"The angel said, 'Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body.'"
~ Mark 16:6
If you were born on Easter, as I was, you may be as thrilled as I am to have a birthday linked to that wondrous day we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!
As a young girl, I often wondered how long I'd have to wait for my birthday to fall on Easter again. Finally, when I turned 11, it happened. My parents even had a special birthday party, and sometime after that, I asked my mother when I could celebrate my birthday on Easter again. "How long must I wait this time?"
Amazingly, somehow, she was able to determine that it would be many years away—not until the year 2022. This was decades before Google, of course, and my response to her is still implanted in my brain. "Well, I doubt I'll live to be that old!"
Through my growing-up years, I remember my pastor-father calling my sister and I early on Easter Sunday mornings, "Rise and shine, it's Resurrection Day!" with such a jubilant tone in his voice.
So, you see, Easter has always been a day of expectation and rejoicing for me and for our entire family. I still have goose pimples when I blend my voice with the congregation singing joyfully, even tearfully, "Christ the Lord is risen today. A-lle-lu-ia!" The powerful message of the Cross and the empty tomb never grows old, does it, friend?
Christ's conquering death gives us hope as believers. He broke the chains so we can be free from the grip of sin. Our Savior Jesus is alive and intercedes for us, cheering us on, to our heavenly Father. Amen and amen.
Easter Blessings!
—Beverly Lewis
1) My fall novel, The Orchard, is on track for release September 6. If you'd like to receive a 40% discount and FREE shipping, simply preorder from: bakerbookhouse.com (They ship only in the US.)
2) I'm already well into the writing of my Fall 2023 novel titled, The Heirloom, which features Ella Mae Zook, Hickory Hollow's Wise Woman, as a secondary point of view character. More about that later.
3) My handcrafted Easter cards are available through April 9. They're going fast, so place your order today at our secure website: www.AmishCheer.com
4) Thanks, as always, for your enthusiasm for my novels and for the Amish Cheer cards. Your prayers continue to mean everything to me. Blessings abundant!
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." ~ Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Ah, springtime in Amish farmland. There's nothing quite like it!
Growing up, I eagerly awaited the appearance of mule teams plowing in Amish fields near our home. The earth was bursting with new life! And there were new baby chicks, goats, bunnies and calvies, too. I also loved (and still do!) seeing the early-flowering dogwood and cherry trees, and the peach orchards "waking up" with thousands of pink, frilly blossoms in mid-April.
The remarkable cover for my new novel, The Orchard, captures the sights and scents of springtime in my beloved Lancaster County. Ellie Hostetler, the main character in this stand-alone novel set in Bird-in-Hand, PA, in the early '70s (during the Vietnam War), loves her father's orchard, and as as a young girl declared that "the Lord God Himself must surely dwell there—the most splendid spot on earth!"
Like tenderhearted Ellie, have you ever felt that close to God? He will certainly be found by anyone who sincerely seeks Him with all their heart, as the scripture states in Jeremiah 29:13.
This spring, and every season, we are truly thankful for our heavenly Father who is waiting and ready to meet us where we are. And ready to be all that we need: body, mind and spirit.
Blessings,
—Beverly Lewis
I'm so thrilled to show you the gorgeous cover for my September novel, The Orchard, dear friend!
You may begin preordering now, using the retailer links below. You'll also be happy to know that Baker Book House is offering 40% off the price of my book, as well as FREE shipping, a wonderful incentive that simply cannot be beat!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Orchard-Beverly-Lewis/dp/0764237535/
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/433697
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-orchard-beverly-lewis/1141012088
Thanks, as always, for being my amazing and loyal readers all these many years. It continues to warm my heart, and I cannot thank you enough!
"All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude." ~ I Peter 3:8 (NLT)
As Christ-followers, we are instructed to pay attention to the attributes in the verse above, just as the persecuted Christians to whom this letter was first written were.
My Amish friends are taught from their earliest years to obey these commands all the days of their lives. For instance, before coming together for communion, they gladly spend time in prayer and fasting, preparing their hearts to be united "in one accord" (of one mind). When it comes to sympathizing with other members of their community, they immediately take up the slack for a person who is sick or grieving. They do this often by bringing food for several weeks or longer and lifting the workload off the farmer's shoulders by doing ALL his chores for as long as necessary. Think of that!
Loving another person as if they were your own sibling is simply having their back... being committed to them as you would in a family setting, even if you're not necessarily fond of that brother or sister. All the same, you are kind and unconditionally loving, which pleases God.
To some of us who are sensitive souls, having a tender heart comes quite naturally. We weep when others are sad or suffering and are willing to help carry their burden, (Galatians 6:2) and we want what is best for them.
Again, the Amish folks I call friends know what it means to put God first—then others, and lastly, themselves. There is no hesitation in helping at any cost, even sacrificially, supporting and caring in practical ways. Kindness is paramount. There is no "me first" attitude, which is so prevalent elsewhere.
During this month of love, what if we too followed closely the path of the instructions laid out for Christians in 1 Peter? Isn't that why we're here, friends... to do everything we can to point up the light of Christ that is so appealing and beautiful that people are compelled to embrace it with all of their hearts?
Blessings and love,
—Beverly Lewis
I'm happy to share with you an ebook special for The Fiddler—$1.99 between February 1-28. Search your favorite retailers to order.
Also, thanks very much for putting The Beginning on the ECPA bestseller list for four straight months! I'm so grateful.
Well, I've completed the synopsis for my Fall 2023 novel. And...I'll tell you a little secret: One of the main characters is Ella Mae Zook, Hickory Hollow's Wise Woman. Since so many of you have asked (pleaded) for a book focusing more on her, I hear you. :) I can't wait to write it. Thanks for being so amazing, friends!
AMISH CHEER CARDS ANNIVERSARY and a GIVEAWAY! It's the anniversary month for the launch of Amish Cheer Cards two years ago, and to show my appreciation to you, we're giving away one FREE "Little Things" card with each $20 purchase, including Valentine cards. (A $40 purchase = 2 FREE, etc.) This giveaway is available from February 1-8.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." —Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
If I were to choose a word to characterize going forward this New Year, it would be "kindness."
Recently, I was struck by the fact that we rarely hear of compassionate deeds anymore in the news. Why is that? Wouldn't we much rather hear about the good things happening around us than the constant drip of negativity?
I know firsthand of people who are quietly sharing their time, energies, and resources to make a difference—with kindness. There is a young man who sets aside his own interests to help disabled students get to and from their fitness classes; a young woman who is assisting a suicidal teen to get the care she needs; and a special needs girl who is giving away all of her earnings from a recent Christmas art fair to help a family who lost everything in the recent tornadoes.
And, as you can imagine, there are also groups of Amish carpenters building new houses for residents in multiple states whose homes were destroyed in the historic storms.
Each of these kindhearted people is quietly performing a sacrificial act of kindness—unsung (and rather unknown) acts of mercy. There are many more just like them around the world, reaching out to others in need.
One of the most remarkable role models of kindness is Joseph in the Old Testament. After he was sold into slavery by his wicked brothers and rose in power, he demonstrated uncommon compassion to those same brothers who were hungry and desperate for food. Stop and think about it—would you or I be willing to be so generous given the circumstances?
When we are filled with Christ's love, our hearts expand to respond with kindness.
Blessing for the New Year 2022!
—Beverly Lewis
Dear Reader-Friend,
1) I'm happy to say that I've seen the mock-up for my September 2022 novel, The Orchard, and cannot wait to show you next month here on the blog. Also, my revisions are currently with my first editor for an overview, while I finish the synopsis for my 2023 novel. Lots of creativity is happening here!
2) I'm also delighted to reveal my new Amish Cheer Valentine cards! Amish Farm Critters come in a pack of five for only $10, and the wonderful Owl Easel card is $5 per card. These are available now at our secure website: www.AmishCheer.com Enjoy!
3) Finally, a great big thank-you to those who kindly sent Christmas greetings to me, and purchased The Beginning for family and friends. You are all just wonderful!
Happy New Year!
—Bev
