Monday, February 23, 2015

Ahavah Writings Update

Greetings Everyone, 

I hope this update finds you in the midst of a great and joyful day. I know it has been for me so far. 

-----

On Valentines day we announced that our first book 'Ahavah' Writings for the Journey (AW4TJ) was coming along great and that we were hopefully only a few months away from publishing. Well, I am very excited to announce that while the books isn't ready for publishing just yet we have entered into the final stages of the editing process. 

This weekend God granted Traci and I the time we needed to finish the changes from the second edit of the book and we sent it in for approval from our self publishing company and they approved it. PRAISE JESUS!!! GLORY TO GOD!!!

We have ordered our final proofing copies and have sent digital copies to our final editors. These four individuals will be focusing their energy on the Theological/Spiritual Aspects, Grammatical/Layout Aspects, Reader Friendly/Devotional Aspect and of course the Content Aspect of the book (along with the writing of the forward). 

While this is a bit scary for me (since  my heart and soul have been pour out onto the pages it's pages) I am very excited about the progress we have been able to make these last few weeks. I have been working on a lot of the behind the scenes stuff (Legal/ Marketing Aspects) as well. Even though I am very eager to get AW4TJ out there, I am patiently waiting for God's perfect timing. 

My prayer continues to be that God will be able to use the content of AW4TJ to encourage those that read it. For me writing a book has never been about the money or the possible fame, it has always been about giving back and glorifying God with all that I am and I truly feel that I've done my best to honor God with each page that was written.

Even though I have read the pages of AW4TJ several times, I still feel encouraged when I read it's pages. Sometimes, I even get a bit teary eyed when something I've read reminds me that "WOW!!!, God had to be a part of this because on my own I couldn't have wrote this." 

More to come...

Blessings to you all, 

Matt


Saturday, February 14, 2015

Our First Book

Greetings Everyone,

I write this to you at around 5am from Bartlesville OK. WOW!!! I wasn't for sure if we'd ever make it back here for a visit. :-). We are here celebrating my Dad's Wedding, just a few years in the making :-).

-----

I wanted to share with you some more about our book, 'Ahavah' Writings for the Journey. The word 'Ahavah' is a new testament word for Love. Thus making this book 'Love' Writings for the Journey.....

Traci and I have been working as fast as we can to get the editing portion of the book done. However, with two very young children in the home now it is sometimes hard to get some of these things done. I will say though that we have edited the first and second drafts of this book. At the moment we are making the changes to the second draft. Once this is done we will send it to the person who is writing the forward and then have it edited by a few people other than us. (You know for FRESH EYES).

For now though I wanted to share our final version of the prologue with you guys so that you will actually get a glimpse of what is actually in the book :-). So here it is....

-----

Greetings in Christ,

     I share these writings with you this day in the hopes of imparting something truly wonderful, a deeper walk with Him. I thank Him for each person who may read this book because He has a special journey for each and every one of you to embark on in life. Life has shown us all many things, much of which includes hardship and suffering. I remind you today that you are not alone in your struggles and that many have faced similar struggles before and have overcome them.
     Your life may have turned out differently than what you expected, but there are specific tasks that God has given each of us that we are uniquely suited for and called to live out in our lives. The primary purpose of which is to glorify God throughout our life and to honor Him in all things. This may not always be the easiest task for us to complete but it will give us the most rewarding life we could possibly have.
     Through it all, you will come to know that you are never alone and that while it may seem like no one understands, you will be able to take comfort in the fact that someone out there does.
     Knowing this, I ask that you read this book with the understanding that many of its pages were written with you in mind.  Certain parts of this book may remind you of someone who has mentored you in your journey with God or even of someone you personally mentor today.  Either way, I pray that God speaks to you in a mighty way.
     Remember that your life is its own ‘ahavah’ journey. ‘Ahavah’ is a Hebrew word for Love, thus making this book “Love Writings for the Journey.” This is to remind us all that LOVE is what it all comes down to in this life, because without it we have nothing. The only way any of us can embrace this concept of Love is to begin embracing God’s Glory in our lives.

In Ahavah,

Matt

-----

I hope that this post gives you at least a glimpse into the heart of this book. My biggest desire for this book is simply to remind those that read it of how much God truly does love each and every one of us. 

Blessings to you all, 

Matt