Grief can be a cruel tyrant.When "comforting" Scriptures don't feel very ... comforting. When faith-filled verses don't infuse you with faith. When faith unravels during grief and tragedy, allowing doubts, disillusionment, and shame to seep in, smothering it even more. The very thing that should be carrying the griever through the storm is the very thing from which they have emotionally detached.Christian grievers are often offered soothing and victorious Scriptures as a means of encouragement. The problem is, when they feel disconnected, apathetic or angry towards God, those Scriptures can chafe their already wounded heart.But the Bible has an amazing ability to meet us right where we are - even if where we are is in a deep chasm of confusion, bitterness and apathy.Sometimes only Scriptures drenched in desperation can reach the wounded heart.What if the griever could look at some not-so-common, not so "faith-filled" verses of the Bible - verses that reflect the darkness, the festering ooze, the raw honesty of despair? Those Scriptures can meet them right in that dark abyss and show them that their disconnect isn't all that abnormal. That their fractured faith isn't all that hopeless. That the apathy and anger isn't beyond God's reach.After feeling validated ... understood ... and seen, the truths and comfort of Scripture can penetrate past defensive walls that are often erected in grief and tragedy.Faith Unraveled is a devotional which delves into the real, the raw, the broken, and captures God's compassion and faithfulness in its midst.
Pregnant, widowed, and alone, thirty-year-old Kendra McFarland yearns for family for herself and her unborn baby. She strives to put the pain of her emotionally abusive marriage behind her. With her strong faith and optimism leading her forward, she works to regain her self-confidence and open her heart to love.Kendra visits the small town of Shallow Stream thrilled to meet her late husband''s family for the first time. To her shock, her grieving mother-in-law accuses Kendra of being a gold digger and rejects her. Will Pierce, her late husband''s cousin, offer her the love and family she seeks, or will the relationship create new heartbreak?
Nineteen-year-old Rae Riley can barely believe her gamble paid off. After spending seven months investigating the identity of her father and whether he tried to murder her mother, Rae has been accepted by her dad, Sheriff Walter "Mal" Malinowski IV, and his immediate family with open hearts. And for the fi rst time in her life, Rae is making friends, jamming with three cute cops who play outlaw country music. But someone is leaving Rae threatening notes, reminding her of her late mother's notorious past when Bella Rydell wrecked homes and lives during the few years she lived in rural Marlin County, Ohio. Fearing the threats will make Mal and his family reject her, Rae investigates the mystery on her own. But her amateur sleuthing may cost her the father she's always wanted when the stalker changes targets and takes dead aim at Mal.
Time-sensitive, heart-focused, and cross-revealing, this end time book from God''s Throne of Grace will enlighten and change lives with a deeper and clearer picture of God''s heart, our hearts, and the Heart of the Cross of Jesus Christ. For over 2,100 years, millions of people have gazed upon the beaten, bruised, and bloody body of Jesus Christ without discerning His loving, merciful, and forgiving heart. Few have considered, and none can imagine the grief and suffering within the heart and mind of God the Father as they spat on His only Son, drove a crown of thorns onto His head and large nails into His hands and feet, and with a sword pierced Him in His heart. The Heart of the Cross. As we seek for money, fame, and longer life, let us not forget there is nothing more valuable and precious on earth than a beating heart. A heart that beats for Jesus Christ will never lose its value. Let us remember the commandment of the Lord in Luke 9:23: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." And in Luke 14:27 He says, "Whosoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." This book reveals the true contents of our cross and heart. This is the final season of the harvest of hearts and souls. We must sow the Seed Word that we may become heart-approved and cross-connected with Jesus Christ, and carry our cross, knowing the Gospel of the Heart.Bishop Donald Downing is the author of over thirty-five books. He is God''s messenger with a heart message and ministry for greater end time revelation of God''s heart, the Heart of the Cross, and our cross, to demonstrate God''s Word and reveal His perfect will unto the body of Christ.
Inn of the HealerSarai's Journey, Book 2 Sarai refuses to renounce her faith in Jesus, and her husband, Simon divorces her. She finds shelter with other followers of Jesus amid the turmoil after the crucifixion and news of the resurrection. When her friends decide to journey to Damascus for safety and to establish an inn, she joins them. Discovering she carries Simon's child leads to painful decisions. She claims to be a widow, and prays Simon will not hear the news and take her child from her. Within the safety of the inn family, she builds a new life for herself as a healer. The Inn of the Three Sisters becomes the gathering place for the slowly growing fellowship of Christ's followers. Sarai puts her education to good use, recording the memories of those who walked with Jesus and heard Him teach. Then her old life in Jerusalem reaches out to claim her, calling on old loyalties and friendship. Returning to her former home to help those she still loves means risking discovery, possibly condemnation. Her duty as a healer, and as a follower of Christ, requires a step of faith and courage that seems beyond her. The consequences of her decision will change her life, and the life of her daughter, forever
Heretic's DaughterSarai's Journey, Book 1 Sarai knew her life's path from childhood. Daughter of a wealthy, respected rabbi, she prepared herself for marriage to a man of equal wealth and status. Her father indulged her curiosity, and provided her an education rare among women of those times. She used the healing talents Adonai had given her, to serve others. However, her father's teachings about the Messiah were in conflict with the high priest, and many in the Sanhedrin. He believed the Messiah would first come as the Suffering Servant, not as a triumphant warrior to rescue Judea from the tyranny of Rome. He was labeled a heretic, ostracized from the Temple. When he died, Sarai's world disintegrated. Her suitor vanished, along with all his sweet promises. Reduced to nothing, Sarai devoted herself to the man who kept his promises when everyone else abandoned her. Then she encountered a rabbi named Jesus, from Nazareth, who fulfilled everything her father had taught about the Messiah. As Jerusalem was split by the question of who Jesus was, Sarai faced the most painful decision of her life. The man who risked everything to rescue her, or the duty she owed to Adonai? Break her promises and lose everything she had regained, or destroy her soul?
Dinah doesn't want a new man in her life, after her current boyfriend seriously blew their first Christmas together -- and became her ex-boyfriend. She has to find a new church and job, after being fired from her position as church secretary (and dealing with the church politics fallout). Then there's the suitor who insists they are perfect for each other, despite the fact she never filled out a profile at "A Match Made in Heaven." The worst part in all this is that the man running the job matching service seems to be interested in her, not her profile -- but he doesn't do anything about it. What's a good church-going girl to do when everything seems to go from wrong to weird, and the crazy old lady who insists on helping her find true love doesn't know the meaning of "No!" or "Not ever!"?
Not your Granny's Christmas stories …Step off the beaten path and enjoy six stories that look beyond the expected, the traditional, the tried-and-true. Inspired by the song, Mary Did You Know? -- a mother's memories of events leading up to and following that one holy night. MARY, DID YOU KNOW? A young woman seeking her own identity searches for the man who tried to kill her and her mother on Christmas Eve twenty years before. A ROSE FROM THE ASHES Princess, tower, sorceress, dragon, brave knight, clever peasant -- combine these ingredients into a Christmas-time story that isn't quite what you'd expect. RETURN TO CALLIDORA Anticipating tough financial times, the decision not to buy or exchange presents leads to some painful and surprising revelations for a hardworking man and his family. NOT THIS YEAR Years ago, a gunman and a store full of hostages learned some important lessons about faith and pain and what really matters in life -- and the echoes from that day continue to the present. THOSE WHO STAYED A community of refugees, a brutal winter, a doorway to another world -- a touch of magic creating holiday joy for others leads to a Christmas wish fulfilled. CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS
Orphans, Outlaws, and Redemption in the Old West!(Looking for a prairie romance? Don’t look here!) A classic Western tale of Joshua and Jonathan Jackson, brothers orphaned during the Civil War. They needed someone to give them a chance, but the war-torn countryside and people had little to spare. After the war, the teen brothers headed West to find their fortunes and escape their past. Instead, they found a hard land and nobody willing to lend a hand. At every fork in the road, fear, grief, or pain prompted them to choose the wrong path. By the time they were grown men, they had traveled so far into trouble, there was no way out except prison or death. They had one chance for redemption. Would they take it? If you’ve read LOST IN THE STORM, you met Jed Jackson – this is the story of what happened to Jed and his brothers.
Will war bring them love or will they be Lost in the Storm? Lavena, a journalist during the Civil War, wants to become a war correspondent. She finally gets her chance, but there’s a catch. She has to get an interview from a war hero who has refused to tell his story to every other journalist, and she has to accomplish this impossible task in a month or she’ll lose her job. Captain Cage, the war hero, has a secret that will destroy his military career and reputation. Now, a new journalist is trying to get him to tell what he’s been hiding. He wants to ignore her, but from the moment she came into camp, he can’t get her out of his mind. Leading up to the turbulent Battles for the city of Chattanooga, will Lavena and Cage find the courage to love and forgive, or will they be swept away by their past mistakes that don’t want to stay buried? Meet the Ladies of Oberlin, the causes they're willing to fight for, and the men who capture their hearts.
Eve was sure that God had created her for ministry rather than marriage, thanks to a bunch of guys who swept through her life with various levels of damage and frustration. Every time she thought about getting rid of that stupid wedding dress, something happened!Guys such as:A patriarchal bully of a cousin who thought he owned her -- and could sell her, for his own benefit. Her college sweetheart. The guy she bought the dress for -- it didn't suit him any more than it suited her. The guy she was dating on the rebound -- and didn't even know it until he dumped her. A wacko who tried to terrify her into running into his arms. A hero who pretended to be dating her to protect her from the guy she thought she didn't want.It wasn't until she finally got rid of the dress, and the attached dreams, that true love came into her life.Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?
In this quaint mountain town, things aren't always what they seem. World War II widow Alice Brighton returns to the safety of her home town to open a fabric shop. She decides to start a barn quilt tour to bring business to the shop and the town, but what she doesn't know is sinister forces are using the tour for their own nefarious reasons.Between her mysterious landlord, her German immigrant employee, her neighbors who are acting strange, and a dreamboat security expert who is trying to romance her, Alice doesn't know who she can trust.
Like the Pirates’ Code, many alleged “rules” of writing are more like guidelines…But don’t believe anyone who insists there are NO rules for writing. There are rules: the mechanics. The craft, as opposed to the art. The tools for sculpting clay or stone, or spinning and dyeing thread for weaving, or learning to play scales and read music and keep your instrument in tune, when creating music. The rest -- the “art” portion -- is flexible and adapts to what works best for YOU the writer. The technique for playing the instrument, the point of view and voice for the story, the genre you write in, the images you create from stone and clay, the pattern of the cloth you weave, and the colors you choose to use.When you understand the why of the rules, then you can bend or break them.So Do Yourself A Favor and learn what’s hard-and-fast, and what is flexible. It’ll save you pain and effort and wasted time in the long run.This collection of advice started as blog postings (read: semi-rants) while editing people who had something to say … but didn’t take the time to figure out how to say it. Basically, whenever I ran into something noteworthy in my own writing journey, or things I encountered too often in editing, I blogged about it, hoping the things that frustrated or fascinated me would be helpful to others. Along with those blog posts, revised because of timeliness or to cover a broader subject, or to fit in new discoveries along the way, or because I repeated myself … I offer bits of advice about topics that other authors have found worthy of discussion. Or argument. Or mockery. Or complaint. Or wailing. Or amusement of the I’m-losing-my-mind variety.
She thought he was her knight in shining armor, but will a marriage of convenience prove her wrong? After Vivian’s fiancé dies in the Great War, she thinks her life is over. But Henry, her fiancé’s best friend, comes to the rescue offering a marriage of convenience. He claims he promised his friend he would take care of her. She grows to love him, but she knows it will never work because he never shows any love for her. Henry adores Vivian and has pledged to take care of her, but he won’t risk their friendship by letting her know. She’s still in love with the man who died in the Great War. He won’t risk heartache by revealing his true emotions.
The Guardians of the Time Stream is a steampunk-ish series set during the reconstruction of the United States in the decades following the Civil War. Technology is on the rise, with locomotives and steam-powered industry, airships and other experiments in slightly anachronistic technology. A fascination with travel around the world and the exploration of other cultures, especially ancient cultures, is on the rise. One thing to keep in mind is that this is an alternative-history Earth ... The Guardians of the Time Stream, who call themselves the Originators, are determined to ensure the effects of certain events in history don't do any more harm to the planet than has already been done. Their secret: they are the descendants of travelers from our far distant future, who traveled into the distant past to prevent another group of time travelers from altering the world to suit their vision. And as Ess Fremont grows up and learns her heritage, her family's history and their secrets, she takes her place in the battle to protect the world. ODESSA FREMONT Ess Fremont already hated her boarding school before discovering the headmistress was trying to steal her inheritance. With her archeologist grandparents presumed dead in South America's turmoil, and her older brother missing, she struck out for freedom. Guided by her grandparents' maxim to always help where she was able, and aided by their inventions, Ess made her mark. First step: reveal a Resurrectionist plot to the Secret Service before the Southerners could re-start the Civil War. Disguised as a boy, Ess headed West. Sharp eyes, scientific principles, and engineering knowledge put her in the right place at the right time to do the right thing. Powerful allies included President Lincoln, the Secret Service, circus performers, train inspectors, and Pinkerton agents. Not bad for a girl between her fourteenth and seventeenth birthdays. If she could only find her missing brother and uncover the secrets their grandparents kept from them…
Unprecedented Days90 Days of FireDevotions that bring Awakening and TransformationThis book will transform your Christianity to a full pursuit of Christ and life beyond the veil. The profound insights of this book are combined with quotes from others who pave the journey of spiritual awakening. Everyday fuel the fire of your passion with a fresh word of encouragement and revelation. Whether the words are challenging or up lifting, they will add depth and riches in your spiritual journey.
William and America confront evil, but will it costs them everything? In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College, a school known for its radical ideas. America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves. America's classmate, William, goes to Kentucky to preach abolition to churches that condone slavery. America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation and may not make it home to Ohio or live through the struggle. Meet the Ladies of Oberlin, the causes they're willing to fight for, and the men who capture their hearts. Red Sky Over America tackles the most turbulent time in history with thorough research and fascinating characters. Tamera Lynn Kraft has woven a tale about the evils of slavery that should never be forgotten. -- Mary Ellis, author of The Quaker and the Rebel, The Lady and the Officer, and The Last Heiress. It's the middle of the 18th century, a troubled time in American history, when strong women find it difficult to find their place in society. Three women dare to fight against social injustices, but when they fall in love, things get complicated. Three women roommates, graduates of Oberlin College, challenge society norms to do what is right even though it may cost them everything, including love. Oberlin College, considered radical at the time, was the only co-education, multi-racial college before the Civil War, and its graduates were involved in many progressive era issues including abolition, women’s suffrage, prohibition, and the missionary movement. In Red Sky over America, in a nation on the brink of war, America confronts slavery and risks being alienated from her slave owning father. In Lost in the Storm, during the Civil War, Lavena challenges a profession ruled by men to become a war correspondent, but will she keep her job by destroying the man she loves? In The Aftermath, when Betsy's husband comes home from the war as an alcoholic, she uses unladylike tactics to fight against the evils of drink to save her marriage. Meet the Ladies of Oberlin, the causes they're willing to fight for, and the men who capture their hearts.
You are a treasure hunter on a mission to find hidden jewels. Your guide Stephanie Pavlantos has gone before you and now joins you on an expedition to unearth a hidden gem from each chapter of Hebrews. When you open your beloved Bible and dive deep into the book, you will find a rare diamond, ruby, sapphire, and other gems. You will explore the rich history of the early church and the connections the book of Hebrews has to the Old Testament. The supremacy of Yeshua and his royalty will be revealed as the Jewels of Hebrews are discovered one chapter at a time. Learn about these jewels and the meaning of their color as you find relatable and practical applications for modern times. Get ready for a life-changing journey! Yeshua is eager to reveal the Jewels of Hebrews to you and crown you his prince or princess.Stephanie Pavlantos is passionate about getting people into God''s Word. She has taught Bible studies for fifteen years and has spoken at ladies'' retreats.She is published in Refresh Bible study magazine, Charisma magazine, and CBN.com. She is also a contributor for www.Faithbeyondfear.com and Feed Your Soul with the Word of God compilation by Lighthousebiblestudies.com. You can visit her blog at www.stephaniepavlantos.com and other social media sites at twitter @DPavlantos and www.facebook.com/stephaniepavlantos.Her Hebrews study won third place at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and an Honorable Mention at the Florida Christian Writers Conference.Married for twenty-eight years, she and Mike have three children, Matthew, Alexandria, and Michael. Stephanie loves animals and has dogs, ducks, goats, and chickens.
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