1.       Don’t Waste Your Life – by John Piper

So many of us get caught up in The American Dream that we forget there is more to life than toys, houses, and an early retirement. Graduation is a wonderful time to refocus and be reminded to Make Your Life Count! Be refreshed and encouraged to live your life to the fullest for Christ through this book. (For High School or College Grads)

2. University of Destruction – by David Wheaton

This is a book prepares high school students for the mental war zone they will encounter in college. Wheaton does a great job presenting how to keep your faith in college. (For High School Grads)

3.       10 Best Decisions a Graduate Can Make – by Bill and Pam Farrel – New Release!

Bill and Pam are my mentors and I am so glad they packed their godly graduate insight into a neat little book. What makes this book unique is that it is it helps with the “Now What?” question. You will find tons of practical wisdom from building on your strengths and skills, job prep and discernment, connecting and developing relationships, and networking and social media. A wonderful resource for any graduate! (for High School or College Grads)

4.       When God Writes Your Life Story – Eric and Leslie Ludy

It’s often difficult to discern God’s will, especially after graduation and you’re confronted with tons of choices. The key to discerning God’s will is cultivating a deeper relationship with Christ and that is what this book is all about—focusing on Jesus and surrendering your life completely to Him. (For High School or College Grads)

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Grace Williamson, founder of Generation Impact, in a miraculous way—through my book, Exposed. Although we are states apart and have only chatted over email, we’ve started to build a friendship based on our Savior and His work. So, with that brief introduction, I am pleased to introduce you to Grace.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in the rural Midwest with a loving, Christian family. In 2009 I graduated homeschool high school with a serious passion for writing. This Spring I completed my two-year studies with the Christian Writer’s Guild. I hope to use my writing – and every other aspect of my life – for God’s glory.

When and why did you found Generation Impact?

When I graduated high school, I faced that looming question: What am I going to do with my life? I looked around at all my peers dealing with the same decision. We were all self-proclaimed Christians, but I wondered, “Is our faith affecting our life decisions and impacting the world?” I knew other kids must be grappling with the same question. So I had the idea of starting an online magazine where I could encourage young Christians to use their lives for Christ. I spent months organizing and preparing the site with the help of a few friends who were patient enough – and crazy enough – to help me pursue the idea. Finally in May 2010, a year after I graduated high school, we launched Generation Impact.

What passage of scripture has especially inspired you?

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

In the verses preceding this, Paul talks about the resurrection of Christ and the coming resurrection of all who believe in Him. He asks, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” He explains that, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have victory over death.

Because Jesus has saved me from my sins, I have eternal life. I am an eternal soul. Since I became Christ’s, the playing field is different. Now everything I do has eternal significance. In Him no labor is vain. I’m called to give myself fully to His work. At the end of my life here, I want to have held nothing back. I want every aspect of my earthly life, every labor I undertake, to be useful in the eternal Kingdom to which I belong. This motivates me every day.

What does Generation Impact provide for its readers?

The goal behind Generation Impact is to share articles and stories that encourage young Christians to live as instruments of righteousness. Each month’s issue features a conversational interview with a Christian who is using his or her talents for the Kingdom of Heaven. We also include movie, music, and book reviews to let people know about new media they may either want to support or be wary of.

My favorite part of Generation Impact, though, is our columns. In one way or another, these articles all share insight into living like Christ in an anti-Christ culture. I love reading these thoughts and heart cries from other young Christians.

Give us an example of some of the people you have interviewed? What was that experience like?

I’ve interviewed a wide variety of people over the past couple years. Generation Impact has featured professional photographers, videographers, filmmakers, magazine editors, and signers. We’ve also interviewed missionaries, authors, actors, and the list goes on.

My favorite interview experience was in the summer of 2010. A friend told me about this man who had spent much of his growing up on the mission field in Africa. I managed to contact him, and we met at a local park for an interview. As it turned out, he was a tall, good-looking kid with an unmistakable passion for the Lord. We’re getting married this June, and I couldn’t be happier!

What is your vision for Generation Impact?

I try to maintain a good balance between making plans and leaving the future in God’s hands. Five years from now, I’d like to see the site still providing solid, Biblical encouragement for young Christians. Of course I would also like to see growth. I’d like to feature more columns from different writers and see our audience increase. I want to see us reaching more and more people. At the same time I want to remember that even if we only touch one person for Christ, all the work we put into the site would still be worth it. Editorial goals aside, my goal as a Christian is to go into all the world, making disciples. The World Wide Web is just another tool for doing that.

What is the biggest lesson God has taught you through founding/developing Generation Impact?

Generation Impact has been a true gift because it has taught me so much: How to get outside my comfort zone, how to work with all kinds of people, how to prioritize and organize, how to trust God to provide everything I need to serve Him each day. The list could go on and on. But a major lesson has come from watching God work despite – and even through – my failures.

We often get so excited about a dream that we’re ready to take on the world. Confident that God is leading us, we move forward despite attacks, slander, and agitation. If the hardship is coming from outside, we’re fearless to face it. But when the hardship comes from within, from our failures, weaknesses, and insecurities, we throw up our hands and say, “I can’t do it.” We’re all ready to face the powers of darkness, but no one is brave enough to look in the mirror and see a human.

Generation Impact has shown me my humanity. Though the site has been successful, I’ve failed in a lot of areas and mishandled a lot of situations simply because I was inexperienced or afraid. But I’ve been able to move forward without any regrets or bitterness because I have learned more from those failures than I ever learned from easy success. I’ve become more aware of my own shortcomings, but it’s a beautiful thing because it has also made me more aware of God’s faithfulness and grace and total sufficiency to fill up where I am empty. He uses our humanity to magnify Himself. Generation Impact hasn’t just taught me how to successfully run a magazine. As strange as it sounds, I have also learned to fail for God’s glory.

How can we support/get involved in Generation Impact?

Read it, let us know what you think, and tell your friends about it. But if you want to actually roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty with us, here are a couple things you can do:

We’re always looking for new people to interview and stories to share. So if you know someone who inspires you toward Godliness, let us know at contact@generation-imapct.com!

If you like to write and want to share your work with others, Generation Impact is a good place to start. The world needs to hear the Truth. Send us your article at submissions@generation-impact.com, and our editing team will be thrilled to work with you.

And if you want to go even farther and impact your generation in ways a website never could, live to glorify Christ because that’s why you’re here.

Visit www.generation-impact.com

 

Most Christian writers write to bless others—to encourage and equip the saints. Personally, one of my biggest struggles is staying focused. I frequently have to remind myself that I am writing to make God famous and draw people into a deeper relationship with Him. When I get distracted from that purpose, it’s easy for my writing to turn into people pleasing rather than writing unhindered for God.

As writers, we need to ask ourselves:

“Why do I write? What is my motivation? Man’s approval or God’s approval? “

2)      FOLLOW GOD’S LEADING

It’s easy for writers to wonder:  What will people think about me if I write this? What if people don’t think this is interesting?

If God has put it on your heart to write something, it is meant for someone to read. You never know, God may have intended it just for ONE person.

Remember, Christ cares for every single person and is willing to drop everything and go after one lost sheep (Luke 15:4). Your blog post may be the tool He uses to reach them.

Don’t discredit God’s wisdom or His promptings.

If He calls us to write something, we should obey. There is always a reason. So stay connected to Him and He will guide your pen.

3)      KEEP IT CLEAN

Avoid taking your readers’ minds down the wrong path with graphic detail.

I once read a Christian movie review that was borderline pornographic. Yes, we need to know what is going on in the movies and in the world, but we do not need all the graphic details.

When we write about evil, we can describe it discreetly. Otherwise, if we go into explicit detail, we give evil a platform to grow on.

The Bible doesn’t hide reality. It talks about cutting off people’s heads, human sacrifice, adultery, murder, incest, etc.  Yet the Bible does not go into great detail. It simply isn’t necessary.

Our minds are powerful and we need to monitor what goes into them. We need to guard our purity and the purity of others by not promoting evil through too much detail. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:28, NIV)

If some kind of graphic/violent/disturbing content is absolutely necessary for the topic you are writing about, then you might want to provide a warning up front. (For example, in their award-winning film, 180, the producers warn “Public Advisory: Graphic Content” because their film has graphic pictures from the Holocaust). Remember, ANYONE of any age could be on your blog, so be careful, discreet, and responsible.

4)      BE BOLD IN LOVE

Don’t shy away from writing about difficult topics. Christians need to address controversial issues with a biblical worldview and not stay silent. However, we need to be sure that we blanket our message in love. Sometimes we blog about the right thing with the wrong words. We want to make sure that we are speaking truth in love.  If you are writing on a “hot” issue, you may want someone else to read your work and make sure that it doesn’t come across with the wrong tone or come across as you venting on a subject.

Here are some things to consider before publishing a post:

• What if a non-Christian read this blogpost? Did I explain my position well? Did I use Scripture?
• Am I turning people towards the Lord or towards worldly things?
• Am I writing this with in a holier-than-thou tone or a tone of genuine love?

Last of all, remember these verses:

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).

“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25, NLT).

• photo copyright Jennette Maynard, used by permission

How the media calls finding a baby alive in a coffin a “horrible mistake,” but at the same time praises a woman’s “right to choose.”

How doctors can be sued for incorrectly pronouncing a baby as dead, but be paid huge sums of money for aborting other babies.

How the ultrasound of a “wanted” baby makes people say “oh, how cute” and an “unwanted” baby makes people say “oh, what a mistake.”

• Photo copyright J. Maynard

Tell me about your book, The Race. How did you come up with the idea?

The Race is the story of a 22-year-old who runs a 6,000-mile footrace. I got the idea from Scripture, which compares the Christian life to running in several places. The thought of expanding that metaphor into a novel first occurred to me years ago—I mean, like 20 years or more. It’s just such an apt metaphor that expanding it seemed like a no-brainer. But I never intended to write that book; I hadn’t studied writing, and my life was already pretty jam-packed. Nevertheless, God had other plans. Years later, when the circumstances of my life had changed, a friend issued a challenge, and the Lord showed me how this metaphor was perfectly suited to address the issues he had raised.

What is the biggest lesson that God has taught you through writing this book?

He’s taught me a number of things and reminded me of many more, so picking the “biggest” is hard. But I can tell you the last lesson He taught me. There’s a line in the book where Josh (the character who represents Jesus) says to the main character, who’s climbing a mountain just then: “I anchor all your lines, kid.” For a long time I didn’t get this. In fact, I tried deleting it a few times, thinking it was just unnecessary fluff. (But Josh, in the inexplicable way that fictional characters have of doing this, insisted on saying it.) It wasn’t until I was attempting to set up a website that I understood it. Mind you, this was a task that I knew nothing about and in an area that I have a history of messing up (as far as I can tell, computer “logic” is entirely illogical). So I was feeling very out of my element and afraid I would mess something up forever.

At that point the Lord leaned over my shoulder and said, “Don’t worry—I anchor all your lines, kid.” That’s when I realized what that line meant spiritually: no matter what project I’m tackling, even if it’s something I know nothing about, He knows everything about it and can, therefore, anchor the safety lines that will keep me from serious mishap. It’s a truth I know intellectually and have no trouble applying … to most areas of my life. I didn’t even realize how my reticence to take on a task that He was so clearly calling me to was, in fact, a lack of faith.

Tell me a little bit about your journey to becoming an author.

I have always loved reading, and that passion morphed into a love for writing early on. I began writing plays in elementary school; I was in sixth grade when the first was performed on stage. However, my goal, even then, was to become a physician, so I set aside my love for writing when I dove into the hectic schedule of pre-med and med school. And then came marriage and kids and … Well, it wasn’t until I contracted viral encephalitis (an infection of the brain transmitted by mosquito bites) and became unable to practice medicine that I could again indulge my old love of writing. I began by reading books about the specific principles and techniques of good writing, and I also took a few online writing courses. I also got involved with some great critique partners who helped me hone the skills I was learning (still am). Then I wrote a lot, read a lot, and wrote some more.

Aren’t you disappointed about not being able to practice medicine anymore?

No. There are times I miss it, for sure. And I won’t pretend that there haven’t been times when I’ve felt disappointed that God didn’t work things out differently. Yet now, as I look back on what He’s done through that mosquito bite, on the work He’s allowed me to participate in as a result, I can truly say that I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would never have had the time to write while practicing medicine. And I’ve been able to touch the lives of people I would never have met otherwise.

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I’ve actually had to learn to not hold myself to a schedule. At this point, my writing schedule revolves around my headache to a considerable degree (I’ve had a permanent headache since the encephalitis 11 years ago, but the severity isn’t necessarily predictable), and putting myself under deadline pressures, whether real or invented, only makes the headache worse. I think this is something God’s using to transform me into an obedient servant—submissive to His will and listening for His voice. I’ve always been very big on scheduling and planning; so much so that it really became a sort of idol for me. Now the Father’s teaching me to look to Him for my daily marching orders. I know this goes against the usual wisdom of setting daily writing goals, finding your rhythm, and following regular schedules. Those recommendations are probably great for most people, but I’ve had to kick the habit.

On the other hand, the “where” of writing is very important in my process. I have to be in a quiet, well-organized place to do any meaningful writing or editing. If things around me are a mess, I can’t concentrate on my story world until I organize my real world (so I make a habit of keeping the real world of my study in order). I also try to minimize interruptions when I’m writing since I easily lose my train of thought. This may mean closing the door of my study, putting in earplugs, letting the machine answer the phone, or even waiting until the rest of the world is asleep.

As a new author, what is the hardest part of writing for you?

The business part, especially sales and marketing. This feels too much like it’s about me when it should be about Him. If I had it to do over, I might seriously consider changing my name to Anonymous. I could promote the book with much more enthusiasm if it didn’t have my name in great big letters on the front cover.

What are you working on now?

I am currently polishing the second book in the Race trilogy and finishing the first draft of the third book. That and trying to figure out this whole website/blog/social media/ugh! business. (I’m not a technophobe, just a techno-dummie.)

What’s the best thing about being an author?

I enjoy the whole writing experience. I love the creative side: inventing a new story world, getting to know the characters, dreaming up situations and problems, and seeing how it all plays out. I love the editing (even if that puts me on the list of the world’s strangest people), which I see as something akin to sculpting with words: adding a detail here, filing off a distracting bit there, and so forth.

But the most amazing part of being an author, at least for me, is what comes after the book or article is done: seeing the way the Holy Spirit is able to use my humble words in the lives of real people. I was blown away the day I received the publisher’s e-mail informing me of their readers’ reactions to the book. God was using it to literally change people’s lives for eternity, to change their perception of and relationship to Him! I sat there crying for joy as I read those statements, in the same way that I have sometimes cried at births. And it felt much the same, as though I was helping to bring new lives—God’s children—into the world.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Read. Write. Rinse. Repeat.

Oh—and remember why you’re writing. I have my writing motto posted on an index card above my desk: “I am writing that they may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they may have life in his name (John 20:31, paraphrased).”

      Click here to read the first chapter of The Race

What had gone wrong? Why had my baking skills suddenly turned into a baking curse? I checked the milk to see if it had spoiled. Nope. I went to the cupboard and pulled out the cocoa jar, thinking that perhaps it was expired. After examining it briefly, I realized that someone had actually put cinnamon in the cocoa jar and never bothered to re-label it. Apparently, I’d put in three tablespoons of cinnamon instead of cocoa.

Voilà! I’d invented a new recipe! Unfortunately, my family was not as excited as I was about my culinary creation—my dog wouldn’t even eat it.

Prayer is like cocoa Prayer is a key ingredient in a relationship, giving it flavor and depth. Yet, so often we leave it out and then wonder why our relationship has no rich savor. We skim over prayer nonchalantly instead of making it the main ingredient that binds our relationship together.

Statistics bear out prayer’s importance. The divorce rate among couples who regularly attend church together is fifty percent. However, those couples who pray together on a regular basis have a divorce rate of less than one percent. How’s that for divorce-proofing your marriage!

We seldom think about how prayer affects our relationships, but if prayer is so vital in keeping a marriage together, wouldn’t it be a good idea to start praying as a couple before we get married?

To read the rest of this article on Start Marriage Right Click Here

How I wish we could trade places…

Biking to the Coldstone had turned out to be a bit more tiring that I’d expected.  I didn’t factor in how much a kid in a trailer weighed. A lot! Especially going uphill.

“Come on, Felicia. We’re almost there!” shouted Johnny’s older siblings as they zoomed past me on their bikes.

Reluctantly, I started up again, wondering if I would be able to walk the next day. I made a mental note: no bike excursions at my next babysitting job.

When we finally arrived at Coldstone, I told the kids, “Okay, everyone gets to choose a Love It size ice cream with whatever mix-ins you want.”

Johnny insisted on the blue cotton candy flavor with gummy bears.

“Are you sure you want the blue flavor?” I asked. “Why don’t you try it first.”

He tried it and made an I’m-not-so-sure-about-this-flavor face. But, to my surprise he insisted, “Yes, I want it. I want blue.”

So Johnny got blue. However, as we sat on the curb outside devouring our cold treats, I noticed that he wasn’t eating very much ice cream. He just used his little spoon to dig around and find the gummy bears.

After he ate all the gummy bears—and got all sticky—he announced, “I don’t like the blue ice cream. You eat it.” Then swiftly threw his cup to the ground, plucked my ice cream cup out of my hands, and started eating it.

“Hey, wait a minute buddy, you wanted the blue one. I will share mine with you, but you can’t just take it.” So, we shared. Or, to be more accurate, I had a few bites and lost my appetite after seeing his saliva dribble all over the ice cream. ..

Anyways, the point is, Johnny only used one part of his logic in his decision: his infatuation with the color blue. It took over his sense of taste. It took over his common sense.

But you know what? We often behave exactly the same way in relationships. We allow our emotions to take over.

Our butterflies dictate our actions instead of our minds. Instead of analyzing things with a level head, we allow our emotions to direct us.

It is very important that we use both our hearts and our minds in a relationship. Otherwise, we are very likely to end up like Johnny saying, “I don’t like it,” once we eat all the gummy bears. Once the butterflies dissipate and the fun little dates are over, we realize that we weren’t as “in love” as we thought we were. In fact, we have nothing in common. Or there is nothing truly admirable about their character.

The truth is a relationship needs to be based on something stronger than mere feelings. Our feelings are always changing. Remember the Bible’s wise words. “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Yes, God wired us with emotions, but He also gave us a brain. So don’t become mesmerized by that handsome stranger or beautiful belle for the wrong reasons. Don’t let your desire for Someone Special in your life drive you to make bad choices.

Love is a beautiful thing, but we need to make sure we are not mistaking love for mere feelings.

So, what will you base your relationship on?

I am very concerned about the state of our nation. Did you know that many Americans go to the movie theater more than they go to church?

Did you realize the influence you have on society—especially on young people? Just last week a teenager died at a no-boundaries party where over 500 partygoers indulged in booze, drugs, inappropriate sexual behavior, and thousands of dollars worth of property destruction.

Over five hundred partiers! Where did they get the idea to throw a party of this magnitude?

From a movie.

Yep, a recent release actually. A private investigator said

 “When you look at the movie, and you look at what happened here, the parallels are uncanny. It was a copycat. They did everything that I saw in the movie.”

So, I am requesting that you stop producing movies that promote violence, extramarital sex, substance abuse, violence, and destruction. Why don’t you focus on things that will actually improve our society instead of drag it down?

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Felicia Alvarez

Unfortunately, changing Hollywood isn’t as simple as writing a letter. The only way to influence Hollywood is by hitting their pocketbook.

When a wholesome film is playing we need to make every effort to go see it—particularly the opening weekend. Opening weekends are critical because movie theaters base their decisions (how long they will continue playing the movie) on how the movie does the first weekend. And if a film does well, the theaters note it—and Hollywood takes notice as well.

So, when there’s a good movie out there—especially with Christian values—don’t just say, “Oh, yeah I heard it was good.” Go see it for yourself! And take some friends along!

Let’s take the opportunity to influence Hollywood instead of letting it influence us!

In light of that, support October Baby! A pro-life film opening this weekend!

            Though this area very much needs the rain for crops and such, it often causes outbreaks of malaria and cholera because there is poor sanitation and so much waste. I get very sad because there are so many families that can’t even afford clean water and their home.

            Many children are familiar with alcoholism among the adults in the community and absent fathers. They don’t know what it means to feel special. Many of the girls in this area marry young because their parents simply can’t afford to feed or take care of them. I’ve seen girls as young as 13 have children of their own.

Cholera.

Clean water.

Marrying at thirteen because your parents can’t afford to keep you.

Can you imagine having to live in conditions like that? It’s unbelievable that so many people have to worry about if they will even have anything to eat the next day. What a contrast to my life—my biggest worry is if a zit suddenly appears or if traffic is bad when I get off of work.

 After I read the project facilitator’s letter, I felt so guilty.

Am I doing enough?

Am I caring enough?

Am I praying enough?

How many times do I take my thoughts off of myself and think of those less fortunate?

How many times do I deny myself to help others—you know, say “no” to my Starbucks drink and donate the money to starving orphans?

How many times do I pray not just that I will have a blessed day, but for the well-being and salvation of those worldwide?

Dear Lord,

Please teach me to be grateful. Teach me to be responsible. Show me how I can bless others—both near and far away.

Amen.