Endless Revisions

Have you ever thought you needed to call someone just to catch up and then you realize months later you still haven’t called? The longer time passes, the harder it seems it is to make that call. That’s how I feel about blogging.

 

There was a time when I lived for blogging. There was a time when I blogged on multiple sites every day. I’m not sure what has changed other than my priorities.

 

I have two stories that are in, what I hope to be, the final revisions. So much of my free time is wrapped up in them.

 

Speaking of revisions, I’m in the seventh round on one story. As you can imagine it’s like listening to the same song over and over. After awhile it becomes–old. I mean seriously, I rarely read any book more than once, so, after the seventh time my eyes are beginning to cross.

 

But there is a scripture found in I Thessalonians 5:18 that says we should give thanks for everything. This includes revisions, no matter how frustrating the prospect of opening the file may be.

 

I’m trying to have an attitude of gratitude even through trials and tribulations. And trust me when I say we’ve been going through a few. So, when I look at a manuscript that I have prayed over multiple times, and know that it still needs work, I thank God and pray that this next round will be even better than the last. However, after this morning’s little foray into my manuscript, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe I’m taking two steps backwards. And I remember feeling the exact same way with the last set of revisions.

 

How do I know I’m progressing forward and not backward? I don’t. All I can do is invite God into my circumstances and trust in His guidance, even if the revisions seem endless.

Winner

Congratulations, Susan Kartsen, you’ve won the copy of Praying for Your Future Husband.

Please use the contact button button at the top right hand side and send me your snail mail information.

Do You Pray for Your (future) Husband? Book Giveaway!

Have you ever thought about praying for your future husband?
Will it make a difference?

There’s only one way to find out…

From when we were small girls, most of us dream of “The One,” our future husband. We think about what it would be like to be a bride. We wonder who that special guy is and when we’ll find him. The great news is that what you do now can make a difference in your life and the life of your future husband!

Authors and good friends Robin Jones Gunn (Christy Miller series) and Tricia Goyer (author and former teen mom) believe God answers women’s prayers for husbands—even husbands they may not meet for years. They invite young women to pray boldly for their future mate … while also asking God to prepare their own hearts.

In Praying for Your Future Husband, Robin and Tricia share their two vastly different experiences, including the things they did right and the mistakes they made on the path to meeting and marrying their husbands. Each chapter includes helpful Bible verses, prayers, and practical application, along with true stories of women who prayed for a husband and how God answered in remarkable ways.

God has a beautiful romance prepared for you. Prayer is the key to unlocking the love story … with your future husband and with God, the lover of your soul.

Every once in a while there comes a book that is timeless. THIS is one of those books. I believe Gunn and Goyer had young teens in mind when they wrote the book. In fact, I’m positive they did. But as I flipped the pages I couldn’t help but think of all my single friends in their 40s who could benefit from the truths on the pages. And then I couldn’t help but think of all the married women who could benefit as well. And then I noticed as I was reading through the prayers that I was adding the names of my children into them.

Praying for Your Future Husband is filled with Biblical truths. And since Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer use their fantastic writing abilities to pull the reader in to their lives by sharing their own personal stories, it’s easy and interesting to read.  

 Not only does the book bullet point ways to pray for a future husband, it offers up example prayers. And I think more importantly, it shows women, of all ages, how to pray for themselves, which I believe is a vital necessity in any relationship. Too often women look at ways to ‘fix’ the men they’ve chosen to be their prince charming. Praying for Your Future Husband gently guides women into the idea that they need to pray for themselves too.

I can’t stress enough how awesome this book is. I love this book so much that I am determined to get rid of 20 copies. Some of these will go to my daughters, some to young mothers of young girls in my church, some to my 40 something friends, and some into the hands of youth leaders working with girls. My prayer is that you’ll at least check out this book.

One commenter will receive a copy of Praying for Your Future Husband. Just leave your name and contact information in the comment section if you’re interested. Drawing will be held the day of Thanksgiving, November 25, 2011. U.S. residents only, please.

For more infromation about Praying for Your Future Husband check out Tricia Goyer’s site here.

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman

I just realized that I failed to post a review of a book I read back in July. It’s another one of those books that I could not put down and read straight through.

When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-Fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn’t have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can’t seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better…but Livy isn’t willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Stealing Jake is not only well written, but the characters are beyond likeable and have excellent motives behind their actions. I believe Livy O’Brien is one of my all time favorite characters to date. She’s confident in her newfound faith, caring, loving and bit brassy when it comes to rescuing those society would have thrown away.

I love the way Hillman counteracts the ugliness of child labor in the late 19th century with the goodness of Livy and Mrs. Brooks, the woman who runs the new orphanage. And of course, I love the romance between the former pick-pocket and the deputy. Stealing Jake is a must read and a definite keeper.

I only hope that Tyndale will one day decide to print Stealing Jake so it can sit on my bookshelf with the rest of the keepers.

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary digital copy of this book. Their generosity has in no way shape or form, yada, yada influenced my opinion of this product.

Oh, and by the way, Pam Hillman is holding a KindlePalooza curious? Go here.

Love Inspired Historical Line

Yesterday, Seekerville’s guest was Love Inspired’s Associate Editor Emily Rodmell. The post centered around the Love Inspired Historical line, what kinds of books are out there and what editors are looking for. An opportunity was also given to pitch, which I took advantage of so,  prayers are appreciated.

In the course of yesterday’s conversation I remembered just how much I love reading LIH books. Yes, there are some that are difficult to read. I recall one that took me well over a month to read. I should have given up on it but my curiosity as to how the story would end got the best of me. Plus, as a writer interested in targeting LIH I wanted to know what exactly didn’t work for me. The problem with that particular book was a mega sagging middle. No, I won’t mention the name.

Then there are times, a lot of times, when I pick up a book and just can’t put it down.  Christine Johnson’s Soaring Home and Renee Ryan’s Dangerous Allies are two that come to mind. The there is Karen Kirst’s The Reluctant Outlaw, which released in September, but you can still purchase it through Love Inspired here. The three mentioned are all on my keeper shelf and each for their own reasons. Were they perfect, not completely. There were a few minor issues but I’m not one of those readers who throws a book away for a typo or for a tiny missing piece of the puzzle. These authors are also an automatic buy during those months when finances are a little tight and I have to pick and choose between the four LIH releases each month.

Last night I picked up a new author to LIH. Noelle Marchand. Twenty-two year old Noelle Marchand to be exact. And I finished it in just a few hours. One sitting, which says something for this slightly ADD reader who tends to juggle six books at a time. Even though there is a scene or two that I could have done without and felt it was more a filler than anything it didn’t detract from the story and the main characters. I definitely look forward to more stories from this young author.

A few things I really like about LIH as a reader is they are affordable and they are usually quick reads, which is good for someone like me who doesn’t always have the time to read.

As a writer and a reader I’m praying they’ll pick up more Biblical Romance.  By the way, if you’re a writer and interested in targeting Love Inspired they are currently looking for new historical authors. You can even check out Seekerville’s LIH Pitch Contest here.

Do You Constantly Feel Condemned?

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-New International Version

A few years ago, I ran into a lady I used to babysit for when I was in high school. I was excited to see her, as newer Christians often are when they encounter people from their past, but she took one look at me and couldn’t run away fast enough.

Family gatherings never fail to bring up accounts of my transgressions. “Remember when Chrissy handcuffed her feet together?” or “Remember when she tried to braid her hair and ended up with a mass of knots?”

Oh, there are plenty more. I know, because the accounts are constantly brought to my attention. The funny thing is, most of the time only the bad or embarrassing things are remembered. The flies on the wall probably think there was nothing good in me at all, nothing redeemable.

Now, nothing I may or may not have done in the lady’s home while I watched her children would have warranted her instant freak-out. I can only imagine she was a fly on the wall, or the neighborhood flies gathered together and conversed about the ‘rebellious, sinful’ girl down the street.

I was never given a chance to share the changes in my life. Never given a chance to tell her I was happily married with children of my own. Never given a chance to ask her about her own children, children I spent years watching. Never given the chance to tell her I found Jesus. No, she took one look at me and brought down the hammer of judgement. No questions asked.

And, what’s worse is, I’m quite sure she was a Christian.

This woman is no different from the people we continuously encounter from our past, or even those who are supposed to offer us love and support because they are family. Unknowingly on their part, their words and actions toss us back into the pit Jesus reached down and pulled us out of. Their words heap piles of stinky condemnation onto our heads making us feel worthless. Worthless of a Savior sent by His Father in Heaven to die for our transgressions.

The spirit of condemnation can be just as difficult for the Christian as it is for the non-Christian to handle. Yeah, I know right. I bet you thought it was one-sided. It’s like a set of scales. On one plate we know in our heart of hearts that Jesus died on the cross and rescued us from our sinful nature, which should by far out-weigh anything that might be on the other plate. But that’s not the case, especially when someone might simply say, “Why didn’t you . . . ” and we hear “You worthless piece of cow dung, why didn’t you . . .” Once the ball starts rolling, every word and action that we encounter through the rest day becomes another nail in the coffin of condemnation. It really can be a living hell. I mean seriously, when those around us don’t see anything good in us, how can Jesus?

We know we’re supposed to take every thought captive, we know we’re suppose to renew our mind with the living, active Word of God, but it’s not always that easy, especially when we’re constantly reminded of our shame by the past and we don’t want to share our struggles with the present (new church family) for fear of more condemnation. It’s hard to be washed cleaned when mud is constantly being thrown at us.

As difficult as it can be, those of us who have a tendency to stand beneath the umbrella of condemnation we need to stand on God’s word. The scriptures say that “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10) and “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV). It may sound a little depressing, but the fact of the matter is, those who are carrying around that hammer of condemnation aren’t any less a sinner than those they condemn. Only those who have accepted Jesus, God’s only son, as their Lord and Savior, are set free from condemnation.

What about those who call themselves Christians, believe Jesus died for their sins and carry the hammer of judgement? God’s word clearly states in Matthew 6:14-15 that if we forgive men when they sin against us, our heavenly Father will forgive us, but if we refuse to forgive, God won’t forgive us either. Yes, that includes forgiving those who are forever reminding us just how horrible a person we are.

So, the only thing we can do is pray. Pray for them just like we’d pray for the condemning non-Christian. Pray God will open their eyes to the harm they cause. Pray God will help them forgive us for our transgressions. Pray for wisdom in dealing with them. And, pray God will help us forgive them.

Father, I pray for those who live under the constant barrage of condemnation, including myself. I pray, Jehovah Rophe that You, the ultimate healer, will infuse us with Your peace that transcends all understanding and that You’ll guard our hearts and our minds from the enemy’s poisoned arrows. And Father, God Most High, I pray that You help us forgive those who carry the hammer of condemnation in their hands. I pray You loosen their grips and heal their hearts too, that they may forgive those who have transgressed against them. And Lord, for those who don’t know You as their personal savior, I pray You reveal yourself to them.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

If you can relate and you’d like me to pray for you, please leave a comment or feel free to email me privately. You’re not alone.

I’m Lovin’ It

I just spent the last couple of hours revising chapter two of Yours for Eternity, and I’m lovin’ it. There is something so very peaceful about this story, even in the midst of the danger written on the pages. The charaters have fully come alive. It’s like I’m writing a story with them as my guide. I’ve had this occur with other stories on a smaller level, but this seems to surpass anything I ever thought possible with me as a writer. Maybe it’s because I’ve fallen in love with my main characters, but I don’t think so. I’ve fallen in love with all of my heroes and heroines.

I may never know what it is about this story that brings me a feeling of peace and renewal. I only hope it continues through its completion and I pray that my readers will feel the same. But since I’m in the beginning stages of first round revisions that is a bit far off, for now I’ll enjoy the revisions.

Hiccup

I’m digging into revisions and rewrites on my Biblical. I’ve only made it to chapter two, but I spent the last several days trying to figure out how to add a character into the story. When I first began writing Yours for Eternity I had it plotted in a few hours, maybe less, and the first draft written in under 60 days.

Now, as I’m going back, I have to take into consideration scriptural facts. There are some words that are open to interpretation. And I’ve taken creative license to use those interpretation in the best possible way for my story. But there are some parts of the scriptural inspiration that I must hold true to. And therefore, I must add a character into my story. I’m just not sure how big of a part I want her to play. I don’t know if I want her to be just there in a passive sense, or to take an active role.

I’ve allowed this little hiccup to distract me from making any real progress. And when I don’t move forward at all, I want to pull out my hair. Today, I pretty much decided to just jump in with both feet and rewrite the chapter. Knowing that I have to write her in, I’m hoping she’ll take a natural progression and seep into the pages without being forced. Until she does, I won’t know what kind of role she’ll play. Whatever the case I know it’ll be a vital one, especially if I’m to survive historical purists. *g*

Happy Friday,

Christina

And They Will Become One Flesh

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24

I really don’t like posting pictures of myself, especially ones that are nearly twenty years old, but today is a special occasion.

Nineteen years ago today, I married the love of my life. The road hasn’t always been easy, but I can testify that God never left us or forsook us (Deut 31:6) during those times. I can also testify that He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). I can also testify that I have confidence that that work will continue until the day we see our Lord and Savior.

Here for your viewing pleasure are a few pictures from that special day.

 

Pastor Greg McNall at then, Berry Creek Wesleyan Church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obviously our first kiss as husband and wife.

Pastor Greg McNall and his beautiful wife, Bonita.

 

 

 

 

 

These next few are my absolute favorites.

 

My adorable brother-in-law and ring bearer giving me a kiss before my wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t he so cute?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our daughter, Ami, with her Uncle.

Stepping out in Obedience

God is so amazing, amen?

“See, O Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious.”
Lamentations 1:20

I want to start off by apologizing to several people. If you’ve had a week where it seemed you weren’t on spot, or at your best, if things didn’t turned out the way you thought it should be, it had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with God’s all-encompassing love and compassion for one rebellious child. That’d be me. *g* You see, when you forgot things at home, or when the words failed to flow from your tongue, when things had to be improvised, God was showing me something.

I love music. I love the cadence, the highs and lows. The words that create stories in such a short space. I’ve longed to be gifted in music. I’ve had visions of my fingers flying across the black and white keys with grace and efficiency like Dino, but sadly, as hard as I’ve tried my tunes have always sounded more like an infant banging on pots and pans.

My father is musically gifted on the drums and guitar. When my husband sings it’s hard not to be moved. My three girls all play the piano. One of them also plays the guitar and writes lyrics. She has a gift that can only come from God. My son sings, he just hasn’t realized his gift yet. I’ve often joked about my lack of musical abilities, but deep inside my lack has saddened me.

Several months ago, my husband had asked me to sing with him in church. It hadn’t been the first time, but it was the first time that I really knew I needed to obey the urging in my heart. Of course, I did not. My fear of making a fool of myself in front of our entire congregation got the best of me. I recall sitting on the porch and watching him drive away as he went to praise and worship practice. My heart broke. And I had nobody to blame but myself for my disobedience.

As the weeks passed by, I continued to watch my husband drive off to praise and worship practice. Secretly, I prayed for another chance. If only he’d asked me again, I’d choke down my fear and try to be obedient. Honestly, I would. But he didn’t. He didn’t ask. Not because he was disappointed in me (believe me, he had no idea what God was doing in me), but I think because he knew I’d say no.

Finally, after a long wait he asked me this week. And boy was I scared, but I went to practice with him. I even slunk up to the stage and sat on the stool. I tried to sink into the wall but I wasn’t throwing-up-scared. It wasn’t until after we were done that I began to doubt. Thoughts bombarded my mind. I worried that I’d be so pitchy it’d make the congregation uncomfortable and they wouldn’t be able to worship God or hear the message.

In the days between practice and yesterday’s service God showed me a few things. One, I witnessed several professional musicians sing totally off-key, yet His message still came across. Two, I received some great advice from a fellow writer; I may not be able to do it, but God can. And three, He showed me through the entire service that even though man tries to orchestrate the events of the day, He has a greater plan.

Yes, I did go up on stage. And yes, I did sing. And yes, my heart was much lighter after stepping into obedience. I thank God for giving me another opportunity to be obedient. Does that mean I’m called to sing? Not necessarily. I don’t think it’s my God-given gift, not like it is for my husband and my children, but it can be my offering.

Have you ever felt an urging from God and disobeyed? Where you given the chance to make it right? Are you being disobedient now?

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
1 Chronicles 16:29