It is not my purpose to exasperate your troubles, but to heal them. For that purpose, I have written these chapters and I hope they will be of use to you, since they are the product of my own troubles. These are not things that I have recommended to you from another hand, but things that I have, in some measure, proved and tasted in my own trials. To be above feelings and emotions is a condition equal to the angels and to be in a state of sorrow without the sense of sorrow is a disposition beneath the beasts. But to correctly regulate our sorrows and bind our passions under suffering is the wisdom, duty, and excellency of a Christian. Even though you and your afflictions had a sad meeting, I desire that you and they may have a comfortable parting. If your afflictions do the work in your hearts that God sent them for, I have no doubt you will give them a fair testimony when they leave. What you endured with fear, you will dismiss with praise. How sweet it is, when God is loosing his hands, to hear the afflicted soul say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted!”– John Flavel About the AuthorJohn Flavel’s life began sometime between 1627 and 1630 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. He was the older son of Richard Flavel, a Nonconformist minister. He was educated at home, in local grammar schools, and at University College in Oxford. He was married four times, with all four wives preceding him in death. John preached in churches in Diptford and Dartmouth, and in later years during “The Great Persecution,” he preached under the cover of darkness in the woods and in people’s homes. He died suddenly of a stroke on June 26, 1691 and was returned to Dartmouth to be buried in the churchyard. Read more

A plucky city girl. A tough cowboy. Romance in cowboy country.When a crisis cripples the ranch, stern cowboy Jett Maddox is suddenly promoted to foreman. Just in time for the fall cattle drive. No sweat. Except for the new spitfire cook who is way too soft for wild country. City-girl Marlee Donovan knows failure. She’s already on her second career, and her family is sure she’ll fail again. But plucky Marlee packs up her chef’s knives and heads west for a cook’s job on a ranch anyway. She’s ready to prove herself. As Marlee struggles with the hardships of life in the west, Jett finds himself falling for her. And Marlee is drawn to the unexpected soft side of the gruff cowboy.But when tragedy at the ranch escalates, a difficult decision must be made…and Marlee’s stubborn streak could cost her everything. Love on the Range is a prequel to the Looking Glass Lake series of contemporary Christian romance. If you like sweet and clean love stories with quirky characters that get you laughing, then you’ll love Rebecca Nightsong’s world of imperfect people who dare to put their faith and love in action. If you like books by Janet Tronstad, Brenda Minton, and Lucy McConnell, then you’ll love this touching story and its quaint little town. Saddle up and start this sweet adventure love story today! Read more

“What has happened to my life? Is this the way it’s supposed to be? Where did I go wrong?” Your mind is a tricky thing. You can be the most intellectual person in the world, have a sharp mind and a quick tongue – but all that can change in an instance. You don’t even see it, and in a second, you find yourself in a state of terror, and your life slips out of your hands.It happens to all of us, but fear not, this is a good thing. You are not alone. There are ways out of it and others who have gone the way before you like the whole team of the MindfulDevMag. Our collective epiphany was meeting mindfulness. It changed our lives, and it can change yours if you want a change. Follow us and learn how to deal with life and making it a happy one again. Read more

Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman offers this free short story introduction to the Surf’s Up Novellas, along with samples from other novellas in this collection. Wiseman is a three-time Inspirational Reader’s Choice winner, two-time recipient of the Carol Award, and winner of the coveted Holt Medallion. Each Surf’s Up novella takes the reader to a beach locale, weaving romance and adventure into a soul-soothing journey of hope. Parker McIntyre is late evacuating Galveston Island prior to a hurricane, despite advisement from local Texas authorities. When Parker becomes trapped in rising floodwaters, he is going to drown if help doesn’t arrive soon. Fearing death and questioning his faith, he thinks about the young son he’ll be leaving behind. Alexandria Hanson is on her way off the island to escape the immediate storm threat, but she spots a person trapped in the water. Alex—as she’s called by friends and family— isn’t adventuresome by nature. Helping the man is going to require great personal risk, but she can’t leave him to die. As Alex joins Parker in the murky Gulf waters, a dangerous situation becomes even more serious as they wait to be rescued. With only each other to lean on, they attempt to quell their fears by praying together and sharing stories. If Parker and Alex leave the island alive, will they have a chance to explore their feelings during the holiday season? Or will the opportunity be lost forever? SEE OTHER STORIES IN THIS COLLECTION: A Tide Worth Turning, Message In A Bottle, and The Shell Collector’s Daughter. Read more