Seasons of Opportunities

  This book! Wow! What can I say? It's radical, convicting, and pushes you to live completely out of your comfort zone for the sake of the GOSPEL! Rosaria's personal story is a story of Grace - God's grace and a life transformed by the Gospel. She inspires us to practice true hospitality like the Bible commands. She talks about the importance of hospitality, how to use hospitality to share Jesus and the Gospel, and how our lives and those of others should be changed by it. She invites us to reach out, invite in, and love people of all different backgrounds, even those who don't particularly agree with us in lifestyle or otherwise. She propels us to love the sinner, while not condoning the sin. Hospitality - open arms, open table, a welcome to all.  I wish I could put into words how this book inspired me to take a good look at my own life and how I practice hospitality. It made me re-evaluate what I might think hospitality looks like and how to apply it to real life in c...

  As I mentioned in my previous post , I am reading some books about how to make my home a place of beauty. One of those books is A Home Made Lovely by Shannon Acheson published by Bethany House. This book caught my eye when it became available for review as I am have been looking for ways to improve my home and create a more lovely space to live in.  Our home is not large or fancy as some, but I can't complain as it serves its purpose. Of course, there are times I wish for more space here, or something different there, and I can get discouraged or discontent with what God has given me. However, once I get my perspective back in place - that is - I recall, that God has provided a roof over my head, and a place to live that some would give anything for, I must Give Thanks! In-spite of the condition of my home, I am sure I can create a lovely space, because most of the beauty of a home is in the atmosphere not simply in the style or decor.  Back to the book.... This book i...

  BEAUTY Quite a few years ago, I came across a blog post about choosing a word for the year. A word to set as a goal, something to focus on and strive towards. A word that God puts on your heart to bloom and grow in your life.  I tried it, and I liked it! So for several years now, towards the end of the year, I begin thinking and praying about the word God wants for me to focus on during the course of the new year.  This year my word is  BEAUTY I've been reading quite a few books on bringing life and beauty to my home, my family, my own life, and the lives of those around me. I also know God created a world of beauty - perfect in the Garden of Eden, now flawed, but still beautiful.  He also desires to create an inner beauty  in us women  that comes from knowing Him and becoming more like His Son Jesus through cultivating a personal relationship with Him. So, my goal for the year: To create an environment of beauty in my home and ...

In the midst of daily chaos and concerns, readers can infuse spirituality and thankfulness into their lives with this beautiful journal that offers a simple way to lower stress and improve happiness. With its lovely full-color photographs and illustrations, this textured hardcover book is a perfect keepsake. The weekly format offers just the right amount of encouragement to inspire, motivate, and create a grateful heart in all who use its pages to record and reflect on their blessings each week. Get Your Copy Here My Thoughts: I really liked this book from the moment I got it in the mail and opened it. What a nice surprise. It has beautiful pages with pictures of all things cozy and beautiful. It has plenty of room to write and journal, along with ideas of what to journal about. There are four main themes - Home, Community, Faith, Beauty. Each theme has a different category for each week. The weekly categories provide a verse, a short paragraph to think about, reflect and respond to. A...

  Excite your children's imagination and ignite their desire to learn! Help them build a firm foundation for interacting with the world and recognizing the presence of the Creator. Clarkson shares the principles she used to successfully raise four creative, faith-filled kids. She'll help you gain confidence in your parental role as you watch your youngsters blossom. 224 pages, hardcover from Bethany. Meet Sally Clarkson  - the beloved author of multiple bestselling books, including  Own Your Life ,  The Lifegiving Home  with her daughter Sarah,  Desperate  with Sarah Mae, and  Different  with her son Nathan. As a mother of four, she has inspired thousands of women through Whole Heart Ministries and Mom Heart conferences. Sally also encourages many through her website, www.sallyclarkson.com, and on her popular podcast,  At Home With Sally . Get your Copy HERE

  Jesus knew the power of stories to touch people's hearts, so he used parables to teach his followers about the kingdom of God. If you want to know God better, the keys are in the parables. This book provides short studies on every parable in the Bible. You'll learn what God wants us to know from the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the lost sheep, the talents, the sower, and many more. Each study includes a summary of the parable, the Scripture reference where it can be found, information on the historical and cultural setting, and key points. At the end of each study are questions that open the door to discussion, reflection, or further investigation and help you get to the heart of the parable. A wonderful tool for small groups or to add variety to your personal devotions. Let these studies draw you nearer to God as they enhance your understanding of his Word.

A beautiful, half-Indian girl raised by the Californios finds her fate intertwined with an American frontiersman haunted by his past in 1850 California. As California comes to statehood amidst the madness of the gold rush, Isabella Vasquez must wed a buckskin-clad American who wins her in a card game. Though their union is passionate, Isabella soon finds herself abandoned in a brothel, where she rises to fame as a singer known as the Bluebird. Yet because of her Indian blood, the Bluebird will always be bought and sold in the white man’s world. When more is demanded of the Bluebird than just singing, Isabella flees to Fort Ross in search of her Russian father and her own race of people. Peter Brondi has battled Indians all his life. The last thing he wants is a half-Indian wife. While taming the West with Kit Carson and John C. Fremont, Peter has fought the Mexican War and lost his beloved fiancée, Maggie, to his half-Indian brother, Paul. To satisfy his father’s dying wish, Pete...

Join us for this tour from Sep 21 to Oct 16 ,  2020 ! Book Details: Book Title :  Killer Deadline ( A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery) by Lauren Carr Category :  Adult Fiction (18 +),  232 pages Genre :  Mystery/Cozy Mystery Publisher :  Acorn Book Services Release date:    April 23, 2020 Audiobook release date: August 5, 2020 Content Rating : G. This is a true cozy mystery. No sex. No on-stage violence. No swearing. Just good clean fun! Book Description: Folks in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, claim that where Nikki Bryant goes, trouble is not far behind. Her refusal to back down from a challenge has made Nikki Bryant a top investigative journalist. When an online friend nudges her to join him in a pact to reconnect with their first loves, Nikki and her boxer dog Elmo leave the bright lights of Las Vegas for the charming town of Pine Grove. There, she must face the biggest challenges in her career and life—the first l...

Worie Dressar is 17 years old when influenza and typhoid ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1877, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie's mother has been secretly feeding a number of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when she dies suddenly, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them. Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers--one greedy and the other a drunkard--Worie fights to save her home and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she will discover the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma's children. Storyteller and popular speaker Cindy K. Sproles pens a tender novel full of sacrifice, heartache, and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles. Get your copy HERE Meet the Author: Cindy K. Sproles  is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. An author, storyteller, and popular s...

One look at our cultural moment and it's easy to tell that men and their identities are in crisis. Though lost and fractured, men face the pressure to be perfect. Our reactionary society is quick to condemn and slow to forgive, leaving men more confused than ever about how to live and who to be. Yet in Scripture, we continually find God choosing to work in and through flawed, imperfect, and broken individuals. Men who had massive character flaws and significant moral failings, but who also shared one important characteristic: the desire to follow the call of their Creator. With engaging personal stories and insight into biblical truths, Nathan Clarkson declares to today's man that he is more than what the culture is telling him he is--angry, selfish, predatory, violent, and bored. Instead, still on the journey himself, Nathan calls today's man to find his identity in the One who created him on purpose, for a purpose, and encourages him to live an honest, authentic life mar...

See Scripture in a whole new way with this inspiring gift book that includes 60 hand lettered verses by Instagram sensation Debbie Bratton. Whether you are new to the Bible or are a seasoned reader, you'll see Scripture with new eyes through these elegant hand lettering designs from artist Debbie Bratton. Debbie began lettering in 2014 as a way to meditate on the word of God, using art to bring the Bible to life in a fresh way. She has since carved out a following on Instagram and Etsy of other creatives who find inspiration in her unique, artistic treatment of Scripture. Debbie's attention to detail and creativity make this a treasured and meaningful gift for any occasion. FEATURES Beautiful gift book featuring hand lettered Scripture Full-color interior design Presentation page for personalization A meaningful gift for any occasion Get your copy HERE

From the #1  New York Times  bestselling author of  Before We Were Yours  comes a new historical novel: the dramatic story of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post–Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its vital connection to her students’ lives. Bestselling author Lisa Wingate brings to life startling stories from actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as newly freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold away. Louisiana, 1875:  In the tumultuous era of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Hannie, a freed slave; Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now destitute plantation; and Juneau Jane, Lavinia’s Creole half sister. Each carries private wounds and powerful secrets as they head for Texas, following roads rife with vigilantes and soldiers still fighting a war lost a...

Book:   Light of Mine Author:  Alen Brokken Genre:   Christian Fantasy Middlegrade Release Date:  November 3, 2019 Light of Mine , introduces Lauren (12), Aiden (9), and Ethan (5) who bear the responsibility of keeping their Father’s newly constructed Tower of Light shining in his absence. Darkness is spreading through Zoura.   Beyond the borders of the heathlands, innocent animals are being turned into monsters, and good men into pawns of the Dark One. Father has vanished after joining the Mighty Mercenaries and mother has gone missing in search of him. Alone on the farm, twelve-year-old Lauren and her brave little brothers, Aiden and Ethan, must guard the Tower of Light that will guide both parents home. But when a hooded stranger is caught trespassing the farm, and a new bishop claims the church, confusion pervades their close-knit community. Will the children be able to recognize who is a threat to the Tower and who is there to...

After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn't love her in the "forever" way she loves him, Cadie believes it's time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing. But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie's favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It's a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?

About the Book Book:   The Fifth Avenue Story Society Author:  Rachel Hauck Genre:   Contemporary Romance/ Women’s Fiction Release Date:  February 4, 2020 An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories. Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed. Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud. Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

When the abandoned princess discovers a friend, some muscle, and a passion for swords,  she also acquires the crucible by which she uncovers the mysterious key to unlock her grief and win true freedom. Or will her strength confound her future in the kingdom to which she rides? At the mythical edge of the Berkshire Forests, Wren finds herself rattling around in an austere castle, abandoned by the King and Queen. King Belodawn seems to blame his daughter for the mysterious disappearance of his wife, and he avoids his daughter at all costs in favor of conquests requiring his person away from the kingdom.  But, things are about to change; the princess has matured. Wren's spirit refuses to remain the lost bird she became at age twelve.  With the aid of the cook and the cook’s son, Wren discovers her unknown dexterity in sword fighting. With it, she believes a new community in which to live will open up but is this young girl prepared to encounter deceptive ghosts, an...

Promises in the Dark   by Dr. Eric McLaughlin strengthens the hearts of readers to persevere in God's calling to walk with those in need. As a missionary doctor in Africa, McLaughlin knows how walking closely with those who suffer and bearing others' burdens can easily lead to burnout or cynicism-unless we find the path to perseverance that the Lord provides. This resource explores how to find both calling and hope, living in the tension between a difficult present and God's promises of renewal, how to cope with despair and futility, the importance of the suffering God for those who suffer, and how the manifestations of God bring life into a dying world. McLaughlin explores how to endure in such a yet-to-be-redeemed world as ours, which is full of tragedy and heartache, pointing to God's promises.

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king. During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.  

Jason is an expert at running from his past. But when it catches up, he finds himself hiding in a peculiar inn listening to a tale from centuries past. The story is Anargen's, a teen who is pulled from all he loves to follow his oaths of loyalty to the fabled King of the Realms. Together with his mentor, Cinaed, he rides north on a special quest to mediate peace talks between ancient foes—the men of Ecthelowall and the dwarfs of Ordumair. Nothing goes as planned. Many on both sides of the dispute despise Anargen's Order. Worse, an arcane evil has returned to the North. This "Grey Scourge" seeks to ruin the peace talks and ensure a lost treasure held by the dwarfs is never found by those for whom it is meant.

David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler, returns with another probing story: what would you do if your secrets were revealed to those around you? Daniel Whiteley is a successful couples counselor who regularly puts families back together, helping them face up to the things in life they hide. But his own marriage is falling apart. His wife, Kelly, knows Daniel is hiding something from her, but she doesn’t dare probe for fear her own secrets will be revealed. When his grandfather dies, Daniel inherits an old SLR camera from a time when cameras pointed away from the person taking the photograph. On the camera is an inscription: “Use this camera