Savannah Jane McCrary's Blog, page 9

God's Plans are Better than Mine

“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
   I planned on living on the same piece of property my whole life. It was plenty big enough for my parents’ house and to build another house when I would grow up and, of course, get married, I thought. I didn’t plan on my family and me moving several states away. But we did.
   I planned to write several fantasy novels during my teen years. I didn’t plan on writing a book about issues like human trafficking, abortion, and orphans. But I did.
   And then there are countless little everyday moments when things don’t go how I planned them.
   I might plan to stay home and get lots of things done. But then we go on an unexpected trip.
   I might plan to finish a project by a certain time, but, well, things happen. Things I didn’t plan on happening. Things I couldn’t control.
   And, like everyone else, my life has had some real pain and heartache which I certainly didn’t plan. 
   Time and time again, God wrecks my plans and works out His plans. And you know what I have discovered every single time? God’s plans are better than mine. So much better. He truly is working all things for my good.
   I am so glad I am not the author of my life story. If I were, the story would be pretty boring. Have you ever read an adventure story where everything happened exactly how the main character planned it to? I haven’t. If it did, it wouldn’t really be an adventure story.
   The thing that makes life such a glorious adventure is that we don’t know what’s going to happen next, but we trust the Author. And we know there’s a happy ending waiting for us. An ending happier than anything we could ever make up—eternal life with our Lord.
   I’ve realized if things had gone the way I planned them to, I would have missed out on so much! Sometimes I look back and I’m just in awe of what God has done in mine and my family’s lives. I never would have planned to end up where I am now but I’m so glad I am where I am now. 
   So, dear friends, let’s trust Him that He knows best. Let’s live out our days with unspeakable joy, knowing that the Author of our life story is working all things for our good even when things don’t go the way we thought we wanted them to.
   And, always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane
P. S. I’d love to hear from you! How have you seen God work in your life in ways you didn’t expect? What are some ways things in your life didn’t go as you planned but turned out much better?
P. S. S. I have an email list! I don’t send emails that often, once or twice a month at most, but you can click here to sign up to receive my emails with new blog posts and other exciting updates (which might include some subscriber-only sneak peeks into upcoming books). 

A List of Good Books

“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”
—Charles Spurgeon
   Hi friends! I hope everyone is having a marvelous summer! I’ll warn you: this is a long post. It’s a list of some of my favorite books, and I LOVE BOOKS. I love that quote by Charles Spurgeon where he says to “visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” And that’s my goal. So here’s a list of some good books you can visit—including historical fiction, biographies, other nonfiction, fantasy, and children’s picture books. I certainly didn't get every single one of the really good books I've read put on here, but I did attempt to put a good sampling together. I hope you enjoy visiting lots of good books this summer, but don’t forget to live in the Bible!  So here goes, a list of some of my favorite books: Nonfiction:
The Hiding Place  by Corrie ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherrill
If I were picking one favorite nonfiction book, this would be it. Corrie ten Boom was a simple watchmaker, a single woman in her fifties living with her father and sister, when WWII broke out. In Nazi-occupied Holland, she and her family risked their lives to help the Jews. Corrie was arrested, imprisoned, taken to a concentration camp, several of her family members were killed, but through it all, Corrie clung to her hope in Christ.
Tramp for the Lord  by Corrie ten Boom with Jamie Buckingham
The sequel to  The Hiding Place , this book tells the story of what Corrie ten Boom did after she was released from the concentration camp, after the war. She travelled the world, sharing her story and the message of hope in Christ.
God’s Smuggler  by Brother Andrew with John and Elizabeth Sherrill
This book tells the remarkable story of the man called “Brother Andrew.” It tells of his childhood in Holland during WWII, his time in the Dutch army, his conversion to Christianity, and then his life’s work of bringing Bibles to persecuted Christians in Communist countries and God’s hand in it.
Mere Christianity  by C. S. Lewis
Now considered a classic, this book was put together from a series of broadcast talks C. S. Lewis gave during WWII, covering the basics of Christianity. It’s very profound, yet easy to read; truly an excellent book.
Radiant: Fifty Remarkable Women from Church History  by Richard M. Hannula
This is a wonderful collection of stories of Christian women from the past, including martyrs in the Roman arenas and martyrs in other eras, queens who used their position of influence for good, mothers who brought their children up in the Lord, missionary women, and other women who lived their lives surrendered to Christ. 
Trial and Triumph  by Richard M. Hannula
This collection of stories covers both men and women from all throughout church history—martyrs, missionaries, kings and queens, authors, pastors, fathers and mothers—all who lived lives of faithfulness to Christ.
Will Our Generation Speak?  by Grace Mally
An excellent book on witnessing filled with personal stories, inspiration, and very practical help and tips, this book will encourage you to share the gospel boldly.
Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends  by Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally
Written by three siblings, this book is funny, convicting, practical… really a great book to help you build good relationships with your siblings.
Set Apart Femininity  by Leslie Ludy
An amazing book encouraging young women (and old) to completely surrender every area of their lives to Jesus Christ. I have been very encouraged and impacted by this book!
Christian Heroes: Then & Now  and  Heroes of History  series by Janet and Geoff Benge
These two series of books cover the lives of a number of heroes from history. Some of my favorites are Louis Zamperini, Amy Carmichael, C. S. Lewis, William Wilberforce, and Jacob Deshazer.
Fiction:
The Chronicles of Narnia  by C. S. Lewis
Hands-down, my favorite fictional books. I’m amazed at how C. S. Lewis wrote such an imaginative children’s fantasy story, yet put so many biblical, real-life truths in them. My favorite of the seven books is  The Horse and His Boy .
The Screwtape Letters  by C. S. Lewis
Through this book of letters written by a senior devil named Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, C. S. Lewis opens our eyes to how temptation works and how God can give us victory over temptation. It’s both an entertaining and a very serious book.
The Hobbit  by J. R. R. Tolkien
Another classic fantasy written by C. S. Lewis’s friend J. R. R. Tolkien. I was first introduced to this fantastic book when I was thirteen and my mother read it aloud to my siblings and me. I recommend also reading The Christian World of The Hobbit by Devin Brown, a companion book that helps you see the Christian messages woven into this story.
Viking Quest Series  by Lois Walfrid Johnson
In the late tenth century, Viking ships raided the Irish countryside, taking gold, silver, gems… and human prisoners. This hard-to-put-down historical fiction series tells the story of Bree, an Irish girl taken captive by the Vikings and made a slave and how she learns to trust in God through it.
Crown and Covenant  books written by Douglas Bond, illustrated by Matthew Bird
This excellent historical fiction trilogy takes us back to the time of the Scottish Covenanters. Focusing on the fictional M’Kethe family, this book also weaves in some real historical characters and is packed full of historical details and biblical truths. 
Faith and Freedom  books by Douglas Bond
Sequel to the  Crown and Covenant  books, this trilogy follows later generations of the M’Kethe family in colonial America during the French and Indian War, in Scotland during the Jacobite Rebellion, and in America and France during the American Revolution.
Heroes & History Series  by Douglas Bond
Another excellent series by Douglas Bond, these books can also each be read as a stand-alone novel. The books include  Hostage Lands , an intriguing story set in the Roman era following a Roman centurion and a Celt who is a Christian,  Hand of Vengeance , an extremely hard-to-put-down story about Cynwulf, shunned by the other members of the Anglo-Saxon community for being  half Viking, and what happens when his battle-axe is found in a dead man’s skull,  Hammer of the Huguenots , set in France during the time of the Reformation, this book tells of the struggles faced by the French Protestants told through the eyes of a young shipwright’s apprentice, who through most of the book is not quite sure what he believes, and  The Battle of Seattle , following the real historical character, William Tidds, his role in the Indian War, the equally real Indian Charlie Salitat, and other figures from Pacific Northwest history.
War in the Wasteland  by Douglas Bond
Yet another good historical fiction book by Douglas Bond, this one’s set in World War 1 and follows Nigel Hopkins, a Private in the British army under the command of 2nd Lieutenant C. S. Lewis, and Elsie Fleming, a young nurse in the WAAC. Fans of C. S. Lewis (like myself) will recognize much of the dialogue as coming from C. S. Lewis’s writings.
The Resistance  by Douglas Bond
This was the eleventh book by Douglas Bond I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed the other ones I read and was not a bit disappointed with his one. Action-packed from beginning to end, this book follows American pilot Eli Evans, and his navigator, Charlie Tucker (he’s my favorite character; I love how he quotes Scripture so much), as they try to evade the Nazis in France after their plane crashes and meet British SOE Agent Garrett, French Resistance sympathizer Aimee, and other members of the French Resistance. The characters listen to broadcast talks by C. S. Lewis, heard as they listen for coded messages from the BBC.
Twice Freed  by Patricia M. St. John
Historical fiction about Onesimus, the slave whom the Apostle Paul wrote about in the book of Philemon in the Bible. Onesimus hates his master, Philemon, and his master’s son, Archippus, eventually stealing money and running away. But then he meets the Apostle Paul, puts his faith in Jesus Christ and everything changes. 
From the Dark to the Dawn  by Alicia A. Willis
I’ve read many good books, but I don’t know if I’ve ever read another fictional book that is as Christ-centered as this historical fiction novel set in the first century Rome. Philip is a Briton taken captive by the Romans and made a slave. He resents his hard young master, Marcus, and lives for the day when he will be free and get his revenge on Rome. Then he becomes a Christian. After giving his life to Christ, he begins the hard task of forgiving and showing respect to Marcus, who is determined to crush his newfound faith. It’s a beautiful story of forgiveness and the power of the gospel.
Grace Triumphant  by Alicia A. Willis
Another very good book by the same author as  From the Dark to the Dawn , this one is set in the late 1700’s. Jack Dunbar was forced to join the British Navy and later is made a cabin boy on a slave ship commanded by the hardened Captain Russell. Through many hardships, Jack sticks to his convictions and tries to shine the light of Christ to his captain and the crew on the ship. Along with the fictional characters, this book also brings in the historical figures William Wilberforce and John Newton.
Titus, A Comrade of the Cross  by Florence M. Kingsley
Written in the late 1800’s this book tells the story of the thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus.
The Cross Triumphant  by Florence M. Kingsley
Also written in the late 1800’s and set in the first century A. D., this book follows Phannias, a young Jew who has always tried to keep the Law, but has failed. Covering the turbulent times leading up to the fall of Jerusalem and the fall of the Temple itself, this is a story that eventually shows how salvation is found in the cross of Jesus Christ alone.
The Bronze Bow  by Elizabeth George Speare
In Galilee, the time when Jesus walked the earth, a young Jew named Daniel hates the Romans and wants revenge on them for what they have done to his family. But when he listens to what Jesus teaches, he hears a very different message.
Hittite Warrior  by Joanne Williamson
Biblical fiction set during the time of the Judges, specifically Barak and Deborah, this book centers on a young Hittite named Uriah, who, after the death of his father, and after he helps rescue a little boy from being sacrificed to the pagan god Molech, finds himself in one dangerous situation after another.
God King  by Joanne Williamson
Taharka was the son of the Pharaoh, but everyone was surprised when Pharaoh named him the next ruler of Egypt instead of his older brother, and there are those who do not like him. He ends up being forced to run for his life and finds an unlikely friend in the Hebrew prophet Amos.  
Alone, Yet Not Alone  by Tracy Leninger Craven
The amazing true story of Barbara and Regina Leninger and their famliy. They came over to America from Germany, and during the time of the French and Indian War, Barbara and Regina were captured by hostile Indians and separated. But they clung to their hope in Christ knowing that they were "alone yet not alone," because He was with them. 
Traiven’s Pass  by Jessica Marinos
A wonderful, well-written fantasy set in an imaginary kingdom where the Truth has been pushed aside and the rightful king is missing. Lydia’s world is turned upside down when her father is killed and she is made a servant, but she desperately clings to the truth. Galen had never left the obscure little village he grew up in until news of a tournament seems to him the opportunity to prove himself to his father, and he sets out on a journey which challenges himself and his beliefs.
Kestrel’s Midnight Song  by J. R. Parker
Another wonderful fantasy set in an imaginary medieval world, this book follows a young shepherd boy named Micah who is sent on a journey to bring his sheep to the Gable kingdom castle. Why, he’s not sure. An intriguing story filled with Marauders, a giant, and strange birds, this story about a shepherd boy also points us to the Good Shepherd, Jesus.
Children’s picture books:
The Dog Who Flew  written and illustrated by Samantha McCrary
I don’t think I’m just being biased because it happens to be my sister who wrote and illustrated this book—it really is a good book! Good writing, a good length to read aloud in one sitting, and great illustrations. Based on real events, this book tells the story of Wilson, a spunky Siberian Husky who becomes a rescue dog during WWII.
The Pastel Pets of Ms. Patty Pummill  written by Rick Mansfield, illustrated by Grace Obenhaus
A delightful book about a girl, who because of family hardships, finds herself living with her grandmother in an old house in an old town, with no friends. I like the Bible-based lessons  and Scripture verses woven into this story. The watercolor illustrations are simply delightful (and I’m not just saying that because it was a dear friend of mine who illustrated it; they really are lovely!).
A Visit to Oaklenbrooke Farm  written by Aleigha Israel, illustrated by Mariposa Aristeo
This short and sweet rhyming story is about a brother and sister visiting a farm and all the interesting animals they see there. It makes an excellent read-aloud for young children, and I love the illustrations!
Trusty the Train  series written by Mark and Debbie Hamby, illustrated by Jennifer Brandon
Some of the best children’s books I’ve seen, these rhyming stories teach Scriptural lessons through the adventures of a train named Trusty. I love the writing style, the messages, and the excellent illustrations!
The Princess and the Kiss  and  The Squire and the Scroll  by Jennie Bishop
Two very good books, one geared towards girls, and one toward boys, teaching about purity and honor in an allegorical, age-appropriate way through stories set in a medieval kingdom.
God’s Very Good Idea  written by Trillia J. Newbell, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
A very good book for even very young children about God’s very good idea: to make people who will enjoy loving God and loving each other. People ruined God’s idea, but God rescued it by sending Jesus, and one day, He’ll come back again. Very good writing and very good illustrations!  
The Friend Who Forgives  written by Dan Dewitt, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
Great storybook about how Peter failed and Jesus forgave, showing us how, even though we fail, God never fails us and always forgives. Illustrated by the same illustrator as  God’s Very Good Idea , the pictures in this book are also delightful. 
Well, always remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Thess. 5:24).
All for Him,
​Savannah Jane

Two Goals for the Christian Writer from Colossians

​   Hi friends! A few months ago, I studied the book of Colossians using a Bible study guide from a Set Apart Girl Magazine (I HIGHLY recommend the Set Apart Girl Magazine and all their other resources which you can check out at setapartgirl.com. It’s helped me so much in my walk with Christ). For over a month, I read the book of Colossians almost every day and went through it taking notes and answering questions. I can have a tendency to read really fast, but I found when I slowed down and really studied this book, I learned so much from it. And me, being me and loving to write, I began to apply some of these truths to writing, and so came up with this blog post: Two goals for the Christian Writer. So here they are:  Make people thirsty for Jesus.
Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
So what does it mean for our words to be seasoned with salt? I came across a very interesting definition recently in the book Will Our Generation Speak? by Grace Mally (really great book on sharing the gospel, by the way). One of the things salt does is make people thirsty. Thirsty for water. Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:10). Our words should make people thirsty for Jesus, make them long to know Him and experience a close relationship with Him. Whether we’re writing books or blogs, facts or fiction, our goal should be to make people thirsty for Jesus.Do your best for the Lord.
Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
While the context of this verse is servants obeying masters, we can apply it to every area of our lives as Christians. That includes writing. How easy it can be to call something “good enough” and not make it as good as we can. But let’s remember, we’re not just doing this for man. We’re doing this for the Lord Jesus. We work for the King of Kings, the One who died and rose again to save us, ruined sinners that we were. Let’s do our writing, or whatever work is given us, heartily. Let’s put our whole heart into it and do our best for the Lord Jesus.   One of the main themes of the book of Colossians is the preeminence of Christ. Preeminence means “to be first.” Jesus should always be given first place in our lives.
   And now, I’d love to hear from you!
   What are your goals as a Christian writer?
   What are you studying in the Bible?
   Let me know in the comments below!
   As always, remember that, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
   All for Him,
Savannah Jane

I've Published Another Book--The Girl with the Big Blue Eyes!

“On August 11, 2005, a hot summer day, there was born a beautiful baby girl.
Her parents and four older sisters loved her, and she brought much joy to their world.
She had big blue eyes, this girl her parents called Sadie,
And they soon learned she was a very special little lady.”
   That baby girl called Sadie is my little sister. We soon found out that she had epilepsy. What followed was a long journey of doctors' visits, tests, trying different diets and therapies, attempting to gain seizure control, and through it all, God's amazing, never-ending, unchanging grace. Now Sadie is thirteen years old, seizure-free, and loving life. And her story is now in a book! 

   My new book, The Girl with the Big Blue Eyes, tells Sadie's story in a rhyming children's book format with watercolor illustrations. Then there's a special section by my mama where she tells Sadie's story from a mother's perspective, and a section with more information on epilepsy, explaining what it is and how it affects people, and a genetic condition linked with it. 
   I wrote this book for several reasons. Here's three of them: 
1. I love my little sister! That should be fairly self-explanatory. I love my baby sister, and wanted to share her story with the world. 
2. I want people to understand what epilepsy is. I first got the idea to write this book after a girl Sadie had been talking to asked me why Sadie talked the way she did. I told her that Sadie had epilepsy, and, of course, she asked me what epilepsy was. Put on the spot, I wasn't quite sure how to explain it to a ten-year-old, but thankfully, she didn't seem to mind that I didn't have a very good explanation. Shortly afterward, though, I thought of this book as a way to explain to both children and adults what epilepsy is. 
3. I wanted to share the gospel. One of my main purposes in writing is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people. The good news that Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sins and we will be forgiven and have eternal life with Him if we repent of our sins and put our trust in Him. All of my books, including this one, have the gospel message in them.     The book is $10. You can buy it on Amazon here or contact me and I'll send you a signed copy!
   Well, always remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Th. 5:24).
   All for Him,
Savannah Jane

The Fire and the Trial is PUBLISHED!

Hi friends! I'm so excited to share with you that The Fire and the Trial, book one in my historical fiction series set in first century Rome, A Torch in the Empire Series, is PUBLISHED! Read on for some exciting sneak peeks...    I has so much fun writing this book, and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to do so! My hope is that this book will bring glory to God and draw people closer to Jesus. One of the main themes of this book is how our God is with us through every trial we face. The theme Scripture for the book and what I got the title from is 1 Peter 1:6-9, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 
And now, all the fun details...
The synopsis:
    “Our brothers and sisters in Rome are being fed to the lions.”
   After the Great Fire of Rome in A. D. 64, the Emperor Nero places the blame on the Christians, a people whose faith in the crucified and risen Jesus Christ of Nazareth carries them through the worst of persecutions. In their home in Jerusalem, Jesse and his sister, Abigail, hear of the persecution in faraway Rome. Then suddenly it’s not so far away anymore. Jesse and Abigail’s parents are killed for their faith in a Roman Circus. After the death of their parents, Abigail clings to her faith in Christ. But Jesse is angry. He’s angry at the Romans and angry at God. More than anything, he wants revenge on the Romans, yet he feels helpless to do anything against them. Then one fateful day, Jesse and Abigail find themselves captives on a voyage to Rome. And what awaits them there? Slavery or death?"
   The amazing cover art is by my friend Grace Obenhaus. Grace also did some illustrations inside, and there are lovely illustrations by my mother, Debbie McCrary, my siblings Sophia, Sadie, Louis, and Levi McCrary, and a few by yours truly. Click here for a peek at the illustrations. 
   The paperback book is 216 pages, and it's about 39,000 words. In addition to the story, the book has historical notes, Scripture references, discussion questions, and other fun bonus content. I put "recommended for ages 10 and up" on the back of the book, mainly because of the details about the persecution the Christians faced in Rome. I tried to tell it like it really happened, but I don't give too many unnecessary details. Every child is different, though, so some kids may be ready for it sooner, while others may not. My goal was to write a book that would have appeal both to younger kids as a read-aloud and to older children and teenagers. 
   The book is $10. You can buy it on Amazon here or contact me and I'll send you a signed copy! 
   You can also find the book on Goodreads here.
   If you've read all the way down to here, thank you! You can read the first chapter for free! I've attached it in PDF format at the end of this post. 
   Well, always remember, "He who calls you is faithful who also will do it," (1 Th. 5:24). 
All for Him,
Savannah Jane 
​P. S. My family and I will be selling this book along with all our other books at the Teach Them Diligently convention in Denver, CO, May 23-25. You can also follow us on Instagram @mccrarychristianpublishing to get all the latest news about our books and events.  [image error] the_fire_and_the_trial_first_chapter.pdfFile Size: 661 kbFile Type: pdfDownload File

The Story of How I Published My First Book (And a Few Exciting Announcements)

   It was when I was fourteen. I’d been writing short stories for years, and enjoyed writing ever since I learned how, but I had just realized the year before that I actually wanted to write books. I’d written a fantasy novel and wanted to publish it. But then God changed my plans.
   One night I was lying awake in bed, unable to sleep. There was something on my mind, a Bible verse. I knew there was a verse in Micah about justice and mercy, but I couldn’t remember exactly what it was.
   I’ll look it up in the morning, I thought. But more time passed, and still I couldn’t sleep.
   So I finally climbed out of bed, got my Bible and flashlight, and began to read. I found the book of Micah, started at the beginning and read until I got to chapter 6, verse 8. There it was.
   “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
   Let me back up. Shortly before this, God had really opened my eyes to the injustices of abortion and modern day slavery and given me a desire to do something about it. It started with a dear friend who was raising awareness of modern day slavery and money to fund rescue missions and another friend who’d been raising awareness and funds for the pro-life cause. I didn’t even know slavery still existed before then. And while I knew about abortion and certainly believed it was wrong, I’d never really done anything to take a stand against it. But I started researching and learning, and God gave me a desire to do something. I’d been thinking and praying about what to do and after that night when I read the verse in Micah I became more and more certain of what I should do—write this book.
   At first, it was only going to be about abortion and modern day slavery, but then I began to expand it to include information about orphans, the persecuted church, and because of my little sister Sadie, epilepsy and children with special needs, among other issues. In short, it’s about gaining God’s heart for the hurting and oppressed, and beginning to see through His eyes. It’s about Jesus, and following Him wherever He leads. It’s about doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly, not just in the “big things” but in our everyday lives.
   I told my mama about my idea and she said, “Well, I think you should.” So I got started.
   I had no idea the twists and turns life would take in the time from when I first had the idea to when I actually held the published book in my hands. But, as always, God was good. I learned a lot about being patient and about prioritizing, and three years after the idea for the book was born, I completed and independently published it.
   Fast forward to today: it has now been two years since I first published that book, which I called Do Justly: The Call to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus in the Midst of Injustice. In those two years, God has given me many opportunities to share my book with people—telling people about it, giving away numerous copies, selling books at two conferences (getting interviewed on the radio at one of those conferences!), and sharing about my book online. Life has also taken many more twists and turns that I never would have expected but that the Lord has used to grow me. I have grown both in my walk with Christ and in my writing and book design skills, and I decided it was time to do a second edition of Do Justly, which I am now calling Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly. (I’ve had some people at conferences say things like, “So this book is Do Justly. Are you going to also write books for Love Mercy and Walk Humbly?” I actually intended this book to cover all three, so I decided I needed to change the title.)
      So, what’s different about the second edition (besides the title)?
   Well, not a whole lot. It’s the same book, just with some additions and a few changes. I redid the illustrations and added a little paragraph to the end of each of the first three chapters explaining more of how I believe Micah 6:8 applies to the issues of human trafficking, abortion, and orphans. I made some changes to the list of recommended resources (books, movies, etc.) in the back of the book as some really good new ones have come out and I have discovered some more good ones I just had to share. I also added an appendix at the end explaining why socialism is not the answer. It was something I had not even thought of doing when I first published it, but I’ve since realized that a lot of young people think socialism is a good idea, that it will help people. I don’t believe it will, and I explain why from a biblical perspective. There are a few other minor changes, but those are the big ones.     The book is $10. You can buy it on Amazon here or contact me and I’ll send you a signed copy. I also still have some copies of the first edition which I’m selling for just $5 and free shipping. You can contact me if you’re interested.
   Well, always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Th. 5:24).
   All for Him,
Savannah Jane
P. S. In case you did not see my previous post, my family and I are going to be at the Teach Them Diligently homeschool convention in Denver, Colorado, on May 23-25 (read more about it here.). My parents and I will be speaking, and we’ll have a table where we’ll be selling all our books. Lord willing, my family will have published a total of six books by then. I’ll have  Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly ; my fantasy story-- The Invisible Guide --and hopefully, I’ll have also finished a children’s book about my little sister Sadie and her journey with epilepsy and the first book in my historical fiction series set in the Roman Empire (you can read about that here). My parents will have their book  The Greatest of These is Love,  and my older sister Samantha has almost finished a children’s picture book. Lots of exciting happenings!  

An Update on The Fire and the Trial and a Peek at the Illustrations

   Hi friends! In a previous post (read it here), I told about my new writing project: A Torch in the Empire Series, a series of historical fiction books set in the first century Roman Empire. I am now very excited to share with you that the first book, The Fire and the Trial, is almost finished! Like my other books, I am independently publishing it through Kindle Direct Publishing. (By the way, I highly recommend Kindle Direct Publishing for writers like me who have something they want to publish right away and want to be in charge of the whole process themselves). I have ordered the proof copy, and Lord willing, it’ll be published and available for you to buy in May.
   My family is going to the Teach Them Diligently convention in Denver, Colorado, May 23-25, and my goal is to have the book published then. My parents are doing a speaking session at the convention, telling about their 27 years and counting homeschooling journey and the truths they’ve learned along the way. I will be joining them to share how homeschooling has blessed me and given me the freedom to pursue my passions and publish books, and some of the lessons I’ve learned through it. This will be the first time any of us have spoken at a conference, so we're very excited about that! I have had tables selling books at two conferences, though, and we have gone to many, many conferences over the years as consumers. Homeschool conventions are really such fun, and my family and I are always so encouraged after going to one! If you’ve never been to a homeschool convention/conference, you really must go to one! You can learn more about Teach Them Diligently here.
   Back to the book: like my last book, The Invisible Guide, this book is illustrated by my friend Grace Obenhaus, with additional illustrations by my mama and siblings, and yours truly. Here’s a little peek at the illustrations for you:  This amazing illustration of my main characters,  Jesse and Abigail, is by Grace. Jesse and Abigail are a Jewish brother and sister living in Jerusalem. The story begins in A. D. 65, the year after the Great Fire of Rome. After the fire, the Emperor Nero began persecuting the Christians. Jesse and Abigail hear of the persecution in faraway Rome, but then suddenly it’s not so far away anymore. Jesse and Abigail’s parents are killed for their faith in a Roman Circus. After the death of their parents, Abigail clings to her faith in Christ. But Jesse is angry. He’s angry at the Romans and angry at God. More than anything, he wants revenge on the Romans, yet he feels helpless to do anything against them. Then one fateful day, Jesse and Abigail find themselves captives on a voyage to Rome. And what awaits them there? Slavery or death? This lovely illustration of the mountains around Jerusalem is by my mama, Debbie McCrary. Psalm 125:2 says, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever."  This incredibly detailed illustration of a prison cell is by my younger sister Sophia. You'll have to wait until you read the book to find out how the cell comes into the story.  This great illustration of a fish symbol drawn on a dirt floor is by my little sister Sadie. The ichthus, or fish, was a secret symbol used among the early Christians to identify each other.  This awesome illustration by my younger brother Louis is of a Roman trireme, a ship with three banks of oars, one on top of the other. The top row of oars was the longest, the middle row, shorter, and the bottom row, shorter still so that they could all row at once without the oars hitting each other. The ship was originally designed by the Greeks, but the Romans adopted it as their own, as they did many other Greek customs.  This is an excellent illustration of a gladius by my little brother Levi. A gladius was a short Roman sword, about two feet long used by soldiers and gladiators (that's how gladiators got their name).  And this last illustration of Jesse and Abigail is by me. 
Well, always remember, "He who calls you is fatihful, who also will do it," (1 Th. 5:24). 
All for Him,
Savannah Jane 

Eight Lessons I've Learned While Writing Books

​   It’s been nearly six years since I first knew I wanted to write and publish books. In those six years, I’ve published two books—one fiction and one nonfiction.  Before publishing those two books I’d written one 50,000 word novel that I have not published (and probably never will) and several short stories. Now, I’ve almost finished a children’s picture book, and the first book in a historical fiction series set in ancient Rome is well underway. I’m also working on doing a revised and updated edition of my book Do Justly (my nonfiction book about human trafficking, abortion, orphans, other issues, and sharing the gospel). So, yeah, I love to write and do a lot of it.
    I have learned so much since I’ve started writing books, and I wanted to share some of those lessons I’ve learned with you. Here they are: 
​1. Writing is one way I can fulfill my purpose in life, but it’s not the only way. ​   God has given us an incredible purpose in life. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. That’s the gospel. We are not saved by any good works that we do. But when we receive God’s salvation, we also make Him the Lord of our lives. Our lives are not our own. He has a purpose for our lives. We find that purpose in the Bible. It includes loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). It also includes fulfilling the Great Commission which is going and sharing the gospel and making disciples (Matthew 28:18-19 and Mark 16:15).
   Writing is one way I can fulfill God’s purpose for me. But it’s not the only way. I know there are other things besides writing that God would have me do. One big thing I know God wants me to do is to be serving my family and investing in my relationships with them. I also believe He’s leading me towards becoming a midwife. So I will write, and use my writing to bring Him glory, to fulfill the purpose He’s given me, but that’s not all I’ll do. Which leads me to my second point:  2. Don’t let writing (or anything else) become an idol ​   An idol is anything in your life that takes a place that should be reserved for Jesus alone. It could be a hobby or a relationship or dozens of other things. It’s anything that becomes more important to you than Jesus. It’s also anything other than Jesus in which you’re finding your worth or your identity. Ultimately, I’m not a writer, or an illustrator, or a homeschool graduate, or a midwifery student. Even though I do write, and I do illustrate, and I was homeschooled, and I am studying to be a midwife, ultimately who I am is a follower of Jesus Christ.
   To make sure my writing does not become an idol in my life, I often ask myself, “If the Lord asked me to, would I be willing to give it up, for a season, or even forever?” If I’m truly writing for the glory of God, then I’ll also be willing to not write for the glory of God. 
3. Seek wise counsel
​   The Bible talks a lot about the value of wisdom. It’s very important to seek wisdom from other wise people. For me, the main people I talk to are my parents. I get their advice and input on my writing projects, and in other areas of my life. I also gain wisdom from the teaching at church, reading good books, listening to podcasts, etc. And, of course, the most important place to get wisdom is from the Bible. When we get wisdom from other people, in order for it to truly be wisdom, it must line up with Scripture. 
4. I must be willing to change my plans
​   When I first started writing, I thought I would write young adult medieval fantasy books. God changed my plans. Instead, the first book I published was Do Justly. Then I started writing The Invisible Guide, thinking that this would be a medieval fantasy geared towards older teens. But my plans got changed again. In the midst of writing it, I knew I needed to make some changes and make it a book fitting for younger kids, too. Then the same thing happened again when I started writing The Fire and the Trial (the first book in my historical fiction series set in ancient Rome). I started writing it, intending it to be a novel for older teens. But while listening to my mama read a book aloud to my younger siblings and me, I thought “I want this to be a book that moms can read aloud to their kids.” So I changed that book, too, and made it the first in a series at a middle-grade reading level (although I hope older teenagers will still enjoy it, too). 
5. Write for God’s approval, not the approval of man. ​ ​   It’s so easy to start worrying about what other people will think of you. But it says in Galatians 1:10, “…if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” My one main goal in writing should be to please the Lord. So I write what He would want me to write, even if it happens to be unpopular. And if people don’t like it, oh well. 
6. Make a schedule, establish a routine, but be flexible.
​   I find I get a lot more done if I have a plan. So I make goals of what I want to write by when, and I have a routine of when I write. Currently, my routine is to write for at least an hour in the morning while my younger siblings are doing school. But I have to be flexible. Sometimes we go somewhere unexpectedly, or sometimes we have a crazy morning. Again, if I’m truly writing for the glory of God, I must also be willing to not write for the glory of God. 
7. Be willing to wait when you need to, and wait with joy.
   This has been a hard one for me! While I love the writing process, I also love getting writing projects done and moving on to new ones. But sometimes it just has to wait. Maybe I’m going through a season (like moving to another state) where it’s hard to find time to write. When that happens, I must wait, and wait with joy. If God wants me to wait to do something, then He can certainly give me joy while I’m waiting.
   And also, I’ve learned how important it is to edit and proofread. Even though I might be in a hurry to get a book published, I must remember I should do my best for the Lord. So that might mean I need to wait a while to publish, while I do some more polishing and editing and get some more input from my proofreaders. Now, of course, you could edit forever. It does come to a point when it’s time to call it done. It will never be perfect. But do take your time and make it as good as you can. (At the very least, make sure there aren’t typos, and spelling and grammar mistakes. There are some self-published books out there with a lot of these in them. Ask some friends and family members to proofread and correct these mistakes. And be patient while they do it.)
8. Stay humble.
​   And finally, stay humble! Don’t get prideful. A. W. Tozer said, “Our gifts and talents should also be turned over to Him. They should be recognized for what they are, God’s loan to us, and should never be considered in any sense our own. We have no more right to claim credit for special abilities than for blue eyes or strong muscles. ‘For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?’ (1 Corinthians 4:17).”
    I have blue eyes, but it would be silly for me to get prideful about that and start thinking things like, “Not many people have blue eyes. I’m something special.” I didn’t do anything to make myself get blue eyes! It’s the same with gifts, talents, and special abilities. God gave them to us. We can’t claim credit for them. All glory goes to Him.
Well, I hope you found that helpful! Always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Th. 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane

Movie Review: Amazing Grace (And Some Things We Can Learn from William Wilberforce's Life)

Hi friends! I have just finished doing the Worldviews in Conflict course, put together by Kevin Swanson. It's a study of worldviews in philosophy, literature, and culture. I learned a lot through it. My final project was to write a movie review from a biblical perspective. At my mama's suggestion, I chose the movie Amazing Grace, and I thought I'd share my review with you. Here it is: 
   The transatlantic slave trade was thriving. Africa was torn by tribal warfare, and tribes kidnapped members of other tribes and sold them to European slave traders. Shiploads of Africans sailed around the world in the worst of conditions, and were then sold as slaves. In England in the late 1700’s, few people believed the slave trade was wrong. Of these, even fewer were brave enough to speak against it. William Wilberforce was one of those few. So begins the movie Amazing Grace, the inspiring true story of William Wilberforce and his fight to end the slave trade in Great Britain.
   William Wilberforce had a successful career in the English Parliament’s House of Commons. But then, as he puts it in the movie, God found him. William Wilberforce became a Christian. At first, he considered leaving Parliament. But then he realized God had a job for him right where he was. His eyes were opened to the horrific reality of the slave trade. His friend William Pitt, (who later became Prime Minister), Olaudah Equiano (a former slave), an abolitionist named Thomas Clarkson, and others urged him to take up the fight. Wilberforce, unsure what to do, went to see John Newton. John Newton was formerly the captain of a slave ship, but later repented of his sins, became a preacher, and wrote the famous hymn “Amazing Grace.” He encouraged Wilberforce that using his position in Parliament to fight the slave trade was what God had for him to do. So William Wilberforce presented a bill for the abolition of the slave trade to the House of Commons. When it did not pass, he presented it again. And again. And again. He later met and married Barbara Spooner, who shared his Christian faith and passion to end the slave trade. And he kept fighting.
   One of the themes in this movie is being willing to stand up for something that is unpopular. In William Wilberforce’s day, it was very unpopular to speak against the slave trade. But Wilberforce cared more about what God thought than what other people thought of him. He knew the slave trade was wrong, and was willing to risk unpopularity to fight against it. In our day, it’s unpopular to speak out against abortion. But the Bible clearly teaches that an unborn baby is just as much of a human being as one who is born, and to kill an unborn baby by abortion is murder. It’s also unpopular to speak out against homosexuality and transgenderism. But the Bible clearly teaches that God created man and woman, male and female. We can’t change our gender. And marriage is supposed to be one man and one woman. (See Genesis 1:27, Matthew 19:4-5, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).We can’t just stand by and say nothing when so many people are being deceived and led astray. Thank God that Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sins. Because we're all sinners; whether or not we've committed the specific sins of homosexuality and abortion, we've still sinned and need Jesus to save us. 
   Another theme in this movie and Wilberforce’s life is perseverance. He presented his bill for the abolition of the slave trade again and again for over twenty years before it finally passed. He faced a lot of challenges including health problems, but he kept on. We can all learn a lot from that. It’s easy to give up when things get hard, but the Bible talks a lot about perseverance, keeping on doing what God wants you to do even when it’s hard. (See Hebrews 12:1, James 1:12, and Galatians 6:9).
   Another theme would be what some people call not separating the sacred and the secular. We often think of parts of our lives as being sacred or spiritual and other parts as being secular. We think of some jobs as being more spiritual than others. For example, we might think, you can have an ordinary job or you can serve God by being a pastor, missionary, etc. But in reality, every part of our life belongs to God. We are to serve Him in whatever we do. The work God gives you to do might not seem extremely spiritual. But you can do it for the glory of God.
   And one final theme I’d like to mention is the worth of every human being. At one point in the movie, Wilberforce says to “Remember that God made men equal.” There is only one race, the human race. It doesn’t matter whether someone is African or English or whatever else, they are still a human being created in God’s image.
   I really like this movie. They kept it pretty close to the real story. There are a few fictional elements added, but for the most part it’s accurate. There are a several instances of what they call “brief, mild language” which I think they could have left out. Also, one of Barbara’s dresses has a very low neckline.
   But, overall, I’d say it is a very good movie. It’s made very clear in the movie that it was William Wilberforce’s faith in God that inspired him to fight the slave trade. It was God that moved him to take up the fight, and God who kept him going through all the challenges. I would definitely recommend this movie and I give it five out of five stars for an excellent, inspiring, and encouraging movie.
   Through the brave efforts of William Wilberforce and others, the slave trade was finally abolished in Great Britain. However, slavery has not ended. Human trafficking and other forms of slavery still exist today. Jesus said the poor will always be with us. Poverty and slavery will not be completely eradicated until the Lord returns and makes all things new. But God has asked us to seek justice, to rescue the oppressed, to love our neighbor, to care for the poor and the sick, and to speak up for the weak and vulnerable. We need more people like William Wilberforce who will do that, following the principles God has given us in His Word.
   So, have you seen the movie Amazing Grace? What are some of the best movies you've seen? How are you inspired by the life of William Wilberforce? 
    Always remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Th. 5:24). 
    All for Him, 
Savannah Jane
P. S. I also recommend the book  The Amazing Grace of Freedom: The Inspiring Faith of William Wilberforce  by Ted Baehr and Susan Wales. It's an excellent companion book to the movie. Also,  Grace Triumphant  by Alicia Willis is a wonderful historical fiction book covering this time period. 
​

What I'm Writing Now

Hi friends! I'm so excited to tell you what I am writing now. I am in the process of writing a series of books set in the Roman Empire during the time of the early church.   The Roman Empire was a very dark place. Thousands died in the Games held in their arenas. Human life was completely disregarded. Infanticide (the killing of babies, usually by exposure) was common. All kinds of terrible sins were commonplace. 
   But in the midst of that darkness, came the light of Christ. The Christian faith was like a torch that began to burn brightly in the darkness of the Roman Empire. That's what I'm writing about. 
   My goal, Lord willing, is to have the first book: The Fire and the Trial published in May. Here's a short description of it:

A.D. 64 
 After much of the city of Rome burns to the ground during the Great Fire, the Emperor Nero places the blame on the Christians, a small but fast growing number of people whose faith in the crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth carries them through the worst of persecutions. For Jesse and Abigail, a Jewish brother and sister living in Jerusalem, the persecution in Rome seems far away. Until the day their parents are arrested and killed in a Roman arena. In the midst of her grief, Abigail clings to her faith in Jesus, but Jesse decides he wants nothing to do with a God who would allow something so terrible to happen. Then one fateful day, Jesse and Abigail find themselves captives on their way to Rome and an unknown future. 

   I've been doing some planning and research for about a year now, and my hope is that it will be a historically accurate, well written, gripping story. But most of all, my hope is that it will draw you closer to Jesus. I also hope it will be a book that families can read aloud together. I know my family loves our read-aloud time. 
   Like my last book, ​The Invisible Guide, this book will have some illustrations by my friend Grace Obenhaus, some by my family, and some by yours truly.
   I'll be sharing more info and updates on this book in the coming months. For now, always remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Th. 5:24). 
All for Him, 
Savannah Jane