Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Guest Blogging at Bible Bites for Teens



I am guest blogging today at Bible Bites for Teens. This site was started by author Janice Green, who is also responsible for getting the Christian Children's Authors site up and running. During Lent, Bible Bites for Teens is sharing events during the ministry of Jesus. Today, I am speaking about Mark 6:13-29, the beheading of John the Baptist. I hope you'll visit at http://biblebites4teens.com/?p=4502

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Bible Reading - Colossians



My Bible reading went by the wayside a couple of weeks ago as I spent the majority of my time studying for my real estate exam. I did get a chance to make my way through Colossians, and hope to get back to regular daily reading this week.

Colossians 1, 2, 3, & 4

Favorite verses:


1: 21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

3: 1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

3:12-17 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Bible Reading - Philippians



I'm feeling badly because I've allowed my busy schedule to get in the way of my daily Bible reading. I managed to read Paul's letter to the Philippians, but nothing else last week. This week isn't looking much better.

This book of the Bible is a short one, but it is one of my favorites, especially Chapter 4, which includes my favorite Bible verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13).

Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4


Favorite verses:

1:6 ...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Blogging at Christian Children's Authors Today



Today at Christian Children's Authors I share my review of Where Do Belly Buttons Come From? by Jeffery Warren Scott. You can find my review at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2014/03/07/book-review-where-do-belly-buttons-come-from-by-jeffrey-warren-scott/

Writing World Update




Time for another writing world update. I already announced this week that my fourth book was accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing; but as you know, I set a series of goals for 2014--some writing related, others more personal. I'm only going to focus on the writing ones this time around. I'll write up a full goal update at the end of the quarter.

Complete the first draft of my middle grade historical Amelia's Mission by February 28th.

This didn't happen. It's nowhere close to done. That said, I have spent any free time performing research for Amelia's Mission. The books are due back to the library by the end of next week, so I need to finish off this part of the job. I opened the manuscript file yesterday to read over the last chapter and make a few edits. The first two chapters were already sent off to my critique group for review, but I'll hold off on any major changes until the first draft is complete.

Research one new publisher/agent a month.

This didn't happen in January or February, but this month I've already researched two agencies and I've requested three middle grade historical novels from the library for market research.

Write one short story for submission each quarter.

I knew this was a lofty goal going in. I haven't written anything yet, but I'm tossing around ideas and wondering if I can still meet this goal. One idea is to write short stories based upon the character of Amelia Ridgemont, my main character from Amelia's Mission. While I think this would be an excellent way to build a fan base for these characters before a full-length novel comes out, I'm afraid of boxing myself into a story line and impacting the novel.

One other thing I did this month is read a book on self-publishing. I'm not certain what the future holds for me and my writing, but self-publishing is something I consider on occasion.

So, while I haven't achieved everything I would have liked to, I still feel I'm focused on the right things. I'll keep praying for guidance and do my best to keep my heart open to God's plans.




Thursday, March 6, 2014

Picture Book Contract



Exciting news! My next book is under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing! I already announced this on my Facebook page, but here are the details.

Tentatively titled, Amos Faces His Bully, this is the second book in my "Faith-filled journeys for kids" brand. Ten-year-old Amos is inspired by David’s confidence and faith in facing Goliath to face up to his own bullies.

No word on a release date yet, but I'll update you when I hear anything.

Available for purchase right now are the following:


Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior’s birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

GAP website
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Indiebound.org


Eight-year-old Robert is eager to share his wish list with Santa at the mall on Christmas Eve. When he meets Glenn, who only has one request for Santa, Robert is confused about what he should do. Can he cast aside what he wants and ask Santa to bring his new friend a special gift?

4RV Publishing
Amazon softcover
Barnes and Noble softcover
Indiebound.org

Also available in a digital version under the name Cheryl C. Malandrinos.


Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
KOBO

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Blogging at Christian Children's Authors Today



I know it's not my usual day for blogging at Christian Children's Authors, but I still hope you'll stop by. I've listed some Easter devotionals I'm looking at. You can find my post at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2014/03/05/easter-devotionals/

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Bible Reading Update - Ephesians



I've always liked Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. It inspires and instructs. We taught a portion of chapter 6 for vacation Bible school one year. For a summary of the Book of Ephesians, you can go to http://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6

Favorite verses: 

1: 22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
2: 8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
4: 4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
4: 31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
 5: 22-24 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

5: 25, 28-33 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her...So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

6: 1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

6: 10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.