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.

Biblically Speaking – These Seven Things: A Proud Look

Published on January 18, 2016 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Part 11 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?

These Seven Things

Proverbs 6:16-19 – These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

If ever there was a clear list given in God’s Word for abominations in His eyes, Proverbs 6:16-19 holds the key. It is distinct and unarguable. Above that, sadly, this list can be found in many believers’ lives.

– A Proud Look

“Proud – to be high actively, to rise or raise.”

Romans 12:3 – For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

I can testify first-hand that pride is probably the TOP of my struggles as a believer. The times when I think very highly of myself, raise up myself to be someone above who I am, not considering the grace of God Who has given me all things, and taking credit which only belongs to Christ.

Proverbs 16:5 – Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

THM Cookbook | Book Review

Published on January 16, 2016 by Amanda Tero3 Comments

I may or may not have gotten this book and looked through it (page by page) the same day in which I got it. As soon as I opened the book, I smiled. There are not many times that I call a book “beautiful” but I just loved flipping through the pages of the THM Cookbook and looking at the recipes! It was very well done!

The THM Cookbook greatly compliments the THM Plan. I suppose it can be used without knowing the THM plan, but it definitely makes way more sense knowing THM. And, I imagine that reading this will expand your interest in the THM Plan if you haven’t gotten that book.

The THM Cookbook starts off with a crash course to the THM lifestyle and the foods that help it roll. Most recipes have tips included in there. It seems very easy to follow with “S, E, and FP” symbols on each recipe–and on the index for each section. You can find the meal type you want at a glance. Plus, allergen friendly tweaks mentioned.

I’ve not had time to make any of the recipes yet (obviously), but I’m looking forward to trying many of them–including the Chocolate Waffles with Strawberries.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review*

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Word Wednesday #89

Published on January 13, 2016 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

In my darkest days, where am I looking?

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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!

Biblically Speaking – Frowardness

Published on January 11, 2016 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Part 10 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.

Recap:

Frowardness

Proverbs 3:32 – For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

Proverbs 11:20 – They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

The Hebrew words for these two references of “froward” are different but give a similar thought: the first is “to depart, be perverse,” the second is “distorted, hence false.” While both of these could easily be applied to the lifestyle of sodomites, what other lifestyles could be defined as departing from truth, being perverse or distorted? Adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, hating, killing, pride…and the list continues. All of these are ways that depart from the lifestyle the Lord Jesus Christ would have us to live (“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23).

The Whole Coconut Cookbook | Book Review

Published on January 8, 2016 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

The Whole Coconut Cookbook by Nathalie Fraise

The Whole Coconut cookbook definitely has so much about coconuts crammed into one small book! Beyond just having recipes, I learned a lot about coconuts and the different parts and uses of it. The very first part of the cookbook was my favorite, as Frasie explained how to process the different parts of the coconut yourself instead of buying it all.

I enjoyed reading through the cookbook–it seemed very easy to follow and was full of useful tips. The photographs were also lovely.

As I suspected for a healthier cookbook, there were many ingredients that I didn’t have on hand, or I would have tried a recipe. Though we have things like chia seeds and chickpeas, we do not have agar agar, nori, kombu, etc. That might be something helpful for a prospective buyer to know.

Overall, the recipes in this book were not extremely “everyday” (such as Spicy Coconut Ceviche and Coconut, Ginger, and Cilantro Mussels) but many of them did look delicious and fun to try!

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.*

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Word Wednesday #88

Published on January 6, 2016 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

Jonah 1:12

A reminder that our actions and choices affect others–and that others very well may suffer for our decisions. However…God could turn around the effects of our choices to where He is glorified: “Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.” Jonah 1:16

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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!

Why I Don’t Write Thank-You Notes

Published on January 5, 2016 by Amanda Tero2 Comments

Before you gasp in horror, I do write thank you notes. However, as I was jotting down over a dozen notes last night, I was reflecting on the reasons I do and do not write them.

I do NOT write thank you notes…

– to flatter the giver

“Oh my goodness! You are too sweet! There is no one as kind as you! How did you know to get the perfect gift? You’re amazing!” — so, nothing is wrong with these terms, but the reason I write thank-you notes is not to showcase some flattery.

– to put the giver’s mind at ease that their gift was accepted

“I love, love, love, looooooooooove the gift you gave me!” Again, this could be true, but the main reason for writing thank-you notes shouldn’t be so that the giver knows we accepted their gift or make them feel that what they did put them in good standing with us.

– to make the giver feel good about themselves

This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the flattery. As I will put later, I like to write thank-you notes to encourage others, not just give them a pat on their back.

– because I have to

Yes, we sometimes get those gifts that make us force a smile (no, I didn’t get any of those gifts this year). And those “I’m-not-gonna-say-it’s-horrible” gifts need to be appreciated somehow. As I will expound on later, it’s not always the gift I’m thankful for, but the giver and their thoughtfulness.

– so that I can earn “brownie points” with that person and hopefully get more gifts in the future

Never, ever let this be our motivation for writing thank-you notes! If it is, then perhaps you need to do a little heart-check.

I DO write thank you notes…

– because I truly appreciate the giver and the gift

Honestly, I don’t deserve any gifts. So anything that I get is indeed above and beyond what I should get. Added to that, I’ve got some pretty amazing friends and family who have showered me with wonderfully thoughtful gifts. I can truthfully say that I do appreciate the gifts I’ve received this past season, and above that, I appreciate the relationship that these gifts signify with me and the giver.

– it gives me an opportunity to express my gratitude towards the person

I tend to write very untypical thank-you notes in that I use this time to tell the recipient how much I appreciate them and not just the gift they gave. After all, their gift is usually a reflection of their thoughtfulness.

– it gives me an opportunity to encourage the gift-giver

Let’s face it: there is something encouraging about getting a thank-you note. No, we shouldn’t give expecting gratitude, but some people do need a little encouragement. For example, my six-year-old sister was very excited that she found M&Ms for my Christmas gift because she knows it’s my favorite candy. Giving her a little thank-you note encourages her to continue giving thoughtful gifts–like Paul said in Philippians 4, not so that I can benefit from it, but that shecan get the blessing from giving (“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17). Often, we write thank you notes to “older people” who understand our gratitude. But why not the little ones who are just learning the blessings of giving? Let’s use this time to encourage the heart of giving!

Have you written thank you notes this year yet?

What are some reasons you do not or do write them?

Here are some thank-you cards that I designed specifically for my need last night. And, since I designed them, why not make them available to others? Now at TruthPics on Etsy.

View on Etsy

Biblically Speaking –

Published on January 4, 2016 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Part 9 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.

Recap:

Molten Images

Deuteronomy 27:15 – Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Not only is making a graven/molten image for worship abominable in God’s eyes, He has even placed a curse upon all who do such.

Happy New Year!

Published on January 1, 2016 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Wow…2015 flew by SO quickly and it was packed with so many amazing adventures! I look back on a long–and in some ways, tough–year and am so grateful for everything the Lord allowed me to do, and all of the lessons He has been patiently teaching me.

I didn’t get around to designing the graphics I wanted to for today, but a few days ago, these verses really encouraged me. As we look into a new, unknown year, may we strive to continually press forward and seek the Lord in all that we do!

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

Word Wednesday #87

Published on December 30, 2015 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!