Verse of the Day

[God's] love for me is very great. [He has] rescued me from the depths of death! (Psalm 86:13 NLT)

Verse of the Day

My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God. Pray About Everything (Philippians 4:1 MSG)

The Sword by Bryan M. Litfin

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The SwordCrossway Books (April 30, 2010)by

Bryan M. Litfin





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bryan Litfin was born in Dallas, but lived in Memphis, Tennessee, and Oxford, England, where he discovered that the house of his favorite author, J.R.R. Tolkien, was only five doors down from his own. Bryan still enjoys epic adventure stories, as well as historical fiction. However, most of his reading these days is taken up by academia.



After marrying his high school sweetheart, Carolyn (a true Southern belle), he went on to study for a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. From there he went to the University of Virginia, taking a PhD in the field of ancient church history. He is the author of Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction (Brazos, 2007), as well as several scholarly articles and essays.



In 2002, Bryan took a position on the faculty at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago, where he is a professor in the Theology Department. He teaches courses in theology, church history, and Western civilization from the ancient and medieval periods.



On the morning of January 6, 2007, Bryan woke up with an epiphany. Having finished writing his primer on the ancient church, he had the idea of trying his hand at fiction. The thought occurred to him that the writer of speculative fiction typically has two options. He can create an imaginary land like Middle Earth (which offers great creative freedom but is unrealistic), or he can delve into genuine history (which is realistic, yet limited to what ‘actually occurred.’) However, if a writer were to create a future world as in the Chiveis trilogy, it could be both realistic and creatively unlimited.



This little dream stayed in Bryan’s mind while he researched how to write fiction, and also researched the European landscape where the novel would be set. He planned a trip to the story locations, then went there in the summer with a buddy from grad school. Bryan and Jeff rented a Beemer and drove all over Europe from the Alps to the Black Forest with a video camera in hand. With that epic setting fresh in his mind, Bryan returned home and began to write.



Today Bryan lives in downtown Wheaton in a Victorian house built in 1887. He is blessed by God to be married to Carolyn, and to be the father of two amazing children, William, 11, and Anna, 9. For recreation Bryan enjoys basketball, traveling, and hiking anywhere there are mountains (which means getting far away from the Midwest – preferably to his beloved Smokies).



ABOUT THE BOOK

This novel of page-turning action and adventure poses the question, "If a society had no knowledge of Christianity, and then a Bible were discovered, what would happen?"



Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snow-capped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the "ancient" world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten—until a young army scout comes across a strange book.



With that discovery, this work of speculative fiction takes readers on a journey that encompasses adventure, romance, and the revelation of the one true God. Through compelling narrative and powerful character development, The Sword speaks to God's goodness, his refusal to tolerate sin, man's need to bow before him, and the eternality and power of his Word. Fantasy and adventure readers will be hooked by this first book in a forthcoming trilogy.



Visit the book website at The Sword to see amazing videos and a wealth of information about the trilogy!



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sword, go to HERE


Review to come later.

Verse of the Day

 ^1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
   I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
      and say it again: "Thank you!"
   Thank you for your love,
      thank you for your faithfulness;
   Most holy is your name,
      most holy is your Word.
   The moment I called out, you stepped in;
      you made my life large with strength.

 ^4-6 When they hear what you have to say, God,
      all earth's kings will say "Thank you."
   They'll sing of what you've done:
      "How great the glory of God!"
   And here's why: God, high above, sees far below;
      no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

 ^7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble,
      keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
   With one hand
      strike my foes,
   With your other hand
      save me.
   Finish what you started in me, God.
      Your love is eternal—don't quit on me now.

Psalm 138 The Messsage

Verse of the Day

"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?" (Matthew 16:24–26 MSG)

Verse of the Day

When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. (Psalm 91:15 ESV)

2010 ACFW Colorado Retreat

Overwhelmed? Discouraged? Not sure where to turn, what to tackle first?

Believe me, I’m there! I’ve been trying for three days to get this written, knowing what an encouragement to me God’s Word is.

Next week is our Third Annual ACFW Colorado Retreat. See the details below. With the help of the officers in our ACFW Colorado chapters, I organize and run the retreat. This year, I’m also the speaker. And it seems that everything is conspiring to derail my much-needed prep time. I’m so thankful for friends who pray for me. I wouldn’t make it through this time without them.

And God has proved faithful. He’s constantly giving me the things He wants me to say on the topic of being prepared to give His answer through our writing. In creative ways, through unexpected means. He is always faithful. He is always good. And He’s used His Word to remind me of that!

Psalm 30 (nasb)

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.

Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.

Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, “I will never be moved.” O Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

To You, O Lord, I called, and to the Lord I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me; O Lord, be my helper.”

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Over the last few years, I’ve been blessed through the writings of Frances J. Roberts. She writes much of her poetry and devotional thoughts from God’s point of view. The following excerpt is from her book On the Highroad of Surrender (Barbour Publishing 1973).

“O My child, do not weep. I am doing a beautiful work. Stress and pressure and pain are often the path to victory and understanding. Penitence is a mother to purity, and contrition a father to total consecration.

“I am in the midst, and I am a strong deliverer. You need not be concerned. You must not be sad. Courage is the greatest contribution you can make at this point. To be strong now will make the path of recovery easier. Faith is an essential ingredient in every solution. . .often it is the solution itself.

“Never underestimate the power of faith. Faith is your ability to bring Divine Action to bear upon any given situation. Hold fast. Trust. Unseen angels assist you. Doors are opening to let you pass into safety.

“Pour all the intensity of your soul into serving Me, and you will receive great consolation. It is My way provided for your solace and preservation. I will bring you other mercies as I see you have need.

“Be strong! I will measure the trials according to your strength and My mercy, but I expect you to stand true. No one can do this for you.

“It is your supreme hour of destiny. Throw your whole being into winning.”

And with these words, I push on toward the goal He has set before me, knowing He never leaves me alone. Knowing that He is accomplishing His purposes in me. To God be the glory! He indeed is good.

Join us for a weekend designed for encouragement, refreshment, fellowship, as we take an in-depth look into the Word of God and how we can be prepared to write His answer—to Christians and non-Christians, through fiction or nonfiction. Through Bible study and prayer times we will explore what God has to say about His Word and its relevance to us today.

Speaker: Margie Vawter

Topic: Prepared to Give His Answer

*************

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

There will be three registration options this year:

Option #1 - Overnight at Camp Eden. $60 members/$65 non-members

Option #2 - Overnight at Eldora Lodge. $70 members/$75 non-members

Option #3 - No overnight. $30 members/$35 non-members

Walk-ins welcome.

Financial arrangements available. Please contact Margie Vawter at shevetwrite@pcisys.net.

You may register online, by mail, or as a walk-in.

To register online, go to www.acfwcolorado.com/events and click on the online registration link. ACFW Colorado accepts PayPal.

To register by mail, go to www.acfwcolorado.com/events and click on the mail-in registration link. Download the form, print it off and mail it, along with a check made payable to HIS Writers, to HIS Writers, PO Box 19741, Denver CO 80219.

Brochure with complete details can also be downloaded at the above website.

The retreat is open to ACFW members and non-members.

*************

Camp Eden is located off CO Hwy 72 in Coal Creek Canyon in the Roosevelt National Forest (see map).

Eldora Lodge is located about 1/4 mile west of the Camp Eden Rd turnoff. To view the lodge go to www.eldoralodge.com.

Sworn to Protect by DiAnn Mills

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Sworn To Protect Tyndale House (April 2010)

by DiAnn Mills





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.



DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.



Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.



DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.



She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales sends illegal immigrants back to Mexico; a job she's paid dearly for. Her husband, Toby, was murdered two years ago trying to help and his murder's never been solved. Now a string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone from McAllen profits from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country and somehow this illegal activity is tied to her husband, Toby's death.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Sworn To Protect, go HERE.



Watch the book trailer video:






Margie's comments: I've featured DiAnn's books on this blog before. I met her several years ago, just before the first ACFW conference held in Denver. She came to the school where I was teaching to present and all-morning workshop to all our students in grades 7–12. A very gracious lady. You wouldn't think she could write such compelling stories that include murder and mayhem! But she does. And I'm looking forward to a great read in Sworn to Protect. Especially since it features McAllen, the town I consider my hometown. We moved to McAllen when I was nine, didn't leave until I married at twenty-one. (And that's MAC-Allen to the uninitiated! LOL) The read will have to wait until after I finish some judging for various contests whose deadlines are fast approaching.

Verse of the Day

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. (Psalm 73:25–26 NLT)

Verse of the Day

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night. (Psalm 63:5–6 ESV)