PublishChrist - March 17, 2008
Dear Friends
These are real exciting times we live in now. Many people are seeking God like never before. But some seekers do not find God because they get fooled by other things that appear “spiritual.”
There is only one true God and as Christian writers we have the responsibility to write what God has put on our hearts to share with the people of the world. If we do not, then many will find “strange and false Gods” because there are many teachers out there that do not teach the truth.
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them … (2 Peter 2:1 NIV)Some people say we are in the end times and that Jesus will soon come. Read the description of the end times that Jesus personally taught in Matthew 24. The truth is, whether it is the end times or not, false prophets are always among us.
That is why we as Christian authors have the responsibility to write what God put on our hearts. Don’t wait. If God put in on your heart to write it – then He put in someone else’s heart to read it!
Take advantage of our affordable and professional publishing service. Publish your Christian book. You can lead people to Christ through your writings.
See last month’s newsletter with the article “Write the Vision: An Open Letter to Christian Authors” on our website at Chick Here for Write the Vision.
BOOK FEATURE
Christian Writers' Market Guide 2008:
The Essential Reference Tool for the Christian Writer
Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide is now in its 23rd annual edition! It includes writers’ conference listings, book publishers, magazine publishers, poetry markets, submission guidelines, on-line publications, print-on-demand publishers, writers groups, e-book publishers, book distributors, literary agents, newspapers, foreign markets, specialty markets and more.
Sally Stuart has been writing for the last 40+ years. Her other writing includes several Christian education resource books, a children's picture book and a western novel -- plus hundreds of articles and marketing columns. She writes marketing columns for the "Christian Communicator," "Advanced Christian Writer," and the Oregon Christian Writers' Newsletter. She speaks and teaches at Christian Writers' Conferences nationwide.
Get a copy of the 2008 edition of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide (at a discount) on our website at Click Here. Sally has a host of other excellent books, booklets and other resources for Christian writers and speakers as well. See a list of Sally’s additional title on our website at Click Here for Sally's and other books.
WEBSITE FEATURE
Please visit Sally’s website stuartmarket.com. To keep you up to date with the latest marketing news, visit her new marketing blog, Christian Writers’ Marketplace, at www.StuartMarket.blogspot.com.
ARTICLE
Are You A Christian Author?
Two of the biggest questions that new Christian writers face are “Should I be writing?” or “How do I get started?” The questions do not always come so clearly. They are often disguised as:
“Am I hearing from God correctly?” or
“Did God really say that to me”? or
“Does God really want to use me as a writer?”
Yes He does! Remember it is the devil’s job to sew confusion, doubt and uncertainty in order to slow us down. He wants to discourage us so we quit. But do not let the enemy have that kind of power over you.
If you have a word from God and the desire and ability to write then you should write. If you are not writing and publishing then you are letting God down by your inaction. If God meant for you to write then he also meant for someone to read your writing and be blessed, informed or encouraged by what you write.
How Do I Know That God Called Me to Write?
Well, if you are reading this then that is a good indication that you have an idea that you are suppose to write. Of course in all matters, I suggest you seek counsel from the Godly Pastor of your church whose spiritual covering you sit under. However, I also suggest you answer the following questions which could be helpful in your deliberations with your Pastor.
- Does it burn inside of you to write Godly messages, poems, stories, Bible studies or the like?
- Do you have the skill to write (or are you willing and able to learn the skill)?
- When you read or study God’s word do you have an incurable desire to write what you have learned, so you can tell other people about Him or His word?
- Are you already in ministry with a series of messages or the like that you want to see in print?
I believe that if you answered yes to at least 3 of the questions above then you are a Christian writer and should be writing what you earnestly believe God has told you to put on paper or publish in a book. Again, I suggest you confirm this with the Biblically-sound pastoral leadership at your church.
Let’s look at it another way. If I loved to sing, had a great voice and woke up every morning singing gospel and other Christian songs and hymns, if I constantly imagined myself leading people in singing praises to our God, if I had written many songs in my head to the One and Only True God, and if my Biblically-sound Pastor told me that I have a talent and a gift from God to lead praise and worship - then I would conclude that I have a calling to be a praise and worship leader. At that point I should put myself toward developing in that area.
But, if I could not carry a tune and I had stage-fright and I did not see myself singing before the Lord, then I would have no business trying to lead praise and worship as a calling.
God told us in His word that there is only One Spirit but many gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-31). There are also many talents and each of us needs to understand where we are and pursue those gifts and talents that God has given to each of us for the edification of the Kingdom of God.
If writing is your calling – then write – everyday!
How Do I Know What God Wants Me to Write?
Simple, what has God been telling you over and over and over again? What burns inside of you to tell people that will help them in their walk with God? What message have you had confirmed or verified by your Biblically-sound pastoral leadership? That’s what you should write about and as you do it, God will again confirm for you that you are on the right track. If you do not get that confirmation or what some people call that “witness in your spirit” then re-think what you are doing because If God told you to do it – AND - you are listening, then you will know.
I encourage you to read another article helpful to Christian writers, “An Open Letter to Christian Authors: Write the Vision.” This article can be helpful to understanding your role as a Christian writer and the impact that you can have on the building of the Kingdom of God and bringing people to Jesus.
Please join us and take advantage of the free information and low-cost services available at PublishChristianBooks.com.
God’s love to all of you,
Akili & Daisy Kumasi
GIL PUBLICATIONS
Tell Us About Your Book
Receive the PublishChristianBooks.com Newsletter: PublishChrist
For helpful information on writing, publishing and selling your Christian books -
