Looking out the Window: Happy Valentine's Day To All! On This Day Honoring Love, Award-winning Author Carlene Havel Discusses Jesus's Unconditional Love and Talks about Her New Book, That Scott Woman. Just Released! Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

A Warm Welcome to Carlene Havel

Carlene's giving away a $15.00 Amazon gift card. See below to enter to win.

Jesus's Unconditional Love and Why We Should Love One Another

The thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians gives us a clear description of love looks like. The scripture tells us we can recognize love because it is patient, kind, does not envy, it does not boast, and is not proud. Among other attributes, love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Isn’t it interesting that, throughout the litany of love’s characteristics, there’s little to no mention of emotions? These verses show us that love flows into behavior, not necessarily feelings. Jesus’ comparison of the Holy Spirit to the wind comes to mind. We don’t see the spirit directly – we only see his results.

Jesus modeled love in his earthly life, inspiring John to write about the master being full of grace and truth. Jesus frequently got his blundering disciples out of scrapes, protecting and teaching them all during their years together.

One important way Jesus showed his love was by spending time with people. The only recorded occasions where he was alone were when he was in prayer. When his disciples were wrong, told them so. But he didn’t banish them. When crowds intruded on his quiet time, Jesus didn’t get angry and withdraw. Instead, he had compassion on those people and healed them.

On the night before he was crucified, Jesus told his followers to love one another as he had loved them. The emphasis on this commandment is heightened by its timing. Earlier in his ministry, Jesus said the law is summed up in “love God and love your neighbor as yourself”. His directive is simple and straightforward. However, simple must not be confused with easy, because demonstrating love for others can be a challenge. I am grateful that loving does not require approving of someone’s fashion decisions, agreeing with their politics, or appreciating their sense of humor.

Later on that same evening, after issuing his commandment to love one another, Jesus prayed earnestly about his upcoming ordeal. We can almost imagine the physical pain, but his spiritual agony must have been infinitely greater. How can the perfect one who knew no sin cope with the whole world’s guilt piled undeservedly on his shoulders? Yet, when no alternate plan of salvation was revealed, Jesus resolutely faced the task before him. He chose doing the will of the Father to sparing himself. And so, Jesus went to the cross, performing the greatest act of sacrificial love ever, even though it didn’t feel good.

It’s challenging to forgive someone who has hurt us, or to be considerate to a person we believe to be undeserving of our kindness. It helps me to remember that Jesus never asks his followers to do anything harder than what he has done for us.

About That Scott Woman

Maggie Scott returns home in 1966 after serving four years in prison. She has only one goal in mind, to create a secure and stable life for herself. Then Maggie meets Blake Hamilton, ex-rodeo cowboy turned preacher. The chemistry between this unlikely pair is undeniable, but there are problems. Blake is sure his calling is to serve God. Maggie is convinced she is beyond redemption. Common sense tells Maggie her attraction to Blake will end in heartbreak. But then, when did love ever listen to common sense?

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Bio: Carlene Havel has a degree in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She writes Christian-themed romances and historical novels. “The Scarlet Cord,” by Carlene and Sharon Faucheaux was the 2014 Readers Favorite gold medal winner in the Christian Historical Fiction category. “Song of the Shepherd Woman” also co-authored with Sharon Faucheaux, won honorable mention in that same category in 2017. Their book Daughter of the King won an EPIC award in 2013.Carlene is currently co-authoring with her mother, Billie Houston. Carlene has lived in Turkey, Republic of the Philippines, and numerous US states. After a career in human resources and software development, she began writing in 2005. The Havels make their home in Texas, surrounded by their extended family.

You are invited to connect with Carlene through her Facebook Author Page

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Looking Out the Window: Memories on the Heart

Several weeks ago my husband, Rick, and I ate at a restaurant we frequent fairly regularly. The cute, young waitress who usually waits on us took our orders for burgers and fries. I’ll call her Mandy. As usual Mandy’s smile and bubbly personality brightened our day. We giggled and confessed to her that we shouldn’t eat the fries, but we were going to do it just this once. She joked. “Okay, you’re being bad today.” Not long after we got our food a couple came in and sat in the booth behind us. Mandy walked up to the table with her big grin. “Hi, how are you?” she asked. The man, who had salt and pepper colored hair and a pudgy face, spoke in a harsh tone, “I want the steak.” “Sure, which one would you like?” Mandy asked. “I don’t want you to put it in the microwave. That will make it tough. Do you understand?” Mandy’s lips turned down. “Yes sir, which one do you want to order?” “I want it medium rare. I don’t want blood oozing out of it. I want it cooked right.” “Yes sir, which steak di

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