A Remote Chance

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Does God speak to you through everyday events as well as Bible verses? I have a tray on my living-room ottoman. Since I curl up on the couch with my coffee each morning for my prayer and quiet time, the tray contains my devotional material and Bible within easy reach. Last Saturday, I had absolutely nothing on my plate. A rare occurrence. I chose not to do any chores. I stayed in my pjs and vegged out on old TV sitcoms, game shows, and home-makeover episodes. That evening, I watched two clean mysteries, my favorite genre to read and write….

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Portable Edens

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In Bible study on the Book of Exodus, our lecturer said the Ark of the Covenant was a “portable Eden.” It was a gold box God told the Hebrews to create so He could once again dwell among His nomadic people on earth and be in covenant with them as they traveled. Once the temple in Jerusalem was built, God then dwelled there, in the midst of the land He’d promised them. It became “Eden.” That talk sent a flutter through my chest. Why? Paul told the Corinthians that their bodies were the temple since the one in Jerusalem had…

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Saturday’s Scoop!

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Check out these speaking opportunities and new releases from your CAN authors! Lena Nelson Dooley will be the speaker for the June meeting of the ACFW DFW local chapter. She was asked to speak on “Agents and Editors.” The author will have books and DVDs for sale. Meetings are at 10:30 am, on the second Saturday of the month at the Arlington Community Church, 1715 W. Randol Mill Road, Arlington, Texas. Everyone is invited to go out to eat with the chapter members, Dutch Treat, after the meeting. Kathy Ide will be teaching at the Montrose Christian Writers Conference July 22-27. Her sessions include Working with a Freelance…

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Watch Your Language!

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Often times when we are on the cell phone or having a conversation in a public place, we become oblivious to others within listening range.  At a restaurant, I was helping a fellow author friend plot her novel. She had reached a stagmire in the plot, basically dug a whole for her protagonist that she couldn’t climb out of.  It involved a murder. As we brainstormed the crime, I  glanced over her shoulder to the next booth where an elderly woman appeared wide-eyed and nervous. She quickly glanced way when our gazes locked.  Sensing her angst, I slipped out of…

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You’ll Be Hacked!

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If hacking hasn’t happened to you, it will. Hackers are on the rampage. Facebook posts, emails, tweets are compromised. “Share” posts contain hidden lewd images. Links illegally access your profile. Banks, hospitals, even government entities are not immune. It seems there is no firewall strong enough. Our souls are not immune to being hacked. Call him what you will…the devil, the evil one, Satan, the father of lies. Trust me, as soon as you begin to do God’s will, this hacker will show up. Big time! Satan knows the places where our “firewall” is the weakest. He wiggles in with a…

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A Little Something for Everyone!

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Hi there, Canners! Take a look at this retreat opportunity, writer’s conference, and a new series to anticipate! From Author Ynonne Ortega: Registration has begun for the Moving from Broken to Beautiful® Women’s Retreat October 19–21 at the Springhill Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront. All rooms are oceanfront, and so is the conference room. Great prices for the room and registration. Go to www.yvonneortega.com/store/ Also, Yvonne has a TV interview on NiteLine on February 28 and one on Time for Hope on March 1, 2018. She hopes to see a lot of SC friends at that time. Sounds like some fun opportunities if you live in the…

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An Epiphany!

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Tomorrow, January 6th, the western Church celebrates the season of Epiphany which begins with the Magi bringing gifts to the Baby Jesus. The Eastern or Orthodox churches celebrate the day after sunset as the beginning of their Christmas because of the Gregorian calendar. Their gift giving coincides with the Magi’s.   When a friend’s child was two years old, she stood in front of the present-crowded tree and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. How surprised she was to find out the presents weren’t for Him!   Julie B Cosgrove is an award-winning author and also a faith-based freelance writer who…

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New in An Award-Winning Cozy Series

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Threes, Sixes & Thieves Julie B Cosgrove Prism/Pelican Book Group ISBN-13: 978-1522397540   Today, the third book in the Bunco Biddies Mystery Series releases. When thieves target homes in Sunset Acres, the Bunco Biddies help the police nab the thief! But in the mayhem, no one knows who the arresting officer was… or where he is. A new mystery to solve! Threes, Sixes & Thieves once again finds Janie Manson, the widow of a renowned police detective who lives in the retirement community of Sunset Acres, rallies her Bunco playing friends to help stop crime. Sunset Acres is located on the…

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When the Cops Take Over Your Church….

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When I worked as a church secretary, the church sat on the edge of the city, surrounded mostly by ranches. You had to be looking for it to find it.  At the end of my work day, the pastor and I were the only ones on the property when we heard sirens. Then more sirens…then even more sirens. We stood at front portico and watched as cop cruisers zipped by, one after another, toward the highway. Pastor crossed his arms over his chest. “You better take the back road home. Sounds like a huge wreck.” We prayed for whoever needed…

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Advent and Mysteries and Websites–Oh My!

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Exciting things are happening with our CAN authors during this advent season! Here’s the latest news from authors you love. Diane Stortz speaks Saturday, December 2, at Celebrate the Light, a Christmas dinner with the women of First Christian Church in Washington, Missouri. On December 9, she’ll be reading and signing I AM and the I AM Devotional at a children’s story hour at Belong Christian Store in Mason, Ohio. ❂   The Bunco Biddies are back in Book #3- Threes, Sixes & Thieves by Julie B. Crosgrove. In Bunco, when someone rolls three sixes, the game is over. When burglars…

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