It's surreal to even type the title to this blog post! If you follow me on social media then you might already know ... my teen devotional, working title "Coffee Shop Chats", will be published by Bethany House!
Sometimes God brings us unexpected surprises. Opens doors to dreams you thought were reserved for later down the road. This is one of those dreams.
When I was a tween & teen, I dreamt of writing nonfiction books/devotionals for teens that could bring them closer to God. It was during my quiet times, while I read these kind of books, that I developed a relationship with Him. I knew someday I'd like to make the same impact on teens' lives through the written word. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to share everything on my heart with teen girls. =)
Book updates -- including the cover reveal and release date -- will be sent to my mailing list readers first! You can sign up by clicking this link.
Thanks to my amazing agent, Cyle Young, for making this possible!
Writing a book is therapeutic for me.I find enjoyment through weaving together the tough aspects of life into a story that brings meaning to these hardships.A story that wraps up in a satisfying, happy ending.
Because this is what we yearn for in life, isn’t it? We long for hope in the midst of tragic circumstances. We yearn for meaning in the midst of pain. A reminder that, despite how our “story” might look at the moment, it will turn out all right in the end.
In my YA novel, Purple Moon, Selena grew up in a Christian home. She grew up believing in Jesus and that He had the perfect “fairy tale life” planned for her. But as she grew older, this hope began to diminish. {Continue reading}
The Christmas tree in my house is now up, embellished in ornaments and twinkling with lights. "O Holy Night" plays on the Pandora station through my iPhone. Candles are lit, filling the house with the perfect holiday spice scent.
And yet, no amount of festivities, decorations, or Christmas treats can take away the tragedies that have occurred throughout the world lately.
As the Christmas season began to approach this year, I found myself wondering . . . How could I get into the "Christmas spirit" when others are still grieving over loved ones lost in the Paris tragedy? Why should I enjoy baking Christmas cookies when families are mourning over their lost mom, dad, brother, or sister?
This world is far from perfect. And as long as we are human--as long as we are living on this earth--we will be prone to the results of the fall.
Yet, none of this can take away the hope Christ came to bring: The hope of eternity. Promise of salvation. The gifts of peace, joy, and love. Victory over sin and death once and for all.
As Christians, we already have a sneak peak into the final chapter of this story. God wins! And you know what? There is no better time than Christmas than to celebrate this fact. Jesus came so that we would not be destroyed by sin and death. A beacon of light pierced through the darkness of this world when Mary gave birth to God's son.
This is why we celebrate Christmas. Not because we are turning our heads from the pain and suffering of this world.
But because we know that, ultimately, even the darkest of circumstances could never dim the light of Christ.
{This reflection originally appeared in the Christmas 2015 issue of my newsletter. Click here to view the issue! If you aren't already subscribed to my newsletter, be sure to do so by entering your email on my sidebar.}
Hi, everyone! I hope you're all having a great start to the new year. =) As you can probably tell, I haven't been blogging much this year so far. For starters, my MacBook is unfortunately at the laptop hospital (AKA Apple) getting some repair work done. I am also going to take a small step back from blogging this year (which means that--rather than blogging 3x a week, I will blog once or twice a week). I really hate doing this, but I've realized that I need to carve more time out to write. However, this also means that I will have a new book coming to you sooner (hopefully)!
Anyway, today I have a photographer from California--David Wahlman--here to discuss what it means to be a Christian in the workplace. (And yes, you can apply this to your school as well!)
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Does God Call Us to Be a Missionary at Home?: So often individuals in the church hear the word ‘missions’ and think of trips overseas to help orphans and villages that have never heard the name of Christ. This is definitely an aspect of being on missions, but Jesus didn’t just limit us to far away places. You can be on mission right where you already are.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus promises the disciples the Holy Spirit and tells them to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” So yes, the ends of the earth is a part of His commission, but we often forget that Jesus mentions Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria as well. If you know the geography of Israel, then his words would have a greater meaning. Jerusalem is reference to the place right were you are; the place you call home. Judea is the area surrounding Jerusalem; this could resemble your community or your city. Geographically, Samaria was right between Jerusalem and Judea and a ‘good’ Jew would not pass through Samaria, because they were ‘unclean’ and not ‘as good as’ the Jews of Jerusalem. I’ve heard Samaria being compared to the places or people you would not generally associate with or that you even consider your enemy. So, essential, Christ calls us to be on mission right where we are, the surrounding areas, where we aren’t accepted or loved, and to the ends of the earth. You don’t have to be overseas to be on mission for the Lord.
Being on Mission in the Workplace:
Many in the Church today (including myself at times) have a tendency to compartmentalize the areas of their life. We’ve got home, work, church, and social all separated. The truth is, if we truly believe that Christianity is suppose to be a lifestyle and that He has made us a new creation, not just for Sundays, then Christ is to be our all and in all. That includes your workplace.
I am owner and photographer of Wahlman Photography and for a long time I hadn’t considered how I could use my profession as a mission field. But when I finally thought about it and asked God, I realized that I can have a heavy impact. For a while I was primarily a wedding and portrait photographer. I was constantly dealing with people, the very apple of God’s eye. I had the chance to work with couples, families, individuals, and those getting married. What better opportunity for me to affirm them in the beauty of the way God created them and share Christ’s love! I may get the chance to share what biblical matrimony is to those getting married and God may use it to set a foundation for their marriage. In more recent days, I’ve begun to take more of a fine art photographer, creating series with very distinct themes and messages. Art in itself is a language; a way of communicating. I must be aware of and intentional about what my work is saying. I can also use this towards my mission, by communicating that which is of the Kingdom. There are many ways I could use my career for the purpose of Christ’s kingdom.
I’ll guarantee that--if you apply yourself and ask God for guidance, you’ll find a way to be on mission regardless of what you do. Whether you’re a salesman, business man, architect, truck driver, or plumber, you can find ways to glorify God. When you wake up in the morning, offer yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Ask God each day how your attitude and actions can proclaim Christ at work. The biggest impact that your career can have on people is you. You are a light in the world. You are God’s temple. You are the salt of the earth. The way you interact with people, the way you carry yourself, and the words you say are the most impactful thing about your career. So don’t you dare think that just because your not overseas, you’re not on mission. We live in a fallen world and that includes the one right outside our door.
I implore you brothers and sisters to be men and women driven by the kingdom’s purpose. He wouldn’t have commanded you to glorify Him in all you do (Col 3:17, 23) if it wasn’t possible. Ask God and seek out how you can live on mission in every aspect of your life. The next step is doing. “Glorify” is a verb. “Love” is a verb. “Go” is a verb. “Witness” is a verb. Being on mission is a lifestyle of action and the time to start is today.
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Thanks for sharing this with us, David! This came at a perfect time for me, too, since I am currently trying to decide on whether or not I should write YA fiction in the secular market as well.
For more information about David Wahlman's photography, be sure to check out his website here.
Readers: Do you think it's possible to turn any career and everyday life into a ministry? How could you, a teenager or student, follow this example in your school? Please share your thoughts below!
When I was a young teen, I had a strong desire to reach my fullest potential. I wanted to grow up. I wanted to experience all the plans that God had for me, to mature in my relationship with Him, and become all that He has called me to be.
The thing I failed to realize was that the waiting and growing seasons must take place before I could reach my fullest potential and experience all that God has for me.
If you’re going through a hardship or you’re eager to grow up, as I was, keep in mind that God knows what you’re going through.
This is only a planting season.
And just as a farmer cannot receive a harvest until he first sows, we cannot receive all that God has for us until we first go through the planting, waiting seasons. {Continue reading}
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Would you like to start a Purple Moon party?!
If you get together with at least four of your friends to read my book, let me know and we can put together a Purple Moon party!
Send you a free autographed book for you or your friend
Email you a free PDF which will instruct you on how to throw a Purple Moon party by providing certain snacks, coffee, and chocolate. It will also include fun activities you can do with your friends at the party, such as creating a prediction of how you think the rest of the series will go, creating your own dream school or coffee shop, instructions on how to make a Luna Bonita Latte and a sleeping mask, etc.!
I will also be willing to chat with you girls via Skype! In this session, we will discuss the Reader's Group Guide which can be found in the back of the book. You will then have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Interested? Email me at christiswrite (at) gmail (dot) com. =)
There's a new video that's been circulating around the internet recently that has completely touched my heart. It's the story of Ian and Larissa. How God can turn a tragic and sudden disability into a story that magnifies his love. I encourage you to watch the video below:
The Story of Ian and Larissa
There has been many situations to take place in my life (though definitely not anything as tragic as this story) that has left me filled with questions. I'm sure many of you have felt the same way also. A grandparent passes away. Your boyfriend breaks up with you. Your dad loses his job.
And it's left you devastated. You don't understand why it had to happen, how it could possibly be God's best for you. Because even though God is the author of life, we sometimes like to think that we could write the story better if the pen was in our hands instead.
For example, something tragic - like your boyfriend being involved in an accident that will affect his future forever - is definitely not something any of us have in mind when we think of our future. Isn't God supposed to bless his children? Because he loves us and wants us to always be happy?
Those are big lies that the enemy places in our minds so that once something does happen, we tend to think negatively about God. First of all, our circumstances should never define our happiness. And what we go through does not reflect God's love - or lack of - love for us.
But we still don't understand. Something like this happens to us and we're filled with questions, filled with doubt. Our trust in God diminishes as it's replaced with anger, frustration and pain.
One thing that's inspired me with this story of Ian and Larissa is Larissa's attitude. Of course, I'm sure she's gone through times when she just can't understand how this could possibly be what God had planned for her and Ian. Times when she just wishes things were the way they were before the accident. But she knows that she can't allow herself to continue asking those questions. Notice how she didn't let what happened to hold her back from marrying the man she loved or cause herself to remain drowned in self-pity. Because she knew that ultimately, there wasn't anything she could do to go back in time and change what's happened. So she made the decision, despite the confusion and pain, to trust that God has a purpose for this.
On Larissa and Ian's blog Pray For Ian, Romans 8:28 is mentioned several times:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
This is a great scripture to remember while going through a trial. Don't forget all the prayers that God has answered. No matter how bad a situation is, it could always be worse. Andknow that He is faithful to bring this to competition. The story isn't over yet.
In the end, we'll learn that every test and every season that took place in our lives was all part of the story that God had in mind for us from the very beginning. Right now, we don't know why things may be happening to us. But we can remember that God never said this life would be perfect. He did say, however, that he would be with us through it all and never forsake us. We can learn through the hard times how to grow stronger in Him. Eventually, we'll understand. Eventually, we'll see how everything in our lives came down to one thing: to glorify God. And that's the only thing that matters.
"I would do this (disability) all over again if I knew it would affect this many people. God is glorious."
This also reminds me of Bethany Hamilton's story. A tragic accident that could've taken a thirteen-year-olds life affected her future forever. After her arm was bitten off by a shark, Bethany could've lived the rest of her life in self-pity. But instead, she got back up and didn't allow what happened to her to hold her back from her dreams. Sure, she also had times when she was probably wondering why this had to happen to her, wishing that it didn't. But she knew that through it all, she was growing closer to God. And through it all, her story has also affected many people. Now both Ian and Bethany Hamilton have said that they wouldn't change what's happened to them. Why? Because they understand the main purpose behind what happened to them. To touch lives. To give God glory.
So back to the question: why do bad things happen to good people?
We aren't going to know all the answers right now, but we can remember this: there is a reason. It's about your perspective, whether or not you're willing to learn what God's trying to teach you through the trial and continue on with your life, or allow it to hold you back and cause yourself to be angry at God - drawing you farther away from him. And in turn causing your life to be even more miserable.
Keep your eyes focused on the positive. Make a wall of thankfulness if you have to. Focus and trust in Him, reminding yourself that God is with you and he promises to never let go of your hand. No matter what your temporary struggles may look like.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
~Genesis 50:20
"I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."
