You are falsely accused of a crime - maybe you didn’t commit it or what they are accusing you of isn’t a crime at all. What do you do?

Paul and Joseph both give us two responses that I stand in amazement of and pray for that kind of courage. They had the courage to face corrupted governments and still bow to the authorities God had placed over them.

Paul was imprisoned for a crime that was no crime at all. He stood before Agrippa and shared with him the good news of the Gospel. Paul used this miscarriage of justice to carry the message of Jesus to palaces and even hoped to share it with Ceaser. Paul took what the corrupted authorities had given him and used it to share the gospel. How amazing is that?

Joseph was accused of rape and thrown into the dungeon without a trial. While he did ask those he helped to tell the king about him, he continued to serve God in the jail. He served his jailor and helped him to run the same prison that was keeping him in the walls. He didn’t try to escape, he didn’t tell everyone that he had been wronged, he served God and others from where he was.
Over the last few weeks, we have been looking at authority. We have looked at how David treated Saul, how God calls us to treat those in authority, and Peter’s stand against authority. Armed with all this knowledge, how are we to respond?

I think both Paul and Joseph point us toward the conclusion that is easy to miss: We are Christian’s first, citizens to our country after. Both Paul and Joseph suffered horrible miscarriages of justice. Yet, both of them responded not with anger or disrespect, but by turning their adversity into something that glorified God.

In this world, we will have trouble. Our enemy, the devil, is corrupting the world and its governments.  We are the light of the world. We are to let our light shine before men. We are not to do that by shouting against our leaders, but by carrying the Good News to every corner of the earth. We cannot overcome evil with disrespect, hatred, anger, and dishonor; we can only overcome it with good.

I want my response to mirror Paul, Joseph, and Jesus. I want to stand before authorities without fear, and boldly speak of the gospel. I want to be faithful to respect them, even when they don’t deserve it. I also want to be filled with this knowledge: greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and holds the ultimate authority in my life.

Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 11 - 18
Description: “How could you, in good conscience, leave the kitchen in the hands of me, a giddy sixteen-year-old??” So begins Nicole’s letters to her sister who has recently “deserted” the family because of marriage. As Nicole attempts to take over the kitchen, she begins to wonder if the kitchen will take over her?

Told in the form of letters, this was such a cute short story. I mean, who doesn’t love cooking mishaps and a bit of family drama? Nicole is an overwhelmed sixteen-year-old whose mission is to keep from making a disaster of her new responsibility in the kitchen.

While we only see Nicole’s letters (I so wanted to see the others), it is clear that she and her older sister have a loving relationship. The way her older sister points her back to God time and again is clear and wonderful.

I had one issue with this story. Nicole is struggling so hard, and she never mentions her mother helping or offering advice, nor her older sister; and as far as I could tell, her brothers never offered to help either. While I could just chalk this up to most teenagers thinking they are doing more than they really are, it bugged me that in all the letters, not one mention of help was given.

Still, I enjoyed this story and recommend it to teenagers who like light-hearted tales, short stories, and kitchen mishaps.

Helping her into her dress

The vows being said

Giving a hug to Mrs. Rachel Buster

Together

The happy bride and groom.

When is it okay to stand against authority?

Obviously, from Scripture, it isn’t because of corruption or immorality. As we read in 1 Samuel and in Romans, God calls us to honor, respect, and even obey the authorities that are corrupt. So is it ever okay to say no to authorities? Yes, and I think Scriptures provide a wonderful example in Acts chapter 4.

Peter and John where brought before the Sanhedrin. We know that Peter was full of the Holy Spirit at this point (verse 8) and spoke with great boldness. Peter even recognized their position of authority (verse 8), and they only asked him to do one thing and he refused.

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:18 NIV

One request, but this was the one they could not comply with.

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20 NIV

So can we take a stand against authority? Can we refuse their requests? Yes! If they ask us to deny our faith, stop telling others about Jesus, or ask us to do something directly against God, we are supposed to refuse.

One of my favorite modern examples of this is Brother Andrew. I was reading the other day in his wonderful book The Exodus Mandate about authority. While in a county, he would obey the speed limits, taxing laws, etc. all while smuggling illegal Bibles to people. He refused to obey the laws that would keep him from preaching the good news, but followed all other laws.

When the government demands that we discard our faith and the morals it teaches, we must disobey those orders. Yet, we should not allow ourselves to go so far as to disregard the other laws (speed limits and such) or speak against the authorities.

Don’t take my word for it, read your Bible and come to your own conclusions. Join my next week for the final post in this series.

Hello and welcome to The Sound of Silver birthday blog tour! I’m posting today about Rachelle Rea Cobb’s second installment in the Steadfast Love series, an inspirational historical romance set during the 16th century!

Rachelle is also the author of The Sound of Diamonds, the first book in the series, and a newlywed! This summer, she married a man with the same first name as the hero of the series! I’m joining in this blog tour to tell you a little more about Silver and spread the news about the rocking giveaway Rachelle is hosting—make sure you enter using the Rafflecopter form to win the lovely necklace pictured and your choice of any of the Steadfast Love titles!



ABOUT The Steadfast Love SERIES
In 16th-century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her, will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love erode?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Times gone by snatch Rachelle Rea Cobb close, so she reads and writes about years long ago--her passions include the Reformation, Revolutions, and romance. Rachelle wrote the Steadfast Love series during college. Five months after she graduated, she signed a three-book deal with her dream publisher, WhiteFire. She's a homeschool grad, Oreo addict, and plots her novels while driving around her dream car, a pick-up truck. In June 2016, she married a man with the same name as her fictional hero, and they live happily ever after in Small Town, South.

AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://RachelleReaCobb.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/RachelleReaCobb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelleReaCobb
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/RachelleReaCobb/
Instagram: @RachelleReaCobb
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Rea/e/B00RZHIL1Q
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8144149.Rachelle_Rea_Cobb


ABOUT The Sound of Silver
The stalwart saint and the redeemed rebel. One fights for faith, the other for honor…

After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile—and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once distrusted.

Meanwhile, Dirk’s quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth’s searching hearts ever sing the same song?

Find The Sound of Silver on…
Amazon Paperback: http://is.gd/1HwJoi 
Kindle: http://is.gd/EZ7DJ1
Barnes & Noble: http://is.gd/qhoCTc
Books a Million: http://is.gd/M2y5P2
Goodreads: http://is.gd/iBE2lJ

Rome. If you study anything about it at the time of Jesus you will find it was a corrupted society and government. Evil leaders, assassinations, immorality praised, rampant bribery, a lawless army, and many perversions of justice. This was the kind of government in place when Paul penned his letter to the Romans. Yet, in spite of all this, we find a section in chapter 13 verses 1-7.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

It sounds so odd doesn’t it? Paul commanding those in Rome to submit and honor a government that was corrupted, spending tax money on a murdering army and its own immoral pleasures. Yet, Paul does. Why? I think that the last verse of chapter 12 might give us a hint

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NIV

Now there are exceptions (see next week’s post) but not many. Obviously, just because a government is corrupt does not negate these rules, as Rome was about as corrupt as they come. So what does this mean for us in a practical sense? How are we to apply this to how we live today?

• We are to pay our taxes (which I admit I grumbled about when I realized I owed 15% of what I made last year)
• We are to respect (hold them in high regard) those in authority, and treat them with respect. This includes how we talk about them in person and our social media accounts (I am guilty of failing in this.) 
• We are to honor (treat with deference) them. This can be even harder than respecting them, because some of them are not honorable people. But still, God has called us to treat them with honor. If you met with the president that you think has been worse for this country, you still would need to treat them with deference as God commanded.

Yes, this chapter is not an easy one to apply. I know that I have often made up excuses for when I disrespect the president or another elected official. It is so easy to see their faults and so easy to complain. I have failed so many times to obey this part of scripture. However, I refuse to give myself that excuse any longer. I will strive, in God’s strength, to speak with respect about those in authority. I will honor even those who I do not feel are honorable, as God has commanded.

Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 10-18
Description: An interloper arrives at the CBI, claiming to be a data-collector from headquarters. Christian Holmes, together with Greg Belden, is assigned to help him. As they work with the outsider, their doubts grow. Who is he, and what did he really come for? More than one man will be tested, when inspection comes. Christian Holmes is a detective series, offering humor and moral themes.

I am getting into the habit of listening to books on my Kindle while I work on things. I like shorter books because I can enjoy a whole story in one task. This was one of the books I listened to and enjoyed.

I have never been big into Sherlock Holmes, but I do enjoy his stories that I have read. This is an obvious play on Sherlock Holmes, and it made it so interesting. The story was well structured and the plot was very interesting. It was free from violence and objectionable material that one normally finds in mystery stories.

My favorite part? The story did a good job at teaching a moral lesson without sounding like a sermon; a hard accomplishment for a short story. The message was not just tacked on at the end, it was woven into the story.

I recommend this short story for those who love light mysteries, short stories, and moral stories.

The authorities were after him. He had done nothing either legally or morally wrong. In fact, He was standing for his faith. Now, the government was after him, a corrupted one that perverted justice, and refused to follow even its own laws.
Then one amazing day, this man had a golden opportunity. The leader of this corrupted government fell into his hands. Those around him said that God had given him this day. He could kill this leader, or at least put him in prison. This would be the end of the godless leader and the corrupted government.

But he didn’t do it.

David said; “I cannot lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed one.

I have had a lot of conversations with people over the last year about honoring the governing authorities. What I am hearing has disturbed my heart. Many I have talked to have made fun of our president, joke about assassination, and ignore minor laws like speed limits because they say that the government is corrupt so we don’t have to honor or obey it.

The story above comes from 1 Samuel and you probably recognized it. David twice had the opportunity to kill or capture Saul. However, both time, he refused, even when everyone around him encouraged it. Why? Because Saul was God’s anointed.

Even after his death, when perhaps he should have been rejoicing that he would no longer have to run, he mourned for Saul and grew angry with the man who claimed to have killed him.

David was a man after his own heart and I think that this story is one of the reasons why. David refused to give in to the temptations to take matters into his own hands. He believed that God had raised Saul up and God and only God had the right to depose him.

In reading 1 and 2 Samuel, here is what I was reminded about authority.

• We like David should always speak and act in a honoring manner toward those in authority.
• We should not lift our hand against those in authority
• In God’s time, corrupted rulers will meet their end.

I urge you to open up your Bible and read the story for yourself. Don’t take my word for this, open up your Bible and discover it for yourself.

By J. Grace Pennington

I have a dream...

Or rather, I had a dream.

The Firmament series began about six years ago, not with the first words penned, but with Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.  It was my fifth exposure to Star Trek, and I was already a big enough fan to be having dreams based on the series.  In this particular film, Doctor “Bones” McCoy (my favorite character) begins acting strange—almost crazy—because he's [spoilers] carrying Spock's soul around in his head (don't ask).  That night, I had a dream—a dream about a doctor going crazy on a starship in the future.

And his daughter was worried.

What if...?  Is the question that begins every piece of fictional storytelling. For me, the question was, “What if the starship doctor had a daughter, about my age?  What if the story was about a young woman with little authority, rather than the captain or the first officer or the engineer?  What if, rather than focusing on carnality and humanistic ideals, there was a StarTrekesque series that trumpeted family values and a biblical worldview?”

My imagination began spinning.  I went to the computer and wrote the sentence, “He always said that I had the measles when he found me on his doorstep back in 2299, and he also said that I was less than a year old.”  And the tale kept spinning.  Mutiny reared its ugly head, family secrets came to play, and a plot rather too complex was woven.  I later had to make significant rewrites to make the story more logical—but the core idea of a father and daughter navigating the unique challenges of the twenty-fourth century remained.

Planning out the entire series (originally twenty-four books, and now eighteen) helped me to stick to that premise as I wrote, and hopefully that will continue.  While I try to give the tales a distinctly deep, complex, philosophical bent (much like Star Trek), I also try never to lose sight of the two central values of the series—family, and faith.

Family is a thread that runs through every book.  In the first story, it's Andi and her adoptive father against the world, and she likes it that way.  But slowly, as the years go by, she connects with more and more of her family, both biological and adoptive, and the ramifications aren't always to her liking.  She doesn't care for change.  But she does care for those close to her.  And as time goes by, her heart opens to more and more relatives, whether they are connected by blood or not.

Her faith, too, plays a central role.  Andi is far from perfect.  She can have an attitude problem.  She's a people pleaser, and gets confused.  She's often stubborn.  She makes many wrong choices.  But at the end of the day, she puts her faith in her creator, albeit imperfectly, to get her through the trials of the life that she's been dealt.  And she wouldn't have it any other way.

So the purpose behind the Firmament series?  I want to take ideas and stretch them further than gravity will take them here on Earth, and throw them to the stars to play out their course.  Whether it's loving one's family or solving complex ethical dilemmas, I want readers to see Andi constantly reaching beyond the universe for answers.

There's a God who loves her, no matter what happens.

I want my readers to understand the same.


J. Grace Pennington has published four science fiction novels. They each
 have a unique bent to them, but this one is very different. Each book
is a standalone, but as with any series, you get more of the story if
you read them all in order. In Reversal Zone, the main character, Andi Lloyd, becomes the only one who can save the ship and crew. Can she do it in time?

About the Book

Nothing is as it should be.


After weeks of boredom, Andi is excited when the Surveyor is called upon
to rescue a freighter that mysteriously vanished in uncharted space.  Excitement quickly turns to unease when the
ship encounters an unknown phenomenon—a cloud that appears not to exist.  But with the freighter's crew in danger, the Surveyor
has no choice but to venture into unknown territory.


As soon as they enter the cloud, its unstable effects wreak havoc on the
ship.  They're flying blind.  Every piece of equipment is
malfunctioning.  And every member of the
crew is unable to think straight or act like themselves—except Andi.


Now she's expected to guide them through the predicament with no previous
command experience and no one to turn to for support.  And with each passing hour, it becomes clear
that if they don't escape the cloud soon—they won't escape it at all.
Buy it here

About the Author


J. Grace Pennington has been telling stories since she could
talk, and writing them down since age five. 

Now she lives in the great state of Texas, where she writes as much asadult life permits.  When she’s not
writing, she enjoys reading good books, playing movie soundtracks on the piano,
and looking up at the stars.



You can find out more about her writing at www.jgracepennington.com.

Giveaway














Grace is generously offering three prizes. A signed copy of
each of her three previous novels in the series. They are each standalone
stories, but they are also connected. If you would like to read more about
them, you can read about them here: Radialloy, In His Image, Machiavellian.



To enter the giveaway, please fill out this form.
 

Tour Schedule







Friday, October 7

Bookish
Orchestrations
-Tour Introduction

Fathers
and Sons-Sports and Life
-Guest Post

The Destiny of One-Guest
Post

Perpetual
Gardener, Writer, and Mormon
-Excerpt

Rebekah Lyn Books-Author
Interview



Saturday, October
8

Shout outs-Guest
Post

Author Franky A Brown-Excerpt

Shire Reviews-Book
Review



Sunday, October 9

Letters
from Annie Douglass Lima
-Excerpt

Zerina
Blossom's Books
-Excerpt



Monday, October 10

Rachel Rossano's
Words
-Excerpt and Guest Post

In the
Bookcase
-Excerpt and Book Review

Writings,
Ramblings, and Reflections
-Book Review



Tuesday, October
11

The
Abrahamic Adventures
-Book Review

The
Overactive Imagination
-Excerpt and Guest Post

Morgan Elizabeth
Huneke
-Book Review

Lisa Swinton
Queen of Random
-Excerpt



Wednesday, October
12

Bookish
Orchestrations
-Giveaway Winner