Sylvia Fisher undoubtedly loves Elam. But unlike most Amish women, she has her own ideas regarding what brings her happiness and she is uncertain that she can fit into the mold of being an Old Order Amish housewife. When Elam proposes, Sylvia hesitates a bit too long which leads to a terrible betrayal by him as well as by her closest sister, Beckie. That betrayal doesn't change the love and attraction she feels towards Elam. Hurt beyond words, Sylvia leaves her home and family to help another Amish family on their dairy farm. The farm owners., the Blands, are still grieving over the recent death of their daughter and are at the brink of losing their land.
Sylvia has helped the Blands heal emotionally and the farm is on the road to making a profit which will help pay off some of the loans. The Blands do have one surviving child, Aaron, who left home to get help with his alcohol addiction. When Aaron returns home, he comes with the news that he has made a downpayment on an Amish appliance store and wishes his parents to sell their failing farm and move with him in order to have an easier life. Can his father ever trust him again since he left without a word and his parents knew nothing of his addiction before he left? Will Sylvia stand in the way of his plans to sell the farm? Will either of them ever find the peace and forgiveness they long for?
The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall is the third in the Ada's House series, preceded by The Hope of Refuge and The Bridge of Peace. Although The Harvest of Grace begins the story of Sylvia and Aaron, the stories of the main characters from the two preceding novels are continued in this novel. As a reader new to this series, I was thankful that Ms. Woodsmall had written a brief synopsis of the two prior novels at the beginning of this installment and a glossary of characters at the end. Without those, I would have found it impossible to keep all the characters straight since there are multiple stories being told throughout the novel with all the charcters being intertwined through friendship.
I did enjoy this Amish fiction series but I do recommend reading them in order. Having read the third one first, I won't go back to read the other two because I already know the "rest of the story". As usual, Ms. Woodsmall does an excellent job of developing believable multi-faceted characters. The Harvest of Grace will be available on August 9, 2011 from your local christian bookstore, christianbooks.com (on August 23), and amazon.com.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Don't Check Your Brains At the Door
Do you ever wonder why you believe what you believe? Is it because your parents believed it? Your Sunday School teacher taught it to you? Your pastor told you it was true? If you can answer "yes" to any of those questions, this book might be what you're looking for. Josh McDowell, internationally known speaker and author of more than 130 books and Bob Hostetler, author and pastor, discuss 42 common myths pertaining to God, Jesus, the Bible, the resurrection, religion and Christianity,and life and happiness. Along with each myth, McDowell and Hostetler convey a real life example and then lead the reader to discover what the Bible has to say about the myth. At the close of each "chapter", a section entitled "Brain Food" is included which encourages the reader to dig into the Bible with short scripture texts and answer a question or two about what you have read. Each chapter is short, easy to read, and could very well be used as a devotion with older children and young teens.
When I ordered Don't Check Your Brains At The Door, I was anticipating a book similar to what this is but I did expect the book to address some of the more difficult and challenging questions I might get from my 16 and 18 year old. Way too many of my beliefs stem from what my parents taught me and now those are the types of questions my children are asking such as "Why does skin color or differences in faith or denomination matter when you choose your spouse?" or "Why should I dress up to go to church? Does God care what I wear?". Did I expect too much from one book? Perhaps. McDowell and Hostetler do address some very prevalent world opinions but I do feel that this book is best suited for children from the ages of 10 to 16, younger children if done alongside an adult. After reading, your child will have a better understanding of why they believe as they do and be able to defend his/her beliefs.
When I ordered Don't Check Your Brains At The Door, I was anticipating a book similar to what this is but I did expect the book to address some of the more difficult and challenging questions I might get from my 16 and 18 year old. Way too many of my beliefs stem from what my parents taught me and now those are the types of questions my children are asking such as "Why does skin color or differences in faith or denomination matter when you choose your spouse?" or "Why should I dress up to go to church? Does God care what I wear?". Did I expect too much from one book? Perhaps. McDowell and Hostetler do address some very prevalent world opinions but I do feel that this book is best suited for children from the ages of 10 to 16, younger children if done alongside an adult. After reading, your child will have a better understanding of why they believe as they do and be able to defend his/her beliefs.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A Place Called Blessing
The last book I read before this was The Blessing by John Trent. We all, whether adult or child, want to know we are treasured by someone. The Blessing illustrated how to accomplish that through five different venues: meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value to the individual, dreaming with and believing in him or her about a very special future God has for him/her, and a commitment to bestowing the blessing. Using Biblical truths and stories of Jesus' life on earth, Trent paints us a vivid picture of the changed lives that are a result of such a blessing.
Not necessarily listed as a sequel, A Place Called Blessing by John Trent and Annnette Smith tells the story of an orphan named Josh, who grew up in the foster care program and a children's home, separated from his two brothers for most of his life. Josh never felt the unconditional love we all long for and lived with the guilt of a horrible accident he was responsible for at the age of six. Because of the accident, he was deemed unadoptable. His childhood experiences left him feeling worthless, flawed, and without the ability to trust anyone. When Josh is released from the state system at age 18, he is determined to find a job but doesn't find that an easy task and is forced to sleep wherever he can find a dry place and living off very little food to eat. However, in his search for a job, he meets Anna and Mike who show him the love he thought couldn't exist. Anna and Mike display the traits Trent explains in The Blessing, giving the reader concrete examples of how to apply the principles to your own life. A Place Called Blessing also includes questions for thought and discussion, several questions on each chapter and a special message from Mr. Trent. Trent seems to have had a similar experience as Josh growing up.
I started this book at bedtime and I couldn't put it down. Rarely do I read a book in one day but this is one that grabbed my attention. I couldn't wait to see if Josh would allow Anna, Mike, and God to change his life. While the story is somewhat predictable, I was taken quite by surprise toward the end. Whether for pleasure, as a book club book, or as a follow-up to The Blessing, I would highly recommend this book which is available on Amazon.com, christianbook.com, or your local Christian bookstore.
Not necessarily listed as a sequel, A Place Called Blessing by John Trent and Annnette Smith tells the story of an orphan named Josh, who grew up in the foster care program and a children's home, separated from his two brothers for most of his life. Josh never felt the unconditional love we all long for and lived with the guilt of a horrible accident he was responsible for at the age of six. Because of the accident, he was deemed unadoptable. His childhood experiences left him feeling worthless, flawed, and without the ability to trust anyone. When Josh is released from the state system at age 18, he is determined to find a job but doesn't find that an easy task and is forced to sleep wherever he can find a dry place and living off very little food to eat. However, in his search for a job, he meets Anna and Mike who show him the love he thought couldn't exist. Anna and Mike display the traits Trent explains in The Blessing, giving the reader concrete examples of how to apply the principles to your own life. A Place Called Blessing also includes questions for thought and discussion, several questions on each chapter and a special message from Mr. Trent. Trent seems to have had a similar experience as Josh growing up.
I started this book at bedtime and I couldn't put it down. Rarely do I read a book in one day but this is one that grabbed my attention. I couldn't wait to see if Josh would allow Anna, Mike, and God to change his life. While the story is somewhat predictable, I was taken quite by surprise toward the end. Whether for pleasure, as a book club book, or as a follow-up to The Blessing, I would highly recommend this book which is available on Amazon.com, christianbook.com, or your local Christian bookstore.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Giving the blessing of unconditional love and acceptance
As Jacob was blessed by Abraham, so we all yearn to receive the blessing of our parents. It is also natural for us to want to "pass on to our children more than we received. This book can put into words what you missed as a child as well as provide practical, hands-on ways of communicating unconditional love and acceptance to your children and loved ones." (p. 5) Please don't get me wrong. I had a wonderful childhood and felt the love of my parents. However, part of human nature is doubting our true worth and competing with siblings, if there are any. If possible, I want to eradicate any possibility of my children's doubts they they are loved and truly treasured by their parents, regardless of what choices they make in life. The world tells us otherwise. This book equipped me with five specific tools to counteract what the world is telling my children. If I have made the book seem as if it is only written for parents to use with their children, I need to clarify. While that is the focus of the writing, these principles enrich and bring healing in all intimate relationships such as friendships, parents, or your spouse. We all, whether adult or child, want to know we are treasured by someone. The Blessing will tell you how to accomplish that through five different venues: meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value to the individual, dreaming with and believing in him or her about a very special future God has for him/her, and a commitment to bestowing the blessing. Using Biblical truths and stories of Jesus' life on earth, Trent paints us a vivid picture of the changed lives that are a result of such a blessing.
Why should we bless our children and others? As Mr.Trent explains, it allows them to develop intimate relationships when they are older and it "lays the foundation" for a genuine and fulfilling relationship with God that can survive the rocky teen years". We need others, but especially our children, to feel that unconditional acceptance with us, as parents, rather than seeking "counterfeit blessings" in the world through money, drugs, poor choices in friends, cults, or even success. If you missed that blessing in your life from parents or grandparents of other significant adults, the book also contains helpful information in overcoming that hurt and not allowing it to define who you are or passing the same lack of blessing on to your own family.
How I wish space allowed me to explain deeper each of the five components of the blessing. This book is a must read for all parents but I highly recommend it to anyone who works with children be they Sunday school teachers or public school teachers or counselors. I also feel this book would be helpful to those who may have had a rocky childhood and may find it difficult to be loved or to love unconditionally.
The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley is a reprint. It has been updated by Trent with ideas and questions that pause you to think about how to apply what you have read as well as rich Internet resources. The Blessing is available on amazon.com, christianbook.com or your local Christian bookstore.
Why should we bless our children and others? As Mr.Trent explains, it allows them to develop intimate relationships when they are older and it "lays the foundation" for a genuine and fulfilling relationship with God that can survive the rocky teen years". We need others, but especially our children, to feel that unconditional acceptance with us, as parents, rather than seeking "counterfeit blessings" in the world through money, drugs, poor choices in friends, cults, or even success. If you missed that blessing in your life from parents or grandparents of other significant adults, the book also contains helpful information in overcoming that hurt and not allowing it to define who you are or passing the same lack of blessing on to your own family.
How I wish space allowed me to explain deeper each of the five components of the blessing. This book is a must read for all parents but I highly recommend it to anyone who works with children be they Sunday school teachers or public school teachers or counselors. I also feel this book would be helpful to those who may have had a rocky childhood and may find it difficult to be loved or to love unconditionally.
The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley is a reprint. It has been updated by Trent with ideas and questions that pause you to think about how to apply what you have read as well as rich Internet resources. The Blessing is available on amazon.com, christianbook.com or your local Christian bookstore.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Do you want to be happy? Enemies of the Heart: dealing with greed, anger, guilt, and jealousy even if you choose to refuse it exists
How many times has something slipped out of your mouth that you couldn't believe you said or did something that was totally "uncharacteristic" of you? For me, it is far too often. I may have thought it, but did it need to be said? Luke 6:45 says that ........for his mouth speaks from that which fills the heart. So, is my mouth the problem or is my heart the problem? I think you can see from the scripture that it is my heart. Was I born this way? No. I could pretend that everything is okay, as most of us do, but eventually the "real" me (who I am inside) will surface. Every thought, deed, and word that comes from me originates in the heart. Doesn't that mean that I should take the time to make certain my heart is as it should be? Originally published in 2006 as It Came From Within, Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley caused me to examine my heart to determine its health (not in the physical sense but in the spiritual sense).
Things may have happened to us in the past that may give us every right to be anger, jealous.....But do you want to stay that way? How long are we/you going to allow those events to have power over you and control who you are? Even if you don't see any of these four enemies of the heart glaring in your life, this book will allow you to see bits and pieces of them in yourself, making your heart less than what God would have it to be. If you have a weak physical heart, you immediately see a doctor to see what needs to be done. Allow Andy to be the "doctor" of your spiritual heart and he will point you to the path of healing, whether you need an "immediate transplant" or just a bit of exercise.
However, once you see those bits of "poison" in your own life, there is hope. Andy doesn't leave you there. Change won't happen overnight. It took you/me years to get where we are. The last two thirds of the book is devoted to confronting those undesirable traits and overcoming their power in your life.
Andy writes just like he preaches: straight up, to the point, encouraging, confronting in love, in everday language. Even though I have listened to a number of his sermons both in person and via the Internet, this is the first of his books I have read. It won't be the last. Andy doesn't dance around the Truth and his illustrations are pointed and personal. He is able to grab the reader's attention and keep it from the beginning paragraph to the end of the book. I"m typically not a non-fiction reader but I very much enjoyed reading this book. Did it sting a bit? Of course! But who wants to become stagnant and not grow in their faith and become all God wants you to be? Any change and growth is uncomfortable a bit but definitely worth it.
Enemies of the Heart is availabe June 21, 2011 from Amazon.com, christianbook.com and your local Christian bookstore.
Things may have happened to us in the past that may give us every right to be anger, jealous.....But do you want to stay that way? How long are we/you going to allow those events to have power over you and control who you are? Even if you don't see any of these four enemies of the heart glaring in your life, this book will allow you to see bits and pieces of them in yourself, making your heart less than what God would have it to be. If you have a weak physical heart, you immediately see a doctor to see what needs to be done. Allow Andy to be the "doctor" of your spiritual heart and he will point you to the path of healing, whether you need an "immediate transplant" or just a bit of exercise.
However, once you see those bits of "poison" in your own life, there is hope. Andy doesn't leave you there. Change won't happen overnight. It took you/me years to get where we are. The last two thirds of the book is devoted to confronting those undesirable traits and overcoming their power in your life.
Andy writes just like he preaches: straight up, to the point, encouraging, confronting in love, in everday language. Even though I have listened to a number of his sermons both in person and via the Internet, this is the first of his books I have read. It won't be the last. Andy doesn't dance around the Truth and his illustrations are pointed and personal. He is able to grab the reader's attention and keep it from the beginning paragraph to the end of the book. I"m typically not a non-fiction reader but I very much enjoyed reading this book. Did it sting a bit? Of course! But who wants to become stagnant and not grow in their faith and become all God wants you to be? Any change and growth is uncomfortable a bit but definitely worth it.
Enemies of the Heart is availabe June 21, 2011 from Amazon.com, christianbook.com and your local Christian bookstore.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Daughter's Walk: a woman's suffrage story
Just before the turn on the 20th century, when woman's suffrage was at its infancy, Clara Estby must join her mother to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City in order to save her family's farm. Her father has recovered from diphrheria but he cannot find enough work to pay the mortgage. Clara's mother, Helga, agrees to make the walk, advertising the new reform dress for the sponsors which shows a woman's ankles, for the sum of $10,000. In leaving with her mother, Clara must resign her position at Stapleton home and will most likely not be able to find employment once she returns. Several poor decisions and illnesses prolong their arrival to NYC but the Estby women are not typicaly women of their day. Will they make it in time to save their family?
Returning to their home in Spokane, they find that tragedy has struck. Plans for the future hang in limbo and Clara must find work. Through her job as a secretary and her employers, Clara seeks to find a place of belonging and to fill the emptiness in her heart.
Based on a true story, The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick tells the story of an independent woman paving the way for women today and her time away from her family after she is told some of the family "secrets". The end of each chapter leaves the reader wondering what is going to happen to Clara next. I literally flew through the almost four hundred pages. I grieved with her mother and felt like I was right there with Clara every step of the way. The author does an excellent job breathing life into the historical characters and making the history come to life during a time of American history I know very little about. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. However, don't expect a story that is filled with examples of the family's faith in God. You won't find it. God is mentioned in the book but almost as a brief afterthought which was somewhat of a disappointment.
This book is available on Amazon.com and christianbooks.com.
Returning to their home in Spokane, they find that tragedy has struck. Plans for the future hang in limbo and Clara must find work. Through her job as a secretary and her employers, Clara seeks to find a place of belonging and to fill the emptiness in her heart.
Based on a true story, The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick tells the story of an independent woman paving the way for women today and her time away from her family after she is told some of the family "secrets". The end of each chapter leaves the reader wondering what is going to happen to Clara next. I literally flew through the almost four hundred pages. I grieved with her mother and felt like I was right there with Clara every step of the way. The author does an excellent job breathing life into the historical characters and making the history come to life during a time of American history I know very little about. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. However, don't expect a story that is filled with examples of the family's faith in God. You won't find it. God is mentioned in the book but almost as a brief afterthought which was somewhat of a disappointment.
This book is available on Amazon.com and christianbooks.com.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Beyond All Measure
Shortly after the Civil War has ended, Ada is penniless and all alone. Her mother died years ago of consumption and her father has recently passed away, leaving Ada with no home, no prospect of marriage, and nothing to live on. Ada boards a train in her home of Boston and travels to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee to become a companion to Lillian Caldwell. The only skill Ada brings with her is her ability to make hats like her mother did. Ada is determined to open her own business as a milliner in order to have the funds to return to what is familiar to her and live a life that does not included playing the part of a servant.
However, Ada didn't consider that she might actually care for Lillian nor did she dream she might meet someone who could change her plans. Wyatt Caldwell, Lillian's nephew, is probably the best looking man Ada has ever seen. What man would put his dreams on hold to come to Tennessee to make sure his aging aunt was well taken care of? However, Ada has been betrayed so many times that it is difficult for her to trust. Can Ada let go of her past and learn to trust both God and Wyatt?
The author, Dorothy Love, attempts to weave the story of two people who carry pain from their past--Ada's from her father and ex-fiance, Wyatt's from the Civil War. However, I do not feel that the character's struggles are well developed enough to allow the reader to truly empathize with either. Most of the book is a nice easy-going story about the relationship between Ada and Lillian and Ada and Wyatt. Scattered throughout the story are peeks of the conflict between Ada and her father and her perceived "ruining" of her life. It was a good story but not one that I would want to pick up again. Most of it was quite predictable leading the reader with little reason to read past bedtime which is what I would have liked to have seen. Although written as part of a series, this book easily stands alone.
Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love is available on Christianbooks.com and on Amazon.com.
However, Ada didn't consider that she might actually care for Lillian nor did she dream she might meet someone who could change her plans. Wyatt Caldwell, Lillian's nephew, is probably the best looking man Ada has ever seen. What man would put his dreams on hold to come to Tennessee to make sure his aging aunt was well taken care of? However, Ada has been betrayed so many times that it is difficult for her to trust. Can Ada let go of her past and learn to trust both God and Wyatt?
The author, Dorothy Love, attempts to weave the story of two people who carry pain from their past--Ada's from her father and ex-fiance, Wyatt's from the Civil War. However, I do not feel that the character's struggles are well developed enough to allow the reader to truly empathize with either. Most of the book is a nice easy-going story about the relationship between Ada and Lillian and Ada and Wyatt. Scattered throughout the story are peeks of the conflict between Ada and her father and her perceived "ruining" of her life. It was a good story but not one that I would want to pick up again. Most of it was quite predictable leading the reader with little reason to read past bedtime which is what I would have liked to have seen. Although written as part of a series, this book easily stands alone.
Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love is available on Christianbooks.com and on Amazon.com.
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