Tag Archive | Bethany House

The Legacy Of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

Oct16

Heaven Sent

The Legacy Of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky is a most delightful Christian dual timeline novel that is extremely powerful and has lessons for us all.

The time periods of 1912 and 2012 are linked by Longdale Manor and the location of Keswick. Both time periods have similar themes too.

A major theme is that of forgiveness. We need to forgive because we are forgiven. If we fail to forgive, we risk becoming bitter. Forgiveness is not excusing the sin but it is freeing us and leaving any judgment to God.

In both time periods we see the damage of separation and witness the theme of the prodigal son. Sometimes the separation is not our fault but the fault of our parents. We are not destined to repeat their sins. There is power in reconciliation and much rejoicing when the prodigal returns home.

We see the importance of trusting. “Trusting God through the good times and bad.”. He is our good Father and can be trusted even if our earthly fathers fail us.

God is still at work even when He is silent. “God didn’t seem to care what happened to them.” God does care and God does love throughout all the seasons of our lives. “Facing challenging circumstances did not mean God was not in control.” God is always in control, even when our circumstances seem out of control.

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When The Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Sep7

God’s Plans

When The Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer is a perfectly charming dual timeline novel that I adored. It is the first book in the Timeless series and I cannot wait for more.

The novel is set In Williamsburg in 1774 and also in New York City in 1914 and then Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast. Both time periods are similar but different. In 1774 America teeters on the edge of the War of Independence from Britain, wanting to take back control. In 1914 Britain is braced for World War I. Also, women are fighting as suffragettes for their independence and the right to vote.

In both time periods the leading lady is a strong character, fighting for what she believes is right. Even as a woman she knows that her life counts. “My life was not meaningless. God had an expected end in mind.”

We can trust God has a plan for our lives, even when we think our plan is better! We see just part of the puzzle. God sees the whole picture. “I will choose to trust God.”

Sometimes it feels as if we are imprisoned by our circumstances. “My surroundings were lovely, but I was not free to fly beyond its confines.” A gilded palace can be as much a prison as a jail cell itself, if lives are held captive by another.

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All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese

Mar6

Heart Warming

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese is the most beautiful contemporary Christian novel that will leave you smiling as you celebrate the goodness of God.

The story is about the riches of life. These riches are never found in possessions or bank accounts. These riches are found in people. We see characters’ lives opening up as they realise that their true worth is found within. They are more than the clothes they wear. They are more than all their mistakes. They are all priceless sons and daughters of the King.

The main setting is in a house for older teens who have left the foster system. They are all trying to make a life, whilst carrying their baggage from the past. They “were more than the scars they wore from their pasts.”

Everyone is unique and everyone has individual talents. We need to celebrate our uniqueness and stop trying to mold ourselves into the shape of another. “Stop trying to hide what God has created to be seen.” Celebrate the gift you have been given.

 None of us know what tomorrow brings. We need to trust God and “don’t borrow worry.”

Lives are not always able to be controlled by us. Things will always happen that are out of our control. In the midst of the storm, rest in the arms of the Father. Trust His timing. “God continued to prove His timing was right on schedule. Even when that schedule wasn’t made by me.”

A character has known God but drifted away. “I spoke to the God I’d believed in as a girl.” All of heaven rejoices when the prodigal returns home.

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The Chapel Car Bride by Judith Miller

Mar12

Trust And Obey

The Chapel Car Bride by Judith Miller is a charming historical Christian novel set in 1913.

We see the importance of telling people about God who loves them. A preacher and his daughter travel into the American wilderness via the railways to spread the Good News to various communities. In some places they are welcomed, in others there is a degree of suspicion until they see that the pair are spreading love and not there to interfere.

The majority of the novel is set in a poor mining town. Here, the townsfolk are held to ransom by the mine owners who do not repair the properties, show little regard for safety in the mines and pay a pittance. The preacher and his daughter set about to show practical expressions of God’s love to the community.

In 1913 liquor is illegal in many states meaning that illegal making and selling of moonshine has sprung up. It is dangerous to interfere with these operations as the men are unscrupulous and are ready to kill. Their goal is to make money and to stop anyone in their way.

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