As you prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, do you feel like you’re playing tug-of-war with conflicting priorities and all you need to get done?

Sadly, it’s all too easy to be so focused on our to-do lists (yes, I have more than one!) that we miss what’s most important.

Emmy, our four-month-old Labradoodle, is so full of energy and spunk. She is not intimidated by the fact that Lady, our 90-pound Golden, is three times her size. Emmy is focused on getting that toy, and when she does, on playing keep-away.

Of course, our lives are far more complicated. We don’t live to play, but we do need to pray to live – to really live in the center of God’s will.

Father, I pray for myself and my friends. Help us not to be intimidated by our to-do lists. Clearly show us what You want us to do and give us Your strength to do it. Keep us focused on what really matters  and determined not to squeeze You out of our busy lives. Give us Your peace and joy!

My Christmas gift to you . . .

I have just opened registration for the new Write to Impact Lives Conference February 9-10 in Lansdale, PA (just off the Lansdale exit of the east/west PA Turnpike). For published and not-yet-published authors this 1.5 day conference will give you the jumpstart you need to complete the book Father is calling you to write.

For more info go to
http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/writetoimpactlivesconference.

If you register by the end of the year, I’ll be glad to gift you with my book, Write His Answser – A Bible Study for Christian Writers, or James Watkins’ book, Communicate to Change Lives in Person and Print. Jim is one of our keynoters. He will also teach the continuing session,  “The Five Rs of Nonfiction.”

And your gift to yourself . . .

I want to encourage you to save any monetary gifts you receive this Christmas to invest in the Colorado or Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.  Or ask your family to gift you with the conference.

There are presently 42 editors, agents, and authors on faculty for the May 16-19 Colorado Christian Writers Conference with more to be added. Held at the YMCA of the Rockies on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, why not rent a cabin and bring your family? By the end of the year I hope to begin updating the website. Registration will open February 1.

I’ve not yet begun planning the July 26-28 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. YES, the conference is continuing! I am praising God for the new location of Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale. Lodging at the Holiday Inn, just five minutes away, is $109 a night (plus tax). Share your room with one, two, or three writing friends and bring the cost down to $27, $36, or $55 a night. (We can help with roommate matching.) The new format of a 2.5 day conference (instead of 3.5 days) will also lower the cost both in time and money!

Have a blessed Christmas because He came and is coming again!