The Christian Writers Collective (CWC), founded by Stephanie Reynolds, seeks 70 more Christian writers who are called by God to join it. Do you have a testimony and stories to share?
There are 30 members/writers featured in our first book, Jesus Can…Give You A New Life! Our ultimate goal is to feature 100 Christian writers in each book of the Jesus Can series. This will help us maximize the outreach of every book. Is God nudging you to be one of the remaining 70?
Benefits of CWC membership: ~The opportunity to have a byline in 6-8 books in 2022-2023 ~The joy of being published without the usual hassles and expense of doing it alone ~1% of the CWC’s net earnings on each book that features an article by you
How to Apply for CWC Membership: We’ve worked hard to make it easy to apply for CWC membership. Now through May 31, 2022 all you need to do is submit your well-written, 500-750 word testimony, using our CONTACT US form at http://www.ChristianWritersCollective.com
Apply before May 31st and if approved you will receive a $10 gift card to the Cheesecake Factory after signing your contract/agreement.
If your application is accepted, you’ll become a member just in time to have your testimony featured in Book #3 of our series, Jesus Can…Give You Purpose.
Testimony Writing Tips: There are many ways to write a testimony. Here’s the format that we prefer:
~My life before Jesus ~How Jesus came into my life ~My life with Jesus
I am hoping that you will give this prayerful consideration and join our group. I will be praying for you!
Glimpses of the Savior, 50 Meditations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year, is a lovely holiday devotional by authors Shirley Crowder and Harriet E. Michael. During a time when our lives start to be busy with preparations for gatherings and dinners, these devotions offer a chance to get readers back on track and focus on Jesus. This is a much needed addition to my devotional collection.
There are fifty devotions included in this lovely book. It is meant to begin one week before Thanksgiving to carry you through the New Year. The first thing that drew me to it was the gorgeous, serene cover. The book is divided into ten sections with topics of The Crispness of Fall, Here Come the Holidays, and Keeping Christ in Christmas, just to name a few. These sections are divided into five chapters to concentrate on a certain aspect of the season.
Both authors are children of missionaries or MK for short. They have an open style of writing that is like chatting with a friend over coffee. There was an immediate connection to both authors. I was encouraged and enlightened by their devotions. They each have a relatable, open style of writing that is engaging.
The chapters start with a scripture, then have the devotional story, a prayer, and a reflective thought. This is nice for individual reading or even a group if you need a devotion. This book would make a sweet gift before Thanksgiving. Many people need a little more of Jesus and calm and a lot less stress.
I highly recommend this book. Grab yourself a copy and start your holiday mornings with a few minutes of devotional time that will point your heart toward Jesus. Pick up a few copies as gifts and share it with others. I rate this a 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Glimpses of the Savior
Author: Shirley Crowder & Harriet E. Michael
Genre: Christian Living, Devotional
Release date: September 2, 2018
Finding Jesus Among the Celebrations and Decorations 50 Meditations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. In early November, our minds turn to the upcoming holiday season and the new year. We get busy preparing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year, and all too often, we forget the real meanings of these celebrations. As Christ-followers, we can guard against this by focusing our hearts on God’s Word. Thanksgiving is a time to give God thanks; Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Savior; the New Year brings new beginnings. This devotional book contains fifty meditations to help you find Jesus among the celebrations and decorations. Begin using the book the week before Thanksgiving and it will carry you into the New Year.
Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She and co-author Harriet E. Michael grew up together on the mission field and have been life-long friends. Shirley is passionate about disciple-making, which is manifested in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities: biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music.
She is a biblical counselor and is commissioned by and serves on the national Advisory Team for The Addiction Connection. Several of her articles have appeared in “Paper Pulpit” in the Faith section of The Gadsden Times, and in a David C. Cook publication. She also writes articles for Life Bible Study, Woman’s Missionary Union, and TheAddictionConnection.org. She has authored, co-authored, or contributed to ten books.
Shirley has spiritual children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren serving the Lord in various ministry and secular positions throughout the world.
Harriet E. Michael was born in Joinkrama, Nigeria, deep in the African jungle in the Niger River Delta, where her father served as the only missionary doctor at that station. A few years later, the mission moved the family to a larger hospital in Ogbomoso. Co-author Shirley Crowder and her family lived right across the dirt road. The two children became constant playmates. Today they continue to enjoy their lifelong friendship.
Harriet is a multi-published, award-winning writer, and speaker. She has authored or co-authored eight books (seven nonfiction and one novel), with more under contract for future release. She is also a prolific freelance writer, having penned over 200 articles, devotions, and stories. Her work has appeared in publications by Focus on the Family, David C. Cook, Lifeway, Standard Publishing, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Upper Room, Judson Press, Bethany House, and more. When not writing, she loves speaking to women’s groups and teaching writing workshops on freelance, devotional, and memoir writing.
She and her husband of over 40 years have four children and three grandchildren. When not writing, she enjoys substituting at a Christian school near her home, gardening, cooking, and traveling.
More from Shirley and Harriet
From Africa to America, Lifelong Friends
March 14, many years ago …
Deep in the heart of the African jungle in the Niger River delta of eastern Nigeria, the first cry of a newborn baby echoed from a small jungle hospital. The baby was a gir, the third child of medical missionaries, Alice and Keith Edwards. They named their daughter Harriet after Keith’s mother.
Joinkrama is located across the Niger River in the far eastern part of Nigeria. There were no bridges when Alice and Keith set out for their new home so long ago. They crossed the river in a large passenger thatched-roof, canoe-type boat. Joinkrama lies in the small section of Nigeria that is within the tropical rain forest. And it fit the role, with monkeys swinging in the trees, parrots, canaries, and other colorful birds sitting on branches and thatched roofs of the houses, and elephants in the nearby jungle sometimes getting a little too close for comfort. And of course, there were poisonous snakes to watch out for and crocodiles in the river. Children never played on the riverbanks, and swimming was absolutely prohibited! It was in this almost magical setting that Harriet was born.
Though the little jungle hospital was equipped for surgery, and the preferred place to give birth, it was not where Alice wanted to convalesce after giving birth, so she was transported home on a stretcher carried by four men, as it was much too far to walk just after giving birth. As Alice lay on the stretcher with newborn Harriet sleeping in her arms, the villagers they passed thought she and the baby had died in childbirth, people began to weep and mourn.
Alice quickly sat up and waved and held baby Harriet up for them to see. The villagers’ weeping turned to dancing and cheering as they followed her home, dancing, and praising God.
Harriet and her family stayed in this remote part of Nigeria for a year until the other family returned from furlough. At that time, they went for another year to Oyo, Nigeria, to language school and then on to Ogbomoso in central Nigeria, where they stayed the next ten years. Keith practiced medicine at the hospital in Ogbomoso, and Alice worked with him as a nurse.
October 24 of the same year Harriet was born …
Deep in the Yoruba country of southwestern Nigeria, some 260 miles away from Joinkrama, piercing through the tropical night sounds, was heard the first cry of another baby born in a guesthouse in Ogbomoso, under the shade of a mango tree. This baby was also a girl, the fourth child of missionaries Jeannie and Ray Crowder.
Early in the morning, missionary doctors Bill Williams and Ruth Berry, the second woman to ever graduate from the Medical College of Alabama, delivered this baby girl. Single missionary nurse, Lolete Dotson, an MK from South Africa who served a total of 25 years in Nigeria, stood beside the baby’s mom, holding her hand, wiping her face with a wet cloth, and whispering encouraging words.
The family thought the fourth baby would be a second Timothy, yet Shirley Jeanne arrived instead. The Nigerians gave her the name Bamidele, which means “come home with me.” It is a name given to a child born in a place that is not his or her parent’s home. The name was given by the Nigerians to missionary babies, both male and female, who were born there. This is Harriet’s Nigerian name as well.
Several years later, the Crowders moved to Ogbomoso. Ray served as administrator of the 96-bed hospital, and Jeannie taught kindergarten and ministered to the Nigerian women with home visits and Bible studies. Harriet’s parents worked at the Ogbomoso hospital with Ray.
Harriet ended up living just up the dirt road from Shirley. They played together nearly every day and formed a friendship that remained, even after years and distance separated them.
Fast forward to today…
Who knew that these little babies would grow up and write books together? The Edwards and the Crowders stayed in contact throughout the decades. At the annual Nigeria Mission Reunion, Harriet and Shirley reconnected and discovered they both liked to write and they shared similar theological beliefs. A series of social media posts sparked the idea of writing a devotional book together. Glimpses of the Savior is the result of that idea. And here we are today still writing books together.
Sorry. How often do you use this word? Some people use it regularly whenever a request is made. Others might even laughingly say, “sorry, not sorry” to make a joke. This simply word that contains so much heartfelt meaning has been overused, diluted, and sadly misused. Yes, it is one of my pet peeves.
I hear it often. “Sorry.” When someone pushes into me in a restaurant or store, they just use that one word. If someone declines an invitation, I hear “sorry, I can’t.” Sometimes I need assistance with something and hear “sorry, I wish I could.” Mostly I hear this when people learn that my husband is no longer living. People are so sorry. Pun intended.
The word sorry comes from the Old English word sarig, meaning pained or distressed. Our current dictionary defines sorry as:
1 feeling distress especially through sympathy with someone else’s misfortune
2 feeling regret or penitence
It can also mean:
1 in a poor or pitiful state
2 unpleasant or regrettable on account of incompetence or misbehavior
Now, let me ask, when you tell someone you are sorry, are you pained, distressed, or penitent? Not many are. Don’t get me wrong, of course there are times we say the word with accuracy. However, how many times have we flippantly tossed out a “sorry” without a second thought?
My point is, we need to apologize and seek forgiveness. Scripture says: “If you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go —first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering”(Matthew 5:23-24). It is hard to make amends without using the word sorry, and that is why we must be careful to properly use it. We need to preserve that word’s integrity.
Choose your words carefully. Be sincere. Don’t overuse a word or phrase until its meaning is just a whisper of what it was. The good news is that this is just my opinion. I would love to hear yours.
The Prayer Warrior by authors by Traci Wooden-Carlisle and D. Tina Batten is a phenomenal story and should not be missed! It is a powerfully moving contemporary tale of spiritual warfare based on real-life circumstances. Anyone who reads this fabulous book will glean greater insight into prayers as well as spiritual warfare.
This mesmerizing story is a powerful Christian tale of spiritual warfare among everyday life. Set in a Christian school with struggling teens, their wonderful counselor, Ms. V., provides sage advice and effective prayer support. The situations are presented from her point of view. The characters are believable and relatable. I loved the inspirational message that was woven throughout the story beginning on the first page. I was invested in the book and prayer warrior immediately. This was a true page turner.
The authors did an excellent with their melded writing style. The story flowed smoothly. I could imagine it being played out like a movie. It was so interesting and followed what I have been taught about spiritual warfare. In some ways it reminded me of The Prayer Room because it talks about a powerful subject that can change a person’s life.
This novel will definitely stick with you long after you finish reading it. Give yourself time to process its powerful, mighty message. The authors have included dual endings that are both engaging. I highly recommend this novel. It would make a great movie and will surely end up on the big screen soon. I gladly rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this for everyone. Small church groups or reading groups will benefit by discussing this in a cozy setting. I can think of many people that would like to see this under their Christmas tree. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own, honest ones.6
About the Book
Book: The Prayer Warrior
Author: D. Tina Batten and Traci Wooden-Carlisle
Genre: Christian Fantasy
Release date: March 25, 2021
There is a thin line between the natural and the spiritual realm.
Ms. V., a humble servant of the Lord, has been placed on assignment at Center of Hope Christian Academy.
By day, she serves as a trusted counselor for students, giving them a safe haven to pour out their innermost feelings while providing professional and honest truth wrapped in a firm kindness and love that inevitably draws them closer to Jesus. Not to be outdone, the faculty also bends her ear from time to time.
By night, Ms. V. enters the spiritual realm and takes her place on the battlefield as one of God’s faithful prayer warriors. She wields her whispering sword, slicing through the enemy’s plans to bind the precious hearts under her charge. Her assignment’s burden on her physical body is taxing, but can she withstand the strain and remain victorious? Saving souls is her true mission, but at what cost?
Readers are in for a journey of spiritual intrigue and biblical insight as they experience the ramifications of each character’s life-altering decision.
“Tina” Batten is a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter and Mima to her grandchildren. She is a gifted visual storyteller who is passionate about bringing encouraging messages of inspiration and hope to the world.
Tina Batten, a writer for over eighteen years of various dramatic works of performing art via stage, and film, encompasses unique ways of creating fascinating story concepts that touch the heart of most who view or read her work. She is both honored and thrilled to have teamed up with long-time friend, sister in the gospel and co-author Tracy on this phenomenal collaborative book project. With such a humble heart and desire to bring people together in love and unity, Tina Batten will continue her work as a visual storyteller spreading the good news of Jesus Christ one project after the other.
As Always, D. “Tina” Batten gives God All the Glory!
Traci Wooden-Carlisle began writing to publish in 2011 and enjoys writing stories that provoke thought and evoke emotions. Her desire is to draw readers into the lives of her characters and share messages of God’s love, His faithfulness and peace. The messages in her books speak to her way before they speak to her readers.
Traci lives in San Diego with her husband, David. When she isn’t writing she does some light traveling or assists people with their physical fitness, creates graphics, designs pretty things for her jewelry business and swag for authors.
More from Traci
The Backstory of the Prayer Warrior: Two authors, Two Thousand Miles Apart, One Supernatural Story
I used to believe writing wasn’t a team sport. With a few Christian fiction titles in my backlist, I believed there was truly only enough room for God’s message and my writing style in a book. From January 2019 to March of 2021 I was proven wrong.
Tina Batten and I, Traci Wooden-Carlisle met in 2004 at a performance and praise showcase Sister Batten produced. As a liturgical praise dancer, I performed in her showcase and we became fast friends.
Over the years we would support each other on goals reached, such as Sister Batten’s film success and my books, even when Sister Batten moved to the other side of the country.
At the end of 2018 the Lord prompted me to give Sister Batten a call. It felt like more than a greeting to see how she and her family were doing and by the time we finished talking we had committed to seeking God for an idea for a story we could write together and what message He wanted us to share.
When we came back together at the beginning of the next year, we merged our storytelling, fiction writing skills and desire to share God’s message of encouragement and perseverance. We spoke on the phone every Sunday afternoon for months, discussing the previous week’s writing, before a family emergency on my side forced us to take a short break. When we resumed our calls, it was as if no time had passed.
A year later, amidst a few tears and a great deal of praise to God, we completed The Prayer Warrior and I was more than proud of what we were able to accomplish.
The Prayer Warrior is the story of a Christian School student counselor who allows the Holy Spirit to guide her when listening and discussing issues with the students, and sometimes staff, she counsels. At night in her dreams, she is led to war in the spirit and finds that some of the battles she wages against demonic forces affect her waking world and the people she interacts with daily.
There are a lot of twists and turns with a few big surprises, especially after one strenuous battle.
One of our hopes is that readers come away from reading this book with a greater sense of encouragement, empowerment and understanding that the line between the spiritual and natural realm is thinner than most of us realize. Prayer is powerful and it truly changes our lives and the lives of those around us.
Do you have a powerful story of how you found Jesus or maybe Jesus came to you? Are you an author or budding author. Please read the rest of my blog today. You might possibly be one of the 100 people that God has chosen for the Jesus Can book series to spread His Word.
Stephanie K. Reynolds is the founder of Christian Writers Collective (CWC). Her mission is to produce a series of books with inspirational chapters or devotions by 100 Christian writers. She wants to provide books that will “Encourage, Edify, and Evangelize” readers. That is after all what the Bible tells us to do.
Currently the CWC is sponsoring a writing contest looking for authors for theirs Jesus Can book series. Entering is not difficult. Simply compose your skillfully written testimony of how you came to know Jesus. Use 500 to 750 words and send your article to the CWC at http://www.christianwriterscollective.com. This will also serve as your application for membership. The deadline is May 31, 2021 for submissions.
If you are one of the winners, your testimony will appear as your first article in their second book of the Jesus Can series. Their next book, Jesus Can…Heal Your Hurts, is scheduled for release on July 4, 2021. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see your testimony in print, have your name in a book honoring God, and share in the royalties? It could happen.
Until 25 contestants have qualified for CWC membership, you may use the CONTACTUS form on the CWC’s webpage to submit your testimony. The address is http://www.christianwriterscollective.com. After 25 contestants have qualified, a checkout feature will be added to this page. It will then require payment of a $95, non-refundable, contest entry fee before allowing you to submit your testimony. However, you may use the code “GUEST” and the entry fee will be waived.
Here are some testimony writing tips:
Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit into your writing process.
Below is the standard format for a testimony:
My life before Jesus
How Jesus came into my life
My life after surrendering all to Jesus
We look forward to reading your testimony. Be sure to submit it before May 31, 2021!
P.S. Book One, Jesus Can Give You a New Life, is available for presale now. Order your copy today and be inspired.
Happy New Year! Doesn’t it feel good to be finished with 2020 and move up to the new and improved model 2021? It does to me. Last year was certainly for the memory books. Now we shall move on to bigger and brighter things.
Do you have any New Year’s Day traditions? Perhaps you make a resolution to improve an area of your life. My husband has had the same resolution since the eighties……to make no resolutions. If he doesn’t make them, then he won’t break them or such is his logic.
Me? Oh, I have a few things I like to do. The first is to write down a major prayer request. This is something that is troubling me that I have tried to give over to God. I do give it over, but then I keep sneaking back and picking it back up. Instead of leaving it in God’s highly capable hands, I decide to manage it myself, a mere human.
On New Year’s Eve or Day, I will hand write this issue on a piece of paper. Next I pray over it, and completely give it to God. Finally, I burn the paper to symbolize that I cannot and will not worry about or pick up this problem again. It is in God’s hands. He will take care of the situation according to His will.
If you do not do this, you should give it a try. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What a great way to begin 2021…with the peace of God that passes all understanding. We don’t know why we are so at ease and peaceful in the middle of chaos, but we are. Actually, we do know. We have given the trouble over to God. He is in control of our lives.
Another thing I like to do is pray a blessing from the Bible over my husband, mother, sister, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews (even those by heart and not blood). I individually name each one of them and say this Old Testament prayer from Numbers:
‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ‘
Isn’t that a wonderful blessing? This is a perfect way to enter into any new year. I would encourage you to pray it over your family as well as to write down your burden, give it over to our most powerful God, and then burn it. These two acts will make you feel happy as you begin 2021. May God bless us as we begin the adventure called 2021.
Do you have a prayer request you would like to share with me? I would be honored to join you in praying. Just fill out the contact form.
Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God by author Alexis Goring is an uplifting collection of fifty-two devotions. Personally I love devotional books. It is refreshing to read them at different times throughout the day. This one would easily slip into any time.
The author draws from her personal experiences and time with God to share with readers. While this is a weekly devotional, I kept reading them. The author’s style of writing is smooth and easy to understand. It felt like a conversation between friends. The stories are transparent and honest.
Each devotion contains scripture, a message or story, reflection questions, and a song. In the back of the book is a listing of song links. If reading on a Kindle, one just needs to click the link and the song begins playing. Genius!
This is a wonderful book filled with short devotions. I thought it was moving and gave me much to consider. I highly recommend it. It would make a perfect Christmas gift, and make sure to get a copy for yourself. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit Lit but these are my own words.
About the Book
Book: Stories and Songs of Faith
Author: Alexis Goring
Genre: Christian Devotional
Release Date: April 25, 2020
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.
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 the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.
More from Alexis
Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God was published in April 2020.
However, the idea for this devotional wasn’t a thought in my head until around the beginning of last year. It’s interesting because though I have been writing devotions since recovering from a health crisis at age 16, and have had my devotionals published in books, on blogs and on websites since then, I never thought of putting together a book filled with my original devotions until January 2019.
It’s amazing how God works! Because at the time that God inspired this project, I was actually still trying to recover from writer’s block and work on another fiction book which I planned to have published before the end of that year. But God had other plans.
And His plans were (and always are) perfect!
God put this devotional on my heart and I went to it! First, I gathered all of the devotions that I’d written over the years that were published on other blogs. Since they didn’t pay me to publish my work, I still had the rights to each one. So that meant I now had about 25 percent of the content for my book! Next, I reached out to the women’s devotional book editorial team who had published several of my devotions over the span of about 14 years. I planned to ask permission to re-publish those devotions that I wrote, this time in my own devotional. But later, I decided that it would be a better idea to simply write new material for my book. And so I did! But it wasn’t easy.
At first, I was barely writing more than one devotion every two or three weeks. It was then that I realized that as a trained journalist, I thrive on deadlines (never missed one). So I decided that it would help motivate me to write consistently if I gave myself a deadline for each new devotion. Around that time, I had been writing a few times a month for a friend’s blog called Whispers in Purple. I decided to sign up to write a new devotion for her blog every week until I was done putting my devotional together. So I booked myself for one of my new devotions to be published every Friday from around February 2019 through Summer 2019.
By Summer 2019, I had a total of 44 devotions and thought I was done. However, God knew I was not and He let me know that through two professionals in the publishing industry. The first was a popular book editor who told me, “You know, Alexis, if you wrote 52 devotions then it could be a weekly devotional because there are 52 weeks in a year.” I gave her a nod but wasn’t convinced that was the best idea for me as the author. Not soon after, a literary agent gave me the final push by simply saying, “You need to keep going.” And so I, reluctantly then but gratefully now, did keep writing more devotions. I booked myself to be a guest on Whispers in Purple blog every Friday through the rest of that year and then finally by the end of February 2020 (the next year), I wrote devotional number 52. I was so relieved to be done writing my book!
Not only does God have perfect timing; He positions you perfectly for success! Long story short: My publisher had hired a new editor who has decades of professional experience in editing devotionals and she (Patty) was the editor who my publisher assigned to me! Patty had a wonderful idea that really shaped my book by giving it the perfect title and bonus idea. The title of my devotional, as you can see, is about my real-life stories and faith-based songs that guided me on my journey with God. And the fun bonus idea was to have links to the songs that I mentioned in each devotion. These links were made available for the reader in a song directory at the end of my devotional in both the print and e-book versions. Even better, the link is live if you are using a Kindle to read my book meaning that the reader can just click on the hyperlink and hear the song via YouTube while using their Kindle app or Kindle device, without having to look it up first online. Patty said that there’s really not another book on the market yet with this kind of idea and format. She told me that it may help a lot of people, especially music lovers. As a music lover myself, I loved this idea!
But God wasn’t done directing my steps (praise the Lord!): He allowed 20 professionals from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences to agree to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of my book and write an endorsement. We’re talking actresses, journalists, pastors, doctors, teachers, authors, bloggers, singers and a Christian radio show host … a wonderful variety of people who were all behind my book!
The final part of this amazing experience that brings joy to my heart is the fact that this is the first book I wrote where all of the first few reviews were each 5-stars on Amazon.com! That has never happened to me before (I have three other books published though they are all fiction stories but this devotional is my first nonfiction work).
Several of the people who have endorsed and/or reviewed my book have said that it was timely and needed for such a time as this (the Coronavirus pandemic, intense politics, increased racial tensions, and everything else that’s been hitting us hard this year on and off the news). Only God can do that so I give all the glory to Him!
In closing, I’d like to share words from my friend Morgan’s endorsement.
She said: “God has profoundly touched my life through 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 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.”
Morgan’s words about how reading my devotional made her feel like she was having coffee with a close friend and talking about God is how I want every person who reads my book to feel. And if you don’t like coffee then we can have tea or ice water! At the end of the day, I hope and pray that God uses my devotional to touch your heart and bring you closer to Him.
To celebrate her tour, Alexis is giving away the grand prize package of a $10 Starbucks gift card, an eBook copy of “Hope in My Heart: A Collection of Heartwarming Stories”, and a signed copy of Alexis’ devotional book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Glimpses of God is a refreshing Summer devotional for women written by authors Shirley Crowder & Harriet Michael. It is a two month devotional with sixty-five daily lessons. That makes it perfect for a summer inspirational quick read.
Authors Crowder and Michael each write devotions. Their styles are welcoming and easy to read. I felt as if we were having a conversation together. Topics all center around summer – Dog Days of Summer, Blackberry Winter, Memorial Day, Good Ol’ Summertime, and Vacation Bible School. Each day includes a lesson, corresponding Scripture, a suggested Prayer, and a Thought for the Day.
Not every lesson has the same spiritual depth. Some are light and made me happy, while others were deeper and left me pondering something for a few days. I liked that. The authors really meshed well. This is a devotional that all women will enjoy.
I highly recommend Glimpses of God. It would make a great birthday or Mother’s Day gift. A small group would benefit from reading and discussing it. Church libraries should keep a copy, too. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
About the Book
Book: Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women
Author: Shirley Crowder & Harriet Michael
Genre: Devotional
Release Date: April 29, 2020
Creator God made the world in which we live. He placed the moon and stars in the sky, the rivers and ocean on the earth. He also created seasons throughout the year. Each season is defined by specific features/attributes that are common although the degree varies depending on where a person lives. In winter we think of cold weather; in spring, blooming flowers; in summer, warm weather; and in the fall, beautifully colored leaves.
As Christ-followers we also experience spiritual seasons. These seasons do not come in order like seasons in nature, which come regularly without fail. Each spiritual season we experience is defined by certain features also. In spiritual winter we think of the coldness of our relationship with God; in spring, new
This devotional is focused on summer—both calendar and spiritual. Our spiritual summer is a time of growth, hard work, and relaxation as we nurture and care for the new things that were planted in our spiritual spring and allow them to ripen or mature.
Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She and co-author Harriet E. Michael grew up together on the mission field and have been life-long friends. Shirley is passionate about disciple-making, which is manifested in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities: biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music.
She is a biblical counselor and is commissioned by and serves on the national Advisory Team for The Addiction Connection. She is an award-winning writer who has had several of her articles appear in “Paper Pulpit” inthe Faith section of The Gadsden Times, and in a David C. Cook publication. She also writes articles for Life Bible Study, Woman’s Missionary Union, The Addiction Connection and Inspired Prompt. She has authored, co-authored, or contributed to eight books.
Shirley has spiritual children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren serving the Lord in various ministry and secular positions throughout the world.
Harriet E. Michael was born in Joinkrama, Nigeria, deep in the African jungle in the Niger River delta, where her father served as the only missionary doctor at that station. A few years later, the mission moved the family to a larger hospital in Ogbomoso. Co-author Shirley Crowder and her family lived right across the dirt road. The two children became constant playmates. Today they continue to enjoy their lifelong friendship.
Harriet is a multi-published, award-winning writer and speaker. She has authored or co-authored seven books (six nonfiction and one novel) with several more under contract for future release. She is also a prolific freelance writer, having penned over 200 articles, devotions, and stories. Her work has appeared in publications by Focus on the Family, David C. Cook, Lifeway, Standard Publishing, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Upper Room, Judson Press, Bethany House, and more. When not writing, she loves speaking to women’s groups and teaching workshops on freelance writing.
She and her husband of more than 40 years have four children and two grandchildren. When not writing, she enjoys substituting at a Christian school near her home, gardening, cooking, and traveling.
More from Shirley
In the same way that nature’s seasons serve a purpose on earth, so do the seasons in our spiritual lives. God provides, cares for, and sustains the earth, and in His faithfulness, He does the same for us. Our responsibility is to be obedient to God’s commands in the Bible and to cling to the truth that God is in control.
Our “Glimpses of God” series consist of:
Glimpses of God: a winter devotional for women
Glimpses of God: a summer devotional for women
Glimpses of God: a spring devotional for women (due out in early 2021)
Glimpses of God: an autumn devotional for women (due out in late summer 2021)
We pray that as readers meditate upon the Bible passages and truths in each devotional, they will catch glimpses of God in and through everything around them.
How has He provided for you? How is He protecting you? How is He teaching you?
To celebrate their tour, Shirley and Harriet are giving away the grand prize package of a print copy of Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women and a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
The Prayer of Agur by author Jay Payleitner is my introduction to him. I had not before heard of him nor known he had written any books. This short little book was a brilliant, heart stirring explanation of a prayer that is often over looked in Proverbs, or at least it has been by me.
The Prayer of Agur from Proverbs (30:8-9) is where Agur asks for only his daily bread. He does this for two reasons. If he gets an abundance he could forget about God, and if he doesn’t have enough he might steal and dishonor the Lord’s name. Reminiscent of the Israelites in the desert, isn’t it?
Payleitner has a nice, easy style of writing. I found it very enjoyable. He writes clearly and concisely. Each chapter is dissected and explained so that a novice or seasoned student will easily understand it. There are questions at the end of them, also.
The author says: “Open your heart to Agur’s wit and wisdom, and you can learn to
• escape imbalance
• overcome fear of failure and eliminate envy
• joyfully pursue your passions
• reap the eternal rewards of trusting God • find your personal sweet spot”
I have read through the Bible many times. Obviously I just glossed over parts of it, such as this one. Now I am hungry to reread it all over again and see what I have missed.
A big take away from this book for me is that God has always used ordinary people to fulfill His purpose and always will. The saying still holds true, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called,” today. We just need to listen for Him.
Agur was an unknown man that asked God to provide the exact amount he needed for each day. He trusted God and was rewarded for that. It sounds so simple yet is sometimes difficult for mere humans.
I highly recommend this encouraging, inspirational book to everyone. There is much to ponder within the pages. I will definitely return for a second read again soon. It would make a great small group study or book club choice. Ministers would easily be able to build a sermon on it. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating fro me. I received a copy from the author, but these are my honest words.
About the Author
Jay Payleitner is one of the top freelance producers for Christian radio, having worked on Josh McDowell Radio, Today’s Father, Jesus Freaks Radio, and Project Angel Tree with Chuck Colson.
Jay is a long-time affiliate with the National Center for Fathering and Iron Sharpens Iron. He speaks at men’s retreats, marriage weekends, writers’ conferences, and weekend services. Jay has sold more than half million books including the bestselling 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad, The Prayer of Agur, and What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? His books have been translated into at least ten languages. And he has been a guest multiple times on The Harvest Show, Moody Radio, Cornerstone TV, and Focus on the Family.
Jay and his high school sweetheart, Rita, live in the Chicago area where they raised five great kids, loved on ten foster babies, and are cherishing grandparenthood.
I am so excited to tell you about this new release from author Melissa Jagears. She is a master storyteller and produces books that will delight Christian historical fans. This one beckoned me to begin page one and hours later I bittersweetly finished it saying goodbye to my friends.
It is another captivating novel by outstanding wordsmith Melissa Jagears. Pretending to Wed is a Christian Historical Romance that had me turning pages to see where the story was going next. I was immediately invested in the story. Immediately. I loved all of it.
This is the story of Corinne is our heroine, a laundress. She needs out of the laundry business due to health issues with her hands. Doing laundry for hours each day takes a toil on a body’s health. It is also the story of Nolan. He lost a leg when he was younger and naturally this has affected his entire life. Nolan has always done his best but could never measure up to his cousin. Now he and Corrine both need a spouse for very different reasons. Corrine is strong, independent, and a bit sassy. Nolan is sincere, sweet, and adorable. They really do make a perfect couple even if they are fighting it.
Characters are well rounded and believable. The villains are despicable, but that was their job. Expect a few familiar faces from her past book, Romancing the Bride, which is Book 1 in her Frontier Vows series. If you haven’t read it you will be able to follow this one just fine. It can be read as a stand alone. The story is well planned and captivating. The spiritual message is encouraging and certain to stir hearts.
I absolutely love the writing style of this author. Her mixture of historical information with Christian inspiration is a winning combination. Conversations sound authentic and add tremendously to the story. The author does her research well and has a fantastic sense of humor. Life lessons are easily threaded throughout the story leaving readers much to ponder. One of my favorite parts of the book is Nolan’s belief in Corrine.
This is a another winner from an author that is exemplary in writing tales that touch hearts. I connected to the characters and felt their emotions right along with them. I highly recommend this Christian fiction to everyone. Reading groups would have fun and inspiration while discussing this book. It gets 5 out of 5 stars from me. I received a copy from the publisher but these are my honest words.
About the Author
Biography
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Much to her introverted self’s delight, ACFW Award winner and double INSPY finalist Melissa Jagears hardly needs to leave her home to be a homeschooling mother and novelist. She lives in Kansas with her husband and three children and can be found online at http://www.melissajagears.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 