Tag Archive | A Mountain Home Book

Wildflower Haven by Lin Stepp

Mar7

Not ‘Either’/’Or’ – But Both

Wildflower Haven by Lin Stepp is a very beautiful contemporary Christian novel that I loved and read it in just two sittings. It is part of A Mountain Home series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Here, the reader is submerged in nature. We see the beauty in the flora and fauna, as well as the fruits, berries and bees. Lin Stepp educates the reader as there is a vast amount of plant, bees and location knowledge. The author ‘paints’ the scenery in a myriad of colours. “The world around us is charged with the grandeur of God.” There is nothing quite so beautiful as God’s handiwork.

The worlds of a botanist and a teacher collide. Both enjoy the natural – one is preserving it for generations to come. The other is educating the next generation so that they can look after planet earth.

We witness faith growing in the heart of the one who had put science above his need for God. He moves from being vaguely aware, to having a heart that knows God. Along the way, people have educated him about God as the designer of our world. “The grace of faith illuminates not only things that are spiritual but things that are natural.”

There is the debate of faith or science – we see that it is not an ‘either’/’or’ but it is both existing in harmony. “Many of the greatest scientists… were strong men and women of faith.” We are introduced to some of these within the novel.

Science tells us ‘How.’ Faith tells us ‘Who.’ “Faith enhanced their [scientists’] scientific studies, ideas and discoveries.” Behind everything that is created, there is a Creator.

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The Red Mill Bookstore by Lin Stepp

Mar5

A Warm Welcome For All

The Red Mill Bookstore by Lin Stepp is a most delightful, contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is part of A Mountain Home Book series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Lin Stepp always writes the most charming wholesome novels that enchant the reader from the start. Her townsfolk are warm and welcoming, and the reader longs to be a part of the community.

There are godly lessons for us all, as we see the importance of letting God love us and guide us. “Your Father in heaven believes in you… Seek to find God’s wisdom. He always knows the best way for us to walk.” When we follow God’s plan for our lives, we know that we cannot fail. When we fall, God will pick us up.

Having faith in God doesn’t mean we will have a trouble-free life. We meet a family that has had their lives disrupted by false imprisonment (before the novel opened). There was always a choice to become bitter or better. They chose the path of forgiveness. “Anger and unforgiveness was hurting us more than anyone else.”

In order to live free, we must hand our burdens over to Jesus. “We’ve both had a bad experience… but we learned from it.” When we are in difficult places, we learn vital lessons.

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Shop On The Corner by Lin Stepp

Mar1

Faithful One

 Shop On The Corner by Lin Stepp is the most charming contemporary Christian novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The action is set in small town America where the residents are warm and welcoming. The cover really sets the scene and this is re-enfored by Lin Stepp’s rich descriptions. Her words paint vivid pictures in the reader’s head.

A major theme surrounds re-purposing furniture, giving it a new lease of life. This reminds the reader that God is in the re-purposing business. He takes our dirty lives, washes us in His blood and clothes us with His love and gives us a new start in Him.

We witness a character who appears to have repented of past ways and turned a new corner – but the act of going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going into a hamburger joint makes you a hamburger. Appearances on the outside are shiny new, but the heart is still rotten.

Listening to the heart of God will give us the roadmap for our lives. “He [God] was stirring up my nest to make me want to fly.” God will always equip us wherever He sends us.

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