duty.
What feels like a duty in our lives right now? Are we forcing ourselves into situations that don’t fit? Squeezing ourselves into a model not designed by our loving God? There’s no joy when this happens. True love for God obeys His choices and trusts that what He has designed for us is best. The result is lightness of heart, peace of mind and a delight in obeying His voice.
‘Father your guiding words lead me into what is delightful and frees me from the sense of duty and high expectations I place upon myself. Thank you.’
Jennifer is an Australian freelance writer who enjoys encouraging others on their Christian journey through writing and mentoring. Contact
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. |
| | Do This Today!
Do You Always Keep a Copy of Your Articles? We STRONGLY recommend you do.
We appreciated your patience when FaithWriters was down for over two days a couple of 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 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. |
| | 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. |
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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.
This Months Featured Free Read for Review
Gravity is a free e-book in several languages. It has been well tested and proven very useful for those seeking to promote the great commission. It seeks and saves the lost while combating doubt in believers with the objective evidence that supports the truth of Christianity. Objective evidence reveals how little faith is needed to believe the gospel while providing great faith at the same time. Gravity has hundreds of reviews online and many more offline. Gravity is being used by the Navigators on college campuses and by CRU in others. It has also been placed in over 1,300 prisons with great success in leading inmates to Christ. It is being used in several foreign countries in e-version and in print to lead people to Christ. Gravity is also available in print in English for evangelism at our cost. Get your free copy and learn about bulk print purchases at our cost - 10 or more, at www.god-evidence-truth.com.
Download this book for free by going HERE.
We have some great books for you to read for free!
There are several member books you can read for free in exchange for a review. Many already have multiple five-star reviews. One book is running just below five stars with over 200 reviews online, and it is listed in the top ten books of its two categories on Amazon. Another with over 40 reviews is running close to five stars and was honored as the book of the year by a major theological website. Another has over 30 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. |
| | 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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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.
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.
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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| | 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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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
Fiction
The Young Boy In Me: A Novel Based On The Traditions And Cultures Of Zimbabwe Africa
Agatha Mangwende
Your Price: $4.99
It is the story of a professional young man reminiscing over his childhood as a sickly, unwanted, abused child but fortunately has a grandmother, uncle and aunt who care for him.
from Amazon.com!
Reaching Tomorrow: The Legend of Sally Sager
Gerald Shuler
Your Price: $2.00
A young American girl of the 1850s is given in marriage to a Canadian trapper and she must learn to cope with her new life. She soon learns to do far more than simply cope... she thrives.
Login to Buy!
The Encourager
Ken Kwok
Your Price: $3.99
The Encourager is an orphan by the name of "Him" (meaning humble) given to him by his adopted Chinese parents. God chose him and sends him to comfort people and renew their hope. Him is The Encourager of God. The 11 stories in this book were written from an explicit Christian viewpoint.
from Amazon.com!
Non-Fiction
Insight
Ken Kwok
Your Price: $2.99
This book is a collection of some of my writings that I’d written in the past two and half decades. I call them ‘Insight” because each piece speaks to me spiritually and emotionally as if my soul is teaching me the profound lessons of being human experiencing this world.
from Amazon.com!
It Doesn't Hurt Anymore: Release the Past and Embrace Your Future
Dr. Arvis Murrell
Your Price: $16.95
Do you feel like your past follows you around? Maybe you had a painful childhood or experienced trauma later in life. You clearly see how your past holds you back, but you just can't seem to let go of it. Dr. Arvis Murrell understands your situation as she was once bound by a painful past.
from Amazon.com!
The Prayer
Laurie Staples
Your Price: $0.99
It is 1958 and high schoolers Brett and Janet are madly in love. One afternoon of unbridled passion results in an unwanted pregnancy.
Not wanting Brett to give up his dream of attending college, Janet hides her pregnancy from him.
from Amazon.com!
Poetry
Gleams of Glory: Poems and Prose Poems
Lois Lewis
Your Price: $3.99
The sixty poems in this third collection of verse by poet Lois Lewis is a collage—a celebration of the spirit, of nature, and of life. Topics range from animals, birds, fish, and insects to flowers, trees, weather phenomena, and social issues such as genetic engineering, cryogenics, and World War 2.
from Amazon.com!
Meadows or Briars: God in the Midst of Our Pain
Carol Penhorwood
Your Price: $3.99
Invisible pain. Is there a purpose in it and a path through it? This book contains inspirational poetry for those touched by physical and emotional pain or suffering.
from Amazon.com!
Free Reads For Reviews
New Covenant Bible Studies
Michael Edwards
Your Price: $0.00
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. Click buy to get a free PDF download.
YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN. NOW WHAT?
james rondinone
Your Price: $9.99
This is a story about having found the treasure for my inner being, but with the dilemma, what should I do with it now that I have it? I think for many Christians who have found a life changing treasure they are at a loss as to how to proceed.
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
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| | | | Thanks for your Membership and Support!
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