Archive for the 'Christian' Category

Some Myths and Facts about Publishing

I found this interesting article on a blog written by an American literary agent.

Myths vs facts of publishing by Rachelle Gardner.

It has some very interesting things to say about agents, and about getting an agent to represent you, and about getting published.

The many reader comments are worth reading too.The agent writing this blog is a committed Christian; in fact, she is actively seeking fiction which ‘does not contradict a Christan worldview.’

Pity we have no agents like her here in Australia.

Good writing.


Poem #41: Have a Happy Easter

Have a happy Easter

As I did my courier rounds
The day before Good Friday,
Everyone was busy,
Everyone was frantic.
Lines of cars jammed
Supermarket car parks
And service station entrances.
Everyone was rushing to get all their tasks completed,
Everyone was eager to be finished and away.
‘Have a happy Easter,’ was the mantra from everyone I met.
‘Have a happy Easter,’ I’d found myself echoing their words.
What does that mean
To those who are not
|Followers of Christ?
Did they wish me happiness?
Did they wish me joy?
Were they concerned about
My emotional wellbeing?
Was it a genuine desire
Or just a polite end
To our transaction?
‘Have a happy Easter,’
Echoed in my mind.
‘Have a happy Easter,’
Sprang easy from my mouth.
Easter is a holy time,
Sacred to my heart;
Tears of shame and gratitude
As I view Him on the Cross.
Easter is a blessed time,
It is special in my life;
Smiles of joy and happiness
As I view the empty tomb.
Easter is a celebration,
It’s more than just
A break from work.
Easter is a festival,
It’s more than just
A time with family,
A time with friends.
Christ died for me,
For you, for all,
So we could know
True love, no guilt,
No shame.
So we could know
Eternity.

© 2008 Trevor W. Hampel.

All rights reserved.

Poem #39: My Hope

My Hope

A rugged cross upon a hill.
The soldiers know not whom they kill.
The shouting crowd with hatred jeer,
Some lonely friends all filled with fear.

Who was this man upon that tree
Who gave His life to set me free?
He gave His life, His precious Blood,
He is my saviour, friend and God.

He is the victor over sin;
He conquered death my heart to win.
An empty tomb, and faith made strong
Despite the shouts of mocking throng.

My hope is built upon that Cross;
Mine is the gain, His was the loss.
His love for me has won my soul –
Eternity is now my goal.

© 2008 Trevor W. Hampel

All rights reserved.

Poem #38: A Gift

 

 

A Gift

Come to the fields,
Hear a heavenly throng
Praise our wonderful Father
In rapturous song.

Come to the stable
A wonder to see –
A child in a manger,
A gift given free.

Come to the lakeside
With the sick and the lame,
Hear all of those needy
Call His precious name.

Come to a hillside –
No glamour, no gloss.
Watch the Man who has died
Upon that stark Cross.

Come to Jesus, Christ Jesus –
No tinsel, no tree.
Just Jesus, our saviour
His gift sets us free.

Copyright 2007 Trevor W. Hampel.

All rights reserved.

What I am reading: “Holy Discontent”

“Holy Discontent: fueling the fire that ignites personal vision.” written by Bill Hybels and published by Zondervan.

I bought this book recently at a seminar I attended in Adelaide, South Australia. The seminar was the Global Leadership Summit run by Willow Creek Community Church where the author, Bill Hybels, is the senior pastor.This relatively short and easy to read book is quite inspiring. That’s what I had hoped for when I bought it.

The author explains how he was filled with “holy discontent” on an issue with which he was confronted. He was not able to rest until he had put all of his energies – plus a healthy dollop of energising from God – into doing what he could about the issue.

While this book is more inspirational rather than instructional, there is sufficient in it to take away and apply to one’s own “holy discontent.” The principle remains: great things get done when ordinary people get discontented and develop a mighty passion for a cause, whatever that cause happens to be.