Wednesday Words of Wisdom for Writers

I am happy to introduce you to a guest blogger today: my friend and fellow writer, Jennifer Slattery. Jennifer has some words of wisdom for writers. She has written a writer's devotional of sorts. A thought-provoking piece not only for writers struggling in this crazy profession, but for anyone who may be considering giving up on the journey they once felt called to travel. Good stuff. Hope it's an encouragement to you.

Are You Stuck in Haran?

by Jennifer Slattery

A writer’s life is equivalent to white-knuckling a never-ending roller coaster, in the dark, without a seat-belt. Only, you never signed up for that ride, right? You chose the steady upward climb free of twists and turns, and after ten, fifteen, maybe even twenty years of spinning; you wonder if perhaps you’re on the wrong path. That still, soft Voice that called you into writing has faded behind a mess of rejection, disappointment and fear. What if you heard wrong? What if God changed His mind? Maybe He’s forgotten about you entirely.

Or maybe you’re right where He wants you to be, following the long, winding, equipping road towards the goal, each treacherous step, every angst-filled tear all part of the training. What if you’re only one rejection away from the Promised Land? Will you persevere, walking by faith and the determination of a child saved by grace and destined for victorious living, or will you settle in the land of Haran?

Last Sunday George Lakatos from Grace Community Church in Smithville, MO gave an awesome message (listen to it HERE). To sum it up, the message centered on two biblical characters: Abram (who would later be called Abraham) and his father, Terah. Both men started in the same place, Ur of the Chaldeans. Both men left Ur to embark on a God-ordained journey to the Promised Land, but only one arrived. Terah, the patriarch died at the halfway point, in the land of Haran.

Ur was a wealthy, sophisticated, comfortable city. It must have taken great courage for the men to leave. They had no idea where they were going or how long it would take to get there, but they had God’s promises tucked within their tunics. These promises carried them all the way to Haran, but for Terah, they couldn’t carry him over the hump and into the unknown.

Terah continued as long as the road was easy. He and Abram followed along the Euphrates River, a well-traveled route with access to food and drinking water. They journeyed on foot, each step carrying them farther and farther from the land they knew. Day after day they marched on, the fatigue in their legs growing with each step, their doubts warring for their allegiance. Then they got to Haran, the halfway point, and Terah settled.

Genesis 11:31b (NLT) “He was headed for the landed of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there.

That is a powerful verse. Terah was headed for Canaan, but settled in Haran, where he died fifteen years later, never reaching his final destination. Never seeing the Promised Land.

Have you settled? Are you stuck in Haran, on the halfway point from where you were when God called you to where He wants to take you? It’s time to leave Haran. Abram settled with Terah for fifteen years. Fifteen long, wasted years. But he didn’t stay there indefinitely. After his father died, he gathered his things and resumed his journey.

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Jennifer Slattery is a novelist, columnist and freelance writer living in the Midwest with her husband of fifteen years and their thirteen year old daughter. She writes for Christ to the World, the Christian Pulse, Reflections in Hindsight, and Samie Sisters and is the marketing representative for the Literary website, Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she placed first in the HACWN writing contest and in 2010 she placed third in the CWG Operation First Novel contest, fourth in the Golden Pen and second in the Dixie Kane. She’s written for numerous publications including Afictionado, the Christian Fiction Online Magazine, the Breakthrough Intercessor and Bloom. Visit Jennifer's blog, jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com to find out more about her and her writing.

The Book Stops Here: Review of Always: A Teen Devotional by Melody Carlson

It can be difficult for teenagers to understand how Jesus’ words hundreds of years ago relate to their lives today. To help teens dig deeper, bestselling author Melody Carlson releases Always, a devotional for teens that focuses specifically on helping teenagers take the teachings of Christ and apply those to their own lives, actions, thoughts and faith.

With 90 days’ worth of devotional readings in Always, Carlson takes key passages of Christ’s teachings, commands and promises from Scripture, and unlocks them, verse-by-verse for teens.

My Thoughts:

I snatched up the opportunity to review this teen devotional, published by Revell. Not only am I a fan of Melody Carlson, but I have a teenage daughter and I am constantly on the hunt for good reading material for her. Because my daughter loves the Lord and is always looking for ways to put her faith into action (I'm so proud of her!), when I read the back cover copy of Always: A Teen Devotional, it sounded like a wonderful book to feed and challenge my daughter's Christian walk.

This is a 90-day devotional that explores the words of Jesus. How cool is that? Each daily reading begins with "Words from the Rock," a specific quote from Jesus. This is followed by a 1 page devotional, a brief prayer, and a Final Word scripture that corresponds with the words Jesus spoke. Each page also includes a Stone for the Journey, which is one sentence that sums up the devotional and is an easy-to remember takeaway. (A couple examples are: "Being connected to Jesus brings life" and "My wounds draw me closer to Jesus").

As always, Melody presents her messages in a clear, easy-to-understand manner that brings God's Word to life. Specifically, she reveals that Jesus's words were not only directed towards the people in Bible times, but shows how they distinctly affect the lives of teenagers today, in regards to family, school, friends, dating relationships, and more.

A few of the titles include:

• Sacrificial Love
• Perceptions
• Stay in Love
• Spiritual Family
• Pain to Joy
• Best of Both Worlds
• Prayer Power
• Change is Good

Although the description for this devotional indicates it's more for high school age, it's my opinion that many of the devotionals can easily be understood by junior high students. I look forward to hearing my daughter's thoughts on each daily topic and discussing the impact that Jesus's words have on her life.
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Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.

*Always: A Teen Devotional available October, 2010 at your favorite Christian bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing.*

Thanks to Revell for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review - the thoughts and opinions expressed were my own.

The Book Stops Here: Review of His Princess - Girl Talk with God by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Through 40 devotions, author Sheri Rose Shepherd brings biblical insights to some of the greatest hardships teen girls face. Honestly addressing tough topics like perfectionism, gossip, depression, eating disorders and dating, Shepherd helps readers understand these dilemmas on a spiritual level. She strips away the lies surrounding each issue to expose God’s encouraging truth about how he sees each of us and what he desires from each of us.

Each devotion reading includes a story from Shepherd’s own life that shares how God has transformed her life and brought her through painful struggles. Shepherd also couples the readings with specific Scripture as well as a love letter from God, a biblically-based note filled with the kind of encouragement that God might say if he were to write a letter to the reader.

My thoughts:

My first thought as I started reading: "Wow. I wish this book was around when I was a teenager."

This devotional book is the most recent in The Princess series by author Sheri Shepherd. I have not read the others, but what an important message this author is conveying. Women have always struggled with self-esteem and knowing who they are in Christ. This teen edition, His Princess: Girl Talk with God, contains 40 devotionals that deal with specific topics teenagers and young women face today (body image, friendship, dating, sex, sharing their faith, gossip, etc.), while driving home the point that God sees them as royalty.

The devotions are very short, which is perfect for girls who want to dig into God's Word but only have maybe 5 or 10 minutes to do so before school in the morning. The topics are real and relevant and give girls something to chew on all day. Each devotional ends with a brief "love letter from God" that opens with To my beautiful daughter and ends with Your Daddy in heaven. The letters are tender, straight-forward, and completely backed up with scripture. The corresponding Bible verse is also included.

While my first thought was that I wished this book was around when I was younger, my last thought was: "I'm so glad this book is around now for my teenage daughter."

I can't wait to share it with her and use it as a launching pad for deep and meaningful discussion.

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Sheri Rose is a woman who can relate to almost any woman’s battle. This former Mrs. United States grew up in a dysfunctional home and was severely overweight as a teen. As a young woman, she battled depression and an eating disorder. She understands the pain that comes from a broken home and she knows what it means to fight for freedom from your past.

In spite of an English teacher telling her she was “born to lose” and a learning disorder—Dyslexia—Sheri Rose has (in God’s strength) become a Best Selling Author, with more than One Million books sold, and her latest book, won the 2010 Retailers Choice Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Her Teaching was named the #1 Show of the Year on the Focus on the Family Broadcast and her life story has been featured on Lifetime Television and the Notional Billy Graham Telecast

Sheri Rose has been speaking at churches and women’s retreats for 15 years; she has a very refreshing way of bringing the Word of God to life. She knows how to renew the Eternal Hope in our hearts. Her speaking style is humorous, heartwarming and inspires every one to make their life count for eternity. She loves speaking at women’s retreats of any size and currently is on theExtraordinary Women’s Tour with: Chonda Pierce, Angela Thomas, Karen Kingsbury, Mercy Me, Matthew West and Jeremy Camp.

Her Joy for the Lord, humorous heart-warming stories mixed with truth and transparency renews our Faith by reminding us how much we are truly loved and adored by our Father in heaven. Once you heard Sheri Rose speak you will never again doubt that you are…“God’s Chosen Princess”… here for a divine purpose!

*Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*

Thanks to Revell for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review - the thoughts and opinions expressed were my own.