• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Big Mama

the big mama blog

  • Home
  • Meet Melanie
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Books
    • *New* On The Bright Side
    • *New* Piper and Mabel
    • Church of the Small Things
    • Nobody’s Cuter Than You
    • The Antelope in the Living Room
    • Sparkly Green Earrings
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Melanie Podcast
You are here: Home / Books / Fearless Faith – It’s book release day!

Fearless Faith – It’s book release day!

August 7, 2018 ·

So I have a new book out today.

In case you’re keeping count at home, YES, this is my 74th book to come out in the last ten months. Some days I wonder why I have felt so tired and burned out and all out of words and then I remember I WROTE THREE BOOKS IN ONE YEAR. I realize this is probably significantly less books than Francine Pascal wrote in a year during the height of the Sweet Valley High series, but WHATEVER. It’s a lot of books for someone whose life motto could be summed up with the phrase, “Work smarter, not harder”.

Well, either that or “What can I binge-watch on Netflix this week?”

This new book, Fearless Faith, is a 100-day devotional for tween girls and the truth is that I originally did not want to write this book. My reasons were two-fold:

1. I had just turned in the manuscript for my Everyday Holy 100 day devotional for women.
2. See above about Netflix.

But God wouldn’t let it go in that annoying and endearing way that He has when He’s trying to get my attention and so I finally agreed to it. It also helped that I have a daughter in the target age group and I am fully aware of how much our girls need to have faith that is fearless in this world. I so want these girls to know how much God loves them and that he is the source of everything that will bring them joy and contentment and peace as they live in a world that is constantly trying to tell them something different and all the ways they could be better. So I essentially wrote down everything I’ve ever shared with Caroline about God and who he is and how he loves her. How different could this next generation of women be if they really learned to believe it?

As it turns out, Fearless Faith is maybe my favorite thing of all the things I’ve done. Isn’t it funny how that works out?

First, look how pretty it is.

Can we talk about that lion? He is magnificent. I would like to call him Aslan but I assume the estate of C.S. Lewis would have copyright issues with that. But that’s what he is to me…the perfect depiction of Aslan. Strong and beautiful and loving and majestic. A big thank you to Heather Gauthier for continuing to go above and beyond with my cover art.

Second, I followed the same themes and scripture references for Fearless Faith that I did for Everyday Holy. The idea is that they could be great companion pieces for a mother and daughter or aunt and niece or mentor and mentee to do over a 100-day period together and know they are learning some of the same verses and truths about God.

Third, several people have asked and I know the “tween” description can be vague. I would say Fearless Faith could work for girls as young as 8 years old through about 16 years. There are activities throughout the book that might feel silly to older teens, but the daily devotions were written in a way that I hope will appeal to them. I will tell you that Caroline has been reading it over the summer and she has really enjoyed it. Or maybe she’s lying to me. But she seems sincere and I’ve noticed that she’s put up Post-It notes all over her mirror with various scripture references from the book.

Finally, I thought it would be fun and encouraging to spend this fall doing a 100 Days of Everyday Holy and a 100 Days of Fearless Faith read-along because I believe that committing to spending 100 days of fall, reading truths about who you are and who God created you to be are the very heart of what can make us view everyday as holy and have faith that is fearless. Those five minutes a day could change your life and the life of a young girl or girls in your life. My prayer will be that we will look back on this fall as a time when God grew us and challenged us and made us more than we were before.

Here’s what that looks like:

Day 1: September 4 (This is the Tuesday after Labor Day and everyone will be back in school by then.)

Day 25: September 28th

Day 50: October 23rd

Day 75: November 17th

Day 100: December 12th

There will be no official group or anything that fancy, but just a lot of girls and women reading either Everyday Holy or Fearless Faith over those 100 days. And we can all share what we are learning and what God is teaching us by posting and using the hashtags #100DaysOfEverydayHoly or #100DaysOfFearlessFaith to help us all stay accountable and on track

And then we’ll celebrate on December 12th with a fun giveaway for two people that will be chosen at random from everyone who participates with the hashtags on social media.

What do you need to join?

-A copy of Everyday Holy and/or Fearless Faith or both!

-Five to ten minutes a day

-A journal might be good for writing thoughts down, but not necessary

-It might be fun to have some real life friends join in as well but, again, not necessary

-If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them or find people who know the answers.

So if you’ve wanted to do something like this but needed the push or if you’ve wanted to do it but didn’t want to do it alone or if you want to invite friends to all do it together as part of a small group, this is the time. I so hope you’ll join in with us starting September 4th. And in the meantime, get your copies of Fearless Faith and Everyday Holy anywhere books are sold.

You can find Fearless Faith here on Amazon and here on Barnes & Noble.

You can Everyday Holy here on Amazon and here on Barnes & Noble.

I’ll be posting reminders as we get closer to the start date, but in the meantime you can go ahead and get your books and mark your calendar for September 4th. It’s going to be a great fall.

« Previous article:

Fifteen

Next Post: »

Fashion Friday: Edition one week of summer left

Reader Interactions

Similar Stories

Comments

  1. Jeannie S

    August 7, 2018 at 8:08 am

    Congratulations on the new book! And Yay for this great idea. I have 100 Days of Holy and have been waiting to start it. Really looking forward to this. Blessings!

  2. Rebecca Jo

    August 7, 2018 at 8:11 am

    So excited about this – I may try & see if my youth group wants to do the 100 days together 🙂
    Congrats on another book – & it is so BEAUTIFUL!!!

  3. Kelly

    August 7, 2018 at 9:47 am

    You are awesome in every way, and I am begging you to do a devotional for that in between age… the college and young twenties. I have two daughters in this stage and it feels lost to me… high school youth groups are too young, and the young couples groups are too old. I see it in their friends- male and female- this age is desperate for wisdom and guidance, even still.

    • Med

      August 7, 2018 at 11:20 am

      I completely agree. After college I was lost, too. It’s a hard time for a young person who is finding their footing in this world.

    • Denise

      August 16, 2018 at 12:23 pm

      I recommend seeing if they can find a local college campus ministry. My college was small but there were many Bible study groups happening all over campus on various days and times of the week. And if their church doesn’t have a ministry for that age, perhaps they could start one! My husband and I mentored a college aged ministry at our church for years, but they were the true leaders of it! Blessings to you.

  4. Sharla

    August 7, 2018 at 10:00 am

    Congratulations on your book release! I have read Everyday Holy and just bought Fearless Faith for my 13 year old daughter. I can’t wait to do the read along with her! Thank you for obeying God and sharing another wonderful book with the world. We are all so thankful.

  5. Med

    August 7, 2018 at 11:17 am

    I wish you the best of luck with this book, Melanie. I know it will bless many girls. The cover is beautiful, too.

  6. Ali

    August 7, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    I have started reading Everyday Holy already, but count me in for starting over for the 100 days this fall!!! I could re-read these devotionals many times!! I am a stubborn Christian woman and sometimes it takes me reading scripture 1-100 times before it sticks!

  7. Kristie

    August 7, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    My copy of Everyday Holy literally arrived on my doorstep today. As a teacher it seemed like a great way to start off the school year and the idea of reading it along with so many others is brilliant! Thank you for your inspirational words brought in such an approachable and lighthearted way. Looking forward to the live Popcast in Chicago!

  8. Heather

    August 8, 2018 at 7:56 am

    Congratulations on your next book release! I have read each one and am so proud of you! Thank you for obeying God and sharing another wonderful book with the world. I am so thankful of your wit and the wisdom God imparts!

    • Tamra Walker

      August 8, 2018 at 9:47 am

      Melanie,
      This is why we love you! Your faithfulness inspires us! Thanks for thinking of these girls. You are right. We all need each other during this time in life and we all need God most of all!

  9. Judy F

    August 8, 2018 at 10:22 am

    I walked into Chapters with a cup of Starbucks in hand and as I moved past the aisles to the Spirituality/Religious section, I prayed the Lord would direct me to a book He wanted me to read. “Everyday Holy by Melanie Shankle”. I spotted it immediately, pulled it out, read a few pages and was hooked by Him, by you. Everything I read resonated. And something else. I am just in the throes of beginning to write and how you write is how I write. It was both confirming and affirming to me to take hold of the plan He has for me to write which I have put off for much longer than I care to admit despite His nudges and those of my family and friends. Thank you, Melanie. Above all, I thank the Lord for using your voice to push me through to use my own. I look forward to all that you have to say in the days ahead as I join your plan to read starting Sept 4!

  10. Louise Gunter

    August 8, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    Love it! Is it here an app to download electronic version for phone?

  11. sherry

    August 11, 2018 at 9:54 am

    This sounds awesome, I’m in, how and where do you want the post on social media…under your blog posts, or Facebook, instagram ???

Primary Sidebar

Who is Melanie?

Melanie ShankleMy name is Melanie and, in some strange twist of fate, I’m also known as Big Mama because I started this blog in July of 2006 when my daughter, Caroline, was not quite three years old and I was in the process of convincing her that BIG girls use the potty and BIG girls don’t have pacifiers, thus she thought BIG was the highest compliment in the land and began referring to me as BIG MAMA.Read More

Sign up here!

Which is your pleasure?

Categories

Events Books The Big Boo Cast Diary Fashion Friday

The Latest on Instagram

Had the best time last night speaking at the @fede Had the best time last night speaking at the @federationtexasaggiemoms dinner. So grateful for all they do for Texas A&M students. ⁣
⁣
There’s not much better than being in a room full of Aggies. Thanks and Gig’em. 👍🏻❤️
2022 was a year of seeing so much of God’s goodn 2022 was a year of seeing so much of God’s goodness. Like most years, there were highs and lows, but also so much joy and laughter with the people I love the most. 💕⁣
⁣
We’re ready for you, 2023! 🎉🥂⁣
⁣
“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.⁣
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord.⁣
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16: 5-8
It’s been a good week of Christmas festivities h It’s been a good week of Christmas festivities here. Family, friends, food and fishing. Basically all of our favorite things. ❤️🎄❤️
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. ❤️🎄❤️
It was an Aggie football season I’ll never forge It was an Aggie football season I’ll never forget for so many reasons…some of them bad, but mostly so much good⁣
⁣
Sometimes it takes a less than stellar season on the field to highlight the things I really love about football season are the people, being with old friends, making new friends, the memories and everything that Texas A&M embodies⁣. There’s a quote Aggies love that says, “From the outside looking in, you don’t understand it. From the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.” Texas A&M is a magical place.
⁣
Also, ending the season by beating the hell outta LSU didn’t hurt. Thanks and Gig’em.
Aggie game day with my girl. 💕⁣ ⁣ We strugg Aggie game day with my girl. 💕⁣
⁣
We struggled against a 1-9 UMass team on a 40 degree, rainy day. ⁣
⁣
In the words of Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”⁣
⁣

The Latest on Twitter

Melanie Shankle @bigmama ·

Well, that was anti-climatic.

Reply on Twitter 1612659662435803139 Retweet on Twitter 1612659662435803139 1 Like on Twitter 1612659662435803139 43 Twitter 1612659662435803139
Melanie Shankle @bigmama ·

Wow, Georgia! What a comeback!!

Reply on Twitter 1609414435394965506 Retweet on Twitter 1609414435394965506 Like on Twitter 1609414435394965506 48 Twitter 1609414435394965506

Follow on Twitter

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

Footer

Stay Up to Date

Which is your pleasure?

  • About Me
  • Speaking
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · Website by Wordpress Barista

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

cokesbury-buttonfc-buttonlifewayMardelTyndale DirectBAMWalmartiTunes

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

iTunes

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

lifewayMardelBAM

Select an online retailer below.

Book Retailers
Book RetailersBook RetailersBook RetailersBook RetailersBook Retailers

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

cokesbury-buttonfc-buttonlifewayMardelTyndale DirectBAMWalmart

Order Yours Today!

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

cokesbury-buttonfc-buttonlifewayMardelTyndale DirectBAMWalmart

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.

Book Retailers

Book RetailersBook RetailersBook RetailersBook RetailersBook Retailers

Order Yours Today!

Select an online retailer below.