The first time I met a very special group of
writers, the East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers (EMACW), they hosted an event with legendary author, Elizabeth Sherrill,
who along with her husband John has written many of my favorite books including God’s Smuggler with Brother Andrew, The Hiding Place with Corrie Ten Boom,
and The Cross and the Switchblade
with David Wilkerson. We even used Elizabeth’s books while homeschooling, so
going to meet her was a no brainer.
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| Jerry and I with Elizabeth Sherrill |
Through the years, I’ve had opportunity to meet
other literary luminaries while with these folks―like writing instructor Cecil Murphy, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven,
and Amy Award winner, Rusty Wright.
I even won the deal for my first book, Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees,
through a contest with EMACW.
I’m
especially excited about going back to speak again this Saturday to these inspiring writers
are who are the EMACW.
They encourage me with their perseverance, their
dedication to their craft, and their sacrificial service. I suppose that may be
in large part to the example of their founders Joyce Fincher and Colleen
Jackson. Colleen Jackson has guest posted here for us at One Ringing Bell. She is a first place in religion award
winner in the Georgia Press Awards.
And speaking of literary luminaries, Colleen is definitely a bright light.
She sets a standard of excellence in everything she does.
And in the vein of sacrificial service, award
winning writer and teacher, Lisa Hetzel, current Director of the EMACW has
recently donated a kidney to her cousin and now writes and advocates for kidney donation.
Though the folks at EMACW have asked me to be the presenter,
I have no doubt I'll leave the meeting this Saturday with far more than I’ve shared.
I guess that’s just what happens when you hang out with stars like them.
“Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly,
like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the
right path to life will glow like stars forever” (Daniel 12:3 The Message).