Savannah Jane McCrary's Blog, page 2

March 11, 2025

Lessons from the Dutch Resistance Part Two: Find Beauty in the Dark

“In the beginning, God created…” (Genesis 1:1).

And it was good. It was beautiful.

As God looked over the stars and sun and moon and trees and flowers and animals and seas He had made, again and again, “He saw that it was good.”

Then sin came, and everything changed. There were thorns and pain and sickness and death.

Yes, the world is broken and dying. But still there is beauty amid the decay.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Creation groans, waiting for the day when Jesus returns and makes all things new. Yet still there are glimpses of beauty. Jesus is still King of Creation. And there is still so much beauty to be found when we look for it.

God paints the sky every morning. And every evening, He does it again. And there are the clouds–puffy white ones, gray, wispy ones…

God could have created plants only to be useful–to be used for food and medicine and building and production. But instead, He made plants that are not just useful, but beautiful. And such variety! He made towering pine and oak trees, plants with leaves of all shapes and sizes, flowers in every color imaginable.

God is still delighting in the beauty He has made. If He delights in it, shouldn’t we delight in it, too?

For the past few years, I’ve been researching the World War II Dutch Resistance for a historical fiction book I am writing, and I have been struck by how these brave men and women found and appreciated beauty in even the darkest of places.

Hans Poley was a university student when the Germans conquered the Netherlands. They demanded all students sign an oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party or be deported to forced labor in Germany. Hans refused, went into hiding, and joined the Resistance. Eventually, he was caught and imprisoned in a concentration camp. Yet, he tells this story of his time in the camp:

“In sharp contrast to the scenes of misery, I remember one clear spring morning as we stood motionless for roll call. We heard no sound except for the movement of the SS guards, counting under their breath. Then, suddenly, a caroling lark took off from the surrounding woods into the sky, and its unrestrained cheer swept over the two thousand prisoners in the square. No one dared to look for it, let alone follow it on its freedom ride. But we all heard it and took it as a symbol of liberation and light.”

Johanna Ader-Appels didn’t end up imprisoned in a concentration camp herself, but she and her husband risked their lives to shelter Jews in their home. At any moment, there was the risk the Germans would come and search the house and find the Jews, and they would all be hauled off to prison and death. Yet in the midst of all that, she wrote,

“It was so wonderful to enjoy the spring, the sun, the birds, and the flowers, which knew nothing of war and were just as exuberant as each new spring arrived… one must take the time to enjoy such loveliness, even amidst a busy life… ja, especially then, otherwise there is the risk of our feeling jaded and dull. And those who receive nothing from such gifts will soon have nothing more to give.”

Diet Eman was a young woman living in the Netherlands during World War II. When the Germans took over, and began persecuting the Jews, she and her fiancé, Hein, risked their lives to rescue Jews. Like Hans Poley, Diet was also eventually caught and imprisoned in a concentration camp. She tells this story:

“Outside the four corners of the building stood four soldiers with rifles. The windows were all open, and outside the windows the clouds looked so beautiful that I would stand there for a moment just to admire them. They were just clouds, but they were God’s consolation to me, so beautiful in the sky. Below the clouds, the countryside was full of flowers, lots of purple shooting up to the sun. I would stand there at times and remember how beautiful God created this world, and then I would be reassured that he would certainly take care of me and all my loved ones.”

The beauty of creation is God’s gift to us. It reminds us He cares for us. If He created and provides for the birds and the flowers, He’ll care for us, too. In the words of Jesus,

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:26-30

Because, after all, we are the crown of His creation. After He created everything else and called it “good,” then He created man and woman. And He called them “very good,” (Genesis 1:31).

He delights in His beautiful creation, but He delights even more in His children living out their faith in Him, trusting in the care of their Heavenly Father.

“The colored sunsets and starry heavens, the beautiful mountains and the shining seas, the fragrant woods and painted flowers, are not half so beautiful as a soul that is serving Jesus out of love, in the wear and tear of common, unpoetic life.”

— Streams in the Desert

We don’t worship the creation. We don’t value trees above children or plants above people. But we do thank God for the good gifts He gives us. We admire, enjoy, and delight in the glories of creation because in them we see God’s glory.

“We see the glory of God when we delight in, reflect upon, and enjoy the world He has created.” -Thomas Shreiner

Look up in the sky at night and gaze at the stars. I once read that scientists estimate there are 100 billion stars in every galaxy. And how many galaxies are there? We don’t know. Some scientists estimate two trillion. It’s possibly far more.

And yet,

“He counts the number of the stars;

He calls them all by name.”

Psalm 147:4

But what’s even more amazing is that the God who counts the stars also knows the number of hairs on your head.

“The very hairs of your head are all numbered…”

Luke 12:7

That’s how intimately He knows and cares for you.

If those members of the Dutch Resistance could find beauty even in wartime and in concentration camps, surely we can find beauty in our daily lives, too.

So, go, admire the beauty of sunrises and sunsets, fields and flowers, clouds, oceans, the song of a bird, the stars in the sky, a tiny butterfly, a massive, rugged mountain peak…and let it stir your heart to worship.

“Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

Psalm 29:2

***

P. S. If you'd like to get new History Redeemed blog posts delivered to your inbox plus get updates about my other writing projects (including my World War II historical fiction book) you can subscribe to my monthly email newsletter here.

***

Footnotes:

Thomas Shreiner quote taken from The King in His Beauty: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), page 4 as quoted in Crown Him King: A Study on the Kingdom of God for Well-Watered Women written by Gretchen Saffles with Maggie Combs and Lauren Weir, Copyright © 2022, Life Lived Beautifully, LLC.

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Published on March 11, 2025 20:08

February 18, 2025

Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. (Movie Review)

“It takes courage to face the dark.” So says German pastor Martin Niemöller in the movie Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.

And, in the words of another German church leader in the movie, “Bravery is a rare commodity. Especially when it’s needed most.”

This movie is about one of those rare men who showed incredible courage in the face of great evil in Nazi Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer has been one of my greatest heroes from history for several years. So when I found out there was a new movie being made about him, I was quite excited, but I also didn’t want to set my expectations too high, because movies about my historical heroes are often disappointing, failing to fully portray them as they really were.

Well, this movie far exceeded my expectations. It is a truly excellent movie. In fact, I might even go so far as to put it at the very top of my favorite movies list. It’s that good.

Yes, it’s sad. But while I do love to laugh and enjoy a good clean comedy every now and then, the stories I love most are the ones that stir me to love God more and follow Christ more fully. And this movie does just that.

The screenplay is excellently written, so full of good quotes, many of them taken from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings. There is so much scripture in the movie, too, but it is woven into the story very naturally; it does not feel forced or “preachy” at all. And the filmmaking is top-notch.

There are so many good themes in this movie, but I’ll just touch on the two that stood out to me the most.

“Living faith,” not “dead religion.” This was a theme that Dietrich spoke and wrote of often. God is not looking for people who simply go to church and go through the motions of living a Christian life. He wants our hearts and our entire lives. Real, living faith changes us and affects every area of our lives. Christ is calling us to follow Him. And “when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” For all of us, it means dying to ourselves, and for some, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it means actually giving up one’s life.

And courage. Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw his beloved country overtaken by the Nazis. In churches, they replaced the cross with the swastika and the Bible with Adolf Hitler’s book Mein Kampf. They sent Jews and people with disabilities to die in concentration camps. And that’s where they would also send anyone who stood against them. It took courage for Dietrich Bonhoeffer to boldly speak against the evils of the Nazis. He was not naively running into danger, thinking that everything would be all right. No, he had counted the cost and was prepared to give up his life. As he says in the movie, “Every act of courage carries a cost.” For Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it would cost everything. Yet he believed that “after the cross, came the resurrection life.” And that’s what gave him such incredible courage.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s relationships with his parents and siblings were a very important part of his life and they’re portrayed very well in the movie, as well as his relationships with his friend Eberhard Bethge, the English Bishop George Bell, and his American friends. The timing and details of a few events are altered a bit, but overall it’s kept very close to the true story. There was so much more that they could have added (Maria, the girl Dietrich became engaged to not long before he was arrested, isn’t in the movie, for one thing) but considering the movie is already a little over two hours, they had to stop somewhere. For the most part, I’m glad they didn’t cut anything that’s in it to make room for something else. It's not perfect, of course, (I've yet to see a move that is). But in my opinion, it got the most important parts right.

Overall, even though this movie deals with extreme darkness, it actually has much less violence and other content warnings than most World War II movies I’ve seen. But, just so you’re aware, I’ll give you the rundown. There are two or three curse words, and (like most people in Europe at the time), we see Dietrich and others smoke and drink (though never get drunk.) Dietrich gets punched or hit several times. Once he is beaten up pretty badly; most of it you don’t actually see, but you hear it happening offscreen. As a bus arrives at a concentration camp, we briefly see a pile of ashes/burnt remains. We see a prisoner attempt to escape and get shot, there’s brief footage of starving prisoners in concentration camps, and at the end, we see Dietrich at the gallows facing death. We see the rope get put around his neck, but then the camera goes dark and (thankfully) we don’t see the hanging actually done.

Overall, I thought this was an excellent movie about what it looks like to follow Christ and show real faith and courage in a time of great darkness.

If you’d like to learn more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I highly recommend Eric Metaxas’ biography of him. And if you’d like to read something shorter before committing to a 600 page biography, you can read my blog post about Dietrich Bonhoeffer here.

As always, remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thess. 5:24).

All for Him,

Savannah Jane

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Published on February 18, 2025 09:34

December 9, 2024

God With Us (A Christmas Devotional)

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” Matthew 1:22-23

Johanna Ruth Dobschiner (called Hansie by her family and friends) was a Jewish girl in her teens living in Amsterdam during World War II. As Jews, she and her family suffered greatly under the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Hansie’s brothers had been taken away, never to return. So when Hansie contracted scarlet fever, she and her parents rejoiced. A “Danger–Infectious Disease” notice was put up on the door, and they were safe!

While lying in bed as the family began their Hanukkah festivities, Hansie began to think deeply about God for the first time. As an Orthodox Jewish family, they faithfully attended the synagogue and followed the traditions. But was God a part of their daily lives?

As she pondered this, a deep truth penetrated her being in three words:

GOD… WITH… US…

While in bed sick, she created a beautiful sign featuring the words “God With Us,” and also embroidered the words on handkerchiefs as gifts for her parents and the children they were fostering. As she passed out the gifts, Hansie said, “Whatever happens, and should we get separated, wherever we are, let us never forget that…” she pointed to the words, “God With Us.”

Not too long after this, Hansie’s parents were arrested, and Hansie went into hiding. It was while hiding in an attic that she read the New Testament for the first time and understood fully the truth that had been revealed to her earlier. God is with us, in Jesus!

The prophecy of Isaiah told of a virgin who would bear a Son called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” God Himself took on human flesh and dwelt among the fallen sons of Adam and daughters of Eve as one of them and yet wholly without sin. He went through the whole of human experience and suffered on the cross and rose again for our salvation. And before He ascended into Heaven, He gave us a promise, “I am with you always…” (Matthew 28:20).

God is with us.

Johanna Ruth Dobschiner

Footnotes:

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Published on December 09, 2024 15:12

November 23, 2024

Historical Fiction Book Giveaway!

Hi friends!

I'm giving away a copy of the first book in my Young Adult/Middle Grade Christian historical fiction series set in the first-century Roman Empire + a journal I designed, inspired by the book! The journal features the quote, "Real Gold Fears No Fire" on the front, and includes 134 lined pages.*

Even if you already have a copy of the book, feel free to enter! And please pass it on to your family and friends!

*Only open to U.S. residents. I cannot do international shipping for prizes.

Enter the giveaway here.

Well, that's all for now! Always remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Thess. 5:24).

All for Him,

Savannah Jane

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Published on November 23, 2024 12:56

November 13, 2024

Best Historical Movies I Watched for the First Time Last School Year (2023-24)

Hi friends! It’s become a bit of a tradition for me to do a blog post at the beginning of each school year, chronicling my favorite historical movies I watched for the first time over the last school year. (Even though I officially graduated several years ago, I still plan projects around the school year). There were some really good ones last year that I’m excited to share with you! So read on to find a western, one set in the ‘70s, and one in the ‘90’s, plus a show and a documentary.

Best historical dramas

Birthright Outlaw

I greatly enjoy a good western, and a well-made western movie with a Christian message is hard to find. But Birthright Outlaw is just that. Set in Arizona territory in the late 1800s, this movie follows a pastor whose daughter is kidnapped by outlaws, leading him to discover a startling truth about his wife’s past. It’s got outlaws, a sheriff, and plenty of action and suspense, all the things we want in a western! Yet it also has a beautiful message of redemption and how God gives beauty for ashes. Other than a bit of violence, it’s a family-friendly movie. It has great costumes, beautiful scenery and cinematography, and is overall excellently done. This movie is definitely high up on my list of favorites.

Jesus Revolution

Set in California in the 1970s, this movie tells the true story of the “Jesus Revolution.” It follows Greg Laurie and several others who were part of the hippie movement but their lives were changed by Jesus. It’s an excellently done movie about being Jesus’ hands and feet to the outcasts and the power of Jesus to change lives. And I loved the beach setting! Other than some drug use (portrayed negatively), it’s also family-friendly.

Unsung Hero

I’ve enjoyed listening to Rebecca St. James’ and For King and Country’s music for years, so I was excited to watch this movie about their family’s journey from “down under to center stage.” It’s a sweet, family-friendly movie with great messages of the importance of family and using your gifts and talents for God’s glory. It’s also excellently done, and I enjoyed the fun ‘90s setting and clothing!

Best documentary

Patterns of Evidence: Journey to Mt. Sinai Part II

I’ve enjoyed every documentary in Timothy Mahoney’s Patterns of Evidence series, and Journey to Mount Sinai II was no exception. You need to watch the earlier ones first to get the most out of this one, but it’s a fascinating look at the historical evidence for the mountain of God and its true location.

Best show

Sue Thomas F.B.Eye

This show was made and set back in the early 2000s, and while fictionalized, is inspired by the real Sue Thomas, a deaf woman who used her lip reading skills to work for the F.B.I. It has action, mystery, suspense, humor, and Sue’s faith is naturally portrayed. Since it covers the work of the F.B.I., it does deal with some serious issues (like murders, human trafficking, and terrorism). Overall, it’s pretty family-friendly, though a few episodes are more intense. My whole family has loved watching this–we’ve actually rewatched every episode and some multiple times!

***

What about you? What historical movies have you watched recently? Have you seen any of the ones I mentioned and, if so, what did you think of them? Leave a comment below!

Always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,

Savannah Jane

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Published on November 13, 2024 15:01

September 6, 2024

A New Historical Fiction Book

Hi friends! Just popping on the blog today to tell you all about a new historical fiction book by an author friend of mine, Among the Outcast by Amy Ullrich.

It’s set in the ninth century during the reign of Alfred the Great, and if you enjoy historical fiction books such as those by Douglas Bond, Lois Walfrid Johnson, and G. A. Henty, you just might enjoy this book! Or, if you liked my A Torch in the Empire Series, I think you'll like Amy Ullrich's books, too!

Here's the back cover blurb:

As thunder crashes overhead, condemnation throbbing in its ominous tones, Edwin flees from the kingdom he has betrayed. With every passing mile, his hopes of ever earning King Alfred’s forgiveness grow fainter. But while he wrestles with guilt and seeks for refuge among any who will shelter him, he has no idea of the great danger closing in on his family. Unless he can face the truth about himself and find the courage to return, all may be lost.

Journey back in time with this fast-paced, soul-stirring adventure that immerses you once again in the fascinating and complex world of Alfred the Great.

Here’s my review of it:

This is an excellent historical fiction book! With great character development, a strong brother-sister bond, delightful twists and turns, and a beautiful message of redemption, this book is definitely on my favorites list. I can tell the author did a lot of research and is very passionate about the time period and themes.

Amy Ullrich did an excellent job of writing a gripping adventure story with deep themes in a family-friendly way. I was glad to find another historical fiction book that isn’t focused on romance and is well-written with a strong Christian message naturally woven into the story.

You can grab your copy here!

Always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,

Savannah Jane

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Published on September 06, 2024 16:51

August 14, 2024

Your One Thing

Guest post by Hosanna Emily

Do you have historical heroes?

I do! I grew up devouring stories of the past featuring courage, heroism, and times unlike today’s but with stirrings to live in the present more fully. It wasn’t a surprise when I began writing books that historical-fiction adventures begged to be included. I drafted one and laid it aside as God gave me fantasy stories instead. Years passed.

As January 2024 awoke, God drew me back to this book, and I got to rewrite and explore a dark period that glowed in faint hope like the sunrise. I met people from history I admire as well as ones with weights around their hearts like chains, and I learned: every person must choose their “one thing.”

The phrase became real to me when my brother planted a giant watermelon seed in his mulched garden. To grow the largest produce possible, he daily cut off flowers, fruit, anything that threatened to take away the nutrients from the single watermelon he selected specially, and that one, huge prize became the plant’s “one thing.” He covered it with a sheet from the sun, watered it, checked for bad spots, and watched over it daily.

He could have grown a second melon on the vine or a third. But every additional fruit stole life and water from the one prize melon that grew to be hundreds of pounds. That watermelon was the “one thing.”

And every person in history chose theirs too.

As I researched Jamestown 1609 for my novel, I met people like John Smith who is remembered from history for his leadership and heart of adventure and exploration, and perhaps his “one thing” was discovery.

In forests where the native village of Orapakes lay, I found Pocahontas whose “one thing” was to bring peace between peoples.

Even before Jamestown was settled, as Robert Hunt stepped from one of the first ships to Virginia soil, he prayed a blessing over the new land, and his “one thing” was to see the country not only experience the amazingness of the Gospel personally but for it to spread to the next generation and eventually the entire world.

Joan Pierce’s “one thing” may have been to use her skills of gardening for the good of the colony.

There were men who lead murderous expeditions and slaughtered the natives, perhaps with the “one thing” of achieving fame or power.

The list goes on and on. Every hero, every remembered name, had something they desired and aimed to achieve, from sacrificial and heroic to cruel and overbearing.

As I wrote the story of so many heroes, I also found individuals who’ve nearly been forgotten. For example, three gentlemen—Rose, Scott, and Morrell—lived full lives, leaving behind only their names and the title of their jobs: laborers. There’re countless others who are names in history that we imagine up stories for, but their true “one things” are forgotten, buried like dusty pages of a book on a high, abandoned shelf. Their tales are forgotten, and it was a huge honor for me to prayerfully research their stories then write a truth-packed adventure that, I pray, gives them continued purpose today.

Like forgotten heroes, the rest of my story is yet to be written. So is yours.

God invites us to pursue our “one thing” that defines our lives, and I’m guessing the heroes you admire have similar dreams to the ones stirring in you. You may desire to be an author like someone, an explorer like someone, or a business person like someone else.

You have one choice. One watermelon to cultivate.

And you’re invited to,

“...continually set your hearts, before all else, on (God’s) Kingdom and the salvation that comes from him.” (Matthew 6:33)

Before all else.

Yet Jesus warns,

“No one can be a slave of two masters... You cannot be slaves of both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

Following Jesus isn’t like having a little melon titled “religion” that you let grow on your vine along with your other passions and pursuits. It’s also not having a “Jesus” melon and another melon the same size. It’s only Him. It’s knowing Him deeply and allowing Him to not only be Savior but also Lord, Friend, Master. It’s allowing Him to prune any competing fruit so He is our “one thing.” That relationship with Him, that transformation, changes your entire life, and He often then beautifully takes your gifts, talents, and relationships and uses them in crazy ways beyond your imagination!

In the Bible, Jesus tells us that to follow Him means losing everything... but He also tells us what our future hope is: a restoration like Eden (Isaiah 51:3) where Jesus is King over all governments (Revelation 17:14), resurrected bodies with strength and healing (1 Corinthians 15), an inheritance that Jesus Himself shares with us (Romans 8:17), and that’s not even mentioning the amazingness of every day life with His Spirit in us!

In my life, Jesus asked if He was worth losing everything to find, and the answer is a resounding “yes!”

It’s meant sacrifice, denial, loss of friendships, yet it’s been the sweetest, most life-giving, and joyful thing I’ve experienced. As I walk in Him, He’s allowed me to use the gifts and dreams I have for His coming Kingdom, and it’s purposeful beyond what my childhood dreams ever were. I can know God! I can be His daughter! I can live life with Him who loves me most in this world!

Jesus is my one thing. Is He yours?

He invites us but also warns,

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Surely he is going to sit down, before anything else, and figure out the cost to see if he has what he needs to bring the job to a satisfactory finish, isn’t he? Of course! Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation but isn’t able to bring the tower to completion, all who see it will begin to do what? Mock him... In the same way, therefore, any of you who refuses to give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:28-29, 33)

The heroes of Jamestown left behind their legacies, and writing historical fiction has given me the honor of exploring them and weaving a tale that highlights the truth of the Gospel in beautiful, individual, broken lives—all invited to restoration.

If someone wrote my story one day, I hope they never define my “one thing” as being an author, a writer, a sister, an encourager, or anything else. Those are such good gifts I love, but they’re not what I seek first.

Following Jesus is the ultimate treasure in life and the best prize we can attain; so I challenge you, what’s your “one thing” going to be?

About the author

Because of the grace of God, Hosanna Emily is a warrior poet: a warrior because God is her Father (which makes her a crazy-in-love princess) and she lives fighting to be faithful for the day His Kingdom will come and a poet because she loves beautiful, truth-filled words. Thus, she fills her journal with poetry, her blog with urges to live for Jesus, and then writes books on top of that.

On a normal day, you may find her homemaking on the family farm, going on long walks, singing worship, cooking healthy food, playing Frisbee, randomly dancing the Virginia Reel, dreaming of Jesus' coming Kingdom, and enjoying life with her family of more than a dozen amazing people and her church family of even more.

Links:

Blog: Having a Heart Like His

Books: Amazon.com: Hosanna Emily: books, biography, latest update

Instagram: @hosanna.emily

Email Hugs (bookish updates + encouragements): Subscribe

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Published on August 14, 2024 12:12

July 17, 2024

Interview with Sophia McCrary, Author of Rainbow

Hi friends! Today, I am thrilled to welcome Sophia McCrary to the blog. Sophia is a writer, musician, and my sister! In this interview, we’ll be discussing her new book, Rainbow.

First, share a bit about yourself.

I live in the wooded mountains of western Montana with my family. In that piece of paradise, I go on adventures, make memories with my family, help with our Bernese Mountain dog breeding program, and assist in caring for our little homestead. I love hiking in the woods, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, snowshoeing, gardening, and other outdoor activities. I’m a homeschool graduate and, most importantly, a follower of Christ and have always loved to see the Lord in the handiwork He has created around me. I greatly enjoy playing and composing music and poetry and capturing a small part of the beauty of the Creator through artwork.

Now, tell us about your book.

A few years ago, I wrote a song about the true story of how the rainbow first came to be. I then had the idea to create artwork and turn it into a children’s book that I could share with people. It is now a rhyming picture book that can serve as a beginning for people, and children in particular, to learn the truth behind the colorful arc.

What inspired you to write this song that later became a book?

The rainbow has become a very controversial and confusing element for a lot of people. Far too often, it is left untouched or handled improperly. I had never heard a song that simply shared the true history, and that was what I wanted to do.

What do you hope readers come away from your book with?

My hope is that readers will come away with a clear understanding of how the rainbow originated and what it means. I hope that whenever they see a rainbow, they will now think of the promise of God. Another one of my desires is that readers will come to see more clearly how all of God’s covenants and promises are intertwined, and the rainbow points to salvation through Jesus Christ.

What are some books and songs that inspire you?

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, Unbroken which tells the story of Louie Zamperini, The Crown and Covenant series by Douglas Bond, Journey Through the Night by Anne DeVries, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

Some of my favorite songs are “Be Thou My Vision,” “Christ is Mine Forevermore” by City Alight, “Sooner Count the Stars” by Sovereign Grace Music, “She Waits,” “Diamonds and Gold,” “Train Station,” and “This My Soul” by the Gray Havens, “Your Words,” and “Born Again” by Third Day, and “Faithfully” by TobyMac.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers/creatives?

Don’t be discouraged. Things take time; be patient and wait on His time. Don’t compare. God has everyone at a different place for a different purpose, and His plan for you is no less important. Stay well grounded in truth. Never compromise, and surround yourself with wise counsel and influence.

Do you have any future plans for books or other other creative ventures you’d like to share with us?

I’m in the process of creating some journals with artwork I have done on them and I look forward to sharing them with others.

And since this is a history blog, who are some of your favorite people from history?

Corrie ten Boom is one of my favorite historical figures. She was human and had flaws, but she didn’t allow them to stand in the way of God’s plans for her. I am constantly encouraged by how she lived poured out for the Lord right where He had her. William Wilberforce is another inspiration to me. He continued in what he knew the Lord had for him year, after year, after year, even when it seemed like nothing was happening.

***

Well, there you have it! I hope you enjoyed that interview as much as I did! Be sure to check out Sophia’s lovely book! You can buy a signed copy from our online store or find it on Amazon.

And always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane

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Published on July 17, 2024 10:00

May 1, 2024

Interview With Historical Fiction Author Amy Ullrich

Hi friends! Today, I'm excited to share with you an interview with historical fiction author Amy Ullrich and join in the cover reveal celebration for her new book!

Interview

1. First off, tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a writer and artist based in Western Australia. I wrote my first “proper” story when I was six years old, and have been writing stories ever since. At first, I mostly wrote fairytales, but as my love for history grew, I decided to combine my two passions and write historical fiction instead!

2. What is your new book about?

Among the Outcast is Book II in my Heroes of Wessex series. (Book I was Among the Great.) The series is a historical fiction series set in the 9th century, during the reign of Alfred the Great. In Among the Outcast, we follow the journey of Edwin, now an outcast and fugitive, who desperately longs to earn the forgiveness and trust of King Alfred. But while Edwin wrestles with the growing conviction that he will never be able to pay for the wrong he did, he has no idea of the great danger closing in on his family...

3. What inspired you to write this series?

I’ve always been fascinated by King Alfred’s life and times, but my desire to set a story during his reign was sparked when I discovered that he was not only a ruler and a warrior, but a writer and translator. This led me to take a more in-depth look into his life and work. The more I studied him, the more fascinated I became by the heart and story behind this monarch who literally changed history. I decided to write a series of novels during his reign to help bring to life this pivotal period of history and to hopefully inspire my readers to find out more about this great king.

4. What do you hope readers come away from your book with?

Well, of course I hope they will come away with a deeper understanding of this amazing period of history. More than that, though, my prayer is that readers will come away with renewed minds and refreshed souls. Life can be hard at times and my hope is that these stories will give readers a little bit of respite and will encourage them as they face the daily challenges of their lives.

5. Do you know how many books you’ll write for this series?

I'm not sure yet. I tend to plan one book at a time. If I reach the end of a book and find that I still have material for another story, I write another book!

6. What is your favorite part of the writing process?

It's hard to say, because I enjoy all of it to some degree, but I think the part I enjoy most would be writing the first draft. That's when I get to put flesh on my outline and can really enjoy the story and the characters without having to worry too much about ensuring that the writing is perfect.

7.What made you decide to write historical fiction?

I've always loved history. It is ultimately the Great Story written by God, the greatest Author of all. Writing historical fiction is a great way to engage with that Story and to share it with others.

8.Who are a few of your favorite people from history?

Alfred the Great (of course), Amy Carmichael (I was named after her), and Thomas Vincent (a Puritan minister who courageously helped people during the Plague of 1665 and who wrote some wonderful books.)

9. What are a few of your favorite books or what authors have impacted your writing most?

My favorite books include: The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow, Pride and Prejudice and The Lord of the Rings. To be honest, it's hard to say which authors have impacted my writing the most, because I've read so many, but I will say I learned a lot from a few interviews I heard with Douglas Bond. K.M. Weiland was also a massive help when it came to learning how to construct a novel.

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors seeking to glorify God with their writing?

Make sure that you have the right reasons for wanting to be an author. If your focus is on using your writing to glorify God and bless others, keep that goal in view and don't give up! Writing (and publishing) can be very tough at times, but if you have the right reasons for doing it, you will be able to push through and write a story that's worth fighting for!

11. Where can we find out more about you and your writing and buy your books?

The best way you can connect with me is through my email newsletter! Sign up at https://amyullrich.com/

Among the Outcast will only be released later this year (2024) but right now, it's available on Kickstarter. The Kickstarter ends on May 30 so check out the link so you don't miss out!

You can buy Among the Great on my website, and on most online retail stores.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/amyullrich/among-the-outcast-medieval-historical-novel-for-teens

***

I hope you all enjoyed reading that interview as much as I did!

And now some exciting news...

Amy has just released the cover for her new book, the second book in her Heroes of Wessex series, Among the Outcast.

Here it is:

Isn't it lovely?

I was able to be a pre-reader for the book, and I can tell you, it's excellent! It's a gripping adventure story with a beautiful message of redemption. I can tell Amy Ullrich did a lot of research and is very passionate about this time period and the themes! Set during the months after the battle of Edington, Among the Outcast dives deep into the complex themes of justice and forgiveness.

I also don't think I've ever read a book that reminded me so much of my own books! The writing style, characters, and themes were so similar to how I write yet in a different time period. So if you liked my A Torch in the Empire Series, I think you'll like Amy Ullrich's Heroes of Wessex series. I think she did an excellent job of writing a gripping adventure story with deep themes in a family-friendly way. I was glad to find another historical fiction book that isn’t focused on romance and is well-written with a strong Christian message naturally woven into the story

And the good news is, you don’t have to wait for its release later this year. The book is available NOW on Kickstarter! But it's only available until May 30th, so don't wait!

Click here to find out more!

Always remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Thess. 5:24).
All for Him,

Savannah Jane

View more on Savannah Jane McCrary's website »

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Published on May 01, 2024 11:33

March 18, 2024

Lessons from the Dutch Resistance Part One: God Still Does Miracles

Hi friends!

In case you didn’t hear already, I’m working on a historical fiction book set in the Netherlands during World War II. In my research, I’ve read a lot of true stories of courageous, ordinary Dutch citizens who resisted the Nazis.

As I read the stories of these members of the Dutch Resistance, similar themes seem to pop up again and again in their stories. Lessons about who God is and how we are to live as Christians. Today’s post is the first of those lessons.

Lesson #1: God still does miracles.

This is one of those themes that I’ve noticed time and again in stories of the Dutch Resistance. God still does miracles.

Here are two stories illustrating this truth:

Story One: The Miracle of the Raincoat

Diet Eman was a young woman whose Christian faith motivated her and her fiancé, Hein, to resist the Nazis and help the Jews. As the war progressed, Diet found herself walking, biking, and riding trains all over the Netherlands, finding hiding places for Jews and delivering messages, stolen ration cards, and materials to make false ID cards.

One day, Diet was traveling on a train with a false ID and a big envelope of illegal papers inside her blouse–including stolen ration cards and materials to make false IDs for downed Allied pilots (helping Allied pilots was one of the very worst crimes under the Nazi regime).

Six Gestapo officers searched the train and soon all six were looking at Diet’s forged ID. They could tell it was fake. When the train stopped, Diet was made to sit on a bench at the station with the six Germans standing around her. One of them at least was always looking at her. Diet knew that she would be taken to prison and thoroughly searched. They would find that envelope and it would all be over. She would almost certainly be “up against the wall”–facing death by firing squad.

She began to plead with God, “Lord, if it’s necessary, then we will give our lives, but if it is at all possible, grant that those six men give me half a minute so that I can get rid of this envelope.”

What happened next Diet would call “probably the greatest miracle of my whole war experience.”

One of the Gestapo agents, a tall man, was wearing a long, shiny, gray plastic raincoat, a marvel in that time and place.

“Is that one of those new coats?” another of the Germans asked. “Is it really waterproof?”

And so began a conversation about the marvelous coat.

“Oh, what a great coat,” said one of the men, “and it has so many pockets.”

“You think that it has a lot of pockets on the outside, you should see the inside.” And the tall man opened wide his coat. Five heads looked inside to see the pockets, and Diet had her chance. She pulled the envelope out of her blouse and hurled it as far as she could.

The Germans didn’t see her throw it, and later when she was searched, she had nothing incriminating on her.

Diet and Hein on bicycles

Story Two: The Miracle of the Gun in the Bookshelf

Hans Poley was an eighteen-year-old student at Delft Technological University in the Netherlands in early 1943 when an announcement came that all who wanted to continue their studies must sign a declaration of loyalty to the Nazi regime. Those who didn’t sign were to report for deportation to a labor camp in Germany.

Hans was a Christian, and when this order came, he made his decision. In his words, “...the war against national socialism was not just a battle with arms; it was an ideological, a religious battle, and I could not sign the declaration.”

Hans then had to go into hiding and became the first fugitive to be sheltered by the ten Boom family. Later, he was able to get a false ID and became an active member in the Resistance.

He had a gun which he kept hidden on a bookshelf at his parents’ home. In Nazi-occupied Holland, owning a gun was a crime punished with an immediate death sentence.

While delivering a warning to a fellow Resistance member, Hans was arrested and shortly thereafter interrogated by the ruthless Gestapo. After a few hours of enduring the brutal interrogation, Hans pretended to break down and gave them a false story.

“You do know that we’re now going to your home to verify your story?” one of the interrogators asked.

And so began what Hans would later call “the darkest hours of my life.” He was certain his home would be ransacked and his story proven false. They would find his gun which meant immediate death by firing squad.

His family, his friends, his fiancé were all gone. All that remained was his faith.

He prayed hard while he waited for the Gestapo to return. Hours passed in which Hans fluctuated between peace and panic.

Late in the evening, the Gestapo returned and so did Hans’ fear. What had happened? Were his parents already in prison?

“You probably already know what we found,” one said. “And you also know what that means for you.”

This is it, Hans thought and prayed desperately for courage.

The Nazi opened his briefcase and threw some items on the table between them. A few underground papers and a boy scout knife.

Hans could hardly believe it. Yes, he’d be going to prison or concentration camp. But they hadn’t found his gun!

Later Hans learned what had happened.

There were twenty-four shelves on the bookcase that held the gun. The Gestapo threw the books off twenty-one of them. One of the only three untouched shelves held his gun.

Hans Poley

***

Some may call those coincidences. I prefer to call them everyday miracles.

And those are only two of many such stories. In The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of a vitamin bottle that miraculously didn’t run out. In another book, there’s a story about how God used mosquitos to save the life of a Dutch pastor named Pieter and the Jews he was with. One night, he was staying at a home in the woods with a Jewish family, and he couldn’t sleep because of the mosquitos. So he got up and went outside for a walk–and heard Germans coming. He was able to warn the Jews in time and they all escaped to safety. Because God sent some mosquitos to keep him awake.

These stories encourage me because the same God that Diet Eman and Hans Poley served is the God I serve.

The God who parted the Red Sea and multiplied the loaves and fishes is the same “yesterday, today, and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8).

He did miracles then, and He still does miracles today.

No, He doesn’t always send a miracle to save us. That’s another lesson we’ll see in the lives of Dutch Resistance members. Many of them lost their lives for their part in the Resistance. We may not understand why, but this we do know:

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD.

‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

Isaiah 55:8-9

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28