Bücher veröffentlicht von Wordcrafts Press

The porch swing spoke to Alice. Come sit and rock and read and relax. Watch the waves. Let the sounds of the sea hypnotize you and lull you into contentment, it whispered.Could it really be that simple? Alice wondered. Alice had led an eventful, if not an extraordinary, life. She was recovering from a disastrous second marriage, had been shaken to her core, had caved in on herself and crawled back out again. She had raised a son and watched him fly from the nest. She had cared for her aging parents and dutifully ushered them to the Pearly Gates, all while working at a series of demanding executive jobs. Now, she wondered, Is it, in fact, my turn? Even the thought felt naughty and selfish. Alice's reverie was interrupted by a still, small voice that said, "Hello."A little girl sat at her breakfast table; coltish brown legs dangling not quite to the floor, dirty bare feet swinging back and forth, a bracelet of seaweed woven around one delicate ankle. Alice thought the child could be no more than six or seven. She looked at once tiny and fragile and fierce and confident. Her hair was wild, wavy, windblown-the color of dune grass bleached by the sun and impossibly tangled in places. And there was something in her eyes, those exotic eyes, that made her seem an old soul, wise beyond her years. They seemed to shift sea green to dark navy to the softest shades of blue, the very color of the porch swing and the beach sky. She had ocean eyes.

Ah, Spring Break! That annual rite of passage when thousands of winter-weary college students flock to Florida's renowned beaches for two weeks of sun, sand, surf, and suds... and perhaps a bit of shenanigans.There's Panama City Beach, the Spring Break Capital of the World. Further south there is Miami, with its glitz and glamor and shopping. Or South Beach, where the party never ends.But for three poor college students who actually live in Florida, the idea of ditching the state altogether and heading west for an epic road trip is too enthralling to pass up.Charlie, Jamal, and Sean have it all figured out. If they take one car, scrimp on meals, and take advantage of relatives along the road for lodging, they can make it to San Francisco, California, and back home to Gainesville, Florida, in two weeks on $300 each.3 Friends.$300 Each.3,000 Miles.1 Car.What could possibly go wrong?

Coming of age against the backdrop of World War II Japan, an American boy, Connor Williams, tormented by his personal alienation and the horrors of war, places himself in harm's way and into the turmoil of a plot to overthrow the Emperor.Whether it was out of fear, revenge, honor or personal salvation, in 1945 this American teenager sat himself, of his own free will, in the pilot's seat of a Mitsubishi Zero, to join other young Kamikaze pilots hell-bent on attacking the powerful American fleet off the coast of Japan.In the Hands of the Gods, Book 1 of The IJIN Trilogy traces the Japanese historical period between 1936 through the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, telling the story of World War II from the Japanese perspective. Using historical and fictional characters, IJIN explores the political, military, cultural and social events affecting the lives of Connor's adopted Japanese family and the political and military individuals they encounter.

In Under the Mango Trees, the first volume of The Coral Series, Coral, a neglected 12-year-old from a trailer park, meets Rosella, her eccentric, retired neighbor, an unlikely and heartwarming friendship ensues. But as Coral comes of age she discovers there is more to Rosella than meets the eye-and a past she is reluctant to discuss. As Coral unravels the mystery of Rosella's past she discovers a deep grief that mingles with an even deeper sense of joy and peace in the older woman, and eventually comes to regard her as family.Along the Forgotten Coast, the second volume of The Coral Series, picks up the story with Coral as a young college student traveling to Carrabelle, Florida, with Rosella and her grandson Matt to spy out her newly discovered father. Coral fears he'll be the same kind of loser as all her mother's old boyfriends. Romance blooms with Matt as they explore the Forgotten Coast, but her developing affection for the father she never knew turns to hatred when she overhears snippets of a conversation. But when Matt presses her to hear the rest of the story, will she reject Matt along with her father?

Having found a home with his adoptive family, fourteen-year-old Samsuluna (Sam) now moves to Egypt with Balashi and Amata where his quest to solve the mystery of the hidden tomb threatens to tear his family apart.* * *Amata gasped as Sam shone the light on the sarcophagus revealing a broken statue of Anubis, his jackal-shaped head not far from his wooden body. Stepping around the headless statue, Sam shone the light on a broken canopic chest, its sides colorfully decorated with the images of Osiris, Isis, Nut, and Thoth.Amata stepped closer to the chest. "Look here, Sam." She pulled four canopic jars out of the damaged container."Don't open those!" Even in the dim light, Sam caught her glare. "I know what these are, Sam. They contain what is left of this Egyptian's insides preserved here for the afterlife." She traced the edges of the limestone jars then placed them next to the broken container.Sam shifted his attention to another broken chest. In the dim light, he made out the shapes of several wooden shabtis. They must have fallen out of the wooden box. The shabtis looked like miniature Egyptians, each carrying a basket of tools.Amata moved to the other side of the sarcophagus. "Sam! Bring the lamp over here."Before he reached her, a loud crash boomed. Amata shrieked.He rushed to her side, but his legs gave way as his body plunged into a dark hole.

Pam Taylor exudes strength and independence. She prides herself on her courage and determination. She is also a single mother to twin daughters who are identical on the outside but complete opposites in the personality department. On a good day life is, well, challenging to put it mildly.But life has a way of shaking things up, and Pam experiences fresh trials and tribulation just as her daughters are about to start their all-important senior year in high school. Her company downsizes at the same time that her mother gets a devastating health diagnosis. To be there for her mom means Pam will have to relocate to the other side of the state, which mean uprooting the girls from the home they love, the friends they have grown up with, and their familiar school.The stresses of caring for a sick parent, dealing with a rebelling daughter, and just trying to pay the bills brings Pam to her knees to seek wisdom from the God she wishes she was closer to.Will Pam find the strength and wisdom required to survive the chaos? Is it possible to find love again after all these years? And... is that really a ghost?

Stephanie Marshall is the owner of a successful Charlotte, North Carolina, writing firm. She and her staff advertise for some of the biggest names up and down the east coast. Even though the writer's life is exciting, and her company is in demand, she struggles with the monotony of home life. Stephanie is on the verge of an affair and has chosen to take the next step in that relationship.... And then there is Carter.Our angelic friend is back. He visits Stephanie to teach her three lessons about life-one involving her past, one about her present life, and one that will challenge her and the reality of the choices she makes. But will this be enough to save her business and her marriage?

A well-told horror story has much in common with your own cherished puss. Kitty jumps upon your lap and purrs, and you turn the page of your book.Pray, take heed! Some dire thing is afoot! On your lap, Kitty stirs, her ears lifting into two small velvet tents. She raises her chin, stares expectantly into the gloom beyond the aura of the reading lamp, gazes at something which you cannot see! Her silken hairs begin to fluff, signaling her unease. Swiftly, Kitty moves from your lap onto the arm of your chair, where, channeling Bastet, she strikes an Egyptian-cat pose, her expectant stance and twitching whiskers communicating unseen peril.The hairs on your neck begin to rise in sympathy. As you doggedly continue reading your book, you cast frequent glances at your cat: Kitty provides you with a sixth sense which you lack, a window into the unseen and the uncanny. You are mindful that cats dwell in a larger world than our own, the gulfs and abysses of which we can obtain but a shadowy glimpse, through their eyes.In The Weird Cat you delve into that larger realm through more than three dozen classic and contemporary short stories, poems, and essays by masters of the craft including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling, H.P. Lovecraft, Mary A. Turzillo, Christina Sng, Darrell Schweitzer, and others. Edited by Katherine Kerestman and S. T. Joshi.

Sarah, a widowed schoolteacher, rushes to be with her sister, Emily, about to give birth. It's September 1864, and the war has come to Winchester, Virginia yet again. Sadly, Emily and her baby die, leaving Sarah to take Emily's maid Rebecca and son Bobby to freedom. Her mother insists she take along a young slave named Thomas for protection. It's almost one hundred miles to Baltimore, where they can take a boat to Boston, and then board a train west. Can Sarah lead this group to safety, avoiding stray Confederates, Union soldiers, and slave catchers? And why does Rebecca say to look for quilt squares on their journey?In present day, Gracie and her boyfriend, David, visit Grandma Molly over the Christmas holidays. Forty years ago, Molly helped her sisters-in-law clean out a house after their Grandma Mary's death. Molly found a red and green quilt that no one else wanted, so she brought it home. An old legal envelope was safety-pinned to the quilt, which had a faded bloodstain on the back. A great aunt warned her to burn the envelope and quilt, and after a family gathering, the envelope disappeared. Molly hid the quilt away. Now she wants Gracie to find out if the quilt dates to the Civil War and who made it? However, Grandpa Patrick walks in and makes a fuss. "Ah, Molly, what are you doing with this old quilt again? Can't you let it go after all this time?" Gracie wonders, what's going on with my grandparents?Can Gracie find the story behind the red and green quilt and help her grandparents resolve their problems the way she did with the California quilt?

The Last Supper-oft referred to as The Lord's Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist-is one of the sacraments celebrated in Christian churches as a means of communing with Jesus and as a commemoration of His death. But whether or not one is a Christian, when The Last Supper is mentioned, inevitably the iconic painting by Leonardo da Vinci springs to mind. It has become a part of our collective consciousness.Created toward the end of the 15th century, da Vince painted in the mode of the day, so while the beloved masterpiece is most certainly great art, it is not particularly good history. In fact, Leonardo got it all wrong. The question must be asked, was it intentional or did he have an ulterior motive?Conspiracy theorists point to esoteric connections hidden in the picture. Magdalene cults found Mary as one of the desciples. Musical scholars found examples of Pythagorean musical ratios. Numerologists find the painting to be a playground of numerical references. There have been reported connections between da Vinci and secret cults. And of course there is Dan Brown's wildly popular international bestselling novel, The DaVinci Code. Literally thousands of theologians have attempted to explain the Christian symbolism and truth in the picture and to name the disciples as they sit in the picture.Regardless of how beloved or revered the painting was and is, apart from its symbolic representation, it was not a true representation of the real Last Supper.

Entrepreneurs may feel called to grow whatever catches their interest, including churches.But Pastors are not called to be entrepreneurs. Pastors are not called to grow the church. Pastors are called to grow the people. The kingdom of darkness rejoices when we turn our focus to anything that competes with Christ for our attention. Anything, no matter how important man thinks it is, that competes with Christ for our focus is clearly inferior and not what we have been called to lift up.A Pastor's focus is and always truly must be on Christ.

Devotions from the Barn Door is the sixth book in author Tammy Chandlers' popular Devotions from Everyday Things series.Each devotional is designed to help readers find ethereal truths connected to our mundane world. This volume focuses on the everyday objects, tasks, and experiences of life on the farm, but the spiritual observations are applicable to people from all walks of life.The devotions in this book evoke quiet times with God based on lessons that can be gleaned from the farm. Each one includes a daily Scripture passage that connects our everyday lives to God's Word; an Illustration from the barnyard that helps us apply the principles of Scripture throughout the day; a Thought-provoker that offers an opportunity to adjust our thoughts and actions to the principles learned from the devotions; and a Prayer Starter to help facilitate a regular conversation with God.

The Mysteries of the Rosary center around the events of the life of Christ, and are divided into four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and most recently the Luminous, added by Saint John Paul II in 2002. The Scripture-based prayer begins with the Apostles' Creed which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, comes from the Gospels, as does the first part of the Hail Mary which includes the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. The second part of the Hail Mary was added by St. Pius V.The gentle repetition of the words of the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer as we consider Mystery and enter into the secret place in our hearts where dwells the spirit of Christ.The four volumes of The Mysteries of the Rosary for Children are designed to help the younger ones to participate in worship and adoration of the Savior.Volume 3, The Glorious Mysteries include:¿¿¿¿¿¿The ResurrectionThe AscensionThe Descent of the Holy SpiritThe Assumption of Mary into HeavenThe Coronation of Mary as The Queen of Heaven

The Mysteries of the Rosary center around the events of the life of Christ, and are divided into four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and most recently the Luminous, added by Saint John Paul II in 2002. The Scripture-based prayer begins with the Apostles' Creed which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, comes from the Gospels, as does the first part of the Hail Mary which includes the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. The second part of the Hail Mary was added by St. Pius V.The gentle repetition of the words of the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer as we consider Mystery and enter into the secret place in our hearts where dwells the spirit of Christ.Volume 4, The Luminous Mysteries, includes:¿¿¿¿¿The Baptism of JesusThe Wedding Feast at CanaThe Proclamation of the Kingdom of GodThe TransfigurationThe Institution of the EucharistThe four volumes of The Mysteries of the Rosary for Children are designed to help the younger ones to participate in worship and adoration of the Savior.

The Mysteries of the Rosary center around the events of the life of Christ, and are divided into four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and most recently the Luminous, added by Saint John Paul II in 2002. The Scripture-based prayer begins with the Apostles' Creed which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, comes from the Gospels, as does the first part of the Hail Mary which includes the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. The second part of the Hail Mary was added by St. Pius V.The gentle repetition of the words of the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer as we consider Mystery and enter into the secret place in our hearts where dwells the spirit of Christ.Volume 2, The Sorrowful Mysteries, includes:¿¿¿¿¿The Agony in the Garden¿¿¿¿¿¿The Scourging at the Pillar¿¿¿¿The Crowning With Thorns¿¿¿The Carrying of the Cross¿¿The Crucifixion and Death of JesusThe four volumes of The Mysteries of the Rosary for Children are designed to help the younger ones to participate in worship and adoration of the Savior.

The Mysteries of the Rosary center around the events of the life of Christ, and are divided into four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and most recently the Luminous, added by Saint John Paul II in 2002. The Scripture-based prayer begins with the Apostles' Creed which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, comes from the Gospels, as does the first part of the Hail Mary which includes the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. The second part of the Hail Mary was added by St. Pius V.The gentle repetition of the words of the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer as we consider Mystery and enter into the secret place in our hearts where dwells the spirit of Christ.The four volumes of The Mysteries of the Rosary for Children are designed to help the younger ones to participate in worship and adoration of the Savior.

Twelve-year-old Samsuluna (Sam) needs to find his uncle. There's only one problem. His uncle, the one who gave him his bronze dagger, lives 800 miles away. With Sam's mother and brother dead, and his father... well, Sam wants to get as far away from his father as possible. The stolen jewels hidden within the folds of his tunic should be more than enough to book passages on a caravan. But the secrets Sam keeps and the lies he tells endanger not only his life but also those of his new friends... especially when he violates Hammurabi's Code. Will Sam ever reach his uncle? Will he ever discover the mystery behind the stolen jewels?

Paul Eason was a Scoutmaster for more than sixty years. More than 350 young men became Eagle Scouts under his leadership. The troop he led began camping every month in the summer of 1951. In July 2023, the troop will complete seventy-two years of camping without missing a single month.The record is extraordinary, but it is far less important than Paul Eason's influence on the thousands of Boy Scouts he led on their journey from childhood to manhood. He was born to be a Scoutmaster. He was kind, humble, and encouraging. His patience and energy were inexhaustible. He loved adventure. His moral compass never wavered. He always did the right thing. He had a profound, positive influence on three generations of young men in his hometown. The Scoutmaster is the story of a remarkable man and his remarkable life of leadership and service

Let's face it, the whole subject of Biblical Prosperity and Success is pretty controversial. While there is nothing inherently wrong with having money or possessions, it is certainly true that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Having great fame and possessions is not always a sign of God's favor just as having few possessions is not necessarily a sign of God's judgement.The Book of Hebrews includes a chapter often referred to as The Hall of Faith-a list of people who have gone before us who by faith gained the approval and approbation of God. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain, Enoch was taken from this life so that he did not experience death, Noah built an ark to save his family, and others conquered kingdoms, administered justice, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, escaped the edge of the sword; became powerful in battle and received back their dead, raised to life again. Yet other, equally faithful servants of God were tortured for their faith, faced jeers and flogging, chains and imprisonment, were put to death by stoning, were sawed in two, or killed by the sword. They were destitute, persecuted, and mistreated-the world was not worthy of them.Biblical success can be defined as accomplishing the purposes of God in our lives. Biblical prosperity can be viewed as having enough to meet our needs and an overflow to help meet the needs of others.In a world of socialism, communism, capitalism, and every other kind of -ism, the question is not what you have, but what are you going to do with it?

Francine Maria Capellini was named after her grandmother, and carried with her many of the same personality traits and physical features. As a child, young Frannie would sit enthralled as the elder Francine, Gram to Frannie, regaled her with wild tales of adventure in places far, far away from the humdrum little village of Cittadina, New York.But while Francine seemed content to dwell in the same little house, in the same little town where her family had lived for generations, Frannie couldn't wait to shake the dust off her feet and leave Cittadina in her rear view mirror as soon as she graduated high school. Within a few years she was on the fast track in the high pressure world of news reporting in the Big Apple. She had a great job, a handsome boyfriend, and a life that was a world away from her small town originsThen the call came.Gram had died and left Frannie the house on Maple Street.Frannie would have to return to her home town, fix up the old house, and sell it before she could move on with her life.But Cittadina exerted an unexpected pull on Frannie, and Gram's final bequest provided answers to questions long buried which uncovered Frannie's heart.

In 1988 an Army recruiter encouraged David Weill to sign up for his local National Guard Unit. One weekend a month, two weeks in the summer, extra money now, and benefits toward college. What's not to like?Weill went home and talked it over with his mother. It was a short conversation."Hey, Mom. Do you think I should join the Army?""No."But David had a money mindset and a patriotic streak. He figured he could serve his country and get paid to do it. Not only did he sign up, he talked his mother, a nurse, into signing up too.Then came the events leading up to Desert Storm. That's when stuff got real.

Before you were born, God planned this exact moment. It is no coincidence you are reading this book, contemplating life after high school. God yearns for you to discover the life He designed for you to live-your purpose and mission.People are frequently puzzled by their pursuit of the purpose of life. We are commonly unaware of the starting point and the right questions to ask. Our purpose in life is more significant than ourselves. It is greater than our happiness and our wildest goals and ambitions. The Bible says, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." God does not abandon us in the darkness.If we wish to know our purpose in life, we must acknowledge God as our source and starting point. We must answer the following questions: Who are you now?Whose are you?What does it mean to belong to God?What do you believe; and why? In Life Lessons for Graduates, author/educator Frances Arthur dives deep into these questions and their significance.

Sunday morning. Church as usual. The worship team finished singing, the offering was collected. Pastor Craft turned the service over to me. I ascended to the pulpit."Have you ever wrestled with God? I have," I declared.My sermon was about the importance of being honest with yourself and sharing your struggles with others. I invited those who were proud of their deliverance to join me on the platform, but how could I reciprocate given my hidden proclivities? I felt the urging of the Holy Spirit to admit my own struggle. Confession was good for the soul, right?Yet, I continued to wrestle with God.I can't tell them, Lord. What will they think of me? How can I hurt them by exposing my shame? This will just kill them.But the prompting of the Spirit was unmistakable...So I named the beast.

1943The world is at warand the outcome is anything but sureIn the heartland, communities like Caroline, Iowa, must bind together to support The Cause. As the war drags on, few families escape paying the untimate price.But the unity of this close-knit community is threatened by a violent death-a murder committed in the basement of the town's beloved Church Street United Brethren. Everyone, including the congregation's handsome new pastor, becomes a suspect.The underpinnings to the mystery delve deep into the town's past... and extend far beyond its borders.

"My name is Legion, for we are many."Yamin ran until he found the nook in the wall where he spent his first night in the city. He plopped onto the ground, curled up, and wept."What is wrong with me? Am I going mad?"The voice answered him. "Yes, you are.""Get out of my head. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!""I'll never shut up." The voice caressed his mind like a grotesque lover's kiss."I am part of you - Yamin."