Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Pray A-to-Z by: Amelia Rhodes

Pray A to Z: Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community (Worthy, November 2016)
Change the world one prayer at a time.

How would our community change if instead of absently saying, “I’ll pray for you,” we actually did pray–deeply, intensely, and purposefully?

Pray A to Z: A Practical Guide to Praying for Your Community will help you topically organize your prayer requests and lay the burdens of your community at the feet of our Heavenly Father.

With compassion and encouragement, Amelia Rhodes offers Bible verses and prayer prompts, organized topically for every letter of the alphabet. There are five topics per letter–three prayers of petition asking God to work in a certain area of need, and two more prayers of praise to reflect gratitude for God’s presence in the daily issues and relationships of life. Through petition and praise, your specific, focused communion with God will lighten your heart as you place the heaviness of those prayer requests where they belong–on His strong shoulders.

Whether you are praying for a friend’s adoption journey, a neighbor’s bankruptcy, or a family member’s cancer, this book will give you Bible verses, prayer prompts, and prayer starts to guide you through praying for even the most difficult issues that affect the people you know and love. Perfect for either individual or group prayer, Pray A to Z will help you experience the peace that comes from communicating with God.

Learn more and purchase a copy.



Pray A - Z is  an awesome book to get your prayer thoughts flowing.  Yes, I don't believe prayer is a rote communication; however, Amelia Rhodes book serves as a tool to help you bring your petitions to God.  I found that her prayer topics made it easier for me to pray.  It gave me a theme to focus on.  Each topic had a scripture verse to focus on as well as one word.  Each letter of the alphabet has 5 topics; three of them focus on areas in your life or the lives of people you come in contact with, then the last two prayers are praise toward God.  Example:  The letter "H"  theme words are Homeless, Heart Disease, Hunger - three words to bring people to your mind that are homeless, experiencing heart problems and those you know that might not have food needed.  Then the last two words for "H" are attributes of God  Holiness and Helper. This book is very general, but very easy to make specific and person.  A great variety of topics are included and many can touch home for everyone. 


Amelia Rhodes is a speaker and author of "Isn't It Time for a Coffee Break: Doing Life Together in an All-About-Me Kind of World." Amelia's writing has also been featured in four "Chicken Soup for the Soul" titles, devotionals for the OneHope blog Undeterred and the international devotional "Upper Room." Amelia has a growing speaking ministry and speaks regularly to women's groups on topics of spiritual growth, friendship, and community, offering practical tools for living our faith in the everyday. She lives in Lowell, Michigan.

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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

'Scripture Doddle' and 'Scripture Doodle God's Promises' by: April Knight


Scripture Doodle and Scripture Doodle God's Promises are more than just a coloring book.  In these book April Knight gives tips on how to color and shading.  She also offers letting tips.  It is a great book for those that love to do arty kind of doodling.  There are basic materials the author recommends using with this book.  It moves from simple to easy tasks as you work your way through the book.  In a nut shell it is a 3-in-1 book: coloring, doodling and devotional.  It is an awesome book to have or give as a gift to someone that loves art, doodling or coloring.  

Scripture Doodle God's Promises



by April Knight  

Coloring Devotionals
David C. Cook

With inspiring exercises and prompts, this unique interactive guide introduces readers to a creative connection between Bible study, artistic expression, and worship.
Often, in the busyness of life, Christians forget that God created them to enjoy creativity. With guided instruction and completed examples, this beautiful book invites readers to draw closer to God through their own art.
More than a coloring book, ScriptureDoodle is a combination of Bible study, creative expression, and artistic community with artwork shared online at #scripturedoodle. Exploring topics such as being generous, finding rest, and facing grief, ScriptureDoodle gives the heart the creative space it needs. This book stimulates the reader's imagination and helps integrate God's Word into everyday life.


ScriptureDoodle God's Promises refreshes believers who are feeling burned out or stuck in a rut in their relationship with God. Each of the creative worship prompts in this interactive guide includes biblical encouragement and ideas for worship through art. Artist April Knight includes creative lettering tips, color ideas, and completed examples to inspire readers to respond to promises in Scripture related to trust, faith, and the power of God's Word in all circumstances.

This unique blend of Bible study and creative expression provides the opportunity to connect with God as Creator in a new, life-changing way.



Visit Scripture Doodle web site here

April Knight is a worship artist based in Asheville, North Carolina. Knight's work includes live worship painting and leading ScriptureDoodle workshops online and at conferences and retreats around the country and internationally. Her family of four is her greatest joy, along with serving alongside her husband at their local church.



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Thursday, December 8, 2016

Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2016/11/11/pump-up-your-book-presents-macaroni-and-cheese-for-thanksgiving-virtual-book-publicity-tour/



Title: MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR THANKSGIVING
Author: Cheryl C. Malandrinos
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
Pages: 16
Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Ten-year-old Macy is waiting for her grandparents to arrive on Thanksgiving. When the front door swings open, Grandma and Grandpa are covered with hugs and kisses. Crash! Everyone rushes in to find the dog gnawing a meaty turkey leg. Can Macy’s quick thinking save dinner?

Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving is a cute short story that I'm sure will become a family favorite maybe even a traditional family read.  When my girls were little there were a few books we had to read each year during the month of November.  While reading this book it brought back a connection I had of when my oldest was about two.  I had worked really hard making the Thanksgiving meal and get it all ready and set at the table.  As we were serving up the plate she says, "Un bonney."  (meaning:  I want bologna)  Talk about bursting the bubble quiet quick she new how to do it.  Guess that year she was thankful for bologna.  I'm sure many a families have had their share of holiday catastrophes they call memories down through the years.  Mishaps or not the true theme of the book is to be thankful for what you have.  I loved this book.
buying-links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Meet the Author

cheryl-malandrinos-2
Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Little Shepherd and A Christmas Kindness. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married.
visit

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

An e copy of this book was provided by.....
Pump Up Your Book
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Monday, December 5, 2016

Charlie the Tramp by Russell Hoban with giveaway



https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Tramp-Russell-Hoban/dp/0874867800/?tag=plough-20

 Celebrating his 50th Anniversary!
An American classic is back in a special 50th anniversary hardcover edition.
Winner of the Boys Club of America Junior Book Award, 1968.

 
ABOUT THE BOOK
Charlie the Beaver wants to be a tramp when he grows up. “Tramps don’t have to learn how to chop down trees and how to roll logs and how to build dams. Tramps just tramp around and have a good time. Tramps carry sticks with little bundles tied to them. They sleep in a field when the weather is nice, and when it rains they sleep in a barn.” Charlie sets off with his bundle. But when he hears water trickling, he can’t get to sleep. Will he be able to resist the urge to make it stop? As Grandfather Beaver says, “You never know when a tramp will turn out to be a beaver.”

Classics never die!  Charlie the Tramp is a classic.  It has proven that with this 50th anniversary edition now ready for youngsters to curl up with.  I can't believe a book that I read as a child is here with an anniversary edition.  This makes me feel old.  Kids will love Charlie to the moon and back as they read this beautiful story. Even though he is a tramp he learns an important lesson in life and has an important lesson to teach all his readers.  This book will be one I place in my classroom library.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Russell Hoban (1925-2011) first became famous for his children’s picture books about a badger named Frances and other animal characters that have a lot in common with children we know – bedtime for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, and Emmit Otter’s Jug-band Christmas.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Lillian Hoban (1925-1998), one of America’s favorite children’s book illustrators, is best known for a young chimpanzee named Arthur and his little sister, Violet. She also illustrated six of Russell Hoban’s books about Frances the badger, which have taken their place among the great classics of children’s literature. Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. She studied dance for ten years and became a professional dancer. She began to write and illustrate her own stories only after having children, basing her tales on their experiences.

Plough editor Sam Hine says, “As a parent of young children I’ve rarely found new books of this quality. So, like many other parents, I find myself returning to the books of my own childhood. Among these Charlie the Tramp was a hands-down favorite. We’re thrilled to acquire the rights to this timeless classic and make it available to a third generation.”




How about it would you like to win a copy.  Just leave a comment telling me a book you can remember reading as a kid.  Be sure to leave a way to contact you.  I'll draw a winner on Sat. Dec. 17th.  

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.


“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

A free copy of this book was provided by....

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Saturday, December 3, 2016

Amy Grant Tennessee Christmas CD with Giveaway


 Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas is sure to make anyone want to travel back home for those special holiday memories.  Tennessee is rapidly becoming a Christmas favorite CD at my house by the end of the season all the CD life may be worn completely from it.  Listening to this you just want to light the tree (but I don't have it up yet!  argh), start a nice fire in the fireplace (another argh!  I don't have a fireplace), turn down the lights (now that I can do) and sing along to your hearts content (only when no ones around--hehehe).  OK you get it....this CD is a great addition to a Christmas music collection.  It will be cherished for years to come.  Best part I have one to giveaway to one person that comments on my blog.  Read to end of post to find out how to enter. Can't wait!  purchase it here.  Learn more at her web site here.



CD Title Tracks:

1.  Tennessee Christmas
2.  To Be Together
3.  Christmas For You and Me
4.  Melancholy Christmas
5.  December
6.  White Christmas
7.  Joy To the World
8.  I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
9.  Baby It's Cold Outside (Feat. Vince Gill)
10.  Christmas Don't Be Late
11. Still Can't Sleep
12. Another Merry Christmas
13.  O Come, All Ye Faithful


--Share Your Holiday Videos with Amy Grant and Be Featured in an upcoming Compilation Video Amy Shares on her Social Media Channels--


In celebration of Amy's new holiday CD release, she is fans to upload any videos you may have of you surprising loved ones for the holidays to social media.

Post these holiday video to your social media channels using the hashtag #TNChristmasSurprise!  Favorites will be chosen and added to a heartwarming compilation video that will be posted to Amy Grant's social media channels, for all to enjoy.


So, get to sharing your holiday videos now and use the hashtag #TNChristmasSurprise when uploading to your social channels.

WIN a COPY....



 Share with me in a comment your favorite Christmas song or memory.  I'll draw a winner next Saturday, Dec. 10th. Giveaway for this promotion is only for residents of the continental U.S.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

A free copy of this CD was provided by....


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Friday, December 2, 2016

Yeah, ME!!!


Oh, goodie I get to sew tonight.  I'm all by myself.  Yeah, ME!   Come back tomorrow to see what I worked on.  Don't know what FFnwF is check it out here. Then go sign up to join in the fun here.  I'm off to sewing.  The Christmas music is playing.

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