Christ said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). A joy-filled person is the best advertisement Christ has for a joyless world to consider his loving offer of salvation. The second fruit of the Spirit (joy) makes one an inspirational and infectious person to be around, whether you are a marriage partner, a business leader, or a next-door neighbor. The way Christ wants to accomplish this in and for us is through his two-step process as outlined in Colossians 3: •Step One: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you” (Col 3:5). We will refer to this as the removal of a Joy Killer. •Step Two: “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge” (Col 3:10). We will refer to this as a Joy Maker. Each chapter is divided into these two steps. First, it begins with a removal of a Joy Killer and it is immediately followed with its replacement of a Joy Maker. With each chapter, you find an increasingly deep and rewarding joy as you pitch your tent one day closer to eternity.

"Happiness, Guaranteed..." In the not-too-distant future, money truly can buy happiness, and Hedonics, Inc., is willing to sell it to you. They'll even offer you a money-back guarantee, if you're not "happy" with the product. But with their team of psychologists, life specialists, and self-improvement coaches, they don't have any "unhappy" customers. What happens when a company grows too big, becomes too successful? It wants to guarantee its place in society and its future, and Hedonics is no exception. When your product is happiness, the way you guarantee your success is to pass laws mandating happiness. But when universal happiness is required, does it really matter if you're getting what you want, or happy with what you have? James Gunn has been a professional science fiction writer for more than 60 years, and in 2007, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named him a Grand Master.

It's never too late for a second chance at love. Maria Wylder is used to taking care of herself, the ranch, her five grown boys—and even coordinating what will surely be an awkward family Christmas that will include her ex-husband and his new wife. What she’s not used to is catching the eye of the local mechanic Clint Walker whose gaze lights up every time he sees her. Or the way he listens to her every word and brings her little gifts to brighten her day. When they both end up visiting the beach town of Indigo Bay to help with a Christmas fundraiser, will it become a chance for them to step outside their tired old roles and discover something new—together? And what will Maria do when Clint slowly begins to win her heart despite her best intentions not to fall in love again? This second chance, seasoned romance is part of the Indigo Bay Christmas Romance series and can be read as a standalone. It is also connected to Jean’s series called The Cowboys of Sweetheart Creek, Texas. A Christmas romance with an older heroine, proving true love can happen at any age.

The church has not focused on the search for joy and peace but on the forgiveness of human sin as the way to joy and peace. The church and its leaders proclaim it. Unfortunately, for many Christians, the gospel now means “the truth of God’s forgiveness” instead of an “expression of perfect joy.” As a result, the search for joy and peace has been left in the hands of advertising agencies and entrepreneurs who sell happiness in all its varieties. People hunger for happiness and long for laughter and joy. At parties, we laugh our heads off, but when we go home, the joy fades. We cry out for the ability to lay ourselves down and get a good night’s rest. We long to live our daily lives without threats of any kind. We have the largest military in the world protecting us. But we do not feel safe and joyful. Join the author as he shares the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and find the joy and peace you so desperately need in your life.

Keep your hands busy and your mind playing and free of stress with A Happy Book of Little Gifts to Make. From professional artist Sarah Hand, the author of Art Makers: Papier-Mache, this book features easy-to-follow step-by-step projects, creative inspiration, and prompts—all designed to be done at home using affordable, accessible materials. Best of all, the projects are small-scale, so they are portable, giftable, adorable, and fun! A Happy Book of Little Gifts to Make includes varied projects done in all kinds of materials, from papier-mache and paper to crayons, paint, and paint pens. With this book, you can learn to make: Dioramas Papier-mache creatures Pop-up cards Cotton dolls And much more Throughout the book, find tips for having fun and relaxing as you create, plus creative inspiration and prompts so that you can use this book as a starting point for art projects you devise on your own. After a stressful year (or decade?), everyone needs to have fun and let loose, and what better way than with art that can be created at home and with materials you already have? The small size of the projects makes them manageable even for beginning crafters and artists, and kids will love working on the projects too (possibly with a little adult help). The art is adorable and whimsical and appeals to artists of all ages and skill levels, including beginning crafters, DIYers, crafty families, and more. Grab your paper, paints, and more and then set up at the kitchen counter to start your stress-free creative life with A Happy Book of Little Gifts to Make from a professional artist and instructor.