Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 445
January 12, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 12, 1943: Germans withdraw from Caucasus. US lands unopposed on Amchitka, 80 miles from Kiska in Aleutians.
January 11, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 11, 1943: US and UK sign treaties giving up extraterritorial rights in China. US Twelfth Air Force begins anti-shipping sweeps in Sicilian straits.
January 10, 2013
Book Beat - A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year
Last year, my church's women's Bible study program wanted to do a Through-the-Bible-in-a-Year study. We were unable to find any appropriate published study guides on the market and ended up writing our own material. Our study had an immense impact on the women of our church. Few of the ladies had read the entire Bible and were delighted to find jewels of truth in neglected books. Also, the process of reading the Bible quickly, rather than digging narrow and deep, allowed us to see the grand themes of the Bible, the heart of God, and His sovereign hand. The unanimous consensus was to do the study again in a year or so.
When I heard about Diane Stortz's new book, A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year , I leapt to review it. The guide is attractively laid out into 52 undated sessions, so it can be started any time in the calendar year.
Each week's session includes a page of introductory material, a realistic reading plan (3-6 chapters a day, alternating between Old and New Testaments), and a handful of reflective questions. As a Bible study leader, I found the questions helpful but general. For a group that loves to talk, the questions would suffice, but a more reticent group would need more. I also would have liked to see a few questions tailored to each week's reading.
Overall, this guide is extremely useful and attractive. For a large formal Bible study group, supplementary questions would be needed, but this guide would be wonderful for an informal small group (especially a chatty group), for friends to work through together, or for individual study. It's so beneficial to read through the entire Bible, and I'm thankful Diane Stortz wrote this book.
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 10, 1943: Soviets advance into Stalingrad pocket. US launches large offensive on Guadalcanal. Giant US sub Argonaut lost off New Guinea; 102 killed in worst sub loss of war.
January 9, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 9, 1943: First flight of prototype Lockheed C-69 Constellation, fastest US transport plane of war.
January 8, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 8, 1943: British turn over control of Madagascar, except Diego Suarez area, to Free French. US takes Tarakena, New Guinea.
January 7, 2013
Christian Writers Seminar in Northern California
Probably the most common question authors hear is how aspiring writers can get started. My recommendation...a writers conference. Not only do you receive wonderful instruction on the craft of writing and the bizarre intricacies of the publishing industry, but you meet other writers - both published and unpublished - and make good friends. Writing is a solitary profession, but at a conference you realize you aren't alone.If you live in Northern California, I strongly recommend the upcoming Christian Writers Seminar at Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley, February 22-23, 2013 - Friday evening and all day Saturday. The conference is designed for beginning writers, but writers at all levels will gain from the instruction and fellowship.
This year's keynote speaker is accomplished multi-published author Jan Coleman. Forty workshops are offered, covering many topics - a fiction track, an article track, a childrens' books track, and other assorted topics.
I will be presenting two workshops: "How to Make Historical Fiction Come Alive," and "Historical Research: Deepen and Enrich Your Story."
To learn more about the conference, please visit the Christian Writers Seminar website and also visit their Facebook page. I hope to see you there!
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 7, 1943: Churchill agrees to release Gandhi from prison due to his hunger strike. African-American opera singer Marian Anderson performs in Constitution Hall after having been denied permission to sing there in 1939.
January 6, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 6, 1943: British & Indian troops renew offensive on Arakan Peninsula in Burma. Free French advancing north from Chad take Oum-el-Arameb in southern Libya.
January 5, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Jan. 5, 1943: US Fifth Army formed in Oujda, Morocco under Lt. Gen. Mark Clark. Off Guadalcanal, Mk. 32 proximity-fuzed shells are used for the first time by USS Helena. Scientist George Washington Carver dies in Tuskegee AL, age 81.
