I’ve always considered myself—wrightly or wrongly—a writer, but ChurchMag helped make it official.
It was 2011, and I knew that I was supposed to be writing. I knew it was part of what I was made to do, what I was made to be. And yet, I felt frustrated, even hopeless, as I couldn’t find anyway to publish my writing that would result in anyone, beside my family, reading it.
And that’s where ChurchMag came in.
My Story
I was a reader who just happened to get connected to Eric, then editor/now emperor, and the rest will one day be considered literary history.
I’ll pause the mythologizing to make a point worth your time:
God has a plan.
If you’re not where you think God wants to take you, don’t stress. Keep your eyes open for opportunities, and be listening to the Spirit. God’s not going to waste your time, especially since your time comes from Him and He doesn’t waste His own time.
Whether you feel like you’re in the wilderness or are just one step away from reaching the promised land, keep on keeping on. The day will come, and you’ll exactly where He wants you, doing what He made you to do.
- Joseph went from the prison to the king’s palace.
- Moses left the sheep in the desert and became the shepherd of people.
- David traded a cave for the kingdom.
Those three guys had a really long row to hoe, so don’t get frustrated when the road seems Jesus left heaven, was born in a manger, walked the earth, died on a cross, laid in a tomb, rose again, and then ascended to glory. It was a grueling thirty-three year journey, but the glory ascribed to Him, the benefits we enjoy, have made it all worth it.
The same will be true for you.
Hang in there. God’s going to work it all out, and you’ll see that not one moment of your life, which has been submitted to Him, has been wasted.
Giveaway!
Since I love to read so much and enjoy Sci-Fi, Eric thought it would fun to give away a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of my ebook Finding Faith Inside the Big Blue Box: A Whovian’s 30 Day Devotional.
Leave a comment below (tell what your favorite book you’ve read this year is, if you like) and we’ll pick a winner Tuesday, November 24th!
Don’t forget your email address! And be sure to check-out our other 15,000th Blog Post Celebration giveaways.
sean odriscoll says
My favorite book that I have read this year has been The Martian by Andy Weir. The movie was good, but the book is AMAZING!
Phil Schneider says
How does it read? Sad? Inspiring? Exciting?
sean odriscoll says
Phil – It’s a great book for geeks. It goes into more geeky detail about how he overcomes his problems, sprinkled with lots of great humor. It’s a great story about hope, perseverance and an unwillingness to give up in the face of overwhelming odds.
Phil Schneider says
Cool. Maybe it will make it to my summer reading list.
Dustin Lafferty says
I’ve been plowing through The Dark Tower series for most of this year so my favorite book I’ve read in 2015 has been Wizard & Glass.
Phil Schneider says
What’s it about?
Dustin Lafferty says
It’s part 4 of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series – it’s mostly an interlude where the main hero, Roland (The Gunslinger), tells stories of his youth. It’s very much old western story influenced with King supernatural fantasy elements.
Phil Schneider says
Oh! That sounds neat. Is it very violent?
Dustin Lafferty says
Yeah, definitely violent. Would be a hard R rated film so take that into consideration as well.
Phil Schneider says
Oooh. Why that doesn’t bother me…morally?…it does make me pass out.
So I’m gonna pass on this. 🙂
Thanks for the comment, anyway.
Dustin Lafferty says
Certainly understandable. Thanks for the chat and congrats on the milestone!
Phil Schneider says
Thank you for reading, Dustin!
Aaron says
I’ve always wanted to start watching the Dr. Who series, but I’ve never been quite sure where to start. It’s on Netflix, so I’d love a suggestion. Congrats!
Phil Schneider says
A suggestion as to where to start?
Aaron says
There have been a lot of different people to play the Doctor. Is there a particular favorite/season that would get a newbie hooked on the series? Or is it best to start S1:E1?
Phil Schneider says
Hmmmm. If you want to watch an episode to get you hooked…The Day of the Doctor, the 50th anniversary special. It might be a bit confusing in parts, but it’s really good.
Otherwise, start with S1:E1 and do your best to squint and maybe the SFX will look ok. (The 9th Doctor is awesome.)
Aaron says
Ha! Right on. Thanks for the tips!
Phil Schneider says
No problem!
sandesh says
My favourite book:mystery of providence by John flavel
Phil Schneider says
What’s it about?
Paul Loeffler says
I really appreciate all these things you’re giving way. I may not win any of them, but it’s still fun to comment and share regarding the questions you’re asking.
My favorite book so far this year? I actually have been keeping track of books the last few years, so I go back to my list and consider. Since I read a wide variety of genres, I don’t think I can give an overall favorite. So, here are a few… then I really need to get back to work.
1)Fearless by Eric Blehm – Story of a Navy SEAL, Adam Brown, who gave his life for his country, but gave his life to Christ beforehand. Description doesn’t do it justice. Great book!
2)The Trident by Jason Redman & John Browning – While another story about another SEAL, it’s really a leadership book. Fantastic lessons on leadership learned.
3)The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge – for personal growth
4)As You Wish by Cary Elwes – because sometimes you just have to turn your brain off and enjoy a fun read, and this memoir about the making of Princess Bride is just that.
Phil Schneider says
How was the Cary Elwes book?
Paul Loeffler says
“As You Wish” was a fun book with a ton of funny and amazing details about the movie. Cary did a great job of combining the story of how the movie was made – from concept to finish – with a little of his story, and a lot of his part in the story of the movie. There were quotes on almost every page from the other actors involved. There was definitely a sense of camaraderie throughout the book, and NOT a “tell-all/here’s all the gossip and juicie tidbits about my co-stars” feel. There were some embarrassing stories, but just as many about Cary as about the others..
Phil Schneider says
That’s cool. I love movie trivia. Definitely going to have to get this book.
Auggie says
I’ve been reading through school books. But I found a couple of good ones by Scot McKnight. Lots goes over my head but a great book called blue parakeet.
Phil Schneider says
Did you read the King Jesus Gospel? I have it but haven’t cracked it yet.
Eric Dye says
I can’t imagine ChurchMag without you. 🙂
Phil Schneider says
Awwwwwwwww.
Jeff Randleman says
Bios. Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Reagan, CS Lewis. Those are some of my faves this year.
Phil Schneider says
Did Bonhoeffer live up to the hype?
Paul Loeffler says
If you’re referring to the book by Eric Metaxis, then it definitely lived up to the hype. I read that one in 2014. Fantastic book!
Phil Schneider says
I was. Good to know. Thanks!
Eric Dye says
You win!!! 😀
Email with details incoming…
Phil Schneider says
Hoooooooooray!!!!!!
Jeff Randleman says
Awesome! I have emailed you a couple of times concerning this, but I’m not sure if my emails are getting through?
Carl says
I have not read any fiction this year / very sad. In other books – Fellowship of Differrents by McKnight, which is a good book on the church. Lost World of Adan and Eve by Walton, and Changing the Conversationby Robinson
Phil Schneider says
Which was your fave? Or which would you most passionately recommend?
Carl says
They all had value for different reasons. if I had to suggest one it would be Fellowship of Differents; it’s a good look at what it means to have all different kinds of people in the church, and why that matters. Changing the Conversation is a good one for an established church (15+ years old) to help think about changes and culture. Lost World is a good read, but only for those specifically interested in a fairly academic look at the first few chapters of Genesis.
Phil Schneider says
Ok. That makes sense. Thanks for the details!
Mark Cabangon says
I’ve started “The Burden Bearer” by Paul Chappell. I teach a middle-aged SS class and there are storms that many are going through. This book helps me focus on others and not myself.
Presented in a simple manner and uses Bible to help the reader realize how redirect our burdens to the One who is willing to beat them.
Phil Schneider says
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the comment.
Matt Brady says
My favorite book that I have read so far this year has been “Jesus, Bread, and Chocolate: Crafting a Handmade Faith in a Mass-Market World” by John Joseph Thompson. Great book.
Phil Schneider says
Sounds like an interesting read! What’s the biggest lesson you pulled from it? Thanks for the comment.