Peering Through Life's Window

  Happiness is seldom where you look for it. Sometimes where you find it, but always where you make it.  Anonymous There aren’t many words of wisdom more appropriate for 2020 than these, and there aren’t any reasons for happiness better than the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even in the dark times of our lives Jesus shines His light on us and lives within us bringing joy beyond that of the world. Once we’ve accepted Him and allowed Him to ignite His love in us, even the shadows lurking in society cannot blot it out. Colossians 3: 1- 3, tells us “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” In John 17: 14 - 19, when Jesus prays for his disciples, he says, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but

   Hats...   Horns... Congratulations! Larry.     

A Warm Welcome to Linda Weaver Clarke Linda gives away an e-Book of Holidays in Willow Valley.  To enter to win leave a comment and an email address below.  Short Stories to Lift Your Spirits Tales of Willow Valley and Holidays in Willow Valley are full-length books filled with short stories that have been released for the holidays. Historical Romance is about the adventure of living in a different time period. The romance draws the reader into a world of wonder, but the mystery keeps you turning the pages.  What was romance like in the 19th century? Suko’s Notebook wrote, “Is it just me, or are love stories set in the past more romantic than those set in the present day?” Set in the 1800s, each of the Willow Valley stories has humor, adventure, romance, and mystery. After reading Tales of Willow Valley , Author Gail Pallotta wrote: “Ms. Clarke brings us five love stories based on the lives of real people and true events. The heroines are brave, spunky women who attract their suitor

  More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website . Contemporary Romance: A Prayer Quilt Christmas by Nancy J. Farrier -- Meg’s ex-husband took her boys away for the holidays, and she’s lost her heart to celebrate, but Wade is determined to make this Christmas special for her. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) His Holiday Prayer by Tina Radcliffe -- After receiving an unexpected job offer in Texas, widower Tucker Rainbolt decides he and his twins need a fresh start. But moving on means leaving his best friend, Jena Harper, and their vet clinic behind. For the first time, Tucker sees Jena as more than a buddy. What if leaving isn’t the answer? Maybe what he’s been missing has been right beside him the whole time…  (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Christmas on Ocracoke by Christina Sinisi -- Reeling from the upheaval of a failed marriage, Annie Hanahan is desperate for a new start—and when she

  I'm happy to announce three of my books on sale for Christmas. They're available at reduced prices from now through December 5th. Barely Above Water for $1.99 "Resonates with hope when all hope seems to be gone..." Fifteen years ago I grew quite ill. After having tests for a month, I was told treatment wasn’t available because my malady couldn’t be diagnosed. Divine intervention led me to an alternative doctor,  David Lee, D.C., Ph.D. and C.Ad. , who started treating me immediately and subsequently told me I had Chronic Lyme Disease. Since then I’ve met and heard of many people suffering from this illness, or one that can’t be diagnosed. Their stories touched my heart and inspired me to write Barely Above Water. About the book An illness strikes Suzie Morris, and her boyfriend dumps her. She has no living family, and her physician can’t diagnose the malady. Relying on her Christian faith, she turns to an alternative doctor in Destin, Florida, where she takes a job c

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8: 28 I love this verse because to me it says, "God takes care of his people."  Sharing the secret ingredient in my pecan pie! Many who eat it guess bourbon, but it's not bourbon.  Ingredients:  Pastry crust 1/4 c. butter 3/4 c. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 2 tbsp. flour  3 eggs 1/4 c. Kahlua 1/2 c. dark corn syrup 1 c. evaporated milk pecans (to taste. I use about a cup) Topping: Whipped cream or ice cream Preheat oven to 400. Cream together butter, sugar, flour, vanilla. Mix well. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in Kahlua, corn syrup, evaporated milk, pecans. Mix well and pour into pie pan already lined with the crust. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 and bake until firm (about 40 minutes). Cool. Serves 8 to 10. Happy Thanksgiving!

  A Warm Welcome to Stacey Weeks Follow a link below to sign up for Stacey's newsletter and receive "12 Days Under the Mistletoe." Hi Stacey, what an interesting story behind Mistletoe Movie Star. Thanks for sharing it with us. As I drafted Mistletoe Movie Star, the fun, light-hearted bits came together quickly. I liked Char and Jonas’s backstory; however, the story initially lacked the substance of Mistletoe Melody and Mistletoe Mission , and I longed to write more than an entertaining narrative. I wanted a story that probed deeper. I wanted to write a story that stirred an emotional response while challenging the reader to action. It was at this point that I attended a local city council meeting addressing our growing homeless population. As winter temperatures dipped to life-threatening lows, concern for those without warm and safe beds grew. Several people from different churches banded together to combine their energy and resources into serving this community that