Photo - Stacy-Ann Smith, an international young writer from the West Indies
The Press Service International young writer program in conjunction with Christian Today has each Week's editor or coordinator write a review of their week the week after publication.
This is published in the weekly young writer memo and on the young writers private closed Facebook page.
As this is a new venture recommended by the young writer brain's trust chair Sam Gillespie from Sydney and it has been functioning very well.
Rebecca Moore - Week 2
Cycle 3 review
Once again, wonderful articles from week two writers! This round, we see a prominent theme of ‘looking at the big picture’.
Thomas Devenish drew on his finely honed storytelling skills to present this theme through an illustration of riding a bike up hills that felt like mountains. I could feel his pain while reading it and it made for a powerful message.
Along similar lines, Ben Kruzins points to the finishing line, describing how the movie ‘I can only imagine’ impacted him with some deep thoughts he drew from its story.
Michael Dahlenburg and Liana Monaghan tackled some practical social issues and how our lives have been improved and can be improved through child safety awareness and looking after our bodies through healthy eating (all helping us get to the finishing line stronger and safer).
Joseph Kolapudi takes us on another of his adventures, this time into the mysteries of space and the unknown. He tells of how we’re all on a journey and we’re all looking for that ‘flicker of light’.
Speaking of adventures, Anna Waite also uses her travel experiences to illustrate an important message on our longing to be loved and known, while Cartia and Jesse Moore wrote on what it is to be a Christian in this current political climate at university and among peers, and how necessary it is to stand strong, know what we believe and why we believe it.
Again, well done to our week 2 writers! Your personalities shine through and I know that they will be touching other people’s lives. Keep writing!
Photo - Michael Dahlenburg from Adelaide
Internationals week - Cycle 3
Week 1 the international young writers, a splendid lot, might be summed up in Cycle 3 with the title of Aaron Sabio from California article – When God says ‘Go’ !
Whether it was the West Indies Sharma Taylor, South Africa’s Josh Robbie, Charis Joy Jackson (who by the way has published her first book), Ashley Mullins from Malawi, US’s Jason La Lone and West Indies Stacy-Ann Smith, England’s Beckie Bowie and Rosie Robinson, Mozambique’s Kandima Awendila, China’s Cindy Cheng - this theme somehow rand true throughout.
When God says “Go’ - is implied throughout these international young writer articles. Last time I did this Week 1 review I noted there was an emphasis on personal responsibility as opposed to personal devotions which Delma also picked up and spoke to me about this.
So too with this idea – When God says ‘Go’ – this time – the 3rd Cycle of the international young writers.
Photo - Jason LaLone, international young writer from the USA
Week 3 – Australians
Cycle 3 review - Tom Anderson
“Stop the search, friends, we have found the treasure and the pearl,” says Brent Van Mourik in his latest article. I think this sums up the strong theme coming through in this round of Week 3 articles.
In waiting, in failure, in the pull of the world, in anxiety, and in seeking God’s will, in persecution- whatever we’re facing- we need to be reminded that we already have the thing our hearts need and desire. Jesus Christ himself.
The answers don’t lie out there, nor are they found within. Even the best humans can come up with, whether it be social media or our greatest sporting heroes, are at their core, as flawed as we are.
We need God.
The cares of the world fade as we press into Him, and we discover the unique and whole-hearted love He has for us.
We must stand in awe of our God, and as Jia Pan encourages us in his article, point those around us to the Only One.
We have it friends! Let us live the vibrant life He has for us.
Photo - Thomas Devenish from Hobart
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at
http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children
