The key to faith-based storytelling

Matthew 6:33 NKJV "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Colossians 1:16 NKJV "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him.

If you have a desire to create something more than just meaningful, you have to connect everything back to the one who created everything. The Father declared all of creation by the word of this mouth, and when He made man he did so after his own image. When we as believers in Jesus Christ take the word to apply it in our lives and the testimony of our walk with him, along the fruit we produce by his Spirit in us into what we create for the Lord. That is the base of creating a 'Christian or Christ-centered' story.

What are some the common mistakes/pitfalls Christians run into when making a Christian story?

• Cherry pick Christianity: Taking only the good parts what you agree with and neglecting other unfavorable parts: Sanctification, sacrifice, hell, etc. If you are just focused on the highlights and blessings, you'll miss the beauty of suffering under trial. Don't favor one side or your readers will see write through it.

• The only perfection is Christ not your characters: Overpowered is one thing but if your main character cruising with no problem throughout the story, It takes the emphasis off of Christ and onto your character. Bleeding Ego into your main character probably isn't the best approach to show off 'Strength'.

• Scared of Portraying violence or worldly scenarios: There is a fine line between; Sounding exactly like the world in your storytelling with a sprinkle of Jesus in their somewhere vs Going through intense circumstances but at the end of day, God gets the glory. Use wisdom, remember we determine where and how far it can go.

• A Sermon with characters: Where we take the story out of the equations and display as characters as puppets just tell flat out tell you something not showing it. There is authenticity that comes from taking the reader on a journey, rather than just dumping theology only on the reader.

• Self-indulgent complex: This story shouldn't be an excuse to show off what you know. Maturity comes in stages, write where you are. Your Christian truth and values can't move the audience if it's not first tested. If for instance in your story your character is a rough circumstance and they have to trust in God for it to work out with little to no resistance, where is the faith? Why do they need to trust then if just seems work itself out anyway?