... that stuff about getting it right - Issue #7

The not-so-quiet musings of Christian author CM Powers

Hey, friends! It's been a while. My last newsletter issue was back in December. That's crazy.

In my last issue, I mentioned being attacked because of a they/them joke I made on Facebook. So, picking things up again, I actually considered deleting that last issue and maybe even a couple of others, but after reading through them I realized I don't think I said anything wrong.

My thoughts are still the same. My feelings haven't changed. I will say that I'd like to keep things more positive going forward, but that doesn't mean I won't address concerns or point out some of the ridiculousness in the world around us.

The headline for this issue mentions “getting it right”. Wrapping my head around this new direction, the dos and don'ts, and how to get it all right is sometimes overwhelming.

Back when I was writing horror, I multitasked like a madman. I worked on multiple novels while submitting short stories for other people's anthologies, co-hosted a podcast, ran my own YouTube show, worked my day job, and handled my husband/father duties. It was hectic, but I knew what to expect. My only concern was keeping up.

Since diving deeper into my faith, I've felt… less concerned, maybe? Definitely at peace. But a little confused about where to go, what to do, or even how to begin. It's kind of like the sky’s the limit now, but I'm figuring out how to fly.

I have half the responsibility, but I kind of feel like I have more. This is far more important. It feels like everyone is watching and waiting for me to mess up.

Of course, podcasting has crossed my mind, but what if I say something wrong? A YouTube channel was fun, and maybe I could do it again but more on the Christian side of things, but what would I talk about? And would I mess up?

What's my next step? What moves should I be making?

I know the Lord is guiding me, and I also know a part of that is being patient and moving when He sees fit.

For now, I’m wrapping up my first novel, fixing another, rewriting a couple of others, and coming back to this newsletter. I create/edit videos (and provide voice overs) with my day job. The most consuming part of life right now is my daughter's softball requirements. Man, I had no idea when she started playing how time-consuming it would be. AND I'm considering going back to school (a Christian college, y’all!). Just thinking about it right now.

Then there is the aspect of seeing/hearing people's opinions. My last newsletter issue touched on that a bit. When you're discussing your faith, especially on social media and in a newsletter, you always hope you're doing it right. I've mentioned my healthy, awe-inspired fear of the Lord before. I don't question my salvation, but I have concerns I'll misrepresent Him.

All I can do is read my Bible and go by what's written in it. I trust in that. I trust in Him to lead me down the right path. I can't let other people's beliefs and perspectives send me off course or slow me down.

If I've learned anything already, it's the fact that the enemy will send roadblocks and detour signs to get in your way—often they come disguised as other “Christians” telling you how you should handle yourself. How you're not being loving enough, sympathetic enough, nice enough.

We're called to be kind, not nice. Nice often wears the mask of being agreeable.

This is my journey. Some of my book ideas will be quite controversial, some may not be so nice, but I plan to stick with the truth. Let's see how it goes.

That stuff about writing

Scatter the Dark, my first Christian supernatural thriller, is in the hands of the beta readers. So far, the feedback has been awesome. I don't think anyone is past the 40% mark on Kindle, so they haven't gotten to the best parts.

My good friend and book cover designer Wofford Lee Jones is working on the cover for the new, updated version of Discovering Ivory in a Charcoal Cave: A Poetic Journey to Beat Depression. That book always had a religious element to it, but I added a couple of chapters this time around to make it much more clearly Christian. I think you'll dig it.

I'm working on a few other novels now. My process is usually to juggle a few manuscripts until one finally captures all my attention and keeps me glued there until it's complete. I think I know which will be the next one published, but I'm not sure enough to mention it.

That stuff about a song

Praise and worship are so important. A lot of Christian songs are fun and great for singing along in the car, for letting Jesus know you love Him, but not all are the best for going to that quiet place. For settling in and wrapping yourself up in the comfort of His love.

This song brings me so much peace. It's 20 minutes long, but allows you to just BE. To BE in His presence, to BE a child of the one true God, to BE open while giving praise and worship to the King. I'd heard it in church a couple of times and heard the worship team sing a version of it the other night before David Amos preached, but I couldn't find it on Spotify. Do you know how many other songs have the lyrics "worthy is the Lamb?!" But I found it. It's Agnus Dei!

This version is really beautiful. I had it on today while working too. It's simple and easy to sing along to, which is what makes it such an awesome worship song. Give it a listen if you have time to spare.

This is Agnus Dei - Live from Passion 2024 by Passion with Kristian Standill

Thank you for reading … that stuff.

Chris