Amish Cooking Class Cookbook

Over 200 Practical Recipes For Use in Any Kitchen

Published February 1st 2018 

by Shiloh Run Press

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book.  I love cookbooks and can read them sort of like a novel.  I must admit that when I received this book, though I shouldn't have been, I was a little surprised.  The book contains a collection of recipes that Heidi taught in class in the author's Amish Cooking Class series.  Even though I had not read the books in the series I was still amazed at the ease I could slip into this book.  The variety of recipes come from women in various Amish Communities and I got really excited to see recipes that were from communities close to where I lived.  Basically the series is about Heidi Troyer who is married, but has not been blessed with children and looking for a purpose she offers cooking classes to all ages in her home.  

This book is divided into sections (chapters) that are very descriptive so you get a feeling for what's covered.  For instance, Advice from Fellow Cooks was not only interesting but also helpful for any new cook or even a seasoned cook who maybe trying something new.  Each section I found one or more recipes I plan to try.  Each come with step by step instructions that are easy to follow.  

This is a wonderful book that would make a great wedding gift or someone moving into their own home/apartment or even for someone like me who just loves cookbooks.  Even though this book is a companion to the author's series I feel it's definitely a stand alone book.  

*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

Parenting with Grace and Truth

 

Parenting with Grace and Truth is a timely book for to parents who desire to live and lead like Jesus. You will be drawn to the "grace and truth" concept because our culture idolizes serving self over others, which makes it incredibly difficult to raise children from a biblical foundation. In twelve chapters, author Dan Seaborn explores the notion of what parenting would be like if you handled the delicate balance of speaking truth into your children’s lives, while loving your kids with a heart full of grace. How could following Jesus' example change your parenting and your relationship with your kids?

Published January 1st 2017

 by Shiloh Run Press  

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK 

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, 

who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

~John 1:14 NIV

 

My Thoughts:

This is an interesting book for parents of any age child to help lead and guide in their growing years.  Parenting is one of the hardest job a person will encounter simply because your actions as well as others can and will have a tremendous influence over a child.  It would be so much easier if babies came with manuals, but also they don't.

I found this to be a helpful book  and wish it had been  out years ago.

This book is divided into 8 short chapters and at the end of each chapter you will find a list of questions to consider.  Some may consider these hard or deep questions, but they help you to reflect on what you have just read.  It may be easy to use a journal and write out your answers if that helps keeping you on tract.  Then he give you practical ideas to implement in your life which honestly are not difficult. 

In the first chapter he discusses how to develop good character in your children and how reminds us that children develop character by emulating others behavior and by responding to how we encourage their behavior.  He also reminds us that character is not just about behavior, but also how they respond in situations.  I felt this was an important chapter and reread it, studied it and made notes about ways to implement his advise.  The next chapter I found the same, in fact each chapter I read I found something very important about and went back and studied it more closely.  My journal was full by the end of this book.  

In the very back of the book is a scripture index and also a place for notes.  

I found this a helpful book and would recommend it to anyone.  

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

  Author's Bio:

Dan Seaborn is the founder of Winning At Home, an organization that supports marriages and families, and Director of the Marriage & Family Division of AACC.  As an author and speaker, Dan uses humor, practical illustrations, and real-life examples to teach others how to win at home. He has authored twelve books and holds a master’s degree in Christian ministries.

In His Steps

A Modern-Day Challenge in the Tradition of Charles Sheldon's Classic

In His Steps

 

Published May 1st 2016

 by Shiloh Run Press  

Synopsis:

Charles Sheldon’s WWJD? was a significant challenge in its time, but God calls us to do more than wait until we are facing a decision and then choose to do what we think Jesus would do. We are to incarnate Christ in our time, being conscious of the presence and power of God within us in all of our thoughts and actions. This is what pastor Steve Long wants his congregation to understand. When Long challenges his prominent but self-satisfied congregation to become a living force for Christ in their small North Georgia town, he is blindsided by personal trials. Responding to Christ’s command “As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” Pastor Long tackles these difficult situations—and more—over a tumultuous week of trials and testing and ultimately learns (as he leads) what it means to walk In His Place.

Meet the Author:

  

Harry C. Griffith is an attorney by education, graduating from the University of Mississippi Law School as editor-in-chief of the Mississippi Law Journal and winner of the Phi Delta Phi Award as Outstanding Law Graduate. After serving in the Army JAG Corps, he became a corporate attorney and then executive, rising to the position of vice president-administration before accepting God's call into full-time Christian work as a layperson.
He founded the Bible Reading Fellowship in the United States in 1971 and served as its president for twenty-seven years. He was also executive director of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer for eleven years and executive officer during the formation years of the Anglican Mission in America. He was a cofounder of Faith Alive, a lay witnessing ministry, and Adventures in Ministry, a lay ministry organization.

He has had more than twenty books published on a wide range of subjects: prayer, Bible study, evangelism, lay ministry, and marriage. His publishers include Tyndale, Zondervan, Eerdmans, and A. R. Mowbray (England).
Harry has been called a Christian entrepreneur because of his varied and creative ministries over the years. He is a speaker, writer, teacher, poet, lawyer, business executive, husband, father, grandfather, and founder of several Christian and business organizations. He has also held a wide range of positions in civic, service, business, and political organizations. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES 

CHRISTIANBOOK  

  

My Thoughts:

What a wonderful story!!

How many times do you pray for your pastor and the difficult job he has to do?

After reading this book I began to question myself and have I prayed enough for Bro. Chad and the difficulties he faces leading our small church.  I do pray for Bro. Chad and his family, but I find that maybe I only have a small understanding of the job that he does.  

This story centers around Steve Long who lives in a small town in Georgia and pastors a relatively large church.  When faced with the death of one of his church members he begins to question the role of a church member to his/her fellow members.  It is laid upon his heart to address this in a sermon, but unfortunately this in not well received from the congregation.  Suddenly his small town is shaken by a tragedy that touches almost every home and he faces a situation that forces him to make decisions that can test his very faith.  

This is a very thought provoking story.  I was pulled into the story from page one and with each page I turned I was more captivated.  This story, to me, is denominational free and focused more at the core of Christianity.  The author explores the very heart of the Christian.  For me, this book made me take a long look at not only my own heart, but also my beliefs.  I have always believed that actions speak louder that words.  Do you have to reveal your faith or does the life you live reveal your faith?  That's a big question and one that for some is hard to answer.   

I have to tell you this is a book I would recommend for anyone to read.  The message is one that anyone can relate to.  

**I received this book from Barbour Publishing for a honest review without bias or outside influence.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.      

The Super Mom Myth

            
  Published January 1st 2015
 by Shiloh Run Press   
4 Stars   

 This book isn't about raising kids, it's about raising moms.
In a Pinterest-perfect culture, moms today sense an accelerated level of pressure to measure up. We assume other women are passing the test while we fail.  So either weigh ourselves down with guilt or we become resigned-desensitized, even- to this so-called failure.  God wants to free us from either extreme.
Becky Kopitzke's The SupeMom Myth shares relatable stories, practical tips, discussion questions, and careful application of scripture, while examining eight personified "villlains" or alter-egos of motherhood and how to conquer them:


My Thoughts: 
The author has written a wonderful book that I wish I had of had when I became a mother.  Yes, I spent  years comparing myself to a standard that I set for myself and needless to say I always felt lacking.  I waited until I was 30 before becoming a mother and during that time I watched a lot of parenting, so I felt I was prepared for motherhood when the time came.  Just one problem, real life is so much different than the imaginary 'when I have children".

The author points out the 8 Villains that we as mothers battle:
Anger-The Grouch on the Couch
Fear-Worry Woman  
Comparison-FenceHopper
Busyness-Calendar Queen
Housework-The Maid
Exhaustion-Zombie Mommy
Neglecting Our Husbands-Weary Wife
Neglecting Ourselves-Martyr Mom
The book is divided into 11 chapters which give you an idea of what your idea was and what reality really looks like.  This is written in a humorous way and I can't imagine anyone not being able to relate to the stories.  Each chapter identifies a villain that we battle and the evil power or the symptoms you will exude then she gives you a plan of action of how to battle each.  
This is a very well written book and I would recommend it to anyone. 

Dangerous Prayer

Dangerous prayers happen when you turn your all over to God and offer yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). They don’t take you to a comfortable, easy place. They test you, stretch you, and take you where you wouldn’t have chosen. They change not only your life but the lives of other people. Join gifted speaker and award-winning author, Cheri Fuller, as she illustrates—from Bible times to today—what happens when God’s people pray dangerous prayers. Each of the 21 chapters is rooted in scripture and weaves together a beautiful tapestry of lives and kingdoms impacted through the power of prayer.

 Published September 1st 2015

 by Shiloh Run Press 

5 Stars

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 
in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-
this is your true and proper worship.
     ~Romans12:1 NIV

My Thoughts:

My what intriguing title was my first thought when I saw this book.  
What exactly did the author mean by a dangerous prayer?
Most of us when we go to our Lord in prayer are thankful for our many blessings and the trials that God lays on our hearts.  A trial maybe the illness of a loved one or maybe situation that guidance is needed, but do we ever stop and ask what God wants us to do? Do we ever say "Whatever you need Lord" or simply "Use me!".
In this book Cheri Fuller explains what a dangerous prayer is and shares stories of people who have prayed those prayers, stepped out of their comfort zones and went on to accomplish some great works that have made a huge difference to others.  
When I started reading this book I had a hard time putting it down.  Each story touched my heart.  Some of the stories show people stepping out on a large scale and others on a small scale. Taking the first step is the most important and then letting God lead the way. The very last chapter challenges the reader if they are ready to pray that dangerous prayer and reap the rewards of it. 
 A wonderful book full of insight into doing good works for God.  
I would recommend this to anyone. 
  *I received this book from Barbour Publishing for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence as stated above. 

Meet the Author:
  
http://www.cherifuller.com/ 

 Cheri Fuller is a gifted speaker and award-winning author of more than forty books, including The One Year Women’s Friendship Devotional, the bestselling When Mothers Pray, and A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer. Her books have been translated into many languages, and her speaking ministry has provided encouragement to people throughout the U.S. and abroad. A former Oklahoma Mother of the Year, Cheri has been a frequent guest on national TV and radio programs. Her articles on family, spiritual growth, relationships, and prayer have appeared in Family Circle, Focus on the Family, Guideposts, and many other publications. Cheri holds a master’s degree in English literature and is executive director of the nonprofit organization Redeeming the Family. She and her husband, Holmes, live in Oklahoma, and have three grown children and six wonderful grandchildren. Cheri’s books, Bible studies, and other resources can be found at www.cherifuller.com along with information on her speaking topics and how to schedule Cheri for events. To find out more about the ministry, visit www.redeemingthefamily.org.

Amish Turns of Time #3

Brightest and Best

The collapse of a schoolhouse puts pressure on Amish families and their long-held educational values. Ella Hilty anticipates marrying Gideon Wittner and becoming a mother to his children. In a whirling clash of values, Ella seeks the solid ground that seems to have slipped away. Margaret Simpson, an English schoolteacher, wonders if she is losing her last chance at love. As the local authorities draw lines in the sand, Margaret puts romance at risk one final time. All eyes turn to Ella to make a sacrifice and accept a challenge that can bring unity to the Amish and understanding to the English.  

 

 Published August 1st 2015

  Shiloh Run Press 

4 Stars

Olivia Newport and Shiloh Run Press has released the third installment in the Amish Turns of Time series. The setting for this story is Geauga County, Ohio in 1918. 

When this book arrived I thought it had a beautiful cover and the description about the story looked good. I opened the book and was immediately swept away.

Ms. Newport introduces us to a community that is divided.  The war is winding down in Europe and this quiet community is getting ready to face a war at home between the Amish and the English government. This is a story about the separation of church and state.  

The Amish have sent their children to a public school for years, but has had input in what was taught to their children.  Unfortunately Ms. Coates, the school teacher, has called a meeting about the dilapidated conditions of their school house when the unthinkable happened, one of the walls collapsed.  The superintendent and school board have decided to not rebuild the school, but bus the children from outlying areas to the school located in town.  

The Amish people are distressed that their children are not exempt from the rules and regulations handed down from the board.  Not only will their children be exposed to the English world with no control, but they must also attend school until the age of 16.  They are a peaceable community and look for ways to work through their differences.  When no resolution is forthcoming they do what they think is  best for their children.

I was drawn to the character of Margaret Simpson.  She is a teacher at the consolidated school and seeks to understand the differences between the Amish and the English community.  She is a true peacemaker, but sees trouble as the result of her actions of trying to do the right thing.  

I really enjoyed this story.

I was drawn in immediately to the plot line and the characters.  It was like watching a good movie in that it was hard to stop or put down.  I would recommend it to anyone who loves Amish stories or a good historical story.  I received this story from the publisher for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence as stated above. 

 

 

 

 http://www.olivianewport.com/

 http://www.facebook.com/OliviaNewport

I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.

We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.

Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.

I’ve been married for over thirty years and have two twenty-something kids. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)

Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.