Month: December 2015

Word Wednesday #87

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.  Amos 7:15
God called Amos from where he was.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 
1 Corinthians 1:26-27
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Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog! Did you post on your blog? I’d love to see — share your link in a comment!

 
 

Until the Dawn | Book Review

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
A mysterious old mansion. The family who returned to claim it. And the girl who refused to be kicked out of her haven.
I was swept into Sophie’s tale immediately. She was a sweet and kind heroine (perhaps a little too perfect). Her part in Dierenpark was believable and unforced. It seemed natural the reasons she was allowed to stay. And then there’s Quentin. He was a very interesting character whose progression from cynical to kind seemed fluent. From an analytic standpoint, his character was my favorite, being the most mysterious and complex yet well developed. Oh and Peiter. The story would be much less without him!
The plot was super intriguing. My mind was spinning as the story of the Vandermarks took so many twists and turns. I honestly couldn’t guess what would happen in the end, as far as the family history went (the lives of the people in the “current” story–that was a little more predictable). Reading the book was like watching a mystery unfold satisfactorily. As far as writing quality, the author’s ability to snag my interest, and flow of the story, I give a definite 5 stars.
There were a few things that bumped this book down to a personal rating of 3.5 stars:
-The dialogue did not seem accurate to the time frame. As I was reading the story, I had to remind myself that this was the 17th century because it just didn’t “feel” that era.
-The spiritual plot seemed weak. The salvation message was not very clear (though it did show a person turning to follow God, it was more of a groping towards). Though Sophie was all sweetness and kindness, I would have personally preferred if it was mentioned that the only way one could be sweet and kind is because of Jesus Christ. Instead, there was more of a Pollyanna type emphasis on “everyone has some good in them.” It is commendable that she takes council of her pastor, but I’m afraid that kissing and developing an emotional attachment to a man who is still see-sawing on atheism is a little shallow. And one character used the Lord’s Name in a way that I would consider vain (he used it in an exclamation of surprise).
There were a few quotes I liked, but I didn’t take the time to jot them all down. Here is one though:

“I don’t think God dwells on when we fall down. I’d like to think he is more interested in helping us get back up again.”

*NetGalley provided me a copy to review with my personal opinions*

Biblically Speaking — All Unrighteousness

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Part 8 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.
Recap:
Many believers have fallen into accepting that which is abomination in the sight of God. Unless we study God’s Word to learn His Mind on what is abominable, how will we know to purge ourselves from abomination? Lord willing, I will be posting the fruits of my study on the word “abomination,” but feel free to leap ahead of me and study it for yourself. What is an abomination to God?


All Unrighteousness
Deuteronomy 25:16 – For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Here it is summed up: ALLwho do unrighteously are abomination to God. How then, can man be made right before God? Praise the Lord for Jesus Christ, Who, through His blood, cleanses what is abomination before God, purifies the heart, and places His righteousness upon us!

Word Wednesday #86

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.  Hosea 10:13
Read backwards: “because didst trust in thy way, ye have plowed wickedness, reaped iniquity, eaten the fruit of lies.” It is rooted in trusting in our own way–not God’s way.
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Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog! Did you post on your blog? I’d love to see — share your link in a comment!

 
 

Merry Christmas — free on Amazon!

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

I’m having another eBook for free on Kindle! Fitting the season, “Noelle’s Gift” is a Christmas story–short and sweet, about a little girl who desires to give her mom a special gift for Christmas. Why does her mom need happiness? Well, I guess you’ll have to read the story and find out.

Grab a copy for yourself and be sure to tell a friend about it!

Biblically Speaking – Diverse Weights

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Part 7 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.
Recap:
Many believers have fallen into accepting that which is abomination in the sight of God. Unless we study God’s Word to learn His Mind on what is abominable, how will we know to purge ourselves from abomination? Lord willing, I will be posting the fruits of my study on the word “abomination,” but feel free to leap ahead of me and study it for yourself. What is an abomination to God?

Divers Weights
Deuteronomy 25:13-16 – Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.
Proverbs 11:1 – A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
Proverbs 20:10 – Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.
Proverbs 20:23 – Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
When dividing money, grains, or other materials, a system of balances and weights were used. To have a scale calibrated lighter or heavier than “true” would give the seller unjust gain and profit. God, being the God of order, does not smile at the unjust gain of one. Rather, He lists it in what He finds utterly distasteful.

Today we might find it difficult to identify with this issue unless we think hard. I personally find it applicable in issues such as owing money–do I owe $10.10 to a sibling and try to round it down to $10 without their knowledge? Do I divide the restaurant bill so that I pay less than the others with whom I’m splitting? Am I honest in my tax returns? Those are a few areas that come to mind that parallel with the thought of false balances. What are your thoughts?

Orphan Journeys

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
Imagine yourself as an orphan, struggling for survival in dirty New York streets, where disease and crime run rampant. Journey from these wretched streets to a temporary lodging in an overcrowded orphanage and then to the train station. After riding the train for hours, picture yourself lining up with other children, waiting as adults look you over. Would they choose you–or would you have to hold onto the hope that maybe, at the next station, someone would want to bring you home?

Charles Loring Brace had a vision for New York orphans that brought them through the journey from streets to homes. He began his orphan work in 1853, then in 1854, because of lack of orphanage space, Brace sent the first orphan train to Dowagiac, Michigan, where the children could be sheltered by local families. The orphan train continued until 1929, bringing at least 150,000 children to new homes.
From the 1850s up through the 1920s, abandoned or homeless children in New York City were uprooted and put on trains that took them to rural communities. Here several children are lined up with the hopes that someone will take them to a new home.
Pictures via my Pinterest Board

Brace desired to place children in good, Protestant homes but this did not always happen. Siblings were often separated and some couples would take orphans for cheap labor. Though many orphan train riders ended up as successful men and women, not all of them turned out to be trustworthy citizens.
Such is the preface of Orphan Journeys, a fictional novella series based off of the American Orphan Train saga, following orphans not only as they adjust to a new life, but also as they travel a spiritual journey. The first installment of this series, Journey to Love (which you may remember a little from here and here), is on its last leg of the journey and should be open to the public in winter 2016. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I submerge into editing. I have some pretty amazing beta readers who are not only encouraging, but also aren’t afraid to be bold in their critique. Keep your eye out–I might give you more of a peek into Marie’s life in the next few weeks.
Children's Aid Society placement card
Have you heard of the orphan train before? 
What projects are you working on this winter?

The Daughters of Jim Farrell | Book Review

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DaughtersFrontCoverFinal“How do I know I can trust you?”
Joshua Adams glanced at his razor case. “I think the better question is, how do I know that I can trust you?”

Living in the shadow of her father’s assumed shame, Kate hires a detective from Pinkerton to clear the murder of which her father was accused. She has persuade her sisters to agree, but as Mr. Adams searches and digs up information around town, will it tear the family apart? Above that, will each of the girls be able to solve their own, very different struggles?

Let’s just say that in less than a week, this book was read by myself, one of my sisters, and my mom, and we all loved it. Ms. Bambola chose a very unique setting and researched it well. I could easily see how things ran in the coal mines and the prejudices of the richer society. In a way, it made me think of Elizabeth Gaskell’s “North and South.” I personally liked how Ms. Bambola portrayed the girls learning how all people are on the same level in God’s eyes, though they may be on different levels socially.

I also enjoyed the very different (and likeable) personalities of Kate, Virginia, and Charlotte. I was interested in each of them and the choices they would make. This book definitely mentions God and seeking Him, but I didn’t find the message quite as strong as I would prefer. However, it is a very clean book.

Younger readers might want to know: there are mentions of prostitutes, but nothing is gone into detail. There are several kisses in the book and characters fall in love; I found it more mentioned than detailed, emotions and feelings were not the foundation of the story.

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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