From fantasy novels to Bible studies to devotions, all are scripted with joy to enrich your spiritual journey with the Lord.
The Best Gift Ever
As I prepare for the holidays, it is easy for me to get caught up in the planning, decorating, shopping, gift-giving, and all the other wonderful activities, but lose track of the “reason for the season,” that baby in the manger, who he is, what he accomplished, and what he asks of us today. To hold fast to the true hope, peace, joy, and love this season brings, please look closely with me at a familiar Scripture about the Best Gift Ever.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
For God: You know who he is; he’s the one who created and is in control of the universe and everything in it (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16-17), who has no beginning and no end (Revelation 1:8), and wants to have a personal relationship with each of us (Jeremiah 31:33, Revelation 3:20).
So loved: God’s love proves itself by action (1 Corinthians 13), steadfast, unchanging; he loved us first, and his love is not dependent on us (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5).
The world: The world is all the people—the good, the bad, and the ugly—that ever were and will be, from Adam and Eve to you and me, and to any generation in the future.
That he gave: As in a gift that was not earned or deserved and is freely available to everyone who will receive it (Ephesians 2:8-9).
His only Son: That’s Jesus! The one who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in that manger in Bethlehem, who lived a sinless life, even though he was fully human, like you and me.
That whoever believes in him: Believing in Jesus is more than acknowledging he existed, more than believing he is God in human form (John 1:1, 14), more than believing that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), for which we deserve eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). It is even more than believing that the sacrifice of Jesus, God incarnate, is the only adequate payment for our sins (1 John 2:2; John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Believing in Jesus is understanding and believing what the Bible says about Jesus and trusting and relying on those truths as the basis for salvation (Romans 10:9).
Should not perish but have eternal life: Perish—in this verse—means eternal spiritual death separated from God. Eternal life is eternity spent in a loving relationship with God, which begins as soon as we accept God’s gift of salvation and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior.
This Christmas, I pray that you accept and cherish the Best Gift Ever!
D. M. Harold
RAPTOR'S REALM:
PROTECTOR OF THE VOICELESS
Oz wants nothing more than to be a good parent to their long-awaited brood with his beloved wife, Preya.
In a society of intelligent birds, Oz, an osprey with a crippled wing, has learned to live with both his physical limitations and the whispered mockery of others. But when he discovers a brutal plan to eliminate the peaceful muscovy ducks from their shared habitat, Oz is called by the Great One to lead a dangerous campaign to protect them.
But standing between Oz and justice is his charismatic brother, Obsolom, whose quest for absolute power threatens not just the muscovies but the core values of their entire community. As Oz gathers an unlikely alliance of outcasts, including a reformed criminal gull, a pair of chattering squirrels, and a pelican with masked loyalties, he faces an impossible choice: maintain the safety of his family or risk everything to protect those who cannot defend themselves.
As the plight of the muscovies worsens, Oz must confront both his brother's corruption and his own crippling self-doubt to become the leader no one—including himself—ever thought he could be.
Will Oz find faith and courage to stand against his brother's tyranny?
Can one injured osprey really make a difference
A Tale of Faith, Courage, and Destiny in the Face of Evil
See What People Are Saying About Raptor's Realm!
Please leave your own review! Positive reviews encourage others to read Raptor's Realm!
Raptor's Realm is not just fun to read; it is a compelling book that stirs the heart to faith and courage. – Rev. David L. Hubbartt; First Reformed Church of Tampa
What a refreshing, modern fable! – Meredith
Whether you read this for the intensely interesting animal kingdom story or the inspiring spiritual story, I promise the journey will not disappoint you! – Karen
It's an incredible book for all ages! – Alex
★★★★★
Meet the Author
D. M. Harold grew up loving to read fantastical tales and write stories. She dreamed of being an author. And an actress. And a business owner. And a bunch of other things. After various careers that included teaching, accounting, and consulting, D. M. Harold now focuses on combining her desire to share her faith with her penchant for writing. She has written devotions for Words of Hope and has compiled and facilitated several Bible studies.
In her first novel, Raptor’s Realm: Protector of the Voiceless, D. M. Harold weaves faith into fantasy to explore themes of justice, destiny, and sacrifice.
D. M. Harold's mission is to share God's message of love and redemption so that others will be drawn to Him.
