Finding Peace

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied (Jude 1:2).

Peace is a theme in both the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew word, shalom, is a richly textured word with far more meaning than the English word, peace. Shalom means wholeness, soundness, harmony, and more. This is the peace Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden of Eden. It's a vertical peace reaching up to God, a horizontal peace with all creation, and an internal peace with ourselves. Sin shattered this complete peace. 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: (John 14:27a).

When the prophets speak of peace, they're referring to restoration, a renewal of our relationship with God. Only the Lord can bring wholeness and lasting peace. We have a tendency to think, if we can control our circumstances, we will find peace. But true peace doesn't come from eliminating problems. It comes from surrendering to the Prince of Peace and depending on Him. As one book puts it, "The Bible never tells us to 'chase peace.' It tells us to pursue Christ. And when we do, peace comes as a byproduct . . ."

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Genuine peace is rooted in a personal relationship with the Lord. "Security doesn't come from predictable circumstances. It comes from a trustworthy Savior." The closer we stay to God, the deeper our peace becomes. When He and things of faith are our top priority, we experience a level of peace the world can't take away. Knowing that He holds us, walks with us, and has a glorious eternity prepared for us lightens the burdens of living in a fallen world and brings a peace that passes all understanding.

(Quotes from A Biblical Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Good Books & Faith Beacon Publishing)

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Branching Out Again

As you know if you've been following my blogs, I've been mainly writing Western books for the last several years. Because of new opportunities and the lack of others, I will be writing in more varied genres next year. I'll still be writing Westerns, but they will be sprinkled with other settings too.

In January, I'll be publishing a book set in Victorian England, which is a real switch for me. Several years ago, I published some retold fairy tales set in England, but they were in the Medieval Period. This one will be set in the last half of the 19th century, the same period as my Westerns. But I've always believed good writers can write in any setting or genre they feel inspired to. Take me for example, I began writing nonfiction articles for magazines because I was teaching at the time, but now I write mainly fiction. Violets for Veronica is available for preorder now.

I will also have another book in the National Park Brides multiple-author project, and this one will be set in the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. (The current one is Heather, set in Hot Springs, Arkansas.) I'm looking forward to another one set in the Appalachian Mountain region, where the first books I published, The Appalachian Roots series, were set and where my heritage is.

Then, I'll also be writing another contemporary romance. I haven't written a novel with a modern setting since June of 2023, when Hurting Hero was published. I love historical fiction. After all, I was a history and English major in college, and most of my books will always be historicals. But I like to take a break from the heavy research and write a contemporary story now and then. The writing elements stay the same. Only the setting changes.

So, there you have some changes that will be coming. They are not drastic changes, since I began writing historical books set in the Appalachian Mountains and then a contemporary trilogy (The Farmers), and these will only be sprinkled among my current Westerns. However, I'm excited and motivated by the changes. I just hope readers will give them a chance. Sometimes, they like for authors to stay locked in one genre box, but I've never done that because I like variety. Besides, all my books will continue to reflect my writing style. That will never change.

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Assimilation

As with many such concepts, assimilation can be good or bad, depending on how it plays out. Attitudes, choices, and the situation all have a part. The Bible is full of both good and bad examples of assimilation. It's why God told the Israelites not to marry women from other nations and religions when they got to the Promised Land after their forty-year trek in the wilderness. He didn't want them to assimilate those cultures and start worshipping foreign gods. Of course, all too often, they did it anyway. Even Solomon, the wisest man to live, was led astray to worship idols by his foreign wives. It wasn't they were foreigners, but they were pagans, not believing in the one true God. We are not to be unequally yoked. 

This may have also been why the Israelites escaping Egypt with Moses were so hard-hearted and had Aaron build them an idol to worship when Moses stayed on the mountain longer than they thought he should. These people had been born and raised in Egypt, as had their parents. They'd assimilated too much of the Egyptian culture, and it caused them to lose their closeness with God; it caused them to sin.

The Israelites were conquered by other nations and taken into captivity several times. Again, they began to adapt to that culture and to even enjoy it. For example, when King Artaxerxes allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, many chose to stay behind in Persia instead. They wanted to stay where they were instead of going back and rebuilding their lives based on their heritage, Jewish customs, and God's Word.

Even today, many Christians (and sometimes whole churches) have assimilated worldly values and cultural laxness instead of adhering to God's principles. They rationalize their backsliding or ignore the situation altogether. It's easy to do without even realizing it, and Satan will grease the slopes. As the Bible tells us, we must be vigilant and faithful. Look at yourself. Can you see areas of your life where you have slipped from standing steadfast in your faith? It's not too late to make any needed changes, and the Holy Spirit will gladly help you. We can repent and begin anew. Instead, let us assimilate the things of God and become more like Christ.

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 Morrow's Mishaps Is Coming

My next book to publish is Morrow's Mishaps in the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides collection. On her way to Wyoming as a mail-order bride, Morrow has one incident after another, and she has no idea why these things are happening to her. Even when she and her friend arrive at Bradford's ranch, the mishaps continue to occur. Is something trying to tell her she shouldn't have come, or is there someone who doesn't want her here?

The multiple-author series has sixty-four books so far, and this will be my third one. Willa's Woes was released on January 10, 2025, and Daphne's Determination published on July 8, 2025. It is just 99-cents for this week only. However, each book in the series is a standalone, bound by using the same matchmaking agency. There will be one more of mine to come. Gwendolyn's Groom will be published on February 10, 2026, and is on preorder now.

Adam Skousen, who produced the other two books of mine in the series is also narrating this one for Audible. He has also agreed to do Gwendolyn's Groom. He's done a fantastic job, and by the reviews, I can tell my listeners agree. He plans to finish Morrow's Mishaps this week, and hopefully, ACX will have it approved by the time the other versions release. I hope you will check out all these books.

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How Are You Treating Jesus?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me Matthew 25:40).

If we treat people with disregard, contempt, and hatred, are we really treating Jesus this way? When we encounter someone in need, someone overlooked or dismissed by society, our response reveals more than our character. It reflects how closely we follow Jesus. Christ made it clear that our treatment of others is a direct reflection for how we treat Him. That means that every act of kindness, patience, and mercy is not just a good deed; it's a sacred sacrifice, a moment of acting Christlike. On the other hand, every cold shoulder, judgmental attitude, or harsh word is a wound inflicted on the One who bore pain for us.

This truth challenges us to examine ourselves. Do we extend grace to the harried cashier who's having a rough day? Do we show compassion to a struggling neighbor who tends to rub us the wrong way? Do we listen with true interest, forgive without demanding anything in return, and love without conditions? These are not abstract virtues. They are tangible ways to honor Jesus by following the model He set for us. The least of these are not distractions from our spiritual walk; they are the means of strengthening our journey of faith.

So, how are you treating Jesus? Not in intent or theory, but in practice -- in the way you speak to others (especially your family and those close to you), respond to strangers, and think about those who differ from you. The gospel calls us to universal empathy, not selective kindness. When we begin to see Christ in every person, our hearts soften, our hands open, and our lives begin to reflect Jesus' love. Let us not just be known by our beliefs, but also by our Christlike love in action, by the fact that we treat others the way we would treat Jesus.

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Meet Author, Rena Groot

Anything of value about my life is a result of God's grace and enabling. I am merely sharing information here, so you have an idea who I am. I live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. I am married to Bill, a wonderful man, and am the mother of four children. I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and Master of Religious Education from the Canadian Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta. I have taught school in Canada and China, was a short-term missionary to Haiti, Uganda, Belize, China, Thailand, the Ghetto in NYC, Mexico, Greece, Eastern Europe, and Canada. 

I would like to tell you about a special book of mine, Betrayal. I dedicated this book to the victims of betrayal. Here is the introduction. Betrayal cuts deeper than any wound. It shatters trust, distorts reality, and questions everything you once believed. Ashley, the woman in this story, knows this pain intimately. The man who vowed to love and cherish her became someone unrecognizable. Lies, deception, gaslighting, and infidelity turned her world upside down, leaving her broken, lost, and alone. There were moments when the pain was unbearable--when Ashley's heart ached so deeply she thought she might not survive. But even in the darkest moments, Asheley found something she never expected: strength, hope, and a path forward.

This book is for you--the one who has been betrayed, the one who feels lost and voiceless, the one searching for healing. Woven into a fictional narrative, this story walks through the devastation and heartbreak but doesn't end there. It's a journey of transformation, proof that even after betrayal, there is life. You are not defined by what happened to you. You are not alone. You can heal.

I lived a version of this story myself. Out of the pain of betrayal and the confusion of emotional abuse, I began a journey of discovery—diving deep into research on narcissism, gaslighting, and the hidden wounds they cause. What I found changed my life. My hope is that by sharing this story, others will find courage, healing, and hope. That’s also why I created Broken to Beautiful—a website and course designed to guide women through the trauma of betrayal and toward wholeness and freedom. Broken to Beautiful is a powerful reminder that our scars are not flaws—they're proof of grace. Inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending with gold, this message reveals how God restores our brokenness with His beauty. In His hands, every crack shines with purpose, strength, and His love. One of the mini courses is free. Here is a link to the website. https://www.renaoord.com/

 You can find the book here — https://amzn.to/46ZMiF3

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Maturing as a Christian

Although we are at different places in our walk of faith, all Christians should be growing and maturing. We may do so at varying rates, but we should still be moving forward. When I taught school, students were expected to make a year's growth each school year, and this was factored into the achievement test scores. If a student didn't make the expected growth, they regressed. If Christians stand still, they aren't showing a commitment to Christ or a surrendering to the Holy Spirit's guidance.

If you don't mature as a Christian, it is easy to be led astray. Satan will try his best to see that this happens. But if you stay true to your faith, he is simple to defeat. In fact, Christ has already defeated him on the cross on your behalf. All you need to do is claim that victory and stand strong in the strength of the Holy Spirit within you. Keep your focus on the Lord, and He will direct your path.

There are several things you can do to strengthen yourself and mature in faith. Here are four:

1. Admit when you're wrong, when you mess up. Repent and learn from your mistakes. On a positive note, failures will help keep you humble and keep you from harshly judging others.

2. Study and apply the Word of God. Carve out however much time you can give to this daily, whether it's ten minutes or two or three hours. It's an essential, valuable part of a successful Christian life.

3. Set aside time each day for a formal prayer but then pray all during the day as needs arise, you see others requiring help, and to thank God for blessings sent your way.

4. Depend on the Holy Spirit. He will lead, guide, direct, and teach you. He will be your strength.

A mature Christian life is not a destination, a place you arrive at. It is a journey all Christians take. We won't get to full maturity this lifetime, but we'd like to get as far along the road as possible. The more we mature, the better life gets, the more satisfaction we find from our faith, and the more joy we find in the Lord. Let the journey continue.

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 Heather, Hot Springs Bride

My newest book, Heather, Hot Springs Bride, published on Friday. Heather Perry has always resented the government’s control over their lives in the national reserve. In her opinion, the government casts a dark shadow over Hot Springs, Arkansas. The land may be rich in healing waters and history, but its people are bound by leases and not ownership. Then Anson English arrives, a quiet, humble man in a wheelchair, Anson came at the insistence of his grandmother to seek relief and recovery in the bathhouses that define Hot Springs. Heather is captivated by his strength and vulnerability and watches his journey with growing affection. But when she learns the truth, that Anson supported the very system keeping her town under its thumb, her world tilts. When betrayal cuts deep, will love be enough?

I shared some of the history of Hot Springs National Park's in two blogs I posted last month (in September). In a trip there to research the book, I discovered intriguing information that gave me the understanding and historical grounding I needed to write an authentic story. The park, then a reservation, sets the background, but this is a story of two people, struggling against adversity to find a happy future despite rough spots in the road.

The book is available in paperback, on Kindle, and as an Audible audiobook. Wendy Arcega, who also narrated Bretta's Business, brings the characters to life. I'm always impressed with her work and think you will be, too. I'm glad she could work this one into her schedule. Be sure to check the book out in whichever version you prefer. 

Heather - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ5H4BQT

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 God's Word, the Foundation of Our Faith

He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

We can't be effective Christians without making God's Word a regular part of our lives, and it needs to be much more than what might be heard in church. His Word is the foundation of our faith. It's where we learn who He is, what He expects of us, and who we are to Him. The more you read it, the more you will find yourself eager to do so, hungering and thirsting for it.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a decerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

His Word equips us for living the best life. It furnishes the armor we will need for battling temptations, sin, and evil. It gradually transforms us, shaping our character, renewing our minds, making us more Christlike, and emboldening us to walk in love and faith. It sustains us in this world and prepares us for the life to come.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105).

It illuminates our path when we encounter darkness or the pathway grows dim. God's Word is the wisdom that transcends circumstances, anchors us through any storms, and offers comfort and peace. It is the truth of ages that never changes. It even offers love, grace and mercy when we fail and repent of those failures. If you've never done a daily Bible reading, start with a Psalm or Gospel, such as John. Let His Word speak into your day, your decisions, or your doubts and see what happens.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand for ever (Isaiah 40:8).  

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35).

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