Every time I do a book signing, I encounter lots of people who have never heard of the Cup of Comfort book series. I usually tell them that they are similar to the Chicken Soup series, as they are full of short, inspirational stories targeted at a particular genre and written by different authors (contributors). The books are published by Adam's Media and they are a good value and make excellent gifts. If you aren't familiar with the Cup of Comfort book series, you might want to go to http://www.cupofcomfort.com/ sometime and check it out.
I have been published in several of their titles, including their two newest books: A Cup of Comfort Women of the Bible Devotional, and A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers and Daughters. These two new titles are hardback; their previous titles are paperback. If you'd like autographed copies of these titles or any of my books (go to my "Books" tab for selections) drop me an email, or go to the "Signed by the Author" link on my site.
I personally read several different daily devotionals every day, some from these books and some from periodicals - and throughout the day. Most often their brief, inspirational messages are very timely - as if they are handpicked just for me and just for my unique need for that day! Imagine that...
Happy reading!
Connie
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Heavenly Book
I just finished reading a wonderfully uplifting and inspiring book, "My Glimpse of Eternity", by Betty Malz. I started reading it last night and didn't want to stop, but the light in our bedroom interferes with my husband's sleep (we arise at 4:15 a.m.), so I begrudgingly obliged. It was easy to dash out of bed this morning, knowing I would be able to return to the captivating gem.
After my morning Bible study (today I'm in James, chapter one) and hurriedly scribbling in my journal, I resumed my place in my new found literary treasure. By 6:45 - it was finished. Whew! Talk about moving! It took me to heaven and made me want to stay there.
It was first published in 1977 and recently re-released by Baker Revell publishers, and deservedly so. We need more books that remind us to live with eternity in mind; to make each day count for Jesus; to encourage us to let His neverending love ooze from our pores. We need books that gently prod us to be less self-absorbed and more God focused.
It has nudged me, as an inspirational writer myself, to get back on the saddle and keep the reigns on the horse.
Read any good books lately?
God bless,
Connie
After my morning Bible study (today I'm in James, chapter one) and hurriedly scribbling in my journal, I resumed my place in my new found literary treasure. By 6:45 - it was finished. Whew! Talk about moving! It took me to heaven and made me want to stay there.
It was first published in 1977 and recently re-released by Baker Revell publishers, and deservedly so. We need more books that remind us to live with eternity in mind; to make each day count for Jesus; to encourage us to let His neverending love ooze from our pores. We need books that gently prod us to be less self-absorbed and more God focused.
It has nudged me, as an inspirational writer myself, to get back on the saddle and keep the reigns on the horse.
Read any good books lately?
God bless,
Connie
Friday, March 20, 2009
Blog Email Updates
I just added a new feature to my blogs - you can sign up for my updates to be sent automatically to your email! Hope you'll try it out.
Blessings,
Connie
Blessings,
Connie
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
For the Love of Homemade Vegetable Soup
Do you remember the dreaded homemade veggie soup when you were a kid? I sure do. As soon as I saw my mother emptying the fridge of all the leftover veggies and tossing them into one big pot, I knew what I and my four siblings were in for. (And this almost always followed a dinner of a large pot roast from the night before.)
In the midst of the whining, I'd pick out and gobble up the beef, green beans and the corn, but then I'd stare cross-eyed at the rest of the mess for an hour, fighting the next bite. My brothers and sister were just as bad as me. And yes, you guessed it, now we love the stuff! Go figger.
Last week something divinely comical happened, in regards to this soup. I gave a speech to a bunch of sweet little ladies and I began it with this cute joke: "A Sunday School Teacher asked little Johnny; "Now, Johnny, tell me the truth, do you say prayers before eating?"
"No ma'am," little Johnny replied, “I don't have to. My mom is a good cook .”
I immediately followed that introduction with a statement that my mom is a good cook, too. I went on to describe how she makes the best homemade vegetable soup ever, but back when I was a kid I didn't like it at all. As a matter of fact, I knew I was called to be a missionary when I was only 8 years old. One day, while pouting over a bowl of that stuff and listening to mt mother's reminder of how: “You should be grateful to have that soup. There are starving children in India who would love to be eating it right now,” I got a bright idea.
I found a shoebox, put my bowl of soup in it, wrote “INDIA” on the outside, taped it shut and stuck it in our mailbox!
Yep - I was destined to become a missionary. (But so far, not overseas.)
When my mom called a few days ago and asked how my speech went, I told her it went well, and then I proceeded to share my veggie soup tale.
She couldn't stop laughing.
Yes, it was funny, but not that funny.
Finally, when she came up for air, she told me why she was laughing so hard. It seems the same day as my speech, and even the same hour of it, she was eating some homemade vegging soup. And, she had my niece and her 2 young children over for lunch. And...not only did my niece gobble up her soup, but her 2 kids gobbled it up, too. They even asked their mom to ask great grandma how to make it so they could have it again soon.
Go figger.
In the midst of the whining, I'd pick out and gobble up the beef, green beans and the corn, but then I'd stare cross-eyed at the rest of the mess for an hour, fighting the next bite. My brothers and sister were just as bad as me. And yes, you guessed it, now we love the stuff! Go figger.
Last week something divinely comical happened, in regards to this soup. I gave a speech to a bunch of sweet little ladies and I began it with this cute joke: "A Sunday School Teacher asked little Johnny; "Now, Johnny, tell me the truth, do you say prayers before eating?"
"No ma'am," little Johnny replied, “I don't have to. My mom is a good cook .”
I immediately followed that introduction with a statement that my mom is a good cook, too. I went on to describe how she makes the best homemade vegetable soup ever, but back when I was a kid I didn't like it at all. As a matter of fact, I knew I was called to be a missionary when I was only 8 years old. One day, while pouting over a bowl of that stuff and listening to mt mother's reminder of how: “You should be grateful to have that soup. There are starving children in India who would love to be eating it right now,” I got a bright idea.
I found a shoebox, put my bowl of soup in it, wrote “INDIA” on the outside, taped it shut and stuck it in our mailbox!
Yep - I was destined to become a missionary. (But so far, not overseas.)
When my mom called a few days ago and asked how my speech went, I told her it went well, and then I proceeded to share my veggie soup tale.
She couldn't stop laughing.
Yes, it was funny, but not that funny.
Finally, when she came up for air, she told me why she was laughing so hard. It seems the same day as my speech, and even the same hour of it, she was eating some homemade vegging soup. And, she had my niece and her 2 young children over for lunch. And...not only did my niece gobble up her soup, but her 2 kids gobbled it up, too. They even asked their mom to ask great grandma how to make it so they could have it again soon.
Go figger.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
"Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore"
I just returned to the midwest from Florida yesterday - what a shock. Going there was like a scene from the old version of the Wizard of Oz when the color suddenly comes on and everything is breathtakingly beautiful. Flowers, warm breezes and sand - on my! On the return trip, the pilot announced in balmy Orlando that the temperature in Ohio was all of...12 degrees. Ugh! My hubby and I tried to convince each other that it was good to be home, and it is always great to be back in your own bed with your favorite pillow; but our frigid winters are starting to get to me. To help ease the pain he bought me some fresh-cut flowers. It helped, but there was no way he could purchase the warm air and sand to go with it.
Now for some good news - the Christian publishing industry seems to be standing its own, or at least the publishers that were at the conference said they were planning on publishing the same number of titles this year. With the downturn in the economy I was concerned how it might affect the numbers of new books. But it was mentioned that the medium of the traditional published book seems to be changing, with the onset of the popular Kindle that's out now. However, that doesn't affect writers and how we write.
All-in-all it was a good conference, but then, how could it not be? Warm breezes and bright smiles were thoroughly enjoyed by all. And lest we forget, the common reason that each one of us were there - to learn more about the craft of how to spread the written Word - is always a joyful experience. One of the editors reminded us that Christian book conferences have only been around for a couple decades. God is rising up new writers to get the Word out in these last days. What an awesome time to be alive!
Praying you answer His call,
Connie
Now for some good news - the Christian publishing industry seems to be standing its own, or at least the publishers that were at the conference said they were planning on publishing the same number of titles this year. With the downturn in the economy I was concerned how it might affect the numbers of new books. But it was mentioned that the medium of the traditional published book seems to be changing, with the onset of the popular Kindle that's out now. However, that doesn't affect writers and how we write.
All-in-all it was a good conference, but then, how could it not be? Warm breezes and bright smiles were thoroughly enjoyed by all. And lest we forget, the common reason that each one of us were there - to learn more about the craft of how to spread the written Word - is always a joyful experience. One of the editors reminded us that Christian book conferences have only been around for a couple decades. God is rising up new writers to get the Word out in these last days. What an awesome time to be alive!
Praying you answer His call,
Connie
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