Adam's Fall, Jesus' Triumph

Read Matthew 4:1-11 and Genesis 3:1-7.

The temptation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 reveal a striking truth: Satan’s strategies haven’t changed. In Eden, the serpent approached Adam and Eve in a garden overflowing with beauty, provision, and fellowship with God. In the wilderness, he approached Jesus in a place of hunger, loneliness, and physical weakness. The contrast is sharp—abundance versus deprivation—yet the core issue is the same. The first Adam fell in perfect conditions, while Jesus, the last Adam, stood firm in the harshest conditions. The setting only highlights the deeper reality: temptation tests trust, not circumstances.

In both accounts, Satan twists truth. With Eve, he begins by questioning God’s word. “Did God really say…?” He mixed a grain of truth with lies and hid the deadly consequences. With Jesus, he quotes Scripture accurately but applies it wrongly, urging reckless actions under the guise of faith. Jesus responds by untwisting the distortion, wielding Scripture with right understanding, and with obedience. The temptations themselves line up: food, identity, and authority. Adam and Eve indulge, grasp for godlikeness, and choose independence. Jesus refuses to misuse His power, refuses to prove His identity on Satan’s terms, and refuses the shortcut to glory. Where Adam and Eve reach for autonomy, Jesus chooses obedience.

At the heart of both stories lies trust. Satan convinces Eve that God is withholding good, that He cannot be fully trusted, and that she should take matters into her own hands. He tries the same tactic with Jesus—prove God’s protection, seize the kingdoms without the cross, use power for self. But Jesus refuses every invitation to distrust the Father. The outcomes could not be more different. Adam and Eve’s fall brings sin, death, and exile; Jesus’ victory brings righteousness, redemption, and restoration. Their stories remind us that temptation is ultimately a question of trust—whether we will believe God’s goodness or grasp for life on our own terms. Jesus shows us the way to triumph.

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Veiled Intentions 

Jenna Osborne never planned on becoming an undercover agent, but when her twin brother convinces her to join The Brides of Liberty Bureau, she reluctantly agrees to help him investigate a man suspected of criminal activity. Brad Foster, however, is nothing like the hardened outlaw she expects. Steady, kind, and quietly compelling, he unsettles her in ways no criminal ever could. As a string of robberies shakes the region, Jenna vows to stay objective. Then, eyewitnesses claim they saw Brad fleeing a bank with money bags and firing shots. With only the pastor defending Brad’s innocence, Jenna must decide whether to trust the evidence or the man who's come to matter to her more than she ever intended.

Veiled Intentions released on Tuesday and is now available in Kindle, Audible, and paperback formats. It’s the first of two books I’ll be contributing to the Mail‑Order Brides Undercover multi‑author series. Each novel stands alone, connected only by the heroines’ secret work for the government‑sanctioned Brides of Liberty Bureau in St. Louis. These agents often pose as mail‑order brides to get close to suspected criminals, a strategy that leads to plenty of tension, unexpected twists, and rich storytelling possibilities.

I’m thrilled to finally share Jenna and Brad’s story with readers who enjoy mystery woven with romance, danger, and emotional depth. If you love undercover missions, moral dilemmas, and a heroine who must choose between duty and the stirrings of her own heart, Veiled Intentions offers all of that and more. I hope you’ll pick up a copy, meet these characters for yourself, and join me as this exciting new series unfolds.

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Teach a Child

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children… (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Teaching a child begins long before formal instruction, and it begins with example. Children learn what faith looks like by watching how we live it. Praying with them at breakfast for the day ahead, praying again at night before bed, and lifting up every concern — exams, trips, worries, and decisions — shows them that God is not a Sunday‑only presence but a daily refuge. When praise and worship are woven naturally into the rhythm of home life, children see firsthand that loving God is not a duty but a joy.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Training a child in faith is not a one‑time lesson or an occasional reminder. It is long‑term, steady, and intentional. Faith grows through repetition, consistency, and the quiet patterns of everyday life. When parents and grandparents model prayer, gratitude, and trust in God, they plant seeds that continue to grow long after childhood. Even small habits, such as pausing to thank God for blessings, praying before a difficult conversation, or turning to Scripture for guidance, become lifelong anchors.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord… (Psalm 78:4).

Our calling is generational. God designed faith to be passed down, lived out, and demonstrated in real time. Children need to see adults leaning on God, worshiping Him, and seeking His wisdom. They need to hear testimonies of answered prayer and witness the peace that comes from trusting Him. Teaching diligently means showing them that God is faithful in every season and that a life built on Him is a life that stands firm.

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* Deuteronomy 6:3 & 10 - Teach up a child...

Teach by example. Pray with them before at breakfast for the day and at night before bed. Pray before trips, their exams, any problems, and be sure to praise and worship.

Teaching is long-term, not a few times or once-and-done.

The Joy of Writing Across Eras

Although I always write for the Christian market, my work spans many subgenres. I’ve never believed in locking an author into a single category unless that’s truly where their heart is. Stories come to us from all directions, and I’m a firm believer that a good writer can step into any field they feel inspired or called to explore. My own writing reflects the many interests God has given me, and I enjoy moving from one era or setting to another as new ideas take shape.

Out of the ninety-five books I have on Amazon, six are set in medieval England, three are set in the 1700s in America, and seventy are set in the 19th century (and most of them are Westerns). Three are set in the 1900s, nine are contemporaries, and three are Christian nonfiction. I have already published one book set in Victorian England, and I have two more scheduled for next year. I also have plans to write novels set in biblical times beginning in 2028. And who knows what the future might hold?

I hope my readers will appreciate all of these different journeys and enjoy my writing style enough to follow wherever the stories lead. Perhaps, like me, they prefer variety, fresh settings, new challenges, and unexpected paths. Writing across so many time periods keeps the work exciting for me, and I pray it brings that same sense of discovery and delight to everyone who reads my books.

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The Treasure of His Presence

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

Whether we realize it or not, God Himself is the true treasure of our lives, the One whose presence brings the deepest joy and meaning. From the very beginning, Scripture paints a picture of a God who delights in closeness with His people. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day, enjoying unhindered fellowship with the One who made them. That nearness was not incidental; it was intentional. God created humanity for companionship, for relationship, for the joy of walking with Him. Every page of Scripture echoes this truth: we were made for His presence.

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest (Exodus 33:14).

Throughout the Old Testament, God continued to reveal His desire to dwell with His people. The tabernacle of David was far more than a sacred structure; it was a place centered around the Lord’s presence. David understood something many overlook — that God’s presence is the greatest treasure a person can seek. His songs, prayers, and life choices all flowed from a heart that longed to be near God. When we look at Scripture’s great men of faith, we see the same pattern. Enoch walked with God. Abraham was called the friend of God. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. Their distinction was not in their accomplishments, but in their pursuit of God Himself.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you (James 4:8).

What set these men apart is the same invitation extended to us today, to seek God’s presence above all else. Their lives remind us that closeness with God is not reserved for a select few; it is available to every believer who desires it. When we pursue Him, we find rest, direction, strength, and joy that cannot be found anywhere else. God still longs for fellowship with His people. He still invites us to walk with Him, to know Him deeply, and to treasure His presence as the greatest blessing of our lives. May we be counted among those who seek Him wholeheartedly, discovering that He Himself is our greatest reward.

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Amazon Audibles

I have put all my books on Amazon Audible, and I enjoy Audible books myself. I listen about six days a week as I take my two‑mile walk for exercise — something important for me since I spend so much time in front of a computer writing. I also listen while doing mundane household tasks or traveling long distances in a car or airplane. Audiobooks make the time speed by, and I enjoy getting immersed in the stories.

Although I have lost some talented narrators when they left the business or decided not to do royalty share anymore, I still have a great lineup. Since all profits from my books go to a scholarship for missionary children, I don’t want to pay money upfront but prefer to share the profits with my narrators. I try to choose the producer with the best voice for each particular novel.

Although my Audibles had a slow beginning, sales have picked up in the last couple of years. As of today, I have sold 11,672 Audible books. My best‑selling title is Building Something Beautiful, narrated by LB Neibaur. In second place is Off the Streets, narrated by Douglas Birk and Jennifer Groberg, and third is Mistaken Bride, narrated by Douglas Birk and Jennifer Groberg.

For fiction, I much prefer Amazon Audible with narrators over Amazon’s virtual narrations. I want different voices for the different characters, almost like a dramatization, rather than the one‑voice‑fits‑all approach. The variety brings the story to life in a way that feels richer and more engaging. I plan to continue with my narrators and hope for many more excellent Audible books to come.

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Devotion Instead of Drifting

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1).

In today’s world, staying connected to God grows harder with each passing year. Technology, entertainment, and constant noise pull at our attention from every direction, making it easy to drift into a life where spiritual things feel distant. Yet Scripture reminds us that gathering with God’s people is not merely a tradition; it is a lifeline. When we choose to step into His house, even for one day each week, our hearts are steadied, our priorities realigned, and our joy renewed.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another (Hebrews 10:25).

Modern advancements promise convenience, but they often deliver distraction. The world’s influence is stronger than ever, and without intentional effort, it slowly dulls our spiritual sensitivity. Church provides a needed counterbalance, a place where truth is spoken, fellowship strengthens us, and worship lifts our eyes above the material pull of daily life. It is the solid reminder of what truly matters and the anchor that keeps us from drifting.

But it is good for me to draw near to God… (Psalm 73:28).

If we are not diligent, our faith can fade quietly, almost without notice. But when we choose to draw near to God — to worship, to listen, to be encouraged — we remain grounded in His presence. One day set apart for Him helps us resist the carnal, worldly tug and keeps our hearts aligned with eternal things. Staying close to God is not accidental; it is intentional. And every week, He invites us to return, to rest, and to remember that His presence is our greatest need. 

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