Black History Month Blog Tour with Jean Alicia Elster

Jean, describe yourself—

Formerly an attorney, I am a professional writer with a focus on writing for children, middle graders, and young adults. I am also an editor, essayist, writing instructor, and grant writer. While wearing each of these hats is fulfilling in its own way, I find my greatest joy in writing for youth and young adults.

How do you find time to connect with God?

My most focused time with God is during my morning prayer and devotional time. I find that if I do not have this one-on-one time in the morning, it gets crowded out of my day. So, I make sure that either before or after my morning physical exercise routine, I have my private time with God.

God Sightings helps readers open their eyes to see what is going on around them

In a recent poll, 54% of Americans said they are affected by the stress brought on by their busy lives. Going at such a fast, frenzied pace leaves little time to notice all of the positive occurrences, events and encounters that are happening all around in their everyday lives. But when they take a moment to look, good things are happening everywhere.

Group Publishing and Tyndale House Publishers have joined together to create an exciting and unique daily reading experience called God Sightings that will enable users to see God in the ordinary, in other people and in the events of their own lives. God Sightings is designed to bring God into people’s lives in a more tangible and authentic way than ever before. God Sightings: The One Year Companion Guide, along with God Sightings: The One Year Bible (NLT or NIV versions available), provides a focus too often missing in Bible reading programs: looking past the written pages and to God Himself.

Culturally Relevant Bible for African-American Children Debuts This Fall

Nationally Renowned Editors and Illustrators Collaborate to Inspire Hope and Faith in Youth

Grand Rapids, MI (BlackNews.com) – In uncertain times, keeping hope and faith alive in our young people is a top priority. This fall, Zonderkidz(TM), the leading publisher of children’s Bibles and Bible storybooks, will underscore efforts by families, clergy, schools and others seeking to encourage Black youth with the release of My Holy Bible for African-American Children (www.zondervan.com/africanamerican), a large print, New International Version (NIV) Bible featuring culturally significant artwork and inspiring book introductions.

SNEAK PEAK | What He Must Be …If He Wants to Marry My Daughter

What He Must Be: …If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham

“I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
– Exodus 20:5-6

Who Gives this Woman?

My hands were shaking as I stood at the altar staring into the eyes of all those people. I tried to relax, but the more I thought about it, the worse it got. My hands were sweating, my mouth was dry, and I had a thousand things running through my head. The music started, the crowd stood to their feet, and then, like something out of a movie script, the bride appeared. I thought I was going to pass out . . . and it wasn’t even my wedding.