Faith

Getting Ready to Give Thanks

By Karen Ballon November 23, 2016

No doubt about it, it’s been a tough year. In publishing. In politics. In our nation. In our world. There are so many things to worry about, to be frustrated about, even to fear. And yet…

God is.

Whoever runs the country…God is.

Whatever personal or professional trials you face…God is.

However discouraging circumstances may be…God is.

Whatever is happening…

GOD.

IS.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let’s take the time to stop and remember that we are not alone. We are the children of an almighty, all-loving God. And let’s lift our hearts and voices to thank Him for His love, for His Son, for the many blessings He has given us.

To help get you in the thanksgiving mood, I offer this music video from someone for whom I am immeasurably thankful, both for his influence in my life and for the fact that I know I will see him again in eternity—my dad, Fred Sapp.

How Do You See God?

By Karen Ballon November 9, 2016

I love going to the Oregon coast. love the power and beauty and sense of God’s creative genius that surrounds me when I’m there. Ever since I was little, I’ve looked on the ocean as a friend, even played tag with the water as it came in, daring it to wash over my bare feet, running when it got close, laughing when it caught me. (Yes, I still do this.) Recently, though, while at the coast, I was …

Category: The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Faith, The Writing Life, Theology

Writing from Weakness

By Dan Balowon November 8, 2016

I believe some of the most powerful books ever written by Christians will be published in the coming years. Why? Despite our best efforts, Christians failed to transform culture through the ballot box, boycotts, ministry/church programs and use of the media. Worldwide, Christians are not a moral majority but an imperfect minority. All the seminars, books, and evangelistic meetings did not make the …

Category: Agency, Book Business, Encouragement, Faith, The Writing LifeTag: Encouragement, Faith, Theology

Expecting the Unexpected

By Karen Ballon April 6, 2016

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 …

Category: Christian, Faith, PersonalTag: Christian, Faith

Love at Christmas

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 24, 2015

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 …

Category: Christian, FaithTag: Book of Common Prayer, Christian, Christmas, Faith

A Writers’ Advent: Week Two

By Karen Ballon December 9, 2015

In this second week of advent, let’s take a look at both the second and third candles: the Angel and the Shepherd candle. As I thought about these two groups, I realized they played two very specific roles in the birth of the Savior: the angels proclaimed God’s glory, and the shepherds bore witness to what God did. All through Scripture, angels bring us messages. They speak God’s truth so that we …

Category: Faith, The Writing LifeTag: Advent, Faith, The Writing Life

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 26, 2015

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 …

Category: Christian, Faith, PersonalTag: Book of Common Prayer, Faith, thanksgiving

Are You Seeing Ghosts?

By Karen Ballon November 25, 2015

I read something this morning that I don’t recall ever reading before. I mean, I’ve read the story more times than I can count, but one line caught me today: “But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!” Recognize it? It’s from Luke 24, when Jesus appears to the disciples as they’re walking along the road. He even tells them, “Peace be with you.” And what do …

Category: Faith, Personal, The Writing LifeTag: Faith, thanksgiving, The Writing Life

Please…Preach to the Choir

By Karen Ballon July 15, 2015

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, …

Category: Book Business, Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Christian, Creativity, Faith, TrendsTag: Christian, Craft, Faith

Add Something Good for Lent

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 2, 2015

We are nearing the end of the annual season of Lent, a time from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, set aside to prepare and focus believer’s hearts and minds on the death and wonderful resurrection of Jesus. Some use this as a time to forego chocolate or some other pleasure, a sort of fasting from something that matters to them. Ultimately it is the discipline to resist temptation, since Jesus …

Category: Christian, FaithTag: Faith, lent