The Angelguard Journey to Publication

/3 Comments/in , /by
Photo Credit: www.aboutmyplanet.com

Photo Credit: www.aboutmyplanet.com

I rushed out of the company’s lobby and hopped into a vacant taxi, a bevy of emotions bursting within me: shock, anger, hurt, disappointment and confusion. But surprisingly, genuine peace. I called Fiona and shared the news. Her response was also mixed. Could see the positives but the immediate financial impact wasn’t ideal.

“Hey Bill, you know how I asked you to pray so that I could attend Presence? Well, God listened and answered.” My friend Bill, was my second call.

A few weeks earlier, my client and I had agreed a launch strategy for the new business. It was to be in Melbourne, the week of my church’s Annual Conference, titled “Presence”. It’s a four-day event where all of our churches around Australia attend. My heart had sunk as I had sensed a strong nudge from the Lord the previous Sunday at church when the “Presence” trailer ran.

Read more

Not long now to lift off – Angelguard launches February

/6 Comments/in , /by

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

I’m excited. Angelguard, my debut novel, releases in the US and Canada in February. The UK launch follows in late March and finally, it hits Australian shores sometime in early May.

It’s been a long journey as it is for most authors.

Over the next few weeks I thought I’d share my experience, warts and all, of writing the novel and getting published.  Further, I’ll talk more about the novel, giving you some behind the scenes access to the characters, the story, and the future story lines.

Today, I wanted to start with an overview of the ten years from its inception to this point of imminent release. It’s useful for you to read this post that features on the slider on my home page (“What Inspired Angelguard“) and the “About Me” page as they provide some initial background.

Read more

“Wonderstruck”, Margaret Feinberg

/0 Comments/in , /by

“God extends endless invitations to encounter Him, yet too often we sleep straight through.”

Well that sure grabbed my attention. God’s wonder surrounds us all day everyday. Wonderstruck is a manual for helping us find that wonder. And in Margaret, we have a mighty fine guide who’s passionate about enabling and teaching us in how to experience God more.

With sound Biblical instruction, some delightful stories that take across the globe via the Scottish highlands, Alaska, and the Colorado mountains, we get to see first hand how God’s wonder is all around us.

Whether it’s in nature, developing new friends, diving deep in prayer or observing the Sabbath, Margaret talks us through her own experience of learning to appreciate all God has already blessed us with. And how much more He has to share, if only we’d open our heart and eyes to receive it.

The book also comes with a Thirty-Day “activity guide” for reflecting on the ideas Margaret addresses to help embed the healthy habit of living with our eyes and hearts wide open.

If you’d like to experience God more, then this easy to read book is a great starting place for your journey to begin.

A Word for the Year

/11 Comments/in , /by

Photo Credit: http://australia.blog.visa.com

A few weeks ago, Cherie, a Canadian friend of mine, happened to mention in a chat we were having on Facebook that she had identified her word for the next year.

A word for the year?

I vaguely recall other people had mentioned it. I stumbled across a post from one of my favourite bloggers, Ann Voskamp, who adheres to the practice.

I quizzed Cherie a little on its purpose for her, and her response got me thinking. She described it as a marker for defining the year or an attribute one may seek to develop.

I like the idea. I see it as a one-word goal almost. I’m not sure it would necessarily define my year, that is, I’d still set other goals. But I would hope it would have a gentle presence throughout my days.

Read more

My Best Books of 2012

/4 Comments/in , /by

One aspect of the end of year wrap-ups I love is reading all the “Best of…” lists. So I reviewed the 75 books I’ve read in the past 12 months to determine my own Best Books of 2012.

In fact, I’ve got two lists: A Top 5 Fiction and a Top 10 Non-fiction.

Let’s start with the novels.

Top 5 Fiction

I was a little disappointed in myself this year that I didn’t read from a more diverse range of novels. So many of my favourite authors released new material that I tended to stick to a lot of tried and true authors, both in the Christian and secular markets.

As I spent a decent part of the year editing Angelguard, I also adhered to one of the common recommendations for budding authors: read in your genre. So lots of supernatural suspense type books made up my reading list.

I want to change that in 2013 by reading more widely. In particular, I’d like to read more of the classics.

Read more

“Jesus Calling”, Sarah Young

/1 Comment/in , , /by

This devotional was so good I didn’t want the year to end. I wish Sarah Young had an ongoing devotional we could continue to enjoy every day.

What was particularly great about this super book was that it taught me how to listen to Jesus. Too often in my prayer life I won’t sit and be silent. Each day’s reading forced you to do this as it’s written in the first hand of Jesus sharing with you.

I was continually amazed how many days the reading spoke directly to the state of my heart, that is, it captured an issue I was grappling with or was unwilling to let go.

If you’re looking for a powerful devotional, buy this and be ready to be transformed.

I’m sure I’ll use it again one year.

“The Still of Night”, Kristen Heitzmann

/2 Comments/in /by

I was encouraged to read this by some new friends who are BIG fans of it.

This was a delightful surprise for me. I don’t typically read, “Women’s Fiction”, however, Kristen’s full-bodied characters and their development through the novel are tremendous. I now understand why my friends are so effusive in their recommendation.

In particular, Morgan Spencer, the male lead, is excellently portrayed and reflects a great understanding of the male psyche. He is both ambitious, selfish, blunt but also charming, chivalrous, extraordinarily generous and caring. I’d like to read the sequel just to see how Kristen further develops Morgan, especially his spiritual side.

Read more

Post-Advent Musings

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Photo Credit: beliefnet.com/beyondblue

Christmas is over. I trust you had a joyous time with your loved ones. I had two family-filled days that were fun and peaceful.

I’ve now begun to reflect on the year ahead.

A friend of mine mentioned a few days ago that she and her husband establish a key word for the year. Yes, one word. They prayerfully meditate on this and arrive at that word. A word they’d like to infuse more into their life and walk with Jesus. My friend’s word is “JOY”.

That was a new idea for me. It’s ruminated in my mind ever since and I’m sensing I may adopt a similar approach to 2013.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”).” (Matt 1:20-23 NIV)

Read more

Merry Christmas

/1 Comment/in , /by

Tomorrow is Christmas Day.

Christ is the reason for Christ-mas. We wouldn’t be celebrating it if it weren’t for His birth.

As I’ve reflected on Advent these past few weeks, I’ve spent more time in His presence, being thankful and expectant.

“The longer we gaze upon Jesus, the more we realise that life as we know it can no longer remain the same… Our adoration of the Christ child must lead to obedience and devotion.”1

That’s my prayer for all of us: that we adore Him by our obedience and devotion. Not just tomorrow, but everyday.

I hope you can get some time alone in the next day to be still in the presence of Jesus.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, wherever you may be, and may the peace, joy and hope He provides fill you today and always.

I thought I’d leave you with one of my favourite carols, magnificently sung by one of my favourite singers, Chris Tomlin.

Be safe, be still and be expectant.

Blessings to you all.

 

Notes: 1. “Silence – and other Surprising Invitations of Advent”, Enuma Okoro, Upper Room, pp95,96.

‘V is for Vulnerable, Life Outside the Comfort Zone’, Seth Godin

/1 Comment/in , , , /by

Photo Credit: Penguin Group USA

This is a very powerful little book.

Seth draws his inspiration for this little gem from Dr Seuss, who taught him to read. We’re told this in the short introduction that concludes with:

“I want you to do what you’ve you’re meant to do, what we’re all meant to do, which is the hard work of creating art. 

The artist wonders, ‘How can I break this?’ and ‘Is it interesting?’

Go break something.” 

This is an “ABC book for Grown-ups”. Two pages for each letter (except LMNO) illustrated in a wacky engaging manner by Hugh MacLeod.

Read more