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Christian Authors Network News

April 2024 Edition

Friend,

Welcome to the Christian Authors newsletter! Our goal is to bless you with inspiration, tips, and opportunities for the next steps in your author journey.

Be sure to read all the way to the end so that you can make the most of the resources that were hand-picked to help you reach your goals.

Our April Theme: Creation Stewardship

This month, we will be focusing on the theme of “Creation Stewardship” by exploring God’s Creation. Through our Success Guide, we will learn who God is as a Creator, what the purpose of His Creation is, and how we can be good stewards of this earth.

Our Key Scripture for this month is from Genesis 1:28 and says, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Your Challenge: For this month's challenge, we're inviting you to step outside and experience the beauty of God's creation firsthand!

Take a moment to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature that surround you– whether it's a leisurely stroll through a local park, a hike along a scenic trail, or a moment of quiet reflection by a peaceful riverbank. As you venture outdoors, we encourage you to open your senses and your heart to the sights and sounds of God's handiwork around you.

We also encourage you to grab your camera (or phone) and document your adventure and share it with us over on our CAN Facebook group. Your shared experience can inspire others to connect with God this month through His creation!

April Success Guide

Throughout this month, we'll dive into God’s Creation—both the purpose of His creation and how we can be good stewards of it. In the April Success Guide, you’ll find tons of inspirational text and Scripture on creation stewardship, a 3-day prayer focus that will give you wisdom and guidance on how to be a good steward of His creation, the monthly challenge, and journaling prompts for further reflection on this theme.

One-Minute Devotional

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

-Genesis 1:26-31

In the very first book of the Bible, we witness the majestic act of creation unfold as God speaks the world into its very existence. With simple phrases, we see the separation of light and darkness, the creation of dry land and water, the formation of day and night. Then there’s vegetation and sea creatures and winged birds. And, finally, at its culmination, we see the creation of mankind, as described in Genesis 1:26.

Here, God declares His intention for the creation of humanity. It is to make mankind in His image and to give them dominion over the earth and all its creatures. This final act of creation underscores the very reason for creation itself—to demonstrate God's immense love for us and to bring Him the glory. And, because of His great love for us, God bestows upon us the privilege of stewarding His creation.

All throughout Scripture we read that creation belongs to God. It does not belong to mankind. Psalm 24:1 reaffirms this truth, declaring, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." We humans are merely the caretakers, entrusted by our loving Father, of His creation. Recognizing that creation ultimately belongs to God reminds us of our duty to honor and respect His handiwork. How we steward what has been given to us is how we express our ultimate love for God.

Our role as stewards of creation is a sacred calling to nurture and protect the environment and all that is in it. That includes plants, animals, the earth’s resources, etc. Just as God saw that His creation was good (Genesis 1:31), we are called to preserve its beauty and abundance for future generations as the world does not solely belong to us in the here and now.

Psalm 8:6-8 affirms our role as caretakers of creation, stating, "You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild." This divine commission urges us to exercise wisdom and responsibility over God's creation not only to ensure it flourishes but also that it is sustainable for generations to come.

As we fulfill our role as stewards of creation, let us continue to worship the Creator (and not His creation). Our reverence for God should be reflected in our care for His creation, acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty in all aspects of our stewardship endeavors. Let us embrace this calling with humility and reverence, honoring the Creator by caring for His marvelous handiwork and preserving the beauty and diversity of the world around us.

This Month’s Productivity Tip: Craft Your Distraction-Free Workspace

Creating a workspace designed for optimal focus is essential for productivity in a world filled with distractions. Start by decluttering and organizing your space. Position your desk in a well-lit area with minimal traffic. Minimize digital distractions by turning off notifications and blocking distracting websites. Personalize your space with elements that inspire you. Establish boundaries to protect your focused work time.

By intentionally designing a distraction-free workspace, you set yourself up for success, allowing you to dive deep into your work with unwavering focus and concentration. Embrace the power of your productivity oasis and watch as your efficiency and achievements soar to new heights.

Join Us for Monthly Prayer Time!

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Join us for our monthly Prayer Time. These are dedicated times to bring our concerns, worries, praise, and celebrations together to the Lord. Join us as we come together and spend time together in the presence of Jesus. We hope to explore together various types of prayer and devotion, such as contemplative prayer, lectio divina, listening prayer, immanuel moments, and more.

The April Prayer Time will be hosted on Facebook Live in the Christian Authors Network Facebook community at 8:30 AM ET on Friday, April 26th. We hope to see you there!

Publishing Secrets: Leading with Grace

Leading with Grace is a series where the light of faith intersects with the art of leadership, designed for Christian authors and thought leaders! This series is an expedition to the core of servant leadership as exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ. In this series, we uncover the seven leadership principles that can transform lives and the world, so you can be inspired to lead with a servant’s heart, uplift others through your words, and create ripples of positive change. So if you're ready to step into your role as a change maker — to pen not only stories, but legacies — then Leading with Grace is where your next chapter begins! Get ready for an awakening, a rebirth into leadership that serves, heals, and harbors the greatest purpose.

In the Publishing Secrets podcast, Coach Tam brings you behind-the-scenes insights and interviews with mission-driven authors and writers who were once paralyzed by fear. Each episode will leave you empowered, equipped, and excited to write, write, write! Before you know it, your book will be published and you’ll be well on your way to launching a career as a motivational speaker, teacher, and coach like you’ve always wanted. Tune in to Publishing Secrets and finally get moving in the direction of your dreams!

Publisher Spotlight: B&H Publishing Group

Are you searching for a publishing partner who shares your passion for spreading the message of faith and hope through the written word? B&H Publishing Group is committed to publishing impactful and inspiring Christian literature and is dedicated to helping authors like you bring your vision to life. Whether you're a seasoned writer or new to the publishing world, their experienced team is ready to support you every step of the way. Click the button below to explore B&H Publishing Group and learn more about their mission, values, and how they can help you share your story with the world.

ChristianAuthors.net Member Spotlight

Want to be featured here? Sign up for a free profile on ChristianAuthors.net, and you could be chosen for the monthly author spotlight!

Kaila Frierson

Kaila Frierson is a #1 Amazon best-selling author as well as the founder and CEO of Perfect Love Learning Company. She trains and coaches writers to become published authors, helping them turn their manuscripts into chart-topping books. Her first book, The Supernatural Power of Seeking God, became an Amazon bestseller in 2017. Her second book, Promise For The Wilderness, became the #1 New Release in 45-Minute Religion &; Spirituality Short Reads on Amazon the day it was released.