Resources

Check back often to see listings of new resources. I’ve included only a few under each category.

Click the category below to find more information or to purchase the resource book:

Top of Page

Christian Resources & Biblical Encouragement

Crosswalk.com  - One of the best sources for Christian devotionals, newsletters, spiritual life and Bible study tools

Biblegateway.com - Look up any Bible passage here in various translations.

Bible.org - Home of the “Net” Bible with tons of great resources for researching any passage, complete with illustrations and study methods.

Zondervan.com - My current publisher, and one of the best publishers of Christian books and products.

The Archaeological Study Bible - If you enjoy ”digging” into the background history and factual information behind biblical people, events, customs, etc., this book will make your studies and reading come alive. I love using it for studying and teaching.

The One Year Chronological Bible - A great way to read through the Bible. By seeing the events in chronological order, you’ll gain a clearer picture of God’s story.

Top of Page

Writer’s Conferences

American Christian Writer’s Conference

Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference

Florida Christian Writer’s Conference

Glorieta Christian Writer’s Conference

Christian Writer’s Guild Conference

(For extensive list of writer’s conferences, see Steve Laube’s website, below)

Top of Page

Books & Periodicals on Writing

Christian Writer’s Market Guide - by Sally Stuart – No Christians writer should be without this book. It’s the best Christian resource for freelance writers/authors with hundreds of listings for book publishers, specialty markets, greeting card companies, periodicals with updated information to help you sell your writing. Includes lists for agents, writer’s conferences, and much, much more.

Writer’s Market - Another good resource book for writers that includes both secular and religious markets, with scores of freelancing opportunities.

Writer’s Digest - Both magazine and online formats offer help primarily for secular writing, but does include religious writing at times. The articles are usually helpful content, however, and you can apply methods to all kinds of writing. You can find information here about Writer’s Digest books here as well as their book club. From here you can collect a library full of helpful tools.

The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style - Zondervan publishes this extremely helpful style book. Although you want to check with your publisher to make sure what manual they prefer to use, this one is a great tool for Christian writers.

Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations - Traditional quotation book used for years by writers and speakers.

14,000 Quips & Quotes  by E. C. McKenzie – If you need quotes for speaking or writing, you’ll find a wide collection of them in this book–both religious and secular.

Top of Page

Greeting Card Resources

How to Write and Sell Greeting Cards, Bumper Stickers, T-Shirts, and Other Fun Stuff by Molly Wigand. You can still find a few copies of this helpful book.

You Can Write Greeting Cards by Karen Ann Moore -Another good resource still available in some places.

The Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale and Nancy LaRoche – This is a great resource for all kinds of writing when you’re searching for the exact word you need, or to help you avoid using the same word repeatedly.

RhymeZone Rhyming Dictionary and Thesaurus - an online resource for rhyming words and thesaurus for choosing just the right word.

The Penguin Rhyming Dictionary - A great tool for writing verses that rhyme.

Top of Page

Blogs on Writing

Steve Laube’s blog and entire website has tons of writing resources and valuable information available. Steve is also my literary agent.

Chip MacGregor’s blog also offers great helps for writers.

Author Tech Tips by Thomas Umstaddt has lots of helps for writers on technology–blogging, social networking, etc. He’s also my patient “web coach”: he set up the framework of my website, answered my jillion questions, and helped me greatly with some of the rough spots through to completion. 

Michael Hyatt’s blog  (CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers) contains a wealth of information on leadership, writing helps for authors, social networking helps, etc.

Advanced Fiction Writing - Randy Ingermanson has lots of helps for fiction writers, including a great blog

Top of Page

Marriage Resources

Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference - A great conference with Family Life – a great investment for your marriage.

Marriage Enrichment Retreat - If you want a smaller, couple-to-couple type retreat

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman 

Love & Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

Staying Close by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti By Bill & Pam Farrel

The Love Dare

Fireproof (Movie)

Top of Page

Resources for Women

Just Between Us - Jill Briscoe’s magazine and encouraging helps for women with a heart for ministry.

The Power of a Praying Wife - series of books by Stormie OMartian that offer great encouragement through the power of women’s prayers.

The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie OMartian

Woman of Confidence - by Pam Farrel – Great resource for women of all ages.

Touching the Clouds - Fran Sandin’s book filled with women’s true, encouraging stories.

LifeOvers - Gracie Malone’s book on the “upside down” teachings from Jesus – a great study for group or personal use.

The Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey’s exhaustive book on manging your finances – a great resource for women and families – one of the best books I’ve read on financial matters.

Living Rich for Less - Ellie Kay offers good advice for women and families for handling your finances and making the most of your dollar.

Top of Page

Resources for Moms

MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers. Many churches offer these great groups for mothers. I’ve spoken for them, and they are wonderful. Great support for moms!

Hearts at Home - An encouraging organization on the profession of motherhood – website, conference, and blog with Jill Savage

Out of the Nest and Beyond - Susan Sikes has lots of practical information for  moms–and daughters-on being God’s woman

Top of Page

Resources for Grandmothers

The Power of a Godly Grandparent by Stephen and Janet Bly – inspirational and practical helps for grandparenting.

Gettin’ Old Ain’t for Wimps by Karen O’Conner – humorous stories and experiences for the “young at heart”

Top of Page

Other Good Book Reads

When I Lay My Isaac Down - Carol Kent’s powerful testimony of her son’s ordeal that has completely changed their lives – Check out her other books as well.

Grieving Forward - Susan Duke’s own personal testimony as she walked through the grief of losing her own son – and the power of moving forward.

Heaven - Randy Alcorn’s powerful book on heaven will make you see this magnificent “New Earth” as never before and make you long for heaven in a new way. A powerful book!

Surviving One Bad Year - Nancie Carmichael’s newest book–encouraging with loads of true stories and examples of people who have walked victoriously through disappointment and trials with God’s help – and seven spiritual strategies to help you survive any loss.

Victory Over Darkness  by Neil Anderson – These two books will change your life and set you free as you discover the truth about yourself–and God’s power to overcome the darkness.

The Bondage Breaker  by Neil Anderson

Top of Page

Speaker Services & Training

Speakup Speaker Services - Fantastic speaker service with founder and president Carol Kent, along with Speak Up with Confidence seminars (where I received additional speaker training and where I am signed up as a speaker). Extensive listing of available speakers and training opportunities for those who would love to speak. Carol Kent is one of the most godly women I know.

Christian Speakers 4 You - Another great speaker service with Danya Clairmont and Amy Miller where you can find speakers for all occasions. I’m also signed up with this service as a speaker.

Top of Page

Miscellaneous Helps

The Maker’s Diet - This is not just a healthy, biblical diet–it’s a lifestyle. Even if you can only change over to some of the principles and add one supplement, particularly for your special needs, it has the potential to greatly improve your health. 

http://www.carbonite.com/ – Worried about computer crashing? A great way to back up your entire computer, along with free trial. E-mail me and I’ll send you a link that will get you a month free: (rebecca@rebeccabarlowjordan.com) I love this service!

WordPress for Dummies by Lisa Sabin-Wilson – I couldn’t have completed my website without this great tool for “technically challenged” writers like me.

WordPress.com or WordPress.org - Great program to use for your blogs, whether hosted or self-hosted - reader friendly.

Special Ministries:

Samaritan’s Purse - A great ministry with Franklin Graham and worthy of your support. His shoebox ministry and gift catalog are two of my favorite ways to participate in this organization.

Campus Crusade for Christ - Another great ministry that spreads the message of Christ worldwide–worthy of your support.

Michael Gott Ministries - International ministry that is reaching thousands for Christ in Eastern Europe – also worthy of your investments. My husband has been on one of Michael’s evangelistic trips.

Greater Europe Mission - A Colorado-based missions ministry that does great work.

Wycliffe Bible Translators - This group provides Bible translations for people groups worldwide.

To Every Nation - An organization that began with one of our own church members who developed a passionate heart for hands-on missions. Both my husband and I have been on mission trips to Peru with this group. It’s lifechanging–and the ministry is growing.

Top of Page

Freebies

Resource Books