Faith in Action: What is Faith?
I asked today on my Facebook page, what does faith mean to you?
Here are my thoughts to this question:
Life. Faith to me means life. In today's world, many claim they have faith and are living a life full of faith. To some, it's a bonus to living with Christ. It's something that's optional or completely misunderstood. I have seen this. I have told others who I have seen going through trying times to have faith. They've responded, "I have faith but..."
NO!! STOP!!
There aren't any BUT'S in faith.
When one has faith, they turn EVERYTHING, every worry, fears, and all anxiety to Him. Everything. They take their issues directly to the Lord and ask for the help, strength, and wisdom to get through whatever it is they're facing. Then, they LET IT GO!! Once you give it to God, don't look back. Don't worry about it. Don't give into the whispers to the ears from the enemy.
Faith isn't perfected overnight. It's an ongoing process that EVERY Christian must work on. I don't believe anyone has perfect faith because if that were the case.... then, they'd be right there beside Christ.
Faith is an important part of the life of a Christian. It's vital to our walk. My faith helps make the world around me make sense. It shows me that no matter what I'm facing, God is with me and HE knows what's going to happen, so I don't need to worry about the ending. I know this because I'm His child and He will take care of me. Everything will happen according to his plan.
Faith is my identity and way of life. I may struggle with it at times but when I catch myself not showing faith, I pull the reins and pull my faith back.
Faith is a form of trust in the Lord when you can't actually see Him. It's given just as love is, unconditionally.
Faith isn't stepping into a situation and having doubt. When faced with a difficult situation, one must fully rely on God. They can't claim that they have faith if they let worry, anxiousness, fear, doubt, or any other negative feelings in. When one has faith, they let go and let God. Then, they don't worry about the situation again because God WILL take care of it.
*Previously published on RaeBeth's Corner*
Here are my thoughts to this question:
Life. Faith to me means life. In today's world, many claim they have faith and are living a life full of faith. To some, it's a bonus to living with Christ. It's something that's optional or completely misunderstood. I have seen this. I have told others who I have seen going through trying times to have faith. They've responded, "I have faith but..."
NO!! STOP!!
There aren't any BUT'S in faith.
When one has faith, they turn EVERYTHING, every worry, fears, and all anxiety to Him. Everything. They take their issues directly to the Lord and ask for the help, strength, and wisdom to get through whatever it is they're facing. Then, they LET IT GO!! Once you give it to God, don't look back. Don't worry about it. Don't give into the whispers to the ears from the enemy.
Faith isn't perfected overnight. It's an ongoing process that EVERY Christian must work on. I don't believe anyone has perfect faith because if that were the case.... then, they'd be right there beside Christ.
Faith is an important part of the life of a Christian. It's vital to our walk. My faith helps make the world around me make sense. It shows me that no matter what I'm facing, God is with me and HE knows what's going to happen, so I don't need to worry about the ending. I know this because I'm His child and He will take care of me. Everything will happen according to his plan.
Faith is my identity and way of life. I may struggle with it at times but when I catch myself not showing faith, I pull the reins and pull my faith back.
Faith is a form of trust in the Lord when you can't actually see Him. It's given just as love is, unconditionally.
Faith isn't stepping into a situation and having doubt. When faced with a difficult situation, one must fully rely on God. They can't claim that they have faith if they let worry, anxiousness, fear, doubt, or any other negative feelings in. When one has faith, they let go and let God. Then, they don't worry about the situation again because God WILL take care of it.
*Previously published on RaeBeth's Corner*
Advice for Beginning Writers
PUBLISHED ON READERS AFTER DARK ON January 3, 2013
Being an author, I am asked so many different questions by those who have crossed my path. I’ve taken time before writing this post to seriously think about the advice I would write about. Through out the four years of writing Silenced, I have been given so much advice. So, here is the advice I found helpful within that time.
Write and write everyday. To better improve your craft, a writer should write everyday. It doesn’t have to be within a novel. It can be within a blog post, journal, etc. Those who are serious when it comes to writing always make time for it. It’s one of the most simple ways to get better. It’s a way to keep your writing flowing smoothly and will help you spot your weak areas when writing.
Start off by writing what you’re familiar with. It’s hard when you come across something you’re not familiar with and you need to write about it. This tends to stress new writers out which may tend to make them think they don’t have it in them. Everyone can write when they try and practice.
Read. I think one can’t write without reading. A writer can’t write without the ability to read their own work. This is helpful when it comes to proof reading to find mistakes within their books. It’s helpful to see what books are selling and which ones don’t. Therefore, giving the writer an idea of where their book may fall.
So in closing I feel these are the most important.
Being an author, I am asked so many different questions by those who have crossed my path. I’ve taken time before writing this post to seriously think about the advice I would write about. Through out the four years of writing Silenced, I have been given so much advice. So, here is the advice I found helpful within that time.
Write and write everyday. To better improve your craft, a writer should write everyday. It doesn’t have to be within a novel. It can be within a blog post, journal, etc. Those who are serious when it comes to writing always make time for it. It’s one of the most simple ways to get better. It’s a way to keep your writing flowing smoothly and will help you spot your weak areas when writing.
Start off by writing what you’re familiar with. It’s hard when you come across something you’re not familiar with and you need to write about it. This tends to stress new writers out which may tend to make them think they don’t have it in them. Everyone can write when they try and practice.
Read. I think one can’t write without reading. A writer can’t write without the ability to read their own work. This is helpful when it comes to proof reading to find mistakes within their books. It’s helpful to see what books are selling and which ones don’t. Therefore, giving the writer an idea of where their book may fall.
So in closing I feel these are the most important.
FIVE REASONS TO WRITE FICTION
PUBLISHED ON THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN ON January 7, 2013
There are loads of different genre flooding the book world. Writing is a sense of creativity but when writing fiction this creativity can be explored in so many ways. The options are endless.
First reason (which actually applies to all genre of writing) you don’t need any special materials to write. You can grab a pen/pencil and paper to begin or sit down at a computer. This starts it all. You can create so many different worlds and characters. I think writing fiction is fun because of the different places I take myself to.
Second reason when writing fiction it tends to stick with those who read it longer than non-fiction. The mental escape one can create with fiction helps take the reader to different places and characters. Readers tend to develop the ability to care for fictional characters which help the story to stay with the reader longer.
Third you can do things in a fictional word that you couldn’t do in real life. This has the most appeal to me. I love being able to make magical beings or very hot characters, even when those things don’t exist within real life. Therefore, this adds in more fun to fiction.
Fourth… fiction can be challenging. What’s writing without a challenge? I know if I don’t challenge myself I tend to get bored. So I think a bit of a challenge is fun. Especially when I complete the challenge with a positive outcome. It makes me feel so much more than what I did when I started the challenge.
Fifth reason.. do it because you can! It’s as simple as that!
There are loads of different genre flooding the book world. Writing is a sense of creativity but when writing fiction this creativity can be explored in so many ways. The options are endless.
First reason (which actually applies to all genre of writing) you don’t need any special materials to write. You can grab a pen/pencil and paper to begin or sit down at a computer. This starts it all. You can create so many different worlds and characters. I think writing fiction is fun because of the different places I take myself to.
Second reason when writing fiction it tends to stick with those who read it longer than non-fiction. The mental escape one can create with fiction helps take the reader to different places and characters. Readers tend to develop the ability to care for fictional characters which help the story to stay with the reader longer.
Third you can do things in a fictional word that you couldn’t do in real life. This has the most appeal to me. I love being able to make magical beings or very hot characters, even when those things don’t exist within real life. Therefore, this adds in more fun to fiction.
Fourth… fiction can be challenging. What’s writing without a challenge? I know if I don’t challenge myself I tend to get bored. So I think a bit of a challenge is fun. Especially when I complete the challenge with a positive outcome. It makes me feel so much more than what I did when I started the challenge.
Fifth reason.. do it because you can! It’s as simple as that!
6 Things You Didn't Know About Becoming a Published Author- RAEBETH MCGEE
PUBLISHED ON AMANDA FANGER BLOG ON Tuesday, January 15, 2013
1. It takes time. I thought a writer sat down and wrote until their hearts were content. When they finished their book it was time to throw it together and boom ... it’s done. Boy was I wrong. It takes a lot of time and sometimes it takes many people working together when working against a deadline.
2. Editing is tough. After I got done writing my book I wasn’t prepared for the extensive amount of editing that needed to be done. I went through the manuscript. Then I had a few close writer friends go through it. Once they were done I went to my critique group. I did another round myself. Lastly it went to a professional editor... twice.
3. It takes time and devotion. When choosing to be a writer I never thought I’d have to devote so much time to it. At times I catch myself saying I need a staff of people to help. Especially when it comes to promotion.
4. Bloggers are your friends. At first I was skeptical on reaching out to them for help. I didn’t want to hear no or worse not hear from them at all. But so far I’ve come into contact with some amazing bloggers who I want to thank for all their hard work. Without them I think it’d be harder for authors to get their work out there.
5. Reviews. Pay attention when its right. Don’t get all worked up over the bad ones. Some may come across harsh. Those are the ones you ignore and don’t respond to. At times reviews can be helpful even if their less than perfect. Authors can learn from them. They can show an author what they need to work on.
6. Social media is your friend as a published author. At this time I’ve sent out press releases to local newspapers for my release and haven’t seen anything yet. But I’ve had loads of help through all different types of social media sites to help me get the word out. I’m thankful for those.
So with this I go by saying follow your dreams and never stop. Even when the tough gets going. Push through it and it’ll make you stronger.
1. It takes time. I thought a writer sat down and wrote until their hearts were content. When they finished their book it was time to throw it together and boom ... it’s done. Boy was I wrong. It takes a lot of time and sometimes it takes many people working together when working against a deadline.
2. Editing is tough. After I got done writing my book I wasn’t prepared for the extensive amount of editing that needed to be done. I went through the manuscript. Then I had a few close writer friends go through it. Once they were done I went to my critique group. I did another round myself. Lastly it went to a professional editor... twice.
3. It takes time and devotion. When choosing to be a writer I never thought I’d have to devote so much time to it. At times I catch myself saying I need a staff of people to help. Especially when it comes to promotion.
4. Bloggers are your friends. At first I was skeptical on reaching out to them for help. I didn’t want to hear no or worse not hear from them at all. But so far I’ve come into contact with some amazing bloggers who I want to thank for all their hard work. Without them I think it’d be harder for authors to get their work out there.
5. Reviews. Pay attention when its right. Don’t get all worked up over the bad ones. Some may come across harsh. Those are the ones you ignore and don’t respond to. At times reviews can be helpful even if their less than perfect. Authors can learn from them. They can show an author what they need to work on.
6. Social media is your friend as a published author. At this time I’ve sent out press releases to local newspapers for my release and haven’t seen anything yet. But I’ve had loads of help through all different types of social media sites to help me get the word out. I’m thankful for those.
So with this I go by saying follow your dreams and never stop. Even when the tough gets going. Push through it and it’ll make you stronger.