Sarah Holman's Blog, page 68

Out of the Ashes, We Rise

A baby will never take its first breath because a mother chooses to end its life.A teen laughs at the idea of waiting for marriage as an outdated idea.A adult turning their back on the faith of their parents.A family ripped apart by one person’s sin.A heart held captive by the addiction it seeks to keep secret from the world.
These are the ashes we focus on so often as Christians. Those of us trying to live our lives so differently from the rest of the world look around and feel helpless to stop the wrongs around us.

There is a very good reason for that: We are.

Our nation, indeed the whole world, is falling apart around us, just as God said it would. We with Elijah sometimes feel as if we are the only true Christian’s left, looking out on the ashes of true Christianity. We look out at a sea of angry people and want to weep at their misguided cause, the ashes of truth at their feet. We look at the women filing into clinics around the country, and see the ashes of morality.

However, we are focusing on the wrong thing. We were never meant to stare at the ashes. We aren’t supposed to live at the feet of the cross and the death of Christ, we are supposed to rejoice in the empty tomb. We aren’t supposed to sit in the ashes of our own sin, but rise and lift our eyes to something better. We are never supposed to look out at the raging sea, but to the only One who can calm it.

Around us we find the ashes of much we once held dear, but now it is time to rise. It is time not to focus on the fact that abortion is legal, but on the teen down the street that needs someone to show her the love of God. Instead of battling in the capitol buildings about prayer in school, we need to start praying for the teachers, school board, and the children in school. Instead of yelling about the horrible sin, we need to weed it out of our own hearts and help those we know who are struggling with it.

Should we still vote? Oh yes! Should we still cry out in the capital against such horrors? May we never cease to. However, instead of staring at the ashes around us, let us rise.

I will Testify!

This is my prayer. May it always be so.
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Adventure Between the Pages: Grandmother's Letters

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Age Appropriate For: 10 and up for some mildly intense moments
Best for Ages: 10 -18
Description: Louise’s friend is dragging her along on a dubious treasure hunt. She, however, would rather be reading the recently discovered letters written by her great-great-grandmother, Georgiana Donahue. Meanwhile, Xavier, a young law student, is facing struggles of his own. He can’t find a job, his uncle is constantly belittling his late father, and he can hardly stand his seemingly perfect cousin. In the next town, an old man’s reclusive ways are disturbed when he agrees to let Malcolm Moore do his yard work. Although he desires to return to his seclusion, he is perplexed by the Moores' willingness to welcome him into their lives. Almost 100 years in the past, Georgiana Donahue's life was turned upside down in the course of one eventful year, and she was inclined to blame God for all of her troubles. Little did she realize that the searching letters she wrote to her brother and his wife would end up touching so many lives, so long after they were written.

This book reminded me of older books. Not only was their language a little formal, it also went at a steady but slow pace. I enjoyed a break from the normal rapid pace of most modern books. Since the story was well written and kept moving, it never felt like it came to a standstill.

The characters were well developed, each having a unique personality and different reaction to similar situations. I felt sorriest and also liked Xavier the most, as I thought he had such a rough life and no one to guide him. However, Louise was a very close second. Her searching for the truth and not giving up was great to see.

There were two points that caused this to be only four stars. The first one is that the character cast is very similar to those found in Journey of the Four, so much so that at times it felt like the same book. Secondly, I thought Adrian was wrong for not standing up to his father when his father was being unreasonable, making unbiblical demands of him (putting money before principle). I strongly agree that we are to honor our parents always, but you can honor them while refusing to do as they ask.

One of the things that I most appreciated about this book (and all of Jones’ books) is the tough questions of faith and morals that are asked and the biblical answers that are given. While I may disagree with some of the conclusions (Adrien for example) the author isn’t giving easy solutions to hard situations in her story, she is giving ones based on biblical principles.

I highly recommend this book to younger readers who enjoy contemporary stories that are based in a strong biblical worldview.




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Blog Tour: Surrender

Calling all pianists! With a Joyful Noise has released a new piano solo book for late-intermediate to early-advanced pianists. Whether you are your church's pianist or you simply enjoy learning new music for personal enjoyment and reflection, finding new music books is always a joy. Coming from a church pianist who knows the struggle of finding new offertories, Amanda Tero has taken timeless songs and woven advanced techniques into simple, relaxing settings.
The songs in the piano solo book are commonly known as “invitation songs,” and the messages ring true. Have we laid all on the altar for God to control? Have we acknowledge our need for Christ and turned fully to Him? Have we truly surrendered all to Him? Are we daily seeking to be near Him so that we can say in assurance, “It is well with my soul?” Are we eagerly awaiting His eternal plans for us or do we still cling to that which will one day fade away?
Listen to all of the songs on YouTube.


About the Book Level: Late-intermediate/Early AdvancedPages: 37Song List (click on the link to listen to samples)
Is Your All on the Altar - Come, Ye Sinners - I Surrender All - Near the Cross -
It is Well With My Soul - Near to the Heart of God - Jerusalem, my Happy Home
Buy the BookVisit www.withajoyfulnoise.com or email Amanda at withajoyfulnoise@gmail.com for more information on purchasing your own copy (digital or print).

About the Arranger Amanda Tero is a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, currently living and teaching in Mississippi. She has played piano since 1998, studying under Karen Tero, Donna Hopkins, and Shelley Hayes. The Lord has given her opportunities to be involved in accompaniment, congregational playing, hymn-arranging, and recording since 1999.
Connect with Amanda Email: withajoyfulnoise@gmail.comWebsite: http://withajoyfulnoise.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wajnmusicvideosFacebook: www.facebook.com/withajoyfulnoiseInst... https://www.instagram.com/withajoyfulnoise/WAJN Blog: https://wajnmusic.wordpress.com/Amanda's Blog: http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/
Giveaway Since not all blog-readers are pianists, there are two giveaways going on, so no one is left out! First, you may enter for a physical copy of Amanda's piano solo CD, The Solid Rock. Second, you may enter to win a print copy of Surrenderfor yourself. Note: these giveaways are open to U.S. Residents only (non-U.S. residents may enter the giveaway for Surrenderif they would like to win a digital copy instead).


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Be sure to hop by the other great blogs that are featuring Surrender on their blogs this month!~ Bookish Orchestrations ~ Creating Precious Moments ~ Jessa's Whimsical Writings ~ Honey Rock Hills ~ The Destiny of One ~ Ready to be Offered ~ Thoughts on Life ~ Reading in June ~ Kelsey's Note Book ~ Peculiar on Purpose ~
                                                     

The Wind is moving... And I am standing still

Because sometimes it does feel like everyone is moving forward and I am standing still.
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Adventure Between the Pages: Courting Miss Lancaster

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Age Appropriate For: 15 and up for romance
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Description: Harry Windower adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman's hand. To add insult to injury, Athena's brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding a gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous.
Athena can't comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn't be less admirable - nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she's found in Harry. But how long can Harry's scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry's deception?

I was sick and had spent all day reading. I was browsing through my Kindle to find another book to read, but knew I needed something that was set in a different time period than the other books and short stories I had read so that I wouldn’t confuse the stories with each other. I started this book without really knowing what it was about, and I found myself enjoying it a lot.

I was expecting this book to be Christian (as that is the category where I pick up my free e-books) I was a bit disappointed to find that it really said nothing about faith at all, much like Jane Austen’s works. This book was clean, character driven, devoid of any content that could be called offensive, but with no Christian message. It was a light read that I greatly enjoyed.

Harry feels a lot like a Mr. Knightly character. He is a very honorable man who does his best to help Athena. However, some of his helping caused me to laugh hard. Athena herself is very sweet and lovable. She was a sensible girl, yet not without her fantasies. The Duke was an interesting character that added a lot of spice to the story.

I had fully expected the story to be a very mushy one and was very pleasantly surprised. There is talk of a married couple cuddling and giving each other loving looks but nothing that made me feel uncomfortable. There were two kisses at the end of the book as well as a very descriptive handholding session in the middle of the story. Again, nothing felt uncomfortable.

While not the greatest novel ever written, I think this story is well worth the time to read. I highly recommend it to those who love Jane Austen, light romance, and solid story telling.



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Warrior

This was a song I went back to time and time again when I was in my teens. People would say I was amazing, never realizing that I would go home and sob my heart out so many nights. God was always there to pick me up.

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Adventure Between the Pages: Hazardous Duty

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Age Appropriate For: 18 and up for violence, romance, and some intense scenes
Best for Ages: 18 and up
Description: Buying a gun to kill your wife: $3,000. Hiring Trauma Care to clean afterward: $1,500. Having that same cleaner uncover evidence that frames you: Priceless
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime scene cleaning business. “Yeah, that’s me,” she says, “a crime scene cleaner. People waiting in line behind me who strike up conversations always regret it.”
When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet.
With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby plays the detective to make sure the right person is put behind bars. Can Riley help her before another murder occurs?

This has been on my kindle for a while, and I picked it up when I needed a diversion. Suspense/mystery is my go-to genre when I need a distraction. This book ended up being very different than I thought it would be, but I ended up loving it!

I loved Gabby from the first page. I mean seriously, what is not to love about a crime scene cleaner who is singing possible advertisements to the tune of Broadway hits? Yes, Gabby pulled me into the story and, even when she was being crazy, stupid, irritating and stubborn, I loved her.

The mystery itself was interesting but probably would not have captured my attention as much if Gabby hadn’t been in the leading role. The mystery is very much secondary to the characters. I didn’t figure it out until Gabby did, simply because I don’t think very much information was given.

Riley and his strong faith made the perfect addition to this book. While Gabby is an unbeliever, Riley is a good witness to her without being in her face. He didn’t shy away from the tough questions or give easy answers. Without him, the story would have been devoid of true hope.

As for the romance, there is a little of an interest/love triangle, but not even one kiss that I remember. There is some talk of old girlfriends/boyfriends and mentions of affairs or possible affairs, but nothing detailed at all.

I highly recommend this book to those who love suspense, a hint of romance, and solid Christian messages.



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Kate's Innocence is Free!

Feel free to copy and share the image!Click HERE to grab a copy.

Pure Beauty

I have always thought that this was one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.