Well now that they are complete, it is time to "market". By far the most uncomfortable part of this journey so far. I sat for 10 minutes outside the first church I "cold called", just praying and scared to death. It reminded me of the fear before my first parent teacher conference, when I realized someone was going to tell me that my precious first child was just not perfect!!!! How could I recover from that. Only by God's grace. I called my friend Stacey and she was fixing to go into her first church. We prayed together and we were off. Things were a bit awkward, but once I got started, things went well. So far no one has said , "this is horrible!", and many churches, even the one I grew up in and knew me before, a long time before, God transformed me to this point, wanted to look at it. My prayer has been that this will glorify God, and that he will be pleased with my efforts. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that. I always wanted to write a book, but couldn't think of anything great to say. Now I do, and I hope that other Moms, Dads, Grandparents, etc will be able to use it with their kids as a way of devleloping a relationship with each other around Christ.
Writing comes more easily if you havesomething to say.--Sholem Asch
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Here We Go
On faith we made 30 CD's with the Advent Devotional Guide. Churches have the opportunity to purchse the disk and then print as many copies as they need for their congregation, or print on their website for church members to use. I am so excited at the response I have had so far. I have had two churches absolutely commit and I am very thankful. I struggled in the past with what if it is only good because it has been offered for free in previous years. This project is really not mine, God only allowed me to work on it for a short time, and what a blessing that has been. This year I have learned so many lessons so far.
1. Did you know that even though there is a bible or two in every house, you can't just quote it freely without paying the publisher-God's word is freely given, or is it? There are rules about using more than 500 words from scripture, not using an entire book of the bible, and also the percentage of your created work. This is why I did not print out the scriptures, I only gave the scripture reference.
2. Did you know that you can only ue the clip art that comes with a program or even the "free clip art" found on the internet for church, school, or personal use and not for any publication that is for sale? This is why you will note very minimal art work in this years devotional guide. This is to protect the copyright on that art.
3. Did you know that you don't have to pay to register yourself with the state comptroller's office (tax office) in Texas? I had the most wonderful state agency experience with the Beaumont, TX Field office last week. They are by far the most helpful bunch of ladies you could evre meet!
4. Did you know that it is not absolutly necessary to register a work with the US Copyright office? Once you put a work in recordable form, it is legally yours. It is recommended that you register it, that way should someone else take your work for themself, you do have the US government backing you that you created it first.
5. Did you know that you can't copyright everything? A title or common phrase are a couple of the things that cannot be copyrighted. Which is why you really need an ISBN number. I haven't figured that out yet, so I'll post that information once it is discovered.
6. Do you know how exciting it is to begin a project like this and have churches say "this is really great and we are excited about making this available to our families"? That is the most amazing part. God has been so faithful. I did not know any of these things until I began working on this this year. I have really had to dig for information and trust that God was leading me to the right resources, offices, and laws. I have done my absolute best to find out what I need to do to do the best job I can and now I am ready to begin contacting churches directly praying that God is once again leading me to the churches that he wants to minister to with this. If anyone is reading this, please pray for that. That God is glorified in this work, and that the lives of the families that use this are blessed beyond measure!
Until next time, happy writing!
Brook
1. Did you know that even though there is a bible or two in every house, you can't just quote it freely without paying the publisher-God's word is freely given, or is it? There are rules about using more than 500 words from scripture, not using an entire book of the bible, and also the percentage of your created work. This is why I did not print out the scriptures, I only gave the scripture reference.
2. Did you know that you can only ue the clip art that comes with a program or even the "free clip art" found on the internet for church, school, or personal use and not for any publication that is for sale? This is why you will note very minimal art work in this years devotional guide. This is to protect the copyright on that art.
3. Did you know that you don't have to pay to register yourself with the state comptroller's office (tax office) in Texas? I had the most wonderful state agency experience with the Beaumont, TX Field office last week. They are by far the most helpful bunch of ladies you could evre meet!
4. Did you know that it is not absolutly necessary to register a work with the US Copyright office? Once you put a work in recordable form, it is legally yours. It is recommended that you register it, that way should someone else take your work for themself, you do have the US government backing you that you created it first.
5. Did you know that you can't copyright everything? A title or common phrase are a couple of the things that cannot be copyrighted. Which is why you really need an ISBN number. I haven't figured that out yet, so I'll post that information once it is discovered.
6. Do you know how exciting it is to begin a project like this and have churches say "this is really great and we are excited about making this available to our families"? That is the most amazing part. God has been so faithful. I did not know any of these things until I began working on this this year. I have really had to dig for information and trust that God was leading me to the right resources, offices, and laws. I have done my absolute best to find out what I need to do to do the best job I can and now I am ready to begin contacting churches directly praying that God is once again leading me to the churches that he wants to minister to with this. If anyone is reading this, please pray for that. That God is glorified in this work, and that the lives of the families that use this are blessed beyond measure!
Until next time, happy writing!
Brook
Friday, October 26, 2007
Welcome to my blog!
If you have come as a result of a mailer from my Advent Devotiona Guide, WELCOME! I hope that this blog will show you where my heart really is and that I am wanting notheing more than to serve God with the gift that He has given me both in my writing and the time that he has allowed for me to do it. It is so exciting to see churches or individuals using something for their study, that God wrote through me. I am continually amazed at God's choice of instrument, but thankful nonetheless and the exciting journey he has invited me on.
I wanted to also thank my dear friend Stacey and partner in this endeavor. She has worked tirelessly and answered at least 100 questions about computer programs, printers, etc. It was her gift that made the study look so great and she is also networking with churches in her area. Thank you so much Stacey. This project would not be complete without you!
Enjoy this quote I found today-
"An original writers not one who imitates nobody but one whom nobody can imitate." Chateaubriand, Le Genie du Christianise, 1802
I wanted to also thank my dear friend Stacey and partner in this endeavor. She has worked tirelessly and answered at least 100 questions about computer programs, printers, etc. It was her gift that made the study look so great and she is also networking with churches in her area. Thank you so much Stacey. This project would not be complete without you!
Enjoy this quote I found today-
"An original writers not one who imitates nobody but one whom nobody can imitate." Chateaubriand, Le Genie du Christianise, 1802
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
ADVENTure from the Manger to the Cross
Completion! Is any written work ever actually completed? Today I picked up 15 cd's ready to distribute to churches with the complete devotional guide, formatted full and half page. I must say they look great! God has been so faithful throughout this process. When I prayed for resources and equipment they were provided. When I had questions about laws, taxes, beginning ministries, etc. God would send me to the right person, website, or book to get me through. I am now ready to begin to deliver them, with an invoice and begin praying for those churches that I already have commitments from and for the list of churches that we will be sending samples to and waiting to hear if I will be able to minister to their families.
In a way I am so thrilled that it is to this point. There is another part of me that feels like I am losing something. Once it is out of my hands, it is no longer a part of me. This must be what it is like to send a child off to college and pray for the best. I'll find that out in a few years. For now, I am relishing this moment and gazing at the finished product. I am continually amazed that God has allowed me to take this journey with Him. As Simon Birch said in that terrific movie, "I am God's instrument!"
Happy Writing
In a way I am so thrilled that it is to this point. There is another part of me that feels like I am losing something. Once it is out of my hands, it is no longer a part of me. This must be what it is like to send a child off to college and pray for the best. I'll find that out in a few years. For now, I am relishing this moment and gazing at the finished product. I am continually amazed that God has allowed me to take this journey with Him. As Simon Birch said in that terrific movie, "I am God's instrument!"
Happy Writing
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