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The Secret Slipper — coming soon!

Published on by Amanda Tero1 Comment

This last week has been great! I mean, I was down almost every day sick BUT that gave me time to edit Slipper and work on formatting it. So…we have a release date!

 

That’s exactly one month from today! I’m so, so, so excited!!! This has been so very long overdue (in my opinion) and you all have been such a wonderful encouragement to me in the writing and editing process. I appreciate you all so very much!!
If you haven’t already, “The Secret Slipper” can be added to your Goodreads list (as an author, adding it to your to-read list, even if you’re not going to read it for a year is very helpful!).
And if you want the opportunity to READ “The Secret Slipper,” the sign-up for blog tour and review reading is up now. Sign up here! And if you have friends who like to blog or read, go ahead and send them there too. I’m so ready to share Lia’s journey with everyone!

Keep your eye open on Tuesdays at my personal blog. I’m bursting to share even more about Lia and Raoul with you all.

Scripture Graphics #36

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Reading Psalm 31 this morning blessed my heart. These are just a few of the beautiful verses — I encourage you to read the whole Psalm. “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: … For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. … But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: … Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:1, 3, 14-15a, 19
In our age of Christianity, have we become slothful in our luxuries? Bible lessons are spoon-fed to us — but do we study God’s Word for ourselves? We can access Scripture on almost any device when we need it — but do we memorize and hide it in our hearts? We live in freedom — but do we abuse it with living carelessly? Are these reasons why Christianity often appears little different from the world?
“And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation….I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people….And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.” Psalm 35:9, 18, 28
What begins in our heart will overflow into our speech. If we are not joyful in the Lord and praising Him in our hearts, how can we expect the overflow of our lips to be thanksgiving and praise? If we are not giving thanks and praise verbally, then let us search our hearts: are our hearts praising God?

What’s a verse you read this week?

Princess Prayers | FLF and Book Review

Published on by Amanda Tero9 Comments

Here I am, combining two things in one post again. 😉 But really, this is a great and cute book to feature for First Line Friday…

“Good morning, Lord, it’s time to rise.
The sun is shining bright.
I’ve got my day ahead of me.
Please help me do what’s right.”
(“Princess Prayers” by Crystal Bowman)

Amazon has a beautiful preview of the book here (oh, and you can buy it there too 😉 ).

Now, before I do my review, there are these other lovely participants of FLF… 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
Lauraine – Lauraine’s Notes
Andi – Radiant Light
Robin – Robin’s Nest
Kathleen – Kathleen Denly

My Review
What little girl doesn’t love princesses?
And what is sweeter than cuddling with your little princess (be it daughter or sister) with adorable poems?

“Princess Prayers” is part of The Princess Parables series (“I Can Read” books) and features artwork from the various other princess stories. The poems go from “My Morning Prayer” to daily life, to scary stuff (like storms), and ends with “My Nighttime Prayer.” Each of the poems are two stanzas long, have wonderful rhythmic flow, and truths that girls are able to apply to their everyday lives.

I loved reading through these poems/prayers with my youngest sister (and she loved them too). They are very easy to read and flow well (I have a hard time with some poetry just not flowing). I was also thrilled to realize the depth of these poems. Many Biblical truths are incorporated in the poems such as God never leaving, God loving us even though we sin, God taking away our fear. One poem reminds me closely of Psalm 139, where we can go nowhere from God’s presence. The poems are strengthened by having a Bible verse at the bottom of each poem (I prefer KJV and am not sure what translation these are in). 

*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers and was happy to provide my review in return*

Scripture Graphics #35

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“Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:8
I am doing a word study on seeking God and I found this verse interesting.
First, seeking God is not to be private (“I’m not going to tell them I have to pray about this; after all, they won‘t understand.”)

Secondly, when we seek God, are we seeking Him with the means He has provided (His Word)? I have heard of several Christians who claim they are seeking God and “feel closer to Him,” but they haven’t touched their Bibles in days or weeks. It is through His Word that God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). To be truly seeking God, we must also be seeking His Word.

This verse applies to a national level, but also a personal level. To receive the end result (forgiveness and healing), we must observe the entire process: be humble, pray, seek, turn. Often, we will do the first three motions, but refuse to change our ways…which then begs the question if we were *truly* humble.
“And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” Hebrews 1:10-12
This is a neat passage to meditate on…
– How can one have full faith in our unchanging, sustaining God, if one does not embrace Him as Creator?
– What a neat metaphor of the new heaven and new earth!

No matter what temptations (tests) we face today, our Lord is ready, willing, and able to succour (aid, relieve) us! If that doesn’t give an extra boost of encouragement for the day!
What verse has encouraged you this week?

God Loves Daddy and Me | FLF and Book Review

Published on by Amanda Tero12 Comments
Happy Friday!! Today the book I’m featuring for First Line Fridays is a book I received to review… and it’s another adorable one. 🙂 Last month, I had gotten God Loves Mommy and Me and when I saw this one by the same author, I couldn’t pass it up. 😉 These are sweet little books that would make the perfect gift for parents.
“God loves Daddy and me in lots of special ways. His love is with us when we go on big-adventure days.”
(God Loves Daddy and Me by Bonnie Rickner Jensen, Illustrated by Laura Watkins)
My review:
Another adorable children’s book by Bonnie Rickner Jensen and Laura Watkins. It is written very similarly to [book:God Loves Mommy and Me|30649482]–cute illustrations and a fun exploration of the many different times and ways in which God loves “Daddy and me,” using many traditional family play-times (like building forts, taking walks, doing chores). I really appreciate the concepts portrayed in this book about God hearing our prayers, forgiveness making love strong, and God’s ever-present, unconditional love. This is definitely a children’s book I endorse.
*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers and happily provided my review*
Your Turn!
Now, pick up a book nearest you and share a first line.
Do you have any children’s books you love to read?
~*~*~
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
Lauraine – Lauraine’s Notes
Andi – Radiant Light
Robin – Robin’s Nest
Kathleen – Kathleen Denly

The Solid Rock – now available digitally!

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
After a few years, I finally have The Solid Rock piano album available for digital download. It may take a week or so to be available on iTunes, but it’s already available from Amazon music and more! Or, you can buy directly from CD Baby.
A few days ago, I asked my FaceBook friends this question. I’m interested to hear your answer: do you listen to music primarily from a hard CD or digitally?

Scripture Graphics #34

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
This verse evokes deep gratitude. Jesus Christ suffered separation from God (Matt 27:45-46) so that we, as His children, will never be separated from God!
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Romans 12:12
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Recently, I have found myself to be more faithful to ask others to pray, than for me to pray myself. For example, I see a potential hard day and ask, “Please pray for me;” yet I have neglected to pray myself. While it is not wrong to share prayer requests, at times we need to check our own prayer life.

– Am I praying about all things? Or do I get wrapped up in the challenge of “solving this myself?”
– Am I being diligent to pray daily? Or do I pray only when trials come my way?
– Am I praying instead of worrying?
– Am I praying for others?
– Are my prayers infused with praise to God?
And the list can go on.

How grateful I am that my sanctification and assurance of God dwelling with us is no longer based on our faithfulness to fulfill a ritual! The whole of Hebrews 10 is a good parallel passage, but here’s one verse: “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb 10:14)
I read this after reading Exodus 32. The children of Israel, not content to wait for Moses to give them God’s Word, fell into gross sin. 

Does our steadfast faithfulness to God waver when there is silence? If we do not see Him work or hear direction from Him, do we turn to a “God-substitute” (today it is not graven images, but many things can steal our attention and affection)? Or are we faithful to wait, certain that His ways are best, even in the silence?

Where are you reading in your Bible this week?