Writing Status

Day 1 of writing was June 01, 2014.

Writing goal per day is 3,637 words per day, 7 days per week.

Total word count goal is 200,000 words or so.

As of right now, I have 8,751 of 11,803 words due today of 200,000 total words.

Writing Marathon, Camp NaNoWriMo, and a New Epic Fantasy Series

Writing Marathon
I've started, as of yesterday a writing marathon, where it's my goal to write at least 3,500 words per day June 01 to July 24, 2014. That's 55 days of writing like a madwoman, as I've coined this crazy adventure.

Camp NaNoWriMo
Also, it's my plan in July to join Camp NaNoWriMo from July 01 to July 23, for I will then be on vacation for almost three weeks. Camp NaNoWriMo is Camp (like what you do with a tent, fire, smores, ghost stories, gazing at the stars kind of thing. Camp National Novel Writing Month where crazy people like me camp out and write a novel for a solid month and forget about everything else--housework, cooking, socializing, you name it. We write a novel. Period. End of story. (Or, at least we try.)

A New Epic Fantasy Series: A WITCH'S DIARY
Yesterday, I started to write a new inspirational epic fantasy series. Over the next 55 days, I'm going to try to write book 1 of this series. (Please, Lord!)

Also, don't judge the book by it's title or the series name (or cover for that matter). It's meant to be a tease or hook and grab attention.

Christians: It's not what you think. Stay tuned. More information to come. It's about the dangers of turning to other religions when we don't even realize that is what we're doing.

Non-Christians: This is series talks aobut all of the major world religions, along with several races, and whether it's possible to develop peace among the different religions or spiritualities, races, nations.

~**~

(Top image credit: Microsoft images online 2009-2014.)

(Bottom 2 Images Credit for Book Cover:
The largest picture of a building, arch, water, and bridge: Image courtesy of sattva / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
The old book in the bottom left corner: Image courtesy of dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Updated June 02, 2014 855 a.m. 

A New Bible Study Journey through the New Testament

Today is the start a new Bible study journey blog post series (which I will turn into books later). Part 1 (or Book 1) is a 45 or 90 day Bible study, depending on which track you decide.

In this book, and in the next, we will read the New Testament in 90 or 180 days (again, depending on which track you determine) and will cover one verse every day, which we will ponder every moment for the next twenty-four hours. We will read it, study it, prayer journal about it, apply it, review it, and evaluate it through the course of this study today, this week, month, and series.

The point of this way of doing Bible study is to ponder (meditate on) a verse every moment all day and night, and prayer journal about it. It's absorbing every treasure of the verse and letting it sink in to the marrow of our bones. It's taking the time to allow the Word of God, the Bible, to grow deeper in us and in our lives.

To often, Bible studies are jammed pack with so much information that we aren't given the chance to fully digest and absorb what we've learned. This study allows this to happen. I guarantee we'll go deeper and you'll get a lot out of it, for we're thinking on the verse every moment and apply it every moment.

If you're interested, read the introduction here:

http://www.wattpad.com/49225850-a-godly-vision-a-bible-study-journey-part-1

It was just too much to put in one blog post.

also, look at that link if you want to read it in a different format, rather than on this blog.

Please let me know if you are taking part in this study. I would like to encourage you. I welcome discussion, questions, and even suggestions.

Blessings.

Skydoor Book Cover Image Credit

The largest image:

Image courtesy of Tina Phillips / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The smallest image:

Image courtesy of sattva / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CAMP NANOWRIMO Writing Marathon

I'm starting my 4 day writing marathon--now.

Anyone care to join me?

I'm writing for several more hours each day and will try to double my minimum writing goal each day (hopefully more, though). We shall see.

My minimum writing goal for today is: 12,356
My writing marathon goal is: 14,656
Ideal goal for today is: 15,056
This is for:

"MATTHAN

THE CHOICE SERIES, BOOK 1"

Matthan: What Kind of Book is Matthan? What is It About Anyway? (A Book Description)

Matthan: What Kind of Book is Mathan? What is It About Anyway? (A Book Description)

"MATTHAN

THE CHOICE SERIES, BOOK 1"

Think: "Divergent," "The Mortal Instruments," "The Hunger Games," "Twilight," "Legend," and "Wool," meets a man named Jesus and his life, but in a different time and in a different world.

It's a New Adult Dystopian, Christian Fiction, with a little bit of a love story.

This is the story of Myka (female) and how she is to make a choice as to what of the eight belief sects she will devote her life to since she's of age and is the year of requirement (Tilgath) for her to make the Choice. She is part of a group of eight who are also of age, and are to make the Choice, and they travel to each of the eight regions to live life as each of them for 53 days over the course of a year. 
They have four instructors or tutors and are taught how to also act as security for each of the regions while they are there, and are also taught about each of the belief sects.

One of the belief sects is a new one and is one most frowned upon because it is so new. It's the Matthanite belief sect, where they follow Matthan. He is supposed to be the next world leader and there are lots of rumors going around about him, both good and bad. Myka is drawn toward this sect, and in doing so, she risks it all, along with her heart, for the one she has fallen for is against that sect.

What choice will she make?

Today's Writing Goals and Plan

Today, I hope to write to a total of 9,200 words minimum.

CAMP NANOWRIMO and Writing Progress

Well... Yesterday was a bad day for writing. Around eleven or so, I hit a walk of exhaustion. It's pollen season here, and I didn't get much sleep the night before, and I became so sleepy and exhausted, I realized something had to give. My concentration was also shot. Therefore, I didn't get much writing done at all. Sigh.
But, there is one lesson (of many, mind you) B, my husband, has taught me:
Be kind to yourself.
So, I moved to the sofa and did what I could do and curled up with a good book. I finished it and half of another. Both were Young Adult Dystopian. Consequently, I fed my muse and was able to rest.
There are days you have to listen to your body and let go of all the things you planned. This is even more true with writing. If I didn't, my writing would have been lackluster at best and that would have made me feel frustrated. Taking a break, even though I am in the middle of a writing deadline, gave me rest, which leads to a fresh perspective.
Last night, I didn't get that much sleep again. Sigh. Just couldn't sleep. So, I am tired today, but my mind is fresh. I have the feeling today will be at least a decent writing day (whew). Already my writing has been a great deal better and I am inspired.

CAMP NANOWRIMO Writing Progress (Matthan Writing Progress)

Yesterday was Day #2 of the National Novel Writing Month of April. I'm writing the book:

"MATTHAN

THE CHOICE SERIES, BOOK 1"

It's a New Adult, dystopian novel, a Christian Fiction book, and is a parable about the life of Jesus and the Bible, set in a different time and in a different, parallel world to earth. The whole idea is to present the bible in a different time and world, with different names and in a different setting to show how the Bible can be applies to our lives anywhere, any time. That being said, this series, as you read it, you won't know that's the intent. It will read like a New Adult Dystopian Fiction.

My goal was 4,729 words.

I wrote 6,187 words. (Yay!)

Today, my goal is 8,487 words, in which I'm about to get started.

Again, I hope to give you a synopsis of the book soon.

CAMP NANOWRIMO Writing Progress

Yesterday was Day #1 of the National Novel Writing Month of April. I'm writing the book:

"MATTHAN
THE CHOICE SERIES, BOOK 1"

It's a New Adult, dystopian novel, a Christian Fiction book, and is a parable about the life of Jesus and the Bible, set in a different time and in a different, parallel world to earth.
My goal was 2,300 words.
I wrote 2,429 words. (Yay!)
Today, my goal is 4,729 words, in which I'm about to get started.
I hope to give you a synopsis of the book soon.

The First Line

The first line of Matthan is:

DEATH, AND HOW YOU VIEW it, determines life and how you live it.

Writing Progress

Writing Progress

Today's minimum and ideal writing goal were met. I have a total of 7,062 words so far of "JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA" written. (Yay!)

Week 1 And 2 Additional Material: Jesus 1

Every now and then, I’m going to give you an extra study to do about Jesus, if you want. This is an optional day of material.

That being said, I cannot recommend it enough to find time to do it. After all, the more you do, the more you’ll get to know Jesus Christ and learn how to live a life of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:17 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[a]would give you a spirit[b](A)of wisdom and revelation(B)in the knowledge of Him.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 1:17 Or the Father of glory
2. Ephesians 1:17 Or you the Spirit

Cross references:

1. 1:17 : Ps 51:12
2. 1:17 : 1Pt 4:13

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

-- Source From: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph+1%3A17&version=HCSB

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses):  Ephesians 1:17:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?

7 Who is Jesus?

8 What did He do, think, feel, say?

9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?

10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?

11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?

12 What does this mean for me and my life?

13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?

14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

15 Write out a summary prayer.

Ephesians 1:17 / The Message (MSG)

15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

-- MSG: Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses):  Ephesians 1:17:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?

7 Who is Jesus?

8 What did He do, think, feel, say?

9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?

10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?

11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?

12 What does this mean for me and my life?

13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?

14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

15 Write out a summary prayer.

Ephesians 1:16-17 / New Living Translation (NLT)

16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[a]and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Footnotes:

1. 1:17 Or to give you the Spirit of wisdom.

-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

-- Source From: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph+1%3A16-17&version=NLT

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses):  Ephesians 1:17:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?

7 Who is Jesus?

8 What did He do, think, feel, say?

9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?

10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?

11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?

12 What does this mean for me and my life?

13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?

14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

15 Write out a summary prayer.

Ephesians 1:16-17 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

16 (A)do not cease giving thanks for you, (B)while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the (C)God of our Lord Jesus Christ, (D)the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of (E)wisdom and of (F)revelation in the[a]knowledge of Him.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 1:17 Or true knowledge

Cross references:

1. Ephesians 1:16 : Rom 1:8f; Col 1:9
2. Ephesians 1:16 : Rom 1:9
3. Ephesians 1:17 : John 20:17; Rom 15:6
4. Ephesians 1:17 : Acts 7:2; 1 Cor 2:8
5. Ephesians 1:17 : Col 1:9
6. Ephesians 1:17 : 1 Cor 14:6

-- NASB: Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions to ask of each verse individually and then of the passage as a whole (a passage is one or more sequential verses):  Ephesians 1:17:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?

7 Who is Jesus?

8 What did He do, think, feel, say?

9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?

10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?

11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?

12 What does this mean for me and my life?

13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?

14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

15 Write out a summary prayer.

THIS IS MY PRAYER FOR ALL OF US: WILL YOU JOIN ME?

Ephesians 1:16-17 is my prayer for all of us as we do this Bible study.

Will you join me in praying these verses in your favorite version of the Bible for yourself first, then for everyone else taking part in the “6+ Year Four Gospel Project”—now and later, and for me as I write this study for the next 6+ years?

NOTE

There will be times I share my prayer journaling with you, and the 15 prayer journaling questions. I will share mine with you regarding the study we just did in this ADDITIONAL MATERIAL section. Take a look at Week 2, Day 1 and see what I have to say there. 

Updated last on 3/25/2014, 1121 a.m.

Week 1, Day 7: A Review Day

SUNDAY

Read everything you prayer journaled since the last weekly review and summary. Then, answer these questions:

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?

7 Who is Jesus?

8 What did He do, think, feel, say?

9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?

10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?

11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?

12 What does this mean for me and my life?

13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?

14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

15 Write out a summary prayer.

Now, read the next page after this, for there is additional material you can do for this week and next. 

Week 1, Day 6 Catch-Up and Review

CATCH-UP

If you missed a day, make sure to go back and do that day or section.

NOTE: Please do not read ahead until you catch-up. Then, do the review for today and tomorrow.

WEEKLY REVIEW AND SUMMARY TEMPLATE

Every weekend, it’s important to review. I will assume your weekend is Saturday and Sunday. If not, adjust this study to suit your needs as far as when you will do your two Weekly Review and Summary Days.

Use this template on your weekends:

SATURDAY OR DAY 6 REVIEW

Review everything this book, or blog post series said. Re-read everything from the last review up to this point. Then, answer these questions.

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?

7 Who is Jesus?

8 What did He do, think, feel, say?

9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?

10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?

11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?

12 What does this mean for me and my life?

13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?

14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

15 Write out a summary prayer.

Week 1, Day 5, Luke 1:1-4

HOW THIS STUDY IS SET-UP

Have you noticed yet how I haven’t written too much commentary or personal prayer journaling? Nor have I added too much commentary. There is a reason for it.

Actually, that isn’t entirely true. There are a few reasons for it. One of the reasons is because I do not want to shape your thoughts or perceptions about what you study. I want your personal, and group, Bible study to be between you, the Holy Bible, and God—not me. After all, I am more of a Bible coach than a teacher. I help direct where you go initially, but I leave room for God to steer you where and how you need to go. We need to pay attention far more to God and His Word than what any human says—and this is how I will conduct this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project.”

I also wanted you to get used to the format and figure out how to do this study thing before I filled your heads with more data and information. In other words, I wanted to start you off slowly and not hit you with everything at once. I figured this was the kinder, gentler way to do this Bible study—to a point.

My favorite teachers and coaches when growing up were the ones who pushed me beyond my comfort levels and they expected more of me. They helped me see I was made for more than what I thought or imagined. Through their expectation of hard work on my part, and pushing myself, I learned far more from them than anyone else.

This is why I have this Bible study set-up in the manner it is so far—and later. I want to stretch you, help you see you were made for more, and can do more, than you know or imagine. In doing so, you’ll learn about Jesus, get to know Him far more intimately, and learn to live a life of Jesus—more than you could have or imagined.

I will push you. I will expect great things of you. Because God does. It is the prompting of God that drives me to ask this of you—of us. We were made for so much more.

You will not be coddled in this “6+ Year Four Gospel Project.” This will not be easy. It’s meant to help you/us go deeper than ever before. It’s meant to help us learn the text and know it in a deep, personal, intimate way. We will become experts on the Four Gospels in our own right, as God intends. This takes time. And hard work.

Welcome to a Bible study that isn’t for wimps or those who want the easy route. It will help you listen to God and apply His Word to your life in a way you’ve never done before and it will be the most enriching. After all, you’ll listen to God and His Word—not humans, pastors, scholars, or authors. You’ll listen to God alone (and least of all to me, a sinner).

Philippians 2:13 / New King James Version (NKJV)

13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for Hisgood pleasure.

-- NKJV: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ETC. ETC. ETC.

REMINDER: Don’t forget that you are to do at least the 15 Minute Study each and every day. Then, if you have more time, of the 30 Minute Study. Keep adding more of the minute studies as time allows.

TIP: Work on each day’s study all day and night long. Steal a minute or two (and of course more, if you can) and work on it. The more you do it throughout the day, the more you will get out of it, and the more you’ll actually accomplish.

15 MINUTE STUDY

Part 1: Luke 1:1-4 / New Century Version (NCV)

Luke Writes About Jesus’ Life

1 Many have tried to report on the things that happened among us. 2 They have written the same things that we learned from others—the people who saw those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message. 3 Since I myself have studied everything carefully from the beginning, most excellent Theophilus, it seemed good for me to write it out for you. I arranged it in order, 4 to help you know that what you have been taught is true.

-- NCV: Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions after having read the NCV version of our passage:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

BIBLE STUDY STEP 2: EMPHASIZE

Go ahead and emphasize each of the verses, one by one (one at a time), and answer these questions about what you learn from each emphasis:

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions after having read a new version or translation of our passage. So, for example, you would start with verse 1:

“MANY have tried to report on the things that happened among us,” (NCV).

Now, answer the questions below as you focus on what MANY brings to the forefront and the understanding of the verse.

Then, you will do HAVE—and then prayer journal the questions below. Do this to each verse and each emphasis for the entire passage of Luke 1:1-4.

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

Then, when you are finished, answer these questions:

PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

Answer each of these questions:

1 What jumped out at you?

2 What did you learn?

3 What can you apply to your life?

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did God say to you?

6 What did you learn about Jesus, if anything?

7 Who is Jesus?

8 What did He do, think, feel, say?

9 What does He want us to do, think, feel, say?

10 What does He not want us to do, think, feel, or say?

11 How can this passage deepen your knowledge of Jesus Christ?

12 What does this mean for me and my life?

13 How can I apply these lessons learned, and answers received, to my life?

14 How can all of this help me live a life of Jesus?

15 Write out a summary prayer.

NOTE: Make sure to read each day the rest of each chapter, even if you are not going to do any of the other 30, 45, or 60+ minute studies.

30 MINUTE STUDY

Do this for another version of the Bible.

45 MINUTE STUDY

Do this for another translation of the Bible.

60+ MINUTE STUDY

Do this for yet another translation of the Holy Bible.

In two days, we will continue with the study of Luke 1:1-4. The next couple of days are review and catch-up.