Book Announcement: The Purpose of Chosen

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It's Here, It's Here!

If  you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you have heard the news! My new book, The Purpose of Chosen is available on Amazon now! (The Kindle version anyway!) 

I have never been so excited and scared at the same time. Not even giving birth was this scary! Putting my work out on the internet for people to discover for "free" is one thing, but asking someone to put their money where my words are is another thing all together. 

Needless to say this is daunting. 

Still, I know that this is the next thing. I know God has called me to write. That is in part why it is so amazing to me: because on my own I am not enough. 

I am no Hemingway, and I am definitely no Joyce Meyer, but I am me. I can only share what God has laid on my heart and let Him give the increase. 

A Two Part Launch

The Kindle version of The Purpose of Chosen is ready for purchase right now! You can get it for only $3.99. The paperback version will be ready soon and that will be for $7.99. Get the Kindle version now for the lower price! 

If you get the book, will you consider writing a small review and posting it on Amazon.com? This will help other potential readers to learn more about the book and make an decision to buy. 

Once there are enough preliminary reviews I will be holding a "launch day" and will be tweeting and posting all about it soon. Of course I want the official launch day to include the physical book, so I will have to wait until that is ready from the publishers. 

More Than Old Blog Posts

The title of this book may sound familiar to you if you have been following this blog for any length of time. The Purpose of Chosen started off as a series I did for the blog, but this book takes that series to a whole new level. New content, stories, and discussion questions for small groups makes this book worth the read. 

The Back Cover

Here is the blurb from the cover, and I hope it helps you decide to buy a copy! 

"What you believe about yourself affects every aspect of your life---often in ways you don’t even realize. You may be convinced that this is all there is, but there is more for you. You were made for more than a mundane life; you were made to live with purpose. You have been chosen, like David, for more than even you know.

In The Purpose of Chosen Dayna Bickham explores what “more” means. Examining the story of David and Goliath in a new and fresh way, Bickham begins to radically confront the things you have believed about yourself and builds you up to face any giant that may stand in your way.

When you discover who you were designed to be, you begin to see that life is not just a random stream of events, but opportunities for greatness. You begin to see that giants were made for slaying and you were made for victory."

Thank You! 

I know that in today's economy disposable income is not as abundant as it once was. That is just one reason I want to say thank you if you choose to purchase The Purpose of Chosen. This is a big step for me as a writer and minister of the gospel. Your opinion does matter. Your friendship, prayers, encouragement and partnership in this community has sustained me and spurred me to do my best. 

I have not always lived up to "best", but for some reason you kept coming back anyway and I have to say thanks! 

For those of you subscribed to our newsletter, you will be getting a special e-mail from me concerning the book. My way of thanking my most loyal followers... 

I hope you will pray for me and for the people who will read this book. My desire is that they would be ministered to in the most personal of ways and truly grasp what it means to be chosen with purpose. 

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Contest Winner and Book Announcement

Congratulations! Noel Zepeda was the fabulous illustrator who won the Cover Art Contest for my new upcoming book, The Purpose of Chosen. 

I have to say I LOVE it! 

There were other great entries too. two from my daughter and one from a colleague I met through Michael Hyatt's Platform Launch team. 

I fell in love with what each artist did on one level or another. 

I have gotten permission from each artist to include their submissions as illustrations in the book, so those will be used too! 

There is plenty to do still. I am waiting on the forward. ( A good friend and fellow author/blogger is writing it.) And I am waiting on a really big "get" from another author who I love. I am not going to tell you who in case he does not want to review the book, but I am excited that the "maybe" hanging in the air is even there. I could have heard "no" right away. Now I am only waiting on his "Yes". 

Think you know who it might be? LOL! 

I have to say that this process has taught me so much. Patience is not my strong suit and I started this off by flinging it out into the world with so many errors it was embarrassing. I have to take the time to thank Shannon Mulholland and Heidi Kreider for their edits and reviews and Tammy Helfrich for her recent review as well. 

I have to thank Dana Pittman for pushing me to do more. This isn't  "the" book, but I am on my way. 

Everyone of you who have encouraged me, loved on me, listened to me, let me cry on your shoulder, thank you. 

For you artists who took a chance and helped me with my dream while you are in pursuit of your own dream, thank you! 

Thank you all for going to A Year in the Spiritual Life's Facebook Page and voting! 

Most of all, thank you Father God, who wrote David's life story and encourages me to live mine. I cannot wait to see what You have in store next! 

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Floored

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

A Little Humility

I am simply floored by God's goodness and all of your generosity.

I am so humbled by the outpouring of support and the in-pouring of great art pieces submitted for the Cover Art Contest I am holding. The extended deadline ends today at noon. 

I have had some amazing pieces show up and these works are so inspiring that I want to encourage you to go and vote.

 

Voting starts today at 5 p.m. (CST) 

I will place all the art side by side for you to compare and contrast. You will be able to comment and choose which ones you like best. 

To vote, just go to my Facebook page: A Year in the Spiritual Life. 

The Book

I have to say that I am so excited about my new book, The Purpose of Chosen. 

This book is a look at who we are in Christ, what God can do in our lives if we let Him, and how to overcome those "giants" in our lives that stand between us and our dreams. 

It is not a long book. It won't cost much, and it will probably be released for sale on Amazon.com by the end of the month. My hope is that it will touch people in a visceral way and begin to challenge the way they see themselves and their lives in Christ. 

I also hope that you will buy one (or two, I won't stop you *smile*). 

The book will be available in paperback or in Kindle format. The cool thing about Amazon now is that you do not have to have an eReader to buy and read an eBook anymore. You can read it straight on your computer, your smartphone, or your tablet. No eReader required.  

Of course as soon as I know the "date" of the launch you will too....promise! 

More News

There are a lot of changes coming to A Year in the Spiritual Life soon. One of those changes will be a new website. 

That's right, we will be moving. I am not sure what the new domain name (website) will be, but I am stoked to know that soon you will be able to come to a site that has more to offer, looks more professional and has more flexibility. 

With everything that is going on I feel a little like a prize fighter that has taken one too many to the head: punch drunk. Yet I know my Father is faithful and He has me and this ministry through what is coming. 

Call To Action

Can you join me in praying for this endeavor? Can you go to the Facebook Page and vote for your choice for the cover of my new book? Once you go onto vote can you "share" the contest with your friends and family? 

I know I am asking a lot, but this is my first foray into publishing and I need all the help I can get. You are my faithful, and I know that your help is invaluable. 

Thank you for reading this blog. Thank you for praying for me. Thank you for letting me speak into your lives. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 

Join the Conversation

I have asked you to do so much I want to help you too. How can I pray for you? 

Accolades for A Year in the Spiritual Life

I have struggled. 

Recently I have really felt discouraged about my writing, about this blog, and about the direction I was taking with it all. 

Last night, on my 18th wedding anniversary, my husband and I spent time after dinner talking about it all as we sat in the car at the beach. Then we prayed. 

I woke up this morning to find A Year in the Spiritual Life had been nominated for an Inspiring Bloggers Award. 

God is good. I love when He gives me kisses like this.  

What is it all about? 

It means that Lisa @ Life with Chocolate and Coffee likes what she saw here and nominated me for this honor. It means that I now have to share seven little known facts about myself and in turn nominate up to 15 more bloggers with the same award. My top 13 are below! 

I know that there are moments that stand out in our lives that we remember for their importance emotionally or spiritually. I hope this is one I remember for a long time, because it means so much. So thanks Lisa! 

I have always wanted to be "award-winning"! 

Seven Little Known Things About Me

1. Since I am an open book this is a little harder than I thought. 
2. I am trying to grow out my nails after 30 years of biting them. 
3. I am afraid of spiders. 
4. I miscarried my third child when I was 26. 
5. I do not make friends easily. 
6. Because people think I am annoying.
7. I can laugh at that. 

Blogs I am Nominating

danapittman.com

Ordinaryservant.com

heidikreider.com

tammyhelfrich.com

livingontilt.wordpress.com

thenarrowpassage.com

www.chattykelly.com

talesofwork.com/blog

thedailyretort.com

melissaknorris.com

marcalanschelske.com

ibloom.co

ball-publications.com

Now It is up to you! 

This was such an uplifting moment for me. We all need encouragement. Today, take the time to ask God who He wants you to encourage. Now go do it! It is up to you to love others as Christ has loved you! 

Join the Discussion 

Have you got a blog you want to nominate? Then leave a comment below with a link to the site so we can learn more! 

What Do You Think About Priorities?

The Problem

Priorities can be tricky. Why? Well, because we aren't always honest about where our priorities and values are. 

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

It is pretty simple to say “I always put God first”, but reality may be different. In reality we may only acknowledge God at church or with our Christian friends. 

What about the value and time you spend on yourself? Is it wrong to make yourself a priority? 

Where does your spouse fit into your life? How would a functioning, healthy, stable and emotionally satisfying relationship fuel you? Are there steps you can take to send your marriage to the next level? 

What would your relationship with your kids look like if they were given the right leadership by you because your priorities are set in order? Do you have questions about where your kids fit in? Have you placed too high a priority on your kids? Is there such a thing? 

What about friends? Are they important? What should your peer to peer relationships look like? What if you really don't have any real friends, will that affect the other areas of your life? How do you choose friends? How do you make new friends? What if you are not a people person? These questions have answers. 

I want to begin a new series soon on priorities, but I need your help. I want you to help write it. That's right. I want you to help me write for you. 

Weird? 

I don't think so. 

I want to know what you think and feel about priorities. How do you view priorities? What order should your priorities be in? 

Do you have questions about priorities? 

I want to address things that matter. I believe priorities matter. I want to give you information you need that helps you in a very real way. 

There will be two ways you can help. 

1. Leave a comment.

Below is a comment section. Don't see it? Try clicking on the title of this post and then scroll down or click on the highlighted word that says comment below. Once you have a comment box open, all you have to do is ask. Fire away. You can share your name, your website information, or be as anonymous as you want. Just remember to hit the “Publish” button when you are done. Easy, right? 

2. You can leave me an e-mail.

ayearinthespirituallife@hotmail.com. This is a more private way to communicate and will allow you to safely ask the most intimate question. If you submit this way, I will only use your name if you state I can in your e-mail. I will not sell your e-mail or spam you with junk. 

This project will begin soon, but it won't be as good as it can be with out you. So what are you waiting for? What questions do you have about priorities?