ACFW March Virtual Book Party!

Join me and other ACFW authors this Friday, March 18 for a virtual book party! Event begins at 1:30. I will be discussing my novel, Masquerade (formerly Laughing with Lily), at 2:00. Same suspenseful love story with a brand new cover and title!

A long-buried secret. An unexpected encounter. A quest for answers. Celeste Tatem, a special-education teacher, couldn't be more in love with her husband, Joe. But a haunting memory threatens their relationship. When Joe dies in a factory explosion, she sinks into depression. It will take the arrival of a new student, Lily, and her delightful honesty and joy at life's little things to awaken Celeste to hope. When Don, an old flame from college, reenters Celeste's world, the flickers of love stir once again, and startling questions arise. Questions that threaten to rip the veneer off of her carefully guarded secret. Then the most unexpected thing of all happens . . . . A story of love and forgiveness in the most unexpected places.

TWO FREE EBOOKS  to two participants during my 30 minute discussion. Leave a comment on one of my posts for a chance to win!

The link to the online FaceBook event is provided below. Can't wait to visit with you this Friday as we talk about relevant issues presented in Masquerade and the story behind the story! If you have a heart for those suffering in the aftermath of abortion, you won't want to miss this discussion. 

ACFW March Virtual Book Party

Friday, March 18, starts at 1:30

Life Lessons from Art

In a recent art class, I picked up techniques to help me draw better. But I also picked up a few life lessons in the process. 

My instructor insisted that his number one challenge in teaching art is getting his students to really see what they are drawing. To observe the visible, tangible item and apply the brain/hand connection on paper.

As a writer of eternal themes, I share a similar challenge, but in reverse: helping readers see the invisible--what God has revealed about Himself through His creation, His Word (the Bible), and His Son (Jesus Christ).

As with drawing, sometimes brain blockers exist, hindering one's ability to see. Really see. Damaged love receptors can distort one's view of who God really is--an eternal being full of love, grace, and truth. 

Yet the physical world around us, the Bible, and Jesus testify to the truth.

For those with spirit eyes to see . . .

Life Lesson 1: My instructor taught me to identify my light source so that I know where to apply specific shading. Jesus is my spiritual Light source. He is truth and the revealer of truth. 

Life Lesson 2: My instructor taught me how to use horizontal/vertical lines to draw a figure. When he stood in the center of the classroom with outstretched arms it reminded me of Christ's death on the cross as payment for my sin and provision for my forgiveness. 

Life Lesson 3: My instructor taught me how to use one/two point perspective. This technique reminded me that Christ and His Word is the reference point which provides proper perspective for shaping my life. 

Life Lesson 4: My instructor taught me how to draw with ink. This reminded me of the old hymn, "The Love of God" penned by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917. 

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

(View the full hymn and story behind the hymn)

I'm amazed, awed really, that no matter the discipline, God is there, revealing Himself--the Designer of all things beautiful, chief of which is a redeemed soul!

The Masquerade of Abortion

I was a senior in high school when the Supreme Court lowered the gavel, dooming unborn babies to death and moms to further hurt and confusion. 

Since that time 44 years ago, I've been a strong advocate for life, at all stages. 

God provides clear direction on how we should view the harming of babies and mothers. 

"Vindicate the weak and fatherless;

Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

Rescue the weak and needy;

Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3-4)

In this passage, the writer notes that God judged in the midst of His judges, who, by the way, had abused their privileges. "How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?" God poses to these wayward rulers.  

Strikingly relevant to our day, don't you think? Ungodly judges who should be serving the interests of the Most High God have capitulated to the cries of the wicked rather than listened to the cries of innocent babies. 

And the masquerade goes on . . . 

In the form of Planned Parenthood, who according to a CSN report net $1.21 billion in its organizational fiscal year ending on June 30, 2013 with approximately 45% of that revenue--$540.6 million--provided by taxpayer-funded government health services grants. In the same report, Planned Parenthood reported that they performed 327,166 abortions from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012. And it only gets worse . . . the CSN report mentions Planned Parenthood's celebration of "the NBC series Parenthood depicting 'the first abortion on a major network entertainment program in years.'" (http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/barbara-boland/planned-parenthood-got-5406-million-government-grants-fy-2013)

And PP thinks this stuff is good, that's it's doing women/kids a favor (while they line their pocketbooks). This deception brings to mind the biblical admonition: Woe to those who call evil good.

How God weeps over this blatant disrespect for life created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16). Indeed, when we set out to destroy human life, we slap God in the face.

A pregnant woman duped by Planned Parenthood into believing a lie--that what she carries is simply a blob of tissue easily discarded--often times does not realize the gravity of her decision to terminate her pregnancy.

The help she seeks in the form of Planned Parenthood provides a smokescreen, covering the truth . . .

That her baby's heart is beating by the 8th day of gestation
That by 8 weeks, all her baby's organs are functioning
That by 9 weeks, her baby has individual fingerprints
That by 10 weeks, her baby can feel pain
That by 12 weeks, her baby can smile 
Prenatal Development

Not only is the woman deceived about the true nature of her baby's development, but she is also deceived about her recovery after an abortion. The harsh and untimely termination of a pregnancy can have serious ramifications on a woman's health, physically and emotionally.

The organization Prolife Across America reports that "94% of women regret their decision to abort."  (https://prolifeacrossamerica.org/baby-developmental-facts/)

For my fictional character, Celeste, in Masquerade, both physical and emotional pain keep her locked up in secrecy. Her husband, Joe, wants a baby, but he doesn't know about his wife's past abortion nor that it has rendered her infertile.

Just when she works up the courage to tell him about the abortion, tragedy strikes, changing the landscape of their relationship and future together.

Until the unexpected happens . . .

My goal in writing Masquerade (formerly Laughing with Lily) is to encourage women who've experienced abortion to seek healing from God, to receive His forgiveness and move forward with their lives. I also want to encourage others who haven't experienced an abortion to extend grace to those who have.

How many women sit in our church pews who've put their masks neatly in place for fear someone will discover they've had an abortion? They already experience pain from the past, and now think they will experience the further pain of rejection if found out.

As with so many of my stories, my desire is to lead the reader on a path of healing, wherever s/he may be in life, to build awareness and move to action where/when needed.

A portion of proceeds from Masquerade goes to support my local crisis pregnancy center, (http://blueridgewoman.org/), who has been reaching out to hurting women with physical, emotional, and spiritual help for over 30 years. They have witnessed many women turn their lives over to Christ, as well as many babies rescued from Planned Parenthood.

Blue Ridge Women's Center

Would you help me spread the word about my novel, Masquerade? My prayer is that through story I might assist hurting women in their quest for God's healing in the aftermath of abortion.

Thank you, faithful readers, for your support of my writing ministry!

Masquerade on Amazon

Masquerade on Kindle

The Christmas Child

My grandson, Ethan (4), cupped my chin in his hands, looked into my eyes, and said, "God wants to do great things with little children."

He reminded me of this statement two or three times throughout our Grandma/Ethan date. I couldn't help but giggle.

On reflection, I realize how powerful a line my young grandson delivered. For isn't that the very heart of Christmas?

God wants to do great things through a Child.

And so He did. 

God came down in human flesh, clothed as a baby . . . as one of us. Humble beginnings in a manger. Feeling the same soaked diapers we experience, the same hungry stomach gnawing, the same loneliness, sadness, grief.

In order to identify with mankind. With you. With me.

To know how we feel, in every way . . . physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. He became one of us. 

And then He died, for us. Because He could. Since He was also fully God, He was the only One who could bear our sin, offering redemption through His blood.

Oh, glorious Christmas Child! The One who invites each of us to become little children in the attitudes of our heart. To be humble enough to admit our sin, draw near to Him, and accept His gift.

The ultimate Christmas gift from one Child to another.

~~

Eileen Rife, author of Second Chance, invites women to discover who they are in Christ and what part they play in His amazing story! The article above is taken from a newly-released devotional titled, Penned from the Heart, compiled by Marilyn Nutter. www.eileenrife.com, www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com,

Why Did He Die, Grandma?

Five-year-old Hannah and I colored a picture at the kitchen table. "Remind me, Grandma, why did Jesus die?"

I paused, overwhelmed for a moment by the sincerity and gravity of her question.

Through threatening tears, I managed to respond. "Because He loved us."

 

"To pay for our sin," her older sister sitting on the other side of me added. 

Seemingly satisfied by the answers, Hannah hummed as she picked up a yellow crayon. 

But Hannah's question continued to roll around in my mind. 

 

Remind me. 

We all need that reminder of why Jesus died. That God would become man in order to identify with and deliver us, to understand our hurts, our sorrows, our sickness, our sin.

The perfect God-man.

Emmanuel. God with us. Born in a lowly manger. Crucified on a cruel cross. Buried in a tomb.

 

Can you hear the musical crescendo?

 

Then with a blast of forever victory, rose from the grave!

 

A living Savior!

 

Guaranteeing eternal life to all who will believe and receive Him!

 

Remind me.  

 

Yes, Lord, remind me every day of why You came, died, and rose again for me. Help me live with gratitude for what You have done to secure my forever salvation. Help me not to hoard this amazing grace, but to share it with others!

 

 

Social Media: First Impressions

No one can argue that social media plays a high profile role in today's world. From family videos to political diatribes to marketing strategies, social media ignites a flame, sometimes for the good, and sometimes for the bad. 

But let's focus on the good social media can do in regard to marketing. As a professional writer, I am consistently on the lookout for strategies that help get the word out about my books and articles. The work I believe God has gifted me to accomplish and deliver to readers. 

In a recent webinar with Christian author, Karen Kingsbury, she reminded participants that "marketing is ministry."

I like that, because for the Christian, all of life is ministry, a sacrifice of worship (Romans 12:1). Perhaps no one feels this any greater than the Christian writer who offers her words in worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

With this confidence fueling her writing, she moves forward to proclaim the message God has placed on her heart to the world. At times, it feels like business, but wasn't it Jesus at age 12 who said He must be about His Father's business?

Call it what you will--ministry or business. For the Christian, it amounts to the same thing . . .

An offering to the Lord for His use in readers' lives. 

So, enter social media and first impressions. Regardless of your choice of media--Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. etc. etc.--you reach potential readers. Folks who may just be getting to know you as a person, let alone your writing. 

The way you communicate in a tweet, post, or pic speaks volumes about the writer/person you are. What do you hope to communicate about your character, your style, your message in those brief interactions?

There are many, but may I suggest five possibilities?

Communicate with care. 

Be mindful of what you type. Once your fingers hit enter, your message is in cyberspace and difficult to retrieve. You either communicate care for the reader on the other end or you don't. Virtual relationships are difficult to sustain given the lack of real face time. Physical presence affords a glimpse of body language, facial expression, voice inflection. Not so in the virtual community. Words on the page carry it all. So think before you write. Don't allow emotion, especially negative emotion, to drive your writing. Pray first, write second. The care you show toward social media readers will leave a lasting impression about who you are that may lead to further reading of your books/articles.

Show concern for the individual.

Few Christian writers do this as well as Kingsbury. In spite of her rigorous schedule, she responds to every reader who communicates with her. Her mother assists with this. She sends a personal message and prays with readers about their personal concerns. That's encouraging! Not only to the reader but to me as a writer. It affirms my heart for marketing. I want God to be glorified and readers to be blessed by His touch in their lives. If I can play a small part in that through a personal word of encouragement and/or prayer, wonderful! To God be the glory!

Be aware of your writing style. 

If you want to draw in new readers and sustain current readership, take care with not only the content of your posts, but also your mechanics. Proof your posts before hitting enter, just as you would with your manuscripts. We may not like it, but readers expect more from professional writers. We can't afford to get sloppy. What we do, we do first of all for our King, not just for the reader on the other end. Work on your craft as you design e-newsletters, blog or FB posts, or tweets. They all add to your writing portfolio. 

Focus on the message that's on your heart.

Social media is another way to get your message to the reader. Posts, videos, and links that contribute to the message God has given you may interest your readers in picking up your book/article. For example, two overriding themes fuel my work: 1) healing words for hurting hearts and 2) building awareness and moving to action. Thus, in the context of story and through nonfiction, I've written about issues such as marriage, abortion, empty nest, homosexuality, infertility, grief/loss, miscarriage, volunteering, inner city ministry, homeschooling, special needs children, death of a spouse/child, sex trafficking, and foster care. My prayer is that readers will come away with increased faith in God, renewed hope, and ever increasing love for Him that extends to others. 

Give more than you ask.  

When book sales are abysmal, it's easy to panic or get discouraged, which sometimes leads to over-promoting a book. Posting an ad every other day or more! What you're communicating is buy, buy, buy! I've been guilty of this at times. However, what I've learned is that gifting readers with my words does more to "promote" my work than asking them to buy my book. In the long run, it works in both the reader's and writer's favor. Kingsbury's rule of thumb is give three things before you ask for one thing. When you gift a book, be sure to deliver in a timely fashion with a personal message attached. You can also gift "free" words by posting an article you've written. And don't forget the gift of prayer. Huge! Your heart will be blessed as you bless others. 

If you are a writer or reader, what tip might you add concerning Social Media: First Impressions?

  

What Gets You Up in the Morning?

            What gets you up in the morning? Maybe it’s the alarm clock, the kids screaming, or the dog licking your face. Perhaps, the aroma of coffee wafting from the kitchen or a poke in the ribs from your spouse stimulates a yawn and a groan.

            I’ve been thinking more about this lately, and I want my motivation for getting out of bed to be greater than someone else’s expectations for my day. I want my “get up and go” to be generated by a love for the Lord.

Indeed, the older I get, the more focused I become on what’s really important: Eternity. I want to finish well. In order to do that, I must keep my gaze on the finish line. The apostle Paul states in Philippians 3:13b-14,  . . . one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

            Paul notes that the Philippian believers are his joy and crown. He was instrumental in introducing many of them to Christ. He knows that someday in heaven, he will receive awards based on his faithful service while on earth.

            In Revelation 4:9-11, the twenty-four elders lay their crowns at the feet of Jesus. Given this, there is every reason to believe that all Christians will present their crowns to Jesus. And it will be with extreme joy and fulfillment that we do so.

The Scriptures reference five crowns that believers may receive in the next life.

1)      Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8) presented to all those who kept the faith and longed for Christ’s return.

2)      Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19) given to all who introduced others to Christ, as Paul did; he refers to the Philippian believers as his “crown.”

3)      Crown of Life (James 1:12) awarded to all who endured temptation and trial with love for the Lord.

4)      Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:1-4) presented by the Chief Shepherd to those who tended His flock.

5)      Imperishable Crown (1 Cor. 9:25) presented to all those who subdued the sinful nature and ran the race well.

In keeping with this biblical teaching, two things get me up in the morning and motivate me throughout the day.

Visualizing myself placing crowns at Jesus’s feet. Not to gloat in my earthly achievements but to show my intense love and devotion for Him. I don’t think I’ll showcase my trophies on my mansion shelf for all to see, polishing them as I pass by. No, the supreme joy will come in presenting them to the Lord.

I used to be happy just to know I would be with Him, but the closer I get to the finish line, the more urgency I sense and the more I desire to give back to Him for all He has done for me. Crowns at His feet are a way of giving back when I see Him face to face.

Riding out of heaven with Him. Revelation 19:11-18 tells about a time when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will ride out of heaven on His white horse accompanied by the armies of heaven (all the saints). At that time, our Prince will bring justice, destroying evil on the earth. What a day that will be! If we’re ever tempted to take vengeance, we need only remember that Christ, the One who keeps better records than we do, will make all things right one grand day!

It takes discipline to focus on eternity. No one said it was easy! The here and now too easily consumes my thoughts. But knowing that I can someday praise and exalt my Savior, not only with my words but with a life well-lived, excites me and motivates me to love and share Him with others, guard my tongue, put to death my sin nature, and purposely long for His return.

That’s what gets me up in the morning. How about you?

~~

Eileen Rife, author of Second Chance, speaks to women’s groups, encouraging them to discover who they are in Christ and what part they play in His amazing story. www.eileenrife.com, www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com.