A short, but powerful, book -- Secrets of the Vine for Women

Secrets of the Vine for Women by Darlene Marie Wilkinson is a great example of good things coming in small packages.  This quick read (I probably spent an hour and a half to two hours reading it) is packed with conviction and hope. 

As a follow-up to responses her husband Bruce received to his Secrets of the Vine, Darlene takes Jesus's lessons from the vineyard in John 15 and directs it specifically to women.  She presents some very simple, yet profound, principles and examples of what it means for us to bear much fruit by abiding in the Vine.  She shares how God has a plan for each of us and how He guides us to reach the abundance He wants for us through one or more of three stages:  (1) intervening in our lives to discipline us so we will bear fruit; (2) intervening by pruning us so we will bear more fruit; and (3) inviting us to abide more deeply in Him so we will bear much fruit.

This book is one that spoke to me from beginning to end and which I will likely come back to for reminders of Christ's invitation to abide and experience abundance.

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(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for my honest review.)://www.BloggingForBooks.org

A book of inspiration -- Amish Prayers

Amish Prayers compiled by Beverly Lewis, is a small book with a large dose of inspiration.  The book contains English translations of prayers from the German prayer book Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht.  The prayer book has been special to Anabaptists (including Amish) since its earliest printing in 1708.

Beverly Lewis is one of the very first and most well-known authors of Amish fiction.  Her collection of prayers provides insight into the heart and worship of the Plain people with whom she shares both family roots and close friendships.

I enjoyed a quick read through Amish Prayers and believe that I will find even more inspiration as I return to spend additional time of reflection.  The prayers, though simple in their words, can lead to a deep sense of personal communion with God.

(For the purpose of review, I was provided a free copy of this book by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  The views expressed, however, are my own opinions.)

An Amish story set where? -- Paradise Valley

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Holmes County, Ohio.  The Sierra Madre of northeastern Mexico.  Which one of these places does not belong in a list of settings for Amish stories?  The answer is: they all belong!

Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer is a fictional story (although with some basis in fact) of a small group of Amish people who moved from Ohio to Mexico in the early 1920s.  Caleb Bender was one of five Amish fathers briefly jailed for refusing to obey Ohio's new law requiring all children to attend public schools.  To be released from jail and to have their children returned to their families from a state-run home, the men had to agree to send their children to the local school.  After some time of struggling with the issue of how to honor his promise to abide by the law and living true to his own convictions, Caleb found a small pamphlet that appeared to provide a solution:  "Paradise Valley -- five thousand acres of prime, flat, fertile farmland nestled in the Sierra Madre of northeastern Mexico . . . ten dollars an acre."  Others in the community became interested in the potential, but they all shared concerns about making such a move with no one having any firsthand knowledge of what they would encounter in the wilds of Mexico.  It was finally decided that Caleb and his family would be the trailblazers, moving ahead of the others and reporting back home so their friends could decide whether to follow. 

Dale Cramer is the great-grandson of one of the leaders of a group of Amish who made such a trek from Ohio to Mexico.  He weaves together a real historical context and some very "real" fictional characters into an excellent story of faith and struggle among Amish families.  Although it was very different from the Amish stories I usually read, I enjoyed this book and look forward to future installments in The Daughters of Caleb Bender series. 

(For the purpose of review, I was provided a free copy of this book by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  The views expressed, however, are my own opinions.)