VeggieTales Movie: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything DVD

Our Sunday school kids loved this one. We have a diverse age group, but there was something for everyone: a bit of action, a bit of humor, and a great message behind it all.

The VeggieTales gang goes on a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas! Larry the Cucumber, Mr. Lunt, and Pa Grape star as Elliot, Sedgwick, and George--the loveable Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. Working as busboys at the Pieces of Ate Dinner Theater, our three heroes dream of doing something big, like starring in the show. Their wish is granted in a very unexpected way when a mysterious orb transports them to a faraway time and place where they help a brave princess rescue her brother from pirates and become the most unlikely heroes! Includes approximately 90 minutes of bonus features.

Format: DVD
Vendor: Big Idea
UPC: 025193240729
Ages: 4-14
Available from CBD

Christmas Play Resource: Five Little Christmas Dramas for Today's Kids by Timothy Ayers

Five Little Christmas Dramas for Today's Kids removes the stress for anyone producing a children's Christmas play! While pasturing a small church, Timothy Ayers developed easy-to-act scenes with simple sets and dramas that empower children with roles and themes that reflect their day-to-day lives. The result is a collection of five plays that emphasize the true meaning of Christmas is found in Christ, that empower children to tell the story, and that enables leaders to effectively work with children, particularly in small churches. Two play titles include: A Dress Rehearsal for Christmas and The "I Hate Christmas" Club.

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 66
Vendor: CSS Publishing
Publication Date: July 2014
ISBN: 0788027956
ISBN-13: 9780788027956
Available from CBD

Book Spotlight: 6-Minute Messages for Children by Donald Hinchey

Captivate children's minds and hearts while teaching unforgettable lessons about Knowing God, Following Jesus, and Life Together as the church. Each talk uses simple, meaningful words even very young children understand while keeping the interest of older children. You'll teach as Jesus did - using common, everyday objects to help children know God, follow Christ, and to love one another as they learn to apply the Bible to their daily lives.

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 95
Vendor: Group Publishing
Publication Date: 1993
ISBN: 155945170X
ISBN-13: 9781559451703
Available from CBD

Blogging Today at Christian Children's Authors

I'm blogging today at Christian Children's Authors. My topic today is creating a family mission statement. Hope you'll visit and share your thoughts at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2014/09/05/creating-a-family-mission-statement/

Scripture Memory Game by Twin Sisters Productions

Learning Scripture has never been so fun! Featuring 50 trivia cards with 2 levels (easy and hard), 1-6 players can test their Scripture knowledge, while learning and memorizing as they go. Excellent for use at home, in church, Sunday School, and more! Recommended for ages 5+.

Vendor: Twin Sisters Productions
Dimensions: 5.0 X 3.75 (inches)
ISBN-13: 9781630587925
UPC: 609675587924
Ages: 5-12
Available from CBD

Book Spotlight: Bible Memory Plan for Kids by Pamela L. McQuade

Now that back to school season is here, the church is looking to bolster its Sunday school program. I kind of take a break with my teaching over the summer, since the kids are also ready for some easier stuff. Usually that means simpler lessons or games that review what we've learned over the past session. I'll be featuring some children's ministry resources over the next couple of weeks. These aren't resources I've necessarily used in the past, but they are ones that caught my eye.

Parents and teachers, help your kids memorize Scripture! Offering 52 key verses, this indispensable guide features full text in three versions---including the KJV, NIV, and NLT---brief devotional insights, and memorization tips. McQuade provides the impetus, structure, and encouragement your children need to begin the lifelong habit of writing God's Word on their hearts.

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 160
Vendor: Barbour Value Books
Publication Date: 2013
ISBN: 1624161472
ISBN-13: 9781624161476
Available 9/15/14 from CBD

Writing World Update

I'm either late in visiting my goals for the second quarter or early for visiting them in the third quarter. I'll go with the latter.

Here is the list of goals I set for myself at the end of 2013, along with updates on how I'm doing.

Daily Bible reading between 8 and 8:30 a.m. 

This one went well until summer vacation. Then I stopped reading altogether. I'm still putting together lessons for the kids once a week and I compiled the majority of the vacation Bible school program we used this year, but I still want to make time during the last part of 2014 to get back to daily Bible reading--even if it's less than a chapter a day.

Reduce blogging/reviewing duties.

I had a bit of help with this one. The new job that I started in June hasn't allowed me to blog or read as much as I was. I've stayed mostly committed to not taking on new books for review, which has helped too.

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

Never happened and still not done. I'm not upset about it. The great thing is that I joined a local writers group this year, so I am getting tremendous feedback on this story. If I can back away from other things (not likely right now, but one can hope) I'll be able to pick up writing where I left off--partway through Chapter 13. 

Research one new publisher/agent a month. I want to submit more often. 

I stuck to this for a while, but haven't performed any research for a few months. I haven't increased my submissions, but I did receive an acceptance for another picture book earlier this year.

Write one short story for submission each quarter. 

I've given up on this one. It just needs to sit for a bit while I get acclimated to my new job and finish off the first draft of Amelia's Mission. I'm so stoked about Amelia's story that I don't want to spend time working on anything else.

As you can see, there is some success in this list and some areas where I didn't meet expectations. Overall, I'm still feeling good about my writing year. My hope is that once I get going with the real estate, I'll be able to focus on writing part of the time. I know I'll want to promote Little Shepherd and A Christmas Kindness again this fall, so my mind will be in the right place for it.