Afleveringen

  • Happy In Hiddenness

    1 Samuel 16:1-13

    v.4 – It was quite a shock to the Bethlehem elders that Samuel came to their town. They assumed something was wrong.

    v.6-7 – Even Samuel was enamored with Jesse’s oldest son Eliab. But God wasn’t impressed. He was looking at hidden traits, not outward superficial data.

    David wasn’t even an option. He was out in the fields tending sheep and goats – a low-level job. Example of my Ray’s Food Place job in high school. Stocking shelves in the back room at minimum wage ($3.85/hr)

    Many of you are tending sheep & goats in this season. You’re living the hidden life and quietly honing your rock-slinging skills, practicing the harp, stringing words together, wondering if they’re even going to see the light of day.

    Here are a few people who can relate: Joseph waiting 13 years from the time he was sold into slavery to getting his call to serve in the Palace of Pharaoh. Moses tending sheep for 40 years before encountering God in the burning bush, Jesus and his hidden years of serving in the family carpentry business between age 12 and 30.

    Karate Kid – Daniel learning the mundane, seemingly pointless tasks from Mr. Miyagi.

    Runners toiling away in the winter putting in miles in hiddenness. It was always interesting to find out who had been putting in the work when some of the Spring races began.

    David was cultivating his gifts in hiddenness. He had no idea what the Lord would do in his life and the positions he would be called to. He was most likely 14 or 15 years old when he was anointed by Samuel to be king in the presence of his father and older brothers.

    But guess where he went right after being anointed? Back to the fields, tending sheep and goats. How difficult would that be for us?

    It would be at least 15 years before he took the throne at age 30. In those years, David was in the school of trials, turmoil, and testing.

    Many of us want the throne without the trials and testing. But it’s in these hidden years that the Lord does His best work is us.

    Is God enough for us? We see that David was known as a man after God’s own heart. I believe he was enjoying and cultivating that heart after God during his hidden years
even before being anointed as Israel’s future king.

    If God sees fit, He will anoint us and prepare us for the doors He’s open at the perfect time.

    Our prayer closets are the ultimate hidden place where victories are cultivated and won.

    “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6 NLT

    Rather than making our destination (i.e. published books) the idol, we can be happy in hiddenness, knowing our Father is growing and maturing us during this season. May we also be men and women after God’s own heart, whether we’re hidden or thrusted into the spotlight.

    Resources:

    If you're ready to take a step of faith and finally finish your book we have a few ways we can help you.

    1. Free Writing Week Challenge: Create a Writing Habit in 15-Minutes a Day

    Even if you feel overwhelmed or stuck in procrastination, sitting down to write for just 15 minutes a day is the best way to finally reach your writing goals. Most writers think they need hours of uninterrupted time to make progress in their writing. However, in this free challenge, we will show you how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes of focused writing.

    Click here to create a consistent writing habit this week.

    2. Book Writing Lab Workshop - Map Out Your Book in Just 90 Minutes

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  • Recovering What We Have Lost as Writers

    2 Kings 6:1-7

    In this little story tucked away in the Old Testament, we see several nuggets we can apply to our lives and our writing. Like the young prophet in the story, we may find ourselves losing our “cutting edge” and feeling powerless.

    This group of prophets were building a new meeting place and insisted that their leader, Elisha, accompany them down to the Jordan River where they would cut down trees for the new facility. They were busy doing good work until one of them lost his ax head which sank to the bottom of the Jordan.

    At times, we can also be busy doing good work until we lose our cutting edge. In our case, we can refer to the power of God as our cutting edge. It’s the ability to get the job done most efficiently rather than relying on our own strength. Imagine trying to cut down a tree with only a wooden ax handle. It would be like our flesh trying to cut into the spiritual realm which is something bigger and more powerful than what we possess without the power of God.

    As Kingdom Writers, we need the ax head of the Spirit to accomplish writing that makes a dent and that’s able to cut right to the heart of the matter in someone’s life.

    Listen to this episode as CJ shares 4 steps to recover our cutting edge based on this Old Testament story.

    The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

    Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

    Get access to the video and PDF download now here.

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  • Do You Feel Rusty in Your Writing?

    “We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out.” - Theodore Roosevelt

    “There is a time for everything. We wait on God to renew our batteries, and then when they are up to full power, we turn them loose into the work of God.” - A.W. Tozer

    “Christians are like farm implements. Farm machinery seldom wears out. If you keep your machinery up, you can use it summer in and summer out until it becomes obsolete. The idle machine sitting in dampness will go to pieces in one season, but that same machine used for 10 years will only make it shine. One year of sitting around sulking will do more to rust your soul than 100 years of hard work, if God granted you that many years” - A.W. Tozer

    We can easily apply the above quotes to our own writing. There’s certainly a time to rest but we must be careful not to rust. Writing is a skill that must be practiced and refined over time. Staying consistent with a writing habit will help “keep our machinery up” so we can use it year after year. As little as 15 minutes a day can go a long way to preventing us from rusting out as Kingdom writers.

    Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT) says, “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”

    Are we waiting for perfect conditions in our writing? If so, we may be in for a long wait which could allow our writing to become rusty. God is calling us to plant our words into the lives of others for His glory.

    Let’s keep our pens active and the ink flowing, all for the purpose of fulfilling God’s call on our lives.

    The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

    Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

    Get access to the video and PDF download now here.

  • The Right Kind of Boasting

    In this episode of the Kingdom Writers Podcast, we look at the theme of boasting in the Lord rather than a boasting that originates from the flesh.

    We look at Paul’s teachings from 2 Corinthians 10:13-18. It seems that there were some people trying to influence the church in Corinth and taking credit for the ministry taking place there. Paul will not be pulled into a competition with others but simply points to the work they did in planting the church there.

    Paul’s desire was to see the ministry extended beyond the borders of what they did while living among the church in Corinth. He wanted nothing more than for this church to grow and mature to the point where they were multiplying beyond their local area.

    As writers, we have opportunities to see our borders extended through the words we write. Our books can go far and wide in their influence and reach people we wouldn’t be able to in person.

    Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:24 to emphasize the right kind of boasting. We get a little more of a full picture in verses 23-24,

    “This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

    In our world of constant self-promotion through social media, these verses cause us to always be intentional about pointing to the Lord as our Source of creativity and inspiration. He is the reason we call ourselves Kingdom Writers. It’s a privilege to even be called children of God.

    As we encourage our fellow Kingdom Writers, we are also recognizing what the Lord is doing in and through them. As followers of Jesus, we are on the same team. At the end of the day, we can boast in the Lord for all He continues to do in our writing!

    The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

    Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

    Get access to the video and PDF download now here.

  • Do The Work

    2 Timothy 4:5 - “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

    Paul gives young Timothy four things to do in this powerful little verse


    Be sober-minded - In a world where others may be losing their minds, we are to remain clear in our thinking and focused on the things God has for us

    Endure suffering - Whether from other people or from our spiritual enemy, we are told to endure which is the ability to withstand pain or hardship

    Do the work - In Timothy’s case, Paul specifically instructs him to do the work of an evangelist. As Kingdom writers, we might be instructed to “do the work of a writer.”

    Fulfill Your Ministry - Whatever God has called us to do, we are to complete that task and fulfill what He’s called us to do. Fulfill the ministry of writing that book that needs to get into specific hands the Lord wants to encourage

    What does it mean to “do the work”? We’ll look at this topic as it pertains to the Kingdom writer.

    The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

    Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

    Get access to the video and PDF download now here..

  • Don't miss out! The Courageous Writer Bundle ends 5/7/24 at midnight eastern. Get yours here: https://courageouswriterbundle.com/

    1. Listen to podcasts for free. Check out my private podcast, Hitz Blitz here: https://trainingauthors.com/hitzblitz

    2. Attend online conferences and summits. Sign up to one of the editions of the Kingdom Writers Conference here: https://kingdomwritersconference.com/editions/

    3. Sign up for bundles. We are hosting the Courageous Writer Bundle with over 40 experts. It ends 5/7/24 so make sure to get yours now here: https://courageouswriterbundle.com/

    Which option will you choose this week?

  • Get valuable insights on writing as a ministry and reaching the right audience for your message as Shelley discusses the importance of consistently creating and publishing content to serve your intended audience, understanding and identifying your target readers.

    Take a Step of Faith and Finally Finish Your Book

    You have a story to tell. But creating a book that makes an impact isn’t easy, especially without support and guidance.

    Our online community, Christian Book Academy, is where we help you write words that leave a legacy, self-publish books that fulfill your calling, and connect with a wider audience.

    Click here to learn more.

  • If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years about the writing life, it’s that a person needs to have a passion for writing. This passion is fueled by the God we desire to partner with in order to write lasting words of impact. After all, the Kingdom writer is one who is gifted and called by God. The prophet Jeremiah describes our calling with these words,

    “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:9 NLT)

    Can you relate to feeling this way? Are the words inside you like a fire in your bones until you’re able to get those words onto paper?

    But like many things in life, sometimes our passion and fire can grow dim. Somewhere along the way, we forget about the love we once had for the craft of writing. Instead, we become focused on the destination or the finished product and become impatient when things aren’t lining up the way we want.

    Listen in as we talk about recovering our first love for Jesus and a renewed passion in our writing.

    The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

    Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

    Get access to the video and PDF download now here..

  • If you’re interested in knowing how to find your audience of readers, we highly recommend you listen to this episode. Shelley talks about the significance of knowing where your audience hangs out online and how to engage with established groups.

    Free: 27 Book Marketing Ideas

    You have finally written and published your book. Yay! Now, it’s time to market and promote it to reach more people and inspire lives.

    Get instant access to our FREE PDF on 27 Book Marketing Ideas to help you with your book marketing strategy here.

    Book Marketing Templates to Save You Time and Money

    You’ve got a book you’re proud of. Now you’re looking for a simpler way to get it into the hands of more readers. One way you can do that is through social media. It's free to use...however, it can also take up a lot of your time.

    Good news!

    You can get your social media posts for the next month done in just 90 minutes so that you can reach more readers with your book (without being pushy or salesy) in the Mini-Marketing Messages workshop here.



  • Why choose to self-publish a book? Join us for this episode as Shelley discusses the opportunities presented by self-publishing, bypassing traditional publishing timelines, and the advantages for authors like you.

    Download Your Publishing Map

    If you want to write and publish a book but don't know where to start, this Publishing Map is for you. You will learn Shelley's 9 simple steps inside her publishing map that will help you gain clarity on your next steps.

    Download it now for free here.

    Join Our Procrastination to Publication Workshop

    With our simple 5-step system, you’ll be able to self-publish a quality Kindle eBook (without breaking the bank) in as little as 30 days.

    Here are a few of the topics we’ll cover:

    The 5-step method for editing, formatting, and designing a book cover so you can publish your Kindle eBook in as little as 30 days.

    My go-to process for self-editing your manuscript (that writers rave about)

    The formula I’ve used to easily price my books

    The tools you can use to format your book (and who you can hire to do it for you)

    The 5-minute hack to instantly know if your book cover will stop the scroll

    Get started now here.

  • In this episode, Shelley shares insights on how to keep your creativity flowing and seek guidance from God in the writing process. What is the importance of refilling your creative well and how do you do it? Listen to this episode to find out.

    Free: Writing Wheel

    Learn 5 proven writing strategies you can use today to get more writing done.

    Download it now here.

    Your Book on Paper in Just 90-Minutes

    Are you ready to get your book onto paper without the frustration of getting stuck or dealing with writers’ block?

    Get your book out of your head and onto paper by the end of this 90-minute workshop using our 3 simple book writing formulas here.

  • Hagar & Ishmael were sent away

    Genesis 21:14-19

    Is it possible that in her pain & despair, Hagar assumes the worst-that God is not with her and that He will not help her, that He doesn’t see her suffering-and that this perspective blinds her to the well in front of her?

    Is it possible that in our own trials and pain, we let that same lie sneak in? Maybe this time He won’t come to my aid-and my eyes become so fixed on that lie that I’m blinded to the grace and joy right in front of me, all around me, or perhaps right around the corner?

    We need God to open our eyes to ideas and possibilities for our books even when our resources have been used up and we feel like we’re dying in the desert.

    He wants to inject hope into our writing like a cool glass of water in the midst of drought.

    As you may recall, Hagar found herself in the desert more than once. In chapter 16, near a spring in the desert as a pregnant runaway, she encountered the angel of the Lord and declared, “You are the God who sees me” (El-roi)

    You & I will also find ourselves in the desert more than once. And more than once, the God who sees us will be more than faithful to provide for our deepest need as we cry out to Him.

    The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

    Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

    Get access to the video and PDF download now here..

  • Are you ready to take your book marketing to the next level? Learn a 5-step marketing plan to effectively promote and sell your book. Listen to this episode and unlock the potential of your book!

    Free: 27 Book Marketing Ideas

    You have finally written and published your book. Yay! Now, it’s time to market and promote it to reach more people and inspire lives.

    Get instant access to our FREE PDF on 27 Book Marketing Ideas to help you with your book marketing strategy here.

    Book Marketing Templates to Save You Time and Money

    You’ve got a book you’re proud of. Now you’re looking for a simpler way to get it into the hands of more readers. One way you can do that is through social media. It's free to use...however, it can also take up a lot of your time.

    Good news!

    You can get your social media posts for the next month done in just 90 minutes so that you can reach more readers with your book (without being pushy or salesy) in the Mini-Marketing Messages workshop here.

  • Glean insightful tips on the post-publishing phase, including the importance of the book launch and ongoing marketing as Shelley discusses what to expect once your book is released and out in the public. Tune in to know more!

    Download Your Publishing Map

    If you want to write and publish a book but don't know where to start, this Publishing Map is for you. You will learn Shelley's 9 simple steps inside her publishing map that will help you gain clarity on your next steps.

    Download it now for free here.

    Join Our Procrastination to Publication Workshop

    With our simple 5-step system, you’ll be able to self-publish a quality Kindle eBook (without breaking the bank) in as little as 30 days.

    Here are a few of the topics we’ll cover:

    The 5-step method for editing, formatting, and designing a book cover so you can publish your Kindle eBook in as little as 30 days.

    My go-to process for self-editing your manuscript (that writers rave about)

    The formula I’ve used to easily price my books

    The tools you can use to format your book (and who you can hire to do it for you)

    The 5-minute hack to instantly know if your book cover will stop the scroll

    Get started now here.

  • In this episode, Shelley shares valuable insights on how to persevere and complete a full-length novel. Get to know the importance of knowing your why, establishing a community for support and accountability, and incorporating God into the writing, publishing, and marketing process.

    Free: Writing Wheel

    Learn 5 proven writing strategies you can use today to get more writing done.

    Download it now here.

    Your Book on Paper in Just 90-Minutes

    Are you ready to get your book onto paper without the frustration of getting stuck or dealing with writers’ block?

    Get your book out of your head and onto paper by the end of this 90-minute workshop using our 3 simple book writing formulas here.

  • Jesus’s earthly father Joseph was an unsung hero.

    Joseph displayed obedience and played a key role in God’s plan played out through Jesus. Joseph can sometimes be in the background, blending in without much notice.

    After receiving dream after dream (Matthew 1:20; 2:13-14; 2:19-21; 2:22) from the Lord, Joseph had a choice to obey which he did in every instance. He chose to walk this unexpected journey with his wife Mary and their “God in the flesh” son.

    God was and still is more than capable of protecting us like He did the baby Jesus from being snuffed out by the enemy. He’s more than capable of protecting the Kingdom writer and the books they are called to birth into the world.

    May we listen to the Lord, whether in our dreams or any other means God wants to intervene in our lives.

    Like Joseph, we may find ourselves in a story that we never expected and wondering what the Lord has up His sleeve. And like Joseph the carpenter, we can humbly live out our lives as a different kind of carpenter where we build things with the raw material of words and ideas from the Lord.

    Joseph had no idea what kind of adventure he was signing up for
and neither did we.

    The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

    Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

    Get access to the video and PDF download now here..

  • Get ideas on the best ways to sell your books online and how leveraging other people's experiences and feedback about your book—whether it's through reviews or personal stories—can engage your email list effectively.

    Listen to this episode and discover how marketing authentically can make a meaningful impact on connecting with readers.

    Free: 27 Book Marketing Ideas

    You have finally written and published your book. Yay! Now, it’s time to market and promote it to reach more people and inspire lives.

    Get instant access to our FREE PDF on 27 Book Marketing Ideas to help you with your book marketing strategy here.

    Book Marketing Templates to Save You Time and Money

    You’ve got a book you’re proud of. Now you’re looking for a simpler way to get it into the hands of more readers. One way you can do that is through social media. It's free to use...however, it can also take up a lot of your time.

    Good news!

    You can get your social media posts for the next month done in just 90 minutes so that you can reach more readers with your book (without being pushy or salesy) in the Mini-Marketing Messages workshop here.

  • If you’re looking for the best self-publishing companies, this episode is right for you. What are the differences between traditional, vanity, and self-publishing? And how do you learn the top choices for print and ebook distribution for your book? Listen to this episode to find out.

    Download Your Publishing Map

    If you want to write and publish a book but don't know where to start, this Publishing Map is for you. You will learn Shelley's 9 simple steps inside her publishing map that will help you gain clarity on your next steps.

    Download it now for free here.

    Join Our Procrastination to Publication Workshop

    With our simple 5-step system, you’ll be able to self-publish a quality Kindle eBook (without breaking the bank) in as little as 30 days.

    Here are a few of the topics we’ll cover:

    The 5-step method for editing, formatting, and designing a book cover so you can publish your Kindle eBook in as little as 30 days.

    My go-to process for self-editing your manuscript (that writers rave about)

    The formula I’ve used to easily price my books

    The tools you can use to format your book (and who you can hire to do it for you)

    The 5-minute hack to instantly know if your book cover will stop the scroll

    Get started now here.

  • Are you struggling with your writing organization? This might just be the episode for you to tune in. Listen in as Shelley shares practical and effective tips to help you overcome those challenges.

    Free: Writing Wheel

    Learn 5 proven writing strategies you can use today to get more writing done. Download it now here.

    Your Book on Paper in Just 90-Minutes

    Are you ready to get your book onto paper without the frustration of getting stuck or dealing with writers’ block?

    Get your book out of your head and onto paper by the end of this 90-minute workshop using our 3 simple book writing formulas here.

  • Many writers often find themselves entangled in a web of fear and self-sabotage, but how can one overcome them? In this episode, Shelley shares amazing insights on how to break free from the paralyzing grip of fear and embrace the purpose-driven journey of your writing.

    Take a Step of Faith and Finally Finish Your Book

    You have a story to tell. But creating a book that makes an impact isn’t easy, especially without support and guidance.

    Our online community, Christian Book Academy, is where we help you write words that leave a legacy, self-publish books that fulfill your calling, and connect with a wider audience.

    Click here to learn more.