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Home » Christian » Page 2

Christian

Comparisons: A Losing Proposition

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 26, 2017
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Do not compare one person with another: it is a hateful thing to do. – St. Teresa of Avila

I think this is one of the hardest of St. Teresa’s 69 maxims. After all, we make comparisons between others every day. Some are not healthy, such as, “Who is my favorite in-law?” Does it matter? Should you form an opinion to justify treating one person better than another? Or worse, use an unfavorable comparison to justify gossiping?

 Other times, we are forced to compare to gain the most benefit from limited time. For example:

Who’s on the bestseller list?

Do I read a book by this author or that author?

Does Author A or Author B tell a better story or write the more helpful book?

But it’s not healthy to compare ourselves to others. Why? Because you’re then stepping in a field of emotional land mines, including false pride and discouragement:

That author seems to write a book a day, but I struggle to complete a book a year. I’ll never be as successful as he is.

I have a feeling my publisher isn’t as prestigious as some other publishers. I deserve to be published by the best. Why can’t they see that?

Why did that author get a book contract and I didn’t? Maybe I should give up.

Does that author get better terms than I do on my contracts? It sure looks like it, considering she just bought a new designer handbag. Why can’t I get her contract terms?

Ha! I got a great book deal! That will show them!

I’m so depressed. My best friend got a book deal and I didn’t.

I could be on every bestseller list for years but they will not acknowledge my success. I hate my life.

Well, obviously that panel of judges has no taste, because I didn’t win the contest.

My author friend has no money worries, but my book didn’t even earn out. Life is so unfair!

My writing is so much better than hers. Why didn’t I get that award?

Why does that author get accolades? She’s a lousy writer.

Cultivating a Healthy Attitude

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. – Oscar Wilde

All of us experience negative, prideful, and other unhelpful emotions at times. When you do, acknowledge your feelings, then let them go, giving them to the Lord. Work on being the person and writer you are, fulfilling God’s plan for your life, not someone else’s. One of the most effective ways to reach this goal is to avoid comparing yourself and your career to that of others, even in victory. After all, it takes grace and courage to be a gracious “loser” but much more grace, tact, and kindness to be a gracious victor.

Your turn:

What tips can you offer discouraged authors?

How did you gain your big breakthrough?

When was an enviable situation not all that it seemed?

Leave a Comment
Category: Career, Christian, The Writing LifeTag: Career, The Writing Life

You Say Tomato, I Hear Guacamole, Parte Dos (Part 2)

By Dan Balowon August 9, 2016
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A while ago I made a weak attempt at humor with my post about hearing something different than was spoken to me. Today is part two on a similar theme, getting serious this time about understanding something different than was actually communicated. Through this process you might get a glimpse into the heart and mind of non-Christian and even some Christian readers as well. To be blunt, Christians …

Read moreYou Say Tomato, I Hear Guacamole, Parte Dos (Part 2)
Category: Christian, Communication, CraftTag: Christian, Communication

A Time for Lament

By Steve Laubeon July 16, 2016
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For a while we were able to rattle off the cities or the names of various people and incidents where someone died. Every place from Columbine to Sandy Hook to Ferguson to Fort Hood to Charleston to Orlando to Dallas to Nice. But now the litany has become too long and transformed into one long cry. Not a cry for a rally but literally a cry of lament. What makes it worse are the untold tragedies …

Read moreA Time for Lament
Category: Christian, Personal, TheologyTag: Lament, Theology

Theological Accountability Partners

By Dan Balowon July 12, 2016
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Just because an author is a mature Christian, doesn’t mean they are immune from writing something containing shaky theology. In an effort to craft compelling phrases and stories, orthodox theology can sometimes be a casualty of creativity or even carelessness. Most often it is entirely accidental. I referenced this issue in a post over a year ago. A significant function of a traditional Christian …

Read moreTheological Accountability Partners
Category: Career, Christian, Communication, Editing, Theology, Writing CraftTag: Career, Theology

Dear World, We Have What You Want

By Dan Balowon June 14, 2016
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Dear World, Those of us involved in Christian publishing can’t help but notice you are hurting. While our work is to write and publish books, one or more times each week we gather to worship and pray to the Creator God, considering ways we can ease your pain. I hope you know we care. There are dozens of new books with Christian themes coming out every week. They contain information and inspiration …

Read moreDear World, We Have What You Want
Category: Art, Book Business, Career, Christian, Theology, TrendsTag: Christian, readers, Theology

Expecting the Unexpected   

By Karen Ballon April 6, 2016
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I used to think that if you did a, b would follow, closely tailed by c. That belief was blasted into smithereens by the time I hit my third decade of life. I’ve learned that doing a MAY bring b, or q, or something not even remotely related. I’ve learned in my life, my career, and my faith to expect the unexpected. So why am I telling you this? Well, a couple of weeks ago I promised you a blog …

Read moreExpecting the Unexpected   
Category: Christian, Faith, PersonalTag: Christian, Faith

Love at Christmas

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 24, 2015
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In the spirit of God’s love at Christmas, I share with you a reading from The Book of Common Prayer: 1 John 4:7-16  King James Version (KJV) 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only …

Read moreLove at Christmas
Category: Christian, FaithTag: Book of Common Prayer, Christian, Christmas, Faith

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 26, 2015
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Today I will be cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for my family and I hope you will be celebrating with those you love as well. Perhaps you will be able to take a few moments to ponder the Gospel entry from the Book of Common Prayer, presented in more than one translation. God Bless you. Readings for Thanksgiving Day The Gospel St. Matthew vi. 25 JESUS said, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall …

Read moreHappy Thanksgiving!
Category: Christian, Faith, PersonalTag: Book of Common Prayer, Faith, thanksgiving

Please…Preach to the Choir

By Karen Ballon July 15, 2015
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  How often have you heard a writer say, “My book isn’t for church people. I mean, I don’t want to preach to the choir, I want to reach those searching for Christ.” Not for nothing, but friends, who do you think is in the choir? Sure, some of the people sitting in the pews of any given church are life-long believers who know all they need to know about God and living a life of faith. I mean, …

Read morePlease…Preach to the Choir
Category: Book Business, Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Christian, Creativity, Faith, TrendsTag: Christian, Craft, Faith

The Myth of God’s Goodness

By Karen Ballon June 10, 2015
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I’m in the process of developing a program with a friend to minister to writers who are in deep places in their lives. I’ve been asking God to show me how to encourage and share His truth with those who feel lost, abandoned, worthless, like they’ve wasted their gifts…those who are in pain and struggling… WHAT was I thinking?? There’s only one way to really minister to people in certain situations: …

Read moreThe Myth of God’s Goodness
Category: Christian, Personal, TheologyTag: Christian, Theology
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