Leading Hearts December 2018 / January 2019  

NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE CAN SUM UP THEIR LIFE IN ONE WORD, BUT JENNIFER TRACY CAN. THAT WORD IS COURAGE.

Peace that had never been available on earth was, in the presence of the shepherds, offered freely from heaven. This peace was something brand-new, never heard of before, never experienced in history — peace that only heaven knew, now offered to people on earth.

Another year, my spiritual focus was on getting to know God better. In addition to reading my Bible — God’s own amazing book to me — I used J.I. Packer’s books Knowing God,

Caught between addiction and the love of Jesus

Just as it did with Jesus, sometimes mercy overrides justice. Jesus tells us Himself to “love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return."

Christmas Releases by Hannah Kerr, Matt Maher and Russ Taff's "I Still Believe."

Advanced Writers and Speakers Association 2018 Golden Scroll fiction award winners from Eva Marie Everson, Deborah Raney and Lynette Eason

Special Christmas feature—excerpt When God Calls the Heart at Christmas — Heartfelt Devotions from Hope Valley, by Brian Bird and Michelle Cox, is inspired by the Hallmark series, “When Calls the Heart.”

Instead of letting these weights sink my future, I’ve decided to shed every weight by putting each of them into a gift box with God’s name on it.

I’m committed to spending this year focusing on five concepts that will help me find value in my current situation while leading me closer to being my best.

This coming year, look toward the legacy you will leave and your role in God’s eternal plan.

In my life as an author and ministry leader, I come across hundreds of resources that I love to share. Fortunately, before I let my enthusiasm run away with me, I took time to pray and ask God to weigh in on the best ones to mention. I expected Him to give me some insight into how to narrow the list down to five, but His answer left me reeling.

The dining room table was set, the roast in the oven and the Christmas tree lights twinkling in the living room. Everyone was to arrive in a few minutes. Then my cell phone chimed — a new text. The message was from my crazy uncle who was on his way. He wasn’t invited, because he always caused problems. What should I do?

Blessings are all around. Every day. Three hundred and sixty-five days a year. Don’t be too busy preparing your ministry not to see them.