Who Are You Thankful To?

~~ Romans1:21 (NIV) ~~  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

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by Carley Cooper

Photo courtesy of Google Images

In my small group we’re currently doing a study about being “fishers of men.”  One of our homework assignments was to write a thank you letter to the person we feel is responsible for leading us to Jesus.  Have you ever thought about it before, who you would write such a letter to, and what you would say?  It really made me stop think.  I mean, I grew up believing in Jesus.  I don’t know a life without that belief.  Yet at the same time, I didn’t know that there was such a thing as having a relationship with Him.  I was lead to the truth about God and Jesus during a series of counseling sessions with one of my pastors.  I had several big “light bulb” moments during this time.  The end result was I began a relationship with God, I forgave those in my past that needed forgiving, I repented, and I was put in a position to move ahead toward a path leading to God.  Here’s the letter that I wrote to Pastor:

Dear Pastor:

How do I begin to say thank you to the person who led me out of the darkness and into a world filled with light?  Don’t get me wrong... I don’t want to ignore the people who came before you; my parents, grandparents who taught me that there was a man named Jesus who died on a cross for me.  But that’s where it ended.  It was a wonderful story from a book.  I didn’t feel any more connected to God or Jesus then I did with any other historical character.  I didn’t know I could be.  It’s amazing how people live in the darkness their whole lives and don’t even know it.  Stepping out of that darkness to see the Truth in Jesus makes the whole world different.  It made me different.  When I was in a position to see finally myself, I couldn’t help but want to change.  I didn’t like what I saw. 

You taught me about church family, how to get closer to God and grow a relationship, and how to step out of my comfort zone.  You led me through abuse, forgiveness, and emotional breakdowns.  You taught me that I am indeed loved and lovable.  You even helped me learn to develop friendships with other women.  Most of all you showed me Jesus when you acted like Him in the face of my sins.

Though it seems so very insufficient, I just want to say “Thank you” for allowing God to use you to change me and my dark world.

Carley

I challenge you to write a letter to the person who led you to Christ.  You don’t necessarily have to mail it.  However, writing it would be a great exercise.

Let’s Pray

 ~~ Dear God ~~  All-knowing and loving Father, way to often I am living in the darkness and don't even try to get out.  Thank You for loving me no matter what.  Help me to know You better with each passing day, and to glorify You with everything that I do.  I want to thank You for everything You give me and do for me, but I especially want to thank You for never giving up on me. Help my heart and mind to never be foolish so that I don't ever have to go back to the darkened world.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Now It’s Your Turn 
Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer?  Please consider sharing in the comments section; even if the link you clicked to get here was on another site.  (If you’re on the homepage, click on the post headline, and scroll down to find the comments section.)

Salvaged: A Love Story

Title 
Salvaged: A Love Story 

Based on a Book by 

Stefne Miller 

My Review 

by Carley Cooper

Based on the book Salvaged by Stefne Miller, this series of web-episodes, about 5 minutes each, is a teenage love story.  Sixteen year old Attie, a year previous, was the sole survivor of an automobile accident where she lost her mother and best friend, Melody.  This summer, she’s home from school and staying with Melody’s family.  Every night she has nightmares about the accident.  Getting her through the pain and survivors-guilt is Reilly, Melanie’s brother; and Jesus who appears to her as a thirtyish jeans-and- t-shirt-clad man only she can see. 

In a private viewing of the first six episodes, I saw that the two hormone-filled teens are getting closer to each other with every passing day.  Filled with great soundtracks, great acting talent, and a slowly unfolding message of love and Christ, I believe this series will be a huge success.  Every Wednesday a new episode will be released on YouTube.  I can hardly wait for next Wednesday.  

• Episode 1 -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79UzsJzAJHY
• Episode 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdDGePJV_98
• Episode 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMB03cyuipI

My Overall Rating

Author Interview

How did the Salvaged web series come about?
I was working with Director, Paul Morrell on a movie adaptation of my third novel, Collision. We had just completed the screenplay and were about to move in to the next phase, when I told him about an idea I had for Salvaged. I'd always believed that it would make a great teen drama series - either on television, straight to DVD or web streaming. He loved the idea and was interested in doing it. Within days, a friend that I mentioned it to, offered to pay to have a pilot/proof of concept reel developed. Less than a month later, I was in LA holding a casting call. Two weeks later, a cast and crew of 25 were in a rented house, shooting for five days. We decided to take the pilot episode and also release it as a web series so that we could introduce people to the story, characters and our quality of work. We believe that this can only help both the Salvaged and Collision projects.

What is the big goal?
The big picture goal is that a network or distributor would pick up the series. I've already written the scripts for eight 45 minute episodes or what could easily be turned in to a mini-series.

Who are you hoping to reach with this series?
Salvaged, the web series is based on my first novel by the same name. It is a young adult Christian fiction novel that was able to transcend the lines of Christian fiction and also move into the secular market. Salvaged was first picked up in the mainstream young adult fiction blogging world and the reviews and ratings landed me on the Goodreads.com Reader's Choice Awards finalist list for Debut Author of 2010. I am hoping that Salvaged will continue to reach out into various audiences and present them with a powerful story that has the ability to impact lives - no matter the way in which they receive it (book, web series, tv show, etc).

When does the series come out?
There are six episodes. The first was released on September 25th. The remaining episodes will release every Wednesday at 8 am (CST) through October 30th.

Where can viewers find the episodes?
Salvaged has it's own YouTube channel at: youtube.com/salvagedseries. The episodes will stay on the Salvaged YouTube channel for viewers to watch far into the future.

Where can we find out more about the series and the book?
You can also learn more about the series on the official Salvaged web site at salvagedseries.com. You can read an except of the first chapter of Salvaged, the book, at my web site, stefnemiller.com, or purchase a copy online or at your local bookstores.

What are more ways we can get involved in the Salvaged Series blog tour? 

• Post a comment on the Facebook page for this book tour - CLICK HERE
• Join the Salvaged Series Blog Tour & watch new episodes - CLICK TO TWEET
• Watch the weekly episodes on the Salvaged YouTube channel ... Post comments and give thumbs up - CLICK HERE

This blog tour is hosted by Christian Speakers Services. 

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Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer? Please share in the comments section.

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