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Home » Theology » Page 17

Theology

Last Words

By Karen Ballon May 14, 2014
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Ron_Benrey_MMW_Blog_TourPublishing lost a good man on Sunday. No, more to the point, the world lost a good man. Ron Benrey–author, publisher, one-time agent, master debater, theologian, teacher, and a wonderful husband and father, a man possessed of deep kindness and wisdom–passed from this world to God’s side on Sunday. Just moments before the heart attack that ushered him into eternity, he was doing something he dearly loved: boating. I had to smile when I realized that Ron went from joy to joy.

Just last week I was talking with a group of friends about funerals, and about what a good idea it is to plan your funeral ahead of time. I shared that I’d done so years ago, when I started traveling so much. I wanted to make things as easy as possible for my family should something happen to me. I also wrote letters to my family and friends, telling them what they meant to me and how much I was blessed by them. I wanted the last words they heard from me to be words of love and appreciation.

Today, on a number of email loops, I read those kinds of words about Ron. Words filled with sadness, but also with a recognition of how special Ron was. And I wondered, as I’ve done many times, why is it that we too often don’t talk or write about how much someone means to us until after they’re gone? The Bible study my husband and I attended for 20 years did something about that. Twice a year, at our retreats, we did what we called “Living Eulogies.” We formed a circle, and each person took a turn in the center of the circle, while the rest of us told them how much we cared about them and what was special about them. Even now, years later, I remember those words of appreciate and love.

So what does all of this rambling have to do with you? Well, it got me to thinking about the importance of our words in the lives of those around us. We writers spend day after day immersed in words—on the page or computer screen. But are we letting the gift of words that God has given us reach out to bless those around us? Especially those closest to us? How often do we tell those we love how blessed we are by them? When’s the last time you told your spouse or kids or parents what you enjoy about them or what makes them special in your heart?

Friends, we all need to know we’re cherished. We need to know we’ve touched someone’s life. We need to know those last words, those things people usually only say after someone dies, now. Today. Stop what you’re doing, go look a loved one in the eyes, and share the words they need to hear. Make those “last words” into the first words you speak each day. Words of love and appreciation, words to build up and encourage. Don’t wait another moment. Because we have no idea how many moments we—or anyone—have left.

You’ll be a blessing, friends. And you’ll be blessed as well.

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Category: Communication, Craft, Creativity, Karen, Personal, TheologyTag: Communication, Personal

The Paranoid’s Guide to Things That Are Out to Get You

By Dan Balowon May 6, 2014
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This is the second in a three-part series on attitudes, specifically for people in publishing, but probably applicable to just about anyone. Two months ago I addressed the issue of pessimism. Today, we’ll talk about the first cousin of pessimism…fear. If a book were to be written about fear, it would be the titled something along the lines of this blog-post. It would be a short volume with dozens …

Read moreThe Paranoid’s Guide to Things That Are Out to Get You
Category: Book Business, Career, Dan, TheologyTag: Career, Fear

Grace is Amazing, But Hard to Explain

By Dan Balowon April 29, 2014
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I am not a Bible theologian, so today’s blog is pushing me way out on the plank over the pitching seas of exegetical danger, so I apologize for offending those with seminary degrees and those who are infinitely better qualified to write on this subject.  As a friend stated in regard to another situation, I am indeed hanging heavy weights on thin threads. I believe that one of the most difficult …

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Category: Dan, Personal, TheologyTag: Christian, Grace, Theology

What Will You Give Up for Lent?

By Karen Ballon February 26, 2014
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Believe it or not, Easter is just around the corner. Which means something else is almost upon us:

Lent.

I love the idea of a 40-day preparation for Easter, of refocusing our hearts and minds to spend more time in prayer and contemplation of what Christ has done for us. And I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of “giving up” something for those 40 days. Even more intriguing—and sometimes …

Read moreWhat Will You Give Up for Lent?
Category: Career, Christian, Faith, Karen, Personal, TheologyTag: Career, Faith, lent

Editing the Bible

By Dan Balowon October 1, 2013
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I always thought it was interesting that Christian publishers employed Bible editors.  Of course, they are not there to edit the Bible text, but to work on the extra-Bible notes and additional material that might end up in a study or devotional Bible.

It got me thinking that there is a lot of stuff in the Bible that is just downright disturbing if you want to maintain a simplistic …

Read moreEditing the Bible
Category: Christian, Dan, Editing, TheologyTag: Christian, Theology

The Painful Side of Publishing

By Karen Ballon May 8, 2013
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We’ll get back to focus next week, but something has been weighing heavy on my heart and I want to share it with you.

We all know that publishing is a tough gig. It was proven yet again by what happened last week with the B&H Publishing Group’s fiction division (see Steve’s blog about it). It’s easy to commiserate with the authors impacted by this sudden change, to pray for them and …

Read moreThe Painful Side of Publishing
Category: Book Business, Karen, Personal, The Publishing Life, TheologyTag: Book Business, Faith, publishing, Theology

Miracle

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 28, 2013
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by Tamela Hancock Murray

This time of year, Christians contemplate the marvel that is the resurrection of Christ. Such an event seems magical, though God is never a genie, ready to grant our every wish. Even Jesus was not granted His plea in the Garden of Gethsemane as He asked the Father to take the cup of death from Him. But was there any other way? No, there was not. How else could have …

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Category: Christian, Faith, Tamela, TheologyTag: Christian, Faith

The Writing Book for Your Year

By Steve Laubeon January 7, 2013
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by Steve Laube

Note the title of this post did not say “of the year” but “for your year.” It is rare for me to recommend books on writing because there are so many good ones out there, but this one is an exception.

The spiritual foundation of the writer is critical to surviving and even thriving in the call as an artist.  Acceptable Words: Prayers for the Writer (published by Eerdmans) …

Read moreThe Writing Book for Your Year
Category: Book Review, Faith, Reading, Steve, TheologyTag: Book Review, Faith, Reading, Writers

Kick Discouragement to the Curb

By Karen Ballon August 8, 2012
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I don't know about you, but I loved Steve's blog post on Monday, When the Outlook is Bleak. People out there are HURTING.

I was with a friend a few days ago, a best-selling author who was battling an especially difficult edit. Difficult because the edits weakened the book rather than strengthened it. She'd uttered a series of gut-deep sighs, read me changes that I agreed didn't make sense, and …

Read moreKick Discouragement to the Curb
Category: Encouragement, Get Published, Karen, Personal, Theology, Writing CraftTag: Discouragement, Encouragement

Does God Need a Makeover?

By Karen Ballon July 11, 2012
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I have had some interesting conversations over the last few weeks with several different authors about the fact that God often doesn’t do things the way we expect. In fact, there are times when God’s ways—and the ways of those He used--seem…

Strange.

Unfair.

Even--dare I say it?--wrong.

Think about it.

The person who came to work in the field just before the day ended got paid the …

Read moreDoes God Need a Makeover?
Category: Karen, TheologyTag: Theology
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