Devotionals for the Heart: Peace

Perfect Peace

A devotional by Susan Lindstrom 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)

I stand at the back window staring at my current trouble; a large pond that spans not only the width of our yard but the neighbors on each side of us as well. And it’s growing by the minute. At least the ducks swimming in it look happy.

This is a rare occurrence and only happens when we get a consistent rain over three inches. So, when it does happen we jokingly name it ‘Lake Lindstrom’ and think we are pretty clever to have skirted the high taxes that come with real lake front living. The jokes on us though as the rain continues to pound the roof and the water drainage next to our home overflows seeping into our septic system, which backs up into our pipes so if we do anything that requires using water, there is nowhere for it to go, because it’s full. Right up to the brim.

And there’s not a thing we can do about right now. We just have to wait until the water recedes and the drainage can flow freely again. We’re told it was an error in judgement when the house was built 45 years ago and will require a lot of money to fix it. A lot, as in more than we have. I wonder why it slipped the previous owners mind to not mention this little detail.

Whatever, it’s our problem now.

It’s an odd feeling knowing you can’t use the water inside your home. Kind of like tent camping in a permanent structure. I tried pretending it was a hundred years ago, you know, before indoor plumbing, but I can’t ignore the fact that I’m already spoiled with modern conveniences and there is no outhouse to run to.

This isn’t the first time, it’s actually been a few springs now so we have learned the fine art of being frugal with our water usage. We also have learned who our real friends are, the ones that let us come over to shower and rack up their water bill. It may be the best kind of friendship, or maybe it’s pity.

But today is day three and there is more rain on the way. It’s getting harder to ‘take heart’.

I know that eventually this problem will get resolved and I’ve lived long enough to know there’ll soon be another to take its place. A saying comes to mind, "We are either coming into a problem, in the middle of one or coming out of one." 

And even though it would be awfully nice to have a trouble-free life, it’s unrealistic. Jesus actually tells us to expect it and to deal with it. But He doesn’t leave us hanging with the how-to, He wants us to do life together. He wants us to have peace in the midst of trouble, His Peace. It is, after all, one of the amazing gifts from the Holy Spirit. It shows us God’s character and is an attribute that calls us to be like Him. The peace He so lovingly gives us is a state of tranquility or quietness of spirit, the total opposite of stress and worry.

Yes, those two troublemakers that slip in when I’m not paying attention, causing knots in my shoulders not to mention the ache in my heart.

I know I can’t control the water situation but I can control my thoughts. And coming to Him in prayer I choose to rest in His Peace and to trust in His Power and Wisdom to make all things work together for our good.

Thank you, Lord.

I pray that whatever trouble is going on in your life that you choose to turn it over to El Shaddai, The All Sufficient One, the One that is bigger than your troubles. 

Accept God's gift and take heart in His Perfect Peace.

Now, I wonder if the ducks would mind if I joined them?

~*~
Author Bio: 

Susan Lindstrom is not an award-winning writer yet unless you count that ‘best story’ award in third grade but stay tuned to see what God has planned!

Writing has always been a passion but raising a family, running her sewing and design business, involvement in women’s ministry and teaching Sunday School has kept her plenty busy.

Now retired and an empty-nester she trusts in God’s amazing timing and has jumped in to embrace this new adventure of writing.

Her first book is for children and will soon be released. It's the first in a series of real-life adventures focusing on the fruit of the Spirit.

She grew up on both the East and West coasts and now calls the beautiful state of Wisconsin home. She’s a wife, mom, and grandma to 10 children.

Susan listens to a wide variety of music, loves live performances and believes that laughter is the best medicine.

When she is not indoors writing, reading or pretending to clean the house, she’s outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s Creation.

She’s a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

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Celebrating My NEW Book Birthday!

Join me in celebrating the June 12 release of my NEW book, Love in Pictures!

I wrote this fiction book in exactly nine months from January to September 2017.

It's amazing how everything worked together for my good as I wrote this book. God sent several blessings my way! He sent new friends like Jessica Mae Cortes, former wedding photographer turned author. She offered to help me make my heroine's career believable. Nikki Santerre, a professional wedding photographer, also played a vital role in checking all of my photography-related scenes in my story to make sure that they were true to real-life.

But back to how this book was written. Can you believe that it started with a sentence? Yes, ONE sentence in response to a writing prompt online. Well, God works in mysterious ways because that one sentence turned into a paragraph and that paragraph turned into a page and that page turned into a scene and God kept helping me keep my creative flow going!

Now, on June 14, my "book baby" has been in the world for two full days! Right now the Kindle version is only available for purchase. The paperback version will be ready to sell in about two weeks from today and to celebrate, I'm going to give away two e-book copies of it for the Kindle of the two people who win the giveaway contest!

Scroll down to the end of this blog post to enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget.

Keep reading for information about me as an author, the blurb and purchase link for my book, Love in Pictures.

~*~

Author Bio:

Alexis A. Goring is a writer at heart who loves the arts and the color blue because of its serenity and soulful beauty.

She’s an established author, blogger, editor, writer, and photographer who enjoys exploring matters of the heart.

As a freelance writer, she covered President Barack Obama, wrote the Growing Up column for Collegiate Quarterly (CQ), which reached readers around the world, and served as the editor of a county newspaper. Blogging is one of her favorite pastimes, and she founded the mission-focused blog God is Love.

Love in Pictures is her second book published by Forget Me Not Romances. Alexis hopes that her writing will connect readers with the forever love of Jesus Christ.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, shopping, dining in her favorite restaurants, reading, listening to music, and baking for her church.

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Book Blurb for Love in Pictures:

Wedding photographer Michelle Hadley has a passion for diversity and believes that love comes in all colors. So, she’s working hard to convince editors to feature her clients’ images on the covers of the mainstream bridal and wedding magazines.

Despite having a career that focuses on celebrating forever love, Michelle has never actually been in a romantic relationship, and she’s not looking for love, until she meets the one man she cannot forget.

Since his fiancée broke his heart, Logan Emerson’s focus has been on his career. He’s won awards for his work as a print journalist and dreams of greater success on television as a broadcast journalist. But his personal struggle presents many challenges that might prevent his dreams from coming true.

Michelle doesn’t date often, and since his heartbreak, Logan has shied away from the dating scene. But something about Michelle awakens Logan’s desire to love again.

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Buy Love in Pictures on Amazon 

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Devotionals for the Heart: Water

Sharing cool water and more…
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

—Luke 3:10-11 (NIV)

Today was a typical warm, humid and breezy day in coastal South Carolina. The bright rays of sunshine burst forth from the puffy clouds in between rain sprinkles. At one moment, the sky looked as if rain would moisten the ground all day. The next moment, sunshine seemed to be positioned in the sky and not ready to leave.

A black pickup truck filled with construction supplies arrived and parked in front of our neighbor’s house. The same pickup truck had been coming and going all week. Several men would step out of the vehicle each morning and begin carrying tools and supplies to the back yard. Our neighbor was having a patio poured at the back of her house. The same gentlemen showed up each day and began the task at hand.

Today, that project was completed and a new project began. Those hard workers not only poured patios, they could also powerwash homes and driveways, too. My husband and I watched from the inside of our air-conditioned home, fascinated by their work and dedication to the tasks. These guys worked hard. We didn’t know their names, but we watched to make sure they were okay in the heat. One man was older and there were several younger men.

This afternoon, I noticed the black truck was gone and two men were sitting on a ladder. They seemed to be waiting for a ride. Their work was finished for the day and their bodies looked exhausted. Sweaty shirts, sweat on their brows and slow movements showed how the work had tired them.

A thought crossed my mind, “Wonder if they are thirsty? Wonder if we should take them some water?” As quickly as the thoughts entered my mind, I became distracted by something else. I had seen an opportunity to show God’s love and I had let it slip away, distracted by a meaningless thought about something else.

Shortly afterward, I heard voices outside. Still, I waited and completed what I was doing instead of checking on the gentlemen.

As I walked downstairs, my husband was coming in the front door. “I took some water to the guys out front. They are waiting for their ride. I asked them if they would like some water and they said, “Yes” and “Thank you.”

I am very proud of my husband. He saw a possible need and he acted on his nudge from God. I did not act, thinking I would do something later. I am very upset with myself. I am thankful my husband opened his heart and offered kindness to strangers.

Too often, we postpone acts of kindness, thinking we will do something later. But, now is the time to show God’s love. Don’t put off a nudge from God. Someone might have a need that you can help with and you are given that opportunity to show compassion and kindness.

Can you think of times when you wanted to show kindness and put off the chance, thinking you could do something later? In expressing His love through giving a bottle of water to some strangers, they have been shown the love of God.

We may never see these gentlemen again. I will remember them even though I never learned their names or anything about them. They gave me a lesson today and I will remember that lesson.

God’s love can be shown in many ways. How are you showing His love to others?

Blessings,

Melissa Henderson

~*~
Author Bio:

Melissa Henderson and her husband Alan live in South Carolina.

Married for over 38 years, they have one son (Mike) who is married to daughter-in-love (Christine) and now are blessed by precious grandson (Rowan).

Melissa was taught the love of reading and writing at an early age from her parents. She is now working on her first inspirational fiction novel.

Her passions are volunteering, Bible Studies and reading and writing. Connect with Melissa online, https://mimionlife.wordpress.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Details

God, Are You Listening?
A devotional by Tammy Karasek

God is in the small details as much as He is the big ones of our lives. Scripture proves it. Read Luke 12:22-31 then ponder this: If He tends to the itty-bitty Lily of the valley and feeds the ravens, then why wouldn’t He be concerned about us as well? We worry about issues in our lives and wonder why God doesn’t answer our prayers now. Sometimes we don’t even stop to pray because we think that He wouldn’t want to be bothered with our little things.

I often think God may not be listening or may not be interested in what I need. If I’m honest, feeling unimportant is usually when I’m being impatient for a prayer not yet answered. The answer I want on my time. Through the years I’ve learned that God’s answer may not be what I was looking for and God’s timing wasn’t my timing—thank goodness!

I was reminded this past week that God has perfect timing and cares about those details in my life that are important to me. Three people made comments to me at three different times that were undeniably from God. They were directly related to questions I’d been praying—well, whining about—for several months regarding my writing and the direction in which I should go. In other words, I was searching for my purpose. Can anyone relate? None of these conversations had anything to do with the other except for the common denominator—me. None of these folks knew me, or even knew my story. They wouldn’t have had a clue I’d been praying about these things.

Yet in God’s sweet way, He used each of these three ladies to speak the words that my heart needed to hear. Words that slammed Satan’s lies to the ground faster than a throw down on a wrestling mat. The statements made in all three scenarios were delivered in such a matter of fact way, I was taken aback each time they were said. Realizing I had received answers to these long-term prayers, I just wanted to walk away to go sit and cry.

But first, I needed to ask forgiveness from God for thinking He didn’t care about the details in my life that caused me to worry and question so many things. I needed to see that He, in fact, had been listening to me through it all.

Waiting is never easy. But, oh friend, as those answers come when God chooses to deliver them, you can bet they will be at the perfect time and be just what He wanted for you. They may or may not be as fast as you’d like them and they may or may not be the answer you wanted, but you can guarantee they will be God’s best for you.

I’d like to encourage and challenge you today. If you’re holding back from asking God for an answer or for direction, might I be bold and tell you—ask for it. Then take it one step further, thank Him for the answer He will give you. Yes, have faith that He does answer and thank Him every day until you see that answer.

Step out of the way and let Him prepare you for just the right answer. In just the right time.

~*~
Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Tammy’s past filled with bullying and criticism is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and share with them the Reason to smile. 

She’s been blissfully wedded to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 36 years, mom to their grown daughter, Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little puppy named Hattie.

She’s the President of Cross N Pens Christian Writers and a member of ACFW. She will be published in the 2018 Divine Moments book – Cool-nary Moments.
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Connect with Tammy:
Blog - http://www.tammykarasek.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/tickledpinktam
Email - tickledpinktammy@gmail.com

Let Love Bloom: Dancing in the Rain

Interview with Jennifer Slattery, co-author of Dancing in the Rain:

Alexis: Why did you decide to write this book with Eileen Rife?

Jennifer: Eileen and I had been critique partners for years prior to this book, and we’ve always worked really well together. She’s one of those treasured writers who have the love and courage to tell you the truth regarding your stories and the patience to help you make them better.

This book was her baby, and I came in on the tail end as a critique partner. We got to talking about certain elements, and I think she felt I could add something to the story and the characterization. One afternoon, she sent me an email asking if I’d like to join her in the process. I felt honored and excited; the story premise really intrigued me!

Alexis: What was your collaboration/writing process like? Share details.

Jennifer: It is a bit hard to remember all of it as this was a while ago. We let the book lie fallow for a bit as she became busy with ministry and family, and I became busy with other releases that came out on deadlines.

I can’t remember how much of the book she had finished before I stepped in, but we passed the story back and forth quite a bit, chapter by chapter. She’d make tweaks, I’d tweak her tweaks. When differences of opinions arose, I deferred to her (I think. I hope!) as this was largely her baby, but for the most part, things played out really smoothly.

If I remember correctly, I took on a lot more of Michael’s voice and she took on a lot more of Loni’s voice. So that helped.

Alexis: What inspired you to create the characters with their unique individual stories and background? Describe how you brought your vision to fruition.

Jennifer: Eileen has a missionary and church camp background and a heart for bringing the outsiders, like Marta, one of the characters, in. So much of this story arose from her experiences at church camp growing up. I’ve always felt called to a rougher crowd, I suppose you could say. Those from tough upbringings, maybe who struggle (or have struggled with alcohol, so I had strong opinions as to Michael’s backstory, how that might’ve affected him, and how his father might or might not have behaved.

Alexis: Loni Parker is your story’s heroine. Describe her goals/motivation/conflict.

Jennifer: I have such admiration for Loni, a woman who faces ongoing challenges and insecurities related to her blindness. She really wants to be independent and prove herself, but she also wants to remain in God’s will. Sometimes she’s confused how to merge those things, especially when her heart becomes entangled!

Alexis: Michael Ackerman is your story’s hero. Describe his goals/motivation/conflict.

Jennifer: He grew up in an abusive home where he routinely saw his father beat up on his mom. He has a lot of baggage from that, and though he’s close to Christ and walking with Him, Michal still needs a lot of healing. He also has a lot of regret and shame for his past, which includes being the reason Loni lost her sight. These issues motivate his passion for kids and seeing them come to Christ and also his desire to suppress and hide his past as much as possible. 

Alexis: Why is Loni blind? What happened to her?

Jennifer: She was sideswiped by Michael’s car when he was drunk driving—the one time he drank. He’d snapped watching his father beat his mother, turned his anger on his father, then took off. Fueled by anger, suppressed and the fresh rage his father’s behavior triggered, he turned to alcohol. In that moment, in many ways, he became what he’d always hated most in his father.

Alexis: Why does Loni love music and desire to teach it to children?

Jennifer: Loni comes from a very musical family, and music is a huge part of her family’s bond with one another. When they’re together, they often play classical music, and even her service dog chimes in! Also, she feels music very deeply, even more so now that she’s blind. It speaks to her heart and brought her great comfort when she lost her sight. She wants to help children experience that same gift.

Alexis: Why is Loni struggling to find employment as a music teacher?

Jennifer: There are more applicants for the position than there are openings. She feels employers are overlooking her because of her blindness, though there’s no way to know if that’s true or simply her perspective based on her insecurities.

Alexis: What or who leads Loni to Camp Hope?
 

Jennifer: Her roommate, who’d been a camp counselor in the past, suggested Loni join her for a two-week camp experience. She felt it would help distract Loni from her disappointment regarding her unemployment.

Alexis: How did Michael change from ex-con to Director of a Christian camp?

Jennifer: He met a man from the prison fellowship whom he respected and fell in love with Jesus.

Alexis: What role does your characters’ faith in God play in this story?

Jennifer: It’s their lifeline. Without God, Loni would’ve spiraled into a dark world of bitterness after her accident, and Michael would’ve probably turned out like his dad. Similarly, without Jesus, Michael probably would continue running from his pain and his past instead of confronting it head-on, and Loni probably would put her dreams above God’s leading, potentially missing out on her greatest mission.

Alexis: If you were a counselor at Camp Hope and could spend a day with your main characters, what would you do? Why?

Jennifer: Go horseback riding for sure! It’d be so peaceful to ride through the trees, with the sun on my back and birds singing.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this story?

Jennifer: That God’s forgiveness is all-encompassing, and He can turn our greatest sins and regrets into beautiful mosaics of grace.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Jennifer! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Jennifer: I’m curious to know how many of your readers spent time at a summer camp when they were kids and what their favorite memories are.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels maintains a devotional blog found at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com. 

She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, (http://whollyloved.com) she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. 

When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. 

Connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/).

~*~
Co-Author Bio:

Eileen Rife is a multi-published author in both fiction and nonfiction. 

She leads women's seminars, teaches creative writing, and runs Mission Manor, a respite for her missionary kids/grandkids while on furlough. 

You can visit Eileen on her website (http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com), Amazon Author Page (http://www.amazon.com/author/eileenrife) and Facebook Author Page (http://www.facebook.com/EileenRifeBooks).

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Book Blurb for Dancing in the Rain:

On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains. 

Unbeknownst to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.

Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.

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Buy Dancing in the Rain on Amazon

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Devotionals for the Heart: God's Word

God’s Word in All Seasons
A devotional by Sara L. Foust

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

There are times in my life when I don’t know exactly what to do. How to react to an event or comment. Or maybe how to deal with the heaviness of grief. I am so thankful that God loved us enough to leave a guidebook for us. His Word is perfect, entire, and useful in every situation. No matter what I face, I can turn to the Bible and find an answer. Sometimes the same exact verses that gave me answers in grief are the ones that can give me direction in joy. I love how I can read His Word on a daily basis and each and every time learn something new.

Several years ago I realized that spending time in quiet meditation studying the Bible was an important act of faith. I began taking some time each morning to read, pray, and sit quietly in His presence. As the number of children increased in my home, the quiet part has become much more difficult. But I find that if I forget or push aside my one-on-one time with His word, my days are tougher.

God’s Word can be all things to all people. Perfect for teaching, admonishing, preaching, ministering, witnessing, encouraging, strengthening, and comforting. He left the Word with a purpose, with a great love for His children, so that we can find each of those things no matter what challenges, blessings, or fears lay ahead of us.

I’ve included some of my favorite verses below. These are ones that I have especially turned to in times when I needed His comfort and direction, and I’ve found that even though my situation changes I can find exactly what I need in them each time.

This one is especially good for times of grief or when I am hurting: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite”. ~Psalm 147:3-5 (KJV)

This one is wonderful for times when I feel confused and need direction: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

This one is good for times when I am questioning why: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28 (KJV)

This one is good when I am overly stressed and need to be reminded that I am God’s child and, therefore, I can find refreshment in Him: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ~Romans 12:2 (KJV)

This one is perfect for times when I need to be reminded that prayer works, just not always on my time: “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” ~1 John 5:15 (KJV)

And finally, this one is good when I need to be reminded of my purpose here: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (Bolding mine).” ~James 1:25 (KJV)

What are some of your favorite verses for the different seasons of your life?

~*~

Author Bio:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers.

Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.

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Devotionals for the Heart: Seasons

The Land and The Promise
A devotional by Patrick E. Craig

"And He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey." ~Deuteronomy 26:9 (KJV)

There is something about an agricultural town that is unique and wonderful, for with the deep link to the land comes a settled-ness and a sense of permanence found nowhere else. All the bright days of youth in such a place are held in the mystery of God’s eternal circle of life and death, winter and spring, summer and fall. The cycles of the seasons dictate the deepest feelings in the heart of one who dwells there, with days marked, not by events, but by smells and colors and sounds and all the other sensory signals.

The temperature of a morning’s rising can tell you everything about the day ahead, be it the coolness of a daybreak in spring, the heat of the long, languid days of summer, the crisp bite of a fall day, or the chill of winter that pushes you with icy fingers back under the welcoming warmth of the lovely down quilt. The lilting chirp of a robin outside an open window, or the haunting call of the Canadian geese heading south can manifest the procession of days more surely than any calendar. The solemn silence of a winter night, with feet softly crunching on the fallen snow as you make your way toward the light in the window ahead, or the grinding of the machinery and the smell of the thick harvest dust; it is these things that mark the passage of time and bind one surely to the beloved land and the life so graciously granted by the Master of the Vineyard.

My home in Idaho is such a place. It is especially beautiful in the fall. The leaves of the trees turn bright red and fall to the ground and children pile the leaves into forts. Mornings come armed with the warning bite of winter yet to come and the air itself is alive with the promise of families gathered at festive tables and the wonder of frosty nights that delight the heart with cathedrals of starry splendor. Soon the soft snow will blanket all living things in the quiet death of winter.

But those of us who live on the land are not afraid of death, for we have our God and his promises, we have the land and the fruit of the harvest each year, and we have the children, our inheritance, and, at the same time, a down payment on the continuance of our lives. And above everything, we have the simplicity of our way. And it is enough.

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Author Bio:

Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. 

In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles. The first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, a romantic suspense novel, was published by Patrick's company, P&J Publishing, in August of 2015 and remained on the Amazon Top 100 best sellers list in three categories for seven months.

The second book in the series, The Amish Princess, a historical romance novel, was released in December of 2016 and was on Amazon's Hot New Releases for over a month. Harlequin recently purchased the print rights for both books for their Walmart Amish series. Patrick also just released Cracking The Indie Egg—A Recipe For Publishing Your Own Book and it is available in most major digital bookstores.

Patrick and his wife Judy, make their home in Idaho. They have two married children and five grandchildren. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

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Connect with Patrick:
Website - www.patrickecraig.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig
Amazon Author page - http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg

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