Tag Archive | Canadian Meadows

A Time To Heal by Erin Stevenson

Oct18

Following His Voice

A Time To Heal by Erin Stevenson is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel. It is the third book in the Canadian Meadows series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed catching up with the Kingston clan.

This book focuses on Rand who has been estranged from his family for twenty years. We see parallels between God and the father in the novel as both grieve the loss of their children when they are away from home.

There is the theme of bridges. We see the need for re-building, for trust to be earned and for lives to be forgiven.

Just as a car cannot run on empty, so a Christian needs daily topping up with the Word of God and with prayer. “I begin every morning with a daily devotional and prayer. Fill up my tank.” When we are plugged into the Father, we know that whatever we face in life, we do not face it alone.

We witness dreams changing as we let go of our plans and press into God’s plans.

Jesus tells us to do our good deeds in secret and not to boast about it. This is played out in the life of a character who gives anonymously where he spots a need.

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In From The Storm by Erin Stevenson

Sep20

As Far As The East Is From The West

In From The Storm by Erin Stevenson is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel. It is the second book in the Canadian Meadows series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The major theme of the novel is of forgiveness. We all need to receive it and we all need to give it or risk becoming bitter. “Your sin was forgiven the first time you asked.” God gives us the free gift of forgiveness. We don’t deserve it and we cannot earn it. Sometimes in life we find it hard to forgive others. When we do, we must ask God to help us to forgive in His strength. Forgiveness is not forgetting but it is freeing for us.

Prayer is important. “Did God hear the prayers of someone who was breaking a Commandment?” God hears all our prayers. He even hears the prayers of our heart when we cannot find the words. “He wanted to pray but couldn’t form the words.”

We need community. We need our church family. “Ben found himself being pulled away from his church family and didn’t know what to do about it.” If we fear we are moving away, we must make every effort to re-connect. We need people who will support us in our Christian walk.

At times life is hard. Being a Christian does not exempt you from the hard times. “I haven’t promised to take the storms away, just to carry you through them.” Jesus supports us through every season in life.

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