The Lamb in the House

The Lamb in the House

“Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every family must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household. If a household is too small for a lamb, it along with its nearest neighbor will procure one, and apportion the lamb’s cost in proportion to the number of persons, according to what each household consumes. Your lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats. You will keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole community of Israel assembled, it will be slaughtered during the evening twilight.” ~ Exodus 12:3-6

David and I are participating in a study of the book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist for Lent. It’s a fascinating look at what the original Passover and Exodus was, what it had evolved to be for the Jews by the time Jesus walked the earth, and how He purposefully modeled His ministry to be the NEW Exodus, with the NEW Passover (or perhaps purposefully set up the “original” to foreshadow, since we know He’s the author of all).

There are so many fascinating historical details in this book, so many “Ohhhhh!” moments I’ve already had in the three weeks and three chapters. But today I want to focus on one little detail of the original Passover narrative.

One little detail that I’ve noticed before but had never really paused to fully think through.

“You will keep it until the fourteenth day of this month…”

So on the 10th of the month they select a lamb and they “keep it” until the 14th.

How do you suppose each family kept the lamb, when they were living in a city? For that matter, how would each one “keep it” when they were in the wildness, after they’d selected it? What did this “keeping” entail?

It meant that they took the lamb into their house (or tent or dwelling, whatever the case may be). It meant they lived with that lamb for four days. It meant that they fed it and gave it water, and that the children probably petted it and played with it (because we all know what happens when kids and small animals meet, right?). It means that this people who identified as shepherds–who took care of their lambs, who would go off in search of the one that had strayed, who would fight lions and other wild beasts to keep these lambs safe…they gave very preferential treatment to this beautiful, perfect, spotless lamb.

They made it, for four days, a part of their family.

And then they sacrificed it.

Just pause for a moment. Let that sink in. And ask yourself WHY God, through Moses, commanded this.

Why did He tell them to choose the best of their herd? Why did He tell them to keep it for four days? Why couldn’t that part happen on the day of Passover?

Because this lamb wasn’t just giving its life for their food. Not even just as what would become normal offerings throughout the year. This lamb was literally saving the life of their firstborn. A direct trade–its life for his. The blood of this lamb told the Angel of Death “Don’t stop here.” It marked that house as belonging to God.

It was supposed to hurt.

It was supposed to be hard to kill that lamb.

It was supposed to cost them something.

It was supposed to make them pause and consider how important this was. How much it meant. What belonging to God demanded and gave. It was supposed to matter.

And let’s note that God gave the instructions not just for that FIRST Passover, but as what should be done every year. That same process for the lamb, yes–but also the instructions for what to say. Every year, even thousands of years later in the time of Christ, the father of every household said these words, when the child asked why they observed the feast: “It is because of what the Lord did FOR ME when I came forth out of Egypt.” (Emphasis mine, Exodus 13:8.)

Even from the beginning God was setting in motion a ritual that would make certain each new generation experienced this miracle anew. That each one understood how serious it was.

Christ set up the same instruction for us, with the Last Supper. He told us, too, to eat His flesh just as the Israelites had to eat that lamb they had sacrificed. Why? Because only His blood will save us from ultimate Death. Only His blood marks us as belonging to God.

So…what about those days, then? What about taking the lamb into the house? What’s the parallel for us today, as Christians, who don’t bring in a literal sheep or goat?

How are you taking Jesus into your house in the days leading up to the Paschal celebration? How are you dwelling with Him? How are you drawing closer and closer, so that when you relive the events of those three miraculous, earth-shattering, history-changing days, it hits you anew, as if you were there in Jerusalem for the Last Supper? As if you were there on the hill of Golgotha?

This is why the season of Lent has been part of the church for so long. Not just four days, but forty. Forty days to grow closer to your Savior. Forty days to invite Him anew into your house. Forty days to make Him a part of your meals, part of your conversations, part of your prayers, part of your daily life in a new, deeper way. Forty days to remind yourself of how He is your friend, your brother, your King, your rabbi, your everything.

Because then, when you look anew on the cross, it will be real to you. Then, when you take the bread and the cup, you’ll remember what it cost. Then, when you explain to your children or grandchildren or your own stubborn heart why we observe this same thing year after year, you’ll know the answer.

“It is because of what the Lord did for me when He went to Calvary, when I came forth out of sin and into true life.”

Bring the Lamb into your house this year, friends. And lavish love upon Him. Because we need to remember what our salvation cost.

Word of the Week – Ruminate

Word of the Week – Ruminate

Today’s word is going to be short and sweet, but interesting nevertheless!

This one is totally for my husband, who asked a few weeks ago if ruminate was related to cows. Cue me going, “Uh…” and reaching for my phone.

Turns out that, yes. Yes, it is. Ruminate has been around since the 1530s, meaning “to turn over in the mind.” But it’s straight from the Latin word rumen, which means…gullet. And hence ruminare, which means “to chew the cud,” like a cow.

So when you’re ruminating on something, you’re chewing the cud. In your brain.

You’re welcome. 😉

Word Nerds Unite!

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Awakened Cover Vote

Awakened Cover Vote

Awakened Cover Vote

Where the magic is in the meeting of those who should never be friends…

I’d love for your feedback on cover style and design for the Awakened series! Your title votes helped me decide on simple 1-word titles like Awakened, Aflame, Amazed, and Alight (though those could of course change for the later books!)

Now, I’d LOVE your take on what sort of cover the series should feature! Photographic, to better match my historical romance covers? Illustrated? Vector art? Scroll down for a big view of each, and then vote!

Option 1 – Photographic

Here’s the first option, the photographic one. This is the style of cover I make most often, so obviously what I defaulted to. This design features my heroine, Arden, the tail of a diving mermaid, and a golden hawk. And, of course, a cliff with a raging ocean.

Option 1 – Photographic

Option 2 is an illustration of the Awakening ceremony that takes place multiple times in the book, the thing that brings the magic to life in a person–a drop of blood spilling into water, its flourishes as it hits telling the master of ceremonies whether there is magic present to be Awakened.

Option 1 – Photographic

And finally, option 3 is vector art, featuring the two vying forces in the world of this book–the mer kingdom, who are embroiled in civil war, and the great hawk that is aiding the heroine in her quest to find her sister.

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It’s Release Day! A Noble Scheme

It’s Release Day! A Noble Scheme

Welcome to the Launch Day Celebration
for A Noble Scheme!

I have been SO encouraged and blessed by the excitement over the Imposters series since A Beautiful Disguise released in August of 2023! And I know we have all been eager for A Noble Scheme to make its way into the world.

Because I got the question of “What is up with Gemma and Graham??” quite a bit, LOL. Did you have a guess? A theory? When I asked the question at book clubs, I got responses like this:

“I don’t know, but I bet he did something crummy.”
“Were they a couple but he cheated on her?”
“It must have been something bad, if she’s so angry with him and he’s groveling.”

To which I replied, “Mwa ha ha ha.” 😉 Because while, yes, Gemma blames Graham for something horrible…it’s not what you think. I have yet to speak to an early reader who guessed what the big mid-point reveal was before it hit them. Of course, in retrospect, all the pieces will be there.

So…are you ready? Ready to dive back into the world of the Imposters? Ready to figure out the secrets of these two investigators? To travel with Gemma in her G.M. Parker persona to a holiday house party? Ready to explore the grounds with Graham? Ready to perform some arcrobatics with Yates? To get a peek into the married life of Marigold and Merritt?

This one is different in tone from the first in some ways, and not set at the Tower, but we’ve got theater tricks, costumes, hidden identities, mistaken identities, healing hearts, and some new friends!

Scroll down to learn more about the fun I’ve plotted up for this release!

Live Event!

Join me for a Facebook Live video tonight, Tuesday March 19, at 7 pm Eastern! (You can watch it afterward too, and I’ll try to answer any questions in the comments!)

  • Behind the scenes
  • Fun facts
  • Short author reading
  • What’s coming next

A Noble Scheme focuses on Gemma and Graham, so here’s a bit more about them!

Gemma Parks is better known by her nom de plume, G. M. Parker. Thanks to her love for the written word, Gemma has made a name for herself as a columnist…and has made a name for Lady Marigold through her writing too. It’s Gemma’s columns that catapulted “Lady M” to a fashion icon, and her columns also provide alibis…just in case the Imposters ever get caught.

Graham Wharton is a distant cousin of the noble Fairfax siblings and was raised at Fairfax Tower alongside his titled cousins as a ward of their father after his parents died. He’s now an architect with a knack for historical documents and a keen eye for features that others miss–features that lead him to hidden passageways, buried-over ruins, and other secrets oh-so-handy for an investigator to know.

When a boy goes missing, kidnapped when he’s mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Gemma and Graham are forced to work together for the first time in a year. And let’s just say the sparks fly.

Launch Team Spotlight

Rachel B.

Launch Team Spotlight

Rachel D.

Launch Team Spotlight

Paula S.

Launch Team Spotlight

Paty H.

Launch Team Spotlight

Marie E.

Launch Team Spotlight

Lucy R.

Launch Team Spotlight

Ileana V.

Launch Team Spotlight

Cathy L.

Launch Team Spotlight

Anna Kelly D.

Launch Team Spotlight

Connie S

Launch Team Spotlight

Faith M

Launch Team Spotlight

MMB

Launch Team Spotlight

Melissa

Launch Team Spotlight

Rachael F

It’s Theater Time!

While circus themes made their way into book 1, A Noble Scheme relies more on theater tricks. But what do YOU know about historical theater? Test your knowledge and learn some fun facts about the history of the theater in the new addition to my Imposters page!

More from the world of the Imposters

There’s So Much to Explore!

Learn more about the Edwardian circus that defined the Imposters’ childhood, get fashion tips from Lady M, explore the theater of the day, meet the team, pet the animals, go behind the Top Secret stamp to learn about intelligence in the early 20th century, train yourself to be a private investigator, and dive into some fun and games!

Shop the Imposters Collection

Lions, sprayed edges, handmade vintage style bags, peacock stationery, and more!
To celebrate this release specifically, Gemma–who never goes ANYWHERE without a notebook of some kind–inspired me to create a series of journals! They have lined pages, hardcover, with Edwardian era watercolors that tie in with each of the books (and cover).

Giveaway

US entrants, enter to win a copy of A Beautiful Disguise
(or another book of your choice) + a $25 gift card to my shop!

International entrants, enter to win a copy of any of my books, shipped from your usual online retailer.

Word of the Week – Spring

Word of the Week – Spring

Just a few more days until we in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate the arrival of spring! And yes, I say “celebrate,” because spring has always been my favorite season. =) And while I’ve done highlights on a lot of the words for the seasons over the years, I didn’t have one dedicated just to spring, so I figured it was time to remedy that!

I daresay the reason I never featured it before was because its use for the seasonal name is fairly obvious. It’s when new life springs forth.

But there are still some interesting and surprising facets to the word!

First of all, though our Gregorian calendars don’t admit of it, spring is traditionally recognized in Western society as the first season of the year–this is glaringly clear in the Bible, where God tells the Israelites as He’s leading them from Egypt that the month containing Passover is to be their first month. And of course, we know that Passover and the arrival of spring are close together. Before “spring” was used for the season by Old English speakers they in fact called the whole season lencten after Lent.

But despite our calendars now beginning in the middle of winter, socieities still recognize spring as first. The first new season, and the beginning of the visible cycle of life in nature. In fact, the word they use in French is printemps, which literally means “first time” or “first season.” There was a time in the 15th century when English speakers would also call it “prime-temps” after the French, but spring predates it by centuries.

Way back in the 1300s, it was called “springing time,” for when the plants sprang forth. The phrase “the spring of the leaf” was in popular use in the 1500s. But did you know that “spring of…” was used for other natural phenomena too? “Spring of dai” was sunrise; “spring of mone” was moonrise.

By the early 1700s, spring could be used as an adjective to describe things pertaining to the season. Such as… spring fever as “a surge of romantic feelings” dates from 1843 (it was originally used for an actual illness–ew); spring chicken as a “young chicken 11-14 weeks old,” the age they’d be in the spring, is from 1780. The same was used for young people by 1906. Spring training was used of military musters before it was applied to baseball in 1889. And my personal favorite (in terms of words–not action, LOL) is spring cleaning–used in English by 1843, but hilarious because the Ancient Persian word for their first month (our March-April) of the year was called Adukanaiša, which literaly meant “irrigation canal cleaning month.” How’s that for a whimsical name?

Word Nerds Unite!

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