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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Guest Blogger Kelly Long and Arms of Love

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KELLY LONG was born and raised in North Central Pennsylvania. There was an Amish hitching post at the small grocery store in her town. She loves to write Amish romance and is the author of novel, Sarah's Garden, the novella Amish Christmas Expanded Edition with some other great Amish authors, Amish Love with Beth Wiseman and Kathy Fuller, and Lilly's Wedding Quilt--the sequel to Sarah's Garden. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and children.

ARMS OF LOVE
by Kelly Long
Published by Thomas Nelson

ABOUT THE BOOK

The year is 1777. America is in turmoil.  And Amish life is far different than today.

Pennsylvania in the late 18th century, once called William Penn's Woods, was an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry was a small and struggling population called Amish.

Surrounding this peaceful people were unavoidable threats: both Patriots and the British were pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war, young Amishmen were leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death, if not from bullet or arrow, then from an encounter with a wild animal.

Amid this time of tumult, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To possibly join the war efforts and leave his faith, which would mean walking away from the only woman he's ever loved: Lena Yoder. But for that love he's made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.

When Adam withdraws from Lena, she's forced to turn to his brother, Isaac, for support. Must Lena deny her heart's desire to save Adam's soul? And will life in this feral and primitive New World be more than this peace-keeping people can withstand?

Readers, buy your copy of Arms of Love today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Dead Men Tell No Tales

The origin of the phrase "Dead Men Tell No Tales" is most often associated with a time of piracy but actually dates to the mid-1500's and a more proverbial "Dead men reveal no secrets." Obviously, the author was excluding one Man---Jesus Christ. Despite our fascination as a culture with remaining eternally young (looking at least), and despite incantations, potions, and prescriptions for longevity, every man must die. The secret that Christ tells from His resurrection is that dead men are not always dead men.

During lean years of college, my husband was the caretaker of a large cemetery up in the mountains of Pennsylvania. He had to dig the graves by hand, and me, being me, would often come and visit him with a picnic lunch for a digging or a burial. (Yes, odd, but that's a whole other blog). In any case, I remember this burial on St. Patrick's day for two reasons---because I brought green iced cupcakes and because the sun was shining brightly in a usual blah March sky...In any case, as I considered the sprays of flowers, and the new tombstone of the woman, as clear as a bell it came into my head "Why seek you the living among the dead?" I felt a joyous exuberance, a freedom, because somehow, God had let me know that this woman had been a believer in Christ. She didn't lie within the earth....she was far and away.

Too often we forget the triumph that Jesus has, that we have because of Him, over the secrecy of death. The Bible says that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us in our daily lives, yet we so often grope along fearfully, scared of getting hurt, afraid to die. Seek to loose your life for Christ (not random sky diving with no parachute) but daily surrender to the power and the wonder of the once dead man who now tells the tale of eternal life...and follow hard after Him.

* * * * *

Thank you, Kelly, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: What has Jesus told you in times of darkness that you feel you should proclaim in the light for His glory?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE copy of the book above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have learded threw dark times that he never leaves us. we need to trust in and have faith and fallow threw these dark times. Our dark times help witness to other people of heis love. and he never lets us go! thanks for the giveaway
the_tabers@comcast.net jennei

Judy said...

When I was going through breast cancer He assured me that He would see me through. I gave Him the glory for everything I went through. I didn't miss one day of work with my radiation treatments and I had co-workers asking me how I could be so strong and positive. I told them I couldn't on my own but it was because of the Love Jesus had for me and the promise never to leave or forsake me that got me through. I hope that I planted some seeds during my testimonies giving God all the Glory!

Blessings!
Judy
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shannon said...

The biggest thing i feel the Lord leading me to show in my time of darkness is joy and faith. Right now I'm struggling to find work. I am also leading a Bible study for troubled women. I cling to Romans 8:28 and remind myself that God has a plan. I just may not like it right now...but it does get better. How I handle struggle and hardship is how I testify who God is! If I react as the world reacts I do not show to be better.

Shannon
shannonmarie0822@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Our Heavenly Father is with us always.......and we should not forsake him either............babyruthmac16@yahoo.com

Sheryl Harvey said...

Through the toughest times in my life, I always seem to hear - "Be patient, all things for the Glory of God. God's way is the only way and we'll know more by and by." sherylharvey@frontier.com

Elyssa said...

Hmmm... what has God spoken to me in the dark times in my life? He's said so much! But one of the most important things I've learned is that no matter what, God WILL work all things together for His good. I don't have to worry about anything, because He's in control and will help me through whatever it is I'm going through.

lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

Jenny said...

One thing that Jesus has told me in the dark times is that His grace is sufficient for me. He will supply ALL my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!

jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

KellyGod whispers to us all the time, but we may not realize it. I know HE is with me through dark times, for without him to lead me through, I'd not make it. He has answered so many prayers for me, and, given our family so many miracles. My heart is His. Please enter me in this contest. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

Kelly M. Long said...

Your answers are all so beautiful and speak to the heart and soul...thank you for ministering to me through yor honesty and faith!
Kelly Long

Cheryl said...

What an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing this story.

When I was younger, money was even more of a problem than it is now. God would remind me that He will provide all my family needs.

Wishing you a blessed weekend,

Cheryl

ccmal(at)charter(dot)net

Glenda Parker Fiction Writer said...

God told me just this morning that I am not hearing Him as much as I want because I am not taking the time to listen. That was a hard thing to hear. We all seem to be to busy so I repented. I will make more time. Thank you for your interview I enjoyed it.

Glenda Parker
parker.glenda@ymail.com

Emily said...

Please enter me into this giveaway! I absolutely loved Lilly's Wedding Quilt! Can't wait to read her new on!

Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie said...

Thanks so much for the giveaway! I love her work! Please enter me!

Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

John said...

Enter my name into the drawing please! Thanks for the chance.

Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net

Emily said...

My goodness, just realized that I forgot to answer the question! Is it okay if I do it now?

Um, the biggest thing that God has showed me in times of darkness is that He is all I need to survive. When things break my heart and I can't imagine going on, I know now that He is the only thing I need to keep my heart going.

Sorry about that! I hope this counts!

Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie said...

Well, it would seem that my daughter has informed me that I didn't enter right. Can I still fix it?

Let's see....what God has taught me. To look to him and that I shouldn't worry. Be anxious for nothing...which is BIG for me. Keep praying and believing. He never let's go...even when I feel like doing just that.

Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com