The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Cindy Woodsmall brings us a new winner in her tales of Amish life, The Sound of Sleigh Bells.

Beth Hertzler hides the truth in her heart about a tragedy involving her former fiancee. Walling off all who try to enter and bring healing during her extended mourning period, she cannot let go of the past. As a buyer for her aunt Lizzy's store, she takes a trip to an Amish community in another state where she is intrigued by an intricate carving which seems to touch the pain she bears. Through the intervention of her aunt, she begins a correspondence with the gifted carver, Jonah. His letters in return begin to draw her out of her shell, as he reveals some of the lessons he's learned through a tragedy in his own life.

Close knit family, community, forgiveness, and love combine to weave a soothing tale of redemption and hope. I found The Sound of Sleigh Bells an enjoyable and quick read.


Hardbound from WaterBrook Press.
I have one copy to give away.

Extraordinary

Ready for a stimulating, thought provoking book? Then grab a copy of Extraordinary by John Bevere.

Bevere is convinced we were all "meant for more" and he spends page after page citing and explaining Scripture to prove his point. God gives us the goods to live above the norm and accomplish remarkable feats. Whether we do so or not depends upon the disposition of our hearts.

Because we love God, we naturally want to please Him. What better way is there to do so than to appropriate the grace we've been given? How do we that? Through deep and abiding faith. Extraordinary contains a wealth of word pictures drawn by Bevere to illustrate his points. I especially liked his "pipeline of faith." A river of God's grace runs by our heart field. In our heart field there are sections called "Forgiveness of Sin", "Healing", "Living Holy", etc. The believer can tap into that river of grace by using his "pipeline of faith" to empower forgiveness of sin, but shut off holiness, healing, etc. because he never bothers to run a "pipeline of faith" to those sections. (pg. 152-153)

Bevere's explanation of body, soul and spirit is also one of the best I have seen. It gives new light to Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."


Extraordinary



New from WaterBrook Press.
I have one copy to give away.

For more about John Bevere: www.messengerinternational.org