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Home » Inspiration » Page 3

Inspiration

The Difference We Offer

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 14, 2024
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Once upon a time, I wrote Christian romance novels for publication, and now I’m a literary agent living my happily-ever-after in representing many romance authors. Valentine’s Day is my favorite secular holiday.

Ignoring fond stories of St. Valentine himself, retailers encourage spending. Giving and receiving jewelry, flowers, cards, negligees, and candy are all great ways to say, “I love and treasure you.” Expressing love in tangible ways can be part of romance. Some would say those gestures should be a part of romance. Everyone agrees to share your candy with the one you love!

Gifts are pleasures for people of any religion or no religion. But how does Christian publishing portray true romance to readers?

  1. The Lord is central to the relationship. The hero and heroine in a Christian romance novel find love while considering their relationship with the Lord. The reader may not see the heroine pray, “Dear Lord, please tell me if Blaze is The One.” However, the story shows a faith walk and journey, meaning that the protagonists don’t ditch their prayer lives as soon as they pique the interest of someone with an excessive amount of money, beauty, and charm.
  2. A meeting of the minds is more urgent than physicality. Christian romance shows the courtship of two people who agree on the Lord’s role in their lives or will agree by the story’s end. They seek relationships with those who share those values. They communicate with each other in meaningful, caring ways.
  3. Physical attraction is not forgotten. Christian romance readers appreciate witnessing an attractive couple’s companionship. They see the couple discover inspired ways to express budding love. Christian romance novelists must be more creative than writing characters running to bedrooms, so the stories are exceptionally pleasing.
  4. The man and woman are considerate of one another. Old school bodice rippers sometimes told tales of teenage girls enchanted with their cruel rapists. The inexperienced and unwise heroine falls in love with a fantasy and with lust, so she casts aside doubt about her savage love interest. In contrast, while Christian heroes and heroines can and do have problems, the reader is convinced they have cultivated spiritual resources and emotional maturity to anticipate a successful relationship that will lead to marriage.
  5. Money is not a factor in Christian romance. I doubt we’ll see “The Christian Billionaire Finds Love in Montana” as a title. While Christians understand money is a tool to gain necessities and even some luxuries, Christian romance doesn’t encourage the illusion of living a billionaire’s lifestyle or the desire for excessive wealth. Books focusing on the person’s possessions as the prime descriptor objectify the character and make the character one-dimensional. In real life, Christians would be ill-advised to pursue a relationship based on any one aspect of a prospective spouse, including a profession of faith. I know many incredible Christian men who would not be suitable for me but would be ideal for someone else. Thankfully, I found my Christian husband years ago. We based our decision to marry on many considerations. Likewise, Christian romance novels support multi-faceted relationships with a firm foundation.

On this Valentine’s Day and every day, my prayer for you is to experience healthy, loving relationships within your household and with your friends and extended family.

God is love.

 

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Category: Inspiration, Personal

A Year in Review: A Look Back at 2023

By Steve Laubeon January 15, 2024
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It is always a good idea to reflect on the previous year. As those who follow Jesus Christ, we are pressed because the lost world around us is being crushed by the enemy called sin. And yet we should still count our blessings (and as the hymn reads, “name them one by one”). The goodness of God remains unchanged despite attempts to proclaim otherwise. The following is an attempt to review some …

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Category: Agency, Awards, Career, Christian Writers Institute, Encouragement, Historical, Inspiration, Publishing News, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

Jingle Bells, Taco Shells: The Art of Being a Mom-Writer

By Megan Brownon December 21, 2023
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‘Tis the season to be jolly, right? Well, not if you’re a mom-writer caught in the whirlwind of holiday chaos while trying to meet deadlines, market your latest book, and wear more hats than Santa himself. It’s easy to get swept up in the never-ending to-do list; but what if I told you that it’s okay to give yourself the gift of simply being a mom, especially during this …

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Category: Career, Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life

Words That Save Christmas

By Dan Balowon December 20, 2023
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I love Christmas and almost everything about it. I can’t wait until November 1 when I can “legally” start listening to the four different Christmas music channels I’ve curated on my Pandora subscription. Long ago I shifted my Christmas music preferences from the “White Christmas” category of seasonal songs to the music celebrating Christ’s birth and never looked back. One Christmas Eve many years …

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Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, Theology

The Best Reading Resolution for 2024

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 14, 2023
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Recently, one of my elderly Christian friends shocked me by admitting she’s never read the whole Bible. I feel sad for her because I can tell she’s not planning to make reading the Bible a goal. Each time I read the entire Bible, I become a better person, although never superior to others. Now is the time Whether you have never read the full Bible, have read it once or twice, or choose to read it …

Read moreThe Best Reading Resolution for 2024
Category: Inspiration, Personal

Your Passion Is Good … but Not Enough

By Bob Hostetleron December 5, 2023
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Decades ago (yes, I’m old, what of it?), I met with a dynamic African American writer in Columbus, Ohio. He was informed and fired up about how few African American boys and young men were readers. “They don’t read,” he said. “They don’t like to read. They don’t want to read. So, I want to write a book for them—” I stopped him. Politely, I hope. I said something like, “I love your passion, but you …

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Category: Book Business, Encouragement, Inspiration

November 22, 1963

By Dan Balowon November 22, 2023
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Today marks the sixtieth anniversary of the deaths of three well-known authors: US President John F. Kennedy (he wrote three books before becoming President), C.S. Lewis, and Aldous Huxley. JFK was 46 years old when he was assassinated. In the car driving through Dallas that day, Texas Governor John Connally’s wife turned around and said, “You certainly can’t say that the people of Dallas haven’t …

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Category: Creativity, Encouragement, Inspiration

Cultivating Gratitude, Rest, and Contentment in Writing

By Megan Brownon November 21, 2023
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As the year draws to a close and the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time for content creators to pause, reflect, and cultivate gratitude. In our fast-paced world, where the demands of content creation often leave us in a constant state of hustle, the joy of gratitude can be easily overlooked. However, taking a moment to be thankful for the connections, opportunities, and …

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Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, Theology

A Writer’s Prayer of Thanks for Bible Versions

By Bob Hostetleron November 16, 2023
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God, thank you for the hundreds of Bible translations that are available to me, and for their forerunners throughout history, who have made your precious Word understandable and accessible, often at great personal cost. Thank you for the 72 Jewish elders recruited by Ptolemy II who translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek. Thank you for William Tyndale, who gave his life to “write …

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Category: Inspiration, Personal, Theology

Gratitude for Christians on Social Media

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 15, 2023
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Thankfulness is a gift we give ourselves. Why be Grateful? As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, now is an ideal time to revisit our reasons for gratitude. I’m thankful for the God we serve, a merciful God Who loves us no matter what mistakes we make and who rejoices in what we try to do to please Him. I’m grateful for the people in my life and that the Lord meets my needs and beyond. That’s …

Read moreGratitude for Christians on Social Media
Category: Inspiration, Personal
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