Month: June 2017

Scripture Graphics #42

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

For Israel, what enemy could be harder to conquer than a nation under which they were slaves? God miraculously brought them out of the tyranny of Egypt, and He would bring them to victory over other nations. Now, paint that as a spiritual picture: what greater, more miraculous victory is there than Christ redeeming is from death and sin? And if He has done that which is impossible with men, how much more does He have power to do anything else?
There is nothing wrong with taking joy in what God has blessed us, in acknowledging the ways in which He has indeed blessed us.

“Perfect” (H8549–tamiym) – entire, also integrity, truth; without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerity, sound, without spot, undefiled, upright, whole.
In context, this verse comes immediately after warnings of witches, wizards, familiar spirits, etc. (vs. 10-11), which are abominations in God’s eyes (vs. 9, 12). If our desire is to be completely blameless before God, then why do we use these abominations as entertainment? We wouldn’t dare entertain ourselves with movies and books about sodomites or blatant adulterers, but there is more in Scripture displaying the abomination of witchcraft than sodomy. So why do we accept it more? Are we truly striving to live “perfect” in Christ?



“And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.” Deuteronomy 29:19-20
How do I respond to a warning from God’s Word? Do I see myself as “above” God’s correction, or do I fear Him and obey?

What is your favorite Old Testament book?

Books I Read – May 2017

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
It’s that time of month! That time when I look back and realize… wait I DID read more than I thought I did (seriously… it felt like I could never find reading time)!! This month felt very much like an un-reading month to me!!
My favorite read of the month…

I’ve known about Warren Wiersbe for years now, seeing as he’s my dad’s favorite author (and my dad is NOT a reader…so the fact that he likes to read this guy’s books…). I’ve been collecting Wiersbe’s books as they come up free for Kindle. This was one of them, and wow. It’s just very good. There are 65 chapters and they are all relatively short. It would make a very good daily devotional (I just read it over the span of a few Sundays). I have a few more things in my review here.
My Favorite Fiction
Okay, so I only read two fiction books this month…one of which was a collection of nine novellas (my first time to read one of these collections). And that collection would have to rate as my favorite for the month. 😉
I didn’t like all of the stories in this collection equally, but I DID leave a very thorough, story-by-story review on Goodreads.
Funniest Read of the month goes to a short story…

Which was not at all on my TBR pile. 😉 My sister’s boyfriend basically thrust it in my hand with, “You’ve got to read this. Tonight.” I obliged him and found myself rolling my eyes and giggling at the characters. It’s really a funny story, even though not Christian. More here.

Children’s Books!
Again, I found a couple of children’s books to read. They were both cute. Of course.

Review here.

Review here.

Other…
And then…during one of my brother’s college graduations, I wanted a quick read. Sure enough, I was able to read the entire novella there while waiting for my brother’s name to be called (seriously… “Tero” is FAR down on the list of last names…). It was a cute read, but you know me and romance. 😉 See my review here.

Going into June…
I doubt I’ll be able to read much in June with summer camps and everything, but I have a few review books lines up. Plus, I’m still tackling that 400+ page Sherman book (been making progress though!). 
Now for you…
Do you read more in the summer?
Have you read any of the books that I read in May?
What are you reading right now?
Have you ever read Warren Wiersbe?

First Line Fridays | 6.2.17

Published on by Amanda Tero11 Comments
Happy June!! To me, the very first weeks of June (not mid-June) seems like the official start of summer as I wrap up teaching, have my students’ music recitals, and then summer camps begin. Unfortunately, summer usually isn’t as much of a reading time for me as life tends to get busier. What about you? Do you read more or less in the summer?
My first line this week is from book one of a super sweet series that you absolutely must read: A Time of Grace trilogy by Alicia G. Ruggieri. I actually liked books two and three better than book one, so you just have to read all three. 😉 Here are my reviews of books one, two, and three.

“She tucked a piece of gold behind her ear, nervously twisting
the whisper-thin strands from the root to the tip.”
(The Fragrance of Geraniums by Alicia G. Ruggieri)
What is one of the sweetest books you’ve read?
And what’s a first line for this week?
~*~*~
Also, be sure to hop along to all of these other blogs and see what First Lines they have to share!
Please note that I may not fully endorse all of the books that these bloggers read or the content in these blogs.
Rachel – Bookworm Mama
Beth – Faithfully Bookish
Katie – Fiction Aficionado
Lauraine – Lauraine’s Notes
Andi – Radiant Light
Robin – Robin’s Nest
Kathleen – Kathleen Denly
Trisha – Joy of Reading
Jeanette – CJane Read

Paperbacks!!

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
My book order came in! 😀 There is something surreal about seeing a stack of your own books IN PRINT. Happy day. 🙂 
I have some unclaimed copies of “The Secret Slipper” (as of now) if anyone wants to put in an order for a copy. 😉 Sign-up form and prices here. But, if you’re like me, you might want to enter the giveaway and see if you win a copy first. 😉

Again, I’ll share a few more blogs that have featured “The Secret Slipper.”

Honey Rock Hills
“If I were to give my favorite aspect about Amanda Tero’s second literary addition to the “Tales of Faith” series, The Secret Slipper, it would be witnessing Raoul and his daughter, Lia, as they learn to trust the Lord and how that trust lead them to being reunited. In a natural, unforced manner Amanda weaves this theme into The Secret Slipper with a beautiful simplicity that will bless young and old alike.” Read more here…

A.M. Heath Blog
“The setting comes to life with authentic names. And among the rich setting was a timeless message about God turning the difficult things of life into blessings.” Read more here…

God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae
“I am normally a fan of sweet romances, yet even without a romantic interest, this story captured my interest and was a very sweet tale, showing the love of family.” Read more here…

Purposeful Learning
Interview!! Read here for my answers about how my family life plays into my writing and what I’m working on now.

Judith W. Nicholson
Another interview! Read here for fun stuff like my favorite food, the biggest lesson I’ve learned as a writer, my goals, and more.

Seriously… I would love it if you visited just one blog today and left them a comment! 🙂