When Grace Appeared

This is a compelling story of relentless faith achieved through tremendous loss, unbearable pain, suffering, betrayal, a spirit crushed, a heart shattered, even death itself. "I should have lost my mind, I should have died." Only a God of all the universe could have saved me, and He did. He literally brought me out from the pit of hell. He gave me a hope, a future, a purpose for the pain. A story to tell. Life is rough and certainly not always fair. We must constantly struggle in a world lost between good and evil. We live with the realities of pain, sickness, and death. We live in a world that is constantly decaying. Even if we turn our life over to God, what is there to look forward too? First Peter 1:3-6 tells us: "Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance, an inheritance that is kept in Heaven for you . . . And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while." The apostle Paul offers this encouragement: "Since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are" (Romans 8:17-19). Jesus said: "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). What I have learned along this narrow road is my God is good! He walks through the fire with me. I do not have to be afraid. Just trust in Him, not this world. He will make beauty from your ashes. He will cause everything bad in your life to turn around for good. My story is twenty years in the making. Destiny has finally arrived. God has a plan. And it will be fulfilled!

Ashamed of being duped by her handsome psychology professor, Josie Martin returns to Maine too proud to admit her foolishness to those closest to her. As the one-year anniversary of her father’s death approaches, she seeks solace in an old friend, Tripp Colton, and a new business venture that will prove to herself and her loved ones that she is still capable of success despite her overwhelming failure. When Josie announces she will not return to school to finish her graduate degree but wishes to remain in Camden to help her mother achieve a lifelong dream, the entire family gets behind her idea to open and run a bed and breakfast inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. Even Tripp gets excited about restoring Josie’s great-aunt's Victorian home for the purpose, but when Josie’s unexpected news is revealed, their friendship and the new feelings blooming between them are threatened. As summer gives way to fall, Josie struggles with decisions regarding her family’s future, dealing with past mistakes she cannot run from, and her feelings for Tripp. When the opportunity for grace comes along, will she take it? Or will she continue to allow her failures to define her worth? This is Book 1 in The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast Series. A contemporary twist on the well-loved classic, Little Women, readers will fall in love with the Martin family—Maggie, Josie, Lizzie, Bronson, Amie, and their mother Hannah—each trying to find their own way in the world and each discovering that love, home, and hope are closer than they appear.

Award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli transports readers across time and place in this time-slip novel that will appeal to fans of Little Women. Two women, one living in present day Massachusetts and another in Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House soon after the Civil War, overcome their own personal demons and search for a place to belong. 2001 Abandoned by her own family, Taylor is determined not to mess up her chance at joining the home of her best friend, Victoria Bennett. But despite attending summer camp at Louisa May Alcott’s historic Orchard House with Victoria and sharing dreams of becoming famous authors, Taylor struggles to fit in. As she enters college and begins dating, it feels like Taylor is finally finding her place and some stability . . . until Victoria’s betrayal changes everything. 1865 While Louisa May Alcott is off traveling the world, Johanna Suhre accepts a job tending Louisa’s aging parents and their home in Concord. Soon after arriving at Orchard House, Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft and, ignoring Louisa’s words of caution, falls in love and accepts Nathan’s proposal. But before long, Johanna experiences her husband’s dark side, and she can’t hide the bruises that appear. 2019 After receiving news of Lorraine Bennett’s cancer diagnosis, Taylor knows she must return home to see her adoptive mother again. Now a successful author, Taylor is determined to spend little time in Concord. Yet she becomes drawn into the story of a woman who lived there centuries before. And through her story, Taylor may just find forgiveness and a place to belong.

THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE IS NOT OPTIONAL. IT IS ESSENTIAL. This study guide companion to the DVD version of Desiring God—the classic explanation of Christian hedonism by John Piper—will help individuals and groups understand that the supreme calling of life is to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever." The DVD and this guide create an ideal package for adult and youth Sunday school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, families, as well as for individual study. Topics for this 12-session guided group study include: One Great Mission and Motivation A Summary of Christian Hedonism The Foundation of Christian Hedonism The Essence of Christian Hedonism The Grand Obligation (Part 1): Commanded to Rejoice The Grand Obligation (Part 2): An Essential Element of Faith and Worship The Grand Obligation (Part 3): Holy Hedonism Is Love The Grand Obligation (Part 4): The Strength for Sanctification and Service How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 1): Know Its Sources and Setbacks How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 2): Make Use of the Means of Grace Complete with Scripture, key quotations for reflection, penetrating questions, and five daily assignments per week, this study guide will help you understand why God’s pursuit of His glory and your pursuit of joy are not at odds—because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Also includes a 6-session intensive track option. Leader’s Guide Included.

In The Faithful Way, treasured Bible-study teacher Cynthia Heald challenges believers of all ages to remain faithful to guard their hearts and be on the alert against temptation. Our goal, no matter our age, should be to follow Christ well and finish strong. The Faithful Way is a 31-day devotional study that both cautions and comforts as Cynthia leads readers through the lessons God has taught her through His character, His Word, and His saints. The Faithful Way will equip readers to face temptations, encourage them in an intentionally faithful life that brings honor to Christ, and enable them to say "I have remained faithful."

The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

It is not enough to hear, learn or even sing about Grace. Knowing about grace without understanding the multi-faceted uniqueness of Grace will lead to spiritual frustration. The bible teaches us this truth encompassed in grace. [John 1:14-17 KJV] "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ". Romans 9:10-16 teaches that this grace is free, by election, and calling and not by works. The Bible tells us that "it is not of him that runs nor of him that wills but it is the Lord that shows mercy and compassion". It is the Lord that determines who he will favor and show kindness to. Grace comes for grace. This grace is unmerited favor. God gives it to those He calls to compensate for their shortfalls and weaknesses. Romans 5:1-2, talks about having access to this grace by faith through Jesus Christ. You and I can access this grace by faith in Jesus Christ. We are called in the grace of Christ. Paul refers to the grace of Christ as the gospel of Christ. Acts 20:24 (ESV) 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. The gospel and grace are used interchangeably in scripture. The gospel of Christ is the grace of God. And the gospel of grace is this: Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins forever; he died on the cross and took your sins past, present, and future. The gospel of grace is over the top good news that your sins have been done away with on the cross. Grace is God's unmerited, unearned, and undeserved favor. Sin had to be judged so Jesus went to the cross and took our place. The condemnation went on Him for our sins. Hebrews 10:10-14 (ESV) On the cross, Jesus offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins. His work on the cross was good for all time. That means your past, present, and future sins have already been forgiven. God judged Jesus for the sins of the whole world forever. Sin is no longer an issue. God is not judging the unbelievers for their sins. Sin has already been judged. People do not go to hell because of sin, but rather because of rejecting Jesus who is the solution to the sin problem. Even after you are saved, sin is no longer an issue. After we are born again, God does not judge the believer for his sins. God is not punishing you for your sins. He is not mad at you when you make a mistake. He already punished Jesus for all the sins that you will ever commit. They have already been judged. Beware of the devil who will try to condemn you because you did something wrong. He tries to bring people under condemnation because they make a mistake and tells them that God will not answer their prayers because they did not pray today, or because they have not been to church for two weeks, or they did not read their Bible all week. That is the law, and we are not under the law. That is performance-based living and God does not relate to us anymore based on our performance. He does not bless us or answer our prayers because of what we do, but because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. God loves you as much as He loves Jesus (John 17:23), and when He sees you, He sees His son Jesus. As Jesus is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). We are in Christ Jesus and God sees us in Him.