Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 64
January 24, 2013
Frugal Friday: Composting Made Easy
One of the best ways to save money is to grow your own vegetables. Gardening really isn't all that difficult, as long as you keep your plants fed and watered. There's nothing better than a compost pile to feed your plants, and it costs nothing!
Some of you who are already gardening may have considered a compost pile for a while now, but
somewhere along the way you've been led to believe that composting is
time-consuming, expensive and takes up too much space. Nothing could be
further from the truth.
Composting doesn't have to be hard, nor does it require any special
equipment. Truth is, composting has been going on, well, since God made
dirt.
Composting is simply the process in which organic material decays. Composted soil is
rich with nutrients plants love and need. Since plants deplete the
nutrients in soil, composting is a logical means in which to replenish
the earth with nutrients for the next growing season.
Here is a list of all you need to create rich compost for use in your garden:
brown matter (leaves, corrugated cardboard, straw, hay, or any plant matter that has died)
green matter (fresh grass clippings, weeds pulled from the garden or
beds, fruits and vegetables that have recently gone bad, etc.)
a tool to turn the pile with
a water supply to keep the pile wet
(optional) tools to grind the organic matter into finer pieces
STEPS TO CREATING COMPOST:
1. Layer your brown matter and green matter.
2. If you want to speed up the process, grind or chop the matter into
fine particles. This can be done with the aid of a weed-eater, mulching
lawn mower, chipper/shredder, and even a food processor.
3. Soak the layers with water and keep the pile moist.
4. Turn the pile with a shovel or fork on a regular basis to allow particles on top to be moved lower.
5. Optional: You can also add a little dirt to the mixture.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
1. As the organic material decomposes it will put off heat.
2. If you keep vegetable and fruit materials covered up, there will not
be a rotten food odor or fruit flies. Instead what you will smell will
be the pleasant musty smell of rich soil.
3. If you maintain and add to your compost pile throughout the gardening
season, by winter you will have a wonderful supply of rich organic
material to add to your garden for the next growing season.
4. The decomposing process will shrink the size of your compost pile, so add to it regularly.
Here's a photo of my compost pile. You'll notice bits of green and lots
of brown (and even pieces of decomposing cardboard). Mine has corn cobs, cantaloupe rinds, leaves, fresh-pulled weeds, grass
clippings, and even the used pine shavings from my chicken coops, along with free fertilizer from the chickens!
I said it before, but it bears repeating: composting needn't be difficult. After all, it's God's original recycling program. ;)
Happy Composting,
Some of you who are already gardening may have considered a compost pile for a while now, but
somewhere along the way you've been led to believe that composting is
time-consuming, expensive and takes up too much space. Nothing could be
further from the truth.
Composting doesn't have to be hard, nor does it require any special
equipment. Truth is, composting has been going on, well, since God made
dirt.
Composting is simply the process in which organic material decays. Composted soil is
rich with nutrients plants love and need. Since plants deplete the
nutrients in soil, composting is a logical means in which to replenish
the earth with nutrients for the next growing season.
Here is a list of all you need to create rich compost for use in your garden:
brown matter (leaves, corrugated cardboard, straw, hay, or any plant matter that has died)
green matter (fresh grass clippings, weeds pulled from the garden or
beds, fruits and vegetables that have recently gone bad, etc.)
a tool to turn the pile with
a water supply to keep the pile wet
(optional) tools to grind the organic matter into finer pieces
STEPS TO CREATING COMPOST:
1. Layer your brown matter and green matter.
2. If you want to speed up the process, grind or chop the matter into
fine particles. This can be done with the aid of a weed-eater, mulching
lawn mower, chipper/shredder, and even a food processor.
3. Soak the layers with water and keep the pile moist.
4. Turn the pile with a shovel or fork on a regular basis to allow particles on top to be moved lower.
5. Optional: You can also add a little dirt to the mixture.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
1. As the organic material decomposes it will put off heat.
2. If you keep vegetable and fruit materials covered up, there will not
be a rotten food odor or fruit flies. Instead what you will smell will
be the pleasant musty smell of rich soil.
3. If you maintain and add to your compost pile throughout the gardening
season, by winter you will have a wonderful supply of rich organic
material to add to your garden for the next growing season.
4. The decomposing process will shrink the size of your compost pile, so add to it regularly.
Here's a photo of my compost pile. You'll notice bits of green and lots
of brown (and even pieces of decomposing cardboard). Mine has corn cobs, cantaloupe rinds, leaves, fresh-pulled weeds, grass
clippings, and even the used pine shavings from my chicken coops, along with free fertilizer from the chickens!
I said it before, but it bears repeating: composting needn't be difficult. After all, it's God's original recycling program. ;)
Happy Composting,
GRAND SLAM! Party and Contest
Welcome to WordVessel! The party doesn't actually start until 7 p.m. (CST), so if you show up before then, would you mind sharing the photo to the left to let others know about the party?
I'll go ahead and explain how the party will work, so you'll have time to familiarize yourself with the process.
CONTEST:
First off, the purpose of the contest is to help me name a male and a female character in the Miller's Creek novel I'm currently working on--Pilgrimage of Promise, book 4. (If you want a peeksie, you can check out the rough draft of chapter one HERE.)
These characters will be minor characters in book four, but will become major characters in later books in the series. I'll give you a taste of the characters to help you come up with names. The man is a nurse, caregiver, nurturer type, while the female is hiding behind a gutsy, tough exterior to shield herself from further hurt. A role reversal kind of thing. (In case you're not familiar with my books, these are characters for a contemporary romance in the small fictional town of Miller's Creek, Texas.) Oh, I almost forgot. I want the female to have a name that could be used by male or female (or shortened to make her sound like a guy).
If you're familiar with baseball, you know that a grand slam is when the bases are loaded and the batter hits a home run which enables all the players on base and himself to score a run. Our Grand Slam party has four bases as well, but you can play as many of the bases as you choose. (Some of you may not have an account for all the social media bases, so I've given you some other options at the end of the post.) Of course the more bases you play, the better chance you have of winning a prize.
PRIZES:
Speaking of prizes, I guess you might want to know what they are! We'll have two winners--one for each name--and both will win the first three books in the Miller's Creek novels (print or digital, winner's choice) AND a $10 Amazon gift card. (Since some of you may already have the first three Miller's Creek novels, if you're chosen as a winner, you can opt to add $15 to the $10 Amazon gift card for a $25 gift card.)
Normally I use random.org to randomly choose winners for contests and parties here at WordVessel, but since this is for a character in a book, I will choose the names I think best fit the story. If more than one person enters the winning name (or if I'm having trouble choosing between a few names), at that I point I'll use random.org to choose the winner, and all the contestant's various entries will taken into consideration. Since it will most likely take a while for me to verify and consider all the entries, winners will be announced in a WordVessel post tomorrow (Friday, January 25, 2013).
Now for the particulars:
FIRST BASE: Twitter
If you're on Twitter and would like to enter the Twitter portion of the contest, here's the scoop. Tweet the following. (The easiest way to do it is copy and paste.)
You're invited!#AMillersCreekNovel Grand Slam! name-the-characters contest @ http://WordVessel.blogspot.com@Cathy_Bryant
At the end of the post, put the name you'd like to enter for the name-the-character contest. If it's the male name, add "M:" and then the name. If it's the female name, add "F:" and then the name. For example, a post might look something like this:
You're invited!#AMillersCreekNovel Grand Slam! name-the-characters contest @ http://WordVessel.blogspot.com@Cathy_Bryant M: Johnny
or like this:
You're invited!#AMillersCreekNovel Grand Slam! name-the-characters contest @ http://WordVessel.blogspot.com@Cathy_Bryant F: Lisa
Then come back here to WordVessel (AKA Home Base) or to my author page on Facebook (AKA Home Base backup) and leave a comment with your Twitter handle (for verification) to complete your entry. You can tweet twice, once for the woman's name and once for the man's name. (If you'd like to follow me on Twitter while you're there, I'd be honored and will follow back. And I wouldn't mind if you decided to "like" my author page on Facebook either! =)
For extra chances to enter, in addition to tweeting the post above, you can also post this tweet:
#Free for#Kindle Jan 25-26: TexasRoads & APathLessTraveled (Christian romance) by@Cathy_Bryant @ www.Amazon.com
Don't forget to add your "M:" or "F:" and your names of choice. Again, you can post once for each character, and be sure to tell me in the comments here at Word-Vessel or at my author page on Facebook that you tweeted the second option as well. And be sure to include your Twitter handle for verification purposes and an e-mail address so I can contact you if you're a winner.
SECOND BASE: Facebook
If you're on Facebook and would like to enter the Facebook portion of the contest, here's the scoop. Post the book cover picture to the right on your wall (to copy the photo, right click on the picture and "Save Image As" on your computer; name it something you'll remember and put it in a file you'll remember; then go to Facebook and add a photo) along with the following text (which you can copy and paste):
I'm helping name characters for @Author Cathy Bryant and her next book, Pilgrimage of Promise, a Miller's Creek Novel. Join the fun at http://WordVessel.blogspot.com (Jan. 24, 7-9pm CST). My choice for the
And then finish it with either:
hero is:
Or:
heroine is:
Don't forget to add the name you've chosen. =) You can do this twice, once for the male character and once for the female, then leave a comment here at WordVessel or at my author page on Facebook with a link to your Facebook page for verification purposes.
For an extra chance to enter (in addition to the post above), you can also post the following twice (once with your name for the hero and once for the heroine):
Free for Kindle on January 25-26 at www.Amazon.com: Texas Roads and A Path Less Traveled (both Miller's Creek novels) by @Author Cathy Bryant. For her name-the-character contest I've chosen (enter your name of choice) for the (hero/heroine-choose one).
Then be sure to let me know either in the comments section below or on my Facebook author page that
you also posted the second status update along with a link to your Facebook wall for verification, and leave your e-mail address in case I need to contact you as a winner.
By the way, I'd love to have you as a Facebook friend if you're not one already! =)
THIRD BASE: Pinterest
If you have a Pinterest account and would like to enter the Pinterest portion of the contest, copy the book cover above and pin it to your board along with the following comment:
Pin to Win! A Miller's Creek Novel: 1-24, 7-9pm(CST) @ WordVessel blog.
Then follow the comment with the "M:" and your hero name and the "F:" with the heroine's name of choice. Since they probably won't let you post the same picture twice, you can re-pin one of my other book covers for the second comment. These can be found at my Pinterest board for the Miller's Creek novels.
If you want extra entries for Pinterest, you'll need to post the remaining two Miller's Creek novels with the following comment:
Free for Kindle Jan 25-26, 2013 (followed by your M: or F: and the names you've chosen)
After you've pinned, come back here to leave a comment or do so at my author page on Facebook along with the link to your pin. (Don't forget to leave an e-mail address just in case you're a winner!) And please feel free to follow me on Pinterest (by my highly original handle...Cathy Bryant). ;) I promise to follow you back!
HOME PLATE: WordVessel (or my author page on Facebook)
When you leave your various comments here at WordVessel or at my author page on Facebook, that will count as another entry for you! Please only leave one comment for each "base" you complete, so that this old blonde-haired lady doesn't get too confused. ;)
Extra Chances For Everyone :
I realize that many of you may not be on Facebook, Twitter and/or Pinterest, so I came up with a few other ways for you to gain entries. You can do all or none of these, but if you choose to do them, don't forget to come back to WordVessel or my author page on Facebook to let me know. Please put all of them in one comment, along with your male and female character names of choice. Here's the list of extra stuff:
"Like" the print version of Texas Roads at Amazon. (NOTE: If you've done this before in a previous party here at WordVessel, you won't be allowed to do it again.)
"Like" the Kindle version of Texas Roads at Amazon.
"Like" the print version of A Path Less Traveled at Amazon.
"Like" the Kindle version of A Path Less Traveled at Amazon.
"Like" the print version of The Way of Grace at Amazon.
"Like" the print version of The Way of Grace at Amazon.
"Like" my author page at Amazon.
"Like" my author page at Facebook.
Leave your honest review on any of the books that you've read on their pages at Amazon . A few sentences will be fine, just saying what you liked and disliked about the books. (NOTE: If you leave a review for a Kindle version, it will automatically show up on the print version's page as well.) One entry for each review.
Since I'm gonna be scuttling through cyberspace to keep up with all the entries, I may not always be here to respond to your comments. Just leave them anyway, and I promise to check them. Thanks so much for joining me for the fun and for helping me out in naming these two moniker-less folks! I can't wait to find out their names!!! Check back tomorrow to see who wins!
Happy Tweeting, Status Updating, and Pinning! ;)
P.S. In case I didn't mention it, Texas Roads (Book 1) and A Path Less Traveled (Book 2) are both free the next two days (January 25-26, 2013) for Kindle readers. (I frequently post about the free Christian ebook giveaways for Kindle, so check back often to see what's free for that day. If you'd like to read all the free Kindle books available each day but don't want to buy a Kindle, check out my post HERE for an easy solution.)
Free Christian Kindle eBooks for January 24, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Sing
by Lisa T. Bergren
Published April 2010
Historical: Moira St. Clair has done exactly what her father forbade her to
do: chased her dreams to sing on the stage. But even as her star rises,
she becomes more vulnerable to those who wish to use her—or bring her
down…. It is 1886, and the St. Clairs are living out their
dreams in three very separate parts of the world—Paris, Brazil and
Colorado. And while each has found a measure of success and joy, each
is haunted by past sins and secrets. Once home in Colorado, the
St. Clairs struggle to learn what it means to sing praise to God—even
in the face of tremendous loss—and trust Him in all things, even when
forced to fight for their very lives.
4.1 stars with 25 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Does Your Bag Have Holes
by Cameron C. Taylor
Published October 2007
Nonfiction: This original and ground breaking book beautifully blends principles,
parables, and stories into an entertaining and inspirational read. This
book has been endorsed by legendary football coach Lou Holtz,
bestselling author Brian Tracy, 4-time Olympian Henry Marsh, billionaire
Jon Huntsman, Stephen R. Covey, author of "The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People," Dr. William Danko, author of "The Millionaire Next
Door" and many others. You will learn principles every parent
must know to raise productive, self-sufficient children, insights on
prayer and becoming a good receiver, why bad things happen to good
people, how you can ensure an abundant life and retirement. You will
be inspired by stories from the life of George Washington illustrating
the miracles of God in the founding of America, experiences from the
life of the Wright Brothers on the power of initiative, stories from the
lives of billionaires on the power of integrity, service and giving,
and powerful lessons from a 9/11 ticket agent.
5 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Beginning at The End
by Cherie Hill
Published July 2011
Nonfiction: At some point, the trials of life will bring us to a place of believing
that we're at "The End." It is in our pain and desperation that we call
out to a God who seems so distant. Our questions are endless. But what
we find is that for all the questions we have for God . . . He has
questions for us too.
5 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Blood Sisters
by Melody Carlson
Published July 2012
Romantic Suspense: A mysterious envelope...
A shocking obituary...
A tumultuous trip to the past...
Judith
Blackwell returns to Cedar Crest trying to understand the sudden death
of her dearest childhood friend, Jasmine Morrison. But her questions
seem only to raise more questions. What is the dark secret of the sleepy
little town she once called home? Why hadn't Jasmine been in contact
with her? And where is God in all this? In her quest for the truth in
matters of the heart and faith, Judith turns to a dedicated police
detective. Together they form a plan that could either save Cedar Crest
or send them tumbling down the same desperate road Jasmine found herself
on.
4.3 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Winds of Wyoming
by Rebecca Carey Lyles
Published January 2012
Romance: Fresh out of a Pennsylvania penitentiary armed with a marketing degree,
Kate Neilson heads to Wyoming anticipating an anonymous new beginning as
a guest-ranch employee. A typical twenty-five-year-old woman might be
looking to lasso a cowboy, but her only desire is to get on with life on
the outside—despite her growing interest in the ranch owner. When she
discovers a violent ex-lover followed her west, she fears the past she
hoped to hide will imprison her once again.
4.4 stars with 31 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Sing
by Lisa T. Bergren
Published April 2010
Historical: Moira St. Clair has done exactly what her father forbade her to
do: chased her dreams to sing on the stage. But even as her star rises,
she becomes more vulnerable to those who wish to use her—or bring her
down…. It is 1886, and the St. Clairs are living out their
dreams in three very separate parts of the world—Paris, Brazil and
Colorado. And while each has found a measure of success and joy, each
is haunted by past sins and secrets. Once home in Colorado, the
St. Clairs struggle to learn what it means to sing praise to God—even
in the face of tremendous loss—and trust Him in all things, even when
forced to fight for their very lives.
4.1 stars with 25 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Does Your Bag Have Holes
by Cameron C. Taylor
Published October 2007
Nonfiction: This original and ground breaking book beautifully blends principles,
parables, and stories into an entertaining and inspirational read. This
book has been endorsed by legendary football coach Lou Holtz,
bestselling author Brian Tracy, 4-time Olympian Henry Marsh, billionaire
Jon Huntsman, Stephen R. Covey, author of "The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People," Dr. William Danko, author of "The Millionaire Next
Door" and many others. You will learn principles every parent
must know to raise productive, self-sufficient children, insights on
prayer and becoming a good receiver, why bad things happen to good
people, how you can ensure an abundant life and retirement. You will
be inspired by stories from the life of George Washington illustrating
the miracles of God in the founding of America, experiences from the
life of the Wright Brothers on the power of initiative, stories from the
lives of billionaires on the power of integrity, service and giving,
and powerful lessons from a 9/11 ticket agent.
5 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Beginning at The End
by Cherie Hill
Published July 2011
Nonfiction: At some point, the trials of life will bring us to a place of believing
that we're at "The End." It is in our pain and desperation that we call
out to a God who seems so distant. Our questions are endless. But what
we find is that for all the questions we have for God . . . He has
questions for us too.
5 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Blood Sisters
by Melody Carlson
Published July 2012
Romantic Suspense: A mysterious envelope...
A shocking obituary...
A tumultuous trip to the past...
Judith
Blackwell returns to Cedar Crest trying to understand the sudden death
of her dearest childhood friend, Jasmine Morrison. But her questions
seem only to raise more questions. What is the dark secret of the sleepy
little town she once called home? Why hadn't Jasmine been in contact
with her? And where is God in all this? In her quest for the truth in
matters of the heart and faith, Judith turns to a dedicated police
detective. Together they form a plan that could either save Cedar Crest
or send them tumbling down the same desperate road Jasmine found herself
on.
4.3 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Winds of Wyoming
by Rebecca Carey Lyles
Published January 2012
Romance: Fresh out of a Pennsylvania penitentiary armed with a marketing degree,
Kate Neilson heads to Wyoming anticipating an anonymous new beginning as
a guest-ranch employee. A typical twenty-five-year-old woman might be
looking to lasso a cowboy, but her only desire is to get on with life on
the outside—despite her growing interest in the ranch owner. When she
discovers a violent ex-lover followed her west, she fears the past she
hoped to hide will imprison her once again.
4.4 stars with 31 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
January 23, 2013
Free Christian Kindle eBooks for January 23, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Grace is Enough
by Mary Beth Lee
Published August 2011
Romance: Eighteen years ago, Cass Deason Myers ran away from home and heartbreak.
Now she's running away again, this time to the home she left behind. A
preacher's wife, Cass finds herself questioning her faith and her
marriage. Her sister's phone call asking for help with their mother
provides the perfect opportunity to escape.
Anna Deason-Fite-Turner
doesn't want or need help for herself or her three daughters. But her
mother is another story all together. Calling Cass is a last resort. But
when Anna finds the bottle of pills in Momma's dresser drawer, she
knows she has to call her sister. Unfortunately, Anna knows once Cass is
home the whispers will start, and once again, everyone in town will
compare perfect Cass to her failure of a sister, even though she's the
one who stayed behind.
4.6 stars with 7 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Voyage of Promise
by Kay Marshall Strom
Published March 2010
Historical: She is safe, and she is free . . . but she is still alone. Slavers
burst into Grace Winslow's life with guns blazing and tear her family
apart forever. She watches in anguish as her husband is led in chains
aboard a tightly packed slave ship bound for America. An old enemy has a more sinister plan for Grace and prepares her for a different kind of servitude in London.
But Grace will not be enslaved. And she will not give up on the man she
loves. In her determination to be reunited with her husband, she finds
God reaching out to her.
4.2 stars with 16 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Grace is Enough
by Mary Beth Lee
Published August 2011
Romance: Eighteen years ago, Cass Deason Myers ran away from home and heartbreak.
Now she's running away again, this time to the home she left behind. A
preacher's wife, Cass finds herself questioning her faith and her
marriage. Her sister's phone call asking for help with their mother
provides the perfect opportunity to escape.
Anna Deason-Fite-Turner
doesn't want or need help for herself or her three daughters. But her
mother is another story all together. Calling Cass is a last resort. But
when Anna finds the bottle of pills in Momma's dresser drawer, she
knows she has to call her sister. Unfortunately, Anna knows once Cass is
home the whispers will start, and once again, everyone in town will
compare perfect Cass to her failure of a sister, even though she's the
one who stayed behind.
4.6 stars with 7 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Voyage of Promise
by Kay Marshall Strom
Published March 2010
Historical: She is safe, and she is free . . . but she is still alone. Slavers
burst into Grace Winslow's life with guns blazing and tear her family
apart forever. She watches in anguish as her husband is led in chains
aboard a tightly packed slave ship bound for America. An old enemy has a more sinister plan for Grace and prepares her for a different kind of servitude in London.
But Grace will not be enslaved. And she will not give up on the man she
loves. In her determination to be reunited with her husband, she finds
God reaching out to her.
4.2 stars with 16 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
January 22, 2013
Writer Wednesday: Deep Edits
Since I'm into the deep edits portion of rewriting for book 4 in the Miller's Creek Novels, Pilgrimage of Promise, I thought I'd share my deep edits process with all of you who might someday be interested in writing a book. Every writer has their own way of doing things, so what I'm about to present is by no means the one tried-and-true way to do things. My advice is to find what works for you and go with it. (In fact, my process has been adapted and re-adapted from several different sources until I found the right combination to craft my lousy first draft into a reader-worthy story.)
Once I finish the rough draft of a novel, I take a week or so off to clear my head and get the feeling back in my, um...well, backside. Then for the first part of the editing process I do a quick read-through (at least two chapters a day depending on my schedule) and make small changes as I come across them. I read out loud to catch odd-sounding phrases, misspelled words, grammatical errors, and omitted words. This also helps me check the pacing and the cadence of the words.
I don't sweat this part of the process much since the main purpose of this read-through is to get a feel for the story's overall feel. To read a few general tips on the re-writing process, click HERE for an article I wrote earlier. (I recently went through this part of the process with Pilgrimage of Promise, book 4 in the Miller's Creek novels, and was teary-eyed when I finished. If my own books make me cry, I consider that a good thing.)
After this first read-through, I hit what I call "deep edits," where I check MANY different aspects of the story, one scene at a time. I have to admit to a love/hate affair with this part of novel writing. While I LOVE chipping chunks of marble off the lousy first draft to reveal the beautiful sculpture within, I HATE (and dread) the mind-numbing, hair-pulling, eye-crossing, head-banging, rump-numbing hours that it takes to pull it off. (I don't mean to discourage any of you newbie writers out there. Some authors actually enjoy this part of the process the most.)
Here's what I check for each and every scene in the story during the deep editing process:
GMC
I'm not talking cars here, but Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. I'm very careful about including this in my pre-writing process, so this is more of a double check to make sure that it comes through clear for the reader. For the Goal, I want an internal and external goal for the Point-Of-View character. The Motivation is why the character has these particular goals. Trust me, readers want to know WHY... The Conflict is something that is needed all throughout the scene, and I'll address this more later.
No-No Words
Every writer has pet words and phrases that if not controlled,can ruin a story. Some are cliche, some are not. Clue words can indicate a little rule-bending in the fiction-writing realm. While you can sometimes get away with bending the rules a bit, but it's usually better if you can re-write the passage to remove the offending words. I use the "Find" feature on Microsoft Word to locate the stinkers. (I'll do a post on these at a later time.) This is also where I check to make sure I have active rather than passive voice (another post for another day) and strong verbs and nouns (also another post).
Cause/Effect
This is one of those things that seems to get easier for me the longer I write, but when I do goof it up, the stage of deep edits is where I normally find the goofs. In human action and interaction, every move causes a reaction, which in turn causes another reaction. Call it cause and effect, motivation reaction units, whatever. Things happen in a logical sequence. If something feels off in your writing and you can't figure out what, pay close attention to this, even to the minutest detail.
Sequence
Also pay careful attention to sequence. Here's an example: if someone says something that really makes you mad, your first response will be visceral, which means you have no control over it. Your blood will boil, your cheeks will burn, your pulse will pound, etc. Next, you'll probably have a thought like: I can't believe he just called me that in front of everyone. After that you would probably have an action that shows your angst or attempt to calm down, such as rubbing a hand across your face, taking a deep breath, etc. Then you might say something out loud, perhaps something like: "Well, you're certainly welcome to your opinion."
If I write it like this, the sequence is all off:
It's much better to write it in the sequence in which it would most likely happen, like this:
(Yeah, pretty intimidating part of the process because of the fine details, but well worth the effort to bump your writing to the next level.)
Sensory Detail
Your story will be soooooo much better if you make sure to include all the senses. Why? Because it draws the reader into the story. When I read a book, I want to escape to the story world, and sensory detail is what makes a story world real to me. If that's what it takes to cement me in the story then I most definitely want to give that to my readers. For this part of the process I use the highlighters and text colors in my word processing program to do one scene at a time so I can look over the scene at a glance to make sure it has used all the senses. (I'm looking for a rainbow here, not one single color used over and over and over again.)
The easiest ones to hit are sight and sound. The most difficult are smell and taste. (Interestingly enough, it is these two senses that can generate memory, which is all the more reason to include them. I can't smell vanilla to this day without thinking of my grandmother.) Here's a graphic I use to remind me of what to mark on this pass through each scene:
A little caution is warranted here. Don't overdo the sensory detail. There is nothing more distracting than a menu of what the characters eat at every meal, a cacophony of sound that would rival any barnyard, and so many smells that I get a sinus infection just reading the book. ;) Remember, a little goes a long way. Make it natural to the scene.
Notice also that I included intuition/God's Presence here. Some people call it intuition. Others call it a premonition. Others say sixth sense. And for Christians, God's presence or Holy Spirit is very much a part of how we interpret the world around us. I also include sense of humor. (In my humble opinion, even the most serious novels need a little levity to give the reader a much-needed break.) Sense of space, time and motion are also marked here to make sure that I don't leave out these important details that the reader needs for the story to make sense.
Good Blend of Dialogue, Emotion, Internalization, Cues, and Description
This is probably the most helpful part of the process for me, and I picked it up from Margie Lawson's awesome Deep Editing class. I highly encourage all serious writers to take this class. It will propel your writing forward by miles! Margie's website is www.MargieLawson.com. I use color-coding here as well, looking for a rainbow of colors and making sure I break up big spans of one color to make the reading more enjoyable. (NOTE: Take it easy on the amount of emotion you include unless your aim is melodrama. If you save your emotional hits for only the most important parts, it will mean more.)
Other things I learned from Margie's class that are a part of my deep edits process are checking body language references and vocal characterizations to make sure that they're varied, (this helps me catch the overuse of rolling eyes and biting lips ;). I also try to use back-loading, rhetorical device, emotional hits, and hooks. Another thing I've added to the checklist for this section is conflict or tension on every page.
Well, that pretty much sums up my deep edits process. I find it strange that something I can summarize in one blog post is such a long, drawn-out process for me. Maybe it's because I'm on this side of the hill looking up, which makes the mountain look insurmountable! But I'll keep chipping away and eventualy turn that mountain into a molehill and that slab of marble into a work of art.
Happy Writing!
Once I finish the rough draft of a novel, I take a week or so off to clear my head and get the feeling back in my, um...well, backside. Then for the first part of the editing process I do a quick read-through (at least two chapters a day depending on my schedule) and make small changes as I come across them. I read out loud to catch odd-sounding phrases, misspelled words, grammatical errors, and omitted words. This also helps me check the pacing and the cadence of the words.
I don't sweat this part of the process much since the main purpose of this read-through is to get a feel for the story's overall feel. To read a few general tips on the re-writing process, click HERE for an article I wrote earlier. (I recently went through this part of the process with Pilgrimage of Promise, book 4 in the Miller's Creek novels, and was teary-eyed when I finished. If my own books make me cry, I consider that a good thing.)
After this first read-through, I hit what I call "deep edits," where I check MANY different aspects of the story, one scene at a time. I have to admit to a love/hate affair with this part of novel writing. While I LOVE chipping chunks of marble off the lousy first draft to reveal the beautiful sculpture within, I HATE (and dread) the mind-numbing, hair-pulling, eye-crossing, head-banging, rump-numbing hours that it takes to pull it off. (I don't mean to discourage any of you newbie writers out there. Some authors actually enjoy this part of the process the most.)
Here's what I check for each and every scene in the story during the deep editing process:
GMC
I'm not talking cars here, but Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. I'm very careful about including this in my pre-writing process, so this is more of a double check to make sure that it comes through clear for the reader. For the Goal, I want an internal and external goal for the Point-Of-View character. The Motivation is why the character has these particular goals. Trust me, readers want to know WHY... The Conflict is something that is needed all throughout the scene, and I'll address this more later.
No-No Words
Every writer has pet words and phrases that if not controlled,can ruin a story. Some are cliche, some are not. Clue words can indicate a little rule-bending in the fiction-writing realm. While you can sometimes get away with bending the rules a bit, but it's usually better if you can re-write the passage to remove the offending words. I use the "Find" feature on Microsoft Word to locate the stinkers. (I'll do a post on these at a later time.) This is also where I check to make sure I have active rather than passive voice (another post for another day) and strong verbs and nouns (also another post).
Cause/Effect
This is one of those things that seems to get easier for me the longer I write, but when I do goof it up, the stage of deep edits is where I normally find the goofs. In human action and interaction, every move causes a reaction, which in turn causes another reaction. Call it cause and effect, motivation reaction units, whatever. Things happen in a logical sequence. If something feels off in your writing and you can't figure out what, pay close attention to this, even to the minutest detail.
Sequence
Also pay careful attention to sequence. Here's an example: if someone says something that really makes you mad, your first response will be visceral, which means you have no control over it. Your blood will boil, your cheeks will burn, your pulse will pound, etc. Next, you'll probably have a thought like: I can't believe he just called me that in front of everyone. After that you would probably have an action that shows your angst or attempt to calm down, such as rubbing a hand across your face, taking a deep breath, etc. Then you might say something out loud, perhaps something like: "Well, you're certainly welcome to your opinion."
If I write it like this, the sequence is all off:
"Well, you're certainly welcome to your opinion." She inhaled a deep breath, and her heart pounded. He'd just called her that in front of everyone.
It's much better to write it in the sequence in which it would most likely happen, like this:
Her heart pounded. He'd just called her that in front of everyone. She inhaled a deep breath. "Well, you're certainly welcome to your opinion."
(Yeah, pretty intimidating part of the process because of the fine details, but well worth the effort to bump your writing to the next level.)
Sensory Detail
Your story will be soooooo much better if you make sure to include all the senses. Why? Because it draws the reader into the story. When I read a book, I want to escape to the story world, and sensory detail is what makes a story world real to me. If that's what it takes to cement me in the story then I most definitely want to give that to my readers. For this part of the process I use the highlighters and text colors in my word processing program to do one scene at a time so I can look over the scene at a glance to make sure it has used all the senses. (I'm looking for a rainbow here, not one single color used over and over and over again.)
The easiest ones to hit are sight and sound. The most difficult are smell and taste. (Interestingly enough, it is these two senses that can generate memory, which is all the more reason to include them. I can't smell vanilla to this day without thinking of my grandmother.) Here's a graphic I use to remind me of what to mark on this pass through each scene:
A little caution is warranted here. Don't overdo the sensory detail. There is nothing more distracting than a menu of what the characters eat at every meal, a cacophony of sound that would rival any barnyard, and so many smells that I get a sinus infection just reading the book. ;) Remember, a little goes a long way. Make it natural to the scene.
Notice also that I included intuition/God's Presence here. Some people call it intuition. Others call it a premonition. Others say sixth sense. And for Christians, God's presence or Holy Spirit is very much a part of how we interpret the world around us. I also include sense of humor. (In my humble opinion, even the most serious novels need a little levity to give the reader a much-needed break.) Sense of space, time and motion are also marked here to make sure that I don't leave out these important details that the reader needs for the story to make sense.
Good Blend of Dialogue, Emotion, Internalization, Cues, and Description
This is probably the most helpful part of the process for me, and I picked it up from Margie Lawson's awesome Deep Editing class. I highly encourage all serious writers to take this class. It will propel your writing forward by miles! Margie's website is www.MargieLawson.com. I use color-coding here as well, looking for a rainbow of colors and making sure I break up big spans of one color to make the reading more enjoyable. (NOTE: Take it easy on the amount of emotion you include unless your aim is melodrama. If you save your emotional hits for only the most important parts, it will mean more.)
Other things I learned from Margie's class that are a part of my deep edits process are checking body language references and vocal characterizations to make sure that they're varied, (this helps me catch the overuse of rolling eyes and biting lips ;). I also try to use back-loading, rhetorical device, emotional hits, and hooks. Another thing I've added to the checklist for this section is conflict or tension on every page.
Well, that pretty much sums up my deep edits process. I find it strange that something I can summarize in one blog post is such a long, drawn-out process for me. Maybe it's because I'm on this side of the hill looking up, which makes the mountain look insurmountable! But I'll keep chipping away and eventualy turn that mountain into a molehill and that slab of marble into a work of art.
Happy Writing!
Free Christian Kindle eBooks for January 22, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
All the Way Home
by Ann Tatlock
Published March 2011
Historical Fiction: Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Vietnam War, a young
journalist travels to a small Southern town to expose the bigotry of
racial injustice.
4.8 out of 5 stars
Free? Click HERE to see.
Beatitudes: How to Live a Blessed Life
by Deborah H. Bateman
Published June 2012
Bible Study: The Beatitudes is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and is also known
as “The Blessings.” The Beatitudes are found in the book of Matthew in
Matthew 5:3-12. This Scripture tells us what it means to be righteous.
Jesus tells us how God expects us, as Christians, to live our daily
lives and how we can receive the blessings of God on our lives.
5 stars with 13 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
It Happens Every Spring
by Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer
Published January 2007
Romance: Meet the characters that live, work, dream, and love in the community of
Deepwater Cove. Best-selling authors Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer
team up to show how four married couples, all in different stages in
life, experience the joys and hardships of marriage as examined in Gary
Chapman's The Four Seasons of Marriage. In book one, Steve and
Brenda face a common problem among middle-age couples: empty nest
syndrome. Steve works too much, and with their two children out of the
house, Brenda feels lonely and unfulfilled. In order to save their
marriage, the two must learn to reconnect. Readers are also introduced
to many charming characters, like Cody, the mentally challenged homeless
man that shows up on Steve and Brenda's porch; Pete, who owns the Rods
‘N' Ends tackle shop; and Patsy Pringle, who owns the Just As I Am
beauty parlor, where much of the action takes place. The series is based on the marriage principles found in Gary Chapman's non-fiction book The Four Seasons of Marriage. Similar in tone and light-hearted, quirky humor as Jan Karon's Mitford series, Fannie Flagg's books or Steel Magnolias.
Each book has a study guide that talks about the four seasons of
marriage and the healing strategies depicted in that volume's story.
4.2 stars with 26 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Speaking of Jesus
by Carl Medearis
Published July 2011
Nonfiction:
Some of us fear moments when we need to defend our theology. Some
of us seek them out. But we are seldom ready the way Jesus seemed to be
ready. So how do we draw others to God in the midst of these ordinary
conversations the way Jesus did? In Speaking of Jesus, Carl
Medearis draws on his experience of international reconciliation
between Muslims and Christians to remind us of the heart of the matter:
Jesus. Here he gives us tools, stories, and the foundation we need to
move beyond “us” and “them” and simply talk about the One who changes it
all.
As Carl writes, “While others are explaining
and defending various isms and ologies we’re simply pointing people to
our friend. The one who uncovers and disarms. Who leads people right to
himself. The beginning and the end of the story. A good story indeed.”
4.4 stars with 113 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Redbud Corner
by JoHannah Reardon
Published June 2011
Christian Fiction: Ah Ni (aka Annie) has left China for the first time to study at an
American university in the quaint little town of Redbud Corner. An only
child of a widowed mother, this opportunity to study in America is her
one chance at being successful in life. But the people she meets in
America begin to chip away at everything she has valued in life, and she
must make a decision. Will she let this man and his strange religion
into her life, or will she choose the successful man back home in China?
4.6 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
All the Way Home
by Ann Tatlock
Published March 2011
Historical Fiction: Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Vietnam War, a young
journalist travels to a small Southern town to expose the bigotry of
racial injustice.
4.8 out of 5 stars
Free? Click HERE to see.
Beatitudes: How to Live a Blessed Life
by Deborah H. Bateman
Published June 2012
Bible Study: The Beatitudes is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and is also known
as “The Blessings.” The Beatitudes are found in the book of Matthew in
Matthew 5:3-12. This Scripture tells us what it means to be righteous.
Jesus tells us how God expects us, as Christians, to live our daily
lives and how we can receive the blessings of God on our lives.
5 stars with 13 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
It Happens Every Spring
by Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer
Published January 2007
Romance: Meet the characters that live, work, dream, and love in the community of
Deepwater Cove. Best-selling authors Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer
team up to show how four married couples, all in different stages in
life, experience the joys and hardships of marriage as examined in Gary
Chapman's The Four Seasons of Marriage. In book one, Steve and
Brenda face a common problem among middle-age couples: empty nest
syndrome. Steve works too much, and with their two children out of the
house, Brenda feels lonely and unfulfilled. In order to save their
marriage, the two must learn to reconnect. Readers are also introduced
to many charming characters, like Cody, the mentally challenged homeless
man that shows up on Steve and Brenda's porch; Pete, who owns the Rods
‘N' Ends tackle shop; and Patsy Pringle, who owns the Just As I Am
beauty parlor, where much of the action takes place. The series is based on the marriage principles found in Gary Chapman's non-fiction book The Four Seasons of Marriage. Similar in tone and light-hearted, quirky humor as Jan Karon's Mitford series, Fannie Flagg's books or Steel Magnolias.
Each book has a study guide that talks about the four seasons of
marriage and the healing strategies depicted in that volume's story.
4.2 stars with 26 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Speaking of Jesus
by Carl Medearis
Published July 2011
Nonfiction:
Some of us fear moments when we need to defend our theology. Some
of us seek them out. But we are seldom ready the way Jesus seemed to be
ready. So how do we draw others to God in the midst of these ordinary
conversations the way Jesus did? In Speaking of Jesus, Carl
Medearis draws on his experience of international reconciliation
between Muslims and Christians to remind us of the heart of the matter:
Jesus. Here he gives us tools, stories, and the foundation we need to
move beyond “us” and “them” and simply talk about the One who changes it
all.
As Carl writes, “While others are explaining
and defending various isms and ologies we’re simply pointing people to
our friend. The one who uncovers and disarms. Who leads people right to
himself. The beginning and the end of the story. A good story indeed.”
4.4 stars with 113 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Redbud Corner
by JoHannah Reardon
Published June 2011
Christian Fiction: Ah Ni (aka Annie) has left China for the first time to study at an
American university in the quaint little town of Redbud Corner. An only
child of a widowed mother, this opportunity to study in America is her
one chance at being successful in life. But the people she meets in
America begin to chip away at everything she has valued in life, and she
must make a decision. Will she let this man and his strange religion
into her life, or will she choose the successful man back home in China?
4.6 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
January 21, 2013
Help! I Need Characters
Since I'm sorely in need of two character names for my upcoming book,
Pilgrimage of Promise
, I'm tickled pink to announce my next party here at WordVessel--a Grand Slam party, mind you. (If you want a brief taste of the new novel, you can read the first chapter of the rough draft HERE.)
For those of you who are familiar with the Miller's Creek novels, you know that minor characters are introduced in one story and then move to the front as primary characters in later novels. So while I'm in the deep edits stage with Pilgrimage of Promise (book 4 in the Miller's Creek novels), I want to add two minor characters for a future novel that has already started to take root in my brain.
For that to happen, the characters need to somehow fit into the storyline of Pilgrimage of Promise as well as the future novel (no title yet, just ideas.) Here's the blurb from PoP so you can get an idea of the storyline:
A love story that stands the test of time…
A dusty stack of unopened love letters forces Bo and Mona Beth Miller to revisit a part of their past they’d rather leave buried–especially in the face of death.
Only as they retrace history will they learn the truth about the
shattered promise that threatens to come between them. But can their
relationship endure the deception and sabotage they unearth, or will the
experience compel them to trust more fully in the promises that never
fail?
The vague idea I have for the following novel is a rough and tough independent gal who inherits her uncle's farm in Miller's Creek. She's been hurt a lot in her short life and trusts no one, including those who have her best interest at heart and truly want to help. She's the loner type, but also lonely. In spite of her loneliness, she just can't seem to move past her distrust of others. (I also think she has a name that could be used for either a man or a woman.)
As you can tell, our poor hero definitely has his work cut out for him with this tragic heroine. I see him as a nurse, a real caregiver (which might tie in really nicely with Pilgrimage of Promise, since the hero has cancer...hmmmm.)
Anyway, I obviously have to have names for this fictional man and woman, and fairly soon, since I want to give them a brief introduction in Pilgrimage of Promise, which I hope to have out by the end of March.
That's where you come in. =)
Our party is a "name the character" party/contest. (Parties are always more fun when there are prizes involved, right?)
I mentioned earlier that our soiree is a Grand Slam party, so let me explain. Parties are always the most fun when lots of people are involved, so I want to involve as many people as possible. The best way that I know to do that (especially in a place as big as cyberspace) is to have the party in more than one place. (Yeah, I know...I'm certifiable...)
The Grand Slam party is gonna take place in four places (just like a baseball diamond, hence the Grand Slam...): Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and right here at WordVessel. (I'll be the crazy lady racing through cyberspace trying to keep up with it all! :P)
I won't bore you with the details at this point, but the party will take place on Thursday, January 24 (just two days after this post date) from 7-9 p.m. CST. (It is a come-and-go party so you don't have to be available the entire time.) I'll have all the details in Thursday's post and will announce the winners in a separate post on Friday.
Hope you can join us for the fun!
(P.S. Please share the above picture about the Grand Slam Party through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. to get more people here for the party. The more the merrier!!!)
For those of you who are familiar with the Miller's Creek novels, you know that minor characters are introduced in one story and then move to the front as primary characters in later novels. So while I'm in the deep edits stage with Pilgrimage of Promise (book 4 in the Miller's Creek novels), I want to add two minor characters for a future novel that has already started to take root in my brain.
For that to happen, the characters need to somehow fit into the storyline of Pilgrimage of Promise as well as the future novel (no title yet, just ideas.) Here's the blurb from PoP so you can get an idea of the storyline:
A love story that stands the test of time…
A dusty stack of unopened love letters forces Bo and Mona Beth Miller to revisit a part of their past they’d rather leave buried–especially in the face of death.
Only as they retrace history will they learn the truth about the
shattered promise that threatens to come between them. But can their
relationship endure the deception and sabotage they unearth, or will the
experience compel them to trust more fully in the promises that never
fail?
The vague idea I have for the following novel is a rough and tough independent gal who inherits her uncle's farm in Miller's Creek. She's been hurt a lot in her short life and trusts no one, including those who have her best interest at heart and truly want to help. She's the loner type, but also lonely. In spite of her loneliness, she just can't seem to move past her distrust of others. (I also think she has a name that could be used for either a man or a woman.)
As you can tell, our poor hero definitely has his work cut out for him with this tragic heroine. I see him as a nurse, a real caregiver (which might tie in really nicely with Pilgrimage of Promise, since the hero has cancer...hmmmm.)
Anyway, I obviously have to have names for this fictional man and woman, and fairly soon, since I want to give them a brief introduction in Pilgrimage of Promise, which I hope to have out by the end of March.
That's where you come in. =)
Our party is a "name the character" party/contest. (Parties are always more fun when there are prizes involved, right?)
I mentioned earlier that our soiree is a Grand Slam party, so let me explain. Parties are always the most fun when lots of people are involved, so I want to involve as many people as possible. The best way that I know to do that (especially in a place as big as cyberspace) is to have the party in more than one place. (Yeah, I know...I'm certifiable...)
The Grand Slam party is gonna take place in four places (just like a baseball diamond, hence the Grand Slam...): Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and right here at WordVessel. (I'll be the crazy lady racing through cyberspace trying to keep up with it all! :P)
I won't bore you with the details at this point, but the party will take place on Thursday, January 24 (just two days after this post date) from 7-9 p.m. CST. (It is a come-and-go party so you don't have to be available the entire time.) I'll have all the details in Thursday's post and will announce the winners in a separate post on Friday.
Hope you can join us for the fun!
(P.S. Please share the above picture about the Grand Slam Party through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. to get more people here for the party. The more the merrier!!!)
Free Christian Kindle eBooks for January 21, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. I
am a part of the Amazon Associates program, which allows me to
earn a small advertising fee from Amazon for showcasing these books by
linking directly to them. Happy reading!
What On Earth Is Happening?
by Val Waldeck
Published January 2011
Non-fiction Short: Compelling Evidence For the Soon Return Of Christ.
4.2 stars with 12 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Shadows & Secrets
by Chautona Havig
Published February 2011
Children's Fantasy: No one knows what the cloaked creature is or why it is so terrifying.
The villagers of Wynnewood only know that they must stay away from 'the
creature' for fear of their physical and spiritual safety. An
unfortunate encounter with a dragon introduces Philip Ward to the
creature, and to his surprise, he finds a friend, confidante, and
companion in more adventure than he'd ever dreamed possible. Follow
Philip and the creature as they rescue a lame child, discover 'pirate
treasure', and test the mettle of true friendship.
4.9 stars with 19 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Miracles Are For Real
by James L. Garlow and Keith Wall
Published November 2011
Nonfiction: Biblical Teaching on Miracles Reveals God's Power at Work in the World
Today. Readers are fascinated with miraculous and unexplained events. In
their signature style, trusted pastor Jim Garlow and writer Keith Wall
tap into that fascination with biblical insights on miracles and
accounts of God's work throughout history. The book clearly separates
truth from fiction, fortifying readers' faith in God's power in their
lives.
4.3 stars with 33 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Rise of the Dibor
by Christopher Hopper
Published February 2012
Science Fiction/Fantasy: Read the story that turned children into warriors, and warriors into legends. The
Dairne-Reih haven’t been seen in Dionia for generations—their kind and
their king, Morgui, banished long ago from haunting paradise. But when
creation shows signs of deterioration, the kings of the seven realms
converge in the sacred Gvindollion gathering to arrive at one
inexplicable conclusion: Morgui has returned. In the hopes of
entrusting Dionia’s brave history and perilous future to a generation
that has never known war, the kings decide to raise up their young sons
as an elite group of warriors, known only as the Dibor. Gorn,
legendary hero of the First Battle, is commissioned to teach the Dibor
the art of war, leading them on a four-year adventure on the Isle of
Kirstell. It is Luik, son of Lair, who soon emerges as the warband’s
spirited front man. But he is not the only one of his peers to grow in
power; his dear friend Fane discovers hidden abilities among the Mosfar
under the mentorship of Li-Saide of Ot, while Princess Anorra finds that
her lifelong tutor knows as much about combat as he does about
etiquette. There is little time for the Dibor to enjoy the
satisfaction of graduation, however, as a sinister plot is discovered to
dethrone Dionia’s kings and flatten the capital city of Adriel. The
Dibor are summoned to war, along with the rest of Dionia’s fighting men.
It is before the gates of Adriel Palace that Luik and his army face
Morgui's prince, Valdenil, as well as the unending ranks of the
Dairne-Reih.
4.7 stars with 44 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Jakobe's Assignment
by Elizabeth Baker
Published October 2012
Science Fiction/Fantasy: astor Jonathan Phelps believes in angels. Yet, the idea of unseen beings
actually roaming the halls of Grace Community Church never entered his
mind. Angels surely had some kind of purpose somewhere, but never in an
unimportant backwater like Thyme, Texas. The thought of a warrior
showing up in his office would have shaken him to the core! Angels never
do things like that. Do they? It’s been 700 years since JaKobe
worked on earth, but when his curiosity is piqued by Rachael’s strange
request, he finds himself once again on assignment doing the very things
he once thought were behind him forever. Serving Adam’s offspring and
advancing the Kingdom while enemies multiply on every side is all in a
day’s work. And, this specific assignment is one job JaKobe is
determined to finish before midnight.
4.4 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
by Brian Tubbs
Published August 2011
Nonfiction short: If you've ever wondered where God was in your life or why He could
allow such pain in the world, you need this eBook. Perhaps your faith is
strong but you need help in encouraging a friend whose faith is
faltering, this eBook will help give you the answers you need. In its
pages, you'll find answers to the following questions:
Would a good God allow excruciating pain and suffering?
Would an all-loving God allow evil in the world?
How can I hold onto my faith in the midst of doubt?
How can I cope with the pain and suffering in my life?
and much more
You'll also learn:
Four Reasons for Pain and Suffering
Three Things God Cannot Do
Written
for the busy Christian or seeker in mind, this short eBook
(approximately 6,000 words) addresses the issues of pain and suffering
head on. It explains why God allows bad things to happen (often to good
people) and how people of faith can cope effectively with difficulty in
their lives.
4.6 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Anarchists
by Brian Thompson
Published April 2012
Science Fiction/Fantasy: After a failed coup, a revolutionary named Noor is exiled and sentenced
to die as a lowly earthling. Vowing to rule earth, but separated from
his lieutenants, he is forced to use human beings instead. In
the year 2050, tragedy strikes. Harper Lowe loses her son’s father to a
last-minute decision. A drunk Damario Coley is maimed in a freak
accident. Quinne Ruiz is assaulted and arrested, and Teanna Kirkwood
witnesses the death of her daughter. Weeks later, the alluring
Kareza Noor, CEO of the Genesis Institute, pilots a psychological
experiment, the “Begin Again” initiative. It affords Harper, Damario,
Quinne and Teanna the opportunity to erase a past regret. One of them
must be forced into it. All solve their former problems but
create new ones. Noor, now the Prime Minister of Italy, is plotting a
dangerous end-game – if they try to stop him, they will be treated as
terrorists.
4.5 stars with 11 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Splitting Adam
by John R. Ford
Published October 2011
Science Fiction/Fantasy: Ever wonder what would happen if Frank Capra had directed Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Find out in Splitting Adam! After
a soul-crushing thirtieth birthday party, Pastor Adam Tyler, the
hopelessly single son of a single mom, is given a chance to see what the
world would be like without him. But surprisingly, rather than just an
Adam-less world, he finds instead that he has been replaced by two
others, each man his ″half-self.″ One, the child of his mother, is a
wealthy and successful businessman. The other, the child of the father
Adam has never known, is a movie-quoting, streetwise con man. It seems
the only things these two have in common are Adam’s DNA, and that both
are on a collision course for Deep Trouble. With a hand from his crusty
guardian angel, it’s up to Adam to rescue them. But is he up to the
task? And can he find his way home again? This hilarious journey
of half-self-discovery is the lovechild of Kurt Vonnegut and Anne
Lamott, and is sure to delight all who enjoy a trip into the magical
land of "what if?"
4.6 stars with 8 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Accidental Meeting
by Susette Williams
Published August 2012
Romance Novella: Abbey Martin isn’t willing to be the kind of ‘player’ her boss wants her
to be. When he threatens to not promote her because she refuses to get
in ‘compromising’ positions, she quits.
If a day can go from bad to worse, it does for Abbey. She runs into Bruce Harrington on her way home—literally. Bruce
Harrington was on his way to a very important meeting. That was until a
raving lunatic with brown, bouncy hair spiraled towards him in her car
and then on foot. Maybe he should count it a blessing that when she sent
him cascading over the side of the embankment—he wasn’t in his car. To make amends for causing Bruce to break a leg, Abbey becomes his chauffeur and helpmate until he recovers. When
his cast is about to come off he has to face losing Abbey. There has to
be some way he can keep her from walking out of his life forever. If a
job offer won’t do it then perhaps it’s time for a proposal.
4.2 stars with 32 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Like a Flood
by Elizabeth Proske
Published October 2012
Action/Adventure: When the American college students signed up for the mission trip to
flood-ravaged Colombia, they knew it wouldn't be easy. No electricity,
no running water, skimpy rations, hard labor in the blistering sun - the
young missionaries were prepared for all that. But threats from para-militant drug traffickers? Daniel Wescott and his friends
must make choices they never expected to face. Should they stay and
continue the work of rebuilding in spite of the danger? When disaster
strikes, is it worth risking their lives to help their Colombian hosts?
And how important is it to get the Word of God to the Colombian people? The Christian students are about to find out how strong their convictions really are! Like A Flood
is a compelling novel with a lively cast of characters and an
unequivocal reminder of God's sovereignty even in the most difficult
circumstances.
4.7 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. I
am a part of the Amazon Associates program, which allows me to
earn a small advertising fee from Amazon for showcasing these books by
linking directly to them. Happy reading!
What On Earth Is Happening?
by Val Waldeck
Published January 2011
Non-fiction Short: Compelling Evidence For the Soon Return Of Christ.
4.2 stars with 12 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Shadows & Secrets
by Chautona Havig
Published February 2011
Children's Fantasy: No one knows what the cloaked creature is or why it is so terrifying.
The villagers of Wynnewood only know that they must stay away from 'the
creature' for fear of their physical and spiritual safety. An
unfortunate encounter with a dragon introduces Philip Ward to the
creature, and to his surprise, he finds a friend, confidante, and
companion in more adventure than he'd ever dreamed possible. Follow
Philip and the creature as they rescue a lame child, discover 'pirate
treasure', and test the mettle of true friendship.
4.9 stars with 19 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Miracles Are For Real
by James L. Garlow and Keith Wall
Published November 2011
Nonfiction: Biblical Teaching on Miracles Reveals God's Power at Work in the World
Today. Readers are fascinated with miraculous and unexplained events. In
their signature style, trusted pastor Jim Garlow and writer Keith Wall
tap into that fascination with biblical insights on miracles and
accounts of God's work throughout history. The book clearly separates
truth from fiction, fortifying readers' faith in God's power in their
lives.
4.3 stars with 33 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Rise of the Dibor
by Christopher Hopper
Published February 2012
Science Fiction/Fantasy: Read the story that turned children into warriors, and warriors into legends. The
Dairne-Reih haven’t been seen in Dionia for generations—their kind and
their king, Morgui, banished long ago from haunting paradise. But when
creation shows signs of deterioration, the kings of the seven realms
converge in the sacred Gvindollion gathering to arrive at one
inexplicable conclusion: Morgui has returned. In the hopes of
entrusting Dionia’s brave history and perilous future to a generation
that has never known war, the kings decide to raise up their young sons
as an elite group of warriors, known only as the Dibor. Gorn,
legendary hero of the First Battle, is commissioned to teach the Dibor
the art of war, leading them on a four-year adventure on the Isle of
Kirstell. It is Luik, son of Lair, who soon emerges as the warband’s
spirited front man. But he is not the only one of his peers to grow in
power; his dear friend Fane discovers hidden abilities among the Mosfar
under the mentorship of Li-Saide of Ot, while Princess Anorra finds that
her lifelong tutor knows as much about combat as he does about
etiquette. There is little time for the Dibor to enjoy the
satisfaction of graduation, however, as a sinister plot is discovered to
dethrone Dionia’s kings and flatten the capital city of Adriel. The
Dibor are summoned to war, along with the rest of Dionia’s fighting men.
It is before the gates of Adriel Palace that Luik and his army face
Morgui's prince, Valdenil, as well as the unending ranks of the
Dairne-Reih.
4.7 stars with 44 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Jakobe's Assignment
by Elizabeth Baker
Published October 2012
Science Fiction/Fantasy: astor Jonathan Phelps believes in angels. Yet, the idea of unseen beings
actually roaming the halls of Grace Community Church never entered his
mind. Angels surely had some kind of purpose somewhere, but never in an
unimportant backwater like Thyme, Texas. The thought of a warrior
showing up in his office would have shaken him to the core! Angels never
do things like that. Do they? It’s been 700 years since JaKobe
worked on earth, but when his curiosity is piqued by Rachael’s strange
request, he finds himself once again on assignment doing the very things
he once thought were behind him forever. Serving Adam’s offspring and
advancing the Kingdom while enemies multiply on every side is all in a
day’s work. And, this specific assignment is one job JaKobe is
determined to finish before midnight.
4.4 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
by Brian Tubbs
Published August 2011
Nonfiction short: If you've ever wondered where God was in your life or why He could
allow such pain in the world, you need this eBook. Perhaps your faith is
strong but you need help in encouraging a friend whose faith is
faltering, this eBook will help give you the answers you need. In its
pages, you'll find answers to the following questions:
Would a good God allow excruciating pain and suffering?
Would an all-loving God allow evil in the world?
How can I hold onto my faith in the midst of doubt?
How can I cope with the pain and suffering in my life?
and much more
You'll also learn:
Four Reasons for Pain and Suffering
Three Things God Cannot Do
Written
for the busy Christian or seeker in mind, this short eBook
(approximately 6,000 words) addresses the issues of pain and suffering
head on. It explains why God allows bad things to happen (often to good
people) and how people of faith can cope effectively with difficulty in
their lives.
4.6 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Anarchists
by Brian Thompson
Published April 2012
Science Fiction/Fantasy: After a failed coup, a revolutionary named Noor is exiled and sentenced
to die as a lowly earthling. Vowing to rule earth, but separated from
his lieutenants, he is forced to use human beings instead. In
the year 2050, tragedy strikes. Harper Lowe loses her son’s father to a
last-minute decision. A drunk Damario Coley is maimed in a freak
accident. Quinne Ruiz is assaulted and arrested, and Teanna Kirkwood
witnesses the death of her daughter. Weeks later, the alluring
Kareza Noor, CEO of the Genesis Institute, pilots a psychological
experiment, the “Begin Again” initiative. It affords Harper, Damario,
Quinne and Teanna the opportunity to erase a past regret. One of them
must be forced into it. All solve their former problems but
create new ones. Noor, now the Prime Minister of Italy, is plotting a
dangerous end-game – if they try to stop him, they will be treated as
terrorists.
4.5 stars with 11 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Splitting Adam
by John R. Ford
Published October 2011
Science Fiction/Fantasy: Ever wonder what would happen if Frank Capra had directed Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Find out in Splitting Adam! After
a soul-crushing thirtieth birthday party, Pastor Adam Tyler, the
hopelessly single son of a single mom, is given a chance to see what the
world would be like without him. But surprisingly, rather than just an
Adam-less world, he finds instead that he has been replaced by two
others, each man his ″half-self.″ One, the child of his mother, is a
wealthy and successful businessman. The other, the child of the father
Adam has never known, is a movie-quoting, streetwise con man. It seems
the only things these two have in common are Adam’s DNA, and that both
are on a collision course for Deep Trouble. With a hand from his crusty
guardian angel, it’s up to Adam to rescue them. But is he up to the
task? And can he find his way home again? This hilarious journey
of half-self-discovery is the lovechild of Kurt Vonnegut and Anne
Lamott, and is sure to delight all who enjoy a trip into the magical
land of "what if?"
4.6 stars with 8 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Accidental Meeting
by Susette Williams
Published August 2012
Romance Novella: Abbey Martin isn’t willing to be the kind of ‘player’ her boss wants her
to be. When he threatens to not promote her because she refuses to get
in ‘compromising’ positions, she quits.
If a day can go from bad to worse, it does for Abbey. She runs into Bruce Harrington on her way home—literally. Bruce
Harrington was on his way to a very important meeting. That was until a
raving lunatic with brown, bouncy hair spiraled towards him in her car
and then on foot. Maybe he should count it a blessing that when she sent
him cascading over the side of the embankment—he wasn’t in his car. To make amends for causing Bruce to break a leg, Abbey becomes his chauffeur and helpmate until he recovers. When
his cast is about to come off he has to face losing Abbey. There has to
be some way he can keep her from walking out of his life forever. If a
job offer won’t do it then perhaps it’s time for a proposal.
4.2 stars with 32 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Like a Flood
by Elizabeth Proske
Published October 2012
Action/Adventure: When the American college students signed up for the mission trip to
flood-ravaged Colombia, they knew it wouldn't be easy. No electricity,
no running water, skimpy rations, hard labor in the blistering sun - the
young missionaries were prepared for all that. But threats from para-militant drug traffickers? Daniel Wescott and his friends
must make choices they never expected to face. Should they stay and
continue the work of rebuilding in spite of the danger? When disaster
strikes, is it worth risking their lives to help their Colombian hosts?
And how important is it to get the Word of God to the Colombian people? The Christian students are about to find out how strong their convictions really are! Like A Flood
is a compelling novel with a lively cast of characters and an
unequivocal reminder of God's sovereignty even in the most difficult
circumstances.
4.7 stars with 6 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
January 20, 2013
A Message to the Church #7: Has Your Prosperity and Pride Made You Complacent??
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Today is the last installment of the series "A Message to the Church." I hope you've enjoyed this study as much as I have. The Lord has convicted my heart with what I need to work on and encouraged me in my commitment to follow Him completely and wholeheartedly.
In case you've missed the other articles in this series, you can find them at the following links:
A Message to the Church #1: Have You Left Your First Love?
A Message to the Church #2: Are You Fearlessly Faithful?
A Message to the Church #3: Have You Compromised?
A Message to the Church #4: Are You Tolerant of Spiritual Adultery?
A Message to the Church #5: Are You Dead?
A Message to the Church #6: Are You Holding Fast to What You Have?
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” ~Revelation 3:14-22 (NASB)
Symbolism
As in all the other letters, this last letter to the churches begins with an introduction to the Author, who here is described as:
The Amen - the "so be it;" the "yes!" For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. ~2 Corinthians 1:20 (NASB)
The faithful and true Witness
The Beginning of the creation of God (John 1:1)
This corresponds well with His description in Revelation 1:17-18, where He declares Himself to be "the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."
In my study of this passage I found it very interesting that the three main industries in Laodicea (the church addressed in this letter) were banking, textiles and medicine. This lines up perfectly with the attitude of this church, who in their pride thought they lacked nothing. Yet Jesus advises them to buy:
gold refined in fire - choosing to go through fiery trials rather than compromising, with the result of purification and true wealth
white garments - another symbol of purity based on washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14) to cover their shameful nakedness
eye salve - to heal their spiritual blindness
Another interesting point: the Laodiceans, in spite of their prideful self-sufficiency, had a dirty river for a water supply. The water was undrinkable, so they had to pipe their water in from other sources. The hot springs of Hierapolis (to the north of Laodicea) were known for their therapeutic properties while the cold springs of Colosse (to the south of Laodicea) were cool and refreshing. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm.
What They're Doing Right
Sadly, Christ has no words of commendation for this church.
What He Has Against Them
They were lukewarm and made Christ sick to His stomach. They were neither the therapeutic rivers of living water or the cool and refreshing living water He died for them to be.
They were wealthy and proud, proclaiming that they lacked nothing. All throughout God's Word we are warned about the danger of pride because it is abhorrent to God (Proverbs 16:5). Though prosperity is often the result of God's blessing, it can also lead to pride and the dangerous notion that we somehow earned, or are entitled to, His blessings. This very much reminds me of many churches today.
Actually, in spite of their inflated view of themselves, they were wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
He is locked outside the church, knocking on the door, waiting for them to let Him in. (What an indictment, that Christ should be locked outside His own church!) (NOTE: This passage is often used as an invitation to nonbelievers, but the original message was intended for the church.)
What They Need To Do
Buy from Him refined gold, white garments, and eye salve
Be zealous (not lukewarm)
Repent
Open the door and let Him in
The Warning
He would spit (literally, spew or vomit) them from His mouth.
The Reward
To those who overcome, He will grant them the right to sit with Him on His throne, just as He overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne.
Application
As with the letter to the church in Sardis (A Message to the Church #5), I view this letter as one of the most applicable to the church in America today. Our prosperity has led to pride, which in turn has led to spiritual complacency. I believe we're just now beginning to see the consequences of being prosperous, proud and complacent. It is time to seek God and His riches of refined gold, white garments, and eye salve, so we are truly wealthy and pure and can see clearly. We need to become zealous for the King and the work of the Kingdom. Most importantly, we need to open the door to the church that rightfully belongs to Him (because of His work of redemption) and let Him in!!!
My favorite part of this letter is the revealing of Christ's motive in His harsh admonition. He doesn't discipline us because He's trying to prove that He's bigger and more powerful than we are (though He certainly is). He disciplines us because He loves us. Just like any parent, He wants what is best for us. But if we're too proud to see that what we need the most is Him, He will have no choice but to vomit us up.
So today's question for the church is:
Has Your Prosperity and Pride Made You Complacent?
Lord God, we come before You as poor, wretched, blind and naked people, recognizing that You are our only hope. Forgive us, Father, for presuming upon Your goodness, for assuming that we have earned and are entitled to prosperity, when it is God alone who givse us the power to accumulate wealth. We acknowledge, Lord, that all we have is because of You. Lord, help us to put aside our material prosperity in favor of spiritual riches--the refining process which removes our impurities, the blood of the Lamb which turns our stained clothing to brilliant and pure white, and the salve of Your salvation and grace so we might truly see. Forgive us for our pride and complacency. Shake us from the death grip of apathy before we make You so sick You spew us out of Your mouth! May we individually and collectively repent of our sin and turn back to You, opening the door of Your church that we've locked with our dreadful sin, so that You might enter in and re-establish that one-on-one intimacy we so sorely need. Thank You for patiently waiting and for Your great love for us. Help us to be the church You have called us to be--united in purpose, in message, and under Your authority. According to all that You are, and in accordance with Your perfect rule and will, we ask these things. Amen.
Today is the last installment of the series "A Message to the Church." I hope you've enjoyed this study as much as I have. The Lord has convicted my heart with what I need to work on and encouraged me in my commitment to follow Him completely and wholeheartedly.
In case you've missed the other articles in this series, you can find them at the following links:
A Message to the Church #1: Have You Left Your First Love?
A Message to the Church #2: Are You Fearlessly Faithful?
A Message to the Church #3: Have You Compromised?
A Message to the Church #4: Are You Tolerant of Spiritual Adultery?
A Message to the Church #5: Are You Dead?
A Message to the Church #6: Are You Holding Fast to What You Have?
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” ~Revelation 3:14-22 (NASB)
Symbolism
As in all the other letters, this last letter to the churches begins with an introduction to the Author, who here is described as:
The Amen - the "so be it;" the "yes!" For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. ~2 Corinthians 1:20 (NASB)
The faithful and true Witness
The Beginning of the creation of God (John 1:1)
This corresponds well with His description in Revelation 1:17-18, where He declares Himself to be "the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."
In my study of this passage I found it very interesting that the three main industries in Laodicea (the church addressed in this letter) were banking, textiles and medicine. This lines up perfectly with the attitude of this church, who in their pride thought they lacked nothing. Yet Jesus advises them to buy:
gold refined in fire - choosing to go through fiery trials rather than compromising, with the result of purification and true wealth
white garments - another symbol of purity based on washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14) to cover their shameful nakedness
eye salve - to heal their spiritual blindness
Another interesting point: the Laodiceans, in spite of their prideful self-sufficiency, had a dirty river for a water supply. The water was undrinkable, so they had to pipe their water in from other sources. The hot springs of Hierapolis (to the north of Laodicea) were known for their therapeutic properties while the cold springs of Colosse (to the south of Laodicea) were cool and refreshing. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm.
What They're Doing Right
Sadly, Christ has no words of commendation for this church.
What He Has Against Them
They were lukewarm and made Christ sick to His stomach. They were neither the therapeutic rivers of living water or the cool and refreshing living water He died for them to be.
They were wealthy and proud, proclaiming that they lacked nothing. All throughout God's Word we are warned about the danger of pride because it is abhorrent to God (Proverbs 16:5). Though prosperity is often the result of God's blessing, it can also lead to pride and the dangerous notion that we somehow earned, or are entitled to, His blessings. This very much reminds me of many churches today.
Actually, in spite of their inflated view of themselves, they were wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
He is locked outside the church, knocking on the door, waiting for them to let Him in. (What an indictment, that Christ should be locked outside His own church!) (NOTE: This passage is often used as an invitation to nonbelievers, but the original message was intended for the church.)
What They Need To Do
Buy from Him refined gold, white garments, and eye salve
Be zealous (not lukewarm)
Repent
Open the door and let Him in
The Warning
He would spit (literally, spew or vomit) them from His mouth.
The Reward
To those who overcome, He will grant them the right to sit with Him on His throne, just as He overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne.
Application
As with the letter to the church in Sardis (A Message to the Church #5), I view this letter as one of the most applicable to the church in America today. Our prosperity has led to pride, which in turn has led to spiritual complacency. I believe we're just now beginning to see the consequences of being prosperous, proud and complacent. It is time to seek God and His riches of refined gold, white garments, and eye salve, so we are truly wealthy and pure and can see clearly. We need to become zealous for the King and the work of the Kingdom. Most importantly, we need to open the door to the church that rightfully belongs to Him (because of His work of redemption) and let Him in!!!
My favorite part of this letter is the revealing of Christ's motive in His harsh admonition. He doesn't discipline us because He's trying to prove that He's bigger and more powerful than we are (though He certainly is). He disciplines us because He loves us. Just like any parent, He wants what is best for us. But if we're too proud to see that what we need the most is Him, He will have no choice but to vomit us up.
So today's question for the church is:
Has Your Prosperity and Pride Made You Complacent?
Lord God, we come before You as poor, wretched, blind and naked people, recognizing that You are our only hope. Forgive us, Father, for presuming upon Your goodness, for assuming that we have earned and are entitled to prosperity, when it is God alone who givse us the power to accumulate wealth. We acknowledge, Lord, that all we have is because of You. Lord, help us to put aside our material prosperity in favor of spiritual riches--the refining process which removes our impurities, the blood of the Lamb which turns our stained clothing to brilliant and pure white, and the salve of Your salvation and grace so we might truly see. Forgive us for our pride and complacency. Shake us from the death grip of apathy before we make You so sick You spew us out of Your mouth! May we individually and collectively repent of our sin and turn back to You, opening the door of Your church that we've locked with our dreadful sin, so that You might enter in and re-establish that one-on-one intimacy we so sorely need. Thank You for patiently waiting and for Your great love for us. Help us to be the church You have called us to be--united in purpose, in message, and under Your authority. According to all that You are, and in accordance with Your perfect rule and will, we ask these things. Amen.
January 19, 2013
A Message to the Church #6: Are You Holding Fast To What You Have?
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
If you're just now joining us for this series on "A Message to the Church," you may want to check out the previous articles in the series. You can find them at the following links:
A Message to the Church #1: Have You Left Your First Love?
A Message to the Church #2: Are You Fearlessly Faithful?
A Message to the Church #3: Have You Compromised?
A Message to the Church #4: Are You Tolerant of Spiritual Adultery?
A Message to the Church #5: Are You Dead?
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’" ~Revelation 3:7-13 (NASB)
Symbolism
Once again, as in the letters to the other churches, Christ is described in the opening--this time as the One who is holy and true, has the key of David, who opens and shuts doors permanently and with complete authority.
The term "key of David" is also used in Isaiah 20:20-22, where the LORD says: “Then it will come about in that day, that I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, And I will clothe him with your tunic and tie your sash securely about him. I will entrust him with your authority, and he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, when he opens no one will shut, when he shuts no one will open."
I find it personally fascinating that the language in this Old Testament passage so closely mirrors the passage in the book of Revelation. I also find it fascinating that the term "on his shoulder" is used again in Isaiah 9:6-7: For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
We need to remember that Christ was of the lineage of David, to whom God promised that his throne would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). So in light of these verses, I believe the key of David refers to the authority and rule of Christ. He is the key and the door. In spite of worldly powers, only He can open and no one can shut, or shut and no one can open.
It's also worth noting that some theologians see this open door as a symbol of evangelism. Paul himself used this analogy frequently, as did Luke in the book of Acts in reference to Paul's missionary journeys. Though this is certainly a possible interpretation, I still feel that the reference is to a personal relationship to God through Christ as the key and the door, who forever removed the veil between God and man with His atoning sacrifice. (We'll talk about this more in A Message to the Church #7.)
I also want to point out that the phrase "and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" was also used in the second letter to the churches, and referred to those who claimed to belong to God (the Jews), but who actually served Satan. Many references are made in the Bible to a new Israel as those who put their faith and trust in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, who have God's Spirit living inside them, and who have circumcised hearts.
In addition, the "crown" mentioned here was also mentioned in the second letter to the churches. In Biblical times the crown was given to the victor in a race or battle.
What They're Doing Right
They have "a little power" - I don't know why, but when I read this I thought, "All we have to have is a little power, because God's almighty power in the form of His Holy Spirit resides within us as followers." Sometimes I see myself as not having enough power to accomplish anything. This is the same grasshopper mentality that ten of the twelve spies had when sent out to spy on the promised Holy Land. With God's power, we have all we need!!!
They have "not denied His name" - Jesus said: “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." ~Matthew 10:32-33 (NASB) In scripture, any reference to a name is also a reference to the character and person, so by not denying His name this church had also stayed true to Who He was and is.
They've kept His command to persevere.
What He Has Against Them
Like the church in Smyrna, nothing is mentioned. That in and of itself is quite a testimony, especially considering what He has against the other churches.
What They Need To Do
One thing: hold fast to what they have, which is that relationship with God through Christ, so that no one can take their crown.
The Warning
No words of warning are spoken against the church, but only against those who lied about their connection to God. Their warning becomes part of the reward for God's true people.
The Reward
Christ will make those of the synagogue of Satan kneel at the feet of His true believers.
He will make the false believers know that He loves His true believers.
He will keep them from the hour of testing that is about to come upon all the earth.
He will make them a pillar in the house of God, where they will dwell eternally.
He will write on them the name of His God, the name of the city of His God (the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven), and His new name. (Remember, a person's name stood for who they were, so this is like receiving a new identity, which is already ours in Christ [see 2 Corinthians 5:17].)
Application
False believers abound in each and every generation, and they often persecute true believers. Don't give up! Christ knows those that are His. As the only Righteous Judge, He will make it right in the end! Our victory and reward is already a done deal! So the question is:
Are you holding fast to what you have?
God of heaven and earth, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for being both the key and the door to God, for ripping that veil that separated us in two from top to bottom! Thank You for the infinite power that is ours because of Your indwelling Spirit. Lord, we acknowledge Your authority, and Yours alone, over us. Give us the strength and that supernatural power to boldly confess You before men, no matter the threat or personal danger. Thank You especially for Your great love for us, and for the truth that one day soon You will return to judge the earth and claim what is Yours! Oh God, we don't deserve any of Your wondrous blessings, but we are so grateful that You lavish them on us. Open our eyes to see what a great treasure is ours because of Jesus and what He did on the cross. Help us persevere in the precious and powerful name of Jesus! Amen!
If you're just now joining us for this series on "A Message to the Church," you may want to check out the previous articles in the series. You can find them at the following links:
A Message to the Church #1: Have You Left Your First Love?
A Message to the Church #2: Are You Fearlessly Faithful?
A Message to the Church #3: Have You Compromised?
A Message to the Church #4: Are You Tolerant of Spiritual Adultery?
A Message to the Church #5: Are You Dead?
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’" ~Revelation 3:7-13 (NASB)
Symbolism
Once again, as in the letters to the other churches, Christ is described in the opening--this time as the One who is holy and true, has the key of David, who opens and shuts doors permanently and with complete authority.
The term "key of David" is also used in Isaiah 20:20-22, where the LORD says: “Then it will come about in that day, that I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, And I will clothe him with your tunic and tie your sash securely about him. I will entrust him with your authority, and he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, when he opens no one will shut, when he shuts no one will open."
I find it personally fascinating that the language in this Old Testament passage so closely mirrors the passage in the book of Revelation. I also find it fascinating that the term "on his shoulder" is used again in Isaiah 9:6-7: For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
We need to remember that Christ was of the lineage of David, to whom God promised that his throne would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). So in light of these verses, I believe the key of David refers to the authority and rule of Christ. He is the key and the door. In spite of worldly powers, only He can open and no one can shut, or shut and no one can open.
It's also worth noting that some theologians see this open door as a symbol of evangelism. Paul himself used this analogy frequently, as did Luke in the book of Acts in reference to Paul's missionary journeys. Though this is certainly a possible interpretation, I still feel that the reference is to a personal relationship to God through Christ as the key and the door, who forever removed the veil between God and man with His atoning sacrifice. (We'll talk about this more in A Message to the Church #7.)
I also want to point out that the phrase "and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" was also used in the second letter to the churches, and referred to those who claimed to belong to God (the Jews), but who actually served Satan. Many references are made in the Bible to a new Israel as those who put their faith and trust in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, who have God's Spirit living inside them, and who have circumcised hearts.
In addition, the "crown" mentioned here was also mentioned in the second letter to the churches. In Biblical times the crown was given to the victor in a race or battle.
What They're Doing Right
They have "a little power" - I don't know why, but when I read this I thought, "All we have to have is a little power, because God's almighty power in the form of His Holy Spirit resides within us as followers." Sometimes I see myself as not having enough power to accomplish anything. This is the same grasshopper mentality that ten of the twelve spies had when sent out to spy on the promised Holy Land. With God's power, we have all we need!!!
They have "not denied His name" - Jesus said: “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." ~Matthew 10:32-33 (NASB) In scripture, any reference to a name is also a reference to the character and person, so by not denying His name this church had also stayed true to Who He was and is.
They've kept His command to persevere.
What He Has Against Them
Like the church in Smyrna, nothing is mentioned. That in and of itself is quite a testimony, especially considering what He has against the other churches.
What They Need To Do
One thing: hold fast to what they have, which is that relationship with God through Christ, so that no one can take their crown.
The Warning
No words of warning are spoken against the church, but only against those who lied about their connection to God. Their warning becomes part of the reward for God's true people.
The Reward
Christ will make those of the synagogue of Satan kneel at the feet of His true believers.
He will make the false believers know that He loves His true believers.
He will keep them from the hour of testing that is about to come upon all the earth.
He will make them a pillar in the house of God, where they will dwell eternally.
He will write on them the name of His God, the name of the city of His God (the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven), and His new name. (Remember, a person's name stood for who they were, so this is like receiving a new identity, which is already ours in Christ [see 2 Corinthians 5:17].)
Application
False believers abound in each and every generation, and they often persecute true believers. Don't give up! Christ knows those that are His. As the only Righteous Judge, He will make it right in the end! Our victory and reward is already a done deal! So the question is:
Are you holding fast to what you have?
God of heaven and earth, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for being both the key and the door to God, for ripping that veil that separated us in two from top to bottom! Thank You for the infinite power that is ours because of Your indwelling Spirit. Lord, we acknowledge Your authority, and Yours alone, over us. Give us the strength and that supernatural power to boldly confess You before men, no matter the threat or personal danger. Thank You especially for Your great love for us, and for the truth that one day soon You will return to judge the earth and claim what is Yours! Oh God, we don't deserve any of Your wondrous blessings, but we are so grateful that You lavish them on us. Open our eyes to see what a great treasure is ours because of Jesus and what He did on the cross. Help us persevere in the precious and powerful name of Jesus! Amen!
CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog
FREE digital copy of A PATH LESS TRAVELED (2nd stand-alone book in the Miller's Creek novels and an Amazon Kindle Best-Seller) when you subscribe to Cathy's FROM MY FRONT PORCH newsletter. On my blog
...more
- Cathy Bryant's profile
- 390 followers
