Review: Annie's Truth by Beth Shriver

The Touch of Grace trilogy is about three faithful women who, when faced with three separate hardships, are torn between the men they love and staying true to themselves. The first book in this series, Annie's Truth, is different from a lot of Amish fiction in the topics it deals with. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to more of Beth Shriver's writing.


Summary

Annie Beiler seems to have it all—a loving family in a tight-knit Amish community and the affections of an attractive and respected young man. But when she learns that she was adopted after being found as an abandoned newborn, she sets out on a journey to find out who she is.

Her father is strongly against her decision to leave, as it could mean Meidung, or excommunication from the community and even her family. But Annie knows she must find “the path that has her heart.”

As Annie’s search brings her into the fast-paced world of modern life, she is confronted with all of the temptations she was warned of. Can she make her way back to the order and security of her family? Or will she remain an outsider—torn between her two worlds?


My thoughts

Annie's Truth is unique in that it delves a lot deeper into Amish beliefs and actions than a lot of what is written in the genre today and it really captured my attention from the beginning. Some of the characters act in seemingly foolish ways, so I wasn't sure I would like the book at first, as I wasn't caring for these people very much. But all that works into the book's message, and things change so that by the halfway point, I had a hard time putting it down.

In Annie's mind, she was "different in a community made for all to be the same." Her search for a way to be accepted and to discover why her birth mother abandoned her led Annie to realize that the Amish community she came from was home. But going back resulted in more problems than she could have ever imagined. "Annie's world had turned upside down, and she didn't know how to make it right again."

I liked the way Annie would quietly question some of the Amish beliefs.  For instance, although she had feelings for her childhood friend, John, she resented having her spouse chosen for her. And while searching for her birth mother, she stayed with a family in Harrisonburg who had been banished from the Amish community because their son wanted to stay in school. "The life we live doesn't require you to have a higher education, but should one be excommunicated for wanting to expand their mind?" Annie asked.

2006 school shooting in Nickel Mines, PA

Forgiveness is a key theme as Beth brings into her narrative the 2006 shootings in the Nickel Mines Amish community where five young girls were killed. We all know the Amish as a peaceful people, quick to forgive, but the depth of their faith was never more evident than when they forgave the shooter and wanted his family to stay in the community. We often see forgiveness as the end result of a long emotional process, but the Amish see it as a beginning, a starting point. But with the way Annie was treated upon her return, I couldn't help but wonder if sometimes the Amish are better at forgiving outsiders than one of their own.

Annie would sometimes assist the midwife in delivering babies, and one scene was especially touching when a baby with a physical handicap was born. "This was why Annie loved these people, this community. Unlike the outside world, they looked upon this as a blessing, an opportunity to minister to one of Gott's meek children. No hospitals or doctors could replace the insurance of brotherly love between them."

Annie's Truth is a story that can't help but make you think, cause you to reflect on forgiveness - and I believe it will be enjoyed even by those who don't read a lot of Amish fiction. I was delighted to discover Beth Shriver's writing and highly recommend Annie's Truth to those who enjoy inspirational fiction.

Beth Shriver

Visit Beth's website at bethshriverwriter.com to learn more. 

Review: Worship Walk by Gareth J. Goossen

"Worship changes who we are as we pursue who God is."

This opening sentence is a descriptive prelude to all that Gareth shares from his heart in this compelling book on worship. Many people confine worship to what they experience on Sunday morning, specifically the music. But this book's subtitle - "where worship and life intersect" - expresses an important truth. The following endorsements give an idea of what you will experience from reading Worship Walk . . .

"At the very heart of worship is our longing to know and love God. Worship Walk helps bring us back to that heart in a compelling way. There are many powerful truths covered in this book - I love the way Gareth helps us to remember the truth of the cost of worship. God is more committed to forming his character in us than he is in providing for our comfort. This book is a timely reminder of what worship is all about and how we are to walk it out in our lives."   -- Brian Doerksen, songwriter and worship leader

"Worship Walk" is an amazing manual for Christian living. Gareth has taken foundational aspects of Christianity and shown them through the lens of worship. As a worship leader who has also found great joy in worshipping God through things in addition to music, I found this book to be very affirming but also very challenging." -- Kevin Boese, songwriter and worship pastor


My thoughts

I have been involved in local church worship ministry for over 50 years, and I initially thought that Worship Walk would just be another book among many written on the topic of worship. However, I was pleasantly surprised to be quickly caught up in the various aspects of our daily lives that Gareth spotlights "through the lens of worship," as Kevin Boese wrote in his endorsement. And that's exactly how it should be, as worship encompasses all of life - not just music and not just worship services. Someone once said that if worship doesn't take place Monday through Friday, then it will never happen on Sunday.

Corporate and private worship are intertwined, but I like this book's emphasis on worship that takes place outside the doors of the church. Gareth writes in a comfortable style that is easy to understand, and includes Scripture references and personal examples.

Chapter 6, which focuses on silence, is one of my favorites. I had to smile when he talked about our efforts today to have no dead space during the service, for that is exactly what we've done. "There was a time when silence and reflection were part of the gathered worship experience - meditating on a Scripture passage, silent prayer, time to wait quietly and allow God to speak. And when he did, there was time to wrestle with and respond to his prompting." Gareth goes on to mention being drawn to the echoing silence of stone walls in European cathedrals. I've been blessed to visit some of these beautiful cathedrals myself and have experienced exactly what he describes:  "There are many factors that give the feeling of awesomeness: the age of the building, the height of the ceilings, the architecture, the artwork, the stained glass. But more than that, there is a sense of silence, of quiet reflection. People who walk into the building talk in hushed whispers." Is a time of reflective silence missing in our churches today? I definitely think so. But then, maybe many find silence uncomfortable.

I also have to mention an inspiring little exercise that Gareth encourages us to do in Chapter 12. Referring to the last line of "Shout to the Lord" that says, "Nothing compares to the promise I have in you," Gareth asks:  " What promises make you want to shout out in praise?" Look at some of the answers he gives and think how you would respond (feel free to share your comments below):

-- Heb 13:5 - Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
-- John 14:3 - I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
-- 1 John 4:4 - The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
-- Rom 8:38-39 - Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Worship Walk is a book that I will come back to often. It would even work well for Bible study or quiet times. I am glad to recommend this book to every reader.

I'll close with a few impactful quotations from Worship Walk:

"Worship draws our attention from ourselves to God,

enabling us to begin to see things from his perspective."

 

 

"As the church has become more comfortable within itself,

confession has been pushed aside."

 

 

"As we grow in prayer, we begin to wrestle with

who we really are before a holy God -

not who we carefully allow others to see."

 

 

"True worship, like true worshippers,

never stays in the church."

 

 

"Confession is worship that frees and heals us."

 

 

"Our time of freedom of expression and worship is coming

to an end - even in our tolerant society - because

the one thing tolerant societies cannot stand are absolutes."

 

Gareth J. Goossen

Gareth J Goossen is the executive director of Make Us Holy ministries. He has been instrumental in encouraging the church across denominations in North, Central and South America in their corporate worship and in their ability to enjoy the presence of God in everyday life. His passion is for renewal through worship, prayer and discipleship. Gareth is excited at the moving of God’s Spirit, igniting the passion for God in young people and adults alike.

Learn more about Gareth and his ministry at makeusholy.org.

This book was provided by BookFun.org and Gareth J. Goossen in exchange for my honest review.