Transformation: a chronological walk through the Bible in a year
By Donna Schlachter
Hi, Donna here:
Have you ever noticed that the voice of God often comes in the most unexpected moments asking the most unexpected things of us? This happened to me early in January of 2017 during my daily reading. Without a doubt, He stood beside me and said, “Write this book”.
Now, normally when God tells
me to write a book, I don’t have any problem. I mean, I have so many stories
floating around inside my head, I don’t think I’ll live long enough to get them
all written down.
So, naturally, I asked,
“Which book?”
“This book.”
“This isn’t a book.” Like I
need to tell God that, or anything
for that matter. “It’s just my daily journal.”
“Yes. That book.”
Honestly, that was the last
thing I wanted to hear. Like I said, I have plenty of other books to write
without God adding a devotional to the list. But I couldn’t escape the
instruction.
So this book has been a true
transformation for me. The way I read was different; I expected God to show up
every day; and I was able to be more real in what I wrote. As I transcribed, I
saw days where I was upbeat; days where I was discouraged; days where I was
angry. And yet God used every one of those days.
So, here are three things I
learned while writing this book:
- Because it was also my
daily reading and quiet time, I had to be honest with my own thoughts,
feelings, and understandings, but also be willing to be completely
transparent with my reader. In fact, when I transcribed this book into my
computer, I only changed about three words, and that’s because I’d written
the wrong word in my journal.
- I waited until almost the end of the year to transcribe the book.
Stupid me. I could have started almost immediately. The lesson learned is
never put off what God is telling you to do.
- The process of writing a book kept me on track so I couldn’t skip
days or skim the reading. At the end of every reading, I asked God what He
wanted me to learn, and what He wanted the reader to learn. As a result, I
didn’t use any of the “usual” verses we see in devotionals, and God gave
me fresh insight every single day.
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| PLS Bookworks (December 20, 2017) |
From the Back cover:
366 devotions that will chronologically walk you through the Bible in a year If you've ever wished you could start a devotional at some time throughout the year other than January 1st, then this is the devotional for you!
Each day is numbered, so you can start any day of the year and still walk through the Bible in a year. If you like to start out the year on the right foot on January 1st, then this is the devotional for you! However you like to structure your quiet time, today is the absolute best time to start!
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| Donna Schlachter |
About Donna:
Donna lives in Denver with
husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical
suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of
Leeann Betts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters In
Crime, and Writers on the Rock; facilitates a local critique group, and teaches
writing classes and courses. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction
and non-fiction, and judges in a number of writing contests. She loves history
and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is proud to be
represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.
www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com Receive
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Donna is offering a Giveaway of Transformation.
Leave a comment below with your contact email address so we can reach you if you're the winner.
Giveaway ends: One week from today on Tuesday, July 24 at Midnight CDT. Winner will be drawn on Wednesday, July 25.
Thank you for having me on your blog today.
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure, Donna. This story is very interesting to me. I don't journal, but what an experience for you to do God's will. Blessings
ReplyDeleteIn response to your question: How would knowing you were writing a book change the way you journal your quiet time?
ReplyDeleteI think it provide a different way of looking at my devotions. It would help me to look for more insights and applications, because as a writer, I would you would always be on the look-out for new ways to portray truths and bring your story to life. What better way to do that then incorporating God's life-giving truths into your story?! I think it would definitely open my eyes more and expand my horizons of applying my devotions to every-day life.
Thank you for the opportunity to possibly win a copy of this devotional book! It sounds wonderful!!! ~Alison Boss
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, Alison, thanks for stopping by, and for your insightful answer to Donna's question.
ReplyDelete