... Goes Before A Fall

...Goes Before A Fall
-a pre-published chapter from the book "Battle for the Soul of Canada"
http://twgauthors.blogspot.com/2007/05/goes-before-fall_24.html
The Deep Cove Crier Newspaper
...Goes Before a Fall (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

What goes before a fall? The Good Book says ‘Pride’.Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)What is pride, anyway? The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines pride as: ‘overweening opinion of one’s own qualities, merits’ and ‘proud’ as ‘haughty, arrogant’.

Roget’s Thesaurus speaks of the double-edged nature of pride. Many people use the term to refer to satisfaction in their children’s accomplishments, or to self-respect. But Roget’s Thesaurus reminds that pride is also connected to:arrogance, haughtiness, insolence, loftiness, lordliness, overbearingness, presumption, superiority, narcissism, vanity, egotism.

Hence we see the origin of the 1960’s slang phrase “ego trip”.

Paul warned Timothy three times to watch out for the proud and arrogant false teachers in his midst. In 1 Timothy 6:3, Paul commented:If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited/proud and understands nothing.The Greek word for pride (tuphoo) has the root concept of ‘smoke’, almost like our modern concept of the ‘smoke and mirrors’ used by spin-doctors.

Again in 2 Timothy 3:1-2, Paul said:But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive...The danger of pride is why Paul cautions against ordaining new believers, lest they come under the devil’s condemnation through unteachability. (1 Timothy 3:6)

Why is pride spoken of as the first of the seven deadly sins? Perhaps because pride causes us to forget our Maker:Your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, the land of slavery. (Deuteronomy 8:14)Pride is basically non-productive and unteachable:Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs 13:10)

Pride is self-destructive:When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:10)Pride is the spirit of the mocker:The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. (Proverbs 21:24).

In High School, many ‘Big Men on Campus’ become proud and mocking while they are ‘the big fish in a small pond’. But things change when they go into the real world. Pride goes before a fall.

he most difficult thing about pride is that it is like bad breath: easy to detect in others, and hard to detect in ourselves. Pride has to do with a sense of entitlement, that we deserve everything that we have, that the world owes us a living.

The most famous human being once said in Mark 7:22 that pride comes from within our hearts and actually makes us unclean (non-kosher). Pride separates from others, by seducing us into thinking that we are better than others. Pride is the root cause of every caste system, every class system, and every system of racial hatred.[i] That is why the Bible says:Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16)

Pride goes before a fall.

Pride makes it very difficult to admit our need for anyone else, even God himself. Dr. Albert Runge comments that “Pride is the greatest hindrance to prayer.”[ii] Pride feeds the illusion that we are completely independent and self-sufficient. That is why Jesus said:It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s Kingdom. (Matthew 19:24)Yet real breakthrough happens when we admit our need, our helplessness and powerlessness over life’s struggles.

CS Lewis’ wife, Joy Davidman, resisted her need for God for many years. She writes:God had been stalking me for a very long time, waiting for his moment; he crept nearer so silently that I never knew he was there. Then, all at once, he sprang. For the first time in my life I felt helpless; for the first time my pride was forced to admit that I was not, after all, 'the master of my fate'.[iii]

Pride and humility are total opposites. That is why both James and Peter quote Proverbs 3:10: “God opposes and resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Let me ask you a question: Do we really want the Maker of the Universe to be opposing and resisting us? Yet that is what is guaranteed if we don’t deal with the pride issue. God will resist us at work, at home, in society.

Pride may not be a big deal to us, but it certainly is to God. Why is God so opposed to pride? Because it cripples our ability to really love others around us. As the famous poem in 1 Corinthians 13 puts it, love is not proud. Why are so many people successful in business and failures at home?

Pride goes before a fall.

Pride, like alcohol addiction, is cunning, baffling, and powerful. It is almost impossible to destroy head-on. Dr. Albert Runge comments that “our pride may lead to false guilt and self-condemnation, which refuses to accept God’s gracious forgiveness.”[iv] That is why Jeremiah 17:9 says: “Our heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

The secret to taming one’s pride is gratitude and thanksgiving. As John Fischer puts it,a thankful heart cancels out pride and arrogance. No need to judge other people when you are thankful for who you are. No need to measure yourself by and compare yourself to others when you are thankful for what God has done in your life.[v]Gratitude is a deep sense that life is a generous gift from a gracious giver. Gratitude is best expressed by the ancient words: “All things come from You, O Lord, and of your own have we given You.”

My prayer for those reading this book is that each of us as Canadians will gratefully lay our pride and self-sufficiency down at the foot of our Maker. It is our hidden pride that is holding back the waves of God’s revival to our thirsty nation

The Reverend Dr. Ed Hird

[i] AA Allen, The Price of God’s Miracle-Working Power, 1950s, http://www.agapao.de/download/books/allan.pdf p. 89 “Pride generally takes one of five forms: 1)Pride of FACE –How much better I look than those around me. 2) Pride of PLACE – Don’t ask that of one in my position! 3)Pride of RACE – I come from an excellent family and must uphold the family honour at any cost! 4) Pride of PACE – Everyone should be able to see that we are the most capable and efficient person available. No one else could keep up with me! 5) The last and worst one of all: Pride of GRACE: Look at my spiritual accomplishments, how humble I am, the length of my fasts, my visions, dreams and revelations, the gifts I possess – I must be a special favorite with God![ii] Albert Runge, A Brooklyn Jew Meets Jesus, Christian Publ., Camp Hill Pennyslvania, 2001, p. 197[iii] “Extraordinary Joy”, http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001188.cfm[iv] Runge, p. 178[v] High Praise Media Group Page http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=281535&ck=

p.s. In order to obtain a copy of the book 'Battle for the Soul of Canada', or any of our six books in paperback or ebook on Amazon, just click on this link.

To receive a personally signed copy of any of our books within North America, just etransfer at ed_hird@telus.net, giving your address. Cheques are also acceptable.

"Battle for the Soul of Canada" Shortlisted for TWG Award

The Word Guild have recognised great Canadian writers who are Christian for many years. Dr. J.I. Packer and Mark Buchanan to name a couple. This year "Battle for the Soul of Canada" has been added to the list of finalists.

http://www.thewordguild.com/newsreleases/index.html
SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS - THE WORD GUILD 2007 WRITING AWARDS

Book - Culture
Craig A. Carter of Toronto for Rethinking Christ and Culture: A Post-Christendom Perspective (Brazos Press/Baker Publishing)
Ed Hird of North Vancouver for Battle for the Soul of Canada: Raising Up the Emerging Generation of Leaders (independently published)
James K. A. Smith of Grand Rapids Mich. for Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? (Baker Academic)


Book - Independently-Published Nonfiction
Barbara Caiger of Markham Ont. for Walking Alongside: The Essence of Parish Nursing (Trafford Publishing)
Ed Hird of North Vancouver for Battle for the Soul of Canada: Raising Up the Emerging Generation of Leaders (independently published)
Keturah Leonforde of Guelph Ont. for Reflections from the Waiting Room: Insights for thriving when life puts you on hold (Essence Publishing)
Helen F. Miller of North York Ont. for The Hardest Place (Essence Publishing)
Kimberley J. Payne of Millbrook Ont. for Voice of a New Christian: Volume II (Within Reach)

Article, Short Story, Poetry & Song Lyric Categories
Article - General Readership (articles that explain or encourage faith for mainstream readers)
Paul M. Beckingham of Vancouver B.C. for "A Question of Faith" (Tidings)
Rick Gamble of Brantford Ont. for "A Ten Dollar Heart" (The Brantford Expositor)
Rick Gamble of Brantford Ont. for "A Veggie Tale" (The Brantford Expositor)
Rick Gamble of Brantford Ont. for "Leave an Impression" (The Brantford Expositor)
Jennifer Green of Ottawa for "In the beginning was the Word" (Ottawa Citizen)
Jennifer Green of Ottawa for "The Vanishing Choirboys" (Ottawa Citizen)
Ed Hird of North Vancouver for "Handel's Messiah At Christmas" (North Shore News)

The Word Guild
Media Release
The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards 2007 Media Release #2 Parts 1 & 2
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=fqnnt4bab.0.omofv6bab.bclffybab.411&ts=S0242&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewordguild.com%2F; office voice mail 905.294.6482
This release is available as a downloadable Word document at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=fqnnt4bab.0.oa8aj5bab.bclffybab.411&ts=S0242&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewordguild.com%2Fnewsreleases%2Findex.html

May 08, 2007
For immediate release

TOP CANADIAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS COMPETE FOR AWARDS

Number of entries doubles in three years for contest that recognizes the best work published by Canadian writers who are Christian

Waterloo, Ont. - The best Canadian writers who are Christian are competing for top honours in The Word Guild Canadian Writing Awards. This contest recognizes the most outstanding work published during 2006 in 31 categories.

Winners from across Canada will be announced on June 13 at The Word Guild Writing Awards Gala in Waterloo, Ont., the premier black tie event honouring Canadian writers who are Christian.

The evening will be hosted by award-winning journalist Rick Gamble, formerly of CTV's Kitchener affiliate CKCO, where he did local and national news reporting for 23 years before becoming a communications instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University. The Gala, to which the public is invited, also will feature a band, book signings and a reception.

"The contest has more than doubled in size in the last three years," commented Wendy Elaine Nelles, founding director of The Word Guild, the association that sponsors the contest. "We received a record number of 231 entries. These awards are gaining in national recognition and reputation."

The awards honour the best nonfiction books, novels, articles, columns, poems, stories, scripts and song lyrics published in the previous year. The contest is open to any Canadian citizen or permanent resident who affirms The Apostles' Creed.

Some of Canada's best-known Christian writers are among this year's contestants, including Mark Buchanan, J. I. Packer and James Houston.

"Prizes get attention, whether they're for sports, movies or books. The whole purpose of our writing contests and Awards Gala is to showcase examples of excellence, and to increase awareness of the variety and the quality of writing by Canadians who are Christian," she explained. "And whether entrants win or lose, the judges' critiques provide helpful feedback that enables them to become better writers."

Twenty-seven expert judges were recruited to evaluate the entries. This year's most hotly contested categories were profiles/human interest articles, long feature articles and columns/editorials/first person essays-each received 15 to 20 entries.

In another positive sign for the Canadian Christian publishing community, 91 book entries were submitted in 17 fiction and nonfiction categories.

Entries were sent from nine provinces and territories. While Ontario writers submitted 144 entries, British Columbia was strongly represented with 44 entries. There were 16 entries from Alberta, 13 from Manitoba, four each from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, three from Saskatchewan and one each from Quebec, Nunavut and the U.S.A.

Winners of The Word Guild Writing Awards will be presented with a cash prize, a certificate and a specially designed lapel pin to mark their achievements.

Other writing awards will be presented at the Gala, including the Leslie K. Tarr Award for outstanding career achievement; the Best New Canadian Christian Author prize for an unpublished book-length manuscript; and the Partnership Award which recognizes individuals or organizations who have offered exceptional support and encouragement to Canadian writers and editors who are Christian.

The Gala will be held on Wednesday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue W., Waterloo, Ont. The public is warmly invited to celebrate with the finalists, their families and friends. Tickets may be ordered through TicketWindow.ca or by phone at 1-877-700-3130. Tickets are $12 in advance, or $15 at the door.

Award sponsorships are still available. Any business, organization or individual who would like to provide concrete support and encouragement to Canadian writers who are Christian is welcome to inquire about sponsorship benefits. Charitable tax receipts are available. Contact fundraising [at] thewordguild [dot] com to obtain details.

The Word Guild also sponsors Canada's largest Christian writers' conference, Write! Canada. From June 14 to 16, writers, editors, agents and publishers will meet in Guelph, Ont. for professional development, networking and marketing opportunities.

Keynote speaker Rudy Wiebe, one of Canada's most acclaimed authors, has twice won the Governor General's Award for fiction and earlier this year won the $25,000 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. Full details about the classes, faculty and manuscript critique service are available at www.thewordguild.com/writecanada.
The complete shortlist of finalists for The Word Guild 2007 Writing Awards is posted at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=fqnnt4bab.0.omofv6bab.bclffybab.411&ts=S0242&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewordguild.com%2F.


ATTACHED:
Backgrounder - The Word Guild Writing Awards
Shortlist - The Word Guild Writing Awards 2007
BACKGROUNDER - THE WORD GUILD WRITING AWARDS

The awards are sponsored by The Word Guild, a national association with the mandate of connecting, developing and promoting Canadian writers and editors who are Christian. Formerly known as The God Uses Ink Awards, these writing prizes have been awarded annually since 1988. The Word Guild assumed responsibility for the awards in 2002, revamping and expanding the program.

The Word Guild contests are open to all eligible writers who have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, and are not restricted to members of The Word Guild. All entrants are asked to affirm The Apostles' Creed as a condition of acceptance in the contest. However, the opinions and viewpoints expressed in the shortlisted and winning works represent the authors' personal beliefs and are not necessarily endorsed by The Word Guild.

Although contest rules do not require an explicit statement of Christian belief, judges looked for an underlying expression of the writer's Christian worldview informing and influencing the writing. Entries were judged according to excellence of writing; impact (the inspirational or informational value making it worthwhile); fulfillment of stated purpose; suitability to target audience; originality and freshness of style.

Entry guidelines and forms for the 2008 contests will be posted at www.thewordguild.com in late 2007. Entries for work published in 2007 will be accepted until January 18, 2008.

The Word Guild, an association of more than 270 Canadian writers and editors who are Christian, was founded in 2002. Members are committed to encouraging one another and fostering standards of excellence in the art, craft, practice and ministry of writing.
The long-term vision is to impact the Canadian culture through writing from a Christian worldview. Immediate goals are to help writers and editors at all stages connect with each other, develop new skills and discover new publishing opportunities. See http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=fqnnt4bab.0.omofv6bab.bclffybab.411&ts=S0242&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewordguild.com%2F for further information.


Note: Book jacket stickers labeled "Finalist" are available as a promotional tool for all shortlisted books. These eye-catching, removable stickers may be obtained at cost from The Word Guild by contacting info [at] thewordguild [dot] com.

SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS - THE WORD GUILD 2007 WRITING AWARDS

Books

Book - Apologetics/Evangelism
Dr. Brad Burke of Windsor Ont. for An MD Examines: Why Does God Allow Suffering? (Cook Communications)
Dr. Brad Burke Windsor of Ont. for An MD Examines: Why Doesn't God Stop Evil? (Cook Communications)
Donna Carter of Calgary for 10 Smart Things Women Can Do to Build a Better Life (Straight Talk Ministries)
Stanley E. Porter of Hamilton Ont. and Stephen J. Bedard of Meaford Ont. for Unmasking the Pagan Christ: An Evangelical Response to the Cosmic Christ Idea (Clements Publishing)
Alan Reynolds of Richmond B.C. for A Troubled Faith: Do We Really Need God? (Word Alive Press)

Book - Children
M. D. Meyer of Winnipeg for Get Lost! (independently published)
Helen Toews of Winnipeg for Emma's Corner (The Cottage at Creek Bend)

Book - Christian Living
Mark Buchanan of Duncan B.C. for The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath (Thomas Nelson)
Dr. Brad Burke of Windsor Ont. for An MD Examines: Why Does God Allow Suffering? (Cook Communications)
Dr. Brad Burke Windsor Ont. for An MD Examines: Is God Obsolete? (Cook Communications)
Dr. Brad Burke Windsor Ont. for An MD Examines: Does God Still Do Miracles? (Cook Communications)
J. I. Packer of Vancouver and Carolyn Nystrom for Praying: Finding our Way Through Duty to Delight (InterVarsity Press)
Alan Reynolds of Richmond B.C. for A Troubled Faith: Do We Really Need God? (Word Alive Press)

Book - Culture
Craig A. Carter of Toronto for Rethinking Christ and Culture: A Post-Christendom Perspective (Brazos Press/Baker Publishing)
Ed Hird of North Vancouver for Battle for the Soul of Canada: Raising Up the Emerging Generation of Leaders (independently published)
James K. A. Smith of Grand Rapids Mich. for Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? (Baker Academic)

Book - Independently-Published Nonfiction
Barbara Caiger of Markham Ont. for Walking Alongside: The Essence of Parish Nursing (Trafford Publishing)
Ed Hird of North Vancouver for Battle for the Soul of Canada: Raising Up the Emerging Generation of Leaders (independently published)
Keturah Leonforde of Guelph Ont. for Reflections from the Waiting Room: Insights for thriving when life puts you on hold (Essence Publishing)
Helen F. Miller of North York Ont. for The Hardest Place (Essence Publishing)
Kimberley J. Payne of Millbrook Ont. for Voice of a New Christian: Volume II (Within Reach)

Book - Instructional
Barbara Caiger of Markham Ont. for Walking Alongside: The Essence of Parish Nursing (Trafford Publishing)
Sue Careless of Toronto for Discovering the Book of Common Prayer: A Hands-On Approach; Volume II: Our Life in the Church (The Prayer Book Society of Canada & ABC Publishing)
Dr. Rod J. K. Wilson of Vancouver for How Do I Help a Hurting Friend? (Baker Publishing)

Book - Leadership/Theoretical
James M. Houston of Vancouver for Joyful Exiles: Life in Christ on the Dangerous Edge of Things (InterVarsity Press)
Tim Perry of Otterburne Man. for Mary for Evangelicals: Toward an Understanding of the Mother of Our Lord (InterVarsity Press)
Alan Reynolds of Richmond B.C. for A Troubled Faith: Do We Really Need God? (Word Alive Press)

Book - Life Stories
Sheila Wray Gregoire of Belleville Ont. for How Big Is Your Umbrella? Weathering the Storms of Life (Kregel Publications)
Lloyd Mackey of Ottawa for Stephen Harper: The Case for Collaborative Governance (ECW Press)
Marilyn Meyers of Waterdown Ont. for Through Fire & Sea (Rocksalt Publishing)
Sandy Rosen of Fort Langley B.C. for Off the Map (Destiny Image Europe)

Book - Relationships:
Steve Bydeley of Kitchener Ont. for Fathered by God: Resolving Life's Hardships (Lapstone Publications)
Barbara Caiger of Markham Ont. for Walking Alongside: The Essence of Parish Nursing (Trafford Publishing)
Dr. Rod J. K. Wilson of Vancouver for How Do I Help a Hurting Friend? (Baker Publishing)

Book - Special
Kirsten Femson of Pickering Ont. who compiled The Way They Should Go: Timeless Advice for the Teen Journey (Castle Quay Books)
George Whipple of Burnaby B.C. for The Peaceable Kingdom (Penumbra Press)

Novel - Contemporary
Keith Clemons of Caledon Ont. for These Little Ones (George Colton Publishing)
Deborah Gyapong of Ottawa for The Defilers (Castle Quay Books)

Novel - Mystery/Suspense
Deborah Gyapong of Ottawa for The Defilers (Castle Quay Books)
Linda Hall of Fredericton, N. B. for Dark Water (Waterbrook Press/Random House)

Article, Short Story, Poetry & Song Lyric Categories

Article - General Readership (articles that explain or encourage faith for mainstream readers)
Paul M. Beckingham of Vancouver B.C. for "A Question of Faith" (Tidings)
Rick Gamble of Brantford Ont. for "A Ten Dollar Heart" (The Brantford Expositor)
Rick Gamble of Brantford Ont. for "A Veggie Tale" (The Brantford Expositor)
Rick Gamble of Brantford Ont. for "Leave an Impression" (The Brantford Expositor)
Jennifer Green of Ottawa for "In the beginning was the Word" (Ottawa Citizen)
Jennifer Green of Ottawa for "The Vanishing Choirboys" (Ottawa Citizen)
Ed Hird of North Vancouver for "Handel's Messiah At Christmas" (North Shore News)

Article - Inspirational/Devotional
Donald N. Bastian of Brampton Ont. for "The Joy of Aging" (Christianity Today)
Paul M. Beckingham of Vancouver for "Comfort!" (Regent College Publishing)

Article - Long Feature
Jennifer Green of Ottawa for "The Fear of God" (Ottawa Citizen)
Terry LeBlanc of Evansburg Alta. for "Native Suicide: A Challenge to the Church" (Faith Today)
Ross Muir of Kitchener Ont. for "Recovering Silence" (Canadian Mennonite)
Patricia Paddey of Mississauga Ont. for "Why Are Evangelicals So Passionate About Israel and Palestine?" (Faith Today)
Karen Stiller of Port Perry Ont. for "The Beauty and the Beasts of Christian Farming" (Faith Today)

Article - News
Jennifer Green of Ottawa for "Conservative Anglicans livid over lesbian priest in Ottawa/Torn Asunder" (Ottawa Citizen)
Ross Muir and Tim Miller Dyck of Waterloo Ont. for "Mennonite Groups Oppose Land Speculator" (Canadian Mennonite)

Article - Personal Experience
Paul M. Beckingham of Vancouver for "Folk Religion or Folk Folly?" (Tidings)
Donna Mann of Holstein Ont. for "Weeding And Revising" (Mosaic: Arts, Entertainment & Lifestyle)
Violet Nesdoly of Surrey B.C. for "A Mother's Meddling Fingers" (Christian Women Online Magazine)
Adele Simmons of Whitby Ont. for "The Cabin" (Writers' Circle of Durham Region)
Stephanie Tombari of Burlington Ont. for "Heal Me" (GEEZ Magazine)

Article - Profile/Human Interest
Milton Friesen of Airdrie Alta. for "Faith and Politics in Action"(Decision Magazine-Cdn. Edition)
Milton Friesen of Airdrie Alta. for "The Universe to Explore: Faith and a World of Ideas" (Decision Magazine-Cdn. Edition)
Jennifer Green of Ottawa for "The Education of David Jeffrey" (Ottawa Citizen)
Gail MacMillan of Bathurst N.B. for "The 50 Cent Angel" (St. Anthony Messenger)
Josie Newman of Claremont Ont. for "Going to Extremes" (Charisma)

Article - Short Feature
Paul M. Beckingham of Vancouver for "Purpose-Driven Starbucks" (Tidings)
Linda Wegner of Powell River B.C. for "Llama kills blamed on dog packs, lack of enforcement" (Country Life in B.C.)

Column/Editorial/First Person Essay (single)
Kurt Armstrong of Vancouver for "Why Love Will Always Be A Poor Investment" (Radix)
Sheila Wray Gregoire of Belleville Ont. for "Seeking a Wise Man" (The Shield)
Thomas Froese of Uganda and Ancaster Ont. for "Christmas: the luxury to pick and choose" (ChristianWeek)
Ann-Margret Hovsepian of Montreal for "Is Marriage Still Sacred?" (Beyond Ordinary Living)
Denyse O'Leary of Toronto for "Can you choose to help? Or are you simply spreading your genes?" (Maranatha News)

Column/Editorial/First Person Essay (series)
Grace Fox of Heriot Bay B.C. for "Parents-Stay Awake!" and "And What Happened to My Kid at Summer Camp" (B.C. Christian News)
Thomas Froese of Uganda and Ancaster Ont. for "Where is African spirituality heading?" and "Doomsday Diversions" (ChristianWeek)
Violet Nesdoly of Surrey B.C. for "Research-The Dietary Supplement Your Poems Can't Do Without" and "Poems Growing-Cultivate with Care" (Inscribe Christian Writers: FellowScript)
Dave Toycen of Mississauga Ont. for "A Seat at the World's Food Table" and "The Most Powerful Weapon" (World Vision Canada: Childview/Enfants du monde)
Heidi VanderSlikke of Harriston Ont. for "The God of Wonders" and "What's in a name?" (Christian Courier)
Ray Wiseman of Fergus Ont. for "Life-wise with Ray Wiseman: Christmas gifts that endure" and "A new year brings new hope" (Wellington Advertiser)

Poetry
Caroline H. Davidson of Ladysmith B.C. for "September Lace" (Circle 49 Publishing)
Judith Millar of Kitchener Ont. for "After the Fall" (Southern Ontario Library Service: The Changing Image)
Violet Nesdoly of Surrey B.C. for "Some Words" (Infuze Magazine)
Richard Weening of Newmarket Ont. for "1 Corinthians 13" (SCA International: Word & Deed)

Song Lyrics
Ali Matthews of Stratford Ont. for "Poised for a Fall" (Shake A Paw Music)
Ali Matthews of Stratford Ont. for "Santorini" (Shake A Paw Music)

Additional Categories:
Awards will be presented on June 13 to the winners of eight categories for which there are no shortlists of finalists: Book-Biblical Studies; Book-General Readership; Book-Young Adult; Novel-Independently Published Fiction; Novel-Romance; Article-Children/Young Adult; Article-Review; and Short Story. No awards will be presented this year in the following categories: Script/Screenplay; Novel-Historical.

p.s. In order to obtain a copy of the book 'Battle for the Soul of Canada', please send a $18.50 cheque to 'Ed Hird', #1008-555 West 28th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7N 2J7. For mailing the book to the USA, please send $20.00 USD.