• /
    • Archives / October 2010

Archives For October 2010

Get crafty

Renee Ann Smith —  October 31, 2010 — 8 Comments

Here’s another special post for my new friends from the blogging community: The Secret to Success is Support. And all of my regular readers get to enjoy it, too!

I’m not especially crafty, and I don’t knit, crochet, or sew. I do like to bake. But my specialties aren’t usually worthy of entrance in a contest. For example, when I make brownies, I take them out while they’re still mushy—on purpose. But try cutting them like that. Not a pretty sight!

So entering day 2 of the contest at the SITS girls site caused me some consternation. (And like you who visit from the SITS site, I want to win that Canon Rebel T2i!)

Then I hit on something I made this week. Look, I’ll show you . . .

When I flash my camera around my little school

I make SMILES!

In Life on Glenwood Boulevard , , , , ,
permalink

Book Club Giveaway: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

Renee Ann Smith —  October 27, 2010 — 68 Comments

“And Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.” (Matthew 1:5-6)

Why would God choose to give Rahab, a former Canaanite Harlot, the honor of bearing a son whose lineage could be traced to King David and then Christ? Because He is a God of forgiveness, grace, and second chances. And Pearl in the Sand, Tessa Afshar’s version of an Old Testament story, beautifully depicts this aspect of Rahab’s life.

In the first pages of the book, the author presents Rahab as a tender young girl who becomes scarred by the customs and practices of her native Canaan. She recoils in revulsion when she witnesses her baby nephew’s sacrifice. Then Rahab’s desperate father betrays her by giving her away to a rich man for enough gold to keep his family for a year. These two events drive Rahab to despair, but they also eventually drive her to seek shelter in the arms of Israel’s God.

I read this book as part of an online Christian Fiction Book Club, and I’d love for you to join us for the next one! I’ll post more details about the November club soon. If you just want to trust me that this is a must-read, skip this section and sign up for the giveaway below! Those of us in the book club had a chance to think through the discussion questions included in the back of the book. I’ll answer a few of these here. If you’ve read this book, please add your thoughts in the comment section at the end of the post. I’d love to hear your take on the story!

1. In chapter 3, we see Rahab being drawn to the Lord. What qualities does she perceive in God that draw her to Him? I loved how the author portrayed Rahab being drawn to the Lord. First, she hears a tale of a Hebrew spy who cried at the sight of children being sacrificed in the Canaanite temple. The following lines relate her astonished thoughts:

“Rahab turned toward Debir holding her breath. A god who cherished life? A god who cared for unnamed babies? A god who could see Canaan’s iniquity and declare them beyond redemption? Again she felt that longing, stronger than before. The irony of it didn’t escape her, the pitiful irony of a prostitute of Jericho longing for the God of the Hebrews.”

Rahab views Canaanite society through new eyes as she contrasts the cruelty of her people with the compassion of the Jewish God. When she looks at her city, she says to the God of the Hebrews, “Am I seeing what You see when you look at Canaan?” Rahab then goes on to ask God’s pardon and experiences an inexplicable peace. This whole scene came alive to me as vivid picture of repentance. For I have learned that repentance is not real in me until I see my sin the way God sees it.

2. In chapter 21, Salmone calls Rachel his Jericho. What does he mean? I also thoroughly enjoyed the scenes between Rahab and Salmone. For me, the author’s spiritual insights heightened the romance and added depth to the budding relationship. Salmone refers to Rahab as his little Jericho, because he feels God has given him the job of loving Rahab enough that she will pull down her defenses and allow him into her heart.

3. In chapter 23, Salmone tries to explain the difference between shame and true guilt. Explain this in your own words: When Rahab can’t quite understand how God (or Salmone) can pour out mercy when she expects judgment, Salmone explains:

“I suppose our sins warp our expectations. I mean that the reason God seems to act in ways that make no sense to us is that our perceptions are wrong. Our expectations are subtly twisted. We long for things that harm us and run from the things that grow and heal us. We think good is bad and bad is good. God acts rightly, but to us, it seems confusing. Or sometimes plain wrong.”

His words brought to mind some of my favorite verses, II Corinthians 7:10-11: “Godly sorrow [true guilt] brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow [shame] brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.”

True guilt is produced in our hearts by the Holy Spirit for one purpose: to bring us to repentance. I John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

So once we confess something and God forgives, it’s over—no matter what our feelings tell us.

Shame or false guilt plagues us when we doubt God’s love or fail to trust His forgiveness. We needlessly beat ourselves up again and again over the things we’ve brought to God. It’s a major victory in the story when Rahab is finally able to realize this truth.

For the story of another woman of the Bible who experienced God’s forgiveness in a person way, follow this link to A Cup or a Bucket: The Woman at the Well.

Here are some of the remaining thought questions. Even if you haven’t read the book, think about how you would answer these questions. Would your answers match what God’s Word has to say? As always, feel free to share your answers in the comment section below.

In your own life, were there ways your family failed to love and protect you?
How do you feel these circumstances have affected you?
Use three words to describe God as you understand Him.
What gives you your sense of worth?
How do you think your life shows this?
How do you think God feels about you?
What are some qualities of God discussed in this story that touched your heart?

I appreciated so many things about this story and encourage you to grab a copy of your own or sign up here to try to win mine!
I’ll hold a giveaway of my copy of Pearl in the Sand from today until Wednesday, November 3rd.

Steps To Enter the Giveaway:
1. Join this blog through email or Google Friend Connect. To join by email, enter your email address in the space provided on the sidebar. But you’re not done yet! Look for an email from Doorkeeper or Feedburner in your personal email account. Follow the link provided to verify your subscription.

2. Leave a comment here to let me know that you are a follower or subscriber. Be sure to put your email address in your comment. However, write it like this jenniebee [at] yahoo [dot] com and NOT like this jenniebee@yahoo.com. (This helps keep your email safe from spammers!)

Have a great day!

In Book Suggestions, Christian Fiction Book Club, Giveaways , , ,
permalink

Wounded Warrior Must-Read

Renee Ann Smith —  October 25, 2010 — 1 Comment

One of my new friends from the blogosphere highlights the military in some way at the beginning of every week. This week her guest shares about the Wounded Warrior Getaway program, and it’s a must-read! If you have a few extra minutes today, follow the link to read the article. You won’t be sorry!  You can read the article here.

The Wounded Warrior Getaway is a part of the ministry of Joni and Friends, which you can find at this link.

In Inspirational Lives , ,
permalink

Quote of the day

Renee Ann Smith —  October 24, 2010 — Leave a comment

Of all powers He forgives most, but He condones least; He is pleased with little, but demands all.

C. S. Lewis, novelist, essayist, academic, Christian apologist

In Quotes ,
permalink

Darlene Deibler Rose, Part 4: Those Who Fear Him

Renee Ann Smith —  October 21, 2010 — 4 Comments

Darlene and Russell during the happy days of language study in Holland

A continuation of Evidence Not Seen, the memoir of Darlene Deibler Rose.

Following Pearl Harbor and the sinking of two British warships, the Japanese attacked, invaded, and occupied island after island—Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong. They surged onto the mainland through China, Korea, and French Indochina. They conquered the Philippines, Thailand, Burma, and the Malay Peninsula. Then they began work on the Netherlands East Indies. Russell and Darlene Deibler occupied a guestroom at the mission headquarters and waited to see what would happen next.

Darlene writes of her first meeting with the Japanese: “On March 5, while working in the garden, I was attracted by a noise in the yard and looked up to see a Japanese soldier wearing black tennis shoes rounding the corner of our house. The soldier pointed his gun, with fixed bayonet, at me, motioning me toward the house. As I was being propelled reluctantly forward, Russell, the Jaffrays, and more soldiers joined me and my escort.”

“We were herded into the living room. While we stood at attention (a soldier with a gun pointed at your back tends to make you do that), the commanding officer announced that we were prisoners of the Imperial Japanese Army.

Russell was standing in his customary way, with his hands in front of him, the palm of one

Soldiers taking prisoners

hand resting on the back of the other. It would have been impossible for him to be holding anything in his hands, but the posture nevertheless infuriated one of the officers, who snapped a brisk command in Japanese.

A soldier strode forward, raised his sheathed bayonet, and began to beat Russell’s hands again and again. Russell dared not resist. I was appalled. Finally, another missionary said, ‘Russell, they want you to put your hands down at your sides.”

“I was helpless with anger . . . This senseless maliciousness had its desired effect; we were greatly subdued.”

“Finally, making preparations to go, they impressed upon us that we were to have contact with no one outside the premises, nor were we to leave the conference grounds. If we did we would be shot!”

Those men were just the harbingers. Eventually, the Japanese troops completely overran the island, and the city officially surrendered. At first, the folks at the missionary headquarters seemed safe enough. They spent their days cooking, eating, studying the Bible, praying, gardening, and walking the perimeter of the property. But soon the day came when the trucks arrived to take the men.

Vehicles of war

When Darlene heard the neighbor men being herded into the trucks, she ran to her room for a pillowcase. Into it she put Russell’s Bible, a notebook, a pen, shaving gear, clothes, and a few other items. Once finished, she dashed into the yard searching for Russell. Then she saw him—already in the truck with the other POWs.

She felt terrified for him and feared he would be executed. Darlene said, “All the other separations we had endured gladly, for those had entailed the cause of Christ’s kingdom. But this—this was different. The thought of this separation was excruciating.”

She writes: “I handed Russell the pillowcase and looked into the face that had become so dear to me. A cry of protest, of fear, strangled itself in my throat. I swallowed hard and clenched my fists.”

She decided she would not give the soldiers the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Russell leaned over the tailgate and very quietly said, “Remember one thing, dear: God said that He would never leave us nor forsake us.”

The truck started with a jerk and disappeared down the road.

It was Friday, March 13, 1942.

Darlene remembers: “When the sun set and the night came on, the full import of my loss hit me again. Russell was gone.

Mounting the steps into God’s presence, I prayed and He came to me with the gift of remembrance of a little girl saying, ‘Lord, I’d go anywhere with You, no matter what it cost.’

Was that just an expression of childish enthusiasm resulting from an emotion-packed presentation of the mission field?

‘I meant it then, my Lord, to the level of my understanding. With greater understanding I confirm to You tonight, it is still anywhere—I leave the costing to You.’

He took my hand, and together we walked into a future yet unknown. But from that moment, the sting was gone from the wound.”

Soon after the surrender of the city, the soldiers forced entry into the main house and

Trying to survive in the ruined city

stockrooms to take what they wished, leaving no food supplies behind. Darlene’s trunks of wedding presents were also dragged into the yard and the locks forced. Whatever the soldiers didn’t want, they scattered about the drive.

Darlene testifies: “Bit by bit treasured keepsakes and souvenirs were being wrested from me. I was being taught to live so that my most treasured mementos took the form of beautiful memories stored in the file of my heart, where moth and rust—and soldiers—could not corrupt or destroy.”

The remaining occupants of the mission, several women and one older man the Japanese left behind, entered a period of privation. The soldiers gave them no rations, but the people they had led to the Lord risked their lives to bring them food (sometimes flying ants fried in coconut oil!) and, as often as possible, news of Russell and the other men.

Being on their own in the midst of a conquered city, took its toll in other ways. One night Darlene hopped out of bed, thinking to kill a rat which had found its way into the house, and came face to face with a Boegis bandit. With one fluid movement, the bandit extricated his knife from his belt and held it in striking position.

Surprisingly, Darlene rushed at him! And even more surprising, he turned and fled, down the hall, across the porch, and over the mountainside with Darlene in hot pursuit. Until she saw his comrades emerge from the jungle. She stopped dead. He yelled something at his companions, and they all ran away together.

Darlene recalls: “From that night on we slept with clubs at the foot of our beds and small milk-can squawkers under our pillows, but we never had to use them. We heard bandits return several nights after that, but they never again entered our house. It wasn’t until after the war that I learned why. I had suspected the gardener, who was Boegis and knew the layout of the house.

When I asked him why they had never entered the house again, he answered incredulously, ‘Because of those people you had there—those people in white who stood about the house.’”

“The Lord had put His angels around us. He had delivered.”

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them. Psalm 34:7

If you’re new to this series, follow this link to read part 1 of Darlene’s story. (Part 1 will then lead you to succeeding episodes.)

In Faithful people of the past, Inspirational Lives , , ,
permalink

Darlene Deibler Rose, Part 3: Welcome to the Valley

Renee Ann Smith —  October 19, 2010 — 8 Comments

Darlene and Russell Deibler, 1938

Mounting the steps into His presence, I prayed and God came to me with the gift of remembrance of a little girl saying, “Lord I’d go anywhere with You, no matter what it cost.” Darlene Deibler Rose

As a young bride, Darlene Deibler accompanied her missionary husband to the Baliem Valley of New Guinea in hopes of ministering to the tribal people. Instead she ended up in a Japanese prison camp for the duration of World War II.

She relates the details of those eventful years in her poignant memoir, Evidence Not Seen.

1938: New Guinea
After six months of language study in Holland, Darlene and Russell Deibler landed in Batavia, Java, on August 18, 1938, the day of their first year wedding anniversary. From there, they traveled by steamer to Macassar, the capital and chief seaport of Celebes, where they began making preparations for their final destination: New Guinea.

However, they didn’t leave until two years later. During those two years, Russell and Darlene borrowed various living quarters and were often separated. At last the day arrived when Darlene and Russell Deibler, along with fellow missionaries Walter and Viola Post, left to follow the trail through the Baliem Valley to the Wissel Lakes of New Guinea.

1940: The Baliem Valley
Darlene writes of entering the Kapauku’s territory for the first time:

Darlene crossing one of the precarious vine bridges

“Cresting the summit, I looked down into the valley and saw men, women, and children running out of their gardens or hurrying out of their huts. All were heading toward the mountainside. Half of them yodeled, ‘Hoo!’ and then the answering ‘Hoo!’ echoed back on octave lower from the rest of the crowd.

I raised my hands, waving to the people. My cheeks streaked with tears, I started running down the mountainside, singing at the top of my lungs, ‘I’m home! I’m home!’”

Darlene loved it all: being with her husband in that isolated place, the precious Kapauku people, and the little house Russell had readied for her.

She describes her house: “Then Russell took me home, our very first home. It was beautiful to me. There were two rooms: a living room and study-bedroom with woven

Darlene in the home Russell made for her

bamboo-mat walls and floor. The bed was made of pit-sawn planks, as was the counter across one side of the bedroom.

What a wonderful idea, using isinglass for windows to keep out the cold and let in the view. Russell had chosen a lovely spot for the house, on the hillside looking across Lake Paniai to the tree-clad mountains behind which the sun was just setting. The magnificence of the sunset mirrored on the lake was breathtaking.”

The natives were amazed at Darlene’s thick, curly hair and blue eyes and eagerly responded to her enthusiastic overtures of friendship. One little Kapauku boy decided to adopt her. She discovered him one morning juggling hot coals in her kitchen. He said his job was to start the fire for her and that he was called Imopai. Darlene immediately responded to his wide grin. Then he explained that his mother was dead. Therefore, he must be her boy now. Darlene and Russell took him in.

Russell with four young friends

During their months in the Baliem Valley, they taught school, held services, and faithfully shared the Gospel. Many times a day Darlene found herself saying, “Thank you, Lord, it’s so wonderful to be here.”

Then came the day when Russell set up their battery-powered radio and tuned in to the BBC. He and Darlene heard the shocking news that the Nazis had invaded Holland. It was the tenth of May, 1940, Darlene’s twenty-third birthday.

The war escalated quickly. Submarines and U-boats began operating in the Indian Ocean, the Java Sea, and the Macassar Straits, affecting their peaceful islands. The missionary board decided to close the outpost where Darlene and Russell were serving.

Russell was sad to leave, but Darlene recalls that she and Imopai were more than sad, they

Darlene holding fresh greens, a precious gift

were devastated. She considered him her boy and had loved him as a mother.

Before she left, she tried once more to explain God’s love to Imopai.

When she was finished she asked, “Oh, Imopai, do you understand?”

“He had been staring at his hands. Suddenly he looked up, understanding showing in his big brown eyes. ‘Yes, Mama, I have listened. Jetoti, Jesus, died for me.’ We bowed our heads while Imopai prayed and God heard.

When they left, Imopai accompanied Darlene over the first mountain range.

She says in her memoir: “Finally I sadly said, ‘Imopai, you must turn around and go back.’ I held his hand in a tight clasp. I could say no more. Tears were too near the surface. He stopped, and I walked on down the valley.

When I turned around, there he was, standing on the mountainside. I saw the little boy, so alone, silhouetted against the afternoon sky. I could tell he was crying. Feeling he was too old to cry, he wiped his face with an angry gesture, then brushed the tears off on his hip.

Finally he called, ‘Mama, egaa kedaa! Return, quickly!’

At the bend of the trail I looked back. Imopai was gone. Sitting down, I wept for my boy, my son in the faith. ‘Dear God, please take care of him, until I can come back.’”

And only God knew when that would be.

Follow this link to read Part 1 of Darlene’s story (which will also lead you to Part 2).

In Faithful people of the past, Inspirational Lives , ,
permalink

Quote of the day

Renee Ann Smith —  October 18, 2010 — 2 Comments

Certainly in our own little sphere, it is not the most active people to whom we owe the most. Among the people whom we know, it is not necessarily those who are busiest, not those who, meteor-like, are ever on the rush after some visible charge and work. It is the lives, like bright stars, which simply pour down on us the calm light of their bright and faithful being, up to which we look and out of which we gather the deepest calm and courage.

No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle, pure, and good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.

Phillips Brooks, American clergyman and author, 1835-1893

In Quotes , ,
permalink

Booklover’s Favorite Author Giveaway: The Thorn by Beverly Lewis

Renee Ann Smith —  October 15, 2010 — 42 Comments

Emily with daughter Bella

Here at Doorkeeper, we celebrate those who are opening doors for others, either through mentoring, mothering, teaching, writing or more. From time-to-time I’ll be interviewing a faithful Doorkeeper—especially if she’s a fellow booklover—and giving away a book by her favorite author.

You’ll find giveaway details for The Thorn by Beverly Lewis at the end of this post. But first, take some time to get to know a fellow Christian fiction enthusiast!

This week’s booklover, Emily DiRenzo Steele, wanted to be a Broadway singer when she grew up, but God, it seemed, had other plans.

You won’t find Emily on a New York City stage, entertaining an adoring crowd before flitting off to sample the night life. But you just might find her driving the back roads of her quiet hometown, singing a duet of Mighty to Save

Emily and daughter Gabi

with her three-year-old daughter Bella, while fifteen-month-old Gabbi looks on. Two beautiful daughters are all the adoring crowd this young mother needs!

Emily and her husband Jon are members of First Baptist Church of Rhinebeck, New York, and together they head up the youth ministry. Emily also teaches the teen girls’ Sunday school class.

Emily’s take on church life: “Being in the Youth Ministry means that Jon and I are always busy. But it also means that my girls get to have the influence of some awesome, Godly young people. We like when the teens are in our home, eating, and hanging out. It brings all that we do together.”

True Life Romance

Emily on her wedding day

Emily first met Jon on a Word of Life Youth Mission trip to South Africa. They became fast friends, along with two others on the team. After the trip, Emily returned to high school in New York, and Jon returned to Michigan.

On a long weekend, Emily traveled to Michigan to visit her new friends. That was when she and Jon began dating.

Emily says, “I don’t know that there was one single moment where I thought he was ‘the one.’ I just knew in my heart that this young man loved the Lord. That serving God was important to Jon.”

Emily and Jon today

“And,” she adds, “I think being ten hours apart was the best part about dating. It truly made us get to know each other. I remember getting snail mail from him and smiling from ear to ear, just reading about his week. He was my best friend.”

Present Joys
Emily describes their family life as crazy—in a good way. Jon works second shift at the Dutchess County Jail (on the Corrections Emergency Response Team). So it’s an event to have him home for dinner, and a special treat for the four of them to pray together before putting the girls to bed.

Since Emily was saved at age four (cousin Tara prayed with her to receive Christ during a sleepover), she understands how vital those first years are in a child’s faith journey. She

Mom and Bella explore the world

loves when life offers an opportunity to open the “faith” door with her girls—and not just through church, AWANA, Scripture memory, or praise music. And her efforts are paying off. Recently while watching the Narnia movie, Bella exclaimed, “Aslan is like Jesus. He died and came back to life!”

One of Emily’s special joys is hosting Thanksgiving for her siblings, a job which she inherited from her grandfather. “I would sit with Poppy and memorize how he made the stuffed mushrooms and prepared the turkey. Now I make everyone’s favorites, and it literally makes my heart happy when we all sit down to eat. I love it!”

Past difficulties
Though Emily’s life is presently rosy, it hasn’t been without its thorns. (Notice the title of the book giveaway!)

Emily with girls from her youth group

During her high school years, she realized she’d gotten in with the wrong crowd and needed to flee the bad influences. The insightful teen begged her mother for a chance to attend Northern Dutchess Christian School, and Mom made it happen. Emily enrolled, blossomed, and stayed for three years before graduating.

During her adult years, Emily has also had to work through some residual issues caused by her parents’ divorce, which she sees as hugely impacting her life. Emily comments, “I know my parents love us kids so much, and I have a great relationship with both of them. Praise God that He’s been so good to us . . . The divorce has shaped me, though.”

Everyday Struggles
Emily wrote, “Last week I sang a song in church, and one of the lines said, ‘When anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord, just watch and see. It will not be, unredeemed.’”

“God is so much more capable than I am! Yet I always try to do things on my own. I am a worrier, and I am borderline obsessed with getting things done yesterday.

God uses those weaknesses to bring me to my knees often! Whether it is my shattered attempt at conquering the world, or my shattered attempt at being humble and asking forgiveness, He is always able to redeem, and always able to do it FAR beyond what I have ever imagined.”

Family vacation photo

Future Goals
“I would love to see my kids firmly rooted in the Lord! I want the same for my marriage. I don’t know that I can think of any other goals for myself. Though, opening my own hair salon and keeping my laundry from piling up would be wonderful!”

Favorite Books
The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers: “This book illustrates how the weight of our sins was removed by Christ, our Last Sin Eater. I loved Cadi, and her desire to understand God’s forgiveness. This book grabbed me with its characters.”

This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti: “I love the way that he paints a picture of the war for our souls! Incredible book!”

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury : “Covers the topic of abortion and all the healing that God can do through even our sinful choices. I read this one in two days—couldn’t put it down!”

Emily enjoying snow camp with youth group

The Centurion’s Wife & The Hidden Flame by Janette Oke & Davis Bunn: “This is the latest series I have read, and I’m so glad it’s not finished! An awesome look into the time of the disciples. It brings Scripture to life!”

ANYTHING by Beverly Lewis: “I have read everything she has written! I think she is one of the greatest authors ever. I have NEVER been disappointed.”

Book Giveaway:
In honor of Emily, I’m giving away a brand new copy of The Thorn by Beverly Lewis. If you haven’t read this, sign up today and get reading. Then you’ll be ready for the sequel, The Judgment, which will be out in April!

Steps To Enter the Giveaway:
1. Join this blog through email or Google Friend Connect. To join by email, enter your email address in the space provided on the sidebar. But you’re not done yet! Look for an email from Feedburner in your personal email account. Follow the link provided to verify your subscription.

2. Leave a comment here to let me know that you are a follower or subscriber. Be sure to put your email address in your comment. However, write it like this jenniebee [at] yahoo [dot] com and NOT like this jenniebee@yahoo.com. (This helps keep your email safe from spammers!)

Confused? For blog newbies, if you’re reading this on the main page, look for the tiny words “Leave a comment” in the notes at the end of this post. If you’re on the post page, you should see a large box in which to leave a reply.

So whether you’ve known Emily a long time or just met her today, why don’t you leave a comment to encourage her? And if you’d like to view more of her photos, check out the Sidebar Photoblog. Simply click on the cover photo so view the rest of the pictures.

How about you? Do you have a list of favorite books you’d like to talk about, some family photos to share with us, a life story you’d like to tell? Maybe we’ll be reading about you here at Doorkeeper in the future!

Follow this link to view the website of author Beverly Lewis.

Follow this link to view or pre-order The Judgment by Beverly Lewis.

Follow this link to read an excerpt or to purchase a copy of The Thorn by Beverly Lewis.

If you’re new to this site, follow this link to read the inspiring true story of A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II!

Amazon.com book summary of The Thorn:
Lancaster County, with its rolling meadows and secret byways, may seem idyllic, but it is not without its thorns. THE ROSE TRILOGY is the stirring saga of two Amish sisters on the fringes of the church, and the unforeseen discoveries that change their lives.

Rose Kauffman, a spirited young woman, has a close friendship with the bishop’s foster son. Nick dresses Plain and works hard but stirs up plenty of trouble, too. Rose’s sister cautions her against becoming too involved, but Rose is being courted by a good, Amish fellow, and so dismisses the warnings. Meanwhile, Rose keeps house for an English widower but is startled when he forbids her to ever go upstairs. What is the man hiding?

Rose’s older sister, Hen, knows more than she should about falling for the wrong man. Unable to abandon her Amish ways, Hen is soon separated from her very modern husband. Mattie, their young daughter, must visit her father regularly, but Hen demands she wear Amish attire–and speak Pennsylvania Dutch, despite her husband’s wishes. Will Hen be able to reestablish her place among the People she abandoned? And will she be able to convince Rose to steer clear of rogue neighbor Nick?

In Book Suggestions, The Interviews , , , , , ,
permalink