Musings from a Writer’s Brain – Getting the Nudge by Rachel Pellegrino

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All God's Creatures 60 Days of Devotions for Animal Loving Kids, Children's Devotional, essay about faith, Musings from a Writer's Brain, Rachel Pellegrino, Writing and Publishing

Do you know how many devotionals I have sitting on my bookshelf? 17

That’s right, 17. Of course, this number doesn’t include the ones in the boxes that have yet to be opened from our last move right before the pandemic.

Now, I’m going to be vulnerable with you and ask you to guess how many of those devotionals I’ve read in the last few months, let alone two or three years? Three!

Yep. That’s it. Just three. Go ahead and shake your head. I’ll wait.

I’m not sure what it is about a devotional, but I love having them on my nightstand and bookshelf. I love looking over and knowing there is a title to help inspire me when I feel uninspired or assist with my faith walk when I feel like I’m struggling. But I don’t always read them.

The truth is when I started out as a children’s publisher, I never intended to produce a devotional. I was all set to only publish fiction, and entertaining and “fun” fiction at that. I wanted to provide kids with clean and faith-based stories and characters that they could fall in love with and share with siblings and friends.

I was a teacher for many years and I love fiction, so this has always felt like a good fit. Then, COVID hit.

As the days turned to weeks and then to months, I realized that along with my Bible, I was pulling out my devotionals more. I was hungry for something that would ease the fear and worry I was feeling. I was searching for answers on how to cope. I was looking for inspiration and encouragement. I enjoyed my fiction stories, but I yearned for comfort I couldn’t find in all those interesting stories.

Then, it hit me as I did this searching that it might be the same for my daughter. She’s nine and aside from me, the one she trusts daily to comfort her, assuring her that all would be well, that God was going to be with us, and that she was going to be okay, I saw her reading more and she began to seek out books that would comfort her, inspire her, and allow her to not think about all the things the adults around her were worrying about.

So, as God usually does, He began to nudge my thoughts and nudge my conversations to what many on our team already knew was missing. Yep, a devotional for kids.

And, that God-nudge can really shake you a bit. Since starting Little Lamb Books, I’ve had days where I felt confident and days where I wondered just what He was thinking calling me to own a publishing company. I mean, it was a nudge from Him that started this whole thing to begin with.

So, once I fell down the research hole of comparative titles and themes and topics, I wondered more than once what I was getting us into, but I also felt a peace that this was what we needed to do.

The blessing of working with amazingly talented authors is that you can go to them with an idea and watch that idea develop into real pages of a book. Much like a writer that participates in a book club or critique group, being vulnerable and honest with others opens up the opportunity for inspiration to strike and greatness to come forward. And, of course, taking a leap of faith and following the nudge that God gives can teach you to rely on Him for the answers to all your questions and needs.

It’s been over 12 months of working on a project that started as nudge that led to a conversation with our editor and became a full-fledge devotional for ages 6-11. I’m super thankful for everyone who worked on the entries, illustrations and design. I’m inspired by the entries that I know will help so many families and kids. I’m beyond in love with the finished product full of bright colors and adorable animals.

But, even more, I’m beyond blessed by a Heavenly Father that gave me the nudge and trusted me to bring to life the biblical truth that will encourage young kiddos to believe in who He made them to be – unique and loved.

Interested in a Children’s Devotional? Check out

All God’s Creatures: 60 Days of Devotions for Animal-Loving Kids

Scripture meets sheep in a sixty-day devotional made just for kids!

Encourage habits of Scripture reading, prayer, and journaling with Little Lamb Books’ first children’s devotional! With contributions from over fifteen children’s books authors and an introduction by the publisher, All God’s Creatures: 60 Days of Devotions for Animal-Loving Kids explores a variety of wonderful animals God created and the amazing traits each one exhibits to show each of us how to be more like Christ. Children will love learning fun animal facts while learning Scripture and practicing prayer habits that will last a lifetime.

About the Author:

Rachel Pellegrino is the founder and publisher of Little Lamb Books, an award-winning indie publisher of faith-based fiction and non-fiction for elementary, middle grade, and young adult readers. Passionate about empowering authors who write Christian children’s literature, Rachel strives to take fresh manuscripts and turn them into fulfilled author dreams and is focused on bringing stories to life that are creatively entertaining, full of interesting characters, and uplifting to children as they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Based in Texas with her husband, kiddos, and their two dogs, Rachel talks with her hands, prefers Pepsi to coffee, and has a growing plush lamb collection.

You can find Rachel on her website links: http://littlelambbooks.com  https://www.rachelpellegrino.com

Connect with her on social media at   Facebook : Instagram : Twitter :

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A Writer’s Garden—Garden Joys by Judith Rolfs

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A Writer’s Garden, children’s book Mystery of the Silver Shells, Garden devotion, garden joys and inspiration, Judith Rolfs

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Judith Rolfs talking about her garden joys. Welcome, Judith!

Thanks for inviting me back to speak about my two joys – gardening and writing.  I love having guests enjoy my yard. We had 25 people for the Fourth of July and six were these precious children all under five posing for a picture in my woodland garden.

I’ve become more mindful over the years what a huge spiritual activity gardening is. My perennials remind me of God’s constant, but invisible presence in my life. In early April I see nothing in my garden but hard earth. Then, it seems a miracle when hostas begin to poke up creating the perimeter of my garden followed soon by lily of the valley. These amazing plants have survived the dark frozen earth and waited patiently to reveal their splendor again. I wait for the bursting of my day lily buds into their beautiful multi-petaled stars. Shockingly, I’ve done nothing to nurture them, they simply faithfully return. What a lesson of God’s faithfulness this is.

The challenge for me is always in the waiting period until the season for growth begins.

My problem with book writing patience is similar. I often want to rush things. When I finish the first draft of a book I decide I’m done before the essential second and third draft, and a professional editing. I’ve had to learn to wait and go through the process. Literally ten drafts of my latest children’s book Mystery of the Silver Shells were needed! Book Three in the series adventures of Tommy Smurlee & Grella Weller I wrote for kids eight and up trying to make sense of the world. Figuring out who they are, what they like, what they can do, what’s right and good, what’s not. It’s a fun mystery mixed with fantasy – kids create amazing inventions. As a marriage and family counselor I hope my books help parents transmit good values. I also want children to experience the joy of creativity and develop their imaginations. I love it when my young readers tell me they want to try to write their own book after they read a Tommy Smurlee book.

I get my inspiration for both gardening and writing by walking the path around Lake Geneva daily and observing the fantastic gardens. I found this cute bear on my walk the other day. I ponder that gardeners are privileged to participate with God in bringing beauty to the world! And we Christian writers also have the joy of communicating His beautiful truth to make the world a better place.

About the Writer/Gardener:

On Judith’s YouTube channel you can find Marriage and Parenting tips plus Judith reading short stories to children from her modern fairy tales book Unforgettable Stories for Kids.

Her Amazon Author page reveals what an eclectic author she is: five star mystery novels, marriage and family how-to books and her Tommy Smurlee/Grella Weller children’s books.

Mystery of the Silver Shells

 By Judith Rolfs

It’s the popular Adventures of Tommy Smurlee fantasy series! Fun, intrigue, and danger await Tommy, Grella, and friends at the amazing Dunster’s Camp of Mystery and Inventions. Campers compete to create inventions and solve the Mystery of the Silver Shells. A battle of good versus evil rages. Unique imaginative activities fill each day with wonder! Struggles must be overcome and lessons learned, as friendships deepen at Dunster’s.

The characters are unique and lovable. Bug-loving Grella Weller with a gentle heart and a mind like Einstein; Tommy Smurlee, fascinated with numbers and geography, craves physical and mental challenges; huge Piney, with his dogged, strength are major characters. Minors include Blake driven to be first in everything and Quid, his fun-loving, intense stepbrother who can’t sit still. Toodle, small for his age, but mighty in mind, alternately cowers, then surges with bravery. Orson Gartini, filled with self-absorption is attracted to evil. The Sunmaker is the supernatural force of good and Dagta, force of evil.

Available at Amazon

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–The Valley of Life—From Promise to Fulfillment by Linda Wood Rondeau

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books, Christian Mystery, Christian romance, devotion, God’s intervention, God’s lessons for us, LInda Wood Rondeau, Musings from a Writer’s Brain, Suspence, Wolf Mountain Legacy

Variations of the same theme:

God doesn’t close a door, but that He opens a window

Failure is God’s opportunity.

When man’s hope is gone, God’s Grace is only beginning.

These sayings all teach us failure and disappointment are not the end, merely God’s redirection.  

Another release and more months of poor results despite dollars and time poured into marketing … wondering if God truly called me to write or is this just my imagination on steroids? Though I remember all these above sayings, I wonder sometimes if they aren’t another form of sour grapes.

Then I recall God’s many interventions, and I feel pricked at how soon I have forgotten them. The twists and turns, bruises and bleeding, I mistake for abandonment are merely speed bumps along the way … lessons God has yet to teach. Perhaps the pain is not from pricks but from pruning … not for success as the world or even Christian publishing interprets but rather for deeper purposes not yet evident.

The works of my hands are not what matters most to God. His quest is not my profession as defined by man. More so, His quest is my heart and my unwavering love.

A valley often stretches between God’s desires for my life and the fulfillment of his promise—in that valley God reveals himself and chases after my whole heart. This valley is called Life, the terrain by which the Lord fulfills his true purpose for me. He permits me to write, but his call is for something greater … fellowship with him.

Abraham looked forward to God’s promise of a son, though the fulfillment seemed as if God had forgotten. As the valley from promise to fulfillment grew wider with each year, the far distant fulfillment stretched his faith. At the right time, after decades of pruning, Isaac was born. Yet, Abraham’s journey did not end. God still had much more to teach him, as well as Isaac and Jacob and all who followed Father Abraham.

Perhaps Abraham’s frustration of delayed answered prayer stemmed from only hearing part of God’s promise, his sights set on the tangible rather than the intangible elements of God’s call, “They will be my people and I will be their God.”

Therein is the valley from promise to fulfilment—the place where God teaches me how much he wants to be my God and how much he desires for me to be his child. “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (Revelation 21:7).

WOLF MOUNTAIN LEGACY

by Linda Wood Rondeau

How do you prove you’re not crazy?

What about the 150-year-old ruins atop Wolf Mountain keeps drawing Marci Henderson to the site? Village legend says the beautiful wife of the older railroad tycoon, after setting fire to their mansion, ran away with his accountant. Was there no way to prove Felicity’s innocence? First, Marci must prove she had the right to walk among the sane.  

Dr. Blake Montgomery, a college professor, has come to Collins Bend to work on his book, Adirondack Railroad Development. To aid in his research, Blake hires Marci Henderson, his former student, one he never stopped loving, who is now a widow. When Marci is insistent people are following the two of them, Blake wonders if she is headed for another psychotic episode.

Old emotions surface as the two embark on a suspenseful journey leading them closer to solving the age-old mystery of Wolf Mountain, a journey fraught with suspicion and murder. Along the way, Blake’s faith is challenged, and Marci searches for spiritual truth about the God she had never known.

BUY LINK Also available in print

About the Author:

Linda Wood Rondeau has been fascinated with the beauty, history, and mysteries encompassed in the Adirondack region, the perfect backdrop for Wolf Mountain Legacy. Find out more about the author on her website, www.lindarondeau.com, and signup for her newsletter to stay informed. The author is available to speak to groups, in person or online.

Visit her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe, Bookbub and Pinterest.   

Signup for her newsletter from her website

Tasty Tuesdays–Il Cibo è Amore (Food is Love) from Rose Spiller

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Bible Study, Chicken and crepes, Chis Paxton and Rose Spiller, food, food blog, Italian crepe soup, No Half Truths Allowed, recipe, Scarpell, Tasty Tuesdays

Il Cibo è Amore – Food is Love. Growing up in a very large and very Italian family, this was our creed. We were poor by American standards for sure, but there was always fantastic food to eat! Soups, casseroles, stews, meats, and of course, pasta! Whenever anyone showed up at our home, whether expected or unexpected, a feast was put before them. Friends and extended family knew Sunday was spaghetti and meatballs day. Every Sunday morning, my mother would fry dozens and dozens of homemade meatballs to put into her “gravy” (Real Italians call spaghetti sauce gravy), while we begged for a few to eat for breakfast. It seemed my mom was always cooking something! But the incredible thing is, she never acted like it was an imposition. She showed people her love through the food she served them; and felt their love was returned by their enjoying what she prepared.

What I learned growing up in this crazy, loud, delicious environment was the importance of showing people that they are special; making a fuss over someone by serving them a wonderful meal is showing love to them. I have also learned that this can be a great opportunity to share the Gospel with people. Jesus’ pattern was to fulfill a person’s physical need, and then fill their more important Spiritual need. When people feel like their physical needs matter to you, i.e. you feed them a good meal, they will be much more receptive to you telling them of their deep need for a Savior to save them and reconcile them to God. Being told you are a sinner who is under God’s wrath may go down a little easier when it is preceded by a delicious bowl of scarpell soup – one of my mom’s most famous dishes, and now mine, too. Please also check out our book below, No Half Truths Allowed – Understanding the Complete Gospel Message. Armed with our book and a hot, steaming bowl of scarpell soup, you will be ready to witness to anyone!

Scarpell Soup (Italian Crepe Soup)

Ingredients:

Chicken Broth – Made by boiling and then simmering a whole chicken, chicken stock, onions, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper for about 3 hours.

Scarpells:

Whisk together

• 10 eggs
• 3 cups of flour
• 4 ½ cups of water
• Parmesan cheese
• Black pepper

Directions:

• Using a very hot non-stick frying pan, pour a little of the batter in, swish it around by moving the pan so batter covers the entire bottom.
• Cook about 15 seconds then using a fork or your finger, flip it over to cook 15 seconds on the other side.

• Lay the scarpell out flat, sprinkle parmesan cheese and black pepper on it. Roll it up.

When you serve, cut the scarpell tubes in pieces, place in a bowl and cover with chicken broth.

Note: You can make scarpells and freeze for later! Just leave them flat, with no filling, and put a piece of wax paper between each one.

While you’re waiting for the chicken broth to cook for this delicious soup, check out Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller’s book.

No Half-Truths Allowed – Understanding the Complete Gospel Message

by Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller

Authors Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller were frustrated at the fluff and heresy being pedaled as “Women’s Bible Studies.” Many studies are shallow and emotion-based, not grounded in the truth of Scripture, and they found this particularly true in regard to the Gospel Message. Because of a genuine concern for salvation and what was being witnessed, they wrote their Bible study, No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Full Gospel Message (Ambassador International, May 8, 2020, $15.99) to teach the women of our church. Originally used with just their church, the response was exciting! They saw women’s lives change as they became excited and hungry for the Word of God. Paxson and Spiller felt led to branch out beyond just their church and community by turning their study into their new book, No Half-Truth’s Allowed: Understanding the Full Gospel Message.

About the Book: When it comes to proclaiming the Gospel message, half-truths, vague notions, and generalizations can be dangerous. What are the important truths we need to know and share with others?

• Is it enough to believe that God loves us and wants a relationship with us?

• Is it enough to “ask Jesus into our hearts”?

• Is it enough to recite the “sinner’s prayer,” or do we need to repent of our sin?

• Is going to church and serving others enough?

• Is what Jesus suffered more than just a gruesome death on a cross?

• If Jesus, who is fully God, was crucified, did God die on Good Friday?

• Is God mad at us when we sin and happy when we’re behaving?

• Can we lose our salvation?

If you’re not sure of the answers to any of these questions, you are not alone. There are a lot of false ideas out there about Christianity and the Gospel. Join Christine Paxson and Rose Spiller as they explore the answers to these and many other questions about the true Gospel message in No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Complete Gospel Message. Learn what Jesus did for you, why He did it, and how you can articulate the Gospel to others. Also available is the companionNo Half-Truths Allowed Study Guide, an interactive study guide with questions and Scriptures to help readers delve even deeper into understanding the complete Gospel message.

About the Authors:    

Chris Paxson & Rose Spiller are co-founders of Proverbs 9:10 Ministries and co-hosts of the No Trash, Just Truth Podcast. They have been teaching Bible Studies for over 20 years and have written many of their own studies. Along with teaching together, they speak at conferences and retreats together.

Chris resides in Lancaster County with her husband, John, of over 31 years. They have twin sons in the USAF. Rose and her husband, Ed, have recently sold their home and now live full-time in their RV to travel between their four children and eight grandchildren.

Besides their first book, No Half-Truths Allowed, Chris and Rose have a second book, The Bible Blueprint – A Guide to Better Understanding the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, due out in spring  2021. They are in the process of writing their third book. Connect with Chris and Rose:

Links toProverbs 9:10 Ministries&No Half Truths Allowed

Website:  https://proverbs910ministries.com

Proverbs 9:10 Ministries on MeWe:  https://mewe.com/p/proverbs910ministries

Instagram: proverbs910ministries

No Trash, Just Truth! Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/615385 can also be found on all major podcasting sites, Rumble, & YouTube

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Marketing with Linda Wood Rondeau

Tags

devotional, essay about book marketing, humor essay, LInda Wood Rondeau, Musings from a Writer's Brain, self help, Who put the Vinegar in the Salt

MARKETING IS NOT LIKE YOUR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY MEAL

by Linda Wood Rondeau

I’m an intuitive type of person. While I’ve always had a sense of doing things in an orderly fashion, I don’t like to think about what I’m doing when. I tend to approach nearly every area of my life with a “shoot from the hip” attitude.  I’ve discovered, much to my chagrin, successful marketing requires much more than an intuitive approach.

When it comes to Holiday meals, my daughter told me, “You make it look so easy.” I’ve always managed to finagle the menu and spend time with the family. Pies and more complicated dishes were prepared ahead. Intuition told me when to start boiling the potatoes, put side dishes in the oven, or start the crockpot.

In the homemaking department, intuition has served me well because this sense has been developed through years of experience. My homemaking skills were honed over time, and I really didn’t have to spend hours “thinking” about how to manage Thanksgiving dinner—not even when I’ve had over twenty guests.

The marketing nightmare however leaves me wanting. I haven’t had the luxury of years of experience because the publishing demands and marketing strategies are too fluid. The fact a turkey takes x amount of time per pound has not changed in forty years. Marketing approaches seem to change with the blink of an eye.

A marketing guru said authors should spend 80 percent of their time writing. To this I say a hearty, “Ha!” Perhaps for someone who has worked in marketing. For the average author, the “to do” list keeps growing and the menu is ever changing. How do we lopsided-brain people balance marketing with writing?

When I attend workshops and seminars, the reality I see is the presentation is mostly provided by marketing experts. Duh! They aren’t writers! They are sellers. With me, my brain spheres are in constant warfare. Writing and marketing duties are constantly clashing for dominance.

I did receive one excellent kernel of advice in a recent workshop. “Don’t camp out in the overwhelmed pit.” I think that’s where I’ve been most of the time. My “to do” list far exceeds my energy and desire. I can’t focus because I feel too overwhelmed. Because I can’t do it all, I do nothing.

For the next several months, I’m going to adapt The Power of Three principle, like a three-course meal … meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Instead of trying to prioritize multiple priorities, I’ll choose three projects each of writing and marketing and vary them for maximum nutrition, simplicity, and interest.

Think I can do it?

About the Author:

By the author of I Prayed for Patience, God Gave Me Children.

A veteran social worker, Linda Wood Rondeau’s varied church experience and professional career affords a unique perspective into the Christian life. When not writing or speaking, she enjoys the occasional round of golf, visiting museums, and taking walks with her best friend in life, her husband of over forty years. The couple resides in Hagerstown, Maryland where both are active in their local church. Readers may learn more about the author, read her blog, or sign up for her newsletter by visiting www.lindarondeau.com.

WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT

by Linda Wood Rondeau

The world offers much beneficial self-help advice. Shouldn’t the Christian seek to be the best possible version of themselves? Aren’t we supposed to be good people?
Why not look to the world to solve life’s problems?
Because God has called us to be salt.
While there is much good to be found, like vinegar, the world’s best advice falls short of God’s recipe to live a victorious Christian life.
In a down-home, friendly manner, the author provides analogies, inspirational stories, anecdotes, a wealth of Scripture, and optional study guides for both individuals and groups, inviting the believer to discover God’s desires for his salt.

Buy Link

Musings from a Writer’s Brain Seasons and the Heart by Donevy Westphal

Tags

Devotion Gratitudes, Donevy Westphal, If I Should Die, Musings from a Writer's Brain, Suspense fiction

Seasons and the Heart

That’s why I like this time of year. It begins with a quiet whisper of gratitude. We begin to harvest our garden and the fruits as it were of that garden in earnest about the end of July into August. By September we are into the cornucopia of the year. The fields are ripening, our pumpkins, squash, and fall harvest is beginning to fill our pantries. This is the time that James Whitcomb-Riley wrote about in When the Frost is on the Pumpkin.

Gratitude—the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. My family still lives on and with the land, which isn’t an easy task considering we must also live in a century that wants to pull us into a worldly lifestyle.

Thankfulness—the quality of being thankful. People are rolling their eyes and muttering under their breath (sometimes not so softly muttering) about the year 2020. My family almost all of them are considered ‘necessary workers’ so that we are still busy from farmers to truck drivers, and service providers.

But the sun will rise. It’s a line that has many applications. This year has been like that. No matter what’s going on, good or not so good, tomorrow the sun shall rise. Another quip that gives perspective is It came to pass—it did not come to stay.

I am thankful for the cycles of life. The sun shall rise and a broken heart will have the chance to heal; a happy heart will have another chance to dance.

Philippians 4:

11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

About the Author:

Donevy is a primitive artist who has for over forty years worked with raw materials in many different mediums.  Not only an artist with paint, canvas, clay, and etc., she is wife, mother, teacher, Bible class teacher, and a writer. She has homeschooled seven children; writes a blog: deborawephraim.blogspot.com; is a member of HAWCN and ACFW. She is committed to continuing to learn and help others learn.

Connect with Donevy on Facebook:  Website or check out her book If I Should Die on Amazon

If I Should Die

by Donevy Westphal

“A story of God’s hand of providence, strong family values, and faith tested by fire.”

Undercover agent Julius C. Armstrong has spent the last ten years of his life walking among the criminal elements. He feels old and tired, and he wants out of the lies and deceit. His last case should be like butterscotch syrup on plain ice cream—smooth and sweet, but from his first visit to the local Mom and Pop’s eatery and onward nothing goes quite as he expects. The past that he has been running from, is catching up to him. Will Julius be able to survive one last time?

Want to read more? Go to Amazon

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Life Lessons Learned from God by Alexis A Goring

Tags

Alexis A. Goring, Devotions, Essay about Writing, Musings from a Writer's Brain, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God

My devotional writing journey started when I was recovering from a health crisis at age 16.

During the recovery time, God took me into His Classroom and as the Master Teacher, started imparting important life lessons to me. I started learning lessons that traditional teachers inside of the normal classroom setting would never be able to teach me. These lessons were straight from God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and filled with modern day applications that made sense.

It was then that I felt compelled to start writing these life lessons down. So I started typing these treasures of truth into Microsoft Word on my personal laptop computer.

After a short while, I started sharing these words that God inspired me to write with online communities starting with message boards (this was before Facebook was invented and social media was popular). God planted that seed to write for Him in my heart and as I recovered, I grew stronger not only physically but spiritually. Studying God’s Word and praying to Him, then reflecting on His goodness, grew my relationship with Him and gave me a genuine love for others. I started seeing people as precious souls, loved by God. God grew within me a deep desire to teach everyone about Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. I wanted to show everyone (especially those who do not know God) how much we as broken people (even those of us who are doing very well in life and therefore think that we can live without God), need Him as our Savior, Redeemer and Best Friend. To this day, I still feel driven to reach the world for Jesus Christ!

God knew this would be part of my true life story and He gave me that desire to write devotionals. As I grew closer to God, my desire to share those words with everyone around me grew in remarkable ways! God started opening more doors for my devotionals to be read and shared. He led me to opportunities to write for faith-based blogs, magazines, and to have my devotionals published in books! He even gave me my own column through a company called Collegiate Quarterly (CQ) where I wrote devotional-style columns as the Growing Up columnist for five years and they paid me for my work!

Finally, near the beginning of January 2019, God led me to write this devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God. He put together ALL the pieces for me: He led me to make weekly deadlines for myself (I’m a trained journalist who thrives on deadlines and never missed one!) to help me finish writing the 52 devotionals within 14 months. He set in motion a plan for me to work with an editor who was recently hired by my book publisher and she just so “happened” to have decades of experience in editing devotionals. God also pushed me to write 52 devotionals (I was set for only 44), by speaking to me through the professional opinions of a popular book editor and a well-known literary agent. Finally, he inspired my editor and me to create the perfect title that captures my love for stories, songs, and my faith walk with God.

My devotional book was published in April 2020 and so far, it has received the most positive reviews from people who I do and do not know! So many readers have expressed how this devotional book is just what they needed to read for such a time as this.

In closing, I’d like to share a review of my book by my friend Morgan. She said:

“God has profoundly touched my life through Author Alexis A. Goring’s uplifting and personable weekly devotional book sharing God’s love through her own experiences and insights. It is so well written and in a voice that feels as if a close friend is having coffee with you and talking of God. Every entry is well backed by Scripture as well as highlights meaningful songs that God has used to touch the author’s heart.

As a fellow journalist, I love how the author uses her talent of observation to see God at work all around her as well as the use of thought-provoking questions at each devotional’s end to further connect our lives to that entry’s theme and the Scripture truth it has been based on.

If you are looking for a devotional that is short but powerful this is it. It would be a perfect gift for a special person in your life.”

And that’s my hope for everyone who reads my devotional book: For it to be like you having coffee (or tea) with me while we have a conversation about God.

My book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, is available for purchase exclusively on Amazon.com. It’s available in e-book for your Kindle and print (for those who love holding paperback books in their hands). I hope and pray that these words God has given me will bless your heart!

May God bless you and keep you!

Sincerely,

Alexis A. Goring, MFA

Author/Blogger/Editor/Journalist

About the Author:

Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

Social Media Sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexisAGoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlex

Website https://alexisagoring.jimdo.com

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God

Alexis A. Goring:

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God is a 52-week devotional that will bless your heart, soothe your soul, encourage your mind, and strengthen your God-given spirit.

Join author Alexis A. Goring on an inspirational journey. Each devotional builds from real-life experiences that impart many faith lessons learned along the way.

Each day is built on the foundation of a Bible verse or edifying quote, followed by Goring’s personal story and reflection questions for a personalized experience.

All of the devotionals are tied to a song in order to go a little deeper into the heart of the message. A song directory at the end of the book connects the reader with music online to further enhance the study experience and glorify God.

Spend a year on a journey growing closer to the Lord through Stories and Songs of Faith, and discover personal transformation as time with Jesus Christ changes your heart to look a little more like His.

Purchase link for the devotional book:

Social Media Sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexisAGoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlex

Website: https://alexisagoring.jimdo.com

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Five Truths from a Scaredy Cat by Deena Adams

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dealing with fears, Deena Adams, devotion, essay, Musings from a Writer's Brain

 

Hi, I’m Deena, and I’m a scaredy-cat.

Now that I’ve let that cat out of the bag, (sorry, couldn’t resist J) I’ll explain. I’ve never been much of a risk-taker. I tend to play it safe and escape pain and broken bones—and a broken heart—any time I can.

As a new writer, I deal with fears like rejection, failure, inadequacy, being judged, and getting hurt on a regular basis. If I succumb to these fears, I’ll be paralyzed and unable to move forward in God’s calling on my life to write.

When I attended my first writer’s conference in May 2019, I fought against several of the aforementioned fears. What if I make a terrible first impression? What if I choke when someone asks me what I’m writing about? Is my hook and pitch catchy enough? Will a publisher or agent tell me I’m wasting my time?

These are just a few of the possibilities the enemy whispered in my ear during the conference and over the last year and half since I began my writing journey.

As a believer in Jesus, I’ve had to practice what I’ve always encouraged others to do when fear comes knocking. Cling to God and His truth.

Here’s what I’ve learned about my fears:

 

Rejection will come but that doesn’t mean I’m no good.

 An agent asked for a proposal at the conference. I worked hard on it for months and finally hit send on my computer only to receive a rejection about six weeks later. God remined me that my identity doesn’t come from an accepted or rejected proposal but is rooted in Him. And so is yours.

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

 

Failure only happens to those who try.

God asked me to write so I do, and sometimes what I produce isn’t very good. God asks for obedience, not success. The results of our efforts are up to Him, not us. And success in His eyes may look different than what the world tells us.

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

 

My inadequacy highlights God’s glory.

 I’m not perfect. I have many weaknesses and can only do a few things well. God determines which gifts each of His children possess. We’re not granted all of them, so we must fight the human tendency to compare ourselves to others. We’ll lose every time. The beauty of my inadequacy is that God’s glory shines even brighter.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

There will always be someone who will judge me, but only God’s opinion matters.

 I’ve spent way too many years worrying about what other people think of me. Living to please everyone ends with pleasing no one. Someone won’t like my book. It won’t be their style or they’ll find the one typo in a 350-page manuscript and point it out in a review.

We must live for the audience of One, for the applause of One. God is the ultimate Judge we will all stand before one day, so why not let go of the attempt at people-pleasing and just obey God instead?

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

 

As a writer for Christ, I’m going to get hurt.

 Following our dreams and taking risks guarantees hurt. We shouldn’t expect smooth sailing. If we’re writing for God and sharing His truth, persecution is promised. We can take comfort in the fact that when others hurt us, God draws us close.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Be encouraged brothers and sisters. As children of God, we have no need to fear. We are fully loved by God, fully accepted. He never leaves us, and He protects us from enemies. When He looks at His children, He sees beautiful masterpieces completing the good work He planned for us.

So, when fear threatens to immobilize you, remind yourself what God says, and kick fear to the curb. Fear is from the enemy, and the enemy is a liar.

 

About the Author:

Deena incorporates her vast array of experience as a thirty-year Christ follower, a Navy/pastor’s wife, and a court-appointed special advocate volunteer into hope-filled stories.

Her mission to etch hope on broken hearts shines through in her fiction writing and on her blog, The Advocate’s Pen. Deena is an active member of ACFW and several writer groups, secretary of ACFW Virginia, and a multi award-winning writer.

She and her husband live in beautiful Virginia. When she’s not writing, reading, or serving in her church, you’ll find her hanging out with family and friends and doting on her six grandchildren.

Connect with Deena on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Links:  Website: Facebook: Twitter

 

 

Wednesday Writers– Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God by Alexis A. Goring

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Alexis A. Goring, Book excerpt from Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, Christian Living, devotional book, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers. Today’s featured author is Alexis A. Goring who is sharing the story behind her devotional book  Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God. She also has an inspiring excerpt from the book.

Welcome, Alexis

 

The story behind how I wrote my devotional book is a testimony, really … I’ve been writing devotionals for publication online since God gave me this devotional writing ministry after going through trauma at age 16. During the recovery process, God took me into His classroom and taught me many lessons that flowed out of me in the form of devotionals. God made a way for me to eventually get paid for my devotional writing, starting after college when I became the Growing Up columnist for a faith-based publication called Collegiate Quarterly. Since then, He’s blessed me with many more opportunities to write devotionals – some paid, some not but all so worth it! Yet even after all these years of devotional writing experience, I never thought of writing a devotional book until last year (January 2019).

Longer story short, when I decided to give this a go, God lined up everything I needed. He gave me wisdom to gather my devotionals that were previously published on blogs where I was a guest (I gathered about 30). He gave me wisdom to reach out to an editor colleague of mine (Dori) who told me that if I wrote 52 devotionals then my book could be a weekly devotional since there are 52 weeks in a year. God moved me to talk to a literary agent (Jevon), months after talking to Dori and not wanting to write more (I had 44 devotionals written by then). God moved me to take Jevon’s advice to “keep going” (until I had written a total of 52 devotionals for my book). I am so glad that I listened to Dori and Jevon because a 52-week devotional is just what I needed to write and according to the feedback I’ve been receiving, it is just what my readers needed too!

God was in every detail of this devotional book-writing journey! He even sent a new editor (Patty) to work for my publisher a few years prior and I learned that Patty has a background in editing devotionals! Patty noticed that all of my devotionals were tied to my paraphrase of Contemporary Christian songs and Gospel music so she suggested the title “Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God” and it fit perfectly!

Music has always been a major part of my life since childhood. And I’ve always loved sharing stories about life lessons learned as I continue on my journey with God. So the title that Patty suggested made perfect sense!

And that is the short version of the “story behind the story” of my devotional book!

~*~

 

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God

by Alexis A. Goring

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God is a 52-week devotional that will bless your heart, soothe your soul, encourage your mind, and strengthen your God-given spirit.

Join author Alexis A. Goring on an inspirational journey. Each devotional builds from real-life experiences that impart many faith lessons learned along the way.

Each day is built on the foundation of a Bible verse or edifying quote, followed by Goring’s personal story and reflection questions for a personalized experience.

All of the devotionals are tied to a song in order to go a little deeper into the heart of the message. A song directory at the end of the book connects the reader with music online to further enhance the study experience and glorify God.

Spend a year on a journey growing closer to the Lord through Stories and Songs of Faith, and discover personal transformation as time with Jesus Christ changes your heart to look a little more like His.

~*~

Excerpt from my devotional book:

Week 44 

Trusting God

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” –Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

The song “Trust in You” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy opens with lyrics to encourage the listener, declaring that God did not create us to worry or fear; He created us to worship Him and trust Him.

The song lyrics remind the listener about the magnitude of God. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jehovah-jireh (our provider)! The music artists who perform this beautiful song emphasize God’s glory to remind the believer just how big the God we serve is and that no problem that we face here on Earth is too big for God to solve! He’s not just the Creator of the Universe; He is your Heavenly Father and He knows what is best for you.

The Bible says in Luke 12:7 that God numbered all of the hairs on our heads (and if you have a lot of hair on your head like I do then you know the significance of that saying). I think that this Bible verse means that God knows you more intimately than any human ever will and He is perfectly capable of meeting all of your needs!

God met my needs recently in a powerful way.

Late in January 2020, I asked all of the prayer warriors in my life to pray for me. I shared that I had been struggling to pay my bills after losing my job. I asked for prayer that God would bless me with more work that pays well so that I could pay my bills on time.

Less than five minutes later, prayer support and notes of encouragement started flooding in. Several people even shared their own stories about their struggles and how God came through for them just in the right time.

Among those prayer warriors were ones who said that they felt God leading them to give me a monetary gift and when I received their gift, it was just what I needed at that time.

This experience taught me several life lessons:

 

Lesson #1: Always go to God first. He loves you with ALL of His Heart and He cares about everything that impacts you here on Earth.

Lesson #2: Always feed your faith, not your fear. I made a point that morning after private prayer time with God to publicly post that song “Trust in You” and note that it’s the new anthem to my real life story! I chose to praise God and trust Him to take care of me. I refused to give into to fear of the future based on my circumstances.

Lesson #3: Don’t be afraid to ask for prayer support from the people in your life who believe in God and follow Jesus Christ. I did not ask for financial help but God impressed some people to send monetary gifts to me anyway. What a blessing!

Lesson #4: When God blesses you, don’t stay silent! A few days after this amazing blessing and prayer support, God impressed me to write about my experience. I believe that He wants us to share our stories to encourage others who are going through similar situations. Our stories inspire hope!

 

On that note, I’d like for you to please know that no matter what you’re facing in this life here on Earth, you always have hope because you have God. He loves you with all of His Heart, even if you don’t know Him yet! That’s why He sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to save you! Read John 3:16.

Following Jesus Christ and praying “the prayer of faith” (James 5:13-16) is something God wants all of us to do! Why? Because the Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 (NLT), “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

My “Word” for the New Year 2020 was “Trust.” What a way to start the first month of that year with this teachable moment from God! After my experience in January 2020, I am encouraged to trust Him more and never stop praying about my every need because He cares and even when He’s silent, He’s there.

I hope that my testimony has encouraged your heart and inspired you to trust God with every need, every desire, every dream, and every plan for your life. Remember this: God is Good. God loves you and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)!

 

May God bless your life story for His glory!

 

~*~

Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time that God provided for your needs?
2. How does knowing that God answers your prayers, help you to trust Him?

 

~*~

Do you want to read more of Alexis’ devotionals? You can find Stories and Songs of Faith devotional book at Amazon

 

 

About the Author: 

Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

 Connect with Alexis on her Social Media:  Facebook:  Goodreads: Twitter:

 

 

 

@PennedbyAlex

 

 

A Writer’s Garden–Discovering the Garden with Mom by Virginia Davidson

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A Writer's Garden, Anchored and Secure Devotional, flowers, Garden blog, Virginia Davidson

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Virginia Davidson, who be sharing about gardening with her mom and the love of gardening she passed on to her daughter.

Welcome, Virginia!

 

The rusty mailbox door creaks open as I reach my 5-year-old grubby hand in to grab the salt shaker. I run quickly to my mom who is bent over pulling weeds, and study her as she wipes a tomato on her pants before tasting. I follow suit by polishing my tomato on my favorite baseball shirt, take a bite, and shake some salt before diving back in for another. Memories of gardening with my mom are full of tattered strings, old beat-up jeans, dirty faces, giggles, and wheelbarrows full of produce.

I wish I could say I kept up gardening through the years. Somehow I stopped going out to join her. As a teenager, I would rather do dishes and watch her care for the plants than sit in the dirt weeding in the hot sun. I saw it as a miserable chore rather than special moments together reaping food and beauty through the season.

Thankfully she didn’t stop. My mother never gave up on passing the love of cultivating beauty every summer. Five years ago she began stopping by my home, pulling out weeds and turning forgotten sections of my yard to places of rest and loveliness/blooms.

I watched from the kitchen window with a kid on my hip and dinner on the stove until one day I joined her. She handed me a spade and began reintroducing me to the charm of gardening.

Today I tread lightly through the garden not only remembering the plant names, but the flowers that will come, and the moments they were planted, side by side with my mom.

Two creaky turquoise chairs sit in my perennial garden near the road where my mom and I rest our bodies.

 

 

 

 

The kids play dolls, ride bikes, and dribble the basketball next to us as we pull unwelcome visitors, and prune the returning blooms. Now it’s my turn to grow special memories with my children. And maybe this summer I’ll plant some tomatoes, find a rusty mailbox and salt shaker, and patiently pass on the beauty of planting to them.

 

About the Writer/Gardener:

Virginia Davidson is an author, speaker, and Wholly Loved Ministries’ team member who loves watching the green sprout forth in the spring through the dark and desolate ground. She enjoys the confident expectation of the blooms to come, and time spent with my family in the garden. Find her on Instagram at @ginnydavidsonspeaks – IG and online at http://virginiadavidson.com/.

 

Anchored and Secure: Thanks to Christ’s death and resurrection, we don’t have to stress, strive, or perform. We simply need to rest in what Christ has already done. That is when we begin to come; to live as He intended. That’s when we discover true and lasting freedom. This sixty-day devotional helps women reflect on God’s grace and the freedom of living deeply anchored in Him.

You can find Anchored and Secure: 60 Days of Resting in Grace devotional at Amazon