Changes in Blog Posts Starting December 1

I’ve prayed about the direction and content of A Word of Encouragement headed into 2014. As discussed from this blog’s launch, its posts are designed to encourage you through earthly trials and your spiritual walk with Christ.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

God has led me on a path of encouraging others, and the mission of this blog will continue to be centered on encouragement.

Those of you who are regular followers and e-mail subscribers know I’m passionate about many things. Among these are people hurting (physically, mentally, and spiritually), missions, my fellow Christian writers, the persecuted and oppressed worldwide, and the role of Christians in a secular progressive society. This makes for a broad genre of writing topics.

Because of how hectic my life has been in the past year, I discontinued Writers’ Corner to devote my attention solely to devotion/prayer posts each week. Occasionally, I’ve mixed in hot topics, current events, or mental health issues. I’ve reserved the most hard-hitting issues for my other blog, Count The Costs.

My life isn’t any less busy now. In fact, it’s probably more so, but this is where change, through more clearly defining my blogging schedule and topics, will be good for me, as well.

Beginning the week of December 1, this will be my new blogging schedule:

Wednesdays will remain the devotion/prayer blog post. If you need prayer or want encouragement, this post is for you. Please e-mail me at any time during the week for your prayer request to be included in the upcoming post.

Fridays will be posts to encourage my fellow Christian writers. This may include author interviews, writing tips, resources, book reviews, and insight into my own writing journey. If you’re an author who has a book releasing or already published, feel free to email me for an interview. I’d love to highlight your work for other authors to be encouraged by and readers to discover your intriguing books.

One thing impressed upon me when I first began writing is that writers are on a journey. You never “arrive” unless you’re J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Jan Karon, or someone of that caliber. Therefore, writers are on the path behind you and ahead of you. Everyone helps everyone else. I’ve been fortunate to have had some wonderful Christian authors help me, and in turn, I mentor other writers and belong to critique groups. I ghostwrite and edit, as well. So I’d like to use Fridays as a forum to share with other writers so we can all encourage each other.

I will still share an occasional fun post, as I did about Mayberry after Andy Griffith died, or some other current event. Or I might blog live from a writing conference when I attend one. These will be extras.

As for more hard-hitting posts about current events or hot topic issues related to Christianity, these will be exclusively on my other blog, Count The Costs. These will typically be more in-depth and heavily researched topics.

An example of something I might blog about on CTC would be a news report I read this week of eighty-five people publically executed in North Korea for possessing Bibles, pornography, or South Korean videos. Keep in mind in North Korea, anything religious is considered pornography, so it’s safe to assume a large percentage of the folks executed were Christians. They were all lined up and then mowed down with machine gun fire for everyone to witness. Though it’s difficult to verify any news coming out of North Korea, these questions can still be asked: How does this effect American Christians? We’re often soft and comfortable within our shores where religious persecution typically doesn’t cost someone their lives, but would we dare own a Bible if it meant we could be killed for it? What is our role to help our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide?

Luke 14:27-33 states we are to count the costs of following Christ. Some of you might not want to read or discuss these type issues, nor others I’ve discussed like abortion or Hobby Lobby’s religious battle with the government, genocide, or human trafficking. That’s fine. But if you do want to be a part of these discussions or just become more informed, head over to Count The Costs and become a follower or e-mail subscriber. As always, both of my blogs are interlinked, and the link for each can be found at the top right of each blog.

Though I’ve used a few select guest posts in the past, new in 2014 is my plan to open up Count The Costs as a writing opportunity for guest bloggers. Please read the guest post submission guidelines at the top of the blog before submitting, though. Thanks!

Hopefully, this clear delineation of where we’re headed on A Word of Encouragement and Count The Costs for the upcoming year will make it easier for everyone to find the posts they most want to read and then become involved in discussions or prayer for others.

I’ve enjoyed the past two and a half years of blogging and getting to know some of my readers better. You’ve been a blessing to me through your faithful following and prayer support. I look forward to a wonderful new year of blogging with you.   

God bless,

Laura ✞

©Laura Hodges Poole