Free for Kindle: Secret Sisters Volume One by Sandra Byrd

I downloaded this book to my Kindle. It seems like an interesting read. I'll let you know how it turns out. Have any of you read it?

Book 1, Heart to Heart: After a lonely time in the fifth grade, Tess Thomas dreads the beginning of the next school year. Then the exclusive Coronado Club invites her to join. She thinks she'll do anything to belong--until she finds out just what "anything" means. How far is too far to keep a friend? When does belonging cost more than you should pay?

Book 2, Twenty-One Ponies: Tess Thomas is an expert at getting into trouble. First, she secretly “borrows” her mother’s diamond wedding earrings to wear to a party with Erin and Erin's cute brother, Tom. But when the earrings get lost, Tess has to confess to her mom what she’s done. Determined to make things right, Tess decides to do one nice thing every day to get back on her mom’s good side. Unfortunately, things go from bad to worse when Tess makes another big mistake! How will she ever get her mom to forgive her now? 

Each volume includes: fun, friends, family, gentle Christian faith, and a fast-paced read.

File Size: 361 KB
Print Length: 135 pages
Publisher: Quaystrokes (October 3, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B005SGDEIG

PURCHASE AT AMAZON!

Favorite Hymns: How Great Thou Art

The words to this hymn never cease to inspire and awe. Carl Boberg, a 26-year old preacher from Sweden, wrote a poem in 1885 titled, "O Store Gud," which translated into English means, "O Great God." According to LivingHymns.org, Boberg and his friends were coming home from a meeting when they were caught in a swiftly moving thunder storm. After the storm subsided, a rainbow appeared, and off in the distance could be heard the sound of the thrush and the tolling of a church bell. All of this combined to inspire in the young preacher, a moving poem about God's greatness, which was translated many times over. English missionary, Stuart K. Hine, is credited with giving us the translation that we know today.


O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow'r throu' out the universe displayed.

 (Chorus)
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,...

 (Chorus)

 And when I think that God, His son not sparing,
Sent Him to die---I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin.

 (Chorus)

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home---what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

 (Chorus)


 


 The above video doesn't have all the verses, but Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill received a standing ovation for this moving rendition.

Blogging Today at Christian Children's Authors

Sharing a new resource for budding Christian writers today at Christian Children's Authors. You can find my review of A Step In the Write Direction by Donna Clark Goodrich at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2013/04/19/book-review-a-step-in-the-write-direction-student-edition-by-donna-clark-goodrich/

New Directions and Favorite Hymns

After reading an agent's blog post about blogging, I prayerfully considered how my blogging affects my writing career. Most of my blogging showcases other writers. That's not a bad thing. My blogging grew out of my love of reading, so it's not a surprise most of my blogs feature books by others. Blogging twice a month at Christian Children's Authors definitely is a step in the right direction, but those posts are geared more toward adults than the little ones who read my books.

I've been involved in the Christian education of young people for more than twenty years. I'm the author of two children's books. Surely, I must have something to offer to youngsters and their families. Starting today, this blog is going to take a new direction, even if it is used to discuss my books from time to time. I hope to use my experience to share ideas and resources with others. I might talk about my Sunday School lesson plans. Maybe a craft or two will work its way into the mix.

One of the best parts of being involved with my church is that we have a wonderful worship team. I look forward to spending the first half hour of our service dedicated to praise and worship. It gets me into the right frame of mind to teach our children. As a new weekly feature, I will be discussing some of my favorite hymns. LYRICS

This is my desire
To honor You Lord,
with all my heart
I worship You
All I have within me
I give You praise
All that I adore
Is in You

CHORUS:
Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone

Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord, have Your way in me

To me, hymns are another form of prayer. It's time spent with my Lord, considering my life and His plans for me, that also allows me to do something I truly enjoy--sing. As with all prayers, focusing on what is being said, allows me to grow as a Christian.

When I sing this song, I realize the importance of grace. Though my deep desire is to live a life that honors Him, I often fall short. It's only by knowing His amazing grace is there for me that I am able to ask for forgiveness and pray for His strength and guidance when I fall.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this wonderful day. As always, I seek to live a life that honors you. Please help me not to fall short of that desire. Please surround me with your amazing grace if I stumble. Please make me your humble servant and open my heart to do You will.

I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Blogging Today at Christian Children's Authors

I'm blogging today about new life and new challenges. You can find my article at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2013/04/05/new-life-and-new-challenges/