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