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Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna. Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner---never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blacken...

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Ralph Spiller and his publisher for sending me a copy of "My P-R-A-Y-E-R Journal" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. My P-R-A-Y-E-R Journal by Ralph Spiller may be a terrific resource in print, but the Kindle version is not my favorite prayer tool.   There are definitely some wonderful Scriptures chosen for the reader to pray back to God.   But these Scriptures are repeated every day, so it appears that you’re supposed to have areas between the days where you can actually journal specifics of how you’ve applied those verses, how the prayers have been answered, etc.   Mr. Spiller teaches a prayer format that uses the acronym PRAYER.   Personally, I feel that the acronym is long and difficult to remember.   But I would be able to follow along using the journal. ...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Jonah, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 3 of the book of Jonah. Then return ...

Smyrna:   The Church Who Suffered Well This letter about suffering and resurrection is especially for those who are going through tough times.   While studying this letter, I learned that a sister in Christ was diagnosed with stage iv liver cancer.   This letter molded how I’ve prayed for her. Jesus knows our individual struggles and provides real comfort in those times.   He knows what you are enduring for your faith:   ridicule, exclusion, ostracism, physical pain, death.   He’s experienced each of these things – and more – so He has intimate knowledge of what you’re going through.   So bring your cares to Him.   Then trust that the opposition you’re enduring will be used by God for His glory. This week’s video teaching painted the picture that God comes to our aid.   He comforts.   He educates.   He strengthens.   God is in control.   He is sovereign.   This is a lesson that we all need to be reminded ...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Jonah, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 2 of the book of Jonah. Then return ...

Ephesus:   The Church Who Lost Her Love In this week’s video teaching, Sue explains that sin keeps us from close fellowship with Jesus.   It also keeps us from experiencing the abundant life promises found in Scripture.   We actually nurture our “pet sins”.   We indulge in them.   They’re inviting.   But one day, they will demand from us more than we want to pay.   We will choke on the consequences of our “pet sins”.   They may seem small, but they need to be tamed.   Jesus wrote this letter to the seven churches to help them eliminate their sin.   Sue challenges the student to pray for God to identify and eliminate our “pet sins”.   I am definitely praying! So here’s the church of Ephesus in a nutshell:    They were hard-working and persevering.   They had sound doctrine, meaning that they stuck to the Bible as far as beliefs went.   They also had a hatred of false practices.   Their problem was t...

Here is my review of this solid murder mystery: First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Lisa Harris and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Dangerous Passage" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. Dangerous Passage is the freshman novel in the Lisa Harris’ new Southern Crimes series.   This book is a solid murder mystery peppered with clues for the armchair sleuth.   Human trafficking is at the heart of the frightening plot where each new revelation exposes greater danger and seedier characters.   This story will get your blood boiling to join the fight against injustice just like the leading lady, Avery North, an Atlanta homicide detective who is investigating a series of murders alongside her medical examiner beau, Jackson Bryant. I am a huge romantic suspense fan, and I adore books that drop clues and...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Jonah, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 1 of the book of Jonah. Then return ...

A Preface and a Portrait – Revelation 1 In Sue Edwards’ short video, she quotes A.W. Tozer:   “The most important thing about you is what you believe about God.”   I’d like to modify that statement a bit:   The most important thing about you is what you believe about Jesus Christ.   Revelation chapter 1 paints a glorious portrait of Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation promises blessing to those who read the book and also to those who hear and take it to heart.   As I read this book, I am excited.   I think the sights and sounds of Christ’s return are going to be incredible.   And the experience of being raised with Christ – whether as one of the dead in Christ who will rise first, or the living in Christ who will be caught up with Him in the air – will be amazing! How do you visualize Jesus Christ?   I see a man with dark skin and eyes – Israeli through and through.   Scripture says His hair is white as snow.   I imagine He...

Here's my review of this incredible resource: First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Tammy McMahan and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Timothy II Sword Study" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.   The Sword Study of II Timothy by Tammy McMahan is ten weeks of Bible study suitable for the whole family!   The workbooks are available for purchase separately so you can customize your family’s experience based on the ages of the children involved.   But each week, each family member studies (and memorizes) the same Scripture at their own age-appropriate level. Level One is designed for 4-7 year-olds.   The lessons have three basic parts:   “Pray”, a hands-on component called “Color and Do” and an application portion entitled “Read and Learn”.   The level one workbook contains enga...

Here's my review of this hopeful read: First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Dena Dyer and Tina Samples and their publisher for sending me a copy of "Wounded Women of the Bible" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. “Wounded Women of the Bible:   Finding Hope When Life Hurts” by Dena Dyer and Tina Samples is a powerful read.   I’m sorry to say that this book found me at the perfect time – when my life was thrust into a tumultuous season.   But I’m glad I had this book to remind me of the Biblical stories of Two Women in Solomon’s Court, Abigail, Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Jochebed, Mary and Martha and many more.   The authors point the reader toward hope, Scripture and the Lord, and that is exactly what a person needs when they’re experiencing rough times. This book reminded me that I am not alone.   I am...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Jonah, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and read these introductory notes on the book of Jonah...

All of the homework is done.   There’s one last video to watch and then it’s all about putting what we’ve learned into practice.   Hopefully, you’re already doing that.   My own life has changed dramatically since Week One.   My heart and mind are changed.   I pray that change will be reflected in my walk with Christ, that others will see and ask me why I have the hope that I have so that I can point them to Him! I have celebrated each week’s completion by making the recipes Kelly included in the study workbook.   They were incredible!   I just hope I take more away from this study than just my new staple enchilada recipe! The session seven video tied it all together.   I pray that I will not forget Nehemiah and his heart for God.   I pray that I will not read the name Jerusalem in Scripture or hear it on the news without thinking about his faithfulness to do God’s will.   I pray that I will remember that the New Jerusalem is c...

Here is my review of this encouraging and enjoyable weekend read: First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley and their publisher for sending me a copy of "The Promise" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. “The Promise” by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley is the emotionally-charged second novel in the Restoration series.  This book reads well as a standalone novel, but you will appreciate characters and  parts of the story much more if you’ve read the first book, "The Dance". Tom Anderson lost his job five months ago, but still hasn’t told his wife.  He leaves for work each day and spends his time a coffee shops with free wi-fi filling out applications.  Jean has noticed Tom’s moods, but she can’t get him to open up to her.  And she doesn’t feel comfortable enough to share things with him tha...

Here's my review of this wonderful novel: First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Irene Hannon and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Trapped" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. Irene Hannon’s second novel in the Private Justice series, “Trapped”, is the suspenseful tale of a runaway teen and her half-sister/guardian who hires the Phoenix Investigations agency to find the girl.   Darcy thinks Laura’s house rules are strict, and Laura’s life is boring.   Darcy misses their deceased mother and carries other burdens that influence her decision to head to Chicago using her librarian-sister’s “stash cash”.   What Darcy doesn’t count on is a major snow storm that keeps her close to home. Laura is very different from Darcy, but she didn’t think her sister would take off the way she did.   When a classmate of ...