tessaemily @coffeebooksandjesus - Tumblr Blog

Hanging out with other writers at conferences never fails to remind me of why I love what I do! ✨✨💕 It was especially special to have had the opportunity to share my journey and teach the young writers at #YWW, which was put on by The Young Writer community. I am incredibly appreciative to this community for establishing a place where young writers can receive the instruction, encouragement, & support they need to pursue their gift of writing. If you’re a young writer—teen or in your early twenties—you will definitely want to check out their membership! 👉 TheYoungWriter.com⠀ ⠀ I’m back home—for now, at least—and working on meeting my devotional deadline! ☺️💕 I would love to hear what you’ve been doing this month to pursue your passions as well! Let me know in the comments. ✍️✍️✍️ https://www.instagram.com/p/By8L3OkACbn/?igshid=1ifeaqzpuhd8p

#yww

***EXCITING NEWS!*** ⠀ ⠀ I am thrilled to announce that I have recently signed a book contract for my new devotional journal!!! ☺️🎉 LOVE YOUR SELFIE: A 52-Week Devotional Journal releases with Ellie Claire Gifts (Hachette Publishing Group) in spring 2020! @ellieclairegifts ⠀ This devotional journal will guide teen girls through the process of learning to love who they are. I share my personal struggles of dealing with insecurity & self-shame as a teen, and then invite you to reflect on the weekly message through journal prompts and social media challenges. You will be taken on a journey to understand what Scripture says about your identity, & you will be encouraged to discover how you can tap into your God-given potential. ✍️ ⠀ I am soooo excited about this project!!! I have always adored Ellie Claire's journals and have dreamt of creating devotional journals that could help girls grow in their walk with Christ.✨✨⠀ ⠀ I especially cannot wait to share my journey with you girls & equip you to embrace your uniqueness and tap into your potential as you pursue a relationship with Christ. *** Keep in mind that my newsletter subscribers will receive first look at cover art and will be the first to receive new updates, so don’t forget to sign up if you’d like to say updated! {Link in bio.} ***⠀ ⠀ In the meantime, feel free to tag in the comments your friends who you think might be interested!⠀ ⠀ Do you write in a journal regularly? If so, how long have you kept one? Let me know in the comments! ☺️💕💗 https://www.instagram.com/p/ByTrXmcg8Dq/?igshid=k9gegkgvjd7d

It's not selfish of us to use the gifts God has given us; in fact, it's biblical. We were called to glorify God by using our resources--the gifts, skills, time, and means He has provided for us. But so often we hold ourselves back from stirring this up because we think it's selfish. A waste of time. Not only is that a lie, but the complete opposite is true. I can think of no better use of my life than to spend it fulfilling the purpose for which God has placed me on this earth. 💕💕💕 Don't hold yourself back from stepping into the calling God has placed on your life! It's the very thing that can be used to further His Kingdom & spread the gospel. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByJD0X5gB0z/?igshid=kpt7jlwd3xyc

To those who are pursuing dreams that almost seem impossible, it’s so important to surround yourself with those who can support you! It’s almost impossible to pursue a calling without a team on your side. So surround yourself with people who recognize your potential and can offer strength when you’re too weak to continue. People who can help you make wise decisions and dream big while still keeping your feet on the ground. But even more important than that: be on the lookout for people who *you* can serve as a voice of encouragement in their life. God created us for community for a reason—so we can sharpen one another as we further His Kingdom. 💕💕💕@authorcarolinegeorge so grateful to be on this writing journey alongside of you! 🤗 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwr23wEn407/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=thsab3ewaecg

True self-acceptance can only come when we view ourselves through the lenses of the Word rather than the world. That's when God can give us the strength to replace the lies with His truth. ⠀ ⠀ Sure, we might be confident when we wear makeup, work out, buy new clothes ... but this beauty will fade. Trends change. And ultimately, we will never feel as if we're "enough" in the world's eyes. ⠀ ⠀ The acceptance that we are truly desperate for doesn't come from man--it comes from our Creator. Only His love has the power to give us the confidence that can last. The kind that cannot be earned through our tireless, meager efforts. 💕💕💕⠀ ⠀ So how can we receive this love? It can only come through making it a priority to know His heart, read His love letter to us, and allow this love to wash over every lie that the enemy has tried to plant in our minds. 💗 ⠀ ⠀ What are your favorite promises from the Word that remind you of your self-worth? Let me know in the comments! https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuFiAQnUb1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fyo87jv0ebii

I've been a fan of @stephaniemorrill since I was a teenager because of her ability to tell raw, authentic stories that play out like movies. Although I've just started reading her newest release, #WithinTheseLines, I already can't seem to put it down. The unique premise of the book captivated me at page one. I've never been a huge reader of historical fiction in general, but Morrill seems to understand how to write a story that takes place in another time period while still appealing to the average #YAlit reader -- & reflecting truths of today's culture as well. I can't wait to finish this! 📚📚📚 Have you read any of her books? Let me know in the comments! 👇 https://www.instagram.com/p/BvReqQEHTmU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=73vdy3b0crvy

#withintheselines #yalit

#FCWC2019 -- This was my first year at this conference. Now I understand why I've heard such great things about this one! Amazing campus, faculty, staff, classes, and attendees. I love having the opportunity to meet other writers and encourage them to keep seeking God's will for their publication journey. Thank you for having me this year! 💕💕💕✍️ And congrats to the writers who won awards -- including my client, Lisa Kibler! 👏👏 @lisalkibler https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4OFfgn2My/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bu56xn1q9jpa

#fcwc2019

The world tells us to hustle. Keep working & striving to build a life that makes you happy and secure. Keep going. Work harder. Accomplish more. Yet God's invitation is simply this: Be still. Cease striving. Know that He alone is God. There is nothing in this world we could achieve that brings more freedom, security, & peace than His presence. ✨✨✨ Let's allow ourselves to simply rest in Him, knowing He is in control. When we place our circumstances in His hands, He will be faithful to work everything out according to His perfect plan. He provides. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. We will always be restless--seeking, striving, & working--until we slow down and simply rest in Him. 💗💕 https://www.instagram.com/p/BuY7MNhHzo9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2hlxtl8sf8he

If you know me, then you probably already know that I'm ambitious. I love encouraging others to reach for their dreams as well. It's exciting to reach new milestones--but ultimately, the joy that it may bring doesn't last forever. It won't give us the security we crave. It won't give us permanent hope for our future. No matter how hard we strive, these accomplishments will never offer lasting identity and purpose. That's because worldly pursuits can *never* bring us what only a relationship with Christ was meant to provide. ⠀ ⠀ The best use of our time will always be spent with our Father. As we get to know Him through the Word & prayer, we'll store for ourselves eternal treasures. The kind that will bring lasting, not just momentary, success. ⠀ ⠀ So let's give up our striving to find satisfaction through only attaining an earthly kind of success. Because in the process, we may be neglecting to chase after the very One who put that longing on our hearts to begin with. Only He is big enough to fill any emptiness. And it's only out of this intimate relationship with Him that we will be enabled to produce the kind of success that will last. 💕💕💕 ⠀ "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me." John 15:4 ✨✝️ https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BuJ3ENknPZ9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kr2pneszrr0g

***GIVEAWAY!*** I don't know about you, but I love to read romance novels this time of year! 💕💗💕 If you're like me and still searching for your V-day read fix, you might be interested in #UnwrittenMelody -- my YA contemporary and (light) romance novel. ☺️ _____________________ RULES: Tag a friend below to enter to win a free e-copy! One new entry per friend. 10 friends max. To win, you must follow my account @TessaEmilyHall. _____________________ Giveaway ends at 12am EST on 2/14, so hurry! *Three* winners will be selected and notified on Valentine's Day. _____________________ To read more about this YA #cleanread, check out its Amazon link in bio! https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BtynCDrHEaM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1baxpskxnj8op

#unwrittenmelody #cleanread

When others abandon us, our Father takes us in. When the world tells us we're not enough, our Creator tells us that He created our every detail with intention. When the enemy tells us we can't handle this world, our Savior tells us He has already won the victory. 🙌We are not victims to these lies. Let's saturate our minds & strengthen our spirit with His Word so that we can step into our full identity as a child of the Most High. We have a Father who is greater than anything of this world, and He is on our side! How mind-blowing is that??? 🙃💕 https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/Bti9WHvn4bw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uauwfe9safdw

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." C.S. Lewis 💕💕 Love this quote! (Although I personally prefer to replace the "cup of tea" with "cup of coffee" instead.) 😆☕️🤷‍♀️ _____________________ I've recently finished two books in my reading pile--"The Love Letter" by @rachelhauck and "The Masterpiece" by #FrancineRivers. Both of these books were romantic and redemptive stories written by two genius inspirational storytellers! 📚📚📚What books are in your current reading pile? Let me know in the comments! https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BtTdcojnEhj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g11yqho3qxh0

#francinerivers

It’s not easy to find joy and peace when our eyes are focused on the filth of the world. But when our eyes are lifted to Christ, then He can give us the peace, joy, & love to sustain us throughout our journey on earth. Nothing in this world could ever compare to the gifts He gives those who seek Him with their whole hearts! _____________________ "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights." James 1:17 _____________________ Let’s train our eyes to remain lifted rather than attempting to search the world for these gifts. ✨✨ _____________________ Also, thanks to @authorcarolinegeorge for my new author headshots! ☺️💕💗 https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BtL5aHgnEKh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fi797wc2uq6h

What kind of journey do you want to take with your life? You'll never know if your dreams could come to pass unless you try!💕✨✨ https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BtBgzCdHlgI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1txxbnp1np7ng

Almost ten years ago, I set out on my writing journey at fifteen years old. I knew that I wanted to write for the rest of my life, yet I also knew it wasn't going to be a quick or easy journey. So, I spent my high school years studying the craft, learning about the industry, reading as many books as possible, attending conferences, & writing every chance I could get. This was also the year that I launched my blog for writers, ChristisWrite.blogspot.com. 💕💗 _____________________ Looking back, I am *beyond* grateful that God led me down this path at an early age. I wouldn't be where I am in my writing or publishing career if it wasn't for this season of dedication! ☕️✍️ (By the way, these were my *absolute favorite* books on the writing craft during that time.) _____________________ Teens: If you have a passion (or multiple), do what you can now to get a "head start!" Learn about the field. Interview those who have gone before you. Seek God about which path He wants you to take. Even those seemingly small steps -- such as writing for one hour a week -- will move you forward. And then you'll have an opportunity to know if this is truly the field you would like to pursue. _____________________ How are you moving forward in your craft & dreams? Let me know in the comments! (And no, you don't have to be a teen to add to this discussion.) ☺️✨💕 https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BsvbHNonVGN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=n4yfu50jwpd1

I've often wondered if it's silly to still have a dream to act in faith-based films ... because, well, I'm an author. And I should just focus on one thing, right? But every time I work on another project, I come back with my dream reawakened and my acting desire reconfirmed. I find so much joy in sharing stories with people -- both on screen and on paper. Especially when those stories can inspire and touch others in some way. That's exactly the kind of impact I believe this short film will have on people, especially those who struggle with bipolar disorder. 💕💕 Thanks so much to #RightTimeProductions for allowing me to take part in the production of #NeverAlone! _____________________ And for those of you who might have a longing to pursue a specific field, yet you're wondering if it's even worth it ... here's my advice: place the desire in God's hands. Ask Him if it's something you should pursue. If the dream won't go away, perhaps it's not supposed to! God often puts dreams on our hearts for a reason; however, He won't force us into action. It's your decision. Will this year be the year that you finally take steps toward seeing that dream come into fruition? Or will this be another year of only wishful thinking & daydreaming? Just something to think about ... ! 😉🎬🎭✨ https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BsdXq1Hnl07/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e7wp5yuf1l3i

#righttimeproductions #neveralone

My prayer for you in 2019 is that this will be a year of going all-out for Christ. When this happens, don't be surprised if He blesses you with unexplainable joy and peace. Don't be surprised when you're filled with a love you've never experienced before. These are the gifts He gives us as a result of chasing after Him wholeheartedly. He doesn't hold anything back from His children when we seek Him first. 💕💗 Happy 2019!!! ✨ https://www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall/p/BsJGRvQnZjW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1alqfvik6uiae

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