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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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Home » Christian

Christian

All Wrapped Up

By Steve Laubeon December 19, 2022
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When I was a boy, my family had the tradition of opening our gifts on Christmas Eve. But another tradition was that there would be one more gift waiting for us the next morning, Christmas day, from “Santa.”

I have a vivid memory, as a little boy, of being disappointed one Christmas Eve that the thing I wanted most was not among my unwrapped presents. However, I knew, I was just certain, that it would be waiting for me the next morning.

So on Christmas day, I woke well before anyone else and crept into the living room to see if my hope was true. There, leaning against the fireplace hearth was the package with my name on it. It was the right size and festively wrapped. I ran my hands around the edges and across the face of the package, hoping to catch a glimpse through the paper of its contents. There was no doubt. This was what I had been anticipating. But I couldn’t open it yet because I had to wait for everyone to wake up. So I waited . . . for hours. I sat for a while but eventually played with my other new toys while making a few loud noises, hoping to raise those other sleepyheads. But I never left the room, and my eyes rarely strayed from that wrapped package.

The anticipation was palpable. So much so that even as I write this post, I can feel again the ache in my chest. The longing, the desire to rip open that paper with unfettered joy. I knew what the package contained, but I had to wait to take possession of it and make it mine.

“And you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12, KJV). A gift. Wrapped tightly. Waiting to be revealed. We can look and know exactly what the gift will be. Our Savior. Our hope. Our joy.

May you recapture the joy of anticipation this Christmas. For God’s gift to us is far greater than anything we can ever hope or imagine. So much more. And it is a gift the world is literally dying to receive.

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Category: Christian, Faith, Personal, SteveTag: Christian, Christmas, Faith

Gray Saturday

By Steve Laubeon April 16, 2022
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I wrote this many years ago and read it every Easter weekend as a reminder. May it speak to you in some small way.

Gray Saturday
by Steve Laube

Holy weekend is such a study in contrasts.

Friday is dark. Somber. Frightening in its hopelessness and pain.
I do not like Dark Fridays.
The nails bury themselves deep into my soul.
They become a singular stake through the heart of this …

Read moreGray Saturday
Category: Christian, Faith, Personal, TheologyTag: Christian, Faith, Personal, Theology

The Only Answer

By Steve Laubeon December 17, 2018
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Hope you had a blessed Christmas!

The last four weeks I have posted what was, in actuality, an Advent series. Note the key words in each post:
Wait
Prepare
Expect
Give
 The Christmas season is one that is full of family, fun, food, and friends. But under it all is the foundation of our joy. The answer to our greatest longing. Of course, saying there is an answer assumes there is a …

Read moreThe Only Answer
Category: Agency, Christian, Faith, PersonalTag: Christian, Faith, Writing Craft

Prayers for the Nation

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 5, 2018
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 As we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the United States this week, it is my privilege to offer prayers that are timeless yet needed today more than ever. These can apply to any country. I hope you will be blessed by these prayers from The 1928 edition of The Book of Common Prayer. A Prayer for Congress. MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United …

Read morePrayers for the Nation
Category: Personal, TheologyTag: Christian, Faith, Theology

What is Inspirational Romance?

By Guest Bloggeron May 24, 2018
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Our guest blogger today is Angela Breidenbach. She is a Montana author & Christian Authors Network president, is the host of Lit Up! on Toginet Radio and Apple Podcasts. Angela went back to college for genealogical studies w/specialties in English & Scottish Records. She’ll graduate in 2019 as a professional genealogist. Find her at: AngelaBreidenbach.com …

Read moreWhat is Inspirational Romance?
Category: Branding, Genre, Guest Post, Marketing, Romance, Romantic SuspenseTag: Christian, Genre, Romance

The Challenge for American Christian Authors

By Dan Balowon September 26, 2017
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The majority of Christian books published every year are written in English by authors in the United States. U.S. Christian publishers in a billion dollar industry publish many thousands of new titles every year. Still, I am not sure all American authors who desire to have their books spread across the globe and translated into various languages have the credentials nor the global insight to be …

Read moreThe Challenge for American Christian Authors
Category: Communication, Publishing History, The Publishing Life, The Writing LifeTag: Christian, Communication, Culture, Faith, The Writing Life

Dark Friday

By Steve Laubeon April 14, 2017
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Contemplate the sacrifice. Contemplate the mystery. While you contemplate, listen to this instrumental piece called “Gethsemane” from Jeff Johnson’s album “No Shadow of Turning.” A new version of the piece can be found on Jeff’s album “Thin Places” You can listen to it at this link. Then please listen to this classical song “Go to Dark …

Read moreDark Friday
Category: Christian, Personal, TheologyTag: Christian, Theology

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

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
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