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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Heaven Declares Chapter 12

By Dan Balowon February 24, 2015
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In case you missed it, last week the Family of Christians Worldwide declared Chapter 12 Reorientation under the authority of God Almighty who made Heaven and earth.

The Details

Hundreds of millions of Christians looked around the world, read the news headlines and decided that the Twelfth Chapter of the book of Paul’s Letter to the Roman’s would be a better way to live in a world of turmoil and strife. It is the same chapter that has been used for two millennia to encourage believers worldwide.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Implications for Authors

Dark clouds are at every turn, but Jesus Christ has paid our debts through his death and resurrection. It is as if your debt never happened.

And we know for Christians, at the end of this world, whenever that is, there will be rejoicing and a complete lack of tears.

Share that on Facebook.

 

(Romans 12 is from the New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers)

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Category: Agency, Personal, TheologyTag: Theology

More About the Family Christian Stores Bankruptcy

By Steve Laubeon February 23, 2015
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Last week we discussed the details of the Family Christian Stores (FCS) Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Since then I have spoken to numerous publishers and both industry and outside experts. Much new information has surfaced. What I’m writing here is based on those conversations and on a number of public news reports. Who is Going to Get Paid? FCS owes more than $40 million in unpaid …

Read moreMore About the Family Christian Stores Bankruptcy
Category: Book Business, MoneyTag: bankruptcy, family christian stores

Fun Fridays – February 20, 2015

By Steve Laubeon February 20, 2015
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I want to shop at this specific store (Owosso, Michigan – store #2772). They make me want to build something! HT: Dick Malone

Read moreFun Fridays – February 20, 2015
Category: Fun Fridays

My Book is Due and My Life is Falling Apart

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 19, 2015
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Sound familiar? Even most unpublished authors wouldn’t envy the published author this type of pressure. But over the course of a career, the likelihood is great that one or many events will throw off a writer’s schedule. There are times when work has to take a temporary stop. No doubt about it. When major stress hits, be sure to pray and meditate each day. You don’t have time not …

Read moreMy Book is Due and My Life is Falling Apart
Category: Career, Get PublishedTag: Career, Deadlines

Reviews: Friend or Foe?

By Karen Ballon February 18, 2015
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Writers are a fascinating blend of contradictions. Many are introverts who have to do extroverted things—speaking, booksignings, author appearances–and do them well. They are creative, expressive people who, most of the time, live in their heads. And when they are around people, they can seem withdrawn, even remote (mostly because they’re STILL in their heads). They come across as confident …

Read moreReviews: Friend or Foe?
Category: Book Business, Book Review, CareerTag: bad reviews, Career

Author Platforms 301 – Part Three – Customer Service

By Dan Balowon February 17, 2015
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This concludes a three part series of posts exploring the issue of author platforms and how to get one.  The Steve Laube agency will offer a downloadable document that will include the three posts plus additional information and resources. The last two weeks we have covered the need for all authors (especially aspiring authors) to develop a “message platform” and some suggestions how to determine …

Read moreAuthor Platforms 301 – Part Three – Customer Service
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Branding, Career, Get Published, Marketing, PlatformTag: Author Platform, Marketing, Platform

Largest Christian Bookstore Chain Declares Chapter 11

By Steve Laubeon February 16, 2015
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In case you missed it, last week the Family Christian Stores chain declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (See this link for their press release.) This is newsworthy because Family Christian Stores (FCS) is the largest Christian store chain in the country (when counting number of locations, not necessarily sales revenue), 266 stores in 36 states. In 2014 the chain did $230 million dollars in …

Read moreLargest Christian Bookstore Chain Declares Chapter 11
Category: Book Business, Legal Issues, Publishing NewsTag: bankruptcy, chapter 11, family christian stores, retail, royalties

Pets and Personality

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 12, 2015
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Do any of the characters in your novel have pets? When I read about pet ownership, the choice of animal and where they live may say a lot. The use of animals in a story can lend some wonderful texture to your character. It uses some common assumptions about various animals. A few examples: A large dog on a farm means a carefree, rambunctious animal roaming about the place, showing up on the back …

Read morePets and Personality
Category: Craft, Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Creativity, Writing Craft

Valentine’s Creativity! [Plus a Giveaway]

By Karen Ballon February 11, 2015
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I love to laugh. I’m one of those people who goes into card stores and stands in the aisles, reading the funny cards and chortling. So when I saw some posts on Rejected Candy Heart sayings, I totally cracked up. You know what Candy Hearts are, yes? Those little sugar hearts with sayings such as “Be Mine,”  “Hug Me,” “Real Love”? We’ve all seen them, even exchanged them. In fact, I bought a box of …

Read moreValentine’s Creativity! [Plus a Giveaway]
Category: Craft, Creativity, HumorTag: Creativity, Humor

Author Platforms 201 – Part Two – Consistency

By Dan Balowon February 10, 2015
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Starting last Tuesday and continuing today and next week I will be exploring the issue of author platforms and how to get one.  At the conclusion of this series of blog posts, The Steve Laube Agency will offer a downloadable document that will include the three posts plus additional information and resources. __________ Last week, I talked a little about the need to develop a “message platform”, …

Read moreAuthor Platforms 201 – Part Two – Consistency
Category: Book Business, Branding, Get Published, Marketing, PlatformTag: Author Platform, Platform
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