Monday 21 March 2016

#atozchallenge: 2016 Theme reveal #atozreveal

I'd briefly thought about doing this last year, but the problem then was that I didn't have the time to sit down and write. I didn't want to simply dash out something half-baked and then have regrets. So I took the easy way out and did a series on the A to Z of (mostly) worship songs, which was pretty fun, and kicked off my currently slightly sporadic Music Monday posts.

So, this series veers far away from the usual stuff I post on my blog (books, books and more books - plus the occasional flash fiction), but then again, it is something close to my heart.

Cover by Pam Choo!
This blog series isn’t a how-to of worship leading. It’s not going to teach you step by step what to do, or all the things you need to know about worship leading, or even about worship. That is something too wide a scope for my little blog, and definitely too long for the short snippets and sound bites that make up posts for the A to Z Blogging challenge. Whilst I will be expanding on the posts when I compile them into an ebook after this month, it will still not be comprehensive enough to really teach you anything in depth about this vast experience called worship.

I know all the arguments about how we’ve confined the word “worship” into the 30-minute segment at the beginning of church service where we sing songs and how worship should actually encompass the whole of our lives and the way we live it for God, but for the purpose of this series (and to make my life simpler) when I say “worship” I will generally refer to singing songs (unless I state otherwise).

I'm not saying that I know everything about worship leading. I'm not even saying I know very much at all. I'm just writing out things that I believe are important - at least to me in my walk with God. I first started leading worship in youth group back in the late '90s when we called ourselves lead worshippers. I don't call myself anything anymore, except that busybody who likes compiling top 25 lists (okay, now I feel like an old fart).

At any rate, I'm hoping that you will glean something from my 15+ years of experience. Or not.

I'll be compiling it into an ebook at the end of the month and will be sending out a copy to all those on my mailing list. So sign up if you want to get a free copy! (You'll also get a copy of When Winds Blow Cold, my fairy tale short story when you sign up.)

2016 A to Z Index: 
(each link goes live on the day itself)

Adoration
Beauty
Capacity
Discipline
Exhortation
Focus
Grace
Honour
Integrity
Jesus
Kindle
Listen
Motive
Name
Obedience
Priesthood
Qualified
Rest
Sensitivity
Theology
Unity
Vulnerability
Worth
Xenia
Yearn
Zerubbabel

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RELEASING 31 MARCH!

Are you an A to Z blogger? Send me a message on my facebook page or on Twitter with your blog name and number and I will send you a coupon to get Coexist on Smashwords for only $0.99!

About the book:

Jane Hays has been told all her life that it’s dangerous to be out in the forest past sundown. At fifteen, she’s quite sure that it’s all old wives’ tales... yet, why does her village bar the gates every night? Why do they even have gates? When she is caught in an unexpected rainstorm on her way home, Jane ignores all the warnings and seeks shelter in a cottage in the middle of the forest. Soon, she is caught up in a world of magic and beauty – and in the storm of the Fairy Queen’s wrath.

The Fairy Queen is out for blood. There have been intruders – human intruders  in her domain and she will stop at nothing to find them and kill them. After all, it is only fair. She is only seeking retribution for the death that humans leave in their wake.

But Jane isn’t all that she seems to be. And the events of the night aren’t as innocent as they appear.

A tale of magic, fairy creatures and family, Coexist is a novella for the young and the young-at-heart.

Get Coexist on Amazon or Smashwords. You can also get it as a paperback here or here

Coexist

25 comments:

  1. I had enjoyed your posts of the 2014 challenge but was quite random the next year. This year I hope to be more regular. All the best for the challenge.
    Off to write my theme reveal post now. :) I am still thinking.

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    1. Thanks!
      Hope you find a good theme soon!
      (Btw, if you enjoyed the 2014 challenge - I've made that into the book that launches next week!)

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    2. I thought Coexist looked familiar :) Congratulations for the book. I like the cover.

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  2. Great theme for the challenge! I like the idea of turning it into an ebook as well. Good luck next month!

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  3. This is quite a unique theme, so different :-)
    Have a fantastic challenge!

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz

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    1. Thanks Sarah :)
      All the best to you too!

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  4. Great theme and unique one. I would like to know more through your posts in April. Good luck with the challenge.

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    1. Thanks Parul. Are you taking part in A to Z too?

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  5. Good luck with the challenge - you seem to be very organised. Hope you have a great April with all your worship posts.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

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    1. This is the first time I've been so organised!
      *impressed smile*
      Thanks for dropping by, Tasha! All the best to you too!

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  6. A very novel take on the theme, and very apt too for the time of year! Wishing you all the best for the challenge

    Nilanjana.
    Ninja Minion, A-Z 2016
    Madly-in-Verse

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    1. All the best to you too, Nilanjana!
      *hands out cookie* (store bought, don't worry. I know I can't bake) Minions get extra props! It's crazy hard!

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  7. I'm a Christian and a musician, so your theme is close to my heart. I'll be following.

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  8. I look forward to your theme, Anna! Worship can be so many things and expressed in so many ways.

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  9. I do remember reading some of your posts last year with the songs :) I didn't realize you are a worship leader. I personally can't sing in tone, but yet married to a professional guitarist; its funny how God works :) He always tries to play on the worship bands of churches we attend and my brother is the worship leader of a large church in the San Diego area. (and yet I can't carry a tune :)

    I remember one time my brother walking down off the stage at the end of the service through people leaving and people commenting "great music", "too loud", "too soft" "more drums", "less drums" etc. It is a delicate balancing act to lead worship and make it meaningful and what it is supposed to be.

    Our last church (process of moving) had probably the most sincere worship leader I had seen. Young man, but he really put his heart into choosing songs representing the pastor's theme for the week and prayed about what songs to choose.

    sorry, got off on a tangent; so important to worship and so good to have worship leaders willing to lead!

    betty
    http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/2016/03/its-that-time-again.html

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    1. Yeah, worship leaders get a lot of comments - not all of which agree. Hope your brother hangs in there!

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  10. Hi! sounds like a lovely theme... Impressive way of using the letter Z :) Hope you had a good Easter.

    Joy @ The Joyous Living

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    1. Thanks Joy!
      I had a pretty quiet Easter, actually :)

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  11. I just barely learned of the concept of Xenia! Look forward to your take on it and the rest of your worship alphabet. Gail at Making Life An Art

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