Latest Blog Posts

Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | August 30, 2013

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

Last month my pastor shared a message about how to experience the great life God intended for us. One of the points he made was that in our culture and our own humanness, we try to make God like us. But in order to experience the life He has for us, we have to be like Him.

1.  Think like Jesus.

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Be a Duck! By Guest Blogger, Jennifer Mersberger

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By Vonda Skelton | August 29, 2013

Today is the 5th Thursday, and that means you’re in for a treat! Please welcome my friend Jennifer Mersberger to The Christian Writer’s Den. (Loud applause inserted here)…

Be a Duck! by Jennifer Merberger

I know you’re having a hard time, but you’ve got to be a duck. Ducks are calm and cool as they float across the water, but underneath they are kicking like crazy!

My dad gives some great advice. This one saying has reminded me to do things even if I was afraid, taught me to have confidence in myself, and reminded me that I would never get where I wanted to go without making the effort. People may look like they’ve got it all together, but deep down they’re kicking like crazy – just like me!

I’m not suggesting you pretend everything’s great while you suffer in secret. I’m suggesting the grace God lavishes on us allows us to function in the midst of difficulty. God equips us to be a D.U.C.K.

Discern what to say

Not everyone needs to know your business. This may seem to go against the idea of being transparent, but stay with me for a minute. God wants us to be genuine and show His love for others through the things we do and say. He doesn’t say we need to air our laundry out to everyone we talk to. God refines us moment by moment. Some of His lessons are meant to share while others are meant just for you. He knows exactly what tool to use to create His masterpiece.

Understand your purpose

Ducks are content to hang out in the pond with their duck friends, catch bread thrown by people on an afternoon outing to the park, and bask in the beauty of their surroundings. They are not focused on climbing the ladder of accomplishment or busying themselves with worldly things. While we may not have been created to hang out in the local pond, we have been created for one purpose – to glorify God. He uses each of us in a different way, but just like the ducks, we are all here for the same reason.

Choose not to be offended

I’m going to be honest with you, I struggle with this concept. Like water rolls off a duck’s back, we can choose to let offenses roll of us. Just because someone intends to hurt our feelings or make us feel bad, it doesn’t mean we have to allow them to. We have the power to forgive them and let their offense roll off our back. People can only steal your joy when you let them.

Keep kicking!

Life is in session and we need to be actively participating. Ducks get where they want to go by kicking their little legs until they get there. Are you still kicking? Or are you drifting along waiting to see what’s around the next bend? God intends for us to actively participate in our lives. We’re not here by chance; we’re here to glorify Him. That doesn’t happen by accident! God speaks to our hearts and directs us where to go, but we have to do some ‘leg work’.

Sometimes the simplest words of advice can be the most profound. Thanks to my dad, I grew up being a duck. Hopefully you’ll be one too. See you in the pond!

Be blessed,

Jennifer

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:3

BIO: Jennifer Mersberger is an Amazon Top 15 Christian Author, speaker, and founder of Lamplight Ministry. With a unique perspective and sense of humor, Jennifer’s weekly blog will inspire you to see God in the Everyday.  Be sure and check out her most recent Bible study, One Size Fits All: How to Wear God’s Word. Get to know Jennifer at Connect with her on Facebook at or on Twitter

(Photo courtesy of MathiasG/MrWallpaper.com)

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Interview and Book Give-Away with Author and Speaker Elaine W. Miller

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By Vonda Skelton | August 27, 2013

What a joy to introduce my guest today, my friend and fellow AWSA sister, Elaine Miller. Be sure to read her bio below, but let me tell you right now she’s a writer and speaker and author of three books, so when she speaks, I think we should all listen. 🙂

And friends, don’t forget to leave a comment and you’ll be in the drawing for a free book! (Thanks, Elaine!)

Okay, let’s jump right in. Elaine, you’re the author of three books. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I never planned to be an author. Writing a book was not on my bucket list. Psalm 102:18 says, “Let this be written for a future generation so that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” So, I wrote journals of my spiritual journey, hoping one day a future generation will praise the Lord!  In my 50’s, I heard

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | August 23, 2013

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m doing Shannon Mullins‘ online Bible study again this year. It’s called Living Power Online Bible Study, and I loved it so much last year, there was no doubt I was going to do it again this year. It’s a chronological study of the entire Bible, with daily chronological reading and then a 10-15 minute video where Shannon shares additional information, explanation, and insight. Since starting this study 20 months ago, I’ve learned more about the Bible than I had learned in my previous 30 years as a Christian! I’m serious.

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Writer’s Headlines: Writing Conferences & Don’t Forget to MoGo7000!

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By Vonda Skelton | August 22, 2013

Today’s the 4th Thursday and time to look at upcoming conferences!

If you’re serious about writing, filmmaking, or creative arts, you need to be serious about learning your craft. Writers conferences are a great place to learn, regardless of your experience. And so are other conferences. Be sure to check them all out and find the ones that best fit your needs.

1.  Catch the Wave Writers Conference: August 22-24, 2013, Atlanta area, GA

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Contraction & Spelling Errors That Can Doom Your Submission

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By Vonda Skelton | August 20, 2013

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos/aopsan

A few years ago my 12-year-old granddaughter and I were behind a van with this slogan painted on the back window: “Customer Service at It’s Best.” Being the good grandmother that I am, I pointed out the mistake and proceeded to explain why the slogan was incorrect. She didn’t want to hear my wise counsel…until I said that little apostrophe could be the difference between getting a job and not getting one, whether she wanted to be a writer, a teacher, or a CEO.

She didn’t believe me, but it’s true…especially in writing.

If you’ve been reading this blog any length of time, you’ve heard me say that editors are becoming more and more discriminating. When I first started writing, instructors told us we had a chapter to get the editors’ attention. Then it became five pages. Then one page. Then one paragraph.

Now, many editors say we have one sentence. Ugh.

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | August 16, 2013

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

Can it really be Friday again…already? Where does the time go?

As I reflect on this past week and all it entailed, I’m reminded again of how powerful our God is. Over and over this week, I heard from people who detailed to me the steps God took them through–sometimes through hardships and pain, other times through joy and peace–to reach the place they were now. The place they were supposed to be.

Again and again I heard the same refrain, “If this hadn’t happened, then I wouldn’t have done this. And if I hadn’t had to do that, I would have never considered doing this.” Many were related to ministry opportunities and relationships. Some were jobs and transitions.

But each time, the sharer could point to God at work in their lives to orchestrate His perfect will to bring them to this point..Just as 2 Samuel confirms:

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 NIV

When Gary lost his job in a corporate downsizing, we had no idea what God had in store for us. Now, these years later, my husband gladly shares how God was a shield for us as we took refuge in Him. His way was perfect, and even though it might have seemed impossible at the time, He worked everything out step-by-step to bring us to this place in our lives.

And for that, we give Him glory.

If you’ve struggled this week, had a disappointment, suffered a loss, and can’t understand what’s happening, just remember, God does have a plan for each of our lives. And He will take us step-by-step to through the experiences we need in order to get us to where He wants us to be.

Because His way is perfect and His Word is flawless.

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

Vonda

(Photo courtesy of )

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Writer’s Headlines: Writing Opportunities

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By Vonda Skelton | August 15, 2013

Yes, it’s that time again. Time for writing opportunities to help you on your writing journey!

And please don’t forget to let me know if you get a publication from anything I post. We’d love to celebrate it with you in the Kudos!

We’ll start with a couple of special opportunities.

1.  A Cover Story and a Contest: My friend, author Ellen Kennedy, is running a photo contest for her next book cover. If you like photography, you’ll want to check this out!

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Are You a Roaring Lamb?

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By Vonda Skelton | August 13, 2013

The term “life-changing” is overused in today’s world. But today I have to say it: I’m in the middle of reading a life-changing book. For real.

A few weeks ago I received a gift from my friend, Janelle Woodyard. It’s a copy of the book, Roaring Lambs, by the late Bob Briner. I was in the middle of a deadline at the time and couldn’t start reading right then. But last week, I finally got a chance to pick it up…and now it’s hard to put it down!

Published in 1993 by Zondervan, Briner’s Roaring Lambs challenges all Christians, but especially those in the arts, to get out of the Christian world and get into the secular one. He says that we do a good job in our churches, in Christian schools and colleges, in Christian publishing, in Christian bookstores, and Christian television.

But then he goes on to say:

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | August 9, 2013

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

I read a ministry newsletter today that talked about what God thinks about the children their ministry serves. The focus on their latest visit was to use every opportunity to encourage the children with the words God uses to describe them.

This led me to do my own research, and what an encouragement it was! God’s Word say I am. The list went on and on, way more than I could list here.

But I want to encourage you with the very words God uses to describe us. He says I am:

  • A child of God
  • A friend of Jesus
  • A fellow heir with Christ
  • Not a slave
  • Accepted
  • A temple of the Holy Spirit
  • A new creation
  • Blessed with every spiritual blessing
  • Redeemed
  • Forgiven
  • Set free
  • Loved

And so much more.

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4 NIV

He delights in me. And he delights in you.

We are loved.

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

Vonda

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