NOVA Christian Writers

Coming to Northern Virginia Christian Writers Fellowship June Meeting

NVCWF welcomes our own Elaine Beachy, author of three children’s books, and James Brewster, author of five Uncle Rocky, Fireman books to share their writing and publishing experience.

June 2, 2014 ~ 7:00 – 9:00 PM

(7:00 to 7:30 is meet and greet and light refreshments)

Potomac Ministry Center
14525 John Marshall Hwy, Gainesville, VA 20155
(If you are coming from route 29 or Linton Hall Road, the building stands alone on the left -right before the Post Office. )

This session is open to non members for only $5.00; please invite anyone that you think may be interested.

 Elaine Beachy
      Elaine completed a Special Publishing Course with the Institute of Children’s Literature of Redding Ridge, Connecticut in 1992, and has published two children’s fiction books: Biff and Becka’s Springtime Adventures and Biff and Becka’s Stupendous Vacation.  She is working on her third book titled Biff and Becka’s Splendiferous Christmas.
      A member of the Northern Virginia Christian Writer’s Fellowship, she writes a blog for home and family titled “Elaine’s Place: Turning Hearts toward Home” at www.elaine-beachy.blogspot.com.
     Elaine lives with her husband, Dave, in Manassas, Virginia.  They have three children and four grandchildren.

James Brewster 
James Burd Brewster was raised in Albany, NY, learned to sail on Lake Champlain, navigated a Polar Icebreaker in the US Coast Guard, and married Katie Spivey from Wilmington, NC.  They lived in Baltimore, MD when Ben and Luke heard the Rocky Hill, Fireman stories.  The family grew to five (Ben, Luke, Rachel, Andrew, Sam) and settled in Pomfret, MD outside of Washington, DC. Twenty-three years after the first telling of Uncle Rocky, the first book, Fire!, was published followed within four months by Something’s Missing, Sparky’s Rescue, and Sparky Protects.  One year later he published The Adventures of Uncle Rocky, Fireman, a chapter book containing 12 episodes written for 3rd and 4th grade readers.  Ben and Luke are no longer 6 and 41/2.  Ben is a Marine, married, and father of 4 and Luke is an Apple employee in Chicago, IL.  Ben now tells Uncle Rocky stories to his oldest son Levi (5).  

Uncle Rocky maintains a website at www.GladToDoIt.net where free downloads are available for Fire!, the first book, and coloring pages.

 Looking Forward

 Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference
July 30 – August 2
Cairn University
Langhorne, PA

Northern Virginia Christian Writers Fellowship Mini-Conference
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Potomac Ministry Center
Haymarket, VA

Northern VA Christian Writers Fellowship Presents

~ Guest Speaker Tamila Hancock ~

 This is sure to be an enlightening presentation for anyone who plans to or even thinks they just might write something for publication someday.  There are so many ways to shoot yourself in the foot when you are attempting something new, so don’t start your professional writing career using the trial and error method.  Come join us this coming Monday evening to learn from a real professional.

 May 5^th, 2014 ~ 7:00 – 9:00 PM

(7:00 to 7:30 is meet and greet and light refreshments)

Potomac Ministry Center, 14525 John Marshall Hwy, Gainesville, VA 20155) . http://www.potomacag.org/directions.asp

If you are coming from route 29 or Linton Hall Road, the building stands alone on the left -right before the Post Office. Non members may attend this session for only $5.00; please invite anyone that you think may be interested.

Tamela Hancock Murray is a full-time literary agent with The Steve Laube Agency (www.stevelaube.com). She has worked in publishing for over 25 years. Tamela’s authors appreciate that her past experience as an award-winning, bestselling author gives her an understanding of the challenges writers face today.  Her goal is to work with authors over the long term to develop and maintain solid careers. Tamela and her husband of thirty years are empty nesters living in Northern Virginia and are the proud parents of two lovely daughters. She welcomes visits online at www.tamelahancockmurray.com and Twitter followers   @Tamela_Murray.

Looking Forward

6/2
Children’s Lit
Two children’s writers will share their writing and publishing experiences.

Elaine Beachy
https://www.facebook.com/author.elaine.beachy

 James Brewster
www.GladToDoIt.net

~ Edit Your Own Writing~

Because writing is a solitary activity and we don’t usually have friends around to help us see our writing with fresh eyes. To follow-up with our Personal Narratives, we have a session on self-editing.

Join NVCWF facilitator Elaine Beachy for a presentation and discussion on self-editing.

Self-Editing – Flipping the Switch
By Carrie Transky
2013 Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference Workshop

April 7th, 2014 ~ 7:00 – 9:00 PM
(7:00 to 7:30 is meet and greet and light refreshments)
Potomac Ministry Center
14525 John Marshall Hwy.
Gainesville, VA 20155

http://www.potomacag.org/directions.asp

Bring your WIP (Work in Progress) Personal Narrative.

Join NVCWF today!

Coming Up

4/12/2014, Saturday
Lancaster Christian Writers
2014 Super Saturday

4/26/2014, Saturday
American Christian Fiction Writers NoVa Area writers
10:00am
Grace Baptist Church, Woodbridge
14242 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge VA 22193

5/5/2014, Monday
NVCWF May Meeting
Guest Presenter
Tamela Hancock Murray
Agent with The Steve Laube Agency

7/30 – 8/2
2014 Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference

June 23

NVCWF June meeting
2:00pm
Potomac Ministry Center
14525 John Marshall Highway
Gainesville, Virginia  20156

Blogging – the Writer’s Web Presence
Kirk Nelson
http://thepixelpro.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thepixelpro

Kirk Nelson, the self proclaimed “friendly neighborhood graphics geek” is an award winning graphics artist with 15+ years industry experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University, he is an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) and his graphics techniques have been published over 200 times in various acclaimed international publications such as Advanced Photoshop, Photoshop Creative, Digital Photographer, and 3D Artist. He has been invited by Adobe Systems to participate in the beta testing and development of the last 3 versions of Photoshop.  Additionally, Kirk serves as an elder at Grace Church of Gainesville and he currently resides in Northern Virginia with his lovely wife of 17 years and their 5 beautiful children …and he really enjoys a hot cup of coffee!

Kirk will be sharing with us the nuts and bolts of setting up and maintaining a blog.  Even if you aren’t blogging yet, this informative presentation is for you.

Bring your laptop for hands on help with your website/blog.

  July 31 – August 3, 2013
Greater Philadelphia Christ Writers Conference
http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/

Northern Virginia

Christian Writers Fellowship

 We encourage, equip, and educate Christian writers

May 19

2:00pm

Room 101
Christ Chapel Woodbridge
13909 Smoketown Road
Woodbridge, VA 22192

Turn a Good Story Into a Script
Olcay Balitatli

http://www.olcaybalitatli.com/

For the last 20 years, Olcay has worked for international televisions and production companies. His experience includes documentaries, commercials, television series and feature films. He has written, produced, and directed 3 documentaries, 69 evangelical sitcom targeting Muslim audience, and over 100 episodes of evangelical themed docu-dramas, and comedy scripts for feature films. The script of his evangelical sitcom series gained praise from a Television Critic working for Islamic Newspapers in Turkey. He works as a consultant for pre-productions, productions, post editing, and script editing.  For the last 10 years he has edited documentary and feature film scripts for other directors and script writers.

As the first Christian director and producer in Turkey, Olcay has also been involved in confidential evangelical productions for the Middle East.  In 2000, one of the documentaries he worked on received the best television program of the year in Japan. His credits include productions in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Borneo, Denmark and USA.

In 2010, he was awarded Dean’s Award – full scholarship from Regent University, where he is finishing his  M.A. degree in producing.

Looking Forward

May 25
Shoot Your Novel
Susanne Lakin

Author and editor Susanne Lakin will be offering a free workshop entitled “Shoot Your Novel.” Here’s the workshop information:

“We live in an era where readers are used to the fast-paced, visual play-out of movies and TV stories. Days of long passages of narration and distanced description are gone. How can a writer utilize the techniques of screenwriting—specifically a variety of camera angles—to play out a story so the reader can “see” it and experience it as powerfully as a film? We’ll explore terms like Zoom, Match Cut, Close Up, Pan, Pull Back, Establishing Shot, and others with examples from successful novels to show how it’s done.”

Meeting date: May 25th
Time: 2:00PM
Location: Salem Church Library
2607 Salem Church Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22407

We have limited seating, so if you want to attend, please notify me in advance. I’m excited about this workshop, and I look forward to connecting with many of you there.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via Facebook message or send me an email at sarah@sarahsawyer.com.

June 23
NVCWF June meeting

Web Tutorial
Kirk Nelson

Hands on help with your website/blog.
Location: TBA

July 31 – August 3, 2013
Greater Philadelphia Christ Writers Conference
http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/

Up From the Grave He Arose
Robert Lowery, 1874

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior, Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior; Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! 

Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior; He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain
Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes, He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever, with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JMiUT6btb4&feature=player_embedded

Holy Day
Lynn Gipson

Dogwood trees in full bloom
Scents of glorious perfume
Flowers color a beautiful maze
What a glorious holiday

Fresh buds point towards the sky
April’s mist falls in my eye
Canvas sky streaked blue and gray
What a glorious holiday

Sweet surrender at the altar
Earnest voices do not falter
On knees before His Son we pray
What a glorious holiday

Pastor shouts “He is risen!”
All our sins have been forgiven
Hearts and souls may rest today
What a glorious holiday

Then sings my soul this mighty song
Of the one who was so strong
Died to wash me sins away
What a glorious holiday 

Jesus hear me now my savior
Keep me always in thy favor
You are alive and here to stay
What a glorious holiday

On my knees now Lord I ask
Make me reborn, my past is past
Let me come with you I pray
What a glorious holiday

I lift my eyes and tears do come
Though words do fail me, my soul sings strong
Your spirit is in me, You’ll not betray
What a glorious holiday 

My love for You is never ending
My faith renewed, my heart is mended
Jesus, you died and I was saved
What a glorious Holy Day.

Image:  http://cdn.blogs.sheknows.com/gardening.sheknows.com/2011/03/Easter-lilies.jpg

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Robert Lowery, 1874

Musings on an Easter Perspective
Rhonda Hernandez

The iconic Easter image is that of an empty, cave-like tomb that once contained the crucified body of Jesus.

Normally, we don’t associate tombs with energy or activity. We associate death with stillness, expressing it in figures of speech like “quiet as a tomb,” “dead silent,” or “deadlocked.” Once a body goes into a tomb, it doesn’t walk out. Even if it could, passage is blocked because the opening is sealed shut.

But the Easter tomb is anything but normal. The great stone that sealed its opening is freakishly out of place. Jesus is AWOL and the scene is abuzz with human activity and angelic energy. “He is not here; he has risen.” (Mat. 28:6; Mrk. 16:6; Luk. 24:6) The resurrection message of Easter isn’t one of static stillness, but of dynamic movement.

When I consider the parting of the Red Sea, another iconic image, I see obvious movement. In both the great Exodus and Easter, the impossible is made possible. Both are about passage from death to life. Both are about incredible power and activity.

When I consider grace, again I see movement. I see that God’s grace is a dynamic force acting with mankind through the great corridor of time. With God, we pass through history like a baby through the birth canal, learning to live with Him in increasing goodness and love.

In Mat. 17:20, I see that Jesus reminds us that even the tiniest faith moves mountains and that nothing is impossible for us. In God, we live and move and have our being (Act. 17:28).

Easter’s hope is God’s message through the ages: The impossible is occurring right in our midst—not just for Jesus, but for everyone. The last immovable obstruction was rolled aside when he abolished Death to bring new life. Love for God, self, and one another is the transforming path we walk in the land of the living, not the dead, and in bold assurance, not fear of mistakes and guilt.

I see that at the moment of Jesus’ death, the curtain of the temple tore in two. The earth shook and rocks split. Tombs broke open and many people who had died were raised to life and came out of their tombs (Mat. 27:51-53).

Even Psalm 23 speaks of it. Although we walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, the same Jesus who rose now holds it back like thick, dark drapes; like massive walls of water. We need not fear that evil might seal our doom because with him, passage is safe, open, and full of possibility.

The Lord of life is the first-fruit. In following him, renewal of the mind and spiritual resurrection precedes the physical version. I didn’t see it before, but God’s plan makes sense in a long view of dynamic movement, even if it seems to me to happen at a glacier’s pace. Easter is the joyful proof that Love’s power always has, and continues to move among us.

Image:  http://politicalbrambles.blogspot.com/2011/04/57-when-even-was-come-there-came-rich.html

Sunday’s a comin’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YByT6wfdhJs&feature=player_embedded

WE DIDN’T KNOW
Lois Bartlett

http://jamestabor.com/2013/03/24/tonights-the-night-the-last-supper-and-passover/

They knew what was coming.  But still,

When He died, in their distress, His followers didn’t know what to do with themselves.   

And then,

On the third day, it’s as if they forgot.

The women said the tomb was Empty.
Whatever had the guards done with the body.
Again, the women were saying they’d seen Him, Jesus was alive.

No way.

A stranger walking along the road with them .
Their hearts burning within at His words but they couldn’t explain why.
It wasn’t until dinner that evening, when He blessed the loaf of bread and broke it for each of them.

Jesus – Jesus!  You’re alive

Jesus, Hallelujah!

Jesus – surely we listened – we heard Your voice, we heard what you said –

We didn’t understand,
We didn’t know …

My Lord,

My Savior,

Hallelujah!

Remembering Good Friday
Isaiah 53
http://www.biblestudytools.com/kjva/isaiah/53.html

How Deep the Father’s love for us.
Stuart Towend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YV2zMZ-nZ7k

The Good in Friday

How does one prepare for the death of a friend? Especially, when that death is a brutal murder. Such a death – any death, actually – is something we want to get over, but the death of Jesus Christ is something to be remembered.

On Good Friday, we remember. Good? Salvation, forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation – good for us who believe, but for him? Not good, was it?

However, it seems, God does what he does best and bring good out of evil. 

 Christ’s sacrifice: Plan A.
He is the lamb, slain from the creation of the world. Rev. 13:8

A Pleasing Plan.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; … when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, … and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied … Isa. 53:10 & 11

The Plan worth the Price.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

Image:http://womenatcrossroads.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/christ%E2%80%99s-death-the-ultimate-expression-of-the-love-of-god/

The Greatest
Johnese Burtram

Maundy Thursday.

On Thursday we remember Jesus final meal with his disciples before his death. Jesus prepares for this meal with deliberate intent. He knew his time had come. (John 13:1)

“Go and prepare for the Passover.” Jesus tells his disciples. “Enter the city and follow the man carrying a jar of water. When he enters a house, speak to the owner of the house on my behalf. ‘The Teacher asks to use your guest room for the Passover.’”

The disciples found the furnished upper room just as Jesus told them. They prepared for the Passover.

Jesus behavior on this critical evening would forever redefine the Passover for his followers. He begins the evening with a remarkable demonstration of the servant spirit that marked his entire life.  He removes his clothing and wraps himself in the long linen towel used by the house slave assigned to wash the feet of the guests. Jesus, Master, Teacher, Rabbi becomes the slave. Not a servant, but a slave.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant
Phil 2:6

The stunned disciples do not know how to respond.

You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.Jesus explains. (John 13:7)

Peter refuses Jesus’ ministrations.

Jesus presses Peter into participation. Having completed his task, Jesus puts on his clothes and addresses the spectacle.
Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.
John 13:8

Do you understand what I have done for you? he asked them. You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:12-17

Thus begins the Passover, the Last Supper.

This is an intensely personal time.

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Luke 22:15
Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
John 13:1B

Jesus redefines the familiar traditions in terms of new meaning. “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Luke 22:17-20

He speaks of betrayal and denial and challenges their dispute about who is the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
Luke 22:25-28

As you rehearse this day, allow the Holy Spirit to bury in your heart kingdom thinking.

If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all.
http://ehymnbook.org/CMMS/hymnSong.php?folder=p04&id=pd04991

 Images:  http://www.colourbox.com/image/wine-and-matzoh
-elements-of-jewish-passover-supper-image-2698813

JESUS in the AFIKOMEN
Martha West

Celebrating the Jewish Passover/Seder in a Christian setting it is a marvelous experience. Every part of the Passover dinner represents a portion of Jesus life.

The Afikomen

I think the Afikomen, the middle matzoh in the little linen bag with the word matzoh (matzo) stitched on the outside is the most impressive for me personally. The bag holds three matzohs each in its own pocket inside the bag. The Jewish interpretation of the three literally means unity.

Unity of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob)
Unity of the three Jewish classes of people, Priests, Levites and the common people
Unity of all

Christians see it is pointing to the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Hiding the Afikomen

Toward the end of the Passover meal the host takes the middle matzoh from the bag, breaks it in half, and wraps it in a white linen cloth.  This broken matzoh is called the afikomen. The people around the table cover their eyes as the host hides it.

What rich meaning we can see in this tradition. To Christians, the middle piece of matzoh represents our Jesus, and as the host breaks the matzoh, it corresponds to Christ’s brokenness for our sins. The people hide their eyes while the afikomen is hidden. We see that the eyes of the Jewish people were blinded. They did not see that the Messiah had already come. Jewish tradition has the broken matzoh wrapped and hidden (buried). Jesus was wrapped in a linen cloth and buried.

Afikomen Found

After the meal the children go in search for the missing matzoh. The child who finds it receives a prize. Remember the Jesus’ words that says we must become as children and Isaiah’s statement, a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6) Tradition says the child receiving the prize can ask for anything. However, they seldom get the huge gift they desire as it depends on the father’s will as to what he deems to be a good gift.  We too can ask anything of the Father and as long as we are in His will we will receive His promises.

When the broken matzoh is found, everyone at the table has to partake of a piece of it as it is considered dessert or the finish of the meal. Jesus said It is finished. He is not only the beginning but also the end of all things. After his resurrection, he appeared to many people just as in the Jewish tradition when the matzoh is found many see and partake of it. 

This is my body

Jesus took the unleavened bread (matzoh) at the last supper and as He broke it He said This is My is my body which is broken for you. (I Cor. 11:24).  

Of the many symbolic parts of the Passover, this particular one causes me to love Jesus even more for what He did for us.  The Jews say that the afikomen means “that which comes later” but the Greek word used, aphikomenon, has a different meaning: it is, He has come.

He has come and it is finished.

Some information taken from an article by Steve Herzig in the magazine, Israel My Glory  

Image:  http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2011/04/18/happy-passover-handmade-modern-traditional-designs/