“Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise Him from the skies!
Praise Him, all His angels! Praise Him, all the armies of heaven!
Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you twinkling stars!
Praise Him, skies above! Praise Him, vapors high above the clouds!
Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for He issued His command and they came into being.”
~ Psalm 148:1-5
After accomplishing domestic chores, my Amish friends and I like to sit under a shade tree to watch and listen to the sights and sounds of summer, especially when all of nature seems to sing praises to God—bees busily hum and collect nectar, robins sing their distinctive melodies, and breezes push softly through tree branches and the bushes below. Sitting quietly with Bibles open on our laps, the sky still light at day’s end, we can soak in the tranquility while reading Psalm 148 and other soothing verses—a very good way to unwind.
Amish and Mennonite families, as well as others, often plan large family reunions for the month of July, reconnecting and sharing the joy of seeing new babies and the youngsters growing “like weeds.” While it is less frequent among the Amish, many Mennonite families also plan Fourth-of-July celebrations on the farm, preferring that to crowded gatherings in the city.
Whatever your particular plans might be for this warm and sunny month, I hope you can make some time to just stop and drink in the beauty surrounding you. After all, God placed it there for our enjoyment, as well as to give us the peace we often need in these troubled times. And spending moments in nature while reflecting on God’s Word is a true blessing indeed.
I wish you happiness, too, for this month of celebration as we give thanks for our country’s freedoms.
Blessings and gratitude,
—Beverly Lewis
1) Thanks for your glowing remarks about the cover for The Christmas House. I agree, it is exceptionally beautiful. One of my readers even said the cover alone is worth the price of the book! Here are the retailers where you can preorder:
Baker Book House (40% off and free US shipping through September 1)
2) I've been enjoying the summer weather here (the near constant rains have finally stopped!), while relaxing on our deck, walking and/or hiking around the beautiful trails near and far, or picnicking at Dave's and my favorite spots, embracing the peaceful landscape of foothills and lakes. And also thinking ahead to a possible new story idea, as God leads. Thanks very much for your keen interest in my writings, my research, and my daily life...and your prayers. I appreciate you so much!
"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."
~ Genesis 1:31
When I was a young girl, my father instilled in me a love for nature. Often a warm feeling of inspiration came over me as I admired Dad’s fruit trees and rose bushes, the soil mulched neatly around each one.
Dad had also experienced a deep connection with God while cultivating the family cornfield in his youth. Those reflective times, as well as times delving into God’s Word, eventually led him to open his heart to the Savior. After high school graduation, Dad enrolled in Bible college and, later, in seminary. Afterward, he planted churches for the next fifty years as a lead pastor, including the church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I was born and grew up.
Because of my dad, I, too, learned to look for the handprints of God in all of creation, observing the intricacy in a Passion flower as its blooms unfolded or the multicolored hydrangeas in our large yard near Amish farmland.
Curious, one day I asked my mother if Dad might be creating his sermons in his mind while planting or harvesting his organic vegetable garden. (Long before organic produce was even popular!) She smiled and nodded, agreeing that there was something very special, indeed, about Dad’s time spent gardening. During the day—even after supper before twilight—when he wasn’t reading the Bible or outlining his sermons, he seemed to be walking with God in the stillness of the maturing lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, squash, and snap peas. And later in life, Dad grew specimen flowers specifically to supply the local florists.
During this month of June and Father’s Day, I miss Dad for many reasons, among them his joyful countenance whenever he was describing a “new” type of produce, such as the cabbage he’d eaten during a mission trip to Beijing, China--Napa cabbage, rich in vitamins A, B3, iron and copper, and also lower in sodium than regular cabbage. And oh, the variety of colorful peonies Dad grew during his retirement years with my mother’s help. Row upon row of the frilly, flamboyant flowers graced their backyard.
Yes, Dad loved God’s creation, as well as God’s people. He was instrumental in leading many, many souls to Christ over the years, including mine.
Abundant blessings!
—Beverly Lewis
1) Thanks for the many delightful comments regarding The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th Anniversary Edition. I'm so thrilled you're trying new-to-you recipes--even some families made dried corn casserole for Easter dinner. A high honor!
2) Dave and I are enjoying the warmer days of late spring here, where there is seemingly daily weather changes--70 degrees one day, then sleet and snow the next. The lilac bushes around town are almost ready to burst forth with blossoms, and spring housecleaning is nearly over. Thanks, as always, for your kind remarks about my books (back list, as well as my upcoming The Christmas House, releasing September 2nd). And...a very happy Father's Day to all the dads!
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
~ Proverbs 31:26
In our breakfast nook, there is a plaque given to me by our daughter Julie. It says simply, Home is where your mom is.
I cherish the meaning—her heart and mine are bound together in love, no matter where we may be, one from the other. Thankfully, Julie lives just a few minutes from us. :)
As a young girl, my best friend was my mother. I remember listening to her at the piano as she sang and played hymns and other songs. One of my favorites started like this: “Let’s be true to Jesus, though a thousand voices from the world may call.”
My mother also composed songs of her own and taught them to our church congregation, where Dad was the pastor. But far more important to my mother than musical talent was her faith. She encouraged my sister, Barbara, and me to live for Jesus all of our lives, and to trust in His will and way.
This Mother’s Day, eighteen years now since her Homegoing, I am still so grateful for her and Dad’s prayers and godly instruction, knowing that their heavenly Home will one day be mine, too, and we will never have to part.
“Let’s be true to Jesus” still rings in my memory, and I pray its message will soften your heart, as well.
Blessings for this month of honoring mothers, and always,
—Beverly Lewis
1) If you'd like to preorder my September book, The Christmas House, you may do so at these links:
Baker Book House (40% off and free US shipping through September 1)
2) Barbara and I have created this lovely "Quilted Hello" card from the all-occasion selection. Order yours at: www.amishcheer.com.
3) I pray each mother, mother-to-be, and mother figure who reads this blog enjoys a most blessed Mother’s Day and delightful springtime!
"Celebrate and sing! Play your harps for the LORD our God. He fills the sky with clouds and sends rain to the earth, so that the hills will be green with grass. . . .The LORD is pleased only with those who worship Him and trust His love."
~ Psalm 147:7, 8 & 11 CEV
This season of springtime is absolutely permeated with renewal and the opportunity for new beginnings. It is also a time for quiet reflection and focus on all that Christ suffered on our behalf prior to His death and glorious resurrection.
While growing up near Amish farms in Lancaster County, I gleaned much about the Plain traditions of fasting and praying on Good Friday, of preparations on Saturday for Easter Sunday (cleaning house and preparing meals ahead of time), and of attending church when Easter Sunday was scheduled as the next Preaching service for that particular church district. (They hold house church every other Sunday).
Those of you who are curious about Amish Easter traditions will find this video by Erik Wesner, one of my wonderful research consultants, highly informative. Erik has visited over 5,000 Amish homes across America and Canada and has been privileged to experience Easter celebrations in more than just Lancaster County’s Amish country.
Here’s the link to his fascinating video, which I recommend watching:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk_lJTX7c24
And whatever community you are celebrating with this year, I wish you a most blessed and joyous Easter season!
—Beverly Lewis
1) The Christmas House is available to preorder at the following retailer links:
2) I'm so excited to announce that my sister, Barbara, and I have created three new cards for Easter. See more about "Easter Blessings," "Carrot Car Chickie," and "Bunny and Chicks" 5-pack, at http://www.amishcheer.com
3) Thanks for your continual friendship on Facebook and my website, as well as your loyal support of my books. Blessings for Easter, indeed!