Musings from a Writer’s Brain—What’s Next by Linda Wood Rondeau

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Bible Study, Christian growth non-fiction, Christian non-fiction, Essay about Writing, LInda Wood Rondeau, Musings from a Writer’s Brain, Who Put the Vinegar in the Salt?

This is the question I ask after each THE END I write on a manuscript. So, I’ve completed my book, edited it a gazillion times, sent it off to my publisher, more edits, galleys, and a note , “Your book is now live.”

Yes, there are a ton of marketing needs. But my creative spirit needs to be refueled with the next big project. So what should I write about now? I find myself facing the great unknown. Since all my contractual requirements are now met, how do I decide on what I should write next?

Do I work on unfinished concepts?

Or does God have something else for me to do?

Should I keep all my eggs in one basket or branch out?

Is now the time to try self-publishing?

Do I want to be a hybrid author?

Certainly, I’m not bored. I am also a freelance editor in addition to editing for my publisher. I’m also a Project Manager and my days are filled.

How do I predict what the market will need in a year and half from now?

Busyness is no excuse to starve the creative spirit.

Our pastor’s recent sermon was aimed at graduates: high school, college, postgraduate, and military. However, his message spoke to me, a woman in my seventies, as I thought on my next writing goal.

He reminded the grads to surrender their future to God. I believe this is true for writers as well.

Be Constantly in Prayer

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7 KJV)

The Lord has promised to hear and answer. Most Christians agree with this. However, when the answer seems slow to come, we will fall back to seeking our own answers which may be contrary to what God has in mind. Seek him diligently, knock on heaven’s door for as long as it takes. Pastor Kevin also said to not be afraid to ask others to pray with you. As writers, our readers and colleagues may have ideas we had not even considered. Then go back and pray some more.

Trust God Completely

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5 – 6 KJV).

Abandoning our preconceived ideas of our next steps may be very difficult. We are anxious to get started. We hear our inner creative voice saying, “Now! Move on your idea or it will go away.” As I hear the words above, I’m reminded God’s idea may be different than mine.

Live Faithfully

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV).

Said Pastor Kevin, “He wants you to say ‘yes’ before he will give you your ‘what.’”

God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul. Living faithfully and staying near to God allows us to align our will with his. He has a plan and wants to guide us in the right direction.

When we pray, trust, and walk with God, he not only leads us in our walk with him, but will center our desires with his. For the writer, this means, he will make clear our next big step in our careers.

WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT

By Linda Wood Rondeau

The world offers much beneficial self-help advice. Shouldn’t the Christian seek to be the best possible version of themselves? Aren’t we supposed to be good people?

Why not look to the world to solve life’s problems?

Because God has called us to be salt.

While there is much good to be found, like vinegar, the world’s best advice falls short of God’s recipe to live a victorious Christian life.

In a down-home, friendly manner, the author provides analogies, inspirational stories, anecdotes, a wealth of Scripture, and optional study guides for both individuals and groups, inviting the believer to discover God’s desires for his salt.

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By the author of I Prayed for Patience, God Gave Me Children.

ABOUT LINDA WOOD RONDEAU

A veteran social worker, Linda Wood Rondeau’s varied church experience and professional career affords a unique perspective into the Christian life. When not writing or speaking, she enjoys the occasional round of golf, visiting museums, and taking walks with her best friend in life, her husband of over forty years. The couple resides in Hagerstown, Maryland where both are active in their local church. Readers may learn more about the author, read her blog, or sign up for her newsletter by visiting www.lindarondeau.com.

Connect with Linda on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

A Writer’s Garden-The Trials and Triumphs of Landscaping by Chris Paxson

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A Writer’s Garden, Chris Paxson, Garden blog, Garden devotion, garden tips, No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Full Gospel Message  Bible Study book, Proverbs 9:10 Ministries

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Chris Paxson, one half of the co-founding team of Proverbs 9:10 Ministries. Chris will be sharing her 30 years of landscaping trials. Welcome, Chris!

           

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Almost 30 years ago my husband and I built a house on a sloping piece of land in the fertile soils of southeastern Pennsylvania, USA. It’s a mostly wooded lot, with rocks, roots and vines that can make you want to call landscaping quits more than once! Still, thirty years and many more landscaped areas later, every spring makes us glad that we persevered and stuck to the challenge.

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            There are some things that a beginning gardener, like me 30 years ago, would be better off knowing. First and foremost (or the one I wish I had known) is that it’s best to buy many of the same plant, and plant them together for effect. Being void of that knowledge, I spent many years shopping at the local garden center buying a variety of four-inch potted plants and spreading them out. I’m still grappling with the problems from that mistake to this day. Some other things I’ve learned in the process are that only certain plants grow under the shade of walnut trees that are poisonous to most plants. If a plant tag says “sun/part shade” it does best in mostly sun. And I’ve learned that sometimes you have to sacrifice a plant that’s not doing well, rather than trying to save every sprig of anything that’s alive, if you want to keep your sanity!

            Life as a Christian has some of the same attributes as the life of a gardener. It takes perseverance to learn about God through prayer and Bible study. There are some things it’s better off knowing from the start, like the fact that God is Sovereign over every single thing. Having that knowledge makes it easier to understand the Bible and helps in dealing with everyday life! During your walk you’ll encounter rocks and boulders of sin that you have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to dig out of your life. You’ll encounter temptations like vines and roots that constantly threaten to trip you up. And, last but not least, it’s often better to narrow your focus. You’ll have things that you’d like to hold on to, but that only tend clutter up your life like sprigs of individual plants that are good, but in your garden only become eyesores. You need to let go of those.

            Thirty years of trial and triumph makes you able to relax and enjoy the journey. So keep planting and watering. Try new things. Dig out the old and replant it somewhere else. if that doesn’t work, toss it, or hand it over to someone else. Narrow your focus to what’s most important. Most of all, love God and do everything for His glory alone. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

About the Authors:    

Chris Paxson & Rose Spiller are co-founders of Proverbs 9:10 Ministries and co-hosts of the No Trash, Just Truth Podcast. They have been teaching Bible Studies for over 20 years and have written many of their own studies. Along with teaching together, they speak at conferences and retreats. Their second book, The Bible Blueprint – A Guide to Better Understanding the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, an overview of each of the 66 books of the Bible, is due out in this summer. They are in the process of writing their third book, Deciphering Revelation. Connect with Chris and Rose:

Links to Proverbs 9:10 Ministries & No Half Truths Allowed

Website:  https://proverbs910ministries.com

Proverbs 9:10 Ministries on MeWe:  https://mewe.com/p/proverbs910ministries

Instagram: proverbs910ministries

No Trash, Just Truth! Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/615385 can also be found on all major podcasting sites, Rumble, & YouTube

No Half-Truths Allowed – Understanding the Complete Gospel Message

by Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller

Authors Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller were frustrated at the fluff and heresy being pedaled as “Women’s Bible Studies.” Many studies are shallow and emotion-based, not grounded in the truth of Scripture, and they found this particularly true in regard to the Gospel Message. Because of a genuine concern for salvation and what was being witnessed, they wrote their Book and Bible study, No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Full Gospel Message (Ambassador International, May 8, 2020, $15.99). When it comes to proclaiming the Gospel message, half-truths, vague notions, and generalizations can be dangerous. What are the important truths we need to know and share with others? Is it enough to believe that God loves us and wants a relationship with us? Is it enough to “ask Jesus into our hearts”? Is it enough to recite the “sinner’s prayer,” or do we need to repent of our sin? Is going to church and serving others enough? Is what Jesus suffered more than just a gruesome death on a cross? If Jesus, who is fully God, was crucified, did God die on Good Friday? Is God mad at us when we sin and happy when we’re behaving? Can we lose our salvation? If you’re not sure of the answers to any of these questions, join Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller as they explore the answers to these and many other questions.

A Writer’s Garden, Chris Paxson, garden tips, garden blog, Garden devotion, Proverbs 9:10 Ministries, No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Full Gospel Message  Bible Study book,

Musings from a Writer’s Brain-Co-authors Chris Paxson and Rose Spiller

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co-authors Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller, Musings from a Writer’s Brain, No Half Truths Allowed-Understanding the Full Gospel Message, Proverbs 9:10 Ministries, Women’s Bibles Studies

Two Friends, Four Cats, & 2,500 Miles

            God is sovereign over our circumstances; whether our feet are firmly planted in the rich soil of Pennsylvania farmland, or whether we’re rolling along from state to state in an RV. Some days, knowing He’s sovereign is the only thing that keeps us sane.

            Doing ministry work can be challenging. When we started this journey, we had no idea that writing to prepare for teaching Bible study would lead to starting a ministry, writing books and co-hosting a podcast, all of which have come with their own set of obstacles, hurdles and at times a steep learning curve amidst all the blessings. At the beginning of it all, we lived close to each other, and one of us was blessed with great internet. But things change, and now most of our ministry work is done from remote locations, internet is sketchy at times, and then there’s that curve …

            Our first book had 6,000 edits. Who knew you no longer put two spaces between sentences? Who knew that skype video isn’t going to show exactly what you’re seeing on your end of the screen when you’re doing a podcast interview? And who knew that you can actually do a pretty good first book launch, virtually, with the help of a few good friends, in the middle of a pandemic, with a brown and white boxer named Boomer waiting in the wings?

            Other obstacles and blessings come with four legs too. It doesn’t take as long as you’d think to learn how to type a podcast script, do an Instagram Story clip, and drink a cup of coffee all while holding a 15-pound cat on your lap, or to learn how to actually get some work done with four cats who think of you as the “doormen” who let them in or out of the house at will.

            Nonetheless, by the time we reached the end of 2020, our collective learning taught us not only these things, but how to use a leaf blower to dry your hair as well as blow leaves off the top of an RV; that birds and wind are not conducive to videotaping outside, and that a chain gas and grocery store can make a really great sandwich! We live and learn, and God uses it for our good and for His glory. We don’t know where God is going to take us, but He does. So we move on, doing

what He puts in front of us as faithfully as we can and trusting Him to work out the details of what needs to happen, in His timing. We hope and pray that 2021 draws us all closer to Him in reliance and trust. He is sovereign and He is faithful.

Have a blessed day, everyone!

Chris and Rose

Chris Paxson and Rose Spiller, Co-founders

Proverbs 9:10 Ministries

About the Authors:

            Chris Paxson & Rose Spiller are co-founders of Proverbs 9:10 Ministries and co-hosts of the No Trash, Just Truth Podcast. They have been teaching Bible Studies for over 20 years and have written many of their own studies. Along with teaching together, they speak at conferences and retreats together.

Chris resides in Lancaster County PA with her husband, John, of over 31 years. They have twin sons in the USAF. Rose and her husband, Ed, have recently sold their home and now live full-time in their RV to travel between their four children and eight grandchildren.

Besides their first book, No Half-Truths Allowed, Chris and Rose have a second book, The Bible Blueprint: A Guide to Better Understanding the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, due out in March 2021. They are in the process of writing their third book.

Connect with Chris and Rose at their website: on Facebook: Proverbs 9:10 Ministry page or No Trash, Just Truth!  No Trash, Just Truth! Podcast can also be found on all major podcasting sites.

No Half-Truths Allowed – Understanding the Complete Gospel Message

Authors Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller were frustrated at the fluff and heresy being pedaled as “Women’s Bible Studies.” Many studies are shallow and emotion-based, not grounded in the truth of Scripture, and they found this particularly true in regard to the Gospel Message. Because of a genuine concern for salvation and what was being witnessed, they wrote their Bible study, No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Full Gospel Message (Ambassador International, May 8, 2020, $15.99) to teach the women of our church. Originally used with just their church, the response was exciting! They saw women’s lives change as they became excited and hungry for the Word of God. Paxson and Spiller felt led to branch out beyond just their church and community by turning their study into their new book, No Half-Truth’s Allowed: Understanding the Full Gospel Message.

About the Book: When it comes to proclaiming the Gospel message, half-truths, vague notions, and generalizations can be dangerous. What are the important truths we need to know and share with others?

• Is it enough to believe that God loves us and wants a relationship with us?

• Is it enough to “ask Jesus into our hearts”?

• Is it enough to recite the “sinner’s prayer,” or do we need to repent of our sin?

• Is going to church and serving others enough?

• Is what Jesus suffered more than just a gruesome death on a cross?

• If Jesus, who is fully God, was crucified, did God die on Good Friday?

• Is God mad at us when we sin and happy when we’re behaving?

• Can we lose our salvation?

If you’re not sure of the answers to any of these questions, you are not alone. There are a lot of false ideas out there about Christianity and the Gospel. Join Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller as they explore the answers to these and many other questions about the true Gospel message in No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Complete Gospel Message. Learn what Jesus did for you, why He did it, and how you can articulate the Gospel to others. Also available is the companionNo Half-Truths Allowed Study Guide, an interactive study guide with questions and Scriptures to help readers delve even deeper into understanding the complete Gospel message.

You can find No Half Truths Allowed on Amazon

Wednesday Writers– Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God by Alexis A. Goring

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Alexis A. Goring, Book excerpt from Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, Christian Living, devotional book, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers. Today’s featured author is Alexis A. Goring who is sharing the story behind her devotional book  Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God. She also has an inspiring excerpt from the book.

Welcome, Alexis

 

The story behind how I wrote my devotional book is a testimony, really … I’ve been writing devotionals for publication online since God gave me this devotional writing ministry after going through trauma at age 16. During the recovery process, God took me into His classroom and taught me many lessons that flowed out of me in the form of devotionals. God made a way for me to eventually get paid for my devotional writing, starting after college when I became the Growing Up columnist for a faith-based publication called Collegiate Quarterly. Since then, He’s blessed me with many more opportunities to write devotionals – some paid, some not but all so worth it! Yet even after all these years of devotional writing experience, I never thought of writing a devotional book until last year (January 2019).

Longer story short, when I decided to give this a go, God lined up everything I needed. He gave me wisdom to gather my devotionals that were previously published on blogs where I was a guest (I gathered about 30). He gave me wisdom to reach out to an editor colleague of mine (Dori) who told me that if I wrote 52 devotionals then my book could be a weekly devotional since there are 52 weeks in a year. God moved me to talk to a literary agent (Jevon), months after talking to Dori and not wanting to write more (I had 44 devotionals written by then). God moved me to take Jevon’s advice to “keep going” (until I had written a total of 52 devotionals for my book). I am so glad that I listened to Dori and Jevon because a 52-week devotional is just what I needed to write and according to the feedback I’ve been receiving, it is just what my readers needed too!

God was in every detail of this devotional book-writing journey! He even sent a new editor (Patty) to work for my publisher a few years prior and I learned that Patty has a background in editing devotionals! Patty noticed that all of my devotionals were tied to my paraphrase of Contemporary Christian songs and Gospel music so she suggested the title “Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God” and it fit perfectly!

Music has always been a major part of my life since childhood. And I’ve always loved sharing stories about life lessons learned as I continue on my journey with God. So the title that Patty suggested made perfect sense!

And that is the short version of the “story behind the story” of my devotional book!

~*~

 

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God

by Alexis A. Goring

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God is a 52-week devotional that will bless your heart, soothe your soul, encourage your mind, and strengthen your God-given spirit.

Join author Alexis A. Goring on an inspirational journey. Each devotional builds from real-life experiences that impart many faith lessons learned along the way.

Each day is built on the foundation of a Bible verse or edifying quote, followed by Goring’s personal story and reflection questions for a personalized experience.

All of the devotionals are tied to a song in order to go a little deeper into the heart of the message. A song directory at the end of the book connects the reader with music online to further enhance the study experience and glorify God.

Spend a year on a journey growing closer to the Lord through Stories and Songs of Faith, and discover personal transformation as time with Jesus Christ changes your heart to look a little more like His.

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Excerpt from my devotional book:

Week 44 

Trusting God

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” –Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

The song “Trust in You” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy opens with lyrics to encourage the listener, declaring that God did not create us to worry or fear; He created us to worship Him and trust Him.

The song lyrics remind the listener about the magnitude of God. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jehovah-jireh (our provider)! The music artists who perform this beautiful song emphasize God’s glory to remind the believer just how big the God we serve is and that no problem that we face here on Earth is too big for God to solve! He’s not just the Creator of the Universe; He is your Heavenly Father and He knows what is best for you.

The Bible says in Luke 12:7 that God numbered all of the hairs on our heads (and if you have a lot of hair on your head like I do then you know the significance of that saying). I think that this Bible verse means that God knows you more intimately than any human ever will and He is perfectly capable of meeting all of your needs!

God met my needs recently in a powerful way.

Late in January 2020, I asked all of the prayer warriors in my life to pray for me. I shared that I had been struggling to pay my bills after losing my job. I asked for prayer that God would bless me with more work that pays well so that I could pay my bills on time.

Less than five minutes later, prayer support and notes of encouragement started flooding in. Several people even shared their own stories about their struggles and how God came through for them just in the right time.

Among those prayer warriors were ones who said that they felt God leading them to give me a monetary gift and when I received their gift, it was just what I needed at that time.

This experience taught me several life lessons:

 

Lesson #1: Always go to God first. He loves you with ALL of His Heart and He cares about everything that impacts you here on Earth.

Lesson #2: Always feed your faith, not your fear. I made a point that morning after private prayer time with God to publicly post that song “Trust in You” and note that it’s the new anthem to my real life story! I chose to praise God and trust Him to take care of me. I refused to give into to fear of the future based on my circumstances.

Lesson #3: Don’t be afraid to ask for prayer support from the people in your life who believe in God and follow Jesus Christ. I did not ask for financial help but God impressed some people to send monetary gifts to me anyway. What a blessing!

Lesson #4: When God blesses you, don’t stay silent! A few days after this amazing blessing and prayer support, God impressed me to write about my experience. I believe that He wants us to share our stories to encourage others who are going through similar situations. Our stories inspire hope!

 

On that note, I’d like for you to please know that no matter what you’re facing in this life here on Earth, you always have hope because you have God. He loves you with all of His Heart, even if you don’t know Him yet! That’s why He sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to save you! Read John 3:16.

Following Jesus Christ and praying “the prayer of faith” (James 5:13-16) is something God wants all of us to do! Why? Because the Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 (NLT), “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

My “Word” for the New Year 2020 was “Trust.” What a way to start the first month of that year with this teachable moment from God! After my experience in January 2020, I am encouraged to trust Him more and never stop praying about my every need because He cares and even when He’s silent, He’s there.

I hope that my testimony has encouraged your heart and inspired you to trust God with every need, every desire, every dream, and every plan for your life. Remember this: God is Good. God loves you and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)!

 

May God bless your life story for His glory!

 

~*~

Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time that God provided for your needs?
2. How does knowing that God answers your prayers, help you to trust Him?

 

~*~

Do you want to read more of Alexis’ devotionals? You can find Stories and Songs of Faith devotional book at Amazon

 

 

About the Author: 

Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

 Connect with Alexis on her Social Media:  Facebook:  Goodreads: Twitter:

 

 

 

@PennedbyAlex