Theology

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.

Lessons from a Crab

By Karen Ballon November 16, 2016

No, the title isn’t talking about a grouchy person. It’s about a real, live crab. One that I encountered one day on the Oregon coast as I walked along the beach. It was early morning, with the rising sun streaming across the vast water, the glory of the sunrise reflected in the wet sand. I’d gotten a little to close to the surf as it came in, and since I hadn’t rolled up my pants legs, I had to …

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

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

Prayer is Not a Transaction

By Steve Laubeon October 10, 2016

Recently I was teaching on Luke 18:1-5 (verses are below) about the parable of the persistent widow and developed some thoughts that might be pertinent for you today. In our world, commerce is based on the idea of a transaction. I give you something (like money) and you give me something in return (like a service or a product). We are immersed in this concept. Give=Get. The world treats prayer in …

Category: TheologyTag: Prayer, Theology

“Do You Love Me?”

By Karen Ballon September 14, 2016

Have you heard the one about the elderly woman who heard her friends’ husbands over the years tell them how much they loved them? Oh! How she longed for her husband to do the same. To regale her with the depth and breadth of his enduring love. But…nothing. Finally, as they were sitting out on the porch one morning, she turned to him and said as sweetly as she could, “WHY don’t you ever say you …

Category: Personal, TheologyTag: God's love, Theology

This Is Why We Write

By Karen Ballon August 24, 2016

I made a mistake a few days ago: I watched the news. I seldom do that. Yes, I am informed on events. I have notices come to my phone in bite-sized pieces so I can control the onslaught of evil swarming over us. But on that day, I sat there, watching, weeping, wondering when people gave up being…well, human? When they became animals, given over to the darkest drives within with such abandon that …

Category: TheologyTag: Encouragement, Theology

A Time for Lament

By Steve Laubeon July 16, 2016

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 …

Category: Christian, Personal, TheologyTag: Lament, Theology

Theological Accountability Partners

By Dan Balowon July 12, 2016

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 …

Category: Career, Christian, Communication, Editing, Theology, Writing CraftTag: Career, Theology

Dear World, We Have What You Want

By Dan Balowon June 14, 2016

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 …

Category: Art, Book Business, Career, Christian, Theology, TrendsTag: Christian, readers, Theology