tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44057285214140522112024-03-05T21:32:06.317-08:00Dina Sleiman ~ Stories of Passion and GraceAuthor Dina Sleiman, Christian Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Women's Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, YA Fiction, Medieval Fiction, Historical FictionDina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-56041534665915512082014-12-15T05:40:00.000-08:002014-12-15T05:40:24.409-08:00Blogging Next DoorHi All,<br />
<br />
You might or might not have noticed that I don't blog much here anymore. That's because I have been doing most of my blogging on my Valiant Hearts website, which you can find in my links above or by <a href="http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. Feel free to follow by email for all the latest.<br />
<br />
I will keep this blog open because I have an extensive back list of useful articles. You can find those in the link cloud to the right. And I might still stop by from time to time with something new that doesn't relate to my upcoming series.<br />
<br />
In addition, I am still blogging once a month at my group blog <a href="http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/">http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/</a> If you like following my advice for writers, I am still posting on those issues at the Inkwell.<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
Dina<br />
<br />Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-48431937623932162032014-11-03T06:18:00.001-08:002014-12-15T05:41:34.358-08:00No Plan BLet me share with you about an amazing author you have probably never
heard of named Nelson Hannah. In May of 2012, I served on staff at the
Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference as an editor for WhiteFire
Publishing. I love working conferences, but they can also be
overwhelming for me. Nelson Hannah was the calm in the midst of my storm
that week. When he came to me for his editor appointment, he was
relaxed, confident, and kind. His experience as a pastor came shining
through right away. I loved his gentle spirit and the premise of his
book, and I was excited about the possibility of adding him to our
WhiteFire family.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I4QXVBy7MCkJRBftdI9HbPMBWxW7tmz3WrV0ILTgnR_DUM2HIjFw-z7NSfsZsXNVRrId6VSrSVuMqNWYhg3MUmoY3iZYkKh0r_-gGb4g-kIqB9vq3mTUHjwQNwjOP1NCGmpXvD6il-E/s1600/nelson+hannah.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I4QXVBy7MCkJRBftdI9HbPMBWxW7tmz3WrV0ILTgnR_DUM2HIjFw-z7NSfsZsXNVRrId6VSrSVuMqNWYhg3MUmoY3iZYkKh0r_-gGb4g-kIqB9vq3mTUHjwQNwjOP1NCGmpXvD6il-E/s1600/nelson+hannah.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a>Then,
he did something no other conferee has ever done for me before or
since. He offered to pray for me. Well, I jumped on that opportunity! As
he took my hands right there in the appointment room and began to pray,
the presence and peace of the Holy Spirit washed over me in a very
tangible way. He prayed words over me that God had been speaking to me
just that morning in my own quiet time. And I knew for certain: this guy
was the real deal. I wanted more of whatever he had to offer.<br />
<br />
As
an editor for WhiteFire, I only read Nelson's proposal and handed it
along to our non-fiction editor. This fall, I finally had a chance to
read the full finished product, and I was even more blessed than I
anticipated.<br />
<br />
<i>No Plan B</i> is by far the best book I
have ever read about our identity in Christ. This seems to be an area
of significant disparity in beliefs between born-again Christians who
are all diligent students of God's word and good-hearted people. Nelson
cuts through the excesses on both sides and finds that narrow road of
truth. He debunks a lot of religious sounding, yet unscriptural, ideas
to get to the heart of who God intends his children to be. Rather than
try to summarize Nelson's ideas, let me offer some little snippets to
whet your appetite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGA_FqUA5ZEoqQkwe5EftMXOpWxMYwD1iT6Nz_3kUjNO_Sb6fI5xG-4s4bVVyly6SAyWcF2dc6moWymeCcBxuvrO4MoCAiNuUCQKuIindUoILJJAeGspc8XVzAXhPr-OyyT2I5FCp4_I/s1600/no+plan+b.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGA_FqUA5ZEoqQkwe5EftMXOpWxMYwD1iT6Nz_3kUjNO_Sb6fI5xG-4s4bVVyly6SAyWcF2dc6moWymeCcBxuvrO4MoCAiNuUCQKuIindUoILJJAeGspc8XVzAXhPr-OyyT2I5FCp4_I/s1600/no+plan+b.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>That was God's original intent--the genesis of Plan A.</i><br />
<i>Relationship.</i><br />
<i>Rulership.</i><br />
<i>Reproduction. </i><br />
<i>Reflection.</i><br />
<i>And it still is...</i><br />
<br />
<i>Far
too many of God's sons and daughters still live in the confusion of
slavery rather than the comfort of their radical new identity in Christ.
We have majored on what to do when God was only interested from the
beginning in whose we are.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Jesus has been repopulating creation with a new species, reproducing himself in them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You are not just another human being stuck in a dead-end existence
waiting for death to set you free so you can experience the wonder of
heaven. No, eternal life began for you the moment you met Jesus.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Spirit-filled
has become a term that overwhelms some believers with fear and
apprehension. Yet it is a biblical description of our position and power
in Christ. We must reclaim it, believe it, receive it, and start
walking out this privileged position in our daily lives. It is our
inheritance, a necessary part of God's gift to us.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Okay, I think that should be enough to pique your interest. If not, let
me also mention that beloved CBA author, James Rubart, wrote the
foreword for this book. You can check that out and also read a sample of
(or order!!!) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Plan-Discovering-Gods-Blueprint-ebook/dp/B00MNSOP2Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414417432&sr=1-2&keywords=no+plan+b" target="_blank">Nelson's amazing book here</a>.<br />
<br />
Let
me close by saying that I have taught and even written about many ideas
in this book, and I still walked away from it with clearer
understanding and a sense of awe. I am blessed to have read this book
and honored to have been a small part of its birth into the world. It
gets my highest recommendation, and I strongly encourage you to read it
soon!
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-oUZM91Rr924%2FVE5Hbi_66YI%2FAAAAAAAADO8%2FhOE2JWPjALo%2Fs1600%2Fnelson%252Bhannah.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I4QXVBy7MCkJRBftdI9HbPMBWxW7tmz3WrV0ILTgnR_DUM2HIjFw-z7NSfsZsXNVRrId6VSrSVuMqNWYhg3MUmoY3iZYkKh0r_-gGb4g-kIqB9vq3mTUHjwQNwjOP1NCGmpXvD6il-E/s1600/nelson+hannah.jpg" -->Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-81480570211138947992014-10-20T06:31:00.003-07:002014-10-20T06:31:51.094-07:00The Learning Never EndsThis week I learned a new writing term. "Contagonist." I found the cool little video below, but still wasn't quite convinced, so I had to look it up for myself. Sure enough, a contagonist (which by the way my spell check doesn't recognize) is an actual archetypal (which by the way my spell check DOES recognize) character type. They are not the enemy of the protagonist, yet they continually oppose their goals. They often hinder the protagonist, or possibly tempt them to take a different path.
And good timing for me to learn this new word, since I definitely used both an antagonist and a contagonist in my new book <i>Chivalrous</i>.<br />
<br />
Every day as a writer is an adventure, and I'm still learning and growing.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kw6UsGYZiY4?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-23758104913052360142014-09-22T06:52:00.003-07:002014-09-22T06:53:00.882-07:00Best Dauntless Deals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciNAsKQC8zSWloCwihxbeRkiJNIUD4FmhFmpsr8vFjWOp1GSR5d25KLe5HrUp4Biur1QtMnIjyrslIjMh-7Cv5eUgdjpxQSKKHbxvTFnOsieIenO9UhCTv-4CjWn13xIAowDUFJgPFpEV/s1600/Dauntless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciNAsKQC8zSWloCwihxbeRkiJNIUD4FmhFmpsr8vFjWOp1GSR5d25KLe5HrUp4Biur1QtMnIjyrslIjMh-7Cv5eUgdjpxQSKKHbxvTFnOsieIenO9UhCTv-4CjWn13xIAowDUFJgPFpEV/s1600/Dauntless.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
The release of Dauntless is still about six months away, but for those of you who like to plan ahead...I thought I'd share the best pre-order deals.<br />
<br />
For print, try CBD at only $7.99. <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/dauntless-valiant-hearts-dina-sleiman/9780764213120/pd/213121?event=AAI" target="_blank">Click here.</a><br />
<br />
For ebook, the current winner is amazon also at $7.99. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dauntless-Valiant-Hearts-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00MBTYK8G/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1411393849&sr=8-1&keywords=dauntless+dina+sleiman" target="_blank">Click here.</a><br />
<br />
And if you haven't checked out my new Valiant Hearts website yet, be sure to do that!!! <a href="http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/p/series.html">http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/p/series.html</a>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-56873793226495794962014-09-08T07:16:00.002-07:002016-01-08T18:56:42.811-08:00A Heart Exploration<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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These past few months have been a season of heart exploration for me. I’ve been inspired to really probe my heart and understand its deepest desires. It all started when I had the pleasure of taking a continuing class with Allen Arnold called “The Heart of a Storyteller.” The class was all about putting your heart first and creating hand in hand with God. I loved it so much that I decided to continue my study of the heart throughout the summer, which was especially apropos as my upcoming series is called <i>Valiant Hearts</i>. Since Allen Arnold works with John Eldredge and referenced many of his books during the class, I decided to soak myself in Eldredge’s writing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzlTLaBahQFCWOV6FBFlpU5pLDk84t9xb8-1wnIJu-V9qJrwv2zHlwwlH_G32tQQeEJW4SQnQmX4wn5qADyGiFLW7KUqO9ppeluaLiP475rJirTbTPz3DErs8ni0Jkz9LMMW0sMWBjrpH/s1600/desire-eldredge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzlTLaBahQFCWOV6FBFlpU5pLDk84t9xb8-1wnIJu-V9qJrwv2zHlwwlH_G32tQQeEJW4SQnQmX4wn5qADyGiFLW7KUqO9ppeluaLiP475rJirTbTPz3DErs8ni0Jkz9LMMW0sMWBjrpH/s1600/desire-eldredge.jpg" width="129" /></a>First I read, <i>Desire: The Journey We Must Take to Find the Life God Offers. </i>Usually when I read a book, I see portions I want to absorb into myself and make my own, and other parts that I don’t quite agree with. But I have to say, I drank in every bit of this book. So often in church we are given the impression that we must deny our hearts and our desires. That these are somehow “fleshly.” But Eldredge challenges readers to do the opposite: to awaken their hearts, seek healing form their wounds, and align their hearts fully with God. When we truly know God and understand the deepest desires He has placed in our hearts, we will be set free to live out our divine destinies.<br />
<br />
Next I read <i>Captivating</i>. In book 2 of my <i>Valiant Hearts</i> series, my heroine is struggling with gender roles, and I wanted to have a clear picture of Godly femininity versus traditional expectations placed on women. The book really helped me to see this clearly, and a surprise bonus was that it helped me to understand more deeply my own heart as a woman. So I went on to read <i>Wild at Heart </i>to better understand the man’s role in this whole journey, and I continued to learn and grow. I’m not certain that I bought every word in these books the way I did in <i>Desire</i>. As much as the Eldredges strove not to stereotype and box in the genders, that tendency still crept in at times, but overall I really enjoyed the books and gleaned a lot of valuable information. They challenged me to look at myself and those around me in a new light and continued the theme of awakening the heart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEIIR1hLG60ElqK0wtAvpffnESWCBSbo1bpZoy-4uRgBbkjbAYH1oPUGKjauE0uTv9KMRs3htw89z4LIONHKywkuPYKeQDbp7XQQBRB8DPRFKw4eOT432HdJKXoiki6cS6Uugcrj_16MD/s1600/Delirium-Trilogy-delirium-31382340-780-392.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEIIR1hLG60ElqK0wtAvpffnESWCBSbo1bpZoy-4uRgBbkjbAYH1oPUGKjauE0uTv9KMRs3htw89z4LIONHKywkuPYKeQDbp7XQQBRB8DPRFKw4eOT432HdJKXoiki6cS6Uugcrj_16MD/s1600/Delirium-Trilogy-delirium-31382340-780-392.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Meanwhile, never fear, my obsession with all things YA dystopian continued. Next on the list was the <i>Delirium </i>trilogy. This series is about a future society that seeks to eliminate love and passion, seeing them as a sickness called the Deliria, with horrible symptoms like loss of focus, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, sweating, etc… I imagine most of us have joyfully suffered all those symptoms and more. LOL. <br />
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While fairly sensual, full of profanity, and too mature for all but the oldest teens in my opinion, this series was a great compliment to my study on the heart. The author made some wonderful observations about the nature of love and all of its many facets, not to mention the enormous risk and cost involved in loving. I felt that her theme was very much in line with Christian beliefs. The dystopian society in<i> Delirium</i> had twisted scripture to their purposes and created their own religion, but the series seemed to subtly honor true Biblical beliefs and pointed out that the “old” religions had been based upon love and sacrifice. In fact, the heroine’s epiphany involved learning a true Biblical story which helped her understand the sacrificial nature of love.<br />
<br />
My summer of heart exploration culminated on August 30th, when I laid on the swing in the backyard determined to finish up my summer reading so I could focus on writing come September. On that afternoon I was struck with brilliant line after brilliant line. I clipped them and saved them together on my kindle, and when I went back to look at them, I was beyond amazed at how beautifully the wrap up of the Delirium series lined up with the wrap up of Wild at Heart. Allow me to share the brief version with you. <br />
<br />
<i>Requiem</i> by Lauren Oliver. <br />
“<i>But it’s not about knowing. It is simply about going forward. The cureds [those cured of love] want to know; we have chosen faith instead…We will have to trust too—that the world won’t end, that tomorrow will come, and that the truth will come too</i>.”<br />
“<i>Take down the walls. That is, after all, the whole point. You do not know what will happen if you take down the walls; you cannot see through to the other side, don't know whether it will bring freedom or ruin, resolution or chaos. It might be paradise or destruction. Take down the walls. Otherwise you must live closely, in fear, building barricades against the unknown, saying prayers against the darkness, speaking verse of terror and tightness. Otherwise you may never know hell; but you will not find heaven, either. You will not know fresh air and flying</i>.”<br />
<br />
<i>Wild at Heart</i> by John Eldredge (with quote from My Utmost for His Highest)<br />
“<i>The greatest obstacle to realizing our dreams is the false self’s hatred of mystery…mystery is the heart of the universe and the God who made it. The most important aspects of any man’s world—his relationship with his God and with the people in his life, his calling, the spiritual battles he’ll face—every one of them is fraught with mystery… it is a joyful rich part of reality and essential to our soul’s thirst for adventure. As Oswald Chambers says, ‘Naturally we are inclined to be mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing…Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation.’</i>”<br />
<br />
And so that is how I wrap up my summer of heart exploration. Love is hard. Following your heart is hard. They involve risk and much sacrifice. They are fraught with mystery and uncertainty. But the risks and the sacrifice are well worthwhile, and the alternative is a life not worth living at all.Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-19157107458055187582014-08-25T06:06:00.002-07:002014-08-25T06:07:21.364-07:00The Selection SeriesYes, my obsession with all things YA Dystopian continues. As I've
mentioned before, LOVE the Hunger Games, LOVE Divergent, meh on Matched,
although the covers are gorgeous. And speaking of gorgeous covers, drum
roll please...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeazWzf-ZrGaM8RD7WU3fC_GZV2sKTZKxTNM2QJu4hVd1x23MgAGNkpLDSsoEbPBvHQiMJ1uzB2OHi2JHBK4SNqafqQ5ml9D6YJ7GSUvvYmkm8VlKZXrt_sLCG10MN-kHrp2ePjettx0/s1600/The_Selection.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeazWzf-ZrGaM8RD7WU3fC_GZV2sKTZKxTNM2QJu4hVd1x23MgAGNkpLDSsoEbPBvHQiMJ1uzB2OHi2JHBK4SNqafqQ5ml9D6YJ7GSUvvYmkm8VlKZXrt_sLCG10MN-kHrp2ePjettx0/s1600/The_Selection.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
And I'm just getting started. <i>The Selection </i>brings
to mind classic stories like Cinderella and Queen Esther, but is set in
a dystopian future. Of all the series I've mentioned so far, this one
wins for best romance. Despite the dystopian caste system and civil
unrest, it is for the most part a romantic and at times even comical
read. Our heroine, America Singer, is one of a group of thirty-five
normal girls chosen as a potential wife for the handsome Prince Maxton.
Problem is, she already has a secret love from a lower caste. The
dystopian elements are not the strongest, even a little cheesy at times.
The caste system seems a bit illogical, but maybe that's part of the
point. And the northern and southern rebels are hazy, hokey, and not
terribly believable. But...the love story is awesome! Author Kiera Cass
has a light, breezy style that is sure to keep you reading. Now for more
gorgeousness...<br />
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<br />
In book two, <i>The Elite, </i>America
has made the cut to the top six girls. She has come to truly like and
admire Prince Maxton, but meanwhile, she discovers more about the warped
political system surrounding her. Can she ever picture herself as a
queen? Then comes...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0msoYmSv6jI8yo3Pmeu4ZCtVS5UvIAB2zHnbsJPyt8kFTGSrUS40XlSEaZ74pYmnHmuRNN5K-F5OrFfOjoSnLuvQjuNzAFVKsP6l4Nggnr2EX4Kh91gCigblOrhlKhyP_CVInCsWMEa4/s1600/the+one.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0msoYmSv6jI8yo3Pmeu4ZCtVS5UvIAB2zHnbsJPyt8kFTGSrUS40XlSEaZ74pYmnHmuRNN5K-F5OrFfOjoSnLuvQjuNzAFVKsP6l4Nggnr2EX4Kh91gCigblOrhlKhyP_CVInCsWMEa4/s1600/the+one.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
Let's face it, this series is worth reading for the exquisite gowns alone. Unlike many of the other dystopian series, book 3, <i>The One, </i>is
just as good as (if not better than) the other books. The dystopian
elements finally become clearer and more believable. The climax to the
series is exciting and full of twists and turns. And for once, YES!!!, a
happy ending full of light and hope.<br />
<br />
As for younger
readers, this series is very appropriate for teens. The books are safely
PG, and there is nothing I need to warn you about beyond some steamy
kissing scenes. Unlike some of the other dystopian books, there is no
dark, psychological trauma. I felt it offered good lessons about what is
truly important in love, life, and friendship. Some adults might find
the heroine a little young for their tastes, but if you enjoy a good
fairy tale, I doubt you'll mind.<br />
<br />
I can't really put this series in the same category as <i>Hunger Games</i> and <i>Divergent.</i> It's a little silly in comparison. But if you would enjoy reading "dystopian lite" with lots of romance, then I say go for it.<br />
<br />Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-60586818646711866462014-08-04T06:15:00.001-07:002016-01-08T18:59:35.076-08:00My Thoughts on the Divergent Series<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This summer my daughter and I have been devouring YA
fiction, and at the top of my list is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Divergent
Series</i>. These books by new, young author Veronica Roth have become somewhat
of a cultural phenomenon, and no doubt many of you have seen (or soon will see)
the first movie. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mJJiwB0Hm_ge06uq5MTqLOAiMTxhyphenhyphenfsq8bqhTrfakzA_eSkcg5Enzn1iwLf-5WX51ZJcMMKKb-5yCMprWqmiYjYJPrQ7tG-OTIzRiNuGpZ_Wh_X1rnKoteWSoQyk1iUPHlJ4K0EMe90j/s1600/divergent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mJJiwB0Hm_ge06uq5MTqLOAiMTxhyphenhyphenfsq8bqhTrfakzA_eSkcg5Enzn1iwLf-5WX51ZJcMMKKb-5yCMprWqmiYjYJPrQ7tG-OTIzRiNuGpZ_Wh_X1rnKoteWSoQyk1iUPHlJ4K0EMe90j/s320/divergent.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Divergent</i> is
driven by a unique and powerful premise. The story takes place in a dystopian
world that has been divided into “factions” based on a person’s dominant
personality trait and way of viewing the world: Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity,
Erudite, and Candor. As someone who loves to study culture, psychology, and
especially personality, I found the concept fascinating. The main character,
Tris, leaves her Abnegation family behind to enter the brave, wild, and most
importantly, free world of the Dauntless. There is plenty of material for an
awesome book right there as Tris struggles in a new society to find her source
of courage and inner strength, but as the plot develops, the story takes some awesome
and unexpected twists. The result is action packed, romantic, poignant, and
thought-provoking. (And the fact that my upcoming YA novel is titled <i>Dauntless</i> is only a small part of why I enjoyed it so much :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
movie changes some details of the story, but keeps to the same theme
and major plot points. I found the choices to be effective for
the visual format, and equally enjoyed the book and the movie. However,
both the book
and the movie are fairly violent and contain some emotionally upsetting
material, so I personally would not recommend either for children or
preteens. They
are also fairly sensual, although not inappropriate for the intended
teen
audience. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Books
two and three take their own unique twists and turns as we delve
further into this society, why it is breaking apart, and how it came to
exist. And I loved every step of the way. Veronica Roth is a confessing
Christian, and although the books are not Christian per se, I saw much
more light, hope, and redemption than in other dystopian novels I have
read. The main character makes one choice in book three that many
Christians will not feel comfortable with, but it is handled delicately.
Although I would have made a different choice as an author, the
decision did seem to fit the plot, and I understood why Roth went in
that direction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve heard people say these books aren’t well written, and
to that I say: <b><i>give me a break! </i></b>I can only assume they mean something about
these books did not live up to their preconceived notions of good writing, or
perhaps that they are writers who are upset that this woman didn’t follow all
the rules that they so meticulously adhere to and she succeeded anyway. No, Roth did not follow every
“rule” of writing. She was a little heavy handed with the narrative summary, did
not always place readers firmly in the scene, and sometimes drifted in and out
of scenes without scene breaks. And you know what—who cares?!?! The books are
mesmerizing. People love them, buy them, and tell their friends to buy them. In
my opinion that is what makes a book great--the ability to move the reader--not an arbitrary set of rules. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That being said, I thought book three was the weakest. Books
one and two have a single first person narrator. Book three has two first
person narrators, and while I didn’t mind this choice, it was not handled as
well as it could have been. I often forgot whose point of view I was in, which
says to me that the point of views should have been more distinctive. That small
distraction aside, I still thought it was a great book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Minor spoiler alert –
but keep reading anyway. </b>A lot of people hate the ending of this trilogy,
but they are usually the ones who didn’t know in advance that it would be sad.
So I’m telling you straight out, the ending is sad. I went into the book aware
of that fact, and was able to enjoy and appreciate the redemptive resolution, which
I found quite powerful and satisfactory. In fact, my very favorite quote of the
entire trilogy is found at the end. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background: mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Since I was
young, I have always known this: Life damages us, every one. We can't escape
that damage.</span> But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended. We mend
each other.</span></i></div>
Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-48426649613164467552014-07-28T07:03:00.001-07:002014-07-28T07:03:18.393-07:00Meet Me in Philly!This week I will be at the Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. Catch me and say hi if you're there. I will be teaching three workshops, "Personality Types for Writers and Characters," "Writing Powerful Scenes," and one that the conference director specifically requested from me, "Issue-Driven Fiction." I will also be taking appointments, doing paid critiques, and yes, even ministering a worship dance during one of the evening sessions.<br />
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This conference with the theme of "Write His Answer" is very affordable and full of the spirit of God. For more info about the Philadelphia conference, <a href="http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/" target="_blank">check out their website</a>.<br />
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<br />Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-70085720771766013102014-07-09T16:57:00.003-07:002014-07-09T16:57:46.741-07:00Dance from Deep Within - Only $.99!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYTtigtCRTyxXdkMtMUDU0A4jZz2TfN-DPE9L9biwWVHIWAIzphJIdhIrG5pcP1rbPdau1ZbUy5Lfacc2OmUAPFH90Hoy-MShSOH8j6TvurVBqOSj9zfujrfUK8Ph-CL2UflNOG5JREEf/s1600/deep-within-sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYTtigtCRTyxXdkMtMUDU0A4jZz2TfN-DPE9L9biwWVHIWAIzphJIdhIrG5pcP1rbPdau1ZbUy5Lfacc2OmUAPFH90Hoy-MShSOH8j6TvurVBqOSj9zfujrfUK8Ph-CL2UflNOG5JREEf/s1600/deep-within-sale.jpg" /></a></div>
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Please spread the word!!! And in fact, if you are seeing this on the 9th, yes, it is on sale early :)Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-52405020006099998602014-07-07T06:53:00.001-07:002016-01-08T19:00:20.055-08:00The Subconscious WriterIn novelist circles you hear a lot about plotters (authors who carefully plan their books in advance) and pantsers (authors who write by the seat of their pants and make discoveries along the way.) I’ve even heard the term “organic” writer tossed around lately, which is a prettier name for pantser. I’m a combination. I like to start a book organically, but at some point I can see through to the ending quicker than I can type, at which point I write a synopsis to help me remember the story. Sometimes I really think I need a new kind of name for myself. I propose, "The Subconscious Writer."<br />
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Why subconscious? Because so much of my creative process takes place on a level even I do not understand. Ideas percolate under the surface, maybe for weeks, maybe for months, maybe for years. At some point they burst out like a geyser. Characters are talking to me, scenes unfolding in my head, worlds evolving, and I’m frantically trying to get them down on paper before I lose them. I’m sure if push came to shove, I could sit down and come up with an idea and craft a book like a normal person, but that’s not the way I typically do it, and it’s not the way I desire to do it.</div>
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An upside of this subconscious process is that I rarely deal with writers block. If the words and scenes aren’t there, I simply don’t write. If I’m under some sort of deadline, I will sit down and read the last chapter or so, and then try to write a few paragraphs. Often, that will stir things up and get them moving in my head, and I’m on my way again. If not, I don’t push it. And if possible, I wait for that exciting artistic wave, because it’s so much more fun to surf it than to try to paddle against the current.</div>
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When I returned from Colorado a few weeks ago, I had every intention to work on my newest novel, <i>Chivalrous. </i>This is one I needed to plot in advance for the publisher, but I had my first solid creative burst before my trip and the novel was well under way. However, when I returned, I could just tell. It didn’t want to come. My subconscious was trying to unravel things. I didn’t feel any leading from the Holy Spirit to write. And so I didn’t.</div>
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Instead, I did what I felt prompted to do. I worked on me. On the trip, God had been dealing with my heart, and I wanted to continue that work. Over the next few weeks, I read a lot of nonfiction books about the spirit, personality, and the true self. During that time, a few ideas welled up from my subconscious about places in the book where I needed to tweak the plot to be truer to the heroine’s character. Then finally, while reading <i>Desire: The Journey We Must Take to Find the Life God Offers, </i>bells went off in my head. There was a lesson in that book that my heroine desperately needed to learn. Problem was, I needed to learn it too. And Gwendolyn couldn’t learn it until I did first.</div>
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What if I had rushed the process? What if I hadn’t waited for my subconscious to untangle things? What if I had pushed ahead of the prompting of the Holy Spirit? I still would have written a good book, but it would have been missing something. It wouldn’t have been all God intended it to be.</div>
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I desire to write hand in hand with God in a creative partnership. (He’s so much smarter and more creative than me.) I can’t do that by rushing through a novel. In the end, being a “subconscious writer” isn’t the goal. It’s just the process. The ultimate goal, whether pantser or plotter, is to be led by the Holy Spirit and allow him to flow through every word we put on the page. This is how to write with a godly passion that will cause our readers to fall in love with our stories and transform them from the inside out.<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Readers, have you thought about how authors write? Would you rather read a story that is planned or that develops naturally? One written out of practicality or passion? Writers, what is your process like?</i></div>
Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-28780565251805259952014-06-23T07:14:00.002-07:002014-06-28T14:19:58.338-07:00Dauntless Cover Is Here!The <i>Dauntless </i>cover is here. I love it! In the original mock up cover, I loved the composition, but the model didn't quite fit the description in the book. However, after a few little tweaks by the publishing house, I couldn't be more pleased :)<br />
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<i>Dauntless </i>will release next March, so yes, you still have to wait for a while. In the meantime, you can get more info about the book and the series at <a href="http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/ </a> and if you'd like, you can actually pre-order it already in the paperback <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dauntless-Valiant-Hearts-Dina-Sleiman/dp/0764213121/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403532799&sr=8-1&keywords=dauntless+dina+sleiman" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-40526355530811229172014-06-09T10:17:00.000-07:002014-06-09T10:17:24.807-07:00Colorado Christian Writers Conference.Today I'd like to share with you about my experience at the <a href="http://colorado.writehisanswer.com/" target="_blank">Colorado Christian Writers Conference</a>. I've been on staff there for the past two years, and it has been a wonderful time.<br />
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<b>Accommodations</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Yep, it really looks like this!</td></tr>
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The Colorado Christian Writers Conference shares a director and the "Write His Answer" theme with the Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. While there are many similarities, the main difference is in the gorgeous Colorado Rocky setting. This conference is held at the Estes Park YMCA campus. The lodging is lovely and comfortable with a number of gracious amenities. The food is pretty decent for cafeteria style dining. And the entire complex is surrounded by a ring of awe-inspiring mountains, many of which are still snow-capped in May.<br />
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This conference itself costs about $350. The housing options vary significantly depending on your choice of lodge and number of roommates, and meals are included with most options. Total, expect to pay between $500 and $800.<br />
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Two issues to keep in mind with this conference. First, there is a decent bit of walking up and down hills involved. For many, this is a pro, but for those with mobility issues, it could be a con. And this can be further complicated by the high altitude. Second, the complex is about 90 minutes from the Denver airport. Although the cost is far less than many other conferences, be sure to include the shuttle fee to the Estes Park YMCA or car rental fee. You might want to stick around the final night for the hayride and cookout which I've heard displays the campus at its best, but be aware that this also costs an extra fee.<br />
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As I mentioned, Marlene Bagnull runs both the Colorado and Philadelphia conferences, and both reflect her unique spirit. If you like a casual, family style feel, these conferences were tailor made for you. Want to meet with that editor in jeans or shorts, no problem! They might just be wearing the same. Marlene has been running these conferences for several decades, and if you get a chance to meet her, you will be sure to get a wonderful dose of motherly love. Even if not, her warmth and sweet spirit permeate all of the general sessions. It might not feel as sharp and professional as some of the big conferences, but it makes up for that in other ways.<br />
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Perhaps the stand out quality of this conference is the attention to the spiritual side of both writing and living. While there is much writerly inspiration offered during the general sessions, attention is also given to building you as an individual and to important issues of our time. So you kind of get a writers conference/spiritual retreat two-for-one. I've also noticed that many of the workshops have a spiritual tone. Of course there are plenty of craft and business classes to choose from, but if you'd rather focus on hearing from God, on the heart, and on ministry, those options are available as well.<br />
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<b>Staff</b><br />
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<b></b>This conference covers a number of genres including fiction, nonfiction, journalism, devotions, etc... It even offers a Saturday tract for teenage writers. While the staff is divided between genres, this year's <b>fiction staff</b> was still top notch.<br />
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Allen Arnold - developed the fiction line for Thomas Nelson, received the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and now works for Ransomed Hearts Ministry. This year he gave a keynote address and taught a continuing session on The Heart of a Storyteller (which was my personal highlight).<br />
Tracie Peterson - author of 100 Christian novels, best-seller, and winner of many awards. Tracie offered a fiction practicum. You can't really beat that.<br />
Not to mention: Tim Shoemaker, Tiffany Amber Stockton, Kimberly Woodhouse, Kim Vogel Sawyer, N. Paul Williams, Susan Baganz, Nancy Lohr, Nick Harrison, and yours truly, Dina Sleiman<br />
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You might not find as many editors and agents that represent fiction at this conference as you would at say ACFW. However, since the conference is only about a third of the size, you might actually increase your chances of meeting with the people that you want to talk to.<br />
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And of course, the variety of genres is great for an author with multiple interests or a new writer who hasn't yet found their niche.<br />
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<b>Final Thoughts</b><br />
<b><br /></b>So if you are looking for a conference well covered in concrete with obligatory elevator rides, climate control, gourmet meals, and three piece suits, this one is not for you. LOL. Of course the next conference is a year away, and you will want to consider the staff, agents, and editors who will be there. But, if you love nature and spirit and want your heart awakened, be sure to put this conference on your radar. For many attendees it is a yearly tradition not to be missed!<br />
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Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-55723528543153004032014-06-02T06:07:00.000-07:002016-01-08T19:01:06.524-08:00My Blog has a Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At our house we always say, "This is my dog Scruffy, and this is Scruffy's dog Bella." Well, now I kind of feel like my blog has a blog. I just launched a new blog for my young adult <i>Valiant Hearts</i> series. I don't plan to advertise it much at this point, since book one will not be released for close to a year, but you, my faithful readers, are welcome to visit it and give feedback. My plan is to continue improving it as I get more official graphics for the series.<br />
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I'm still debating whether I should change the look of my current website and blog as the time draws closer. I'm also wondering if I should update my "Dance with Passion" tagline, since the new series has little to do with dance. The passion will still apply, but my new heroines are much more likely to fight with passion than merely dance around with it. LOL. Any thoughts would be appreciated. One friend suggested, "Empowering Your Passions." Does anyone like that one?<br />
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Anyway, here is the link to the new blog. Maybe it will give you some ideas. <a href="http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/p/series.html">http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/p/series.html</a>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-76736258232332984862014-05-27T07:21:00.002-07:002014-05-27T07:22:27.858-07:00More Reader FavoritesThis week I offer a few more favorite quotes from my readers. These ones are best understood with a bit of backstory.<br />
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The first favorite quote was chosen by Suzie Johnson. It depicts a scene in the book when my character Layla experiences a moment of freedom and true joy, swimming without a veil and heavy clothing for the first time. I think this will resonate with anyone who has let go of bondage and found their way to freedom in Christ.<br />
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The second quote was recommended by Wendy Chorot. I should mention that the book includes a minor character who is an abused woman. Fatima was Layla's best friend during childhood, but now is barely allowed to leave her home. Layla tries to keep up Fatima's spirits by sending her long emails about her experiences. This passage is from one of Fatima's return letters.<br />
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Today's final quote was chosen by Kim Upperman. This is from the perspective of Rain's boyfriend, James. James was mistreated by his father as a child, but he realizes he will need to overcome those old wounds if he wants to be the man that Rain and their child need him to be. It really hones in on the experience of inner healing, whether more spiritually or emotionally focused.<br />
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<br />Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-82765257663992508052014-05-19T07:53:00.000-07:002014-05-27T07:22:10.930-07:00Memorable QuotablesI recently asked some of my friends to share their favorite quotes from <i>Dance from Deep Within</i>. Here are a few. More to come next week.<br />
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A favorite line from Angela Andrews.</div>
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A favorite line from Kim Upperman.</div>
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Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-47396526558621208562014-05-12T08:01:00.001-07:002014-05-27T07:21:52.906-07:00Favorite Moments - Dance from Deep WithinThis week I'll be at the Colorado Christian Writers conference where I will be sharing a video of one of my songs about Islam as well as ministering a worship dance, teaching classes, and taking appointments for WhiteFire Publishing. All of that has put me back in a <i>Dance from Deep Within </i>kind of mood.<br />
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So here are a few inspirational quotes from <i><b>Dance from Deep Within</b> </i>that I especially love. Feel free to share with your friends. More to come!!!<br />
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<br />Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-57614874924092794102014-05-06T06:55:00.001-07:002016-01-08T19:01:55.626-08:00Lessons from the Editor's Desk - Editors Are People Too<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, so the title is a little silly, yet oddly easy to forget. As I’ve mentioned in the last two posts in this series, I am a part-time, often volunteer editor for WhiteFire Publishing. So I assume you knew I was just a regular person, but the same holds true for all editors. Here are some things to keep in mind in that vein, and I would venture to say that most of this is true of agents as well<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Editors Want to Have a Good Conference Experience. </b>While editors come in a variety of personality types, they want to have a pleasant conference experience just like you. They might be shy and new to the conference and just as nervous about who to sit with at lunch as you are. Or they might be a fun-loving individual looking for someone to bounce their jokes off of. If you treat them like a person, ask them about their families and pets, their interests, you might just gain an actual friend who happens to be influential in the publishing industry. And just like any other people, you will probably connect easily with some of them, and not so easily with others. That’s okay. Chances are, the ones who like you will also like your writing style. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Editors Want to Have Good Meetings with Conferees.</b> Generally, editors don’t like being pressured, being given sob stories, or being told that God has mandated them to publish your book. They don’t like being chased or handed manuscripts under bathroom stalls. Beyond that, it’s a good idea to do some research on the editor and learn what they do and don’t like. Personally, I have a pet peeve about conferees who don’t answer my questions but instead push on with their sales pitch. For example, I want to know how long a writer has been writing, what professional associations they have, and if they know the industry lingo, and I hate it when writers ignore my questions. On the other hand, I find nervous conferees kind of endearing. I think most editors like it when conferees are a nice balance of prepared yet casual. They enjoy a relaxed meeting. They like to have a conversation and not just listen to a speech. They like to see that you are excited about your project and that you’ve done your work to be ready for publication.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Editors Talk to Other Editors. </b>Going to writers conferences and meeting with editors is an awesome idea…unless you have a pushy, annoying, or otherwise abrasive personality. In which case, you might want to think twice. Editors talk to other editors, and you don’t want to get a bad reputation in the industry. If you discover that you’ve committed a serious faux pas (I‘m not talking about passing manuscripts under stalls or using the wrong font here, we’re used to that stuff), it might be wise to offer a sincere and heartfelt apology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Editors Have Preferences about Submissions. </b>For starters, most of them only want submissions from agents these days. If they do take submissions, shockingly (sarcasm) they put their guidelines right on their website, and they expect you to follow them. What if they just say something general like “a query letter” or “a proposal”? That should indicate two things to you, 1) They aren’t terribly particular, but 2) they do expect you to do your own homework and to provide these documents to a general industry standard. Don’t know what that is? I repeat—do your homework. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Editors Represent Companies. </b>Editors might seem like all-powerful gods to authors, but they have to answer to their employers just like anyone else, and they also have to win the approval of their publication committee. If they choose your book and it does poorly, it could negatively impact them as well. They have an obligation to represent their company’s lines and needs, and part of your (or your agent’s) homework is to make sure you are sending your work to the right companies. Most companies have certain “slots” to fill in their publication lines. For example, two American set historical romances, one historical romance set in England, three suspense novels, and five contemporary women’s novels. And to continue the example, eight of those slots for the year might already be filled by their current authors. You might have an awesome book that the editor loves, but whether or not you get a contract will still be largely based on the company’s specific needs of that moment, which is one of the many reasons you must keep trying and not be easily discouraged. Editors want to please their employers and keep their jobs just like anyone else, which is why being stubborn or pushy about a book that doesn’t fit their line will only put you on their bad list.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Editors Have Personal Taste. </b>In addition to representing their companies, editors also have their own taste. You might find that within a given publishing house one editor prefers plot driven fiction, another deep characters, and a third is a sucker for a great voice. That’s part of why you can’t take rejection too personally, and you must keep trying and trying. It’s entirely possible that you might send an editor an awesome novel, but they have read two similar bad ones recently that negatively color their perception. Or worse yet, they might have just read an off the charts awesome book in your genre, and therefore yours seems lackluster in comparison. It happens, and there’s nothing you can do about it but keep trying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Editors Care about People They Know. </b>And so I pretty much bring us back to the first point. Let me be clear. I’m not talking about nepotism. But…I think it is simple human nature that editors will give more time and attention to submissions by people that they know and like. They’ll feel more confident about publishing a book by someone they trust. It’s easy for me to send a simple, “no thank you” to people I haven’t met, whereas someone I know in person is more likely to get suggestions for improvement with an invitation to resubmit. At the end of the day, publishers are only going to publish books they love and feel confident about. But…given two books of equal merit, do you think an editor will push for the one by a friend or a stranger???<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yep, editors are people too. Don’t tick them off. Don’t annoy them. But if you can invest time into getting to know them and becoming their friends, it just might bode well for your future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Have you ever met with an editor? Can you share any funny stories, cautionary tales, or suggestions?</em></span></div>
Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-47027829540913944702014-04-28T07:04:00.000-07:002016-01-08T19:02:14.266-08:00A New First<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over eight years have passed since I got serious about writing my first novel. It all started when my friends Angela, Kim, and I decided to form a little writers group--which lasted about three months--but that's when I pulled out my old notes for a novel called <i>These Three Remain </i>and turned an idea into a book. For the next five years, I would rewrite that novel several times until it became the published work with the new title <i>Dance of the Dandelion. </i><br />
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As of now, I've written five complete novels. Three are in print. I've also won awards, become an editor, blogged, and had the pleasure of teaching at writers conferences.<br />
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But today, I find myself facing a new scary first. A first I've been putting off for several weeks, and so I'm sharing it with you today as a means of accountability. (This is where I take a deep breath) Today, I must start a novel for which the synopsis has already been submitted.<br />
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Now if you're not a writer, or if you are a writer who is a plotter, that must seem very anti-climactic. Here's what you have to understand. For every other novel I've written, it has started with this idea bursting in my head. With these characters just clamoring to get out. And at least a few chapters have poured onto the page in random order with the giddy energy of a honeymoon. Of course later I have to work through the tangles of plot twists and proper motivations. But that initial writing spurt is nothing short of intoxicating. And the initial powerful surge provides me with a strong desire to see the book through to completion.<br />
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Today I face a white sheet of paper and attempt to write a story that has already been planned. No initial heady rush of meeting new characters and discovering a new world. No excited anticipation of where this journey might take me. I'm already aware of the tough challenges I will face to make the characters motivations believable and scenes that will be tricky to write. And while thankfully I do know the hero from the previous book, I've written an entire story outline for a heroine who has yet to even come alive in my head.<br />
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I guess this is part of growing up and becoming a responsible adult writer. Today I am determined to do it. But I've also determined to figure out how to find that joy of discovery. To let the new heroine become a real person in my mind, and to follow the twists and turns of the journey, even if it takes me in a different direction than I expected.<br />
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With or without the giddy rush, I will write today! And I guess that's what being a professional writer is all about.<br />
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<i>Any tips as I face this new challenge????</i>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-73048876367415063652014-04-21T06:38:00.000-07:002016-01-08T19:02:48.700-08:00Lesson's from the Editor's Desk - Take Me for a RideIn the <a href="http://awesomeinspirationals.blogspot.com/2014/03/lessons-from-editors-desk-first-pages.html" target="_blank">first lesson</a> of this series, I explained that I am a part-time, often volunteer editor for <a href="http://whitefire-publishing.com/wordpress/" target="_blank">WhiteFire Publishing</a>. However, I have been reviewing manuscripts for three years now, and I've learned a few things along the way that I think would be helpful to the writers among us. Today's lesson: take me for a ride!<br />
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Once I make it through the first chapter or two of a novel submission and feel confident that the book is off to a good start and a reasonable fit for my company's needs, I like to download it to my kindle. From that point on, I try to turn off my inner editor and experience the book like a reader. If it keeps me engaged and I read until the end, I might ask for some improvements, but chances are, I will recommend the book to our publishing committee.<br />
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So here's the big question: <i><b>Why would I stop reading???</b></i><br />
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One of two reasons: the book bored me or the book wasn't well constructed. When we read a book we want to be taken for a ride, on a journey. It should be exciting, yet it should feel reliable. We want highs and lows, twists and turns, even upside down loops, much like a roller coaster. But...we want to feel like the roller coaster is structurally sound and the safety equipment is trustworthy. We want that assurance that we'll get off in one piece on the other side. Editors end up reading a lot of bad books, but when we find a novel that allows us to relax and enjoy the ride, we are ecstatic! Now, let's look at this in more detail.<br />
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<b>Boring:</b><br />
If I'm bored and don't desire to pick your book back up and keep reading, I won't. Plain as that. If it's not holding my interest, it won't hold the interest of many regular readers either. Here are some issues that can lead to a boring book:<br />
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Overused Storyline<br />
Flat Characters<br />
Weak Dialogue<br />
Weak Voice <br />
Lack of Motivation<br />
Lack of Conflict<br />
Lack of Escalation<br />
Lack of Emotional Intensity<br />
Pointless Scenes <br />
Slow Pacing<br />
Too Much Telling<br />
Lengthy Chunks of Description <br />
Lengthy Chunks of Narration<br />
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The most important element to keep in mind in this area is that unlike authors from the 1800s, you are competing with television, youtube, blockbuster movies, and netflix for people's attention. You need to keep your stories quick paced, present moment, multi-sensory, full of conflict, and downright exhilarating. Even a quiet, literary novel must keep these issues in mind. While you might be able to replace some conflict and action with beautiful language and deep observations about the human condition, you must still provide that engaging ride for your reader. So maybe this sort of novel would be more of a sky tram than a roller coaster, but it still needs to provide a strong story arc for a worthwhile and memorable journey.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Faulty Construction</b>:<br />
The other reason I might put a novel down is because I don't feel confident that it will safely get me where I need to go. A reader needs to believe that the story/author is trustworthy and will fulfill the requirements of the genre in a satisfying manner. If the reader feels jolted or confused, chances are he or she will give up on the book. And I will too. Here are some typical issues in this category:<br />
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Faulty Plot Structure<br />
Inconsistent Character Motivations<br />
Poor Characterization<br />
Unclear Setting <br />
Continuity Issues<br />
Poor Pacing <br />
Poor Scene Choice<br />
Point of View Issues<br />
Jolting through Time<br />
Jolting in and out of Scenes<br />
Missing Information<br />
Far-Fetched Plot <br />
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No one wants to take a ride like that. I for one love a good roller coaster, but at a reliable theme park, not one tossed up by a couple of traveling carnival workers. You can't perfect one element of a novel while letting another fall into disrepair or go missing entirely. Writing a novel is a huge and elaborate undertaking. There's a lot to get right, and if even one element is weak, the entire thing can fall apart. I mean, what if one single piece of track was missing from a roller coaster? Or the pulley to get you to the top was weak or jolting? Or what if the brakes were just so so? In order to have a fulfilling ride, every piece needs to be working well and in conjunction with the others.<br />
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Don't get too discouraged. Most books have a few minor weaknesses. That's what editors are for. But again remember, I need to want to read your book until the end before we even get to that point. So make it impossible for me to put down. Take me on a journey that I'll want to finish, and you just might find yourself in print.<br />
<i><br /></i> <i>What makes you give up on a book? Even better, what makes you want to throw it against the wall?</i>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-2927617466434915562014-04-14T08:33:00.001-07:002023-10-21T08:58:10.113-07:00Prayer Series 6 - Pray with Your Spirit<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<i><sup>15</sup> So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ~ I Corinthians 14:15</i></div>
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A few years ago I led a ladies Bible study for a few close friends. One of the ladies had a hard time praying. She would feel anxiety and even panic when she prayed. How sad! For this woman prayer was scary. A performance of sorts. As if God was judging her words and deciding if he would magically grant her wish or strike her with a lightning bolt for her shoddy job.</div>
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If you've been following my series on prayer, hopefully you already understand that prayer is not a performance. Once this woman realized that simply basking in God’s presence, merely listening to his voice or dwelling on a scripture, could be a form of prayer, things began to go much better for her.</div>
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Paul instructs us to pray with both the understanding and the spirit. There are a number of prayer techniques, used throughout the ages, that allow our minds to rest and our spiritual awareness to blossom. Let me begin this next section by saying that any hard-core conservative evangelicals might want to skip this post. Or at the very least, I would request that you remove any large rocks from your vicinity before proceeding ;)</div>
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<b>Spontaneous Creative Expression</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhN6U4XZ891C8ETxdJ9NgJee_WdPsbxtANWy18ZfHaHphTe2yNV1ZbUbCROEutU3q2U2_UXZragLlS_mcfzBf9Bz1iNggkFUCr2sYsLLfoeYvSJaw9x8mDrxL9PkPlqfD0LBH_9Zfm0Y/s1600/lisasrisen.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhN6U4XZ891C8ETxdJ9NgJee_WdPsbxtANWy18ZfHaHphTe2yNV1ZbUbCROEutU3q2U2_UXZragLlS_mcfzBf9Bz1iNggkFUCr2sYsLLfoeYvSJaw9x8mDrxL9PkPlqfD0LBH_9Zfm0Y/s320/lisasrisen.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Risen! - by novelist Lisa Samson</i> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Let’s start with one that shouldn’t be too scary. Art. Art is a form of communication. Anything we can do with speech, we can do through singing, dancing, painting, writing poetry, etc... And yes, through these means we can pray. </div>
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Letting your mind flow free to worship God and express your heart spontaneously through the arts can provide an amazing experience in God’s presence. Little wonder most churches begin with music. And while planned music or dancing can work well as worship and prayer, how much better to engage in our own personal artistic prayer experience. Allow your emotions to well up from within and express them to God through your chosen medium, engaging your spirit and giving your mind an opportunity to rest. Bask in the tone of the music, the color of the paint, the texture of the clay.</div>
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Some churches even allow for such expression on Sunday morning. But I encourage you to consider adding your favorite form of artistic expression to your personal time of prayer. And take a moment to enjoy this worshipful art by one of my favorite novelists, Lisa Samson.</div>
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<b>Repeated Scripture</b></div>
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Choosing a significant scripture and repeating it in a rhythmic pattern in time with your breath is a prayer technique that was used by both the ancient Hebrews and medieval Christians. This method of prayer is one of the most soothing techniques I’ve ever experienced. And it gives one a sense of entering the kingdom of God deep within. </div>
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Here are some of my favorite scriptures that I like to pray:</div>
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<i>~“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty”</i></div>
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<i>~“King of Kings and Lord of Lords”</i></div>
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<i>~“In Him I live and move and have my being.”</i></div>
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<i>~“Be still and know that I am God.”</i></div>
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<i>~“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..”</i></div>
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Any short scripture of personal significance can work. As you repeat these scriptures, allow your mind to dwell on them, to picture them. Imagine what your life would look like if these scriptures were fully realized in it. Allow them to do a work deep in your heart. Imagine the change that will take place when you truly begin to believe them.</div>
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<b>Prayer in the Spirit</b></div>
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When reading I Corinthians 14:15 in context, you will discover that Paul is specifically referring to…dare I say it? I'm tempted to just call it the "t-word," but that doesn't seem right considering the New Testament refers to it on numerous occasions. Speaking in tongues has taken a bad rap in Christendom. And for good reason. Despite the fact that I was raised in a charismatic church, even I have held reservations about this technique, mostly because it has caused so much division in the body of Christ. </div>
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However, just because something causes controversy doesn’t make it wrong. In fact Christianity itself is quite controversial these days. The only theological argument I’ve ever heard against praying in tongues is a single scripture. And I would argue that a single scripture not taken in light of the entire word of God, at the very least, begs for reconsideration. Many churches avoid tongues not for theological reasons but because it is hard to control and has been abused. But it can be done decently and in order. Or even just privately at home. And who’s to say God would not like us to give up our control from time to time and give him the reigns.</div>
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As I’ve been doing this series on prayer, I’ve felt God prompting me to reexamine speaking in tongues. And it occurred to me that speaking in tongues serves the same purpose as many other prayer techniques. It eases our mind, it allows us to pray God’s words and not our own, and it is a way for the Holy Spirit to speak through us and to us. Paul prayed in tongues more than anyone around him, and maybe there is something to be learned from that.</div>
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Praying in tongues can seem intimidating because it by definition can’t be understood with the logical mind. We might worry we’re speaking gibberish, or something we heard someone else pray rather than an actual earthly or heavenly language. But Paul says in Romans 8: 26, “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” And I suspect it might be the release from deep in our spirit that matters more than the specifics of the words themselves.</div>
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Maybe speaking in tongues isn’t the thing for you. No worries. The important thing is to be open to how God is leading you to pray. However you choose to pray, remember that prayer is not a performance. Remember to pray both with your spirit and your understanding. And remember that it’s okay to put your mind at ease.</div>
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<i>Are you able to put your mind at ease when you pray? Have you ever tried or had an experience, positive or negative, with any of these techniques? How is God leading you to pray?</i></div>
Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-12635486624486067642014-04-07T07:12:00.000-07:002016-01-08T19:03:41.853-08:00Prayer Series 5 - A Place to Pray<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” ~ Matthew 6:6</i></div>
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For several posts I’ve been sharing my thoughts on tapping into the spiritual realm and truly communicating with God. And while this requires honing our spiritual senses, the physical environment around us can either contribute to or diminish our prayer process. As we see above, Jesus recommended we go into a small, quiet room and pray. </div>
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In his book <i>Mystically Wired, </i>Pastor Ken Wilson asserts that many Christians fail in their prayer and devotional lives because they make it too hard on themselves. They make unrealistic demands and set themselves up for failure. God intended for us to enjoy prayer. It is meant to be a relaxing and refreshing time in His marvelous presence. I’ve mentioned some techniques that might help enrich your prayer time including listening to God, imagining meeting with God, and ruminating on specific words from scripture. But today let’s spend some time considering where we pray.</div>
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We should prepare for prayer the same way we might prepare for a date with our spouse, making it a special time to meet with the lover of our souls. Choose a place that is quiet and comforting. A place that will bring you joy. A place that is special to you. That way when you go to this place, your body will immediately respond with positive associations. As you have wonderful prayer times in this place, those associations will continue to grow. It doesn’t always have to be the same exact place. I have three places in my house where I like to pray. Find what works best for you.</div>
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Next, think about your posture. What helps you enter into prayer and focus on God? Kneeling, laying prostrate on the floor, sitting with your hands folded? For me it’s usually sitting cross-legged or with my knees tucked to my chest in an overstuffed chair or on a plush carpet. It could be lying in bed…or showering…or driving in your car. There’s never a “bad” place or way to talk to God and petition him. However, some environments and positions help us to better enter his presence and hear from him in return.</div>
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When you first begin to pray, consider taking some slow deep breaths to relax yourself and enjoy the moment. Imagine breathing in the presence of God and breathing out all the stress of your day.</div>
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Here are some other tools that might contribute to your prayer experience.</div>
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1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><b>Art work: </b>Anything beautiful that lifts the soul, photos of nature, religious artwork, even a relaxing screensaver</div>
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<b>2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b>Water:</b> a trickling fountain or sounds of the ocean or rain</div>
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<b>3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b> Fire: </b>candles, a fireplace, a campfire, or a virtual fire</div>
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<b>4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b>Scent: </b>incense or a relaxing aroma like lavender or vanilla</div>
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<b>5)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b>Bible:</b> a special Bible with personal significance in a translation you love</div>
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<b>6)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b>Devotional Books: </b>prayers, scripture collections, poems, writings in God’s voice</div>
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<b>7)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b>Journal:</b> for recording what God speaks to you and your own poems and prayers</div>
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<b>8)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b>Music:</b> classical music, instrumental music, especially worship music</div>
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I keep this website book marked because it streams beautiful “soaking” worship music all day long. <a href="http://www.soaking.net/">http://www.soaking.net/</a> </div>
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Give thought to what blesses you during your prayer time and keep those items handy in one place. It won’t be all of the prayer aids I mentioned. Certainly not all at the same time. I once experimented with lighting a scented candle, running a fountain, and playing worship music all at the same time. By the time I was done I had entered sensory overload and was completely distracted. But I have been blessed by all of these items individually during my prayer sessions. </div>
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This post would not be complete without mentioning the place I spend most of my personal prayer time—what Ken Wilson calls the <b><i>“outdoor cathedral.” </i></b>Like many others, I feel closest to God in nature with no ceiling over my head. I love to listen to the birdsong, the rustle of the breeze. To watch scampering squirrels, waddling ducks, and soaring hawks. Even little ants busy at work. There I can see, feel, hear, taste, and smell God all around me. I do much of my praying in conjunction with walking and biking. And can you guess my favorite prayer place of all? Along the beach, of course :)<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
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<i>This post should allow for some good discussion. How do you enjoy praying? Where do you pray? Do you use any aids in prayer? Might any of these suggestions enrich your prayer life? Do you have any suggestions for us today?</i>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-79407064690248914822014-03-31T10:43:00.004-07:002020-11-03T09:51:05.754-08:00Prayer Series 4 - A Time to Pray<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>16 Rejoice always, 17 pray
continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s
will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</i></div>
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<i><br />
</i>“Today we’re going to talk about prayer.” The youthful pastor
glanced over the faces of the congregation lining the pews. One by one
smiles turned to frowns of guilt and remorse. Several sets of eyes
glazed over with disinterest, while others turned away from him. A
sweet, elderly lady in the front row continued to gaze up with a
beatific grin.<br />
<br />
He rubbed his hands together in
anticipation. This should be good. “How many of you have heard a sermon
before that instructed you to rise early each morning and pray?”<br />
<br />
Every hand in the audience shot up. “How many of you have tried to do this?”<br />
<br />
Over half the hands stayed in the air. “And how many have succeeded?”<br />
<br />
As
he suspected, only five or six remained, including the saintly
white-haired woman up front. “Well, I have good news for you. Jesus
liked to pray at night.” <br />
<br />
A few sighs met his ears, followed by a murmured, “Thank God.”<br />
<br />
The pastor chuckled. “Different question. How many of you have been taught that you should set aside an hour a day to pray?”<br />
<br />
Again
every hand rose. “And how many of you actually pray an hour a day.”
All hands fell. Even his friend in the front row lowered her wrinkled
one and wobbled it back and forth to indicate hit and miss. Then one
brave soul in the back raised his hand high. Several nearby
parishioners glared at him and grumbling exploded about the building.<br />
<br />
Oh,
great. The last thing he needed was to get in trouble with the senior
pastor. Again. “Settle down everyone. Today we’re going to talk about a
different approach to prayer.”<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
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Would
it surprise you to know that every school morning for almost seven years I’ve had a devotional time with my children? Often when I
mention that to people, I’m met by disbelief, glares, or guilt. But
we’ve found a simple formula that works for us. And if ever one child is
running late, another will fuss at them because they love our prayer
time. They crave that special moment to start the day.<br />
<br />
However, we do not wake up early, and we don’t spend an hour. Allow me to share our recipe for prayer success.<br />
<br />
1) Keep it short: Our prayer time is five minutes long.<br />
2)
Build it into your daily routine: We pray every morning by
the front window right before they have to catch the bus.<br />
3) Have a plan: We say the Lord’s Prayer together, then I
read a 5-10 verse passage of scripture from a specified book. Finally,
I (or Dad if he’s home) close with a prayer for our day.<br />
<br />
Perhaps
that sounds too simple. Too easy. But prayer is meant to be enjoyed. Not dreaded. Let’s
look at these simple steps in more detail.<br />
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<b>Keep it short.</b>
When you first attempt to enter into a daily habit of prayer, start
simple. Choose a reasonable goal that you feel confident you can
conquer. Five minutes a day. Ten at the most. Once this becomes a habit
and you begin to enjoy your prayer time, chances are you will find this
time too short and want to pray longer. But take it easy on yourself
and start out slow.<br />
<br />
<b>Build it into your daily routine.</b>
What do you do everyday? Have a cup of coffee in the morning and read
the newspaper? Check your email when you get home from work? Read
before you go to bed? Take a lunch break? Go running? If you’re super
busy then what about drive to work? Or take a shower? Choose one of
these times and add your five minutes of prayer to it. Once it
successfully becomes a habit and you are enjoying it, consider
extending it, or adding a second, and later a third time. <br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Have a plan:</b> It certainly doesn’t have to be the same
as my family’s plan. Maybe you’d like to open with a worship song, read a
devotional, listen quietly, and close with an out loud prayer. Maybe
you’d like to read a scripture and meditate on it and then journal about
it. Maybe you’d like to begin with a time of thanksgiving, then pray
for friends, and finally for yourself. You might enjoy trying something
different such as deep breathing, repeating a single scripture, and
imagining meeting with God to talk about your day. Traditional folks
might like to use a liturgical prayer and light a candle. Our more
charismatic friends might want to incorporate praying in the spirit or
even dancing. The plan is only to help you, and you get to set it. One
day you might want to change it, or scrap it completely. No problem! But
a plan will help you see how you can easily fill that time. In fact,
before long you’ll find that five minutes is not nearly long enough.<br />
<br />
And
this is just a starting point to help you enjoy your prayer time. Also
keep in mind what we learned in my posts “A Place to Pray” and some of
the prayer techniques we’ve discussed. Soon every hand in our audience
might go up when the pastor asks who prays an hour a day. The goal is
not to sit miserably, whiling away the time. The goal is to enjoy God’s
presence so that you seek it more and more. To long to meet with him
again. To dream of those moments. To pray without ceasing. <br />
<br />
Because you want to!<br />
<br />
<i>Do
you have a prayer routine that you’d be willing to share with us? What
helps you to enjoy your time with God? If you don’t have a regular
prayer time, what might help you establish one?</i>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-30509440788971129672014-03-24T06:54:00.000-07:002016-01-08T19:04:34.243-08:00Prayer Series 3 - Shut Up and Listen<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You don't believe because you're
not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they
follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from
the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The
Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the
Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and
the Father are one heart and mind. </i><i>~ John 10:25-30</i></div>
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I
don’t know about you, but I always had the impression that prayer was
mostly about talking at God…with words. And this process, for reasons
I’ve shared during my last few posts, didn’t work that well for
me. So I’ve been blogging about different tools to add to our prayer
and devotional times to help us better tune into the spiritual world
and truly communicate with God. </div>
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This
week I want to talk about the simple process of listening to God with
our inner ears. Considering the fact that God is all-knowing and
all-powerful, you’d think we’d want to stop and hear what he has to say.
I mean, I could spend hours talking to him about my problems. Maybe
that would make me feel better. Probably it would just get me more
worked up. Besides, he’s already intimately acquainted with me. So
wouldn’t it be better to listen and hear what he wants me to know.</div>
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Yet
don’t most people spend 90% of their prayer time spouting lists at
God, or worse yet, trying to order him around and inform him how he
should fix the world. I’m sorry, but this strikes me as a terrible
plan. </div>
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So
why don’t people spend more time being quiet and still and listening
to God? Maybe because it can be a little scary. Maybe because we’re
afraid we’ll fail. Maybe because it requires a loss of control. But
listening to God is the most life-changing kind of prayer there is.</div>
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Meditating on words and
phrases from scripture or imagining God can be helpful in listening in listening prayer.
Deep breathing, quoting short scriptures, soaking in quiet worship
music, or time spent in nature can also be helpful. I'll go into some of these more in upcoming weeks.</div>
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Perhaps
the most helpful tool is journaling. By writing down the thoughts,
feelings, and impressions that bubble up from that well deep inside of
us, we allow them to flow free. Choose not to analyze, but just to
capture it all on paper. Then later you can compare what God has spoken
to you with the word of God or share it with a spiritual advisor.</div>
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What will God’s voice sound like? Fair enough question.</div>
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God
rarely speaks in an audible voice. You have to quiet your own thoughts
to hear his still quiet voice deep in your heart. And it does tend to
feel as if it come from somewhere in your chest. God’s words will often
take you by surprise and sound like nothing you could have come up
with on your own. There is a sense of “flow.” They will bring peace and
comfort. They will sound of authority. Even if they convict, they will
do so with love and compassion. They will strengthen you and give you
hope. They should always align with scripture and will sometimes even
take the form of scripture.</div>
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Our
own thoughts usually come from somewhere in the vicinity of our head.
They tend to be logical and predictable. Sometimes critical and judgmental. Sometimes lenient on sin. Most of us are pretty familiar
with our own thoughts. They often run in circles and get us nowhere.</div>
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Satan’s
voice can be the trickiest, but you’ll quickly learn to tell the
difference. This voice brings negative emotions: fear, anger,
hopelessness, condemnation, bitterness etc… It might sound good on the
surface, but you can tell it by the fruit it produces. It accuses and
twists the truth. Satan loves to use words like “always” and “never” and
work you into a frenzy, the opposite of the peace of God. His words
twist in your gut and can feel like they come from that area. Rebuke the
devil in the name of Jesus when these thoughts attempt to invade. </div>
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Don’t
focus on Satan, though. Focus on God. He is the good shepherd and his
children know his voice. Spend time with him. Learn to listen to him.
Use the tools that best help you to relate to him and hear him speak.</div>
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So the next time you pray, remember, stop talking so much and listen already.</div>
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<i>What helps you listen to God? How do you identify his voice? Have you ever tried keeping a prayer journal?</i><br />
<br />
And here's a great book about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Listening-Prayer-Learning-Shepherds-Voice/dp/1939023149/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1395669181&sr=8-12" target="_blank">Listening Prayer</a> for anyone who wants to learn more. <br />
<i><br />
</i>Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-75459893635976521472014-03-17T03:44:00.001-07:002016-01-08T19:05:09.234-08:00Prayer Series 2 - Eyes of the Heart<div class="MsoNormal">
In last week's post, I proposed that we have
spiritual senses, but they are generally crowded out by our more
powerful physical senses. </div>
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This
week I would like to talk about a style of relating to God that has
revolutionized my personal life more than any other. It is the simple
practice of engaging the imagination, otherwise known as the eyes of our
hearts, in encountering God.</div>
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For
much of my life I had a hard time praying, meditating on God, and
hearing from God. What would happen was basically this, I would try to
talk to God in words. Meanwhile, my mind would be flooded with images,
daydreams, feelings, and distractions. It was like I was trying to talk
at God through a radio script while the television was blasting right
in front of my face. And I didn’t know how to turn the dumb thing off.
As far as listening to God in such a state, well…just forget it.</div>
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Then
I finally learned the secret. While you can’t turn off that inner
television set, you can change the channel. You can use that inner
imaging system to focus on God. You can picture meeting with him.
Looking into his face. You can tune your thoughts to a favorite image of
God from the Bible. The shepherd. The king on his throne. The loving
father. Jesus the carpenter. The dove. Or something in nature that
speaks to you of God’s divinity. The ocean. The mountains. A sunset. A
campfire. You name it. Perhaps you can even meet with God on that
mountaintop or beach and have a conversation, or hug, right there.</div>
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Somehow
I had never thought of that. It seemed too simple. Almost like
make-believe. But it is the way to engage all of ourselves in the
process of prayer. To focus our whole minds on God’s presence. And here I
thought a vision would have to be all super-natural and block out my
normal eyesight. Not that it couldn’t happen, I suppose. But don’t you
find that God often moves in much gentler, simpler, harder to pin down
ways that require a bit of faith.</div>
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The
ancient Hebrews knew about this. They understood dreams and visions.
They understood that we had spiritual eyes that needed to look into the
face of God. <i>Imagine</i> is one definition for the Hebrew word for meditate. The medieval Christians understood this as well. They called it <i>Visio Divina. </i>Who knows, maybe every Christian in the world besides me somehow understood this. <i>“Turn
your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things
of earth will grow vaguely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” </i>Seems
like this idea has been around for a long time. Maybe I just missed
it. But since I did, I want to make sure no one else misses it like me.
</div>
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In
fact, while reading the Bible you can use this same inner imaging
system. You can picture yourself living Bible stories. Imagine what it
would have been like to walk with Paul, to listen to Jesus on the Mount
of Olives, to go to battle beside King David. More importantly, you can
engage your faith by picturing what it would look like if scripture
were truer than your circumstances. How that would change your life.</div>
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I
first stumbled upon this concept when my kids were small. I would
worry when I left them with the babysitter. Picturing all sorts of
horrible things happening to them. Prayer didn’t seem to help. Quoting
scriptures just felt like some fear-ridden attempt at Christian magic
spells. Finally it hit me. I could pray, maybe quote those scriptures,
then I would picture the kids safe at home playing happily with their
babysitter and surrounded by the angels. What a difference that made. My
fear would melt away, and I could enjoy my outing.</div>
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As
I’ve mentioned before. Maybe this isn’t the thing for you. Or maybe
you aren’t as dense as I am, and you figured this out long ago. But for
others of you, this simple technique might hold the key to deepening
your awareness of the spiritual kingdom, relating to God, and hearing
his voice. I hope for someone today, this is just the thing you’ve been
searching for.</div>
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<i>How
do you picture God? Where is your favorite place to meet with him? If
you could take a three day vacation, just you and God, where would you
like to spend it?</i></div>
Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405728521414052211.post-88719452341332124342014-03-10T07:20:00.001-07:002016-01-08T19:05:28.497-08:00Prayer Series 1 - Spiritual SensesOver the next few weeks I will be doing reposts of my favorite series that I've written. Enjoy these thoughts on prayer and devotion. I hope they will help you discover God in a new and more meaningful way. The original was posted in May 2011.<br />
<br />
<i>And
we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are
being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which
comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ~ II Cor. 3:18</i><br />
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I
started to write this post yesterday and intended to call it “Through a
Glass Darkly” or even “Dark Glass Ponderings.” You see, these words
have been rolling through my head for over a month now. I’ve been
ruminating on their definitions and their impact on my life. What does
it mean to see through a glass darkly? To look into a dim glass and
ponder? What do we detect? Over time do we begin to distinguish shadows
and shapes? Do our eyes attune to something very real on the other
side?</div>
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Perhaps this all started when I picked up a book called <i>Mystically Wired</i>
by Ken Wilson. Don’t worry, I’m not about to go all New Age on you.
Simply substitute the word “spiritual” for “mystical” and relax.
Wilson’s basic premise is this: we are all spiritually wired, but we are
also spiritually challenged. Our minds have actually been created by
God to fellowship with him and to discern the spiritual kingdom in and
around us. Scientists have proven that prayer stimulates a unique area
of the brain and that spiritual interest is at least in part based on
genetics. As the Bible describes, we have spiritual senses, spiritual
eyes and spiritual ears, perhaps even more. However, we are also
mystically challenged, meaning we do not typically know how to use them.
</div>
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Our
normal five senses for detecting the physical world are so much
stronger and clearer than our spiritual senses that we tend to dismiss
them. I like to say that God is always speaking if only we’ll be quiet
enough to listen. Our physical senses tend to crowd out our spiritual
senses. They clamor for our attention. In order to regularly and
efficiently commune with God, we must go to that still quiet place and
learn to engage our spiritual senses. We must attune that inner ear and
that inner eye. Take time to stare into that glass until the shapes and
patterns become familiar enough that they begin to make sense. Until
we trust ourselves to detect and understand them.</div>
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Wilson
takes this analogy even farther by talking about something called
“blindsight.” This occurs when a person’s eyes work, but the processing
center for sight in the brain is somehow inhibited. Although
individuals experiencing this condition cannot “see” in the traditional
sense, they show a remarkable ability to dodge unfamiliar obstacles.
While their brain is not giving them the visual messages in a logical
manner, they are in fact able to see on some sort of intuitive level,
and can even learn to better use and trust their “blindsight.”</div>
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Faith
is like “blindsight.” Although we can’t quite grasp it with our minds,
some part of us “knows,” and we must learn to trust in that knowledge
and harness it to change our lives. Prayer can feel like “blindsight.”
We can’t prove that God is speaking to us and giving us visions, yet we “know” that he is, and that awareness of God will transform us
into his image.</div>
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I
had planned to leave the post there. Looking into darkness. Then this
morning, I was having devotional time with my sons and came across II
Corinthians 3:18. It seems that when we were dead to sin our spiritual
eyes were completely veiled, but that as we are transformed into the
image of Christ we begin to see his glory more and more clearly. Perhaps
that glass begins to shine and glow as we stare into it and are
changed by it. Perhaps our spiritual eyes can be unveiled as we are
transformed into the image of Christ. Perhaps things don’t have to stay
so dark on this side of eternity.</div>
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Something new for you and me to ruminate about over the next few months. </div>
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<i>I
encourage you to pray about this scripture and ask God to reveal a new
depth of meaning to you. Which word stands out? What might God want to
show you about this word? So many good ones to choose from “unveiled,”
“contemplate,” “transformed,” “ever-increasing,” “image,” “glory” just
to name a few. Consider<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">journaling</span></span> about one of these words. Trust
your inner senses and allow God to speak to you. And if you don’t mind,
share with us as well.</i></div>
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Dina Sleimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com0