Flaws, Pride, and the Love that Conquers

I recently read To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer and was enthralled by the simple beauty of Levi and Eden's story, as well as the deep truths embedded within. *spoiler alert* Please don't read if you are planning to read this book and don't want to know details.

While the romance between blacksmith Levi Grant and librarian Eden Spencer was heart thumping and sigh worthy, what I loved about this book was the theme of grace and forgiveness.

Levi Grant had served time in prison for involuntary manslaughter. He is now a Christ follower, living a life of peace and trying to start life anew. Sure there are time when he struggles with his vow to remain a peaceful man, but he has a heart for God and wants to live right. But when his past comes to light, he is judged by his past instead of the way he has lived since....judged by hypocrites who are hiding their own secrets.

Eden Spencer is basically a snob. She has lived her life above reproach and doesn't want any associations with people who might tarnish her reputation. So when she is asked to take in a kitchen maid from the saloon/brothel, she is appalled...what would the town think? To her credit she takes the girl and suffers for it - the town all but shuns her.

The wonderful thing about this book is how God's love is spread through the actions of Levi and Eden. They take on the shunned ones who want a better life, but haven't been given a chance. They stand up for them, no matter the cost. They stand firm until others begin to see God's love and respond in kind. That's true love.

Another thing I loved was the pastor and his wife. They are non-judgmental when it comes to Levi and are the ones who help him to get a job. While Eden is upset when she learns of his past, his gentle ways and his heart shine through to reveal a man covered by Jesus's forgiveness.

We all have flaws. We all have things we aren't proud of. But God is a God who forgives. He loves the unlovable. He stand up for the weak. He lifts up the downtrodden..just a we should.

When have you stood up for what is right, no matter the cost? When have you befriended someone who has been shunned because of appearances or environment?

Let's open our eyes and look for those we can share God's love with. Kindness will make the difference.

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This post is brought to you by

 Sherrinda Ketchersid

Sherrinda is wife to "Pastor John" and mother to three giant sons and one gorgeous daughter. A born and bred Texan, she writes historical romance filled with fun, faith, and forever love.

The Gift of Writing

I received a gift recently. It was small, simple, in fact it was only a card. And even though it was a store bought card, it had a timely message directed uniquely to me.

Of course I was immediately drawn to this gift. I held it for a time in my hand, looked at the front, back, and inside then set it in a prominent place in my writing nook, the corner of the house belonging to me.

Even today, during my work break when I am writing this post, I thought of the gift carefully written in such a way to touch a heart in need.

God gave me a gift for writing. It needs a few more bows, ribbons, perhaps packaging. He has given me the supplies to finish off the gift. Each time I study the art of writing or write a work I am adding these touches to the gift. Each time someone reads my work and is touched, I have shared the gift with them and brought a smile to God's loving face.

At times I take the gift and hoard it.

I choose to waste freetime set aside for writing or learning the craft.  This is not referring to important family time or other important tasks, but true time set aside for writing. At times like this, I have set the gift God gave me in the back corner of a closet where it is dark, dusty, and ignored.

Other times I work hard to write a work then get lazy or arrogant, convinced that the first draft was great work. I become offended when crits offer little praise. I use "something shiny" as my excuse and toddle off to a different work, ignoring the one God prompted me to do at that time.

And other times I work diligently on my ms, listening to crits, judges, and friends editing and polishing the work to be pleasing to God, but then heed the words of a few who say this work is not of today, no one would read it, no publishing company would want it. I lower my head and allow sadness to fill my heart and snuff my drive. The work is set aside.

I have often heard the words: to be a writer you must be strong, have steel skin, Mt. Everest tenacity, a Fisher Price heart (unbreakable), and a wild passion.

All these are true.

Sometimes God sends a kindred spirit to rekindle these in us.

May we here at the Writer's Alley offer you the spark to start, complete, polish, and/or submit your work today so that you may offer your gift to others.

How can we pray for you today?
(if you prefer you can email us your prayer request-our email address is in the upper right corner of this page.)
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Photos courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

This blog post is by Mary Vee
Mary lives in Montana with her husband and loves to hear from her three college kids. She writes Christian young adult fiction (pirate tales, missionary and Bible adventure stories).

Come Step into Someone Else's World with Mary's writing

To learn more about Mary, visit her blog http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/

Featuring Jerry B. Jenkins

Those who walk the path before us have much to share. I love learning from them, don't you? One day, maybe I'll walk in their shoes. 

Today Jerry B. Jenkins, author of more than 175 books including the Left Behind Series, walks with us on the Writers Alley to share insights of his successful writing career, his recent purchase of the Christian Writers' Market Guide from Sally Stuart, and up-to-date information for writers and authors.

Thank you for joining us today, Jerry.  

Several on the Alley have asked about your recent purchase of Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market Guide, can you tell us what will remain the same and what will change? Will you honor previous subscriptions? We'd like to know your future plans for this valuable resource.

We’re slightly changing the title to The Christian Writer’s Market Guide, but our plan is to continue the stellar work Sally did for so many years. We might add a few features that relate to writers at all stages of their careers, and of course we will be adapting to the new face of publishing, which is increasingly going electronic. We also plan to streamline the compiling of information for the guide, moving toward electronic submissions as much as possible.



Having the new Christian Writer's Market Guide will help with ideas and our WIP, but we'd like to have direction to find the next blockbuster idea. What do you think will be the big Christian fiction trend on the horizon?

Chicken Soup for the Left Behind Amish Vampire.

The truth is, no one knows.  We are seeing more publishers willing to take chances on speculative, sci-fi, and fantasy. The big hits are often titles that go against the trends.



Going against the trends, eh? Sounds exciting yet challenging. A calling for great writers. Could you tell us what characteristics separate a good writer from a great writer?

The writing. Regardless the distribution vehicle – whether the printed page or the electronic screen – books and articles still have to be written and edited with excellence. The cream rises. 



Since you've successfully written in many genres, what advice would you give to unpublished writers who struggle to find their focused genre?

Don’t let people force you into a genre. If you’re wedded to one, go for it, immerse yourself in it, read it exhaustively. But if you’re a writer interested in eclectic areas, write what you’re most passionate about at the time – fiction, non-fiction, history, philosophy, current events, whatever.

Thanks for the encouragement. Do you have a favorite genre to write? 


I used to say it was whatever I wasn’t working on currently. But I have learned that my sweet spot is adult fiction, though I like to switch historical periods. Biblical, contemporary, futuristic—it’s all fun for me.

Writers naturally enjoy reading, and having books suggested. What is your favorite book?

All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg. Many authors make me aspire to write like they do. Rick Bragg makes me just surrender and enjoy.

We have a few questions about the publishing field. What significant changes have you seen in the publishing industry since the Left Behind series and where do you see publishing going from here?

It’s harder to be legitimately published these days (where the publisher pays you and not the other way around). Publishers are demanding that authors come with built-in platforms (spheres of influence). And we have become a screen generation. More books and articles will appear electronically than on paper soon, but as I say, things still have to be written and edited well.

Interesting. What can we as writers do specifically to be prepared for these changes?

Use social networking to help build your platform. Hone your skills. Develop your craft. Read every day. Write every day.

We persistently work on our craft, yet sometimes get the rejection letter or call. How have you handled rejection or disappointment in your career?

I avoid it like the plague. I don’t consider the rejection of a proposal or query as failure. It’s just a business transaction. And I don’t write something until someone has responded positively to the proposal. Then I work my tail off to deliver.

On the flip side, what has contributed to your greatest successes?

I have passionately centered on my one gift. I don’t sing or dance or preach. Writing is what I do.

Jerry B. Jenkins   
Owner | CHRISTIAN WRITERS GUILD

  & JENKINS ENTERTAINMENT
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719.495.5835 ● http://www.jerryjenkins.com/ 

Thank you for walking beside us on the Writers Alley today, Jerry.

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Words from experienced authors like Jerry B. Jenkins inspire me. I appreciate when those who walk ahead choose to guide those in the footsteps. Thanks again, Jerry.

Can you relate to the answers above?

I'll start...

Jerry's answer to number 10 speaks volumes. I tend to divide my interest in many ways. Perhaps if I removed some other interests, I would advance my writing skills at a faster pace.

Your turn...