Seriously? Do You Want to be a Writer?

No matter where I speak one thing is guaranteed. Someone will come forward after the event to express their desire to write and ask how to get started. I am not pretending to have any new revelations on the subject. I can however, share a few basic facts.
• One cannot be a writer without writing. By this I mean doing due diligence by setting aside a time, place, and subject area on which to write
• Writing as a craft or discipline is learned like any other trade
• Writing a book may not be the best starting point for a beginning writer
• Writing is hard work even when you know without a doubt God gave you the idea – 90% perspiration with 10% inspiration someone says
• No one writes a book for everyone. The writer must identify a target audience, condense that vast audience into one person, and then write to woo, win and wow that “consolidated person” into lifelong readership
• Writers are advised to begin their journey with a map i.e. writer’s conferences – to learn the demands of the industry and focus groups with published writers in order to hone your craft
• Make friends with writersdigest.com and learn volumes free of charge!
• Don’t pay money to publish your first book before going to at least one major writers’ conference

I have a first time writer questionaire that may help you get focused on where exactly to begin. Its absolutely free! Email me for your copy at
laurenmyers339@gmail.com

Choosing Joy Over Despair

Passion for His Presence: Entering His Gates is Dr. John D. Carlson's masterful addition to the body of information available on worship - how we get into the presence of God. As you may guess, the "Gates" represent the gates of the city mentioned in Revelation 21. I am convinced one of the most beautful statements in the book is in Chapter 15 the gate of Joy, "Let us hold our relationship with Christ higher than all other things. In the midst of our despair, we serve the cause of Christ as we choose joy that others might believe." John, your book has been such an amazing source of strength over the past several weeks. God bless you can't wait for book 2!

"Not that! Eat this," says the Lord.

Really! Does God care what we eat, still? Didn't all that diet thing go out of vogue with grace? If you answer yes you are right - and wrong. Diet as a means of ratifying a spiritual covenant with God ended with grace through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We no longer have to include what we eat in the long list of "to dos's" in order to enter God's presence.

BUT...what we eat matters from a physical standpoint. All the prohibited foods have strong connections to bodily illnesses. Just to talk about a few: fats - cause elevated cholesterol levels as does shellfish of all kinds. Fish without scales are bottom feeders - they clean the ocean floor or river bed, organ meats clean the body, pork includes most of the above as well as being cannibalistic and a known carrier of worms. It gets even more gross if we look at rabbits.

In other words, God had good reason for the prohibitions and we do well to listen not for our souls but our bodies' sake. If you are in the Homestead and Florida City areas of South Florida, please join us this and next Wednesday night at 7pm for an in depth discussion on biblical dietary laws. We are at First Assembly of God Church, 824 West Palm Drive, Florida City 33034. Or, we welcome your call at (305) 992-0225.

Eat Healthy!

Work As Worship

In the Old Testament era a group of people had their whole lives dedicated to the service of the tabernacle and later the temple (Numbers chapter 3). They are called the Levites and they were assigned to care for the needs of the place of worship. So sacred was this task special rites of consecration were performed beformed they could work in the tabernacle and no other tribe could participate. Like most of the Old Testament ordinances, this Law is no longer in effect at least within the Christian community. Today everyone with a love for the house of God has the chance to share in it's upkeep. Undoubtedly this is hard work but it is also an act of worship. This weekend members and friends of First Assembly of God of Florida City have the chance to offer their unique contribution to God's house as we host our church's workday tomorrow. The plan is do cleanup inside and out so bring your tools, cleaning equipment, etc. and let's work hard in from 8AM-1PM. Lunch will be provided. See you there!

National Back to Church Sunday

First Assembly of God church of Florida City is participating in National Back to Church Sunday. Join us for our 11AM service September 18th, 2011. Please call the church for details 305.248.0794