Thoughts on Writing

She'll do it :)

The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think.

[Edwin Schlossberg]

This week I have been working on the edits of my new book, Grace of Giving, that will be released later this year. The 4th book in the series about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century. I couldn't help but notice that sometimes I still struggle with the subject of my writings. When people ask me what my books are all about, I always hesitate... almost as if ashamed. Maybe it is because I have seen and heard the same reaction over and over again... 'oh, the Ten Commandments... interesting" and off he or she goes, away from me.

Come to think of it, I can't blame them, simply because I do represent an odd combination. I am a charismatic believer, I am a woman and I do NOT write about marriage or kids, I write about the Law from a Holy Spirit point of view, go figure! Sometimes I wonder if my assignment is part of the Lord's humor, "We need some fresh thoughts on the Old Book, let's ask Marja, she'll do it!

And He was right, as always!

The WHY questions

This earth is our domain and our responsibility
Every Wednesday night a small group meets at our, even smaller, house. Last week we talked about the 'why' questions we sometimes ask God. Why is there so much pain in the world? Why do people kill each other? Why do children die of cancer? Why are things so hard? Why me?

As human beings we somehow have the annoying habit of questioning the Almighty about every disaster, every pain and every event happening here on earth that doesn't go the way we expected. Even people who do not believe in God do this! Going through my Bible, however, I found out that it is not us, but God who asks plenty of 'why' questions. Jesus, for example, did it all the time, it was His way of teaching.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye? (Matthew 7:3), Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? (Matthew 9:4), Why did you doubt? (Matthew 14:31) and Why do you ask me about what is good? (Matthew 19:17) and He goes on and on like this. It seems to me we take an unrightful place at His throne when we require answers to the very things God gave us dominion, authority and responsibility over. This earth is our domain, He gave it to us. Maybe we should change our 'why' questions into 'how' questions. How can I deal with this, how can I help and how can I change this! Would that make the earth a better place?

Variance Magazine

I'll have a chance to win a free full page ad!

This summer Tate Publsihing will come out with a quarterly on-line magazine about culture, entertainment, books and art, Variance Magazine. By bringing in subscribers I'll have a chance to win a free full page ad about my books! So please, go to Variance Magazine and subscribe, all they need is your e-mail! The magazine will appear 4x a year, so no havoc in your mailbox!

Make sure to mention my latest book BREATH OF LIFE in the box where it says 'how did you hear about us'.

For all you writers and bloggers, you are encouraged to submit articles! Variance could be your next platform!

Made in His image

Read the story of your life...
"Life before conception is kind of hard to imagine... as far as I am concerned it is all I ever knew..."
[Sorek]

Yeah right... who doesn't like to recommend his or her own book? Ofcourse I am excited about the story as I penned it down in Breath of Life! That's one of the reasons I am promoting it on this weblog (and I am trying to get rid of some stock as well, so as to make room for a new book!).

Ever wondered how we resemble God's image, since He is Spirit? In Breath of Life I have tried to describe the melting together of spirit, soul, and body into one human being, a triune being, just like God! Take this unique journey and travel from way before conception towards our entrance into this world!

Available wherever books are sold and at all major on-line booksellers!

Power Source

Nothing significant will ever be done without the Power of the Holy Spirit
Believe it or not, but in Holland Pentecost is a national holiday. This coming Sunday is the big day to celebrate in churches and congregations and Monday is the second day of Pentecost, a day off for the whole country. Many people probably have no clue what Pentecost means, but for believers it is one of the highlights in the Christian year.

We can read in the first chapter of the Book of Acts (verse 8) how Jesus gave His disciples a glimpse of what was to be expected:

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Awesome promise. I am sure the disciples waited with anticipation for that power to come. When I read Jesus' words here I cannot help but wonder why the majority of Christians think they can do without the power today. Education and status have often replaced reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. Imagine this, the disciples had been with Jesus for three years, day in, day out. They witnessed the miracles, the healings and the raising of the dead. The listened to His teachings firsthand, He answered their questions and eased their worries. Jesus ate with them, He drank with them, He traveled with them and He even prayed for them! Now, if Jesus warns those men to wait for power to come and to not go into the world on their own account (Luke 24:48) why in the world would Christians even think they can do anything significant without the power of the Holy Spirit today?

Please, pray as never before to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, there is still much work to do!