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Christian Authors Network News

May 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 May Theme: Sowing Seeds of Faith

This month, we will focus on the theme of “Sowing Seeds of Faith” by exploring the agricultural cycle of sowing and reaping. Through our Success Guide, we will learn how we sow and reap seeds as authors through our work, whether it be books or stories, and how to have faith that God will bring about a ripe harvest in due time. Together, we will discover that growth takes time and patience and that the reward comes to those who do not grow weary but remain steadfast in their faith and their labor.

Our Key Scripture for this month is from Matthew 13:31-32: “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Your Challenge: For this month's challenge, we're inviting you to participate in a guided devotional that will focus on “Sowing Seeds of Faith.”

Using the provided devotional resource, we’ll daily meditate on a different verse or passage that reminds us of the principle of starting small and trusting in God’s power to grow it into something bigger. We’ll allow these biblical truths to take root in our hearts through reflection and journaling.

May Success Guide

Throughout this month, we'll dive into the principles of sowing and reaping as we focus on our theme of “Sowing Seeds of Faith.”

In the May Success Guide, you’ll find tons of inspirational text and Scripture related to sowing seeds, a 7-day prayer focus that will give you daily direction and guidance, our monthly challenge, and journaling prompts for further reflection on this theme.

One-Minute Devotional

“And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

-Luke 8:4-15

In the above, well-known passage—known as The Parable of the Sower—Jesus explains how a heart responds to the Word of God using an example that would perhaps make a lot of sense in the context of the agrarian society that existed back then. Jesus likens the condition of the human heart to different types of soil and the seed to the Word. 

Some hearts are hardened, much like that of a walking path; others are shallow. And others still are consumed by the cares and riches of the world. And yet, there are hearts that are rich and fertile. The hardened hearts and the shallow hearts cannot produce any fruit as the seeds cannot even grow in these conditions. The hearts consumed by this world cannot produce fruit either because, even though the seed begins to grow, it’s easily choked out by the things of this world, be it money, fame, or status. But, the fertile hearts, oh yes, the fertile hearts… these produce a bountiful harvest because the seeds have all the right nutrients available to them to grow and mature.

That is how faith works. Our faith only grows in the context of a rich and fertile soil, which is produced by a heart that is open to God’s instruction and discipline through His Holy Word. Psalm 119:9-11 underscores the wisdom of this parable:

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

This passage reiterates the importance of storing up God’s Word in our hearts not only as a way of guarding oneself from sin but also to nurture and promote spiritual growth. It reminds us that the condition of our hearts profoundly impacts how we receive and respond to God's Word.

As we further reflect on the Parable of the Sower, we can look to James 1:33-35 for additional instruction. Here, we are urged to not just be hearers of God’s Word but also doers. Just like good soil receives the seed and produces good fruit, so our hearts should be receptive to God’s Word and then allow for it to take root through our actions so that we may truly bear good fruit in our lives.

Continuing with this theme, let us consider the words of Galatians 6:7-9, which emphasize the principle of sowing and reaping. Just as a farmer sows seeds with the expectation of a harvest, we are called to sow seeds of faith with the assurance that God will bring about a spiritual harvest in due time. This passage not only offers us encouragement but also serves as a good reminder that as we faithfully sow seeds, we will ultimately reap spiritual growth and added blessings from God.

As we meditate on the theme of sowing seeds of faith, let us examine our hearts today and consider the condition of our spiritual soil. Is our soil fertile and are our hearts receptive to God’s Word? Are we producing the fruits of our faith in our daily lives? Or, do we have hindrances in the soil of our hearts—anger, bitterness, jealousy, greed, etc.—that are preventing the Word from taking root and growing our faith?

Let’s prayerfully ask God to examine our hearts, indicate what the barriers are, and help us to remove them so we may become that good soil that is ready to receive God’s Word and act upon it to bear fruit for His glory and His kingdom. May we continue to sow seeds of faith with confidence as we put our trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He will bring about a rich and abundant harvest in His perfect timing.

This Month’s Productivity Tip: The 3-Second Rule

The 3-Second Rule is a simple productivity hack that helps you overcome procrastination and get started on tasks quickly. The premise is that if you have an action you know you should take, you must physically move and start it within 3 seconds of realizing the need to do it. This prevents your brain from getting bogged down with excuses, rationalizations, or distractions that derail your intentions.

For example, if you realize you need to do the dishes as soon as you think about it, you have 3 seconds to get up and start before hesitation sets in. The same applies to checking emails, making a call, or any other task—commit to action within 3 seconds while your motivation is still fresh.

By following the 3-Second Rule religiously, you short-circuit your brain's tendency to procrastinate. Over time, it creates a powerful habit of acting on your priorities instead of putting them off. It's a deceptively simple mental trick that can dramatically improve your focus and productivity.

Introducing the CAN Members Activation Workshop!

Are you ready to take your writing to the next level and connect with like-minded Christian authors? Join us for our exciting new Monthly Members Activation Workshop on Tuesday, May 14th at 7:00 PM ET! This interactive workshop is designed to help you practice your craft, collaborate with others, and make meaningful progress on your writing journey.

What to Expect:

• Dedicated time to work on the monthly member challenge

• Collaborate and connect with fellow Christian authors

• Share ideas and receive valuable feedback

• Engage in timed individual writing sessions

• Opportunity to share your work and receive support from the community

• Workshops will run for approximately 60-90 minutes

• Replays will be available for those unable to attend live

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grow as a Christian author and connect with your peers. Add the Monthly Members Activation Workshop to your calendar now, and make it a priority to attend. We encourage you to join us live, but if you can't make it, be sure to catch the replay and stay engaged with the community.

One participant from each month’s workshop will be selected to record a motivational message for our members, inspired by the monthly challenge. This is an incredible opportunity to gain exposure, showcase your work, and promote your book to a wider audience of engaged Christian readers and authors!

How to Participate:

Joining the Monthly Members Activation Workshop is easy – simply show up! We encourage you to attend live to get the most out of the experience, but if you can't make it, the replay will be available for you to catch up and stay connected with the community. Registration is preferred, but not required.

We can't wait to see you there and witness the incredible work God will do through this community!

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 May Prayer Time will be hosted on Facebook Live in the Christian Authors Network Facebook community at 8:30 AM ET on Friday, May 31st. We hope to see you there!

The Beacon Show

On The Beacon Show, host Tamara "Tam" Jackson empowers you to unite your faith and influence for transformative impact. Each week, Tamara brings you powerful conversations with True Beacons—Christian leaders illuminating the world on a global scale.

Through biblical wisdom and practical strategies, you'll learn how to boldly pursue your purpose, navigate the complexities of your role, and become a beacon of light in your sphere of influence. Join Tamara on this transformative journey, where wisdom meets faith and success finds its voice. Subscribe now and join the Beaconship movement, illuminating the world one leader at a time.

Publisher Spotlight: William Carrey Publishing

Embark on a Journey of Faith and Discovery with Mission Books from William Carrey Publishing. Their mission is to publish transformative literature that inspires, challenges, and equips readers to make a difference in the world. With a diverse range of titles exploring missions, theology, and Christian living, they are your trusted companion on the path of spiritual growth and service. WCP has published over 500 titles and sold over one million mission-related books. Check their website for more information.

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!

Bobi Gentry Goodwin

Bobi Gentry Goodwin is a flawed yet forgiven author, bible study teacher, therapist, and blogger. As a native San Franciscan, the Bay Area was where she first discovered her love for people and their stories. She has held a passion for writing since early childhood, and as a clinical social worker her mission field has been working with women and children. She is a wife, mother, and an avid member of her local church. She enjoys tea, hot showers, and living out loud.