A Woman on a Mission

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The Canaanite woman knew what she wanted. She was a woman on a mission. Her name isn’t given. It doesn’t need to be. She is every mother. “Lord, son of David, have mercy on me!” She cried out in agony. Like you and me, she physically experienced her child’s misery. “My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Or “My child is suffering terribly from a broken relationship, an illness, an injury.” She would not be dissuaded. The disciples urged the Lord to send her away. The men whined, “She keeps crying after us.” That motley crew of twelve was not…

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A Chat with Author Jeanette Levellie

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Good morning! Davalynn Spencer here, laughing out loud in Colorado at Jeanette Levellie’s gift of giggles. Honestly, it’s more like guffaws, and I’m left with the deep sense that this author has taken to heart the old proverb: A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Welcome, Jeanette. Please tell us about your latest book that clearly has you in stitches. I mean print. Better yet, give us the back-cover copy to The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul (Elk Lake Publishing). Clean laugh-out-loud stories accompanied by comical drawings by a professional animator, humor quotes,…

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There Is a Time

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…Who knows if perhaps you were made Queen for just such a time as this? Esther 4:14 NLT Esther realized God had placed her in a unique position as queen of a foreign nation. She had a choice to make—to risk her life to save the people of Israel or die trying. During the American Revolution, Lydia Darragh found herself with a difficult decision to make as well. In September 1777, British troops under General William Howe had occupied her town and her residence. She and her family were allowed to remain in their home only because they were Quakers…

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A Chat with Author Craig von Buseck

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Greetings from Marti Pieper in sunny, rainy (almost every afternoon right now) Florida. I first met the subject of today’s interview when I picked him and some other authors up at the Orlando airport to head to the 2010 Florida Christian Writers Conference. We’ve crossed paths several times through the years, and I have always appreciated his deep devotion to God and concern for people. I look forward to introducing my friend Craig von Buseck to you today. Welcome, Craig! Could you please tell us about your most recent book? How can you know you are making the right choices…

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Books Influence Life

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Two books (beside the Bible) have had enormous influence on my spiritual life. One is an unlikely source, about a ministry to gang homies, that is laced with profanity—Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle. G (as he’s called) interacts with Scrappy, who begins to see the worthlessness of his life. Scrappy says, “I have spent the last twenty years building a reputation for myself . . . and now . . . I regret . . . that I even have one.” Father G comments, “Scrappy discovered, as Scripture has it, ‘that where he is standing is holy ground.’…

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A Chat with Author MaryAnn Diorio

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Greetings from Kevin Thompson! School is back in session here in Florida. That means there are thousands of mothers out there either breathing into paper bags (because they are first time school parents) or breathing a sigh of relief, looking forward to hours of quiet time with a book, a cup of coffee, and a house filled with silence (because they’ve been there, done that with the whole school thing). So, for those ready to read, I introduce to you novelist MaryAnn Diorio! Welcome, MaryAnn. Let’s get this interview jumpstarted by having you tell us about your latest book, Return…

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New Release: The Miracle Tree by Davalynn Spencer

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The Miracle Tree  by Davalynn Spencer Wilson Creek Publishing Aug. 23, 2018 ISBN-13 – 978-0-9989512-3-2 About the Book:  Laura Bell needs a second chance, not another romance. Home to heal and start over, she finds the neighbor boy she once idolized has grown into a sharp-edged former Marine with secret wounds of his own. Eli Hawthorne’s prayers are finally answered when Laura returns, but he’s half a man now, and his scars may be too much for her. Each of them can fill the empty places in the other’s heart if pride doesn’t keep Eli from trusting God and fear doesn’t…

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Authenticity in Marriage

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Communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. It will affect every aspect of your marriage. It can help you inform, explain, influence, and build intimacy with one another. Good personal communication is the act of revealing yourself—your past experiences, present feelings, and future dreams. It’s sharing your fears, needs, and desires carefully and honestly. Communicating well is also about setting boundaries, confronting problems, admitting when you’re wrong, and extending grace to another. “Honesty is paramount,” Ben says. “Authenticity—being who we really are no matter what—is critical. I experienced the lack of it in my first marriage, and I didn’t want…

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A Chat with Author Sherry Kyle

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in smoky California. Today I have the joy of interviewing one of my best friends! Sherry Kyle and I met at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference over a decade ago and have grown up together as authors. Sherry’s award-winning writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, is filled with creativity, warmth, and a genuine heart for girls of all ages. Welcome, Sherry! Tell us about your latest book. Packed with 15-weeks’ worth of devotions, relatable stories, Scriptures, and over 50 fun activities & crafts for girls ages 8-12, the True Heart Girls Devotional: God’s Promises for Me helps…

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