Wednesday, July 30, 2014

There's Still Time for Summer Reading!

For me, nothing says "summer" like a great book read by the lake or just while lounging in the back yard. Summer isn't all about rushing here and there as much as it is about some "down" time, some time that sets it apart from the rest of the year.

I'm always a bit bummed when the stores start putting in school supplies and clearing out sandals. "Hey, wait!" I want to tell anyone who will listen (but no one will). "Stop rushing summer!"

If you are like me and love a good summer read and still haven't found the time--don't abandon your summer reading dream just yet! Find a great book and make time stand still while you enjoy it. You'll be so glad you did!

(Image used is from one of our favorites: The Story of Peace by Miriam Ezeh)

Monday, July 14, 2014

Why Would I Not Let Go?

In my exhaustion, I choose to completely let go and let God.

In purposeful trust, I choose to finally let go and let God.

In the gift of faith, I excitedly let go and let God.

I choose to see and believe that God is for me—and if God is for me, who can be against me?

I choose to understand and know that God is my friend—and if God is my friend, who can be my enemy?

I choose to eagerly accept that God has a plan for my life—and if God has a plan for my life, why would I not let go and let God?


Cheryl Dickow

Picture: ©  | Dreamstime.com


Monday, July 7, 2014

Sometimes the Stars Really Do Line Up

When Laura Pearl first brought Finding Grace to Bezalel Books, I was impressed with her writing. At Bezalel Books, we don’t publish everything that comes our way—even if the author is willing to pick up the publishing costs. Rather, we read a sample chapter or two, a synopsis and then get a “feel” for the author’s passions and skills. Pretty much the Holy Spirit is part of everything and we are okay to say “no” if things don’t seem like a good fit.

Laura was a great fit.

Laura’s work at marketing and blogging and even entering the world of Twitter continued to impress me. Laura is the mother of five grown sons and I am the mother of three grown sons so there’s that, too. But I just continued to find her wit and insight to be inspiring. Every time I read a blog of hers I found myself smiling or laughing or in some way connecting with her spirit.

So it was that I began praying about approaching Laura to write a second book with one big difference: this one would be on our dime. We’d take the chance on her because what we saw in her first book and in her continued foray into the world of Catholic fiction really captured what we are about at Bezalel Books.

Needless to say, after months (literally) of praying, I approach Laura with the proposal for a second book. Knowing it took Laura years to write Finding Grace in between her duties as wife and mother, I also knew that I had a timeline in mind—as well as a smaller book. 

Finding Grace is epic. The sort of book that continues to draw you back and that you really sink your teeth in.

I wanted Laura to condense her abilities into a book that would be considered Young Adult but would capture the interests of all ages—from tween through adult.

Now it was Laura’s time to pray…

The contract has since been signed and Laura has just sent me the first six chapters of Erin’s Ring.

Once in a while, the stars line up and God’s blessings are so evident it feels miraculous. That’s how I felt reading these chapters of Erin’s Ring. This will be the sort of book that makes the YA audience the fasting growing audience in literature among adults.

We’ve got a spring 2015 release set for Erin’s Ring; in the meantime, I highly recommend Finding Grace if you haven’t yet come up with a great summer reading book. If nothing else, check out Laura’sblog. You’ll be glad you did!



(the picture used is ID 5121949 © Connie Larsen | Dreamstime.com)

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Three Steps to Becoming Your Own Best Prayer Warrior

Miriam loved being a prayer warrior for her church and her friends. She took the job of pounding on heaven’s doors very seriously. In fact, being a prayer warrior was very much in line with Miriam’s own gift of intercession. Unfortunately, Miriam was plagued with the false idea that while other’s deserved healing and wholeness and miracles, she did not. And this false belief led to less and less successful intercession for others as Miriam’s own needs for healing and wholeness and miracles continued to be unmet because she did not feel she was worthy of heaven’s help.

Many, many Christians suffer from the same false belief that Miriam experienced. Countless Christians feel unworthy of heavenly intercession; but nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, it behooves every Christian to become his own, best prayer.

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Articles/Keys-to-Becoming-Your-Own-Best-Prayer-Warrior.aspx#PTtxL0GPYorXFwde.99


picture: ID 37530342 ©  | Dreamstime.com