Abortion continues to be a hot topic in politics, women’s rights, and medical practice. But for the eight to ten million American Christian women who have had one, abortion is a spiritual issue as well, raising questions of life and death, heaven and hell, grief and loss. Writing from her own experience, Kim Ketola sheds light on one of the darkest and most neglected personal issues of our time: the widespread need for healing and spiritual recovery after abortion. “After abortion brought the worst trouble into my life I had ever known,” writes Ketola, “I just couldn’t see my way free to believe in God’s love.” With a compassionate heart, Ketola offers ten true stories of healing promise from the Bible to help women answer the most common spiritual torments they face: Is abortion a sin? Does God hate me? Where can I turn in my shame and distress? How could I ever tell anyone the truth? And more. Inspired by Romans 6:4--“just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"--this is a definitive resource to help women see themselves and God anew and--finally--to find spiritual healing.

Reassurance for parents who struggle with anger, guilt, and despair after a miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death.

“Bereavement after the loss of a baby is often quiet and lonely,” writes Christine O’Keeffe Lafser, who has twice lost a child to death. “There is no wake or funeral, no grave site, no memorial to our baby’s life or death. . . . Since there are no real memories of our little one’s life, people have a hard time comprehending the depth of our love and grief.” In these reflections, Lafser offers grieving parents the empathy and courage that can come only from one who has walked the same difficult path. “Chris expressed so many of my thoughts and feelings and made me feel so normal. . . . The greatest gift is learning that God does not desert us in our time of need.” Linda Davis, Compassionate Friends, after miscarriage and stillbirth “The juxtaposition of a Scripture text with each reflection is inspired. Some of the texts are breathtaking in their beauty and appropriateness. This book is a ‘must’ for anyone who is ever touched by the loss of an infant.” Joseph Awad, poet and grieving grandfather “This book will be very helpful for parents who are mourning the loss of their child. It will also prove very beneficial to anyone who is ministering to a bereaved parent.” Robert N. Craig, O.F.M. Cap., hospital chaplain “These reflections allowed me to ‘be’ how I was feeling—not feel like I should be going through the stages of grief that other books described. With this book I was no longer a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.” Jeanette Siebels, after infant death

The Christmas Cradle For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she's starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn't sure how--or if--they can ever find a place to truly call home. Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from their unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true . . .

About the Book: 'Poetry is when emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words' quoted Robert Frost. It is not without a reason that humans call the best of everything 'poetry'. In the famous romance novel, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, the hero calls his lover a 'living poem'. Our best literature (irrespective of its form), movies, arts, places, food, even wine is called 'poetic'. No matter how scientifically advanced or technologically sophisticated we get, humans will always read and write poetry as an expression of their emotions and feelings. We don't read and write poetry because it's fancy. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race filled with passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. Poetry, beauty, romance and love make this life worth living. It is with immense pride and joy that the entire team at StoryMirror selected, edited, compiled, designed, printed and published this beautiful collection of poems "Portraits of my Heart". The poets who co-authored this anthology come from different walks of life. Their age, gender, profession, qualification, theme and genre might differ, but all of them have brought their emotions, imagination, passion and life experiences to these poems. These poems are sure to strike a chord, touch your heart and soothe your soul. Hope you have a great reading experience!

It’s never too late to follow your passion. Miriam Kam Weisbrod’s resolute desire to publish her poems developed later in life. Now at the tender age of 95, after writing over 200 poems, her wish has come true. Miriam began writing thirty years ago after her husband died. Writing kept her busy and helped her deal with the loneliness and uncertainty of being widowed after forty years of marriage. The secret to her long life, she says, is having a passion for something and a positive attitude: “Many opportunities are waiting for you / And only you can make them come true.” Miriam beckons us to look at the world the way she sees it, full of beauty and wonder. She shares her love for life with us, in her poems: “Old Man Time, you tricked us / But still, we’re glad you picked us.” Miriam’s poems help us realize how lucky we are to be given this miracle of life and the gift of living it surrounded by the beauty of nature. “To write, you have to be a bit of a dreamer.” This book opens the door to that dream.