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The Orchard by Beverly Lewis

October 22, 2022 By Annette1 2 Comments

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (The Orchard) through Nuts About Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated.

Beverly Lewis is a popular author in the Christian fiction set. She uses the Amish community of her childhood to inspire her work. Romance, faith, and working through salvation issues feature as predominant themes in her work (at least in her works that I have read). The Orchard does not deviate from that path. If you like the work of Ms. Lewis, you will enjoy this work featuring twins Ellie and Evan.

The Basic Facts

The Orchard is a 352 softcover work of fiction by Beverly Lewis. She is a prolific author and you can learn more about her and her books on her website. Bethany House Publishers put together a lovely cover for this latest Lewis novel.

Written during the Vietnam war, we are witness to the tensions in the Amish community and the Englishers about being conscientious objectors. The Vietnam War was a time of protests and high tension in the United States. Ms. Lewis touches on some of the difficulties of this time period. People fleeing over the border, the conscription, the protests, the anger against the Amish community and more. Not written with the intent to sensationalize, but woven into the story as a natural part of the struggles of the day. These struggles are an integral part of how this story of the twins plays out.

Learning more about The Orchard by Beverly Lewis

A standard adult fiction presentation in a softcover format. You’ll find it available in four formats: Audio, Kindle, hardcover and paperback. The text is a reasonable size for reading, but I could easily see seniors using a magnifying glass to expand the lettering.

The chapters are ornamented with numbers and what I think are apple blossoms. A single blossom marks changes within a chapter. These changes might be a letter received, a time change, or perhaps a change in character focus.

The story is written in a user-friendly manner, an easy-going story that, is fairly easy to predict where it will go next. A relaxing read on a Sunday afternoon. Faith is evident throughout. Likeable characters fill the pages.

Would I recommend it?

I’m not a huge fan of Christian fiction written around the Amish community. I find them fairly predictable and nothing that happened in this book really surprised me. Well okay, one thing surprised me and that was an incident that happened with Sol. But as soon as it happened it was like “OH, yeah, that was necessary for the rest of the story to fit”.

That said, I know a number of women who would love reading this. It’s light Christian fiction that encourages us to think about pacifism and what it means to us. Not always as easy a decision as you might think. The Orchard by Beverly Lewis is a feel-good story, with a strong faith element. It contained just enough controversy to make it an interesting read. The characters felt real, and I could well imagine how hard it was for Evan’s parents and seeing how their boy reacted to faith issues. Observing them working through their pain (and anger) felt familiar to me. It was a good reminder to not count out God’s work in the lives of the wayward.

Homeschool Connection?

If I were doing a unit on the Vietnam War with its protests, or just on pacifism/conscientious objectors I would be inclined to have my students read through this novel. My goal would be to have them write a critical response to how the characters responded. Seeing real-life struggles is pivotal in helping youth think through issues.

Testify to?

October 21, 2022 By Annette1 10 Comments

So it’s interesting. I’ve joined a women’s bible study. It’s held in the evening and we are going through the book of Hebrews. This word resonated with me today as last night as part of our study we had a chance to testify about God from these verses. I came up with this poem entitled Testify to? which kinda pulled some of our thoughts together. Seems to fit this word prompt well I think.

Testify to?

Testimony
what an interesting word
that kinda begs the
question, what do you
testify to?

Do you testify to
the the elementary doctrines of Christ
that immature
believers cleave to?

Or are you a seeking,
reading, looking deeper,
trying to become a
mature believer?

Learning more about
God, who cannot lie, and
cannot swear by anything smaller
than himself.

This self-same God
who sent his son,
his beloved, to die
so can be grafted into his family.

This God.
Bigger than anything else
is the same God
that parents his family so well.

So what do you testify to?
Do you testify to the God
who is bigger than anything,
or a god with limitations?

Think carefully on that,
too often we compromise
who God is comparing him to
the worlds’, or our own expectations.

Don’t limit, please,
for the sake of your
maturity in the faith,
who this God we serve is.

Take a close look at him.
Examine the scriptures.
Learn who it is you
testify to.

God’s Word to Us

Hebrews 6 (selected verses)

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, ²and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

¹³For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, ¹⁴saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” ¹⁵And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. ¹⁶For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. ¹⁷So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. ¹⁹We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, ²⁰where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show

October 19, 2022 By Annette1 2 Comments

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show) through Smith Publicity. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated.

The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show invites us into Rowdy Randy’s world and the fun of a wild west show. Take a light look at the animals of events of this historical period. Watch a strong female character organize her own Wild West Show.

The Basic Details of The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show

From the author: “The wildlife of the West inspired the Rowdy Randy series,” says Rislov. “Many people travel to Yellowstone and other National Parks to see these magnificent creatures. Rowdy Randy, the cowgirl horsefly, came about as the main character … We continued this second story with creating her own Wild West Show that is based off U.S. Western History. She is still the strong character that she was in the first book. In this book she is also a leader of many- and that all girls can be leaders too. I hope this series sparks a love of nature for children and brings more families outdoors to create their own brave adventures.”

You’ll find The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show to be a fast-moving story told over 32 pages in a hardcover book with dustcover. Filled with full-colour images and a story suitable for children 5-7 years of age. Animals are featured from all over the wild west with glimpses into US history.

Seeing the Specifics

Striking full-colour images fill the pages. The bright greens of a mallard, bright blues of berries, and muted grey of mice are just some of the colours that will grab your attention. Some of the animals are attired in human garments such as hard hats and postal bags.

Not all the animals featured are real such as the jackalope, but in a book for children, I kinda expect some pretend to occur.

You’ll find Rowdy Randy hard at work throughout, delegating people when she needs to, and encouraging people to be involved. Before you know it, you see animals travelling by stagecoach, covered wagon, and on animal back. You’ll find some references to US history in how people travelled, the pony express, and at the close of the book, to another, more well-known wild west show.

Most of the time the language used suits the vocabulary of younger children, but more advanced language was used as well. This occasionally made it harder to read out loud as these words didn’t flow as easily off the tongue. I also wonder if the intended audience would understand them.

Acrobatics, marksmanship, climbing events and more were the attractions of the Wild West Show hosted by Rowdy Randy. I actually found this part of the story to be the weakest. The writing occasionally left me confused as to which characters were involved.

Add it to your repertoire?

I don’t know. I loved the full-colour images. But the lack of ease of reading aloud, some of the more difficult words, and the minimal referencing of US history. It just didn’t feel like enough… do you know what I mean?

It’s not like The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show is an unacceptable book, but I wanted more. I wanted a touch more depth to the story as well as more definition of animals seen in the wild west. This could have been mitigated by adding a glossary of animals. Additionally having a teacher’s section where one connects the US history to events in the book. As is, it could be used at the close of a schooling unit to see if children could pick out the wild west elements.

What does it mean to Compromise?

October 15, 2022 By Annette1 12 Comments

Well, here it is a Friday night, and it’s five minute Friday time again. Miss Kate posted the word prompt for us which I turned into What Does it Mean to Compromise? A look at the different meanings of compromise and how it might impact us.

What does it mean to compromise?

What does it mean
to compromise?
To decide that
just perhaps a decision
doesn’t need to made
to do one or another?
That just perhaps, instead
of sticking to your principles,
you’ll just let it go and
do what is easiest, or
what everyone else is doing?

What does it mean
to compromise?
To feel one’s body giving
way to illness, age,
infirmity, or injury?
To have to struggle to
do what used to be so easy?
What does that do to the
mental well-being of your soul?
Can one adapt to this
sort of compromise well?

What does it mean
to compromise
To realize that,
you could fight for more,
but perhaps giving in
to a guaranteed sum
or agreed upon recompense
is the safer route?
Sometimes compromising
is a gamble for an
immediate security!

What does it mean
to compromise?
To have a mediator
show you the value in
someone else’s
point of view?
To have you mean a decision
that pleases neither
side but yet, suffices.
At least for today.

What does it mean
to compromise?
We need to be careful
right? In matters of faith,
to ensure that as we
live our lives as in the world
but not of the world, that
we don’t find ourselives
compromising for the sake
of getting along, or not standing
out in the crowd, or being
influenced to make the church more
like what we see in the world.

How do we guard
against worldly compromise?
See God more clearly,
love self less dearly,
Know The Word more securely,
Do not settle prematurely.
Not being afraid of change, but
being mindful of why change is needed.

A weakening or reduction of one’s principles or standards.
A weakening or reduction of one’s principles or standards.
Impairment, as by disease or injury.

God’s word to us

Hebrews 10:19-25

¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Become

October 7, 2022 By Annette1 14 Comments

It’s Friday night and I’m actually doing the Five Minute Friday post! Granted I’m falling asleep as I work on finishing up this post since I’ve worked hard today and feel very accomplished! What all did I do? I tore down an old shed, made two trips to the dump, leveled some ground, trimmed a tree back, and got a good start on a new storage area. After I got all that done I made supper, got a turkey roast out to thaw for Thanksgiving supper, and then chilled with the family. It’s an excellent way to complete a simple word: Become. What does this word mean to you?

Become

Being a person
It’s what we do
But is it

Enough? Should we
strive to be something
more or should be

Content to continue being
as we are, working, reading,
believing, living,

Organizing our lives
by what appeals to us
in the here and now, or

Maybe, just maybe
something additional
should be the driving

Effort of our lives,
Perhaps that believing we
do should be in something

Bigger than ourselves.
Enormous, and somewhat unknowable
Creator not created
Omnipotent saviour
Moving us to be more than
Enough, Connected together.

Become

Thinking More, Seeing God

As I think about how we become more, sometimes it’s just a matter of repeatedly just showing up eh? As we show up to events in life, being intentional about them, then our lives can be better shaped into being something just a bit more. It’s, in essence, how we become more like God eh?

Isaiah 41:8-10

But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
⁹you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
¹⁰fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Road Beckons

October 1, 2022 By Annette1 15 Comments

The Road Beckons is my result for the word prompt by Miss Kate. It’s the result of considering a word after a full day of work and conversation. I had such a lovely visit a friend this morning, and managed to get some good work done at home too! I love a day filled with accomplishment, don’t you? So, at the close of this day, I wanted to finish out the day by drawing out the thoughts of the day.

The Road Beckons

The road beckons
GPS tells me head south
Being directionally challenged
I blindly turned right
And found myself
Taking the scenic route
To visit a friend.

You gotta love
That rerouting bleep that
My phone emits when
Again I’ve failed to
Follow it’s instructions.

Sometimes I wish
That directions such
As North or South were as
Direct as right or left
And I wonder why my
GPS occasionally uses
Those less clear to me words.

This week I engaged in a
Discussion with a lady
Over the correctness or
Lack thereof with Calvinism
And following, or not following,
Calvinism is NOT a salvation issue
But denying the ultimate
Authority of God because
You can’t believe that a
Loving, caring God might do
Something you cannot fathom?
I struggle with that.

I have to admit
The struggle is real
It’s so easy to assume
That God won’t do something,
Or rather, won’t allow something
That doesn’t make sense
To our very human sensibilities.

And these discussions
Can do one of two things.
They can strengthen a person’s
Convictions/beliefs as they work
Through their points.
Or they can weaken a faith,
And leave a person
Struggling, making the
Road they travel harder
Than it needs to be.

So, do we in our
Eagerness to correct
Non-salvation issues
Make the narrow road we
Travel harder to navigate
Rather like a GPS?
And so, do we cause
Our fellow believers to
Take a more “scenic route”
As they work out their salvation?

God Word Speaks

1 Corinthians 8 encourages us to consider the needs of our weaker brothers/sisters in Christ. For us to not do things just because we can and are very assured of our salvation or convictions. We mustn’t cause stumbling in our fellow believers right?

Romans 14: 1-4

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. ²One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. ³Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. ⁴Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-14

¹²We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

what do I represent then?

September 24, 2022 By Annette1 18 Comments

I took some time to ponder the Five minute Friday word prompt by Miss Kate. I was going to write a poem about a variety of ways in which we can represent God OR the variety of ways in God represents himself to us. My surprise was great when what do I represent then blossomed. Sometimes I think too much of who I am comes out in what I write. But it is what it is eh? 🙂

what do I represent then

How do I represent myself?

A homeschooling parent
with years of experience
offering to help
those with questions and more
Open-minded, yet unbudging
on critical matters,
lending an ear to listen,
a mind to bounce thoughts of,
and occasionally supplies to help.

A grocery clerk or
stock person, whichever label
suits you, matters not to me.
A smiling face, a willing body,
moving boxes and crates,
and making the dairy aisle
shine as best as can be.
Helping customers with queries,
do you know where I can find?

A woman, who cares not
for makeup or dresses,
who talks about the loves of
her life, her fellows,
where she live, and gardens.
As well as her extended family as
they live out their lives.

Faith Keeper

A lady seeking after God.
Bringing books of missionaries
and faith to work. Reading and
sharing what is learned, sometimes
to unwilling ears.
But yet, a person turned to
when prayer is a needful thing
a point that surprised when
first time asked.

A rabbit keeper, who can
talk rabbits all day, given
half a chance, who brings smiles
to faces when given a chance
with a bunny to handle and hold
And learning of a bunny sought after
says, in a couple of months,
he can be yours! Helping, moderating groups,
joining rabbit clubs and more.
Rabbits are fun, don’t you know?

But sometimes, sometimes
all that this one person
tries to represent falters.
Faith takes a back seat,
rabbit foes holler,
homeschooling seems forgotten,
and well … sometimes
work is just very hard, and
Sometimes being a woman
is the very last thing I want to be.
I just want to be home
isolating myself from the world
and all it’s troubles.
and I wonder,
what do I represent then?

Just a lonely, scared soul
that sometimes it feels like
the whole world depends on
and I’m just a small, rather
insignificant one, that no one
should really bother with.
And I just don’t know.

Reminders from God

One of the things I try to teach my lad is to have balance in life. Just as you need to balance out your work, sleep, school, and free time… you need to balance out your eating habits. I’ve TRIED to teach him throughout life that regardless of what you do, or how you feel, your first goal is to give glory to God in all the things you do. If you do that, he will help you keep your life balanced well. Sometimes, my life does not feel particularly balanced.. at least not right now.

These verses are to REMIND ME of what should always flow through my efforts… and perhaps they’ll remind you as well. 🙂

I Corinthians 10:31-33

³¹So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³²Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, ³³just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Romans 11:33-36

³³Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

³⁴“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
³⁵“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”

³⁶For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Psalm 72:18-19

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
¹⁹Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!

John 17:1-5

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, ²since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. ³And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. ⁴I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed

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The Orchard by Beverly Lewis

The Basic Facts