Unfollow/Unfriend/Editor Rejection

Ever look at your followers or friends list and find there are less than the last time you checked?

Does your brain do trapeze loops, wondering WHY on EARTH anyone would unfollow or unfriend you?

Was it the last post, so in-your-face-Jesus-lover, that offended them? Was it the snarky comment you made about people who weigh 98 pounds designing clothes that make you look like a hippo in leotards? Or simply that they found they're following too many blogs or FB peeps, and had to cut out one, so they drew a number and yours came up?

When this happens to me, I like to believe it was the last item on my list. Not that I'm afraid of offending anyone by my faith in Jesus or my sarcasm, but I hate to think modern people are so narrow-minded.

At any rate, it's all part of the social networking game, don't you think? It's good practice for receiving rejections from editors. They really don't dislike my writing, my style or my voice--they just have too many manuscripts piled up, and they had to choose one at random to chuck out the window. Okay, now I'm happy again. Let's get on with life.

Anyone of you been unfriended, unfollowed, or rejected? Please tell me I'm not alone.

Crawzilla the Cat Killer

Ever mistake a harmless creature for a killer? If you love your pets or just need to laugh over one of my most embarassing moments, please join me today at Army of Ermas for my Crawzilla story.



Blessings of Peace,

Cross My Heart

You see them throughout the world. We make them of gold and jewels and drape them around our necks. We carve them of exotic wood and adorn church buildings with them. We fashion them of different sizes and shapes of stained glass, pieced together to form exquisite works of art that fly our souls heavenward.

But the cross was not designed to sparkle on throats or beautify a place of worship. Invented before the 4th century B.C. by the Persians, its purpose was as an instrument of slow, torturous execution. By the time of Jesus, the Romans had begun using this way of hanging their worst criminals. Making it a public spectacle served as added humiliation. Anyone could walk by a murderer or thief as they hung on the rough-hewn boards and spit on them or cast abuse up at them.



Thus hung Jesus, naked before the world, nailed between two real criminals while the world gaped, supposing Him a fool. After all, He’d raised three people from the dead, multiplied food for thousands, and healed multitudes. Why was He submitting to this mockery and abuse, like a stupid lamb? They railed at Him, “You saved others; but you can’t even save yourself!” Why did He not use His power to subdue the Roman guards and come down from that cross, if He truly was the Son of God?

The answer to this question, my friend, is why we call the Friday before Easter “Good Friday.” The goodness in His heart compelled Him to hang in our place, so you and I could have a relationship with the God of the Universe.

Don’t believe for a second that if Jesus had wanted to, He could not have freed Himself and jumped down. He told the crowd, “Don’t you know that I could at this very moment call ten legions of angels to come and rescue me?” Yet He remained to the end, although it meant God turning His face from Him. Not because He was a fool. No. Because He loved us too much to let us die in our sins and spend forever in Hell.

No one kept Jesus on the cross but Jesus.

Next time you put your favorite crucifix around your neck or gaze upon the loveliness of a stained glass cross, remember how it came to mean a sweet symbol of love and beauty, rather than an instrument of death. Remember that Jesus went there of His own free will, to give you a future and a hope.

And, if you’ve made Him the Lord of your life, you’ll hear Him say one day very soon, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into my joy” as He welcomes you to Heaven. Cross my heart.

Party Time in Paris!!!

In case you hadn't noticed, On Wings of Mirth and Worth is now at 200 followers!!!! I promised a party, and  a party we shall have. If you are a follower, tell me why you enjoy this blog and include your email addy, and I will contact you to send you a PRIZE, a Scripture magnet with lovely picture, hand-crafted by moi.

If you aren't yet a follower, why not become one today, and get in on the party?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do to keep me writing, smiling, and blogging. YOU are the reason I am full of Mirth and Worth. You and Jesus.

Love,

How to Disagree without Being a Stinker

Have you ever disagreed with someone you love? I thought so.

Today on The Pastor's Wife Speaks, I share a story of a time I disagreed with my husband on an issue, and the results of our compromise.

If it makes you laugh, great. If it nourishes your soul, splendid and tremendous!

I love you,

5 Faith Blockers That Will Hinder Your Faith

Are you asking God to do any favors for you, large or small? Great! I’m standing with you for your miracles and dreams to happen. But did you know that some attitudes and actions will block your faith, making it difficult for you to receive from God? Here are a few heart-condemning faith blockers you want to avoid like a snake with a noisy tail:

1. Strife. I.e.: Arguing, fighting, and gossiping

2. Fear. Also called worry, fretting, agonizing, and anxiety

3. Negative talk. AKA griping, whining, complaining, and fault-finding

4. Worldly pursuits. Nothing sinful about going fishing, catching up with blogs or watching TV, but if they take too big a chunk of our time and heart, they may hinder our faith

5. Too much to do. If we’re burned out, it may be because we are adding things God never asked us to do.

Anything I missed?

Let's get rid of those faith blockers, so we can stand boldly before the throne of grace and ask for help in time of need.

Now, what can I agree with you for God to do in your life today?

What Works for YOU?

May I confess something to you? I am a list maker and goal-setter. I relish challenging myself with new aspirations.  In my flesh I am disorganized, discombobulated and daydreamy. All my super organization tools keep me on task, so I don't waste my life watching Leave it to Beaver reruns and eating ice cream.

I have a monthly planner on my desk at work, a weekly planner on my dining table, and a huge dry erase board in my office at home. I have drawn lines--with scented dry erase markers--to make four squares down and six accross, so I can have up to twenty-four items written on my board at any time. As I accomplish an item, I erase it, which leaves a blank square, but not for long. Within a few days, I've filled it up with a new goal.

Here are some examples of what's inside my sqares:

Pray ( I have 5 squares that say this, and they're all in red)

Clean off desk

Study message for Huntsville Mother-Daughter banquet

Find title for new book

Win a contest

Attend Philly conference in August.

Please don't tell me I'm OCD. This is how I survive and thrive with a full-time paying job, helping my husband pastor a church, and building a writing/speaking/editing career. And I love it. I think there's a word for it.

Discipline, maybe? It's not a drag; it's a delight.

What works for you?

7 Pet Peeves of Editors by Editor Jim Watkins

One of my favorite editors and all-around funny guy Jim Watkins recently posted “Seven Pet Peeves of an Editor” on Facebook. He agreed to let me share them with you here. I’m so relieved, because one of my pet peeves is people who refuse to share.

Now I don’t have to be mad at Jim.


Here are Jim's 7 Editor's Pet Peeves:


#1: Manuscripts with 15 different fonts. Amateurish! The house’s designer selects fonts, so stick to Times New Roman for everything. EVERYTHING!

#2: Those who claim, “God wrote every word of this manuscript.” If so, His writing skills have really suffered since the Bible.

#3 Authors who argue with editors. We’re not perfect, but we do have the power of rejection slips and check requisitions.

#4 Writers are not consistent. One writer actually wrote, “I was not sure whether to capitalize divine pronouns, so I made half upper case and half lower case.”

#5. Authors who don’t follow the houses writers’ guidelines and style sheets. Sorry, they are not negotiable.

#6: Writers who don't know the difference between good (adjective) and well (adverb). (However, I'd be out of a good job if they wrote too well!)

#7: Authors who view editors as adversaries. Our only purpose is to make them look good.

As Kermit the Frog once said, “It’s not easy being an editor.” Or something similar.

I’ve recently begun freelance editing. It’s no party pointing out errors, shining a searchlight on gaps, and finding ways to fix broken scenes. The joy comes when the finished piece sparkles because of God’s grace, the writer’s talent, and your two dollars’ worth of help (I know it used to be two cents…).

Would you like to make your living as an editor? What would be the most/least fun part of the job for you?

 
P.S. In addition to Jim's regular Hope and Humor website, he has a new treasure trove of helps for believers called Disciple Sites,  a connection to everything from Bible study helps to blogs to Christian media & music.

You're Invited to my 200 Followers Party!!!

Have you noticed On Wings of Mirth and Worth is almost to the 200 follower mark? Send your friends, because the day we hit 200 I will host a party, which means prizes for everyone!!!!! Yippee Dippee and Woot Woot Galloot (don't ask me what a galloot is; I had to think of a rhyme, and that's the best I could do today) !!!

If you want in on an even better party, join me today at The Pastor's Wife Speaks, where I share my take on Who God Isn't. I hope my thoughts delight and surprise you.


Counting down to party time!!!
Jen

Wanna Understand the Opposite Sex Better?

He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating  a Life of Passion


By Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children and God?

Try He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion. This compilation of 54 devotions includes scripture verses, space for journaling, individual prayers and words of wisdom from two of today's funniest and insightful Christian authors. This heart-warming collection of stories will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God. These deeply personal devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the perspective of one man and one woman.

Perfect for your quiet time. No matter if you are newlyweds or newly retired, this book of devotions will help you put the spark back into your love life and explore the precious relationships God desires for you. Begin this new year committed to spending a few moments each day connected to God. He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion touches the heart, tickles the funny bone and brings you to your knees in worship.

The concept of He Said, She Said devotions introduces the readers to looking at one scripture, from two perspectives—his and hers. The beauty in this unique type of devotion come when a man reads the perspective of a woman suddenly grasping a new outlook on the scripture; likewise the same for a woman to read the thoughts and views from a man’s perspective. The reader can then mesh the two together for a deeper and more intimate learning experience.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles have captured the essence of scripture through the heart of a man and a woman, addressing the passions of loving your spouse, your children and ultimately loving the Father deeper than ever before.

He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion is available on Amazon Kindle, Nook e-reader and in Paperback.

Reviews:

From Gina Holmes, author of Crossing Oceans

Cindy and Eddie are not only good friends of mine, but a regular source of my spiritual renewal. It's a great idea, the he-said/she-said concept and I always enjoy their devotionals. Both are not only grounded spiritually, and super nice people but they both keep me laughing. It's that humor and heart that makes the spiritual more relatable in the most practical sense.

From Ane Mulligan, Editor of Novel Journey


I've know Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles for a few years. Each has a way of tickling my funny bone, so I wondered what a devotional book by them would be. I can heartily recommend it. The humor is there, but it's coupled with deep truths that go straight to the heart of the problem. You'll find a path that winds closer to God through He Said, She Said.
 
Please take time to watch our book trailer then pass this along to your friends. Click the link below for Book Trailer:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq8x8zNS3B4
You may purchase the book at the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/Said-She-Devotional-Cultivating-Newlyweds/dp/0982206550/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300054348&sr=1-4