Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 145

Devotion for the Third Saturday in Advent

Malachi 3:1-3 (ESV)

1 "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

O holy Lord, refine us in Your fire, cleanse us with Your soap—the Blood of the Lamb. Make us as pure as the purest gold and silver refined in the hottest fire. Make us ready to stand in the day of Jesus' return. In His name. Amen.

Related Posts:Scripture for the First Tuesday in Advent 2010Devotion for the First Saturday in AdventDevotion for the First Monday in AdventDevotion for the Second Tuesday in AdventDevotion for the Second Wednesday in AdventPowered by Contextual Related PostsDevotion for the Third Saturday in Advent was first posted on December 17, 2011 at 12:20 am.
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Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Hallelujah Chorus

In this video, one of my favorite choirs—the Mormon Tabernacle Choir—sings some of my favorite music of all time—the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.

Related Posts:Hallelujah Chorus in the Food CourtWhile There's Still TimeA Social Media ChristmasGene Simmons Military TributeVia DolorosaPowered by Contextual Related PostsMormon Tabernacle Choir: Hallelujah Chorus was first posted on December 16, 2011 at 12:35 am.
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Devotion for the Third Friday in Advent

2 Timothy 3:7-8 (ESV)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Heavenly Father, guide us by the Holy Spirit to fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith so that, along with Paul and the other saints, we will be awarded the crown of righteousness. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Related Posts:Devotion for the Third Thursday in AdventDevotion for the Second Saturday in AdventDevotion for the Second Wednesday in AdventScripture for the Third Saturday in AdventScripture for the Fifth Thursday in LentPowered by Contextual Related PostsDevotion for the Third Friday in Advent was first posted on December 16, 2011 at 12:19 am.
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Devotion for the Third Thursday in Advent

Psalm 96:11-13 (ESV)

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

12 let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

13 before the Lord, for he comes,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness,

and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Lord, too often we think of judgment as something bad. We fear the Judgment Day when You will judge the world. But we know You judge with righteousness and faithfulness, and we know that You forgive the sins of those who accept Jesus as their Savior and who truly and earnestly repent of their sins. With Jesus as our Advocate, we need not fear Your judgment, for He has washed us whiter than snow. We will be glad and rejoice that He is coming to judge the world and the people with truth. In His name. Amen.

Related Posts:Devotion for the Second Wednesday in AdventScripture for the Fifth Monday in LentMaundy Thursday 2011Scripture for the Second Sunday in Advent 2010Scripture for the Fourth Monday in Advent 2010Powered by Contextual Related PostsDevotion for the Third Thursday in Advent was first posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:18 am.
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Devotion for the Third Wednesday in Advent

Luke 12:35-40 (ESV)

35 "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

O Lord, our God, empower us by the Holy Spirit to be ready when Jesus comes again. Whether he comes early or late, let Him find us awake, dressed, with our lamps burning, waiting for His return. In His name. Amen.

Related Posts:Sixth Friday in Lent 2011Fourth Thursday in Lent 2011Sixth Wednesday in Lent 2011Scripture for the Second Friday in AdventSecond Thursday in LentPowered by Contextual Related PostsDevotion for the Third Wednesday in Advent was first posted on December 14, 2011 at 12:16 am.
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Guest Post: Four Tips for Making the Most of Writing Workshops by Lauren Bailey

For fiction and nonfiction writers alike, going it completely alone is a difficult process that takes much longer without the encouragement and support from a group. Of course, enrolling in a writing workshop is by no means a necessary step in becoming a published author, but I feel that every writer can stand to benefit from the experience of learning and honing writing techniques in a group setting, even if you try it only once. It's certainly an experience that can expand your writing horizons, especially if you approach workshops the right way. While there are various different types of writing workshops, the most useful in my experience has been the critique workshop, in which each writer writes at least one piece, and everyone in the group works together in critiquing the piece constructively. To make the most out of these types of workshops, here are a few tips:

1. Always come prepared.

Most of the work done while participating in a writing workshop is usually completed outside the group meeting itself. There are three main components that most writing workshops share—reading material written by published authors, reading and critiquing participants' work, and writing one or more pieces to share with the rest of the group. Many first-time workshop participants spend too much time drafting their piece, effectively missing out on developing skills that are just as important like editing and reading published work analytically.

2. When your piece is being critiqued, listen attentively, take notes, and ask questions.

Perhaps the strangest part about attending writing workshops, the one that takes the most getting used to, is being "judged" by a panel of your peers. In most workshops, the group will discuss your writing aloud, but they will not refer to you by name, only "the writer." Although it may initially seem like an intimidating process, keep yourself busy by taking extensive notes. Remember that a writing workshop is an incredible opportunity to get feedback from other writers, so respect the time everyone put into critiquing your work by honestly considering what everyone has to say.

3. Learn to take good advice and discard bad advice.

Many writers criticize workshops because you are essentially learning from others who are amateurs themselves. Too much conflicting criticism from a diverse group of writers may cause you to change your work so much that it's no longer uniquely yours. The best way to avoid this scenario is to consider all criticism first. Analyze each person's critiques carefully, noting which writers share your vision, and which are more prone to pushing their sense of style onto others. It's also advisable to keep track of the number of comments that you receive criticizing the same problem. If many people see a problem with a particular scene or aspect of a particular character, then you should seriously consider reworking these specific parts with which many have taken issue.

4. Put time and effort into critiquing others' work. It'll make you a stronger editor and writer.

When I first attended a writing workshop, I spent the least amount of time critiquing others' work because I was so engrossed in writing my own short story drafts. What I didn't know at the time was that this practice eventually backfires in a workshop setting. For one, if you don't put much effort into critiquing others' work, your peers won't put much effort into your work—workshops are definitely a two-way street. What's more, carefully reading other participants work helps you to develop your eye for common writing mistakes. Since it's so much easier to find fault in others work than our own, practicing editing others' work will make you a better editor of your writing eventually.

If you haven't yet joined a writing workshop, I highly recommend trying it out. Even if you don't find the experience very helpful, you will have at least met a group of writers that share with you the joys and frustrations of artistic creation.

If you aren't sure where to find a workshop or critique group, ask your local library, community college, or arts organization. For writer's conferences and retreats, which involve participants spending several days in a specific setting with writers from around the country, check out this comprehensive listing. If you need guidance on forming your own critique group, be sure to read Lillie Amman's previous advice here. Good luck!

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for best online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99@gmail.com.

Related Posts:Beware of the Wrong Critique GroupsAnswers to a Writer's Questions, Part 1: Getting Feedback on Your WritingAbout Critique GroupsEditing: Part 7 – Do I need an outside editor?Brazos Writers Self-Editing WorkshopPowered by Contextual Related PostsGuest Post: Four Tips for Making the Most of Writing Workshops by Lauren Bailey was first posted on December 13, 2011 at 12:50 am.
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Devotion for the Third Tuesday in Advent

Revelation 19:6-8 (ESV)

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Heavenly Father, let us make ourselves ready for the marriage of the Lamb. Clothe us in the fine linen of righteous deeds, and lead us in Your way everlasting. In the name of Jesus Christ, who was is, and is, and is to come. Amen.

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Devotion for the Third Monday in Advent

Isaiah 29:15-16 (ESV)

15 Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, "Who sees us? Who knows us?" 16 You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"?

Lord God, wash away our pride and arrogance. You made us, and You understand us completely, ye we often act as if we think we know better than You. Remind us that You are the potter, and we are the clay. You formed us, and You have a plan for us. Show us the way You want us to go. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Another Blogging Milestone

[image error]1100 posts!

My posts vary in length so I don't know how many words that is … but certainly enough for several books!

I hope you enjoy reading my blog half as much as I enjoy writing it!

Related Posts:Post #600A Milestone: Post 40020,000 Comments!Happy Belated Blog Birthday!International Freelancers Day is TodayPowered by Contextual Related PostsAnother Blogging Milestone was first posted on December 11, 2011 at 1:03 am.
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Devotion for the Third Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 35:5-8 (ESV)

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.  8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

Lord, our God, turn our hearts to You and lead us on the Way of Holiness, that even if we are fools, we shall not go astray. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, now and forever, one God, world without end. Amen.

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