A Hop and a Release...
The release...
Today, our guest is Kristi Burchfiel, and we're going to chat about her newest book, The Decay Within: A Study of Amos.
If you're a frequent visitor here on the Sisters in Cahoots! blog, you've probably met Kristi before. If you haven't read her Fruit of the Spirit devotionals, you've really been missing out! You can find the links to them all here...
The Decay Within: A Study of Amos **new book alert!**
What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.The Decay Within: A Study of Amos is my fourth published book and second Bible study. Often, people get focused on their outward appearance and how they appear to others. As a result, they often fail to recognize or address when there are significant problems inside their own lives. The people of Israel during Amos's time thought they had the best of everything: economic prosperity, peace with their neighbors, and even a thriving religious culture. Still God told Amos to give them a message that the people were not following God's commands and as a result of their disobedience, they were decaying from the inside out.
The Decay Within is designed to take the reader through the Biblical book of Amos step by step, analyze Amos's message to the people of Israel, and then apply the message to his own life. The book has ten sessions and can be easily adapted for both individual study as well as a small group setting.
Tell us something about yourself. (Where are you from, what is your background, how long have you been writing or anything we might find interesting about you?)I grew up in the small town of Valley Center, Kansas. After moving away to go to college, I met and married my husband and he began serving in churches as pastor. I then went through a really difficult time in my life personally. Even though I had a relationship with Jesus Christ for many years, I found myself struggling to make sense of why God was allowing these circumstances in my life. Through my struggles and anger, I found answers and comfort through God's Word. Since then, I've been focused studying and learning from the Bible and then sharing those truths with others, which led me to start writing.
I also work full time and have several hobbies. I haven't met an art or craft project I didn't like, although I'm certainly better at some over others. I enjoy meeting and speaking with my local Toastmasters group. I also absolutely love spending time with my husband watching a movie or sporting event or just spending time talking. I have two young kids who keep me constantly laughing and busy running in lots of directions.
What inspired you to write this book?I've always been fascinated by the lesser-known books of the Bible. I firmly believe that the message of the Bible is completely cohesive and seen throughout all the books. Even so, some books are more frequently referenced in sermons and studies. I chose the book of Amos because it's one of those lesser-known books, and it has an incredible message. Amos addresses a group of people who have ignored God and fashioned their own lifestyle which, on the outside appears successful, but when examined next to God's design for each us, fails to measure up.
So many of us have been in similar situations where we try on our own to make ourselves appear successful, while never feeling complete. This incompleteness is the decay that is within each one of us when we try to build our life on anything outside of God's plan for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. I want people to open their eyes to this decay and find the way to exchange it for God's promise of life throughout. The prophet Amos pointed out the warning signs to the people of Israel and he detailed how we can root out this decay through repentance and be made right with God, experiencing His promise.
What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Why?I enjoy several genres of books including Christian fiction and romance, biographies, business strategies, historical novels, classic literature. I have a large number of outside interests and reading books in different areas tends to match my varied interests. I particularly like Terry Blackstock, Jim Collins, and C. S. Lewis. However, my all time favorite book would be Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I really enjoy a well-crafted story where the author knows how to draw you in and keep you turning pages all the way until the end.
Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?I am always doing Bible study and reading. I write a daily devotional that is available on my website and my Facebook page. These are the basis for The Daily Devotional Series e-books. As for my next Bible study, I have begun research on the book of Philemon, which may or may not develop into the next study. I am enjoying my study through it and look forward to seeing whether God chooses to craft my research into something more.
What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?The most important thing for me was actually finding the answer to the question, "Why do I write?" Once a write finds their own answer to that question, they will be close to discovering their passion. It's important to realize that when people purchase your book, they're not buying a book, they're buying you and what you represent; your passion.
Each author needs to know their passion because it will dictate how you approach everything else regarding your writing and marketing. Whatever the passion, you must be able to define it. Why is this so important? People are drawn to passion. People recommend books because they feel a connection with the passion of the author. Your passion is the foundation for everything else you will do as an author.
Have patience and don't lose sight of your message. As I worked through the publishing process and things seemed to take longer than I had anticipated, it became easy to get distracted with frustrations. However, I believe in the message of my book. For everyone working through the publishing process, remember what your main message is for writing the book in the first place and hold to that.
Where can readers learn more about you and your book?I have several places where I can be found online. The most frequent places to locate me are listed below:
Website – www.kristiburchfiel.comTwitter – http://twitter.com/#!/kristiburchfiel Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Without-Regrets-A-Study-of-Ecclesiastes/122149427808582
The hop... In other news, we're involved in the John 3:16 Marketing Network Blog Hop! What does that mean for you? So glad you asked...
Only one month to go until the John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop –May 7th – 14th!Join over fifty authors and bloggers who will be offering great books and other prizes on their blogs during that week. As a reader, you just "hop" from blog to blog and sign up to win some great prizes at each blog.But wait…you also have a chance of winning one of two Kindles!How's that for fun?Tell all your friends and join us May 7th – 14th for the John 3:16 Marketing Network Giveaway Blog Hop!
Lonely Hearts - 99¢ on SmashwordsThe Price of Trust - $2.99 on SmashwordsLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Today, our guest is Kristi Burchfiel, and we're going to chat about her newest book, The Decay Within: A Study of Amos.
If you're a frequent visitor here on the Sisters in Cahoots! blog, you've probably met Kristi before. If you haven't read her Fruit of the Spirit devotionals, you've really been missing out! You can find the links to them all here...
The Decay Within: A Study of Amos **new book alert!**
What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.The Decay Within: A Study of Amos is my fourth published book and second Bible study. Often, people get focused on their outward appearance and how they appear to others. As a result, they often fail to recognize or address when there are significant problems inside their own lives. The people of Israel during Amos's time thought they had the best of everything: economic prosperity, peace with their neighbors, and even a thriving religious culture. Still God told Amos to give them a message that the people were not following God's commands and as a result of their disobedience, they were decaying from the inside out.
The Decay Within is designed to take the reader through the Biblical book of Amos step by step, analyze Amos's message to the people of Israel, and then apply the message to his own life. The book has ten sessions and can be easily adapted for both individual study as well as a small group setting.
Tell us something about yourself. (Where are you from, what is your background, how long have you been writing or anything we might find interesting about you?)I grew up in the small town of Valley Center, Kansas. After moving away to go to college, I met and married my husband and he began serving in churches as pastor. I then went through a really difficult time in my life personally. Even though I had a relationship with Jesus Christ for many years, I found myself struggling to make sense of why God was allowing these circumstances in my life. Through my struggles and anger, I found answers and comfort through God's Word. Since then, I've been focused studying and learning from the Bible and then sharing those truths with others, which led me to start writing.
I also work full time and have several hobbies. I haven't met an art or craft project I didn't like, although I'm certainly better at some over others. I enjoy meeting and speaking with my local Toastmasters group. I also absolutely love spending time with my husband watching a movie or sporting event or just spending time talking. I have two young kids who keep me constantly laughing and busy running in lots of directions.
What inspired you to write this book?I've always been fascinated by the lesser-known books of the Bible. I firmly believe that the message of the Bible is completely cohesive and seen throughout all the books. Even so, some books are more frequently referenced in sermons and studies. I chose the book of Amos because it's one of those lesser-known books, and it has an incredible message. Amos addresses a group of people who have ignored God and fashioned their own lifestyle which, on the outside appears successful, but when examined next to God's design for each us, fails to measure up.
So many of us have been in similar situations where we try on our own to make ourselves appear successful, while never feeling complete. This incompleteness is the decay that is within each one of us when we try to build our life on anything outside of God's plan for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. I want people to open their eyes to this decay and find the way to exchange it for God's promise of life throughout. The prophet Amos pointed out the warning signs to the people of Israel and he detailed how we can root out this decay through repentance and be made right with God, experiencing His promise.
What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Why?I enjoy several genres of books including Christian fiction and romance, biographies, business strategies, historical novels, classic literature. I have a large number of outside interests and reading books in different areas tends to match my varied interests. I particularly like Terry Blackstock, Jim Collins, and C. S. Lewis. However, my all time favorite book would be Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I really enjoy a well-crafted story where the author knows how to draw you in and keep you turning pages all the way until the end.
Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?I am always doing Bible study and reading. I write a daily devotional that is available on my website and my Facebook page. These are the basis for The Daily Devotional Series e-books. As for my next Bible study, I have begun research on the book of Philemon, which may or may not develop into the next study. I am enjoying my study through it and look forward to seeing whether God chooses to craft my research into something more.
What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?The most important thing for me was actually finding the answer to the question, "Why do I write?" Once a write finds their own answer to that question, they will be close to discovering their passion. It's important to realize that when people purchase your book, they're not buying a book, they're buying you and what you represent; your passion.
Each author needs to know their passion because it will dictate how you approach everything else regarding your writing and marketing. Whatever the passion, you must be able to define it. Why is this so important? People are drawn to passion. People recommend books because they feel a connection with the passion of the author. Your passion is the foundation for everything else you will do as an author.
Have patience and don't lose sight of your message. As I worked through the publishing process and things seemed to take longer than I had anticipated, it became easy to get distracted with frustrations. However, I believe in the message of my book. For everyone working through the publishing process, remember what your main message is for writing the book in the first place and hold to that.
Where can readers learn more about you and your book?I have several places where I can be found online. The most frequent places to locate me are listed below:
Website – www.kristiburchfiel.comTwitter – http://twitter.com/#!/kristiburchfiel Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Without-Regrets-A-Study-of-Ecclesiastes/122149427808582
The hop... In other news, we're involved in the John 3:16 Marketing Network Blog Hop! What does that mean for you? So glad you asked...
Only one month to go until the John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop –May 7th – 14th!Join over fifty authors and bloggers who will be offering great books and other prizes on their blogs during that week. As a reader, you just "hop" from blog to blog and sign up to win some great prizes at each blog.But wait…you also have a chance of winning one of two Kindles!How's that for fun?Tell all your friends and join us May 7th – 14th for the John 3:16 Marketing Network Giveaway Blog Hop!
Lonely Hearts - 99¢ on SmashwordsThe Price of Trust - $2.99 on SmashwordsLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
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