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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The Secret Place

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” - Psalm 91:1

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. Although I don’t remember ever reading that book, the idea of a place to get away has always been my dream. As a child growing up in a tumultuous and stressful home, I imagined a tranquil and beautiful retreat.

In the movie, the filmmakers used Technicolor in key scenes. It was almost breathtaking to go from the dark and brooding atmosphere of black and white film to the shocking array of vibrant colors. I thought of how this compares with the times I really commune with God. I escape from a gray world to talk without interruption to the Master, the Creator of all things lovely and good. Everything becomes more colorful, clearer, authentic. The outside world falls away from view, and I’m left in a place of holiness and peace. I find rest for my weary mind, and the strength to go on. How I long to linger there, resting in the shadow of the Almighty!

Even now, I could use a garden in which to hide. I spend little time alone. My house buzzes with activity with people stopping by, phones jangling, and dogs barking. Most of the time, I enjoy the clamor, but sometimes I could really use a secret place to recharge, talk to God, and be quiet and still long enough to listen when He talks to me.

Will you find a secret place today for prayer and worship? I pray you do, and that you and I both emerge refreshed, anointed, victorious, ready to minister in the way our Master has designed for each of us.

My son recently moved out, and I’m thinking of transforming his room into a place of worship, somewhere in my house I can escape, where no television blares, no radio booms, and no computer hums – my own prayer closet. My own Secret Garden. I know God will meet me there.

Prayer: God, I look forward to our time of Communion. Thank you for the assurance that You are always with me. I praise You! In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

Donna J. Shepherd - http://www.donnajshepherd.com/

No More Gunk! Picture Book for Ages 4-8

No More Gunk! is a Double Doozie - two books in one! This book is the first for a new imprint of Guardian Angel Publishing. The Health & Hygiene line features books teaching children about taking care of their bodies.

In No More Gunk! by Donna J. Shepherd, short, playful rhymes and Kevin Scott Collier's humorous illustrations help children learn in a fun way the importance of proper dental hygiene. Tooth Tips encourage children to take care of their teeth.

In the bonus book, Ouch! Sunburn!, Donna J. Shepherd's snappy rhymes, along with the 15 colorful and fun illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier, help children see the need to protect their skin in the sun. Sun Safety Tips in the back of the book reinforce the book's theme.

Click HERE to order directly from Guardian Angel Publishing.

For LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS and INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES requesting wholesale print books contact: directorders_libraries_schools@guardianangelpublishing.com

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW
BY: Gayle Jacobson-Huset, Assistant Editor
Stories for Children Magazine

"This is a fun "book" to review since it is actually two books in one! Guardian Angel Publishing has come out with their Double Doozie line of books and now has a Health & Hygiene Line.

In NO MORE GUNK, author Donna Shepherd has written a very humorous yet factual storyline on taking good care of your teeth and how to do so, in rhyming prose. Combined with the awesome and very funny artwork of Kevin Scott Collier, this book is quite the attention-getter for your child and will help you to teach him/her good health habits in a really fun way.

I particularly enjoyed the "No More Gunk Tooth Tips" at the end of the story – even the tips rhymed! Good job, Donna! My favorite tip: "They're your teeth, so be the boss. Always take the time to floss."

This was like reading a terrific poem full of FUNNY illustrations that your child will want you to read to them over and over and over! This is a keeper and gets a high five, especially when coupled with a SECOND free book!

OUCH! SUNBURN is also a terrific learning experience for your child, and one that hit home hard to me personally. Back in the age of the dinosaur, aka - when I was a small child, we didn't know much about the dangers of the sun and how it damages your skin, and nobody knew what sunscreen was. I grew up by the ocean, so I was either always at the beach, or at our local pool where I swam competitively. I am blonde and fair-skinned, and I had some whopper sunburns as I grew up. I've been "out of the sun" for 40 years now, but it doesn't matter – I still ended up getting skin cancer from those early exposures as a child.

So, I can tell you firsthand, that everything Donna says in this book is absolutely positively the truth, and I hope its message really hits home to young readers. The charming rhyming prose Donna uses along with Kevin's fun, colorful illustrations, make this book lots of fun for children to learn how to protect their skin from sunburns.

At the end, Donna again gives Ouch! Sunburn Extra Tips, of course, in rhyme. My favorite: "When you're out from ten to two. Play in Shade. Smart Kids do." WHERE WAS THIS BOOK WHEN I WAS GROWING UP? This is a must-have to teach your child safety in the sun at an early age."

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Devotional for the Graduate

Click HERE to visit Worthfinding.com and read Who Do You Know?
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The Privilege of Writing - Books a Latte

Check out Books a Latte and read "The Privilege of Writing." Click HERE!

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Join Me for the Captivating Women Mini-Conference

Captivating Women Quarterly Mini-Conference Jun 14, 2008 - 8:30 AM

9286 Schulze Drive
West Chester, OH

If you're ready to be encouraged and equipped to fulfill your God-given potential, we look forward to seeing you at the Captivating Women Summer 2008 Mini-Conference!

You will be encouraged and equipped to fulfill your God-given potential as a woman at the Captivating Women Summer 2008 Mini-Conference! This special 1-day event will offer you practical and inspiring workshops, with some of the nation's best speakers helping you develop your skills - all for just $49!

-Plus - you'll be refreshed and renewed with special music from Connie Ryan during our welcome session.

-And ... for only an additional $49, you can request an interview session with life coach and radio hostess Emily Roach - and then receive a professionally edited audio track of your interview for your media kit or to share your testimony with others!

-Finally, you can also request a photo shoot for a professional headshot with photographer Collin Rowland - for just an additional $99!

Workshop 1 - "From Podium to Paper and Back: Writing to Communicate and Captivate" with Donna Shepherd: 9:30 - 10:45am

Identify and meet the needs of your audience - and get on the pathway to publication! Learn how to develop your message, where to submit your writing, and how to incorporate your pieces into your speaking ministry.

For more information and to register:
http://www.captivatingwomen.org/index.html

I hope to see you there! - Donna
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