Precarious Yates's Blog: Precarious Precipices
December 22, 2014
Torn Asunder by Alana Terry
Torn Asunder is the newest suspense novel from award-winning author Alana Terry. Torn Asunder is the story of Hannah and Simon, two North Korean refugees who sneak back into their country to serve as underground missionaries. In this world of spies, secret police, and informants, Simon and Hannah learn that staying together won’t just compromise their ministry. It could cost them both their lives.Torn Asunder launches today for just 99 cents, and all book sale proceeds today support the work of Liberty in North Korea, an organization that runs an underground railroad for North Korean refugees. You can get the paperback or the ebook for 99 cents for a limited time only. And remember the best news ~ Your purchase will help save a North Korean refugee!
Excerpt from Torn Asunder:
Simon gritted his teeth. His head felt like it was sinking. The general kept his voice level and pleasant as he slipped the device over Simon’s pinky. “Now, you just tell me who you delivered your Bibles to, and I’ll let you leave here with everything intact.”
Simon tried to swallow. His whole jaw was swollen from his scuffle in the woods. He shut his eyes and hoped the general couldn’t feel him tremble.
General Sin chuckled to himself. “Silly me. I forgot.” He slid the device off Simon’s finger. “This kind of tool won’t work on a big, strong man like you.” He strode over to Hannah and yanked her hand before Simon could even cry out. He jammed her ring finger into the opening.
Simon struggled against his iron restraints. “Let her go!”
Hannah sucked in her breath. General Sin still glared at Simon. “This is your last chance. Give me the names, and I’ll release her unharmed.”
Simon’s field of vision blurred over. He wanted to scream. The metal from his handcuffs sliced open his wrists. He pictured himself breaking free and tackling the general to the ground.
“Better talk.” General Sin yawned. “I hate getting my uniform messy.”
Hannah’s hand trembled, but she didn’t make a noise.
“Three …”
Simon clenched his jaw, unable to tear his face away from Hannah’s wide, terrified eyes.
“Two …”
Want more? Buy Torn Asunder on amazon now. And remember, all book sales today will be donated directly to Liberty in North Korea, a group committed to seeing North Koreans achieve their freedom in THIS GENERATION.
Want to help spread the word? See below to click and tweet, or share this image on your timeline. Then be sure to scroll down to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 gift card, surprise grab bag ($60 retail), great CD from Cherie Norquay, and free prizes to everyone who enters! And don’t forget to leave a comment and tell us what you think of Hannah and Simon and those like them who sneak into hostile mission fields to share the gospel.
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Post by Alana Terry.
Are you on twitter? Just click to tweet ~
Or copy and paste into an email or Facebook status: Torn Asunder is a new Christian suspense novel by Alana Terry about two North Koreans who serve as undercover missionaries. It’s on sale for only 99 cents, and all book proceeds today will be donated to Liberty in North Korea’s underground railroad for North Korean refugees.
Did you help spread the word? Click below to claim your prizes!
December 14, 2014
New Release – Owls’ Land
I’m so excited to announce the release of my first illustrated children’s book! I love the illustrations that Rowen Fletcher contributed! This Christmas-themed book is perfect for children ages 4+.
Here’s the link to the Kindle version of Owls’ Land:
Now available for Kindle!
The heartwarming tale of a little girl who goes to a magical forest on Christmas Eve. There, she discovers her courage and her favorite things.
The paperback will be available on Monday, December 15, 2014!
December 8, 2014
Cover Reveal: Owls’ Land, by Precarious Yates, Rowen Fletcher
Here is the cover for the children’s book that will be released later this week! Owls’ Land is the heartwarming tale of a little girl who goes to a magical forest on Christmas Eve. There, she discovers her courage and her favorite things.
To be released 12/12/14
October 29, 2014
A Christmas Coffee, upcoming new release from Laura J. Marshall!
A Christmas Coffee
releasing from Astraea Press next week on Tuesday, November 4th.
Here’s what it’s about:
Villa Bellissimo along with Master Chef Antonio Coronado invite you to Sicily where you will be immersed in the art and passion of Italian culinary delights.
Sarah Cooper is still trying to find her place in the world after her husband died two years ago on Christmas Day. When her parents give her an early holiday gift, it may be just the opportunity she needs.
Parker Matrone is the founder and CEO of the billion dollar company, Coffee Grounds. There’s something about Sarah he can’t resist, but he’s been burned before and is now raising his two young sons alone.
Will they decide loving again is worth the risk? And what of the antique Christmas quilt beneath which Sarah dreams of Christmas’ past, present, and future?
Come explore Italy in this Christian Christmas romance where dreams do come true and life begins anew.
Without further ado. Here it is!
Laura J. Marshall is a full-time mom of five boys. When not on active duty, she is the best-selling author of Christian romance, nonfiction, and Archibald’s Bible Adventure series for kids. Visit Laura’s website at http://www.LauraJMarshall.com
August 2, 2014
When Everything Is Different
He spread out a cloud as a covering,
and a fire to give light at night.
They asked, and he brought them quail;
he fed them well with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
it flowed like a river in the desert.
~ Psalm 105:39-41
I’ve been quiet for a while. I’ll explain why in the days to come. In the meantime, I wanted to share a few thoughts.
There are times in life when a battle is prolonged and the outcome seems uncertain. Add to that reality the times when the battle did not go in your favor and you have a recipe for another battle: the one against fear. And you find yourself negotiating with God as if He needs to be convinced to help. That’s about where I’ve been the last few months–deep in negotiations that don’t need to happen, instead of simply requesting.
Weeping because my fear has been bigger than my faith.
And then I noticed something. I noticed that everything is different.
The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years when they were delivered. That’s a long time to build up habits. They had been taught to do another’s bidding for generation upon generation. No one waited on them. I bet a few imagined what it would be like to have someone wait on them, but fewer would have been able to allow another to wait on them. Habits. They were trained from birth to be slaves.
That’s when God rescues them with wonders and miracles, and he takes them out into the wilderness. And then here’s the part that always gets me–He doesn’t demand that they become His slaves, but He waits on them. He provides shade and warmth, food and drink. They react from habits of fear and slavery, but He waits on them. Suddenly, everything is different.
Maybe you’ve been praying about something for a long time and haven’t had an answer. Maybe it’s been years. Maybe it’s been decades. Maybe God promised something to you 25 years ago and you’ve messed up a time or two trying to bring it to pass. But then, suddenly, everything is different. The fear-battle is still there, but everything is different. You’re in the midst of wondering if God is really going to answer this time, but still you know, everything is different.
We don’t have to fight that fear-battle before we come to the Lord. We can come to Him and ask Him to fight the battle with us. Chances are, He’ll fight the battle for us.
So if you’re in that hour, day, year where things seem so dark and uncertain, where the past tries to tell you that everything is going to be the same as it ever was, there comes a point where everything–everything is different. Don’t give up.
Here’s a video that illustrates this further.
“…they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:4
God bless you!
June 3, 2014
Crossreads Bookblast: Gisela Yohannan
Let Me Walk with You: Letters of Faith and Strength
By Gisela Yohannan
About the Book:
Are you feeling alone or overwhelmed in your journey with the Lord Jesus? In this volume of letters, originally addressed to women serving on the challenging mission fields of South Asia, Gisela Yohannan shares precious lessons from her own life and insights from God’s Word that will fill your heart with faith and strength, no matter where you are in your walk with Jesus. By His grace, you will make it!
LINK to KINDLE | LINK to PAPERBACK
Gisela Yohannan serves the Lord along with her husband, K.P. Yohannan, who is the founder and international director of Gospel for Asia.
Gisela ministers to thousands of Christian women in many countries, teaching God’s Word with deep insight and practical life application. She has written four other books.
Follow Gisela Yohannan
Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Enter below to enter a $50 amazon gift card, sponsored by author Gisela Yohannan!
This book blast is hosted by Crossreads.
We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
Tha-Reee! A Guest Post, Angie Brashear–New release!
Please welcome with me Angie Brashear and celebrate the release of her debut novel, Of the Persecuted!
Available in paperback and as an ebook!
“Tha-Reee!”
In recent weeks my sons have spent their evenings watching the NBA Finals, energetically cheering on the San Antonio Spurs. Most game nights, their animated antics interrupted me as I attempted to prepare for the release of my debut novel, Of the Persecuted. But it was difficult to get irritated with my handsome, blond blessings. This held especially true when they jumped off the couch screaming “Tha-Reee!” every time the San Antonio Spurs hit a long shot.
My boys love basketball. They appreciate fundamentals. Dribbling. Pivoting. Passing. Well-executed shots. Not traveling. Not double-dribbling. Not two-handed shots. Not selfish shots. They admire players who’ve gone down in history as executors of such fundamentals—Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and my own personal favorite, John Stockton.
Their love for basketball, and for three-pointers led me to think about the best “Tha-Reee!” of all time—the Trinity. One God, three distinct persons. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Like time, God represents past, present, and future. One is not separate from the other. He is a Father to the fatherless. He is a Savior for the lost. He is a Guide in prayer and truth. God’s plan for us is the best well-executed shot of all time, guided by His fundamentals outlined in scripture.
To non-believers, the Trinity may be a difficult concept to grasp. It certainly was for me before the Lord saved me in my early twenties. But it makes perfect sense when you open your heart to the One True God. Believe me. Seek Him and you will seek no more.
So while the NBA Finals are in full swing, the best “Tha-Reee!” of all time dominates all of our seasons. And we are grateful.
Back Cover Blurb:
Laila Pennedy awaits death by hanging. For the Rendow Clan rules the Woodlands Region, aiming to slaughter the Faithful. And she deserves to die. But Lars Landre, the man destined to lead the Faithful out of persecution, has other plans hidden behind his rare and mysterious blue eyes. Rescue.
Following the daring escape, Laila seeks the path of a warrior and vows revenge against the Rendow Clan. She embarks on a dangerous journey with Lars, one in which they endeavor to reach the promised safety of a magical village, to train for battle, and to ultimately assure freedom for those with faith in the Maker.
Clashes of weapons and souls. Brutal loss of lives. Unrequited love. How in all the Woodlands will Laila survive?
Order Of the Persecuted at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692214712
Author Bio:
When Angie Brashear isn’t working or taking care of her family, she writes. Usually at night after her kids fall asleep. She’s a fan of speculative fiction and an avid runner, both of which perplex her nonfiction-reading, football-loving husband. Saved in her early twenties, Angie is grateful for the Lord’s presence in all aspects of her life. She is originally from Rockland, Maine and currently resides in Cameron, Texas with her husband and three children. Follow her at http://facebook.com/AngieBrashearAuthor, https://twitter.com/AngieBrashear, and http://angiebrashear.com.
May 30, 2014
How Much More…?
I have a very tiny clothing budget. Annually, I spend less than $100. It’s not that I don’t like clothes–I happen to be very fond of certain designers of high-end clothing. Here are two of my very favorite dresses:
I just limit myself so my family doesn’t go into debt. I haven’t bought dresses this expensive in many, many years.
Lately the most incredible thing has happened. I have been given not only nice clothes, but the kind of clothes that I like, the ones that are just my style, the ones I have sent secret prayers up asking for.
I’m known for having more wardrobe malfunctions than a Superbowl haft-time show. Not by choice, mind you, my clothes just don’t often fit right. And when I go buy new clothes, they fit even worse, no matter what happened in the dressing room. Even jeans and tee-shirts, my traditional go-to for avoiding malfunctions, have failed me.
But the clothes I’ve been given lately have fit perfectly–almost as if they were tailor made for me!
And I’m no longer Mrs. Awkward, embarrassing my family if I attempt more than jeans and a tee-shirt.
I have some rather big prayers that haven’t been answered, far bigger than having clothes that fit right. Yet when I’ve had these small prayers answered, I have more hope for the big prayers. Super big ones. Like the kind that Hannah or Sarah prayed.
Matthew: 28-30 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”
May 29, 2014
Courage to Sing
A tribute to Maya Angelou
When I was a teen, shortly after I finally spoke out about what happened to me as a child, a friend of mine bought me a book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings“. It was the last thing I wanted: a book about someone else’s abuse when all I wanted to do was heal from my own and be normal again. Maybe one day I would talk louder than a whisper. Maybe I’d sing again.
I never sang well. Music was for the other members of my family. But when I was a very young child, before anything happened to me, I loved to sing: loved it as much as playing.
Then my world fell apart and I wouldn’t sing any more. I would hardly talk. Darkness hovered over me like one of those biblical plagues.
My one place of refuge was poetry. When words danced in silence across the page, I could sing in my heart where no one would hear, no one would judge, no one would ask questions about the place inside my soul that burned with a constant pain.
When my friend told me that Maya Angelou was a poet, I finally cracked open the first page of her book. The words sang to me. They danced before me. They echoed not only the pain I felt, not only the circumstances, but the confusion, the yearnings, the grasping to be heard even when I was silent.
After I finished the book, I sat quietly for several days. I think I even told my mom I had a migraine just so I could stay home from school and think through what I had just experienced. It was something akin to camaraderie. I encountered someone who knew and had the courage to tell. I knew it’d give me the courage to tell. And it had given me the courage to sing.
I am thankful for Maya Angelou, and for a life lived courageously, fearlessly, full of forgiveness. Although I was sad to hear of her passing, I couldn’t cry, for I know she won’t just be singing. She’s a caged bird no longer, not in any way, shape or form. She’s soaring. Here’s to a poet among poets!
May 26, 2014
Studies in Revelation, part 5
Find Part 4 here.
Revelation 1:9, “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
Notice how right off the bat, John, even though he was given such a great revelation of things to come, does not exalt himself above the recipients of the letter. He calls himself our brother and companion.
He was a companion in three aspects:
In suffering: he was persecuted because of the word of Jesus Christ.
In the kingdom: another reminder that we do not belong to this age or to the systems of the world, but to Heaven.
In patient endurance: John encourages his readers to endure persecution just as he must endure persecution. The early church fathers tell us that John survived being dropped in boiling oil. Whether or not that occurred, we know by his exile that John did endure persecution for his faith.
It is because of Jesus that we have the kingdom and patient endurance. Suffering because of Christ is a unique privilege in this age. We can know him in the fellowship of His sufferings (see Phil 3:10).
John was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. The island of Patmos is fifty miles or so off the coast from Ephesus. This was a small island with minimal vegetation. John was perhaps not the only person imprisoned there, but one gets the impression of his immense solitude during this exile. Although there must have been a way to communicate with the outside world, since he was commanded by the Lord to send his scroll to the seven churches, if there was someone else with him, a scribe, perhaps, we are not told or given a clue.
John is also a faithful witness.
Revelation 1:10, “On the Lord’s Day, I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet…”
The Lord’s Day is Sunday, because that’s the day He rose again. It could also be referring to the day after Passover that they celebrated the Resurrection.
While John was in exile, he was neither idle nor self absorbed in sorrow. He was in the Spirit. This could mean:
Praise and worship
Prayer
Praying in tongues
Experiencing an open vision
A combination of these activities.
The voice John heard was behind him. It was in an unexpected place. It was loud enough to arrest his attention.
Notice how it says ‘like a trumpet’ instead of it being an actual trumpet.
Trumpets signal the start of some great announcement.
In Exodus 19:16 & 19 the voice of God followed a trumpet blast. I encourage you to compare and contrast these two passages. (Also look at Revelation 4:1.)
We will study a lot more about trumpets when we get to chapter eight. In the mean time, if you’re interested in studying more about trumpets in the bible, look up Numbers 10:1-10.
And we’ll study the voice of Jesus more in depth when we study Revelation 1:13.
In the mean time, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
God bless you!
Precarious Precipices
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