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Monday, October 15, 2012

Twenty Free eBooks plus win a $25 Amazon gift card






Three days only - October 17 through October 20
Free Christian Nonfiction eBooks

100% Off Christian Book Sale: 3 Days Only

For three days only, several best-selling Christian authors have joined together to offer their books for free to avid readers. October 17th through the 19th 2012, readers can download 20 Christian books worth over $60 for free and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card to get even more free books.

You can get all the information here: http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/100-percent-off-christian-books/

This sale is just one of many hosted by Body and Soul Publishing, who also posts free Christian books and giveaways on their blog daily. Here's what one reader had to say: "I'm very grateful for this website. I've found many valuable books that have enriched my spiritual life immensely." - Diane Sidener

During the 100% off sale this week readers will be able to download the following nonfiction Christian books for free on Kindle and Smashwords:

Psalms, The Sunrise of Hope by Bob Saffrin

Hola Happiness by Janet Eckles Perez

Prayers of Gratitude by Shelley Hitz

Matter of Faith by Carol Round

Restore Your Marriage & Fall in Love Again by Krystal Kuehn

10 Keys to Happy & Loving Relationships by Krystal Kuehn

The Lighthouse of Asaph: Unforgettable Christian Reflections by Roberto Ornan Roche

Found Adrift: 40 Days of Recovering Grace by Pauline Creeden

Children of Dreams by Lorilyn Roberts

21 Teen Devotionals...for Girls! By Heather Hart and Shelley Hitz

Experiencing Joy by Patty Mason

My Scripture Journal: God's Promises by Heather Bixler

Amazing Grace as Christ Walks By, My Journey from Brokenness to Wholeness by Carol Cline

A Spiritual Renewal: A Journey to Medjugorje by Alberta Sequeira

A Love Story...How God Pursued Me and Found Me...an Impossibly True Story by Samantha Ryan Chandler

Finding Hope in the Midst of Tragedy by Shelley Hitz

Mission Possible by Deborah McCarragher

Women of Strength - a devotional to improve spiritual and physical health by Kimberley Payne

Night Stories - 8 devotionals about dreams by Kimberley Payne

Growth Lessons by Naty Matos



Don't miss out!  Download these 20 books plus enter to win the $25 Amazon gift certificate for 3 days only here: http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/100-percent-off-christian-books.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Meet Jackie Macgirvin


Jackie Macgirvin is an award winning author and (holy) ghost writer. She is 54 years young and resides in Kansas City, Missouri where, to her dismay, she is watching every green thing turn brown because of the drought.
 
Jackie shares about two books


Novel: The Designer Bag at the Garbage Dump

ISBN: 13:978-0-7684-4145-1

DesignerBag.TV - my brief comments about the book



Book Blurb: It’s a Wonderful Life meets The Shack

 
Julie, a self-centered, nominal “Christian," headed for a weekend shopping binge finds her charmed life shattered when she sits with Jesus on a train to New York. When she gets off she’s in India. Her divine assignment? Care for 11 “filthy orphans” living on a dump before she can return home.

Can she protect them from a predator who steals and maims children and sends them out to beg? How will God provide food when her wallet is stolen? Can she find safe homes for the children? As she rescues them will they rescue her from her stone cold heart?

The answers to these questions will also be the answers to many of your questions about God, life and yourself. Pick up a copy of The Designer Bag at the Garbage Dump and jump into a great adventure!
 
 


Angels of Humility
ISNB: 10: 0-7684-3625-7
Book Blurb: Look into the spirit realm where angels and demons interact with two average Christians:
Fresh out of seminary and pastoring his first church, Paul is full of zeal. The question is . . . zeal for what? As he chases affirmation and prestige following demonic coaxing, his guardian angel fights back.
Sarah Edwards is a new church member and a recent widow, just saved at age 71. Will she triumph over the demons Discouragement, Depression, Loneliness and Suicide who attack after her husband’s death? Sarah has strong spiritual giftings but through several unfortunate misunderstandings, Paul writes her off as an eccentric who hears voices, causing her further isolation.
By watching Sarah and Paul you will understand the strategies and schemes of the enemy against you and what weapons Jesus has already provided for your defense.

Blog: http://www.jackiemacgirvin.com/jackies-blog-2 Check out some of my humor blogs: ALL YOU CAN DO IS DOG PADDLE, SIGNS THAT THE DEVIL IS SABOTAGING YOUR QUIET TIME, BAD HOME GROUP LEADERS and LESS EXCITING BOOKS.
Special talent: I taught myself to walk on stilts as a youngster--tall ones and short ones. I never mastered one of each at the same time (I only tried it once and the results were so unpalatable I rapidly gave up!)
What’s something not many people know about you?
I've always loved humor and my first article for publication was called My Car is Driving Me Crazy. It chronicled the demise of my car. I was a single mom and my unreliable, stubborn car constantly broke down and left my son and I stranded. That article was my attempt to make lemon aid out of lemons and it's what got me started writing. I'm a self taught writer with no English or Journalism degrees.
Now, for our little fun survey:
Pets/no pets: had to put my Australian Shepherd. Rex, down in February after 11 years. I miss his rooting snoot coming up on my bed in the morning and his whole body wiggling to greet me.
Home/travel: My dad worked for TWA when I was growing up. I miss those inexpensive travel passes we got and there's still plenty of the world I'd love to see--like the fiords of Norway. Anyone been there?
Write more/read more: During this season I'm reading more than I'm writing. I'm turning The Designer Bag at the Garbage Dump into a screenplay and it's so different. I've completed it but I'm at a loss to know how to improve it. I'm reading a lot while I'm waiting for feedback. (I'm getting a lot of free books from www.bookbub.com. Free and bargain books for Kindle, Nook, and more. Check it out.)
Cake/pie: Hmmm. How cruel to make one choose? I love fruit pies but two years ago my son asked me to make his wedding cake. Then I started watching cake shows on TV, then I picked up a copy of The Cake Mix Doctor which has about a hundred cakes that all start as a mix but have added ingredients. It's convenient but doesn't taste like it's from a box. I love it!
Motorcycle/car: Car, I'm a wimp.
Bus/walk: Walk, not a total wimp.
Big church/small church: Small church, for the fellowship. I'm too introverted to meet many people at a large church.
Happy/joyful: Unsure. I'm in a hard season now. My husband moved out and filed for divorce.
Phone/email: E-mail. I always sound better when I can edit myself!
Eat home or eat out? I rarely eat out because I am a total tightwad!
Sunrises or sunsets? I'm usually not out of bed for sunrises, but I'm still up for the sunsets.
Favorite quote: Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. Maria Robin
 
Favorite hobby: I love garage sales and thrift stores.

Fearless Friday: Meet Kimberley Payne!


Meet and Greet Kimberley Payne


 
I am an over-40, peri-menopausal mother of two teenagers. I am happily married to a man I believe was a direct answer to a desperate prayer. I am a half-cup-full optimist who’s been blessed with a short memory.

Years ago, I began a spiritual and physical health partnership with God. I created a workbook, Fit for Faith – 7 weeks to improved spiritual and physical health.

 Although I write in the health and fitness arena, I don't consider myself an athlete. As a matter of fact, I once thought of myself as more on an anti-athlete. However, I've since come around and have settled on recreational athlete. You can read about my journey in the anthology A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider - Words to Stimulate the Mind and Delight the Spirit. My piece is called, A Personal Makeover - Inside and Out.

My most recent book is Women of Strength – A devotional to improve spiritual & physical health

Women of Strength is the perfect companion for your health program. There are four divisions to follow the seasons – winter, spring, summer, autumn. Each season is further divided into 6 sections that include an inspirational devotional, a fact on common health and fitness questions, a reflection, a prayer, a Bible verse, and an energizing exercise.

ISBN: 9781476306476

Purchase information: $5.99 USD e-book


 
Fit for Faith serves a two-fold purpose that unites physical and spiritual health. It is a 7-week program designed to strengthen the believer’s Christian walk. It is also a motivational tool to empower women to improve their physical health to live balanced, whole and joyous lives that glorify God.

ISBN: 9780973508215

Purchase information: $5.99 USD e-book



I’m a dreamer. Every night, I have at least one dream. Over the years, I have read dream interpretation books and dream dictionaries. However, none captured the true essence of my nightlife until I started to read the Bible and pray daily. Now many of my dreams come with an interpretation already in my heart upon waking in the morning. Night Stories is a collection of eight dreams that I have had and what I felt the Lord told me through them. God is the only One who reveals mysteries and interprets dreams.

ISBN: 9781476482309

Purchase information: $0.99 USD e-book



Where Family Meets Faith is written and compiled especially for families. It is a collection of devotionals that show the similarities between the challenges of raising a family and building a relationship with God.

ISBN: 9780973508222

Purchase information: $0.99 USD e-book



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dumped into single parenthood, Heather Williams has found a part-time job as a dental receptionist and a cozy apartment with her four-year-old daughter. Life finally looks safe and secure until her daughter reveals a terrifying secret.

ISBN: 9780973508246

Purchase information: $0.99 USD e-book




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Your unique talent (can be serious or humorous)


I collect pet fur – not because I like it but rather to try to keep my house somewhat clean—with two cats, two rats, and an aging German Shepherd.


Share something not many people know about you:

Although not naturally blond, nor do I have blue eyes, Dutch blood runs through my veins. I love croquettes, double zout drops and Suske & Wiske. I have fond childhood memories of a close family, with three older brothers who went swimming at the YMCA on Friday nights, played card games like “Pit” and went camping every summer.


Which best describes your personality:

Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets? Very much a pet person – we’ve had a hedge hog, hamsters, lots of fish, rats, cats, dogs, and a little salamander.

Would you rather travel or stay at home? I’m a homebody who loves the quiet of my sunroom. However, I like to travel when all the arrangements are made and I just need to pack a bag.

Do you read more or write more? I’m a reader. I like to alternate fiction with non-fiction.


Prefer cake or pie? Both! I have a real sweet tooth and won’t turn down any pastry.

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car? On my bucket-list is the desire to drive a motorcycle. Since they recently came out with the Spyder – a three-wheeled motorbike, I see that wish becoming a reality sooner rather than later.

How about taking the bus or walking? Absolutely walking. I love to walk, and hike. Evening walks are bliss.

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church? On a good Sunday in the summer, we may have 30 people in the pews. I’d say that’s probably a small church.

Would you describe yourself as happy or joyful? Joyful. But I do have happy days!

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail? My job requires me to be on the phone all day, so I won’t even answer the phone at home. Email is so much faster and easier.

Do you eat at home or eat out? We eat take-out at home :)

Listen to music or prefer quiet? When outdoors, I prefer the sounds of nature. When doing housework, I love to have the music cranked.

Prefer sunrises or sunsets? Definitely sunsets as I’m seldom up early enough to enjoy the sunrise.
 
Connect with Kimberley:





Facebook Nonfiction Book Page: Fit for Faith

Facebook Devotional Book Page: Where Family Meets Faith

Facebook Novel Book Page: Tooth for Tooth



Amazon Nonfiction Book: Fit for Faith

Amazon Novel: Tooth for Tooth

Amazon Devotional: Where Fitness Meets Faith 

Amazon Devotional: Where Family Meets Faith

Friday, September 28, 2012

Fearless Friday: Meet Tom Blubaugh


Meet and Greet: Tom Blubaugh, Author of Night of the Cossack

 

Night of the Cossack historical fiction ebooks available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

Night of the Cossack historical fiction signed paperback at Night of the Cossack FREE shipping to address in USA.

Night of the Cossack historical fiction pdf file will be available soon.
 
Find Tom in Cyberland:

Facebook fan page

The Write Trail Scribbling from the sometimes creative/sometimes scattered mind of Tom Blubaugh

Twitter @tomblubaugh



Info-line for writers promotion

Linkedin to join my network

Genesis Project my ministry site

Follow me on Pinterest

 
Tom Blubaugh was raised in a small town in southeast KS. He began writing poetry at age fourteen. Tom has written nonfiction writer most of his adult life. He self-published his first book Behind the Scenes of the Bus Ministry in 1974.  Tom wrote articles for denominational and business magazines  from 1975 through 1995. He co-wrote The Great Adventure for Barbour Publishing Co. in 2009. Bound by Faith Publishers published his first fiction Night of the Cossack in April, 2011. In Feb., 2012, Tom was a guest writer in Unschackled by CJ Hitz, Shelley Hitz and Heather Hart. Tom is married to Barbara. They have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Both are retired. Tom has been public speaker for 40 years. He was a self-employed entrepreneur  from1973 to 1995. Tom retired in 2004 and has devoted most of his time to writing and volunteer work.

 About the book: 

Tom Blubaugh, author of Night of the Cossack, never knew his grandfather. Years later, he asked family members about his grandfather and they all agreed on four facts. Mr. Blubaugh wrote this riveting tale based on these four facts! Night of the Cossack is a very exciting adventure set in Russia and Europe during the early 1900's. The first chapter ends on a cliffhanger and the journey is just beginning! Join the main character Nathan Hertzfield on his suspenseful adventure. The author does a great job drawing you into the character right from the start.

 
Night of the Cossack historical fiction ebooks available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

Night of the Cossack historical fiction signed paperback at Night of the Cossack FREE shipping to address in USA.

ISBN 978-0-9829029-2-9
 

Your unique talent

Photographer, speaker, organizer

Share something not many people know about you

I was homeless for 6 months in 1995

Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets?

I am a pet person, however our cat “Blackie” frowns on any petting or loving on other animals.

Would you rather travel or stay at home?

I love to travel, but am always glad to get back home

Do you read more or write more?

This is a tossup. I’m constantly doing one or the other.

Prefer cake or pie?

Lemon Meringue pie, please.

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car?

I drive a car mostly, but have a 3 wheel scooter for short jaunts around town.

How about taking the bus or walking?

Walking

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church?

Big church

Would you describe yourself as happy or joyful?

Happy with an inner joy

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail?

email

Do you eat at home or eat out?

yes

Listen to music or prefer quiet?

yes

Prefer sunrises or sunsets?

yes

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sexual Addiction and the Church: It's Time to Start Talking about It


Guest Post by S'ambrosia Curtis 



While attending Kansas State University, I was involved in leadership with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. We were a fairly small group compared to some of the more popular campus ministries, but we were a pretty tight-knit group of peculiar people, which is what kept me around for so many years. I loved the bonds we had developed. One night during our large group meeting, there was a young man that felt led to come forward and share with the group that he had secretly been struggling with pornography and masturbation. As he stood before us, shoulders sagging and eyes cast downward, my first inclination was not to throw stones at him, but to pray for him. As soon as he finished sharing his heart with the group, the consensus among the girls was to not only gather around this brother, but to gather around all of the males in our fellowship and pray for them. In the subsequent weeks following that night, other guys came forward to confess their struggle with pornography, and eventually an accountability group was developed to where the guys could meet on a weekly basis and challenge one another in this area.

That night remains one of the most influential moments in my life, because eventually it led me to the same point of confession.

What about the Women?

Unfortunately, though there was an ongoing support group for men in our chapter, the question of whether or not the women needed an accountability group for sexual addiction never even came up. We fully supported the guys and prayed for their accountability meetings, but none of us girls ever once mentioned our personal struggles with it. When I finally came forward a few years later and confessed, a few girls from the chapter messaged me and told me that they had struggled with it too, but they never mentioned it because they thought they were the only one. Never would they have guessed that the majority of the girls in the room had the exact same problem they were struggling to overcome. All that time, we could have put the enemy to flight entirely on this matter in our chapter, but because of fear, we all remained silent.

Confess and Be Healed

Many women within the church are facing the same issue. Because church has become a place where people feel as though they always have to wear their best face, it is extremely difficult for anyone to let the frailty of their humanity show. In James 5:16 we’re told to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. If our churches aren’t providing the kind of atmosphere where people feel free to do this, we’re doing something terribly wrong. The entirety of what Jesus preached and what He walked out while He was on the earth was love God and love others. This kind of love goes beyond merely greeting your brother or sister in Christ Sunday morning and asking generic questions about their life. This kind of love knows very well the weaknesses of others, but chooses to delve into the nitty-gritty parts of relationship for the sake of seeing people set free. The greatest love of all had the power to set us free from sin, so you can imagine the power we can walk in as a Body if we allow Christ to love through us. This kind of love can cover a multitude of sins. The Church needs to learn to demonstrate that kind of love.

Just as this particular student knew that he would be safe if he shared a very personal issue with our community group, people need to know that they have a supportive body that they can be vulnerable with. No one likes rejection, so we must do our best as a Body to ensure that people don’t expect rejection when they come into church with a burden weighing heavily on their soul. Confession will not happen unless people are convinced that the problem won’t be compounded in the process of seeking help.

Strength in Numbers

Accountability is one of the most blessed aspects of being a part of a church. It can be maintained through a single partnership or within a group setting. Not every church provides, or is able to provide, a group setting for accountability, so if you find yourself needing some James 5:16 people to surround yourself with, I would encourage you to visit with a trusted woman from your church, a counselor, or your pastor. Share your struggle with them and as you begin to experience freedom, reach out to someone else. Talk to your pastor about starting a group within the women's ministry. Yes, this is a touchy subject, especially for people in the church, and you may not receive a resounding "yes" when you first step out there, but sexual addiction is also a major stronghold in the church that is causing multitudes of people suffer in silence, so someone has to speak up and spearhead a campaign to completely demolish the enemy’s plans for keeping us in bondage!

When I finally came forward and confessed my addiction, so many other women came forward to confess, and it eventually led to connections with young girls and women from all over the States and even overseas for me to support and keep accountable, as well as the opportunity to co-author a book on the topic to help others. Who knows what kinds of opportunities the Lord has in store for you and your church when you take your own leap of faith!




S'ambrosia Curtis is a graduate from Kansas State University, where she served on an InterVarsity leadership team for three years and developed a love for God and a heart for His people. She currently teaches English and sociology to middle and high school students at Salina Christian Academy and leads worship at NorthPoint Church in Salina, KS. Her main objective for whatever she puts her hand to, is to bring glory to the name of Christ, that He may receive the reward of His suffering.

S'ambrosia co-authored the book, "A Christian Woman's Guide to Breaking Free From Pornography:  It's Not Just a Guy's Problem" with Shelley Hitz.  During their book launch on 9/26/12-9/27/12, you can download a free Kindle copy and also enter to win over $450 worth of resources.  Find out more at www.ChristianWomenandPorn.com