Put on your rhino skin and lace up your courageous boots. The time has come to walk through self-forgiveness and enter the world of peace of mind. The journey may be rough. Tears may fall. A few scrapes and bruises might draw a gasp. But if we refuse to step into the mire, we’ll never experience the elation of broken chains. We’ve all said and done inexcusable things that seep with regret and ooze with self-loathing. Embarrassment, humiliation, and disappointing actions seize us whenever the situation enters our mind. Depression can set in, like a dark shadow. We physically hurt….
ACFW August 2022 New Releases
August 2022 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Action/Adventure/Biblical: The Wanderer Scorned by Natasha Woodcraft — The Wanderer is a man shrouded in legend. Moving from place to place in the land of Nod, he is known primarily for the curse that hangs over his life. When that curse is invoked during the celebration of a murderous rampage, The Wanderer is summoned to tell his story. Few know the truth of the tale encompassing life, death, love, hate, faith and doubt, for it has been obscured by centuries of…
Life Lesson: Mistaken Identity by Marilyn Turk
When I was invited to speak at a library in another town, I was happy to accept. The librarian in charge of marketing made a lovely advertisement with my picture and covers of two of my books. The library’s summer theme, “Oceans of Possibilities” fit perfectly with my lighthouse brand and my topic was about how lighthouses inspire my writing. One of the attendees arrived early, bustling with excitement about my presentation. However, as I proceeded through my talk, I noticed her enthusiasm sagged, and when I was finished, she hurried out instead of coming up for the book signing….
ACFW July New Releases
Here’s a glance at all the great novels available this month. More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Contemporary Romance: Leaving the Past Behind by Sandra Ardoin — The joy Danni Barnett found in her job as a travel writer and photographer faded around the same time her husband walked out on her. When her late sister-in-law’s will brings the couple together to care for her children, Danni must face her fear of motherhood or lose a second chance with Brooks. Brooks Barnett’s life has spun out of his control. A crumbled…
Lesson Learned: Protection in the Storm by Melissa Heiland
Our son, Josh, was stationed in Minot, North Dakota and so we packed up the younger children and left our home in sunny Florida and flew north for a visit. When we landed in North Dakota, we were met with ice and snow and temperatures colder than we had ever experienced. Josh met us at the airport and we all piled into his truck and set out for a 3 hour trip to his home. The roads were treacherous, but Josh seemed confident as he braved the storm. Suddenly, Josh lost control of the vehicle and we began to spin…
Lesson Learned: Fear No More by Stacy Leicht
Fear is a primal response. According to Northwestern Medical University, “fear is our survival response.” Some people thrive on fear while others try to avoid fear at all costs. As a 6th grade teacher, my sense of fear was heightened when a parent of a student began stalking me. I had watched movies and read books that had a stalker, but not until I had a stalker myself did, I understand the anxiety that could take over my life. As a Christian, my response should have been to go to God immediately in prayer. But my human nature took over,…
Life Lessons: Judging Others by Sharron K. Cosby
Judging people for their style of dress, behaviors, and lifestyle choices was a regular pastime for me. A homeless person hugging a street corner, holding a “Hungry. God Bless” cardboard sign provided a cornucopia of criticizing fodder. If I give him my hard-earned $1.00, he’ll just buy alcohol or drugs with it. I’m not giving my money to an addict. That attitude changed when I discovered my son’s addiction. How could I, a good Southern Baptist girl, college educated, hard worker, loving mother, devoted wife, have an addicted son? That question was never fully answered, but the non-answer didn’t change…
Life Lessons: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Ginny Dent Brant
Welcome to another Lesson Learned through Life Experiences. I’m honored to have Ginny Dent Brant with us today, sharing her life experience. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalms 139:14 (NKJV) Each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. Fearfully when translated from the Hebrew means with “great reverence, heart-felt interest and respect.” Wonderfully in this verse in Hebrew means “unique”—like a one of a kind work of art. It took my cancer journey for me to realize how our bodies are also intricately…
Flight Canceled by Julie Lavender
During high school and college, I worked at a local pharmacy. Both owners attended the same church as I did, and I welcomed their godly, fatherly advice on many occasions. One pharmacist was quite the humorist, and I’ve shared one of his jokes over the years. He explained that he never flew, because “Jesus said, ‘Low, I am with you always.’” He told us he planned to stay on the ground for his safety. Recently, while attending a convention in Nashville, my daughter woke me with an early morning text. “I made it to Charlotte, but my connector flight is…
Life Lessons: Perseverance by Lori Vober
God blessed me with the attitude of the glass is half full, not half empty, and it has helped me persevere through many difficult life experiences. Sometimes your attitude and enthusiasm can carry you farther than your abilities. In college, after already being named an officer in my sorority going into my junior year, I did not make the cut in the Longhorn Band as a piccolo player. Because of my perseverance and attitude, I learned how to be in the flag core and loved it! After trying unsuccessfully for several years to start a family, I made the career…
