Tag: Inspirational

Did I do this Surrender Thing Right?

Published on by Amanda Tero1 Comment
I’ve heard the stories all growing up, and I just heard one again: a girl graduated, longed to get married, struggled with her singleness, and nothing happened. She gave it over to the Lord, and almost instantly, there was a guy for her and they became engaged.
I believe the stories, I do. But there is a small part of me that says, “But God, didn’t I surrender the whole marriage thing before, and nothing happened?” And it makes me doubt the sincerity of my own walk with God. Maybe I didn’t really surrender. Maybe I was just going through the motions and didn’t really mean the words that bled in my heart.
Because when we hear glowing testimonies of these young girls who gave it all over to God and their dreams were answered, we (some who have been single for almost three decades) seem to have done something wrong while these young brides figured it out. I’ve surrendered the perceived need to have a boyfriend or be married dozens of times, and it has never resulted in God providing me a guy.
The bottom line is: that’s not how God works. What God does in one individual’s lives is not the pattern for what He will do in all people’s lives.
Just think of the love stories in the Bible. Rebekah and Isaac’s story was vastly different from Jacob and Rachel’s, which differed from Boaz and Ruth’s, which was different than David and Abigail’s (or David and Bathsheba’s—if we’re going to look at historical accuracy and not try to sanitize stories for our benefit).
Going beyond marriage, which two characters in the Bible lived the same life? Joseph followed God and it ended with him in a dungeon for years before he was second-in-command. Daniel followed God and he ended in the lions’ den. David followed God and it ended in kingship. Job followed God and it brought him through a time of great trial and temptation before he was restored that which he had lost. Paul followed God and he lived a life of persecution yet rich blessings from fellow believers (tossed in the midst of those who also abandoned him).
Following God will never be identical for two people’s lives.
2 Corinthians 10:12 exhorts us, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
To compare my path with another girl’s is to be foolish. To measure how I’m following God with how another person follows God is unwise. To hold up the “end results” of two people’s lives and realize they are different does not mean that one followed God right and the other did not. Because God has a greater purpose than what we can see with our eyes. He knows each and every heart and He knows each and every path. He knows what is best—and He also knows that what is best for one individual at one age is not what is best for another individual at another age.

My responsibility is to not look at the results and determine whether or not I followed God, because I don’t know what those results should actually be. My responsibility is to trust in God with all my heart, to lean not on my own understanding. My responsibility is to acknowledge God in all my ways—for then He directs my path. My responsibility is to not be wise in my own eyes, but to be sure that today I am fearing God and departing from evil. And when I am sure I’m doing my responsibility, I can trust God with all the results—because He’s promised to take care of His end of the deal.
If you’re the single who has truly and honestly surrendered to God’s will for her life, don’t be discouraged. God accepted that surrender and He is blessing you with the path of singleness—because He sees all your needs, not just your perceived need for a husband.
If you’re one of those girls who surrendered then God provided a husband, rejoice in how He has led you, but do not hold your life as the standard for everyone else to follow. Yes, they need to surrender, but if God doesn’t bless them with a husband at the end of their surrender, it doesn’t mean they did something wrong. It just means God has a different path for them to walk, different lives for them to touch, different roles for them to fulfill.
Trust God and leave the results up to Him.

Thankful for… Trials?

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
This Thanksgiving, as I reflect on the last 12 months and everything that has transpired… I am thankful for trials. I know, that sounds like something delusional and maybe cynical, but hear me out. Our pastor referenced James 1:17 during our special Tuesday night service, and it got me to thinking. 

We often don’t see trials as God’s “good and perfect gifts,” but they are. According to James 1:3, the trying of our faith works patience. And patience builds completeness. I’m not a very emotional person, but I have cried more in the past 365 days than the five years prior to it. Some of it was a result my own stupidity and selfishness, some of it from the choices of others that directly affected me, some of it just life (changes), and some of it unavoidable trials.
I can honestly say, in looking back at the difficulties, heartaches, and worries I’ve lived through this past year, it’s been a good year. It’s been a hard year, but in the trials, I have seen God working in my heart to draw me closer to Him, to help me learn the Scriptures (not just what they say, but how to live them), to strengthen my relationship with my family and friends, and to strengthen me as an individual. I am not the same person I was a year ago, but that is a good thing. Because in these trials God has gifted me with, He has also used to grow me and work in me His beautiful purpose.

Thankfulness Habit

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
Why is it that bad habits are easy to keep and good habits are easy to lose? About a year ago, I began keeping a “gratitude journal” where I wrote 7-10 things I was grateful for each day. Then, life got busy and I neglected my journal. 
This summer, God convicted me that I needed to pick it up again—and this time, I decided to keep it on my phone so I could add to it randomly throughout the day. And then I realized… it had been *weeks* since I added to my journal.
My first reaction is to give up even trying. But then, I realize that *that* won’t help me anyway (seeing as the whole purpose of a gratitude journal is to get my focus on the blessings instead of the burdens of the day)… 
So today, I journal. Tomorrow I may forget, and if I remember three days later, I’ll journal again. Giving up because I’ve forgotten one too many times is not the solution. 

Do you keep a gratitude journal? Is it by hand or on a computer or phone?

On History and Friendship | 3-Month Tour Posts at Tangled Up in Writing and Honey Rock Hills

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

With being on vacation, I’m falling behind in sharing my 3-month tour bloggers! But the last two July posts were pretty unique. 



First, the historical post about WHY “The Secret Slipper” HAD to be historical. Have you ever considered why a certain idea HAS to be in a certain era? It’s really fascinating to think about!! I’d love to hear your spin-offs of why _______ story had to be told in ________ era.
You can read the full article HERE.


Another belated July 3-month-tour post. One of the things I love including in my books is friendship. Strong friends. Godly friends. Those that encourage ME to be a better friend. As I got to thinking about the friendships I portrayed in my books, I realized that the reason I can portray them is because I’ve experienced them. I’ve had some friends stick with me through some pretty tough situations–friends who have encouraged me in my walk with God, uplifted me, rebuked me, prayed for me, and unconditionally loved me. If you have a friend like that, thank them today for being a godly friend!
Read the article HERE.



A Matter of Trust | Blog Tour Stop at Maidens for Modesty

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment


It’s easy to trust God in areas that don’t really matter to us—in areas that are going in a smooth flow anyway. But what about that thing that is nearest and dearest to us? That one dream that we’re trying to hang onto for dear life? Can we trust God with that? He’s not a cruel master, demanding we give Him our all so that He can torture us and gleefully take away what we hold dearest. He’s a gentle, loving Father. And He knows what is truly best for us. But do we truly believe that? If we did, would we fight so hard to surrender our plans, dreams, and desires to Him?

Today I’m over at Maidens for Modesty sharing some important lessons God taught me on trust while writing “The Secret Slipper.”

Read the full article HERE.

Decisions and Following God (Part 2)

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Yesterday, I shared about some of the first steps in making decisions and following God (read part 1). As I wrote down my thoughts, I realize that there are also some things we need to remember in this time of life.

Remember: Not all Decisions are Life-Changing
When I was stressing out over some “big for me” decisions recently, one of my friends pointed out, “This isn’t getting married. It’s not like you’re deciding this for life.”That perspective released a lot of stress and tension, because it was true. While all decisions affect our lives, there are many decisions that are not completely life-changing. There have been several times in my life when I was praying about a decision and came back with a frustrated, “I don’t get an answer! I don’t have a peace about a ‘no’—so does that mean I should accept this as a ‘yes’?”
I am not saying that it’s impossible to know God’s will in every situation—I personally believe that God is intimately interested in every miniscule decision of our lives. How do I know this? Verses such as Psalm 37:23-24: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.”
 However, if you look at God’s Word, you will not find, “Thou shalt not work at Walmart, thou shalt be a bank teller.” Yeah. If only it were that easy, right? But we do find principles. Read Proverbs and you’ll find plenty of direction with ways to take or to avoid (Two quick examples: “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” [Proverbs 13:11] and “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.” [Proverbs 28:8]).

Remember: Don’t Solo It
Part of God’s way to give us direction and guidance is through counselors. We can be foolish if we try to make rash decisions. It really doesn’t matter what age we are: going to others who are living active Christian lives is a wise decision. Don’t believe me? Here are just a few verses to clarify:
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)
“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
(Proverbs 15:22)
Oh, and one more:
“Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” (Psalms 119:24)
Yes, that goes back to a point earlier: seek God’s Word in these decisions. It is impossible to follow God and disobey God’s Word.


Remember: Life Goes by in Seasons
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
This passage is a familiar one, outlining the many opposites of life: birth and death, planting and plucking up, killing and healing, breaking down and building up, weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing, casting away and gathering together…
No matter where we are in life, we’ll find ourselves in this list of “seasons.” It is easy to get hung up in the “here and now” that we forget that life is made up of many seasons. There are seasons of busyness and seasons of relaxation, seasons of ministry and seasons of meditation, seasons of singleness and seasons of marriage. Guess what? We’re in a season right now. How we’re living today very likely won’t be how we’re living 365 days from now. You know what else? One special passage applies to every single season of life: “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)
It may be a fantastic season. It may be a puzzling season. It may be a sorrowful season. But no matter the season, God’s mercy is with us, His faithfulness surrounds us, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Remember: Keep a Proper Perspective
One of the struggles I’ve had in this whole “making decisions” is my focus. It is so easy to become consumed in temporal things—making ends meet, in climbing the ladder, in making more money, getting better things, accomplishing more, saving more—that we’ll forget one very important thing. Let me direct you back to the first point I covered with this verse: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Sure, we can make plans and take steps, but ultimately, our focus should never waver from following God and seeking Him first. Sometimes, He’ll lead us to do some scary things that may seem contradictory to where we feel He is leading us (“If I give this money to missions, then how will I have enough for _______?”). This is where my favorite passage comes in: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Remember Abraham? God had promised him that Isaac His covenant would be established (Genesis 17:21, “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”). Yet just a few years later—before Isaac was married and had children of his own—God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering! (Genesis 22:2) We know the end of the story, how God provided a substitution sacrifice—yet many times, our lives feel like Abraham’s in that moment between the promise and command.

If our focus gets off any of these points, our steps will be angled toward paths of destruction.
Sure, we can get excited about where God is leading us. Sure, we can take the steps He has lined out for us. And sure, we can make some plans. But, in doing so, let us not forget to keep seeking God. Let us remind our hearts to trust in Him. And, in whatever we do, may our desire be to “do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
I’d love to hear…
What are some ways the Lord has helped you in decision-making?

Decisions and Following God (Part 1)

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments


We all know the verses and the Christian thing to do: seek God. Sometimes, we know that we have to just wait on the Lord. But then, there are those times when we just might need to do the “follow God” part. And sometimes, that’s where life seems to suddenly get a little tricky.

Or am I the only one?
The last few months have been a seesaw of ideas, counsel, and decisions. And praying. Lots of praying. Why? Because for me, now is a time for taking active steps and changing. There aren’t really huge decisions being made right now—I’m not buying a house (yet), and no, I’m not about to get married—but I’m the girl who likes life to stay the same. The one who would prefer to just continue life in my own little (er, big) family, taking life as it comes at me. For me, this time of decision-making has been a whirlwind. Like I told one friend, “I’m not considering change because I like it or because I wantto, but because it’s the next step I truly believe God is leading me to do.”
But enough about me and my feelings. Because I know I’m not the only one in this boat. Whether you are eighteen, twenty-eight, thirty-eight, in between, under, or above, you’ll go through seasons in life where God leads and change must happen. Decisions must be made. Steps must be taken. How do we know we’re staying on target in these times?

Pray
We all know this one: “Just pray about it.” In fact, if you have a good circle of friends, they’ll encourage you to be praying about decisions. They’ll even pray with you and for you. But just because it’s the common Christian answer, I’m not going to skip over it.
There is nothing too big nor too small, but that we should pray about it. We see many examples of godly men and women in the Bible who did this very thing. When the Amalekites invaded Ziklag, burned it, and took captive the women and children, David paused to seek the Lord (1 Samuel 30). He made the time—in the midst of a “time sensitive” matter!—to seek God for the next step he was to take. On the contrary part, we see that King Rehoboam did evil “because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 12:14) Psalm 105:4 exhorts us to “Seek the Lord, and His strength: seek His face evermore.” (“Evermore” means constant, regular, continuance).
Prayer isn’t just an optional step to do when we feel like it, or if the issue feels bigger than we are. Prayer is important! If you’re trying to make decisions, but haven’t consciouslystopped to pray about this decision, stop now. Set apart some dedicated prayer time. Communicate with God about your plans. It’s not wrong to make plans and decisions. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way…” but it doesn’t stop there. It continues with, “but the Lord directeth his steps.” How are we going to know God is directing our steps if we won’t even ask Him about it?

Do What You Know is Right
Sometimes, instead of seeing a clear path paved in front of us, we hear the Lord reminding us to wait on Him. Okay…now what? A time of waiting is not always a time of inactivity. Instead, do the things you know are Biblically right to do. Go to church. Dig into God’s Word. Pray. Be like Job: “My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined.  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:11-12)
We can’t expect God to bless us if we aren’t even trying to follow the commands He has established in His Word. And, if we are doing what we know to do is right, let us not be discouraged! God’s timing and His ways are always perfect. But we’ve got to trust Him in that (Psalm 18:30, “As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.”)
Remember: if God’s Word is in your heart, He will establish your steps. Psalm 37:31 promises such: “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”
Take the Next Step
Then, like I indicated earlier, there are those times to take the next step. This is honestly where I struggle the most. I like being active, I like making progress, but I do not always like being the one to decide whenthose active steps need to be taken. Believe it or not, I’m not a big dreamer. Just let me do my little hobbies and teach my wonderful students, and I’m happy. But that’s not always the step God wants me to stay on.
One example that stands out clearly to me is the start of With a Joyful Noise. Running a music company wasn’t really on my agenda—which is why I’m grateful that many times, God places those next steps in front of me. I began talking music with a missionary, and she asked if there was a way that I could teach one of their locals via video correspondence. That got my brain turning with ideas. It also really scared me. It was an exciting possibility, yes, but also a huge step for little, local-minded me. I talked with my parents, did a ton of praying, and that one conversation with the missionary broadened my perspective. Because of that one conversation, I began offering video lessons, digitally published my sheet music (which then led to later physically publishing it), and set up a website. Oh, and you know what? The plans to teach via the missionary fell through. I never took that step that I thought I would. But instead, God used it to lead me to a place where I took many other steps that I never would have considered without that idea sparked on by the missionary.
 Reminding myself of that example helps me when I’m facing decisions today. For example, I’m praying about doing some circuit teaching (setting up a studio about an hour away, once a week). The first step is to save for and purchase my own vehicle. The second step may be to get some long-distance studios set up. Or…God may change the direction after I take my first step. I don’t have to know what God is planning on doing in the future. I just have to take this step that He has led me to today.
Some verses that encourage me when I’m in this “next step” phase are:
Psalm 18:32—It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Psalm 37:5—Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 142:3—When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
Psalm 143:8—Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Proverbs 16:3—Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 




Come back tomorrow for Part 2… some things to remember.


Scripture Graphics #76

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. (Genesis 41:1, 39-40)
A lot can happen in just two years. In two years, Joseph could have become calloused against God in bitterness. He could have decided it wasn’t worth giving credit to God for his wisdom (after all, the last dreams he interpreted only kept him in prison). But here we see evidence of him staying faithful to God—and being rewarded about 700 days later. When it’s hard to stay faithful, we need to remember the testimonies of others before us.


And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. (Exodus 3:11-12)
God didn’t answer Moses’ question of “Who am I?” Instead, He reassured Moses of His presence, faithfulness, and ability. It is never important who we are, or what our ability are. It is always important that we follow our powerful, mighty God.


And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD. (Exodus 8:7-8)
The magicians could repeat some of the acts of God, but never could they undo the miracles.


And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD’S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. (Exodus 13:8-9)
The Passover was a memorial—an opportunity for parents to testify to their children of God’s deliverance, and by so doing, they would be inclined of gratitude to keep God’s law. We have every reason to do the same with salvation. Every Sunday (by going to church) is not too often to purposefully remember God’s deliverance of us, to testify it to others, and to be reminded of the merciful God Whose Word we should be inclined to keep.

What reminders have you had from God’s Word this week?

Therefore… give thanks.

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments
Our family has adopted a memo for this year: “This has been THE year.” It seems like life has thrown so very much our way—a lot of hard things, difficult choices, sad days…yet also joy and blessings. On a day like Thanksgiving, we all think, “What can we be thankful for?” Today, I decided to do a quick Bible study about why we should “Give thanks.” I didn’t get past the first verse: “Therefor I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy Name.” (2 Samuel 22:50) Of course, I had to see what the “therefore” was there for. For what cause was David giving thanks? Hang on, because this “quick study” took a little time as I read through the chapter and listed out reasons that we ALL can be thankful to God.


– He is my rock, fortress, and deliverer (vs. 2)
– The Lord is my shield, my salvation, my high tower, my refuge, my Savior (vs. 3)
– The Lord hears me in my distress (vs. 7) and moves on my behalf (vs. 8)
– He sends from above, and draws me out of many waters (vs. 7)
– He delivers me from my strong enemy, and that which is too strong for me (vs. 18)
– He is my stay/support (vs. 19)
– He delivers me and delights in me (vs. 20)
– He rewards and recompenses (vs. 21)
– He shows us mercy and uprightness and purity (vs. 26-27)
– He is my light in darkness (vs. 29)
– By Him, we leap over a wall (vs. 30)
– His way is perfect, His Word is tried (vs. 31)
– He is a buckler to all who trust in Him (vs. 31)
– He is God, our rock (vs. 32)
– He is my strength and power; He makes my way perfect (vs. 33)
– He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, sets me on high places (vs. 34)
– He teaches my hands and gives me strength (vs. 35)
– He has given me His shield of salvation (vs. 36)
– His gentleness has makes me great (vs. 36)
– He enlarged His steps so we wouldn’t slip (vs. 37)
– He gives us power over the enemy (vs. 38)
– He gives us strength for battle (vs. 40)
– He delivers us from the striving of people (vs. 44)
– The Lord lives, He is the rock of our salvation (vs. 47)
– He avenges for us (vs. 48)
– He brings us forth and delivers us (vs. 49)
– He is our tower of salvation and shows us mercy (vs. 51)

THEREFORE we can give thanks go Him.
On days like Thanksgiving, we often face things that have been hard for us in the year, and struggle to be thankful around them. Only God knows what each of us are going through, but if you’re struggling to focus your eyes on your blessings, why not take a look into God’s Word and see why we CAN be thankful?

When We Don’t Know What to Pray

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
I was recently talking with a friend about prayer, how God answers prayer, and how we should pray. A few days later, I was reading through Ephesians 1 and found yet again the beautiful prayer that Paul prayed for the believers at Ephesus.

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,(Ephesians 1:15-20)

In this prayer, is a beautiful example of how we can grow—and what we can access by prayer.
  • The spirit of wisdom
  • Revelation in the knowledge of God
  • The eyes of understanding enlightened
  • Knowledge of the hope of His calling
  • Knowledge of the riches of His glory
  • Knowledge of the inheritance of His saints
  • What is the exceeding greatness of His power to believers (which is compared to His power in raising Christ from the dead!)

Knowing that we have access to ALL of this should great affect how we pray!

As I reflected on this, I then thought about how I pray for others. Sometimes, I just don’t know what to pray–there may be times when I sense a need in their lives (which, by the way, we should pray just as fervently for those whose lives look “put together” as those who seem to be falling apart–Paul often prayed that the churches would continue in what they believed), but other times, I want to pray, but may not know how.

Ephesians 1 and 3 and Philippians 1 all have passages of Paul’s prayers for others. This gives me a good idea of how to pray Biblically for someone else. I started making a list from the prayer passages in the New Testament:

I plan on adding to this list as I come across other passages that demonstrate ways for us to pray for others.

Do you have a specific passage you’ve used before to pray for others?
What verse has God used in your life recently about prayer?