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Which Side of the Coin? by Guest Blogger Ray Simmons

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By Vonda Skelton | September 28, 2009

raysimmonsphoto2This is the fifth Tuesday of the month–Guest Blogger Day. Please join me in welcoming Ray Simmons. Ray resides in the Atlanta area with his wife, author Cynthia L. Simmons. He holds a BBA in business with an emphasis in accounting from University of GA and works as Chief Financial Officer for SEI/Aarons. At Grace Community Church he serves as both elder and Bible teacher. He writes poetry and studies Hebrew, Greek, and philosophy. He and Cynthia have five children. Together, Ray and Cynthia offer a weekly tea party for friends or acquaintances who have questions in apologetics, philosophy, Scripture, or politics. In February of 2008 Ray was diagnosed with encephalitis. As a result of the infection he has experienced significant brain damage. While he still recovers from the impact of his illness, doctors are amazed at his recovery.

Ray admits his life has changed. But in this letter to the Elders of his church, Ray shares the joy of knowing God has blessed him, even through this trial. We could all learn a lesson from Ray.

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Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

My life has changed.

A small example: I could not go to a newly married friend's party today. He, and later, his fiancé attended our tea party several Tuesday nights. They made themselves well known and cared for by our family and friends. But instead of going to his party, I must rest on Saturdays so I can teach at church on Sundays; rest Sunday afternoon and evening, so I can work the following week.

The blame for this is the 1 in 500,000 chance that a common virus, infecting millions of people in our country, would attack my brain. The attack triggered a fever, which would take a doctor 6 days to diagnose (only after a Grande mal seizure) and treat with the anti-viral drug, acyclovir. If a herpes simplex virus-1 brain-attack victim is not treated with acyclovir within four days of viral fever, their death or severe physical or mental disability is likely.

Though my brain damage, over 4cm by over 3cm in size in the left temporal lobe, with thousands of neurons destroyed, was consistent with the 6 days, the effective damage to my abilities was a miracle. The virus apparently picked the neurons that would have the least possible effect on me; a circumstance that can be called nothing but a miracle.

So, how should a person feel who was the one attacked in a life time when 499,999 people are not, and yet survived better than 99% of those who were also attacked? I can tell you that I felt singled out for attack…and miraculously prevented from nearly all possible injury.

When I look at the first side of the coin, I see an effect that was not caused by any choice that I made, nor any choice of any other human being on the face of the earth. It was a result of Adam's sin and the corruption of the world sin caused in general. I can not blame myself nor anyone I know. The only one left to blame is God who chose to allow it to happen to his servant, Ray. Why would He choose me? I see in myself disappointment and doubt.

I have to turn the coin over to look at the "other" side. When I look at it, I am full of thankfulness and faith. Who could have prevented my death or disability but God in his mercy? Who could have found reason to limit the damage but a God of grace? Who could have placed the damage of the brain at the exact point that would cause the least impact? If the damage had been 1cm to the right, left, up, or down, the impact would have been exponentially worse, from death to total disability. Who could have guided the virus to that exact spot? God Alone, Praise Be His Name!

With which side of that coin within my gaze should I now choose to live my life? By the Love of God, by the Father's Grace, by Christ's Redemption and Forgiveness, by the Holy Spirit's Power and Groaning, I choose the "other" side. If I had been disabled or killed, there still would be an "other" side. But my "other" side is wonderful right now.

So what results are coming out of this pain to me, my family, my friends, and my work?

People at Church say that I am much more passionate and persuasive in my teaching of God's word than I was.

People at Work say that I am more emotional in my interactions with bankers and auditors resulting in more respect and much better negotiating results than before.

At Home my wife sees a Husband who comes home from work exhausted with little left for her. Yet she gives me patience and support that is inexplicable apartraysimmonsphoto1 from God's grace and love in her. She has been the most wonderful wife I could imagine in such a circumstance. My children have seen both sides of the coin and have considered. They too continue to love me with miraculous love.

People at Tea Party see arguments for God's existence and way unchanged, unconditional love for them, and a miraculous ability to stay alert until past 11:00 in the evening.

So is it "good – on balance"? God never promised that it would be "good – on balance" over a year-and-a-half time period. Romans 8:28-30 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." I know that I, my soul, w
ill be in a glorified, eternal body after the resurrection; that I will be with my family, my church, and my friends that are fellow believers in Christ, also clothed in their resurrection bodies; that I will experience no pain, disappointment, or death; that, above all, I will stand in the holy, glorious presence of the Most High God clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit and fully experience the pleasure of Abba! Father!

For Him,

Ray

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mysonjohncover The winner of Kathi Macias' book is… 

Cherise Bopape! Congratulations, Cherise! Just send me your mailing address and Kathi's book, My Son, John, will be in the mail to you!trainofthoughtmethod

Thank you all for your kind comments and encouraging words for Kathi and me. They brightened our days this week! And if you'd like your own copy of Kathi's new book, My Son, John, or her book on writing, The Train-0f-Thought Writing Method, just click on the links!

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And Here's Winner Number Two!!!

Ann Wayne is the winner of the FREE copy of Opportunities for Christian Writers, the first audio offering in my new Writer's Workshop. When I notified Ann that she'd won the prize, she said she was listening to the download at that very moment…while sewing curtains…as her grandson slept! Now, how's that for taking classes without leaving home??

It's easy to have your own writer's workshop. Simply download the teaching, along with the handout (which includes the resources) and listen at your convenience. Follow the suggestions and you could be on your way to seeing your name in print! 

More classes coming soon!

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Upcoming October events in your area…

  • Southern Christian Women's Conference, October 10, Plymouth, NC. Want to spend the day with southern sisters, laughing and celebrating the Lord? Then you won't want to miss this fun event! I'll be joining Deborah Dunn, author of Stupid About Men, and Julie Morris, author of Guided by Him weight loss program. And don't worry if you weren't born in the south, after all, being a Southerner is really just a state of mind! 😉 But act fast–the deadline is October 5.
  • LifeBridges Conference, October 23-24, Day 3 Church, Granite Falls, NC. I'll be joining Mrs. Rachel Lee Carter, Mrs. North Carolina for a life-changing weekend. Only $20 for the entire event! I'd love to see you there! (When you visit the site, I'm the one WITHOUT the crown…) 😉

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Music to work, rest, or worship by…soakingnet

If you haven't already, I hope you'll check out Soaking.Net. It is some of the most beautiful, inspiring, peaceful music I've ever heard. I turn it on every time I work at my computer or in my office (For your convenience, I always have a direct link on the right side of my Home Page). Just hearing the first notes of the first song calms my spirit and gets me focused on the task at hand, whether it's work, rest, or worship. You can even open it and leave it running, regardless of what you're doing. I set mine to continually repeat the entire cycle, allowing it to run in the background of my mind and my hearing all day long. Thank you to Andre Lefebvre for allowing me to link my site to his beautiful music. What a blessing!

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Do you get weary? Tired of the demands on your life? Tired of the hardships, the struggles of living and working in a fallen world? I know I sometimes do. But it's at those times that God often sends encouragement and help in the form of a friend. He did that for Paul, too.

When we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn–conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.                       2 Corinthians 7:5-6

If you're weary this week, I ask the Father to send a Titus to comfort, encourage, and help you. And if you're not weary, I hope you'll look for an opportunity to be a Titus to someone else. We need each other.

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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Author Interview and Book Give Away with Kathi Macias

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By Vonda Skelton | September 22, 2009

Imagine the horror of being told your mother has been murdered. Now imagine discovering your son committed the crime. That's the premise of Kathi Macias' latest novel, My Son, John.

I'm honored to have Kathi with me today as she shares her writing wisdom with us. Don't forget to leave a comment and you'll be in the drawing for a free copy of her book!

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. She is a popular speaker at churches, women's clubs and retreats, and writers' conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi "Easy Writer" Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley. To learn more about Kathi and her books, be sure to visit her website and her blog.

Vonda: Welcome, Kathi. I just finished reading your latest novel, My Son John, and was intrigued by the concept. Tell us about that.

Kathi: My Son, John (Sheaf House, 2009) was twenty years in the research/writing/publishing stage. I first thought of it in a slightly different context, when AIDS was just beginning to be talked about here in this country. The original story was to be about a young man who gets AIDS, and it would be his family's first revelation of his homosexual lifestyle. The message was the same then as it is now, with the need for unconditional love and forgiveness running throughout the story. However, I was unable to find a publisher. Christian publishers thought it was too edgy, while secular publishers thought it was too religious. When I got it out and dusted it off a couple of years ago, my publisher and I agreed it needed a "facelift." We maintained the thread/theme of unconditional love and forgiveness, but the story changed to a woman whose mother is murdered-and then her son is arrested for the crime. My many years of serving in jail and prison ministries had a great impact on the telling of the story.

Vonda: People always ask me this question, so I'll ask you: Where do you get the ideas for your novels?

Kathi: I have tons of ideas; the problem is deciding which are worth pursuing. Some stand the test of time and prayer; others don't, and that's all right. With My Son, John, the desire to tell the basic story never left me, but the details of the story got tweaked over the years. I usually have a starting point and a desired end, but sometimes the "in between" gets changed around a bit.

Vonda: Tell us how you come up with characters for your books.

Kathi: All my stories are character-driven, meaning that the storyline unfolds through their lives. Some authors write plot-driven stories, adding characters to make the plot happen. Characters are paramount to my stories, as I want my readers to identify with them, to care what happens to them, to feel what they feel and think what they think, to the point that they nearly experience what they experience. My experience in drama classes helps me develop three-dimensional characters that breathe; I spend a lot of time on that aspect of my books. If the characters aren't believable to me, they won't be to others either.

Vonda: With which character do you identify most and why?mysonjohncover

Kathi: Though I've never had to go through what Liz experiences in My Son, John, I relate most to her, as I know what it's like to pray for a prodigal and, at times, to despair that he/she will ever return to the fold. A mother's heart is fertile fodder for all sorts of writing!

Vonda: How did you get involved in writing?

Kathi: I've always been a dyed-in-the-wool bookworm. Put words in front of me-whether on a book page, a newspaper, or a cereal box-and I start reading them. I wrote a story in the third grade, and the teacher and principal liked it so well they turned it into a play for the PTA. I was hooked! I won lots of awards for my writing during junior/senior high, and when we were teenagers, I told my then boyfriend (now husband) that I was going to be a writer some day. It took several years to break into print, but it finally happened, and he still reminds me of that.

Vonda: Of the books you've written, which is your favorite and why?

Kathi: This is tough, because my favorite is usually whichever book I'm working on at the time. Seriously, though, of my books released to date, My Son, John is my favorite fiction work, and Beyond Me is my favorite nonfiction, though there are others that run close seconds in both categories. And the novel I completed earlier this year for early 2010 release, No Greater Love (set in South Africa), is dangerously close to displacing My Son, John as my favorite fiction accomplishment. Why? My Son, John and No Greater Love have such a deep, underlying message of self-sacrificing love; as a result, you can't help but see Jesus in the midst of them. As for Beyond Me, the subtitle says it all: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World. Beyond-Me living is at the heart of everything I write/speak/teach/preach. It is, I believe, the life God has called us all as believers to model every day. As of January 1, 2010, we will officially be dba "Beyond Me Ministries."

Vonda: What are you currently writing?

Kathi: I just finished book two (More Than Conquerors, set in Mexico) and am working on book three of the
"Extreme Devotion" series for New Hope Publishers (their first-ever venture into fiction), called Red Ink and set in China. It will follow on the heels of No Greater Love and More Than Conquerors; book four, People of the Book, takes place in Saudi Arabia. I also just completed working on a stand-alone historical novel with my co-author, Susan Wales, (First Allegiance, for Abingdon Press). All five of these novels will release between early 2010 and early 2011. I also have another fiction series following right behind those five, but they still need to be researched/written.

Vonda: Wow, God is truly blessing your efforts at this stage of your career! But I know the blessings came only after years of hard work. Do you have any words of encouragement for those who are still waiting for publication?

Kathi: Oh yes! For those of you just beginning on this awesome journey of writing, may I remind you that every successful venture begins with a tiny step of obedience–and in God's economy, no effort to serve Him is small. So take that first step and watch with joyous anticipation at how God will multiply it for His glory!

Vonda: Thank you, dear friend, for joining us today and giving us a peek into your writing journey. I know many will be encouraged by your story.

Now readers, don't forget to leave a comment for Kathi or me and you'll automatically be in the drawing for a free copy of My Son, John.

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grabbinghandsThe Writer's Workshop is Now Open! (And you can win a free class!)

Have you ever wished you could take my classes from the comfort of your own home? Well, now you can! The first class, Opportunities for Christian Writers, is now ready for download! Price includes MP3 download, handouts, and resources for writers.

And, to celebrate the grand opening of The Writer's Workshop, the first person to order a class will get a full rebate! If you're the first "class attendee" to sign up for a class, I'll send you a check for a full refund! (PayPal notifies me as orders come in.)

After ordering, the website will open to a download page for all the materials. Be sure to remember where you save them!

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There will be TWO winners this week! Don't forget to leave a comment and order your workshop–and you could win big this week!

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Thank you, my friends, for joining with me on this writing journey. It's an honor and a privilege to partner with you to bring worthy words to the world.

I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.                Philippians 1:3-6

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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Writing Opportunities for YOU!

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By Vonda Skelton | September 14, 2009

Since I'm on the road this week in the great state of Texas, today's entry will get right to the point: Writing Opportunities.

Regardless of the economy, editors are looking for writers. They're looking for writers who can create well-written, professional material that is in the correct format, falls within the word count, and meets the deadline. Your ability to meet and exceed those expectations raises you above the masses and increases your chances of publication. 

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Here are this month's writing opportunities. Happy writing!

1.    Centered Magazine, a men's collegiate magazine, is always looking for excellent freelance writers who can write on topics of interest to college-age men. For editorial calendar and details, contact Managing Editor Edie Melson through the website.

2.    Rejoice Magazine, a multicultural magazine whose goal is to unify the body of Christ, is open to submissions up to 500 words.

3.    The editors of Ultimate Christian Living are looking for personal, true stories about Christians whose lives have been impacted by their faith. Deadline submissions has been extended to October 19.

4.    LIVE, a weekly take-home story paper for adults, is open to freelancers who can write stories that apply biblical principles to everyday problems. Guidelines here.

5.    Light from the World and VISTA are Wesleyan Publishing House publications for adults of all ages. Writer's guidelines here. (Scroll down to Periodicals)

6.    Today's Pentecostal Evangel is open to freelancers, but most articles are done by assignment. Be sure to follow instructions to increase your chances for publication.

7.    Sew News wants articles and project ideas from you.

8.    HeartLand Boating publishes articles about-of all things-boating!  

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Writing conference opportunities:

1.    Atlanta, GA area: Seminar for all nonfiction and creative nonfiction writers Saturday, September 26, 2009, 1:00 – 5:00, $99, Contact Bobbie Christmas for more information.

2.    CLASS Christian Writers Conference, November 4-8, Abiquiu, NM. Scholarships available!

3.    Carolina Christian Writer's Workshop, October 23-24, Anderson, SC

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Upcoming women's events: I'll be there and would love to see you!

1.    Capture Me Women's Conference, September 18-20, Woodlake, TX. Call Robin Bryce for last minute registration. It's not too late! Saturday-only option available.

2.    Calvary Baptist Church Women's event, September 25-26, Jesup, GA.

3.    Southern Christian Women's Conference, October 10, Plymouth, NC.

4.    Day3 Church LifeBridges Conference, October 23-24, Granite Falls, NC.

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And this week, as we seek His will for our writing, let's listen to the words of Paul as he challenged the church at Corinth:

Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.         Romans 13: 11

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda

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Money in My Mailbox

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By Vonda Skelton | September 7, 2009

Last week I walked out the door to the mailbox. I came back in $25 richer. It was the second time I had gotten free money.

Well, maybe not totally free, but almost.

A couple of years ago, I had found a magazine that was looking for reprints. So I quickly dashed off an email, attached several previously-published articles, and clicked SEND. End of story. Or so I thought.

About a year later, I went to the mailbox and low and behold, there was a check for $25 for a reprint of one of the articles I had sent. I wrote and thanked the editor and received a nice reply. I never heard anything more.

And then it happened again! Last week, I received another check for $25, and I hadn't done a thing!

It made me realize I'd been missing the opportunity to make extra money by selling reprints. Now I admit, twenty-five dollars isn't much. But when we multiply it by 20 or 30 articles or more, it could make for a nice chunk of change…with very little effort.

I'm the first to admit, I didn't handle any of this well. For one thing, I had a lackadaisical attitude about the process. I didn't follow up consistently or keep records of what I'd sent out. I never discussed fees or signed a contract. But even though I didn't do the process well, I learned from the experience, and it helped me realize the potential for reprint income.  

So, if you have some published articles taking up space in your computer, get them out, dust them off, and give them new life! Here's how to get started:

1.    Check your original contract. When you first sold the article, you should have received a contract. If you didn't, I'd suggest you work with contracts for future articles. If your contract states it's a Work for Hire or if you sold All Rights, you are not able to sell reprints. There may be other cases, too, but those are ones I know about. (Remember, I'm not an attorney.) Most magazine contracts I sign are for First Rights, sometimes with a qualifier that I can sell reprints three months after publication. Bottom line: check your contract for details.

2.    Review your article for outdated information. Since many of my articles are health-related, I always want to check for updated studies or recommendations. Of course, many topics are not time-sensitive, but you'll want to check to be sure.

3.    Use the Writer's Market Guide or the Christian Writer's Market Guide to find magazines that purchase reprints. You can also look at online writer's guidelines to see if they mention reprints.

4.    Agree on a fee. If an editor is interested, be sure you know how much you'll be getting for the article. Some places will pay half what you originally sold the article for, but others simply have a flat fee for reprint rights.

5.    Choose your market carefully. Understand that you can sell reprint rights over and over, but you'll want to be sure to report where the piece has been preciously published. Some editors are reluctant to purchase an article that's already appeared in another magazine targeting the same audience.

6.    Keep records of your submissions and follow up as you would with any other submission. Thankfully, this editor was honest and sent me the checks, even though I'd probably never know the articles had been reprinted.

So there you have it, a quick, easy way to get free money! Well, maybe not free, but it's just about the closest thing we'll ever get to it!

(Envelopes and stamps photo courtesy of )

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Kudos!

Congratulations to these Christian Writer's Den readers who are getting things done and giving God the glory! Just look at how God is blessing this group!

1.    Robin Bryce (TX): Robin recently sold a story to LIVE, a take-home paper published by Gospel Publishing House. 

2.    Jeanne Styles (GA): In August, Jeanne Styles released the fourth book in her 4D Embroidery software workbook series. "Software Solutions: 4D Monogram" is available through Pfaff and Viking sewing stores. 

3.    Linda Butler (SC): Linda, a Certified Life Coach, recently had a poem published in Rejoice Magazine and previously had a story published in the anthology, Your Exceptional Life Begins Now. 

4.    Laura Sabin Cabanillas (AZ): Laura's new book, The ABC's of Character, has just been released. You can purchase your copy here.

5.    Linda Greer (SC): Linda's article, "Living Single with FMS: Advice from a Ten-Year Veteran," appeared in the August issue of Fibromyalgia Network e-newsletter.

6.    Kelli Regan (PA): Kelli's article, "The Most Unlikely Place," was published in August at the Christian Life Prison Ministry website.

7.    Mary Kaarto (TX): Mary's new book, Help for the Laid Off , has just been released. She has also launched a new email devotional, "Laid Off, Lifted UP!" You can find out more at her website.

8.    Lynn Nester (GA): Lynn will have a devotion published in Christian Devotions on September 14. 

9.    Cheryl Barker (KS): Cheryl's article, God Met with Me, will be published in the September 26th issue of War Cry. 

10.    Cynthia Simm
ons (GA): Cynthia was interviewed about her book, Struggles and Triumphs, and her testimony August 18 on Nite Line on WGGS TV in Greenville, SC.

11.    Colleen Luntzel (NC): Colleen has TWO articles published in the late summer issue of the glossy magazine, High Country Home.

What a joy to celebrate with each of you. I hope this is an encouragement to those out there reading who wonder if it could really happen to them. The answer is YES! And this list proves it!

Be sure to check back next week when I'll be posting writing opportunities. Who knows–maybe YOU'LL be on our next kudos list!

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It's Not Too Late…

…to join me at these upcoming events:

  • Keller, TX: North Texas Christian Writers Conference , Sept 11-12. Register here. 
  • Corsicana, TX: Cornerstone Baptist Church Women's Event, Sept 15.
  • Woodlake, TX: Capture Me! Women's Retreat, Sept 18-20. Here's the link, but call directly for limited space availability.
  • Jesup, GA: Calvary Baptist Church, Seeing Through the Lies Women's Conference, Sept 25-26.
  • Plymouth, NC: Southern Christian Women's Conference, Oct 10.

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As we seek to lead others to Him, let's pray the words of the Psalmist:

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. Psalm 119:27

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda

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