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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Speaking Scripture into Our Hearts

by Chautona Havig · 12 Comments

183570607As a Christian fiction author, one of the most important things to me is that the entire content of what I write reflect the influence of the Word in my novels.  While I don’t want my fiction to be that dreaded word, “preachy,” I do have a goal for my fiction–to encourage fellow Christians in their walks with the Lord.

I work hard to do as much of it as possibly by example–showing how a character lives out their faith in conjunction with the plot of the book.  That allows me the opportunity to allude to Scriptural principles without turning each book into a a sermon disguised as a dramatic skit.

But in real life, people discuss things–they argue about them.  Entire denominations have been created because one faction of Christianity saw communion as requiring one cup while another saw no reason not to give everyone their own.  Friendships have been destroyed because one person’s eschatology didn’t match another’s.  But with those debates, some have grown closer from a mutual love of Scripture.  I’ve seen this happen often on a message board I run.  We all love the Word.  We love each other.  And though we may not agree with someone else’s understanding of Scripture, we can agree that their understanding is rooted in a love of the Lord.  Many of us operate from the theory that if God wants to correct their theology, He can and will do that without our interference–er help.

Like Mary, I like to store up treasures in my heart–for me it’s the Word.  Without the Word of God as the foundation of our faith, we have nothing.  I speak, write, and encourage from the heart, but there is a problem.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

“I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10

Without the Lord and His Word resting in my heart, I am “desperately sick” and “deceitful.”  That’s not exactly encouraging.  It’s why when the publisher originally had the back copy of Deepest Roots of the Heart written to say, “…and the importance of following your heart,” I almost had a coronary.  In fact, my very desperately sick and wicked heart freaked out a bit, and my reply was barely civil.  I made it clear that I would be very upset if they used that.  As always, Waterfall was quite gracious and made the change without hesitation.  I’m still grateful for that.

But where does my wicked, sick heart leave me then?  How can I hope to encourage others when I recognize that I am so utterly flawed?

Jesus.

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

Isaiah 55:11-12

It always comes back to the Word, doesn’t it?  What about Hebrews 4:12?

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The WORD is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  It will not return void  (as I think the KJV puts it).

It’s really simple (in that amazingly complex way that the most beautifully simple things are).

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,  (emphasis mine)

II Corinthians 10:5

It’s how I correct wrong thinking in my own heart.  I compare it with the Word.  In fact, I always feel a little like Marianne Dashwood in the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility.  Elinor says, “Do you compare your conduct with his,” and Marianne replies, “No, I compare it to what it ought to have been.  I compare it with yours.”

That’s what I try to do.  Compare my thoughts with the Word.  It’s how I take them captive.  I think sometimes we as Christians feel like we should never have wrong thinking–that those wrong thoughts were washed away from us when we were covered in Jesus’ blood.  Well, if that were true, then we wouldn’t be told to take those thoughts captive, would we?

If I am feeling justified in selfish or unkind thoughts–I take them to the Word.  And I find that the Word tells me :

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Philippians 2:3

and

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

Let’s face it.  99% of the time, we know when our actions or thoughts are out of tune with the Word of the Lord.  We may not know why, but the Holy Spirit is gracious and loving and pricks our hearts to show us our faults.  The more we yield to those pricks, the more sensitive we are to them.  Then we take it to the Word, infuse that Word into our hearts, and allow God’s Word to transform us all over again.  Because as Romans 12: 2 says:

be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We speak Scripture into our hearts, and as a result, we drive out the deceit and the sickness that tries so hard to infect us and keep us captive like a cancer.

That’s my goal for my books.  I’ll fail.  I’m human.  I’m weak and I don’t always listen or do what is right.  But it’s the goal. It’s my prayer.

It’s my deepest longing regarding the work I do.

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Previous Post: « Amelia’s Interview: Deepest Roots of the Heart
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Comments

  1. Ryoko Yaryan says

    January 23, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    So enjoyed this post. 2Timoth3:16&17
    It is your character ‘s growth that encourages me. Your biblical prospective shines through. Thank you die your faithfulness to his word. And to your calling.

    Reply
  2. patty-anne says

    January 22, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    I found the unrelenting faith of Aggie was a renewing of my heart. Her trials and still keeping her inner goodness and actions as pure were a reawakening to me.
    I talk to he Lord all day long, but I sometimes have to be still and allow my spirit to Know God. I have to constantly remind myself to thank Him for any petition I present to the cross, because he always answers. It may not be what I want, but it is what I need.
    I know I fall far from His Grace. As hard as I try, I know I fall far short of what He wants of me> I will still try and ask Him to lead me.
    Your writing does not beat people on the head with RELIGION. It provides a road map on how it is possible to follow the Lord in todays wicked society.
    If we only contact our Christian fellows, we are not witnessing. We have to live our lives among all people in away that makes them want what we have. The Love of Christ and he indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
    Blessings on you and all you write.

    Reply
  3. Sherry Hoover says

    January 22, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    i love it when an author stays true to the Word…and you do. I know that your books “safe” to read, show ordinary human mistakes, struggles, etc with a learning of how we Christians can handle trials and struggles and that we can have fun too! In a nutshell, I just love your books! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Elissa says

    January 22, 2015 at 6:26 am

    Great post. This is why your books are among the books that I enjoy rereading. I appreciate that it’s a way for me to be encouraged in my faith! Thank you for doing what you do. God is good! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Ava says

    January 21, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Love this post!

    Reply
  6. Dawn says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    Yes, what a wonderful goal. Keeping pointing to Christ. I hadn’t been writing much on my blog besides some book reviews (I burnt out a bit). I was mostly writing devotions for youth group and for co-workers. Then, I decided to do them daily on my blog. I’m really enjoying that. It helps me and hopefully others. Take care!

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      January 22, 2015 at 3:56 pm

      I am sure your devotionals are encouraging for anyone who reads them. Way to serve the LORD! WOOT

      Reply
  7. Joy Wriston says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    Wonderfully stated and so very true!

    Reply
  8. Lois says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    Amen, Chautona! And this is exactly what makes you the great author that you are. Stay strong in Him.

    Reply
  9. Sarah K says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    And this is primarily why I love your books. THANK YOU.

    Reply
  10. Virginia McGuire says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Thank you!

    Reply
  11. Lucinda says

    January 21, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    Well said.

    Reply

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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
byChautona Havig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on her WEBSITE.

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