News and Updates

BOOK REVIEW: Semerau builds a bridge from conceptual to practical

2008-10-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

And God Was Pleased is a devotional-style book that is designed to expound on biblical "success" principles, with a special emphasis on encouraging the reader to action. Prudently, Semerau begins by defining what she means by success. It is to live a life worthy of God, doing our best to please God in every way (13-15), which she takes from Colossians 1:10-12.

As a minister, I get hit all the time with free books from people about "Christian success" by which they mean, "thinly veiled greed for personal finances, mixed with Bible verses." Semerau's target is much nobler than this, and she does nothing of the sort, which I found refreshing.

I think for the sake of conciseness, I'm going to put my thoughts here as bullet points:

About the book in general:
This book is devotional literature, stylistically. It is best read one chapter at a time, and not quickly from cover to cover.
The book consists of 18 principles which Semerau has derived from Scripture, which she works through one at a time, explaining how she understands the principle, and urging the reader to put it in to practice.

Strengths:
+ Semerau tries to be very biblical. Much of her terminology is lifted from verses that she cites along the way.
+ Each chapter concludes with practical suggestions, pushing the reader to "do what it says." It is important that she tries to make this bridge from the conceptual to the practical.
+ Rather than try and follow a standard set of principles (what preacher can resist making the fruits of the Spirit into a series?), she tries to draw from a vast array of Scriptural principles. Eighteen is a non-standard number for a book pertaining to Christian living. Twelve or Thirteen tends to be the standard for books that get taught in Bible classes. I saw this as a good thing, as she was trying to be thorough and genuine, rather than fitting into the standard mold for contemporary Christian literature. I enjoyed hearing some different ideas grouped together.
+ Semerau often draws from personal experiences to talk about the principles. I especially liked her illustration about training for Godliness, where she talks about her and her husband's golfing (83-84). They would set a bucket a long ways away, and with practice, they would get closer and closer to hitting their target bucket with the golf balls. I thought that was a good illustration about Christian growth and maturity.

Weaknesses:
- The main weakness, in my mind, is the formatting of the book. It is 420 pages, but in content it feels more like 150 to 175. I would have found the reading a little more comfortable if there was less page flipping involved. Then again, I'm writing from the perspective from someone who reads very little devotional material. So perhaps this is a weakness, but perhaps it's just not what I'm used to reading. I do think it uses too much paper. (Note from Ava - Mark was reviewing an ebook version of And God Was Pleased. The paperback version is 317 pages with different formatting.)
- Sometimes the writing style is a bit choppy. There are many one sentence paragraphs. I think generally, the purpose of this is to encourage the reader to slow down more, and soak in the principles. But in several places I felt like the ideas either needed to be combined to one paragraph, or more fully developed. Semerau prefers the direct and clear approach, but sometimes I wouldn't have minded a few more decorations along the path, if that makes sense.
- I would have liked a fuller biography of Semerau. There is a brief paragraph about her as a person, and her travels. Her experiences are sprinkled throughout the book, but I would have liked a preface or an introduction to her as a person. I like to know all about an author before reading what they have to say. I know some about Semerau, but would have liked for the book to tell me more going into it.

Overall, Semerau has written a book that would make a good source of reflection for someone needing an impetus to action in their Christian walk. I appreciated her invitation to read her book, and to share my thoughts about it.

Reviewed by Mark at Perpetual Timothy

Ava Semerau guest blogger at Pearl Girls

2008-10-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Ava Semerau will be guest blogging at Pearl Girls on September 25, 2008.

Founded by Margaret McSweeney, Pearl Girls is a place for women to collaborate and make a difference in the lives of other women and children.

Margaret says, “It all began with the metaphor of the oyster – which was swimming beneath the waves when something unexpected happened. A piece of sand got stuck inside its shell and caused great pain. Nacre soon coated the piece of sand and transformed the unexpected source of pain into a beautiful pearl. Like the oyster, we, too go about our everyday lives when the unexpected happens. Yet God’s grace covers our pain and transforms it into a beautiful pearl.”

In addition to guest blogging, Ava has also contributed to Pearl Girl’s first project, a collection of pearl stories from well known and unknown women about God's grace in their lives. All proceeds will benefit a safe house in the Chicago suburbs and women and children with AIDS in Africa.

Debut blog book tour begins October 1

2008-10-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 2008 - Author Ava Semerau is heading out on a book tour for And God Was Pleased: BIblical Principles for Creating Christian Success, but instead of hitting the road, the internet-savy author and award-winning journalist is hitting the keyboards.

"I'm tremendously excited about this book tour," says Semerau.. "I've been reading about a new kind of book tour, a blog book tour, and I think it will be a perfect match for And God Was Pleased."

Beginning October 1, and concluding December 1, Ava will be visiting various blogs and Web sites, sharing information and insight into the writing of And God Was Pleased, the principles behind the book and her own personal stories with readers.

The following Web sites will be participating in the October 1, 2008 event:

Compassion in Politics

Evangelism 24/7

By Grace Through Faith

Mari’s Morning Room

Perpetual Timothy

Your Youth Ministry Tool Belt

"I'm always looking for new and innovative ways to get the message out to people," said Semerau.

If you have a blog or Web site and would like to participate in the And God Was Pleased Blog Tour, contact Semerau at avasemerau@gmail.com.

Biblical success principles now available on Kindle

2008-10-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

Author Ava Semerau is pleased to announce that her latest book, And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian Success is now available for Amazon's newest reader, the Kindle.

In And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian Success
you'll discover:

The spark to dedicate your life to pleasing God;
The inspiration to do more and to be more;
The encouragement to live a more worthy life;
And the path to succeeding God's way.

No matter where you are in your Christian journey, no matter what level of worldly success you've attained or seek, the 17 Biblical principles for creating Christian success outlined and explored in And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian Success will allow you to go further, do better, and please God more.

Jam packed with relevant Scripture, Bible stories and insights from author Ava Semerau, And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian Success is a must-read for Christians seeking more from themselves and their relationship with God.

More bounty and inspiration;
More vibrancy, passion and motivation;
And more success - every day and in every way.

When we live worthy lives which are pleasing to God - He's promised to do the rest.

Get your Kindle version of And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian today!

What readers are saying about And God Was Pleased

2008-10-06T18:46:00.002-07:00

JULY 2008 - And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian Success has gotten folks talking.

Here's what some of them are saying:

"Powerful and simple. The author has a beautiful way of sharing the
principles without being pretentious or preachy."

"Easy to read and simple to understand, this book will change lives -
starting with mine!"

"The author promised relevant and she delivered."

"A new perspective on success that touches every aspect of life. Good
stuff!"

Get your copy of AND GOD WAS PLEASED today from the author at
www.avasemerau.com, or at booksellers online and around the world!

An interview on the writing of And God Was Pleased

2008-10-06T18:46:00.001-07:00

Question: And God Was Pleased is your first foray into the Christian market. What prompted the switch from the historical non-fiction market- where you’ve enjoyed such success - to this new market?

Answer: It sounds corny and perhaps out of character, but I truly had a feeling of God’s hand in my life and Him directing me to this specific project. It was amazing and a little frightening, but it was also irrefutable.

Question: You say in And God Was Pleased that the writing process is deeply personal and moving for you. Care to explain?

Answer: (chuckles) You could say I am an immersion writer, if there is such a thing! I totally sink into the research and the brainstorming and the writing itself. It’s a little consuming and, for this book, it was also life-changing. I prayed a lot and meditated a lot, and I found myself test-driving each of the principles. Let me tell you, they are powerful change catalysts!

Question: Since you brought up the principles, what can you tell us about them?

Answer: The principles behind And God Was Pleased come straight out of the Bible - some from the Old Testament and some from the Gospels. Taken independently, they represent a good way to act and behave and even live. They teach us how to get along with others, to do the right thing, to make better decisions. Taken together, however, these Biblical principles become something much greater than just good ideas, they become the framework we need in order to create worthy lives that please God in all ways. That’s the basis of And God Was Pleased and also the philosophy behind my work as a Christian success coach.

Question: If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your religious background?

Answer: Not at all. I grew up Lutheran in the same way I grew up blond - both were just part of who I was and neither felt like anything I needed to really explore on a deeper level. However, when God moved me overseas to a Muslim kingdom, I came face-to-face with that need. They say there are no atheists in fox holes, and I’d add there are no religiously ambiguous expats either.

Anyway, as far as formal theological training, I have none whatsoever. In terms of practical training in God’s awesome love, however, and the lessons He can teach us when we make ourselves available to Him, I’ve been trained by the Master.

Question: What did the process of writing And God Was Pleased look like?

Answer: At times it looked like a whole lot of nothing, to be honest! Seriously, the writing process was founded on prayer, and reading and meditating on God’s words. I read the Bible cover-to-cover twice, I read and listened to several hundred sermons. I did extensive research and talked to other believers about each principle. Throughout the process I was extremely cognizant of the responsibility I’d accepted and the blessing I’d been given.

Question: How has your own journey to God impacted this book and visa versa?

Answer: It’s interesting, because in many ways, I came to this project as a blank slate. I didn’t have a lot of hard-wired ideas about dogma or denominations. I wasn’t trying to prove any specific theology. Instead, I allowed myself to be led through the Bible by the Holy Spirit. I prayed ceaselessly and sought God’s will at every turn - sometimes at every word! Definitely the process of writing And God Was Pleased impacted my life and the way I live each day. I don’t think it’s possible to be involved in a book like this without bringing the principles into your life. Once I saw how powerful and grace-filled these principles was, I began using them to coach others on Christian success.

Question: And finally - what about your next project?

Answer: I always have several projects going on at the same time. I’m working on a second Christian market book as well as a follow-up to And God Was Pleased. Those are two I can mention at this point.

A new look at Christian Success

2008-10-06T18:45:00.001-07:00

March 2008
LONGWOOD, FL - Are you tired of living by the world’s definition of success and want to succeed God’s way? Xulon author Ava Semerau’s And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian Success (paperback 978-1-60477-742-0) is an entirely new way of looking at success - not as defined by the world, but as defined by God. It is, according to Semerau, a new song for today’s Christians.

“Pleasing God may seem like an impossible task, but it is not,” says Semerau. “As Christians, we know nothing is impossible with God - including abundant Christian success! In the stories, characters and foundational lessons of the Bible, God provides us with actionable principles of Christian success. We can integrate these principles into our lives, we can live them every day - and we can please God. And that’s real success!”

The book was conceived and written within the context of Semerau’s live and experiences as a Christian expat living, working and worshipping in some of the most alien landscapes in the world, including the Middle East and South Pacific. Each new location brought new insight into what it means to live a worthy life and what pleasing God can look like in the real world.

Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world’s largest Christian publisher, with more than 5,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order And God Was Pleased through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Distributors.