Tag Archive | Bethany House

A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson

Jul9

New Frontiers

A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson is a fabulous historical Christian novel that contains godly lessons for us all. It is the first book in The Heart Of Cheyenne series which promises to be great.

The novel is set in 1867 in America, just as the population is expanding westwards. The reader joins the leading characters as they set up new lives in Cheyenne.

We see the importance of having lives in tune with God. God ‘speaks’ to our hearts. He also speaks through His Word. “God had always comforted her with the Bible.” The Bible is God’s instruction manual for us here on earth.

We see the hardship of life, especially in a new frontier town. As the railroad is being built, new towns are springing up. They do not always attract the best of characters. Women are not safe to walk the streets alone, even in daylight hours. Vigilantes carry out ‘justice’. They often clash with the law enforcement agencies that are being set up. Despite the hardships, it is still possible to experience God’s peace. “After praying… Marybeth had had a peace.”

It is important to put our trust in God. “We shall make the best of it and trust God to watch over us.” In dangerous circumstances, we need to cover ourselves with prayer. We can always trust God. “I’m not going to be afraid. I’m going to trust in God.” If we have faith, there is no room for fear.

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Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl

Jul3

Totally Gripping

Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl is a totally gripping, contemporary Christian suspense. It is the second book in the Ryland & St Clair series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading book one first in order to see not only character progression but there is a story thread carried over.

It was good to meet up with familiar faces. The pairing of Ryland and St Clair work well together. There is a chemistry simmering between them. They both had very different upbringings but River Ryland is welcomed and feels at home with the St Clair family.

We see the importance of faith and spreading God’s love. “Instead of the judgmental religious spirit she’d been raised with, the St Clair’s operated in love and grace.” Souls will never be won by Bible bashing. We are called to be Jesus’ representatives on earth. We are His hands and feet, His eyes and ears. We need to show His love to a hurting world.

Everyone wants to be loved and to belong. “I’m not special” … “To God, all His children are special.” God loves each and everyone of us. His love is big enough for us all.

God doesn’t wait until we are qualified to call us. He equips those whom He calls. God looks for willing hearts. “Tony wanted to be available to Him if He chose to use him.”

Forgiveness is important. If we withhold it, we risk becoming bitter. “She knew God wanted her to forgive him… but how could she?” If we cannot forgive in our own strength, we need to ask God for help and forgive in His strength.

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Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet

May13

Just Enough Light

Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet is a really fun contemporary Christian novel that will make you smile, and give you a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Although the tone is light-hearted, there are some serious themes including forgiveness and trusting God. “Forgiveness is not an easy thing to give.” Forgiveness may feel impossible in our own strength, that is when we need to press into God and forgive in His strength. Forgiveness may be a one-off event or a process. If we do not forgive, we are harming ourselves and guilty of hubris as we are placing ourselves above God’s standard.

God is faithful. We can trust Him. “All I could do was keep my eyes on Him, believing He would make a way. I didn’t have to understand His plans.” We don’t need to understand God, for His ways are not our ways. We can always trust God. “When God started moving, He really started moving.” Sometimes God moves with gentle nudges. At other times He will use a megaphone to get our attention.

God has great plans for our lives. He doesn’t want us to live a mediocre life. He wants us to live our best life. “Don’t let fear cripple you.” Put your hand in God’s hand, and step out in faith. We do not need to see the whole staircase in order to take the first step.

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The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

Apr23

United By Love

The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese is a most beautiful contemporary Christian novel that I just could not putdown. It is A Fog Harbor Romance book.

There are some books that just speak to your soul, and this is one such book. It is a book about friendship, love and loss. The grief found within its’ pages is palpable. “Postponing grief may not be the healthy approach… but sometimes it feels the only approach a person can handle.” This is a grief that paralyses, consumes and is obviously, never ending. “There are no winners in grief – only survivors.”

There are two huge losses within the novel – her father and her friend. “She carried his [dad] absence with her everywhere she went.” There is no recovery program for loss. One just has to navigate the best that we can.

There are two stories within the book – present day, and earlier in the form of a manuscript telling the tale of three friends. It is a gift from beyond the grave. Secrets have been kept in order to protect. Now the truth needs to come to light. We release the burden that has been carried. “Practice letting go of the guilt that’s not ours to hold on to.” Guilt will sink us if we do not surrender it.

God walks beside us in our grief, whether we ‘feel’ Him or not. He is there. She hoped “for a miracle from a God I so desperately wanted to believe had heard my prayers.” God always hears our prayers but doesn’t always answer in the way we want Him to. It is at these times that we have to cling to God and believe that He is good even when life isn’t. “I’m simply trying to focus on having faith enough for today.”

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