Been busy... as usual :-)

Hello, my dear friends!

You may have noticed that I haven't posted for at least a week... I'm sorry :-(  

I've been busy working on launching our family's new business/ministry (will announce shortly- once everything is square!) and may be off and on blogging within the next month or two...  

Just a little heads-up... :-D

~Amy

Book Review: Loresmen

Name of book:  Loresmen (Peleg Chronicles: Book Three)

Series: The Peleg Chronicles

Author:  Matthew Christian Harding

Format:  Soft Cover

Ages: 10+

Overall Rating: 5 stars

   The Peleg Chronicles takes place in the historical time setting of “the days of Peleg” a few generations after Noah and the Flood.  During this time of dragons, dwarves, heathen priests, giants and the like, adventure is bound to be discovered!

  

 Here the trilogy comes gracefully to a close...  After the nearly mind wracking cliff-hanger that left us at the last book, we find our heroes a midst a battle with three giants.  Can five mere men really defeat a force such as they?

Meanwhile, Thiery finds himself caught in the middle of a council- the trial of a friend that is being persecuted for his belief in Noah's God.  When Thiery stands up for him, testifying to the truths of his story, Thiery gets whirled into battle between the gods- a contest, if you will, to see who's God is true- the multiples of the heathens, or the God of Noah.  Will Thiery survive the cruel challenge?

-Worldview: Thoroughly Christian.  Even though this book is set in a time before Christ and before most scripture (save the book of Job) has been written, many Biblical passages are quoted by the characters as their own thoughts of God.

-Character Qualities: Loyalty, Perseverance, Trust,  Faith, Redemption, God's Love

-Romance:  None- until the epilogue in which two characters get married.

-Blasphemy/Profanity(Exodus 20:7):  None

-Era (historical time period):  2200-2000 BC

-Genre:  Historical Fiction

-Gospel Given:  Yes.  As well as it could be without mentioning Jesus- He hadn’t been born at that time.

Final thoughts or comments:

  While it is sad that the chronicles have come to a close- what a beautiful ending it had!  As in the previous book, the theme of redemption- the idea of grace for the worst of sinners, is glorified and exampled in this book.  

  I shouldn't say any more- I don't want to spoil it for anyone!

If you are unfamiliar with The Peleg Chronicles, click here to see the review of Book One: The Foundlings.

Book Review: Sweet Journey

Name of Book:  Sweet Journey
Author: Teri Maxwell
Format: Softcover
Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Living
Overall Rating: 5 stars

  This fabulous book, Sweet Journey, is a down-to-earth devotional guide through the different aspects of your walk with Jesus.  Mrs. Maxwell takes you through the concepts of daily Bible reading, prayer, scripture memory, and keeping a verse notebook, revealing their importance in your own sweet journey- and practical ways that they can be established.  Her advice is so fundamental- but it seems to be exactly what women of our culture need a midst the hundreds of thousands of distractions and directions which we are pulled each day.
  Her practical ways really blessed me- "This is doable!".  Her gentle speech shone through- even through black and white text on a page it felt as though she were sitting next to me, explaining each thing, speaking softly and encouraging me.  I would encourage all women- young and old- to read this book!

Purchase here from Titus 2 Ministries!

Book Review: Paladins

Name of book:  Paladins (Peleg Chronicles: Book Two)

Series: The Peleg Chronicles

Author:  Matthew Christian Harding

Format:  Soft Cover

Ages: 10+

Overall Rating: 5 stars

   The Peleg Chronicles takes place in the historical time setting of “the days of Peleg” a few generations after Noah and the Flood.  During this time of dragons, dwarves, heathen priests, giants, and the like, adventure is bound to be discovered!

  

  Springing right back into the action after the cliff-hanger ending of the previous book The Foundlings, Lord McDougal, Fergus Leatherhead, Igi Forkbeard, and Lady Mercy find themselves caught up in the seemingly suicidal "Death Hunt" fighting for their lives.

  But soon after their escape, Fergus has a run-in with Rush, an angry young man, seeking revenge for the humiliation that Fergus caused him one day in the past.  Rush lays a trap for Fergus, causing him to be pulled into a duel of honor the next day.

  Meanwhile, Gimcrack, Thiery, and Suzie settle into their new "home" and meet some new friends. When Thiery goes looking for a job he meets the "sneak" Pip, and his little brother, Percival, two orphaned boys.   Thiery invites them to come over for a "dinner party" and they become fast friends.  

  But when Thiery is met with persecution in his interview at Master Squilby's (his potential employer) will he be able to pass the test and get the job?

-Worldview: Thoroughly Christian.  Even though this book is set in a time before Christ and before most scripture (save the book of Job) has been written, many Biblical passages are quoted by the characters as their own thoughts of God.

-Character Qualities:  Loyalty, Perseverance, Trust, Faith, Redemption, God's Love

-Romance:  None.

-Blasphemy/Profanity(Exodus 20:7):  None

-Era (historical time period):  2200-2000 BC

-Genre:  Historical Fiction

-Gospel Given:  Yes.  As well as it could be without mentioning Jesus- He hadn’t been born at that time.

Final thoughts or comments:

  This book was just as wonderful, if not more, than the first in this series. The fast-paced paced scenes, and ever developing characters, continued to keep me turning pages.  I really enjoyed getting to know the character of Fergus more in this book- he seems to take more of a lead role. 

  The theme of redemption, God's love, resounds through this book- especially at the climax toward the ending which I would like to share but I must refrain so as to not spoil the book for you!

 Again, what a blessing it is to have such God-glorifying literature that I can hand to my younger brothers and sisters- or even my friends with no worries!

If you are unfamiliar with The Peleg Chronicles, click here to see the review of Book One: The Foundlings.

good friday

~ From Titus: A Comrade of the Cross

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”  Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and putit to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19:28-30

Book Review: Falsely Accused in the High Sierras

Name of book:  Falsely Accused on the High Sierras

Author:  Frederick Vining Fisher

Format:  Hardcover

Ages: 10-12+

Overall Rating: 5 stars

  It was an ordinary day out in the Old West when the stage arrived- late as usual- into the once thriving city of Gold Town, now a sleepy small town. But instead of carrying the ever-expected and never-appearing "big wigs" that the townspeople always hoped for, this time it carried within it a young pale-faced, blue-eyed boy.  The poor motherless thing was trying to find his father, who had left the boy and his mother in the far East to go West in search of fortune.  But alas!  the man never returned for the poor wife and son, but died in a drunken fight right there in Gold Town.  Now the boy, whose mother's health had not survived the  journey to California, was all alone in the world.

  Here begins the tale of Jeb Teale Malden.  After being taken in by local Andrew Malden, Jeb begins a different life than the one he had led for his previous twelve years- one his mother would have been devastated to hear that her boy took part in. Soon, at sixteen, Jeb finds himself in need of the Savior's love and falls into the welcoming arms of grace.

  For the next few years, as Jeb works hard to please his Savior, temptations and tribulations arise.  As Jeb overcomes them by the power of the Holy Spirit, he is a witness and a testimony to more people than he knows.  But when tragedy strikes and he is accused of a heinous crime of which he had no part in- can he still maintain his faith in God Almighty?  Will he trust in Him even if to the end?

   

-Worldview:  Christian

-Character Qualities:  Integrity, Honesty, Forgiveness, Trust

-Romance:  Minor.  Characters are clearly in love with one another but no physical affection of any kind takes place, nor any "love" dialogue.

-Blasphemy/Profanity(Exodus 20:7):  None

-Era (historical time period):  Late 1800s

-Genre:  Historical Fiction

-Gospel Given:  Yes

  This was a fabulous book.  I was glued to it and finished it in a matter of two days- it could have been less but I had to finish it well- not rush the ending.  :-)  

  I really liked how the book did not dwell on the life of Jeb before he became a Christian- his drinking, hatred, and other sin- but instead dwelt more on the facts of, after he repented of his immorality, how he rose above the temptations of this world.  How he conquered sin with mighty valor, yet showed tender meekness towards his enemies.  I was inspired as I read about the lives that he touched through his simple faith and trust in Jesus- how just by being His witness, much can be accomplished for the Kingdom.

  Reading about his terrible trial and his beautiful faith- his glorious trust in his Savior- how he traversed his own Calvary leaning on the arm of Jesus, brought tears to my eyes (that's saying something- I rarely ever cry at books!).  I encourage you to read this book- it is indeed a jewel in my library waiting to be placed in the hands of my children one day!

I read the version published by Lamplighter Publishing.  This company kindly edits and/or removes blasphemy, profanity, and other offensive or theologically incorrect statements from the original books, therefore I cannot vouch for any other version or publication of this book in this review.

a way of escape

As you can see on my sidebar (at the moment) that I am reading Falsely Accused in the High Sierras.

So far it has been fabulous... but more on that later.

Yesterday I came across a lesson which I would like to share with you all.

Jeb Malden had just become a Christian the night before after only a few years (he was only 16 at the time) of drinking and sin.  Next day he goes to pick up the mail from the home of a family who hate him- they are the postmasters for the town.  Upon hearing of his conversion the night before, they are determined on his ruin.  Knowing his tendencies toward drink, the mother tries to get him to "drink to the health of Sally", her daughter who was turning 15 that day.  He is very tempted but is resolute in his abstinence from drink.  The mother continues to tempt- Jesus drank didn't he?  Jeb falters.  He takes the glass in his hand.  His former life flashed before his eyes, along with the voice, "with the temptation a way of escape"  (1 Corinthians 10:13).  He sits down the glass and bids mother and daughter good day.

I love reading stories like this- where God's promises are fulfilled and the Christian is the victor!

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

~1 Corinthians 10:13

This makes me think about me and my everyday life.   Every time that I am tempted to lose my temper, to raise my voice- every time that I am beginning to think wicked thoughts- God will provide a way of escape.  Always. 

Remember that as you go about your day today.  Remember that God is always watching, He knows the temptations that you are enduring and will endure.  He will always provide a way in which you may not sin- He will shelter you- but you must be sensitive to His promptings and obey His voice when He says, "No."  Rejoice in the fact that He loves you and wants to keep you from sin just as much as you want to keep from it!

Source: lamplighterpublishing.com via Amy on Pinterest

...until we meet...

Ever since the "Teach Them Diligently" convention, our home has been a little out of sorts.  Not because of the convention- because of my new little sister.

A few days after we arrived home from the convention, we discovered that my mother was expecting.  This new little baby would now be our tenth!  Unfortunately, all in the same three days we also discovered that our precious baby brother or sister had passed into eternal glory.

Why?   

One asks.  

Why did she have to die?  Didn't God know that we already loved her, already we desired to hold her, dress her, feed her, embrace her?  Didn't He realize that we want another baby?

Of course He did- and still does.

I received an email from Lamplighter Moments a day or so ago that featured this verse,

"All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam."

-1 Kings 14:13

(emphasis added)

The context of this verse is that Jeroboam's little son, Abijah, is dying.  Upon Jeroboam sending his wife to inquire of the prophet Ahijah this, among other things, was what he told her.

It was strange to receive this email after all that our family has been going through over the past couple of weeks.  

Perhaps God wished me to see it to assure me that my baby sister is in heaven with Him, not because she did anything wrong, not because we did anything wrong, but because He loved her, and wanted to bring her home to Himself.  

You may ask yourself, if He can so easily take her away- so quickly- why would He bother allowing her to be conceived in the first place?  Ah, my friend.  You are considering the child's worth to be placed on their physical body and appearance in this world.  But actually the worth of my sister lies in her soul.  Another child of God crying at His throne, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God Almighty!"  No matter what her physical worth was on this earth- she is another voice to sing the praises of the Creator in heaven.   She is another knee, bowing before the throne.  She has another crown, laying it down before Jesus, worshiping at His feet.

Many of us have such brothers and sisters that have been taken away sooner than we expect.  Take heart, my dear friend, that until we meet them in heaven, we must have faith and peace in the fact that the Lord loves them more than we do- just as He loves us more than anyone else can.

Won't it be wonderful someday to stand shoulder to shoulder with them praising God?  Bowing before His throne with my baby sister....  singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy..."

Book Review: The Foundlings

Name of book:  The Foundlings

Series: The Peleg Chronicles

Author:  Matthew Christian Harding

Format:  Soft Cover

Ages: 10+

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Brief Synopsis:

   The Peleg Chronicles takes place in the historical time setting of “the days of Peleg” a few generations after Noah and the Flood.  During this time of dragons, dwarves, heathen priests, giants, and the like, adventure is bound to be discovered!

  The story begins with an awkward Lord McDougal, and his faithful shield-bearer, Fergus Leatherhead, as they struggle to save a dwarf from what they find out to be a heathen sacrifice.  Gimcrack, the dwarf, recounts his story- that of the God-fearing orphan boy, Thiery, and how he tried to rescue Gimcrack from the human sacrifice.

  This just begins the tale.  As the story progresses you get to know 13-year-old Thiery and his trusty wolf, Horatio, and witness the faith and adoration that Thiery has in his Lord God.  Through startling discoveries, seemingly hopeless situations, and heart palpitating battles, Thiery demonstrates his trust in the God of Noah and helps to build not only the faith of his friends, but also the reader as well.
  Though there is no singular plot, the book is made up of a series of vignettes and adventures experienced by both our Lord McDougal and Thiery- demonstrating the relationships between the worshipers of the one true God and those whose hearts are turned away from Him. 

-Worldview: Thoroughly Christian.  Even though this book is set in a time before Christ and before most scripture (save the book of Job) has been written, many Biblical passages are quoted by the characters as their own thoughts of God.

-Character Qualities:  Loyalty, Perseverance, Trust, Faith

-Romance:  None.

-Blasphemy/Profanity(Exodus 20:7):  None

-Era (historical time period):  2200-2000 BC

-Genre:  Historical Fiction

-Gospel Given:  Yes.  As well as it could be without mentioning Jesus- He hadn’t been born at that time.

Final thoughts or comments:

  I LOVED this book!  I HIGHLY recommend this book to pretty much everyone.  I was so blessed by how much my faith was encouraged and built by this book.   As I read about the characters calling upon God in every distress, seeking His will, His direction in every area of their conduct, I was so encouraged. 

  The story kept me turning pages.  The chapters were fast-paced and the scenes well written.  The characters were noble and easy to love.  I especially loved Fergus- don’t ask me exactly why…

  I must congratulate the author in having a no-compromise worldview, writing a Christian fantasy book that those lovers of fantasy can enjoy without being worried about their Christianity being compromised or their time being wasted trying to pluck out the “values”.  Thank you, Mr. Harding!