Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published
While reading a book, have you ever found yourself saying There’s something wrong with that sentence, but I can’t quite figure out what?
Do you stop to figure out what’s wrong or just keep reading? I’m guilty of doing both, depending on the circumstances of the moment. Of course, if I’m editing a manuscript, I stop to figure it out.
Today, let’s take a look at what might be the problem. [Read more…] about When Effect Comes Before Cause
In light of the recent Supreme Court decision, I am compelled to shout a different message than the ones clogging the airwaves and those of cyberspace.
Let’s look at the story of the adulterous woman told in John 8. When asked about whether this adulterous woman should be stoned, Jesus said in verse 7 that the one who had never sinned should be the one to cast the first stone. Rather than stand in judgment against the sin of others, Jesus told the people to look at themselves and their own guilt before God.
The same message applies to us today. Those of us who call ourselves Christian must stop crying out at the sins of others and turn our gaze upon ourselves.
We must be the example of pure and holy living, not standing in judgment, but sharing the gospel and love of God so that others may be set free from sin.
No one is without sin, not one, (Romans 3:23) and in the eyes of God sin is sin, whether it is murder or sexual immorality or lying.
Most Christians know the story of the adulterous woman, and that no one, including Jesus, condemned her for her sin. But we Christians often fail to apply the rest of the message Jesus gave this woman: “Go and sin no more.”
If Jesus told her not to sin anymore, that means it was possible for her to do just that. My mind reels at that thought. I’m human, after all. But that is an excuse we use to escape our responsibility, as well as a weapon of Satan. If we’re convinced we can’t lead a sinless life, we’ll make little or no effort to do so.
The adulterous woman chose to live in sin. She knew full well what she was doing was wrong. And I believe that’s what Jesus is talking about when he said sin no more. He wants us to choose righteous living, to resist sin and live a pure and holy life.
Leviticus 11:44 NKJV tells us “For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
The believer is called to live a holy life. We can do that only with the power of the Holy Spirit active in our lives. We do not live under the law (the Ten Commandments), but under grace (made pure by accepting the free gift of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross). This grace doesn’t mean we can accept God’s gift of salvation and then willingly continue to live a life of sin (see Romans 6).
In the coming days, as we draw nearer to Christ’s return, let us examine our own lives. Does sin abide in us? We may think our heart is pure because we love our spouse and don’t lust after others. Or we don’t lie or cheat or murder. But there is sin that is not so obvious such as worry and doubt, or trusting in money instead of in God.
Yes, I’m human and I sin. When faced with temptation I make the conscious decision to cry out to God for help in resisting, or I choose to give in. When I sin, I repent and ask forgiveness.
Daily I must choose to live a holy life. Within my human nature, I do not possess the power to do so, but through the power of the Holy Spirit residing within me, I can.
When Jesus returns, He is returning for a pure church, a glorious church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). Yes, we are saved by grace, not by works. Allow that grace to have its way within you, conforming you to the image Christ.
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40 NLT)
Allow God to do a work in your heart. Seek Him today, for today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT). Pray and ask Him to reveal any sin in your life. Then repent, and as David cried out in Psalm 51:10, ask God to create in you a clean heart and to renew a steadfast spirit within you.
(For a more in-depth look at sin and grace, read Romans 6.)
Part of what drives us to be writers is our desire to share our message and make a difference in the lives of others.
Multi-published children’s author Janet Ann Collins does just that. Janet and her husband raised three foster sons with special needs, and you’ll find the complexities and challenges of special needs children occurring as a regular theme in her books.
Why Did you write A Shadow of Fear? [Read more…] about Advice from Children’s Author Janet Ann Collins
Writers conferences are not only great places to learn, but they are a lot of fun to attend!
I enjoy teaching at conferences as much as I enjoy attending them. That’s me in the pic above, teaching at the Called to Write Conference in Pittsburg, Kansas, this past April.
At conferences, you’ll learn about writing and the world of publishing as well as be able to present your work to agents and editors. You’ll also be able to network with other writers and make new friendships.
What book on the craft of writing has been the most helpful to you?
I recently asked that question on my Facebook author page, but no one left an answer.
So I have to wonder if I’m wasting my time with today’s post.
But maybe it was a question that required too much thought.
Or they weren’t trolling Facebook that day (after all I posted that on a Monday).
Or maybe they didn’t find any book particularly helpful. And if that’s the case, [Read more…] about 8 Books on Writing I Recommend
As writers we all have a purpose for writing. We want to entertain, inform, persuade, or inspire. The passions in our own lives drive what we write.
You care about the environment so you may include a character in your book that feels the same.
You are politically minded so perhaps you write political thrillers.
As a Christian, my own beliefs and desire to tell people about God compel me to write Christian-based nonfiction and fiction.
Today’s interview is with a like-minded woman. Catherine Ulrich Brakefield’s newest book, Wilted 
Dandelions released today. Though fictional, Catherine has set her story in the midst of the Second Great Awakening, a time in our history when godly revival gripped the nation.
Let’s dive in and learn more about what inspired Catherine to write this book and her experiences with the story. [Read more…] about What Inspires Your Writing?
Do you think best-selling authors like James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, and Jerry Jenkins sit down and produce that best seller with their first draft?
For some reason, many people believe this is how it happens. But that’s a myth.
“Submitting a novel without rewriting is like playing ice hockey naked.” ~Best selling author James Scott Bell in Revision and Self-Editing for Publication
Whether you are a seat-of-the-pants writer or one who plots first, the prevailing advice in writing your first draft is [Read more…] about What Is Clean Writing?
I’m visiting today with author Nancy Kay Grace. Nancy is speaker and author loves to share about embracing God’s grace in everyday life. She has contributed stories to several anthologies and published magazine articles.
Nancy is married to her best friend, Rick, who is a senior pastor in northwest Arkansas. They have served the Lord for more than forty years. Now they enjoy the stage of life with two married children and an increasing number of grandchildren. To learn more about her ministry, please visit NancyKayGrace.com.
Why did you write The Grace Impact? [Read more…] about Nancy Kay Grace and The Grace Impact