I don’t like asking for help. Mournful violins play raucous “melodies” in my head when I can’t do everything I want or feel I need to do. I’m all about control, you see.

francinerivers.com/hard-times-and…

One night, God woke me up at 3:00 a.m. and gave me a strong sense of urgency: Pray for Rick.

francinerivers.com/encounters-wit…

We celebrate Easter on a single, special Sunday, but what happened on that day is too big for one day of celebration. The moment Jesus rose and walked out of the tomb, He proved He was I AM.

May Jesus’ resurrection fill your heart, mind, and soul throughout the year.

God wove pieces of Jesus’ story throughout the whole Bible. One example is Tamar, part of the lineage of Christ.

Her name meant “date palm.” A date palm bears sweet, nourishing fruit. ... A date palm sways in the desert winds without breaking.

She was not named by coincidence.

I think we all feel those inexplicable nudgings, the sudden bright light of something more, like a sunrise in your rearview mirror that blinds you before you tip the visor in such a way that the light shifts.

francinerivers.com/encounters-wit…

What do the majestic redwoods, the persistent woodpecker, or a glorious sunrise reveal about our artistic and generous God?

Don’t miss this e-book sale for Earth Psalms, a weekly devotional that includes stunning photography. (U.S. only) tyndale.com/p/earth-psalms…

March is National Reading Month in the United States, an opportunity to encourage reading every day and to foster a love of reading in children. Tell me your favorite book from childhood.

Thank you! Because of you, The Masterpiece has been sent to the printer five times to make more copies of the novel available for sale.

This was one of my favorite—and most difficult—projects. What did you think of it?

Winter is a grave time. There is a time for all things. The vineyard is dormant, and it is time to prune, to cut away old growth in preparation for new. It is a time of potential.

francinerivers.com/pruning/

He wants me to chuck the Kong ball 4 to 6 times every half hour. He barks loudly when someone approaches the house. Open the door to allow them inside and he wants to play.

But by 7, Ranger is done for the day. He drops into his bed. Sometimes Rick and I even hear him snore. 3/3

Ranger doesn’t like sliced apples. He wants to pick them off the tree. He punches holes in half a dozen before he finds one that best suits his palate. He ignores the turkeys eating our grapes unless I flap my wings and run after them—then he joins in. 2/3

I dearly love our dog, though he can be a handful. Ranger has a way of making his desires known. When he wants water, he lifts and slams the toilet lid and then stands outside the half bath looking at me. “I’m thirsty and I want FRESH water, not lukewarm from an hour ago.” 1/3

When I was a child, my classmates and I taped up empty lunch bags, hoping they would fill up with cards. I remember one specifically: “Roses are red, violets are blue, you have two hips like a B-32.” That probably came from the boy I kicked in the shins for teasing a friend.

Redeeming Love is based on the ancient Bible story of Hosea. What themes in this story are timeless?

francinerivers.com/books/novels/r…

“When I finished the last page (of Redeeming Love), I literally dropped to my knees and I cried out to God to forgive me for thinking that somehow writing books for Him would be second best.”

Karen Kingsbury talks with Francine about Christian fiction: youtube.com/watch?v=xvD3x4…

January is a time to evaluate my life and consider writing a new story. And I don’t mean writing a new book (though I am working on one—more to come on that throughout the year!).

francinerivers.com/season-of-drea…

The Bible is filled with inspiring stories of unlikely candidates God chose to quietly change eternity. This bestselling compilation contains five novellas about men who stood behind heroes of the faith.

Don’t miss this e-book deal! (U.S. only) tyndale.com/p/sons-of-enco…

When the RedeemingLoveMovie premiered last year, Rick and I were unable to attend in person. To make sure we didn’t miss out, our family organized a local event. A limo picked us up. A red carpet was laid out, and cheering friends and family greeted us.

What a spectacular evening!

It’s that time of year when I do my “Possibilities” list. I’ve shared this before, but I break it down into categories: Spiritual, Family, Work, Home Improvements, Financial, and Personal.

francinerivers.com/new-year-refle…