The Blended Blog: Amos Faces His Bully by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

C.H. Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

Monday August 11, 2025

"Oh that I were as in months past."-Job 29:2

Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but regard the present with dissatisfaction; they look back upon the days which they have passed in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known, but as to the present, it is clad in a sable garb of gloom and dreariness. Once they lived near to Jesus, but now they feel that they have wandered from Him, and they say, "O that I were as in months past!" They complain that they have lost their evidences, or that they have not present peace of mind, or that they have no enjoyment in the means of grace, or that conscience is not so tender, or that they have not so much zeal for God's glory. The causes of this mournful state of things are manifold. It may arise through a comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of idolatry. The heart has been occupied with something else, more than with God; the affections have been set on the things of earth, instead of the things of heaven. A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; He must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of His presence from a cold, wandering heart. Or the cause may be found in self-confidence and self-righteousness. Pride is busy in the heart, and self is exalted instead of lying low at the foot of the cross. Christian, if you are not now as you "were in months past," do not rest satisfied with wishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once to seek your Master, and tell Him your sad state. Ask His grace and strength to help you to walk more closely with Him; humble yourself before Him, and He will lift you up, and give you yet again to enjoy the light of His countenance. Do not sit down to sigh and lament; while the beloved Physician lives there is hope, nay there is a certainty of recovery for the worst cases.

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Thursday, April 12, 2018

Amos Faces His Bully by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2018/03/15/pump-up-your-book-presents-amos-faces-his-bully-virtual-book-publicity-tour-ccmalandrinos/

Inside the Book

Title: AMOS FACES HIS BULLY
Author: Cheryl C. Malandrinos
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
Pages: 20
Genre: Christian children’s picture book

BOOK BLURB:
Amos is targeted by the town bully because he is so small. When word reaches Amos of his friend David’s battle with Goliath, he thinks back to what David told him about putting his faith in God’s protection. Perhaps the same God can help Amos face his bully too.
Suggested age range for readers: 4-8

Book Excerpt:

Amos clutched his knees to his chest. Sitting in the dirt, he blinked to keep the tears from spilling down his cheeks.

Nathaniel and the other neighborhood boys marched around, taunting him.

“Are you going to cry now, baby?” Nathaniel balled his hands into fists and pretended to rub his eyes.

“I’m not crying,” ten-year-old Amos said with a sniffle. He stood and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

“I bet you’re the biggest cry baby in all of Bethlehem,” said Nathaniel.

The boys pushed him back and forth chanting, “Cry baby, cry baby.”

The author did an excellent job bringing the Bible story of David and Goliath and the subject of bullying together. I loved how she brought them together. It's a wonderful message that children need to be taught. I have read many of Cheryl's books through the years and she has always been right on point. We need more Christian books like this for young children to have in their hands. The illustrations fit in well with all the computer animation for kids these days. They are colorful, bold, and help get the message across. I'm putting this one in the church library for sure.

Meet the Author

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Little Shepherd, A Christmas Kindness, Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving, and the recently released, Amos Faces His Bully. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married.