I'll be recording my radio show, The Final Cut in Movies, tonight, and we'll be talking Terminator: Salvation! Let me know what you think of it! If I like what you have to say, I might read it on the show! I've also started a discussion topic on my Facebook Fan Page, so feel free to join in! (Also, if you haven't become my friend in Facebook, click here!)
Have you heard of The Department of Redundancy Department? I'm the department HEAD.
I'm currently looking over some of the changes my editor made to my Out of the Shadows manuscript and adding in my final additions before it enters the production process. I've discovered some of my main weaknesses as a writer: my ana-retentive side. Sounds crazy--you'd think being anal retentive would help my writing, and it does, but it also causes a big problem. See, I want to make sure the reader knows exactly what I'm saying--to a fault. I'm the engineer's daughter. I'm not just going to tell you its big. I'm going to give you its dimensions!
As a result, I have a tendency repeat information. It's called redundancy, and it's a common writing mistake. I just happen to make it a lot, and it's hard for me to catch. Fortunately, my editor caught a lot of the redundancies for me. (That's why publishers have editors.) I've listed a few of the funniest here, along with my own self-depreciating comments. (Note: most of the comments are sarcasm, intending to show how absurd my redundancies were. I.E., I know that blue fog doesn't exist.)
The moral of the story:
Be sure to check out my new To Elysia and Back Again podcast every Tuesday! Click here for more information.
Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston also hosts two radio talk shows: The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes and Culture Watch Radio, a show that reviews movies, books, and TV shows from a Christian perspective on southwest Florida's Praise FM 89.5. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.
It's finally here! My editor has just sent me the edited manuscript of the second book in the Elysian Chronicles series, Out of the Shadows! I have been given a week to make the final changes and send it back to her for a final review before it enters production! The manuscript is a bit longer than A Prophecy Forgotten, so it will take me more time to go through it.
Because of the length, I shall be spending most of my time this week editing. I will try to update my status on the Twitter/Facebook/Myspace monster, and I will try to check in every now and then to reply to comments, etc., but if I don't get back to you, please don't take it personally! I may also blog about the process...
Love you all! See you soon!
The Final Cut in Movies: Putting Science Fiction & Fantasy Center Stage
The Final Cut in Movies is a talk radio show I host that airs throughout the week from 8:00 to 10:00 am & pm on Ad Astra Radio: The World's Premier Science Fiction Talk Radio Network ® (www.adastraradio.com). I also podcast the show each week on iTunes.
On this week’s show, I'll be discussing Star Trek, how to set up a mini-radio studio in a hotel room at MobiCon, and other science fiction and fantasy movie news.
To listen to tonight's show:
Missed Saturday's edition of The Final Cut in Movies? Don’t worry, you can catch the re-runs each day from 8:00-10:00am & pm at www.adastraradio.com, or you can download the podcast at M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or by following this link on iTunes.
Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston also hosts two radio talk shows: The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes and Culture Watch Radio, a show that reviews movies, books, and TV shows from a Christian perspective on southwest Florida's Praise FM 89.5. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.
The Final Cut in Movies: Putting Science Fiction & Fantasy Center Stage
The Final Cut in Movies is a talk radio show I host that airs throughout the week from 8:00 to 10:00 am & pm on Ad Astra Radio: The World's Premier Science Fiction Talk Radio Network ® (www.adastraradio.com). I also podcast the show each week on iTunes.
On this show, I'll be discussing Wolverine and other science fiction and fantasy movie news.
To listen to this show:
Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston also hosts two radio talk shows: The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes and Culture Watch Radio, a show that reviews movies, books, and TV shows from a Christian perspective on southwest Florida's Praise FM 89.5. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.
Naples Daily News did an article on Naples Park Elementary School's Young Authors Project. I spoke at Naples Park about writing, and they featured me as well. Click here to read the article.
I did a virtual interview with Angela Wilson on www.popsyndicate.com. Please stop by at this link: http://www.popsyndicate.com/books/story/virtual_sitdown_with_m.b._weston, discover some of the backstory behind the Elysian Chronicles, and leave a comment . I'll try to comment back later on today!
This is our last week in Galatians, and this week’s section is called “Galatians Part 6: Your Outlook Affects Everything.
Before I begin, let me state that I am an avid New York Yankees fan, and therefore, I am not a fan of the Boston Red Sox. I must expose my bias before I go on with this next little illustration.
Ted Williams is one of Major League Baseball’s greats. He is the only player to bat over .400 in the regular season during the 1900’s and is truly one of the baseball's most accomplished hitters. He actually has been quoted as saying, “The only thing I want is to be the greatest hitter than ever lived.”
Derek Jeter is one baseball’s greats as well. (Yes, I know. He is still playing, which means that we can’t accurately judge just how great he is. But admit it. The guy rocks.) He consistently gets around 180 to 200 hits a season (except in 2003 when he was out for part of the season with a dislocated shoulder), he is a multiple Golden Glove winner, he’s an accomplished base-stealer, and he can bunt. Oh, and he has 4 World Series rings and 2 American League Championship rings. Everyone who knows baseball knows that each season, the one thing Jeter focuses on is winning the World Series.
Both players have talent, but their goals determine how they approach the game. Throughout his career, Ted Williams focused on hitting; fielding simply was not his first priority. Derek Jeter has kept his focus well-rounded: hitting, fielding, bunting. Why? He wants to help his team win the World Series.
How each player views their goals affects:
(And oh, yes, we can apply this to our relationships with God and each other!)
Paul has spent the first five chapters of Galatians trying to switch the Galatians mindsets from ardently following the law to achieve salvation to walking in step with the Spirit with joy because we have salvation through God’s grace.
He now tells the Galatians how this mindset should affect their behavior and their view of others. Just like a baseball player, how we view salvation affects how we measure people and treat people. A legalist measures man by the law—by a bunch of do’s and don’ts—which leads to criticism and condemnation of others (and of himself/herself). A legalist focuses on obeying the law instead of on loving his fellow man. A person who believes we receive salvation through grace shows more grace to others. He practices the fruits of the Spirit. He focuses on keeping God in charge of his life instead of on the rules. A gracious person measures a man by his fruit.
Ted Williams never won a World Series. Derek Jeter has won four.
What is your focus?
Prior blogs on Galatians:
Pocasts on Galatians:
Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.
Read Galatians 5:22-26
We left off yesterday’s blog with the concept that we know that we are declared righteous (justified) by the presence of the Holy Spirit, who indwells those who believe, in our lives. I’m going to re-quote Ephesians 1:13-14 (one of my favorite verses): “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed you were marked in him with a seal the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…”
We’ve also be discussing two illustrations:
The question: How can you tell whether or not the Holy Spirit indwells you?
The answer: By the fruit that grows on your tree.
You walked into that one, didn’t you? That’s right. It’s time for the famous “Fruit of the Spirit” verses! Before I give you the list, please note two things:
Fruit of the Spirit
Remember that it's easy for us to look at the acts of the sinful nature and try to eliminate those from our lives. It's more important for us to start tilling our orchard--develop our spiritual fruit. Concentrate on these things, and you won't have to worry as much about the acts of the sinful nature.
After this, Paul says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” He’s not saying, “We’ve killed our sinful nature! We will no longer have its temptation!” He’s saying, “Our sinful nature has already been tried, convicted, and judged.” Jesus has already bore the punishment for it. (See my "Double Jeopardy" blog entry.)
Follow the logic here:
Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The word for believe Paul uses is stronger than our English word. It means to believe and to act upon. After all, demons believe Jesus is Lord, and…they won’t be saved (if I’m reading Revelation and a bunch of other books in the Bible correctly). I’ve seen many people just “say the words” but not really believe them in their hearts or decide to act upon that belief. Believing in Christ is not a “magic words” thing. It’s not a formula for a “get out of jail free” card. It’s not something that happens because you decided to walk down an aisle during a highly emotional church service. Belief in Christ includes the decision to leave your old life behind and follow Him.
Deeply think about your relationship with God. Run down your fruit inventory and see where you are.
And remember, your faith in Christ, His Death, and His Resurrection is what declares you righteous. Your sinful nature has already been judged. The punishment has already been paid. This fruit is simply evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life!
Proceed with joy for the rest of the day!
Prior blogs on Galatians:
Pocasts on Galatians:
Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.
Read Galatians 5:16-18
This is some cool stuff in this passage. When Paul says, “Live by the Spirit,” he uses the word peripateite, which means keep on walking. Let’s translate: “Keep on walking in the Spirit, and you will not gratify (or indulge) the desires of the sinful nature.
Think about this. In the Karate Kid, Daniel Laruso (an illustration used in our last blog) choose to place himself under the authority of Mr. Miyagi as his student. Daniel avoided the authority and the teachings of the Cobra Kai Dojo, and therefore found it easier to walk in the ways of Mr. Miyagi. Make yourself a student of the Holy Spirit instead of a student of the world.
Who is your master? Understand, your master is not the one you claim is your master. Your master is the one you obey.
Read Galatians 5:19-21
Here Paul lists of acts of the sinful nature. This is the stuff that our sinful nature wants us to indulge. I’ve listed the word used, then the Greek word, then the actual definition. (I go into more detail on this week’s podcast, which I will post later on today.)
(I just realized that I am probably going to come up on some pretty interesting Google searches with this list.)
I’ve noticed two things about this list that bear scrutiny:
Look at the above list and see if there are any areas in your life that you might need to stop indulging. I know I’ve got a few areas that need work.
Paul goes on to say that: “Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. This is where the arguments start, and it’s important to read this verse within the context of Galatians as a whole. Paul has just finished spending four chapters saying our faith declares us righteous—not our works. So what does he mean here?
I have two comments on this. Before I give them, bear in mind that this is a controversial verse and that some people will disagree with me.
The above lists are part of that sinful nature that all of us still struggle with. There is a difference, however, between living a brazen lifestyle and struggling with a weakness. If your lifestyle is like the above, then may have the wrong fruit growing on your tree, meaning, you’re the wrong tree. You’re attending the wrong dojo. You’re submitting to the wrong master.
We have dueling natures within us. Live by the Spirit. Make the Holy Spirit your master. Walk in step with the Holy Spirit. More on this in tomorrow’s blog.
Prior blogs on Galatians:
Pocasts on Galatians:
Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.
