Regener8: Book Announcement
Regener8: Straight Talk for Street Smart Teens
by Rob Cook
REGENER8 is not your parent’s devotional. Your world is smaller due to technology. Your music is extreme, your entertainment edgy. Life moves at a much faster pace. You live life in dog years. You embrace life, and you tell it like it is. This book’s for you.
REGENER8 is an 8-week devotional, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a foundation builder – a blueprint for life.
It’s relevant and controversial. It’s in your face.
REGENER8 takes the training wheels off youth ministry and rips down the speed limit signs. This fast-paced book will challenge you in every area of your life. While this book is packed with life-changing truth, we opted for no preservatives and no sugar-coating. Just 100% of your daily allowance of in-your-face Gospel truth.
The only requirement is that you leave your preconceived notions about God and Jesus at the door, and commit to this eight-week journey for truth. Are you up for the challenge of REGENER8? Are you tough enough to handle 8 weeks, 8 lessons, and 8 truths? Are you tired of playing life? If so, let’s REGENER8 your life.
Passion for Writing
People milled about the room, almost everyone looking like they’d stepped out of a book. Actually, they had. I guessed that people costumes were dressed as a character from their book. Now why hadn’t I worn my costume? Ah well, at least I wasn’t the only one in normal clothes. Even though I wasn’t feeling like I was completely part of the crowd, I was ecstatic to be there at the One Year Adventure Novel summer workshop.
The One Year Adventure Novel (OYAN) workshop was absolutely the most awesome thing I experienced summer 2011. OYAN students are very excited about writing and really fall in love with their characters. That first day at the camp was an exciting way to start with all the people dressed up, talking, laughing, and having fun before the classes even started!
I made several new friends and learned more skills about writing. I’m now better prepared to go out and write good stories and I know whom I want to write for and why.
One of the biggest things that hit me at camp though, was that most of the speakers mentioned the need for more teen Christian fiction. They talked about how most of teen fiction nowadays has fallen far away from God. Most teen fiction is now full of violence and darkness.
After I listened to the speakers, I was so ready to go out and write! I wanted to write something amazing, be published right away, and change lives in the world. I realized that my calling from God is to write for teens; to write stories with God-inspired themes. I realized the amazing gift of story that God has given me.
Story is an amazing way to get our point across. There’s an example of this in the Old Testament of the Bible. After David took Bathsheba as his wife and sent Uriah out to die, Nathan came to David. He didn’t blatantly tell David what he’d done wrong. Instead, Nathan told David an allegorical story about the rich man who took the poor man’s lamb. The story made an impression on David and revealed his sin more clearly than a blatant reprimand would have.
Story has the ability to change lives. Teens need changed lives. They need to hear of the Good News and of Jesus. But, most fiction for teens has become dark and depressing.
God has given me a passion for writing, for story, for fiction, for Him. I want to use the gifts he’s given me in my writing to serve Him.
The camp in itself was not the best part of my summer; consolidating the fact that I’m a writer for God and cultivating my passion for writing were the discoveries that made my summer awesome!
I’m trusting God to use me in the ways He wants. He’s put writing on my heart and I’m going to use it to glorify Him.

Danielle Dodge is thirteen years old. Her top favorite activities are reading and writing although she does enjoy riding horses, ballet, and playing the violin. She’s placed in three contests and written two novellas.
Deadlines
What is a writer to do with time constraints?
By participating in NaNoWriMo last year, (National Novel Writing Month) I personally learned that I write best when I have a certain goal to accomplish each day. That goal helps me push myself to complete it. Even if I’m too tired or getting discouraged, I know I have a goal in mind and I want to meet it.
Things like NaNoWriMo and signing up for a writing class will help with writing under pressure. In a writing class, the teacher gives you a deadline. If you miss that deadline, you can’t participate in any assignments concerning that piece of writing; deadlines have consequences when not met. You could even assign your own deadlines. Maybe three thousand words in one day or a chapter a week or any other deadline you want to create!
Also, finding a writing buddy helps. Whether you can meet in person or just online, you and your buddy can make personal goals and then discuss each day (or week, or whatever you choose) how you accomplished that goal. Meanwhile, you can discuss ideas, encourage each other, and find support in knowing that someone is working with you.
The best option, in my opinion, is a class in which you’ll lose percentage points if you turn in an assignment late. I’ve taken classes through my local community college. Search around where you live; you might find a good program.
Once again, it’s entirely your decision what to do. I’ve provided some examples that have worked for me and hope that other writers will find something useful from them.
Visit the Nation Novel Writing Website: http://www.nanowrimo.org/
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Down to Earth Mystery: The Double Cousins and the Mystery of the Missing Watch
My Rating: Bucks: ![]()
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Reviewed by: Esther LoPresto
Written by: Miriam Jones Bradley
The “Double Cousins” are the children of a pair of siblings who both marry another pair of siblings. In this story, Carly and her sister Molly are the double cousins of Dorie, Max, and Chad.
All of the cousins enjoy visiting their grandparents’ ranch in Kansas during the summer. Grandpa Milton tells the kids a story about his grandfather’s brother who left Kansas in the 1800s for California. But he never returned. Grandpa challenges the kids to solve the mystery. Left with only a pocket watch, Carly and Max dive into the mystery. Questions arise even more when a homeless man, Slim, comes to work on the farm for the summer.
Packed with kid-friendly adventure and excitement, Miriam Bradley’s first mystery is fun for all ages. In the vein of the Boxcar Children series, the story contains no violence or any other kind of objectionable content, simply enjoyment and mystery. She also based the setting and some characters on her grandparents’ farm and her cousins. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
I had the pleasure of meeting and making a friend of Miriam at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. It is also a pleasure to review and help promote her book! (The author provided this book for review.)
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Book Review – “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
Daring, romantic, and dangerously death defying. The Hunger Games is absolutely the most exciting on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of book!
The main character, 16 year-old Katniss Everdeen, begins her story with having the responsibility of taking care of her mother and sister. To care for her family, Katniss and her best friend Gale, hunt and trap in the woods, an act forbidden to the Districts. Katniss and her family live under the evil rule of the Capitol, the rulers of the twelve districts. The real action begins with the coming of the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games occur because of a rebellion in the past from District 13. Now, as punishment, the Districts must send one male and one female, between the ages of twelve and seventeen to be given as tributes to the Capitol. The Capitol then takes the helpless children and puts them in an arena where they are to fight to the death. All the Districts are forced to watch on live television as the contestants’ battle it out. So when the sister of Katniss is called for the Hunger Games, Katniss naturally volunteers in her place. Katniss and the male tribute, Peeta Mellark, are rushed through frenzied appearances in front of the Capitol and then are sent into the arena.
The rest of the book is a heart stopping adventure as Katniss forces her way through the Hunger Games, along with Peeta Mellark, who Katniss has mixed feelings for. Only one must come out of the arena. But will it be Katniss? Or will she have to sacrifice herself to save Peeta from an untimely death? Find out in this three part series, The Hunger Games!
Interested? Intrigued? Visit http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/ to learn more!

BLAKE MOON
Son to a farmer, 16 year old Blake lives in rural New Mexico with his parents, two sisters and a brother where they raise cattle, wheat and 4H livestock. He can drive a combine, pull a plow and milk a goat! Blake is a veracious reader: Done with homework? Read a book. Free class time? Read a book. Road trip? Read a book! When he’s not reading, Blake is a very active leader in his school and community where he is President of his 4H club, a member of FFA, BPA, FCA, Student Council, FCCLA (in which he competed at a national level) and, his favorite–journalism. (read more…)
Interview with Tony Nolan, Author of “Hurt Healer”
Swaying to the music, you look up to the stage. Your eyes stay there as the music stops and a man takes the microphone. Instead of singing, he speaks words encouragement and comfort; words of conviction and guilt, and love and acceptance. He speaks words of life that pick you up from your low ground, and make you see God with all his glory and love. That preacher that changed your life, his name is Tony Nolan.
Q: I saw you at Winter Jam 2011 and you told a little bit of your story. Do you remember anything from before you were adopted, or have you been told what happened?
A: I mention in my book that I was young then and don’t remember much but it is amazing how your emotions have a photo graphic memory. I remember too much.
Q: What was your life like once you were adopted?
A: I look back and thank God for the things my new parents provided for me food, shelter, clothing etc…But we were pretty starved for love. The good times outweighed the bad times but the bad times were really bad; with a lot of fear, rejection and tension.
Q: When did you find Christ?
A: He found me really. 2-24-89 someone shared the gospel with me and it blew my mind. I had always thought Christianity was a sort of God club that I would never be able to join because I was not good enough but when I really heard the Gospel it showed me that I was welcomed in not based o my goodness but the g
oodness of Jesus! I was swallowed up by the love of God!
Q: How did your life change when you found Him?
A: He freed me from drugs and self sabotaging habits. He gave me purpose and direction and invited me to trade in living for my small story of ME for a vital role in the grand story of God!
Q: At Winter Jam 2011, you said that your adoptive father told you he wished he didn’t spend $200 dollars on you. Do you have any relationship with him now?
A: Do you have any relationship with him now? He passed away when I was 15 years old.
Q: As a kid, did you suffer any bullying because of what your birth mother was?
A: Yes, I was constantly beat up. I hid most of the time while I was growing up knowing that each day I went to school was just another day of pain and fear.
Q: How did you start traveling with Winter Jam?
A: I did an 87 city tour with Casting Crowns and God saved 46,000 people at it and Winter Jam heard about that and invited me to come and preach for them. It is an honor to serve my King in this way and He is the only reason it happens. I am a goober…but I sure serve a God who is mighty to save when we preach the Gospel.
Q: In your blog, there is an entry entitled “making a difference.” In it the is an e-mail from a guy who says hearing you speak is what led him and his friend to Christ, and then a couple years later his friend died in a car accident. He said “Even though Sarah is gone I know that if it wasn’t for God’s calling for your life she would be in a very different place right now.” How does it make you feel to know that God is using you in such a big way?
A: I am filled with wonder and awe at a god who is working in lives so that they can be prepared for eternity. He loves people and He wants them to know that. I have a great purpose in life keeping it focused on that very thing
Q: How do you keep in contact with all of the people who fill out the “I’ve Decided” section of your website?
A: I email them just like I am doing now. We have time in life for the things that are important to us.
Q: What is your job currently?
A: It’s not really a job it’s more of a calling…I just wake up each day and serve our Lord and he keeps showing me where I need to be.
Q: Does your family travel with you when you go places to speak?
A: Not all of the time but most of the time. it is very expensive to lease a Bus and I’m just a preacher…so that means I don’t have any major record company paying for it…but I do have a God who meets my needs…but every dollar I spend to have my family with me is worth it
Q: What was it like when you went to China to adopt Fei Fei?
A: It was an awesome adventure with God!
Q: Do you have any other kids?
A: Three others.
Q: If so, how old are they?
A: 14, 12 , and 8
Q: If they’re old enough to understand it, what do your kids think of your testimony?
A: they think God is awesome for saving their dad
Q: What was it like while writing Hurt Healer? Was it hard to write your story for everyone to see?
A: I bleed from my soul over that book. It was worth every drop of blood knowing that others will be inspired to move forward in the power of God’s love
Q: “Through the pages of his life story Tony Nolan challenges and encourages us to reach out fearlessly and let the hurting see God in us. Hurt Healer compassionately and practically gives you the goods to pull it off right now!” -Toby Mac, recording artist and author of City on Our Knees
How did you go about telling your story, but making it more than just a testimony?
A: I don’t know really, it’s not like a “Story” that I tell, its memories and they happened and they are filled with pain, joys and purpose….so I just wrote about it and people all over the country are finding it very inspirational. To God be the glory!
Q: What is your goal for Hurt Healer?
A: That every single person on the face of the earth would taste and see that the Lord is good and those that trust in Him are blessed!
Now that you’ve heard the amazing story of this inspirational man, don’t just sit there. I challenge you to go out and do something. Don’t let this not change you; don’t try to make God not speak to you.
I’m Haley Faye Snyder. I’m 13 years old and in eighth grade. I’ve lived in the same Christian home in Kentucky since I was born. I have one little brother and two loving parents. I go to Westport Baptist church and have my whole life. (read more…)
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