Search Results for: blog books can provide an opening

Meet a Families.com Blogger – Dale Harcombe!

Today we are joined by the incomparable Dale Harcombe, who shares her taste in movies with me. Dale, thanks for chatting with me today. How long have you blogged for Families.com? Since mid-May 2007. I started just after coming back from Alpha 2 Omega, a Christian writers’ convention in Brisbane, Queensland. What topics do you blog about? At this stage Christian, though it seems to encompass different areas of life, since being a Christian affects all of living. What is your favorite thing about blogging for Families.com? I like the feeling of commmunity and interaction. Also when people let me … Continue reading →

Books Can Provide An Opening

How do you choose what to read? And more importantly how do you choose what books to buy? Are you influenced by the opinions of others? In the February 11, 2008 Publishers Weekly published an article called Word-of-Mouth Top Book-Buying Decisions. It statistics which were the result of a survey among African-American readers. The online survey found most readers chose books recommended. In fact 55% bought books recommend by a family member or friend. In my case, I might read something recommended by a friend. More often though I search out particular authors I like or I read the blurb … Continue reading →

How Can You Know God’s Will for Your Life? Part 3

Have you written down the desire of your heart? Are you delighting in the Lord and waiting to see how He will fulfill the desire of your heart? I certainly was, as we considered our move to Orange. Despite Satan’s best efforts to sow doubts, and at times he seemed to work overtime on this, we prepared to move. Convinced by Scripture, prayer and providential circumstances we got ready to move, secure that God would direct and undertake for us. I felt sure somehow God would enable me to use those gifts and abilities he caused me to write down, … Continue reading →

Yoga Positions for Early Labor

The other day my doula visited our home to show us some techniques we’ll use for pain management during early labor.  Our goal is to do as much of the labor at home as possible – we’re more comfortable at home, and thus more likely to be relaxed here – and so these are some moves and positions Jon and I can do to help me get through the pain. If you get a book like The Birth Partner or other books about/that have sections on natural childbirth, these positions might be familiar to you.  I don’t know exactly what they’re … Continue reading →

Learning by Experiences

One of the questions I get asked the most as a blogger who writes on homeschooling, education, and preschool is “what curriculum should I use for my 4 year old?” Some ask about curriculum choices for 2 and 3 year olds as well. It is all understandable. We want to provide the best for our children. Education is extremely important in a child’s life. Parents want to make the right decision. Starting an education at a young age is not to be discouraged. However, our view on what education is should be discouraged. Education does not equal a textbook. Education … Continue reading →

Getting Organized

Whereas I miss spending lazy summer days with my seven-year-old, I have to admit there are some perks to having her out of the house and back in school. If you’ve ever attempted to clean your kids’ rooms while they are in it, then you know what I’m referring to. Try sorting through mountains of old art projects in an attempt to save some and toss the rest, and you know that the task can be akin to Chinese water torture. “You’re throwing that away!” my little Picasso screams each time I try to recycle even the most obscure art … Continue reading →

Serious Summer Fun

The calendar may still say spring, but with most of the country experiencing temperatures in the 80s and 90s, summer fever is already in full swing. It’s almost time for students to trade in their books for the beach, and for parents to start planning for the clan’s annual summer getaway. If you are looking for activities that will delight the entire family in the coming weeks, consider the following: GREAT AMERICAN FOOD AND MUSIC FEST This annual one-day event has something for everyone. Foodies will be in heaven sampling everything from authentic buffalo wings from Anchor Bar in Buffalo … Continue reading →

Author Interview—J. Scott Savage, on Writing Fantasy

Yesterday we were joined by J. Scott Savage, author of the soon-to-be-released young adult fantasy novel, “Farworld: Water Keep.” If you missed the first installment, you can click here to catch up. Scott, I understand “Water Keep” is the first of a series. How many books will follow, and how frequently will they be released? Seventeen books released one every three years. Just kidding! There are five books. The titles of books two, three, and four are Land Keep, Air Keep, and Fire Keep. I’m still working on the title for book five. They will be released one book every … Continue reading →

Do You Want Better Social Skills?

If you want to improve at social skills read fiction. No, you did not read wrongly. If you want to improve at social skills read fiction. That’s the latest finding by cognitive scientists in Toronto. Over the years, I’ve met Christians who tell me with an element of pride they never read fiction – not just Christian fiction but ANY fiction. The implication is that their time is far too valuable to waste on fiction and stories that to their minds are made-up and therefore not true. I admit I’ve always found this is peculiar attitude and think they are … Continue reading →

Stepping Out in Prayer

One of the most encouraging things we can do for others is to pray for them. It is also encouraging for us knowing others are praying for us. The other writers and I who were part of the 40 day prayer covenant, found it hard sometimes to make time for praying for each other. Yet we were so encouraged by our participation in the 40 day prayer covenant and the answers to prayer we saw, that we opted to continue praying for each other on a regular basis. A person a day on a daily basis. It’s a lovely feeling … Continue reading →