Author: Amanda Tero

Music has always been a part of Amanda Tero’s life–from her mom singing Steve Green specials to her dad honking out the rhythm of “Jingle Bells” in the driveway. She began teaching in 2007 and fell in love with sharing music. Amanda started arranging hymns for herself in her teens, with fast and furious advanced hymn settings. Then, as her students began requesting hymns at their levels, she branched out to hymn arranging for pedagogical reasons. Because of Amanda’s interest in various genres, in her shop, you will find hymn arrangements of various levels embracing classical elements, light jazz style, Southern Gospel flair, and more.

Hymns of the West – novella cover reveal (and giveaway!)

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments
Once again, Faith Blum has come out with new books! This time, several novellas! I am excited to be part of her cover reveal! To learn how these novellas came into being, check out Faith’s blog post today. Read on to see the covers and learn about each of the stories. Don’t forget to enter to win the novel that started it all!
I Love Thee
Mom and Dad dead STOP Please come STOP Gage
Confirmed bachelor, Cole Baxter, finds himself raising his sister’s four young children. After one week of leaving his ranch in the hands of his foreman to take care of the grieving, needy children, he has to admit the task is beyond him and he needs help. But hired help won’t suffice: those children need a mother’s hand. Cole needs a wife.
Approximately 18,000 words.

Preorder link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y6PDI9A
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25603566-i-love-thee

Pass Me Not 
Let me at Thy throne of mercy/Find a sweet relief/Kneeling there in deep contrition/Help my unbelief
Timothy is at his wit’s end. His twelve year old half-sister has run off five housekeepers in almost a year. Since their parents died, she has grown wilder than ever. What can he do? As he looks for a new housekeeper, his eye catches sight of a mail order bride advertisement. One young lady has a younger sister and sounds like a God-fearing woman. Could this be the answer to his dilemma or will Louise run her off, too?
Approximately 15,300 words

Redeemed
Mail Order bride seeks wealthy Western man. Write Mona Sommers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Alexander Granger is tired of his father’s lectures and sermons. It’s time for payback. His plan is to pretend to marry a woman and scandalize his father when he finds out they aren’t really married. Will Mona accept his offer? Can Alex get away with his plan?
Approximately 11,600 words.

About the Author
An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?).
As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have.
You can find Faith on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter
Other Bloggers in the Cover Reveal

Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
Jaye L. Knight
The Antrim Cycle
God’s Peculiar Treasure Raechel
Wildflower Acres
Shanna Hatfield
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima
Read, Write, Laugh, Dance
Zerina Blossom
Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
Valerie Howard Books
Rebekah Lyn Books
Shannon Pemrick

Giveaway
The giveaway is for a signed paperback of the book that started it all, Amazing Grace. If it hadn’t been for this novel, none of the novellas would be in existence today.

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And, you can enter her Goodreads giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/138976-amazing-grace

Word Wednesday #57

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
“Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.” Zephaniah 3:1-2
Obedience – “Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.” Psalm 119:4
Correction – “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:6
Trusting – “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:4
Drawing – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8

These are not simple suggestions for us to decide whether or not to keep them. They are commandments – and it is our choice whether or not we will obey.

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!

 
 

Undeniable

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
It is so neat when the Lord clarifies something that you’ve learned through His Word. As I was recently reading through the Gospels, I began to notice when Jesus spoke:
“…I adjure thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said…” (Matthew 26:63-64)
“…Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.” (Matthew 27:11)
“Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am:” (Mark 14:61-62)
“And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.” (Mark 15:2)
“Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:…Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.” (Luke 22:67-60)
“Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.” (Luke 23:3)
In all of these instances, Jesus answered when directly asked His Deity.
Just a day or two later, during Wednesday night service, our pastor studied this verse with us: “If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13) Putting the two-and-two together was so neat!
So, what has the Lord recently shown you through His Word?

Psalm 119:25-28

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(25)  My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
This verse makes me think of Job in his trials. When our soul “cleaves to the dust,” where do we turn? “Quicken” gives the idea of living and reviving. Do we turn to God’s Word to lift us up? to give us new meaning to our life? As Hebrews 4:12 explains, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s Word is alive and it has the power to make us alive and revived again.
(26)  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
It is not wrong to tell our ways to the Lord. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” God knows all of our ways anyway, and He is able to direct our steps. If our ways are not in line with His ways, He is able to lead us to be in line – to teach us His statutes.
(27)  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
This verse seems to correlate with two previous verses: “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:12), “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalm 119:18) God is willing, ready to teach us His ways. But are we ready to receive it? Are we willing to understand the way of His precepts? To the heart that is willing to learn, God is more than willing to teach.
The more we learn God’s ways, the more we should be talking of His wondrous works.
(28)  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Similar to verse 25 (“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”), we must recognize that God’s Word is able to strengthen. There will be days when our soul “cleaves to the dust” or “melts for heaviness.” As believers, we are not exempt from these days. But do we use these days to strengthen our reliance on Jesus Christ and His Word?

"Coffee Cake Days" – bonus giveaway!

Published on by Amanda Tero9 Comments
Who doesn’t like a good cup of coffee? And I mean a GOOD cup of coffee. Sorry, but my Louisiana birth might have a little sway to my opinion…If you’ve not tried Community Coffee and you like coffee, you really want to try it! You know you do!
Oh, that’s just part of the giveaway, though. I guess I should highlight “Coffee Cake Days” – this time, as a print copy (to enter a giveaway for an ecopy, go here).
And then, there is a really cute, old-fashioned mug to top it off. Everything to give you a good morning’s break.
And now, the giveaway: enter away!
(P.S. It’s not too late to be a part of the FB party. Actually, we’re only half-way through at the time of this post. Request an invite here)
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Excerpt:
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.” She looked up and quoted it five times then looked back down and read it again. “And walk in—”
The door burst open and Crystal’s bare feet pattered against the wood floor. “I done with school! Read to me!”
 “I’m busy.” Meg clamped her hands over her ears and stared at the words. Crystal climbed onto the bed below and reached up to the top bunk. “Get down before you fall,” Meg commanded, peering over the bed. She kept a steady stare with Crystal until the latter backed away from the bed and left the room. With a sigh, Meg turned back to her Bible. “And walk in love—”
“Read to me!” Crystal was back in the room, this time with a book in her hands.
“Okay, okay!” Meg flipped her legs over the edge of the bed and jumped to the ground. She let Crystal trail behind her as she hurried to the living room and sat on the couch.

Coffee Cake Days – release and GIVEAWAY!

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
The time has finally come! “Coffee Cake Days” is now up for sale. This time, you can buy it for your Kindle, your Nook, your computer (PDF), OR you can buy a print copy!! Go HERE for more details or email me at amandaterobooks(at)gmail(dot)com.
But I know you probably didn’t stop by for all of that. In celebration of the release of “Coffee Cake Days” I’m giving away an ebook (your choice: PDF, Kindle, Nook).
Adding to the celebration, we’re having a FaceBook party. If you’re on FaceBook, hop over to my fan page (www.facebook.com/amandaterobooks) and request an invite to the party. It is from 7:30-8:30 tonight (Central Time) but will continue until Saturday or Monday…whenever I decide to take it down. So if you can’t make it tonight, still hop on over. There will be more giveaways there. 🙂
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A bonus giveaway of “Coffee Cake Days” (coffee mug, and Community coffee to boot!) HERE.

Recital 2015

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Has it been two years since my last big spring recital? So many memories flashed through my mind this week as I prepared for my first recital after relocating. I am so very, very thankful that the Lord allowed me to pick up teaching again after moving! While I miss my 30+ students in Louisiana, God has given me such a wonderful, gifted group of students here — it is a joy to work with them! I am so looking forward to where the Lord will lead each of them in their musical talent.

One of my highlights this recital was that each student played at least one piece that they arranged themselves! Of course, I love arranging hymns, but to pass that love onto my students is surreal! They did a fantastic job!

With a music recital, there must be a little more musical flair, right? I did a little more decorating this time than usual (big thank-you to my sisters and others who helped — I’m not a natural decorator!).
My sister, Elizabeth, spent hours on our cake. I didn’t get to see it until after recital and, like every recital, was so happy with it. 🙂

My younger sister and aspiring artist decorated the chalk board (I should’ve gotten a close-up but was snapping pictures quickly).

And then musical centerpieces. Simple. But cute.

And everyone’s favorite — paper chains! I remember spending hours as a kid making paper chains from colorful construction paper. Little did I know that technique would be cute as a recital decoration later!

Special thanks to several sisters for snapping pictures for me during recital!

What have you been up to this week?

~*~*~
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Psalm 100:1-2

Word Wednesday #56

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
“Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed;…” Habakkuk 3:13

What a beautiful picture of our God, of Jesus Christ! Valiantly coming as Savior. Redeemer.

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!

 
 

Psalm 119:21-24

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Psalm 119:21-24
(21)  Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Those who err (stray, mistake, transgress) from God’s Word are not left unpunished. This standard was given at the very beginning of the law. We see the choice to follow God’s law given to Adam, but he chose to err. Again and again, we see examples in Scripture, warning us to follow God’s laws.  “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:” (Deuteronomy 28:15)
For the new testament believer, we are not exempt. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) As believers, we are still responsible to keep God’s Word: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
(22)  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
When we keep God’s testimonies, He will not hold us in reproach of contempt.
There are blessings for all who will keep God’s Words and His testimonies:
“Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side Jordan.” (Joshua 22:3-4)
“I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.” (2 Samuel 22:24-25)
“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” (Psalm 17:4-5)
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10)
According to these verses, the benefits to keeping God’s laws are:
– God’s promises fulfilled
– God cleansing us and seeing us as righteous and clean
– God holding our footsteps
– Abiding in God’s love
If we do our part, God will do more than His part back to us. With these promises, why do we hesitate to keep God’s commandments?
(23)  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
In difficult outward circumstances (accusation, murmuring against, etc.) how do we respond? Do we let ourselves get crushed by the enemy’s attacks? or do we meditate in God’s Words? What comfort do we find in God’s Word? Can we bring it to our mind to meditate on it at any time? How important it is to hide God’s Words in our heart so that we can meditate on it.
(24)  Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Going back to verse 20, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Do we long for and delight in God’s Words? Can we truly say that “This is my delight.”
Above that: who – or what – counsels us?
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

God has given us all the things we need for counsel in any decision. But we don’t gain it immediately because we’re Christians. As Psalm 119 has been reiterating, we must seek God and His Word and then apply it.