I’m excited to have author friend Connilyn Cossette here today sharing some spiritual aspects from her Covenant House series. Plus she’s generously offered to GIVEAWAY A PRINT COPY OF TO DWELL AMONG CEDARS!
DEFINED BY ADOPTION
My entire life has been defined by adoption. Not only was I adopted at birth, but my brother was adopted from Korea and my husband and I adopted two precious children as well. So when I traveled to Israel in 2017, in the midst of brainstorming ideas for a series to write for Bethany House, it is no surprise that the storyline that burst to life while touring the Israeli countryside is full of adoption themes, both physical and spiritual.
As we made our way up from the coast toward Jerusalem our tour guide mentioned that we were likely driving along the same path that the Ark of the Covenant took during the events of 1 Samuel 4-7, when the Philistines stole the Ark, suffered plagues because of it, and then sent it back on a wagon to its rightful owners. Right there on the tour bus, the seeds of the Covenant House series—one which centers around two Philistine children who follow the Ark from enemy territory and are adopted into a Hebrew family—were planted.
BIBLICAL ADOPTION
God uses adoption themes over and over in his Word to show us his perfect grace and why those of us who are grafted into the family of Abraham though the Covenant of Jesus’s blood are known as adopted sons and daughters. So with all of those references in mind, along with my own experiences as both an adoptee and an adoptive mom, and also being the sister of an adoptee from a different culture, I set about to weave a story of two children who are grafted into a new family and all the joys and fears and doubts and pain and victory that goes along with physical adoption, and one that is a loose depiction of our spiritual adoption into the family of God as well.
Of course, as with all my stories, I never make things easy for my characters, and readers will discover that both of the Philistine children react differently to their altered circumstances, suffer different wounds, and make life choices based upon those experiences that drive their respective journeys in unexpected directions. Eliora (also known as Arisa), the heroine of To Dwell among Cedars, is deeply grateful to her adoptive family and embraces worship of Yahweh but still struggles with fear of rejection and resting in the unconditional love of her family, much like many adoptees (including myself) do. And her younger brother Lukio (also known as Natan) wrestles hard against the adoption, refusing to accept his new family’s love or even to let go of his past life.
ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY
Writing this series has been a wonderful reminder to me of not only what an enormous blessing my own adoption and that of my children were, but how I had the privilege of being adopted twice—once by my earthly parents and once by my heavenly Father. So my hope is that through this series, readers will see that although adoption is intrinsically bound together with grief and brokenness, the Lord can take broken families and broken hearts and through adoption transform them into something beautiful that illustrates God’s heart for every single person in our world—to be adopted into his family through his Son and to experience abundant life as His beloved children.
Amen, Connilyn! Love this. Thanks for sharing!
Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on both ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-plus years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas home.
MORE INSPIRATIONAL FICTION
Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY. ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER CONTEST BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRINT COPY OF TO DWELL AMONG CEDARS!
What a beautiful message! Sounds like a great series! Thank you for this opportunity.
Yes it is. Thanks, Betsy! The best to you in the giveaway!
I’ve heard good things about Connilyn Cossette’s Biblical fiction. It enjoyed the interview!
She’s a gifted writer, for sure. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Perrianne!
My favorite book of the Bible is James. This is the first book I memorized and also contains so much practice advice.
James is my favorite too, Rachel! So much meat in it. Thanks for sharing.
Connilyn Cossette is one of the most talented authors there is!!! Great article!!!
My current favorite book of the Bible is Philippians.
Love Philippians! Great choice, Roxanne. Thanks for stopping by.
Can’t wait to read her new series. Lady Connilyn is an absolute favorite of mine to read. I have a few favorite books of the Bible, but Ruth may be at the top of the list…such loyalty, love, & devotion. Thanks for sharing!! 🥰📚🎄
Yes! Love the story of Ruth and Boaz! Thanks for stopping by to enter and comment, Becky!
My favorite book is Genesis. I love the story of Joseph and through trials how God used him to help others.
Yes! I love the book of Genesis and the story of Joseph, Linda! Thanks for sharing!
The book of Ruth; then Psalms and Proverbs. Thank you for this opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy! God bless and Happy Thanksgiving! Lual krautter Email: krautter62520ToutlookDOTcom
Our minister is currently preaching on the book of Ruth! Love her story. Psalms and Proverbs are great too! Thanks for stopping by, Lual!
This book sounds so inspirational and like a great read! I really love the book cover, it is Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing about this book and it’s author. May you and your family have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
The cover is beautiful! I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Alicia! You have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well. God bless!
Sounds like a great read! I love the book of Psalms
Hi Patty! Yes. I read a Psalm a day. Love them. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for sharing your time and talent.
Thanks for stopping by, Debra! God bless!
Thank you so much for having me on your blog Cynthia! And best of luck to the entrants for the giveaway!
It was an honor to host you, Connilyn! Your new series looks fabulous. Wish I could enter. LOL!
Adoption is so close to my heart, as we adopted twins. Thank you for sharing Connilyn!
Thanks for stopping by, Jessica. Glad you were blessed by Connilyn’s post.
My favorite book in the Bible is Revelation
Hi Gloria! Revelation is a difficult book, but one that holds such promise and hope. I love the glimpse of Heaven it gives. Thanks for stopping by.