This book is a contemporary version of “The Parable of the Sower and the Seed”. Though four sisters grew up in a God-fearing household, their lives depict what type of soil they fell on. Brenna, the oldest sister, falls on the hard path and blatantly denounces Jesus. Sophia, the second oldest, gets emotionally caught up in the wiles of a false prophet. Onia, the youngest, worries too much about the hardships her family faces. Zoey is the sister who fell on the good soil. Her faith takes root and shows itself. However, her zeal for the Lord creates rifts in her relationships. She is assaulted and ridiculed by the impact depravity has on the people around her including her own sisters. Now her colleague and spiritual confidant, Theresa (Resa) Williams, is retiring, leaving her feeling abandoned and questioning whether she should continue to teach the hostile and rude students who treat her with contempt. She questions whether her spiritual influence is making a difference in anyone’s life. Zoey’s sense of urgency in sharing the gospel proves to be valuable because the Sower is coming to reap His harvest. Who will be ready?

Stories that offer hope, humor and healing in dealing with everyday life. There are numerous sources of inspiration here for Lent and Easter sermons.

"Oh! you really expect him to come back, do you?" inquired Mr. Grimwig. "Don't you?" asked Mr. Brownlow, smiling. The spirit of contradiction was strong in Mr. Grimwig's breast, at the moment; and it was rendered stronger by his friend's confident smile. "No," he said, smiting the table with his fist, "I do not. The boy has a new suit of clothes on his back, a set of valuable books under his arm, and a five-pound note in his pocket. He'll join his old friends the thieves, and laugh at you. If ever that boy returns to this house, sir, I'll eat my head." -from Chapter XIV In February 1837, the new British magazine Bentley's Miscellany published the first installment in a serial story written by its editor. Its star was a good-hearted orphan boy; its author was Charles Dickens; and by the time it concluded in March 1839, Oliver Twist would become one of the most beloved of Dickens' novels. First published in book form in 1838, it has never been out of print, and little wonder: it is the classic rags-to-riches story, and a foundation of modern popular fiction that is required and highly enjoyable reading for all lovers of literature. Also in this volume: Dickens' A Child's History of England, a charming survey of the story of the Sceptred Isle from the time of the Romans through the 1830s. Simply written but wide-ranging, it's a delightful read for Dickens devotees. British author CHARLES DICKENS (1812-1870) remains one of the most popular writers in the world. A spinner of stories of satire and social criticism-including Great Expectations, Nicholas Nickleby, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, and the work considered his greatest, David Copperfield-his writings have entertainedgenerations of readers and influenced generations of writers. ~ ~ ~