The Secret Place

Click on logo to read a devotion - "The Secret Place."

"The other night I watched the classic movie, The Secret Garden, made in 1949 and based on the children's book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, about a sad and troubled girl who finds peace while solving the mystery of a secret garden...."

Simple Living - Who ARE the Joneses?

My Simple Living Column is up on the Dabbling Mum. Click HERE to read "Who Are the Joneses?"

A Coloring Page/Hidden Picture Puzzle for Father's Day

Visit Topsy Turvy Land to print out a hidden picture puzzle to solve and then color from Liz Ball, Hidden Pictures Publishing.

Click HERE!

Captivating Women Quarterly - June 13

I invite you to attend the Captivating Women Quarterly - Summer 2009 Mini-Conference. From 11:15am - 12:30 pm, I will be teaching Workshop 2 - "Write His Glory."

"As Christians, whether we're writing a book, a magazine article, or for the web, our ultimate goal is to write for God's glory. Would you like to see more clearly how God is involved in your writing process? Come ready to examine what motivates you to write and to determine how best to use your unique gifts to obey His call to communicate the message He's given you…for His glory!"

Come ready to delve deep into your motivation to write and route a course for your unique gifts from God.

To register, click the banner above.

Book News: Dotty's Topsy Tale - Now Available!

Dotty's Topsy Tale, written by Donna J. Shepherd, illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier, the long awaited print sequel to Topsy Turvy Land, introduces a purple baby hippo named Violet into the inspirational series to explore the topic of discrimination. Kevin created 14 fun, colorful illustrations for the book.
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Dotty is up on the publisher's website. Click HERE for more information.

Illustrator: Kevin Scott Collier http://www.kevinscottcollier.com/

Print ISBN 13: 978-1-935137-55-9; eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-935137-65-5

Dotty's Book Trailer

Hidden Picture Puzzle for Easter!

A hidden picture puzzle for Easter by Liz Ball. To order books with her hidden picture puzzles, click HERE. Enjoy!

*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program.

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Look for My Devotionals in NEW Cup of Comfort Books!

CWAHM.com Announces Work At Home 101 A FREE online 3-week course designed to give moms a work-at-home starting place. Most people are curious about working from home. We know others do it, but aren't sure how they do it. CWAHM.com's Work at Home 101 is designed to give you an overview of the choices available that will allow you to work from home. This online course will give you the starting place you've been searching for. Best of all - it's completely free! CLICK HERE! Some of the things covered during Work at Home 101: * Where to Start * Telecommuting * Home-Based Businesses * Avoiding Scams * Entrepreneur Tips *AND MUCH MORE!

Greater Harvest Workshops - A Day for Writers

Important Announcement:

I was so looking forward to our Greater Harvest Workshops Saturday. I'm sorry to say that we've had to postpone our workshops. Mary had a death in her extended family and was called to be with her family during this difficult time.

We have rescheduled for February 28. If you've already paid, we can either keep your registration as is and let you know when the event will be, or we will refund your money immediately of course, if you prefer. Let me know. I'm so sorry we've had to do this, but some things just can't be planned for, can they?

In the meantime - keep writing!

Greater Harvest Workshops
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 8:30-3:30

Resurrection Lutheran Church, Lebanon, Ohio

Registration: $45

Have you always wanted to write but haven’t known where to start?

Is it your desire to write articles and devotionals for magazines and books?

Have you written a book, or would like to, but have no idea what step to take next?

Has fear paralyzed you and kept you from writing or submitting your pieces?

Greater Harvest Workshops are designed to move you closer to your goal of becoming a working writer and published author. Taught by Donna Shepherd, an author and speaker, and Mary Busha, a writer's coach, these workshops, along with hands-on training, will motivate you to step up to the next level!

For more information and to register, go to:

http://www.greaterharvestworkshops.com

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New Year: Living with Expectancy

Audio Devo: Click here to listen to "Living With Expectancy."

“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14

Shopping for Christmas?

Check your Christmas list. Do you have children to buy for? May I suggest a copy of Topsy Turvy Land? Here are a few of the stores with Topsy Turvy Land in stock. You can also order the book from almost any bookstore (presently through Baker & Taylor, Inc. and/or Partners Book Distributing, Inc.), or order directly from the publisher! Click here!

Online Stores:

Hidden Pictures Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Abebooks
Amazon FR
Amazon UK
Amazon Marketplace
Biblio
Buy.com
Half.com

Brick and Mortar Stores:

Family Christian Stores #95
Towne Mall Blvd
Franklin, OH 45005-5530
Phone: (513) 424-1593

Family Christian Stores #50
Prestige Plaza
1 Prestige Plaza
Miamisburg, OH 45342-3767
Phone: (937) 435-0583

Books & Co.
350 East Stroop Road
Dayton, OH 45429
(937) 298-6540

Family Christian Stores #460
9938 Waterstone Blvd
Cincinnati, OH 45249-8295
Phone: (513) 583-5100

Family Christian Stores #468
Hyde Park Plaza
3802 Paxton Ave #12Cincinnati, OH 45209-2399
Phone: (513) 321-0300

Ashton's Ben Franklin
Carrollton, OH

Little Professor
Troy, OH

Angel Heaven Gifts & Gallery
11 South Main Street
West Milton, OH 45383
(937) 698-9464

Order can be placed at any Waldenbooks. My other books, Chizzy's Topsy Tale and No More Gunk & OUCH! Sunburn can also be ordered at any bookstore or through the publisher, Guardian Angel Publishing.

Christmas Hidden Picture Puzzle/Coloring Page

A special treat! A hidden picture puzzle by Liz Ball. To order books with her hidden picture puzzles or Topsy Turvy Land, click HERE. Enjoy!

*Click on picture to print out full size ready to be colored, or right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program.

The One Year Women's Friendship Devotional

The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional (Tyndale) is the latest book from friends and coauthors Cheri Fuller and Sandra Aldrich. Not only does the text provide a deeper connection to and enjoyment of God and His Word, but it is a wonderful opportunity for today’s busy women to connect with each other as they discuss the short daily devotions and the “To Ponder” questions at the end of each week’s section. Perfect for small groups or two girlfriends meeting over coffee, the devotional also is appropriate for those who prefer individual study.

What can women gain from The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional?

Sandra: The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional is designed for today’s busy woman. Each of the 365 devotions are on one page and contain a daily Scripture, short devotional thought from either Cheri or me and end with an honest prayer and an insightful quote. At the end of each week are questions to ponder individually or talk over with a friend. But beyond the friendship connection is our heavenly Father’s invitation to know more about Him and His living Word.

Cheri: One of the benefits of our One Year devotional is it provides a vehicle to discover your natural rhythm for drawing near to God in a personal and regular way. For right-brained people like me, the structure helps me stay in God’s Word day by day so my roots can grow deeper in Christ. Being a lover of people, I also enjoy exchanging ideas and discussing how a certain verse or story spoke to me, and the weekly questions are ideal for that purpose.

What are some of the topics covered?

Sandra: The 52 weekly themes cover many issues of a woman’s life, including career challenges, the power of encouragement, joyful living, hearing God above life’s roar, when your childhood family is toxic, faith building, avoiding overload, attitude adjustments, finding your spiritual pathway, dealing with stress, wading through grief, telling and hearing truth, making a difference, dealing with Christmas frenzy, a fresh-brewed prayer life, freedom from fear, and reaching a hurting world.

Does the reader need to start reading the devotional on January 1?

Sandra: No. This devotional isn’t about performance; it’s about connections. One of our weekly themes is about guilt, and we don’t want to add more to our readers’ stress-filled lives.

Cheri: One of the helpful facets of The One Year Women’s Friendship Devotional is that you can jump in and start any day, wherever you are—which is very much how God graciously interacts with us. We don’t have to get to a certain place to experience his grace. In this book, there is encouragement, hope, and inspiration for every day of the year—whatever age or stage you are currently in.

The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional provides connection in this fragmented world—connection to other women and, most importantly, connection to our heavenly Father. The quickest way to order it is through amazon.com. For more information about Cheri Fuller or Sandra Aldrich visit their websites at http://www.cherifuller.com/ or http://www.sandraaldrich.com/ And remember: the heavenly Father is just a whisper away.

Speaking Event - Women Together

Ressurrection Lutheran Church: Women Together
Nov 15, 2008 - 8:45 AM
1270 N. Broadway Lebanon, OH

Donna will be speaking and singing. There is no charge and breakfast is included. Please RSVP by contacting Donna through her website or Shoutlife.

My Family on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover

This is a video of my nephew's family. It starts with a news story from Channel 5, Cincinnati. I think you'll not only be touched, but inspired. This family is an amazing one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgQNrv7AtY0

Fundraising efforts go on all the time. They've had a couple of businesses like Lowes offer materials for the new house. Their current house is a bi-level and the main level is pretty small since the big family room is downstairs. Since Brooke has gotten older, I don't know how Ginger (her mom) even manages to carry her up and down the steps.

The site for donations and news is called Akers Angels - and they truly are!

http://akersangels.com/donate.html

Thanks for watching, and please pass it on!

* UPDATE! * UPDATE! * UPDATE! *

The Akers Family had a brand new one-story house built for them by ABC's Extreme Home Makeover! A huge thanks goes to ALL of you who prayed, donated time and money, and sent emails to ABC requesting that the Akers Family be considered for a makeover. ABC received a record number of emails on behalf of Greg, Ginger, Christian, Brooke, and Faith Akers. The entire family considers this home to be a tremendous blessing from God, and a new start for the family.

Here is a video of the "Big Reveal."



The kids got to go see the Jonas Brother in concert while EHMO built their house. Here's a clip. I assure you that Christian is just as sweet in person as he is in this video. Enjoy.



And once again - thank you!

A while back when I mentioned that I had a story in a gift book called The Best Grandma in the World. That story is about Brooke Akers and her grandma, Shirley Akers!


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She’s Got a Way About Her

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up. – Luke 18:1 nlt

Several years ago, a friend told me about a dog needing a home. My daughter and I went to check her out and fell in love.

A slip of a puppy, the five-pound apricot poodle, Cassie, thinks she’s a cat. She grooms my other dog, Angel, and curls up on top of any pillow - or person, lying around. She’s a darling dog and very affectionate, but since she was older when we adopted her, we can’t change a thing about her. Maybe it’s the cat temperament.

When we call the dogs in, the other two (Yes, I have three!) come running. But Cassie, in true cat fashion, decides when she will come in. I have to go out into the yard and scoop her up if I’m in a hurry. Sometimes, we inadvertently leave her out. She comes to the back door, and the most obnoxious, high-pitched whining you’ve ever heard from a dog comes forth.

Do you have a prayer you’ve been praying a long time? I know I do. At times, I feel like Cassie, yapping at the back door of heaven wondering if God even hears me.

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the Parable of the Persistent Widow, a lesson on why we should always pray and never give up. He tells of a widow who kept coming to a judge for justice against an adversary. Jesus says this judge cared neither for man nor God. The widow had no advantage or advocate in her favor. She was on her own to plead her case, and she was persistent.

Though the widow probably became frustrated, she did not quit until her case was heard and justice granted. Instead of the judge wearing her down by refusing to help, she wore him down by refusing to give up.

Unlike the unjust, ungodly judge, God cares for us far beyond our ability to comprehend. Although it can be difficult to understand why our prayers aren’t answered right away, God knows what is best for us. Jesus taught if this arrogant, unjust, and ungodly judge can be worn down to answering the prayers of a widow who seemed insignificant to him, then how much more will God, Who does cares for us, answer our prayers in accordance with His will. And we aren’t annoying God. He loves us and wants to hear from His children. I try to remember to pray as Jesus did. “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6:10 niv

Is that Cassie I hear at the back door again? I love her, but that’s annoying!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You hear my prayers and You know what’s best for me. I trust You and rest in Your love. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Do I Have to Go to Church?

A new column's up on The Dabbling Mum titled "Do I Have to Go to Church?" In our fast-paced lives, church attendance can tend to get worked out of the schedule.

Click here to read! Feel free to comment here on the blog. Thanks!

Donna J. Shepherd © 2008
All rights reserved.

No portion of this Website may be reproduced by Crossmap or any other website without dated written permission from Donna. - Thanks!
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Back to School!

The August Devo for Kids is up on CWAHM. Click HERE for Topsy Turvy Time!

A New Name

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. – Romans 8:15-16

My mother’s face pressed up against the chain link fence. “Bye, Honey! Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

I stood on the other side waving her on. “Mommy, I’m fine. Go! I’ll see you later.”

The excitement of my first day of school had me jumping up and down in anticipation. I couldn’t wait to meet all the new kids and make friends.

I skipped into the classroom and the teacher directed me to sit down at a big, round wooden table with a half dozen other children. My eyes scanned the table, and I spoke up. “Why don’t we all say our names?”

Even at the tender age of six, I could tell some of the boys and girls seemed scared. One by one, they spoke up and recited their names. When one of the girls said, “My name is Donna,” my eyes lit up and I exclaimed, “Mine is, too!”

As the eldest of four children, I had plenty of experience bossing children around. I assessed this situation and asked Donna, “What’s your middle name?”

“It’s Faye,” she said.

“All right, then,” I announced. “From now on, I’ll be Donna, and you’ll be Faye.”

Poor ‘Faye’ looked confused and finally said okay. All of first grade, she went by the name of Faye.

In the book of Revelation we read where John wrote, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” – Revelation 2:17

Although Donna Faye didn’t really like the idea of getting a new name, I look forward to the day when God will give one to me. This new name signifies our adoption. An adopted person takes the name of the family into which he or she is adopted. God has adopted me into His family and one day, I, too, will receive a new name.

Eight years after I gave Donna her new name, I sat in a classroom on my first day of high school. I was ‘the new kid’ having just moved into the district. When the teacher introduced me, a girl sitting in the desk to my left looked startled. After class, she came running up and said, “Donna, it’s me! Faye!”

After we hugged and caught up on our lives, she told me she had to endure being called by her middle name for another year even after my family moved. When her family moved to the district we both ended up in, she could start over.

“Then I could be ‘Donna’ again.”

I laughed and said, “I was a bossy little thing, wasn’t I?”

I’m still amazed I had the audacity to christen her with a new name in first grade, but I’m looking forward with great anticipation to the day when I receive my new name, one God has picked out just for me – my first day in heaven.

Prayer: God, I thank You that I am Your child and can address You as Abba, Father. What a privilege! I praise You for my new name. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

*This devotional story placed Third Place in the Faithwriters Weekly Challenge.
A New Name

Dotty's Topsy Tale - Coming soon!

Dotty's Topsy Tale, written by Donna J. Shepherd, illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier, the long awaited print sequel to Topsy Turvy Land, introduces a purple baby hippo named Violet into the inspirational series to explore the topic of discrimination. Kevin created 14 fun, colorful illustrations for the book.
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