Category Archives: Spiritual Encouragement

The Father Forgives….

January 31, 2019Spiritual Encouragementassurance, don't be defined by your past., forgiveness, freedom, freedome, joy, live in joy, past mistakes, spiritual encouragementT.W. Allgaier

Don’t let your past write your future.

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy

Winter of the Soul

January 23, 2019Spiritual EncouragementChrist, Christian encouragement, discouraged, encouragement, encouragement in Christ, God's peace, God's word, Jesus, John 1, John 16, Lord, seasons, snow, spring, Trials, troubles in life, winterT.W. Allgaier

Winter is a season….sometimes of the Soul!

We’ve had very cold temps of late. My skin is dry, our heating bills are up. Our humidifier is running non-stop!

The only flowers I have seen of late are in plastic containers in the grocery store, but they are beautiful and fragrant.

The grass it is brown and tired. It has been frozen a number of times already and looks like it may never be green again. Falling on this ground would not be forgiving I am afraid.

There is one thing that never changes. It does not wither, fade or quit being useful. It stands forever and provides beauty, color, fragrance in our life. It does not fail. It has withstood many tests of oppression. It does not perish in any way. It cushions our blow, our fall, our jump.

What is this thing? Yes, it is the Word of God. And the Word of God is love.

There are so many people hurting today. They are dealing with death, cancer, illness of all kinds. We all have been there or will be there someday. I call these times the “winter of the soul”. But in this life we are not promised it will be easy. Jesus told us in John….“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So dear friends, be encouraged this day. It may be “winter”, but spring is right around the corner! Be on the lookout for those pink flowers!

~Be Encouraged Today

Tammy

Christian Authors and Fear

January 8, 2019Spiritual Encouragementcasting crowns, christian authors, Christian fiction, first time author, only Jesus, peace in the midst, self promotion, self publishing, steps to self publishingT.W. Allgaier

There is so much more to writing a book than I ever thought. This seems to be a little more the case when you are a self publisher.

1. Outline

2. Write

3. Proofread

4. Book Design

5. Edit

6. Proofread

7. Format

8. Format again

9. Create cover

10. Edit proofs

11. biography

12. author page

13. blurb

14. short description/keywords (if Amazon)

15. gather reviews

16. marketing/promotion

I am not even sure if that is a complete list. The hardest for me? Easy, 15 and 16.

As a writer of Christian fiction and non-fiction I realized something the other day at a book signing. Someone was encouraged, in fact I have learned that several have been and that is why I felt led to write. Do I appreciate being paid for my work/cost/shipping? Why of course…but I have had no expectations!

It is not “self promotion.” It is not gathering reviews for your fame.

As Casting Crowns sing in their song, “Only Jesus.”

If I believe that I am doing what I am suppose to do and that it was written to help and encourage others, then when I don’t promote it, who is that about? Me

I know my heart is in the right place and I trust Him.

Sometimes we just have to do something that makes our flesh “uncomfortable.” And our flesh is always revealing “feelings” and they sometimes take us away from the Truth.

So….it is Only Jesus.

~Be Encouraged Today~
Tammy