Vienna Prelude (72 page)

31. “God alone should have my heart” (p. 228) is a constant refrain in
Vienna Prelude
. Do you agree with the words of this song?
Should
you love God—and God only? Why or why not?

32. “Every footstep had been guided by a stronger hand than her own—even the footsteps that had taken her to the awful encounter in the Judenplatz . . . God had seen the desperate children and the evil darkness that would cover the earth. And He had provided some hope, a few small shimmering candles that illuminated a narrow path to safety. In that instant, she felt like weeping with relief. None of this was up to her. She had only to make herself available, and God would do what must be rightly done” (p. 307). In what ways can you see your life as part of a larger picture?

33. “I had to live without you before I knew how empty my life was” (Thomas, p. 311). “I had to live without you before I found how full life could be” (Elisa, p. 312). Have either of these statements been true for you? If so, how?

34. Reread the first page of chapter 35. Imagine yourself at Dachau, surrounded by the filth, the beatings, the scarcity of food, and the death. How would you respond? Would you call out to God for mercy, as some did? Or would you curse God for your fate? Why?

35. As difficult as it is not to know the fate of the one man she has ever loved, Anna is able to “hope without knowing” (p. 328). Would you say the same thing about yourself in your life circumstances? Would others be able to see that “hope without knowing” in your life? Why or why not?

36. Have you ever told a “gentle, compassionate lie” (p. 331)? In what situation? What was the result? Would you change your course of action now if you could go back and do it all over again? If so, in what ways?

37. Evil is “judged already. The stars still move, time runs, right is still right, and there will be an end to evil one day” (p. 351). Have you chosen to believe this philosophy? Why or why not? How has your decision affected the way you feel about what is happening in the world today?

38. “We all began exactly alike, like lumps of coal, maybe in different shapes and sizes. The fire and the pressure of hatred consume some men until they consume others around them in a white-hot fire. And others, trapped in the same fierce pressure and terrible heat, become diamonds to glisten in the hand of God. To shine bright when the blackness is all around, to find love when others are burning in their hatred” (p. 372). Do you agree with Theo’s statement? Why or why not? Which type are you?

39. Would you marry someone for a cause, as Elisa did Murphy? Why or why not?

40. If you could change
one thing
about England’s or America’s actions during this period of history, what would you change?

41. “You must show me where to go!” (p. 433). Have you ever called out to God in desperation, begging Him for direction, as Theo did when he escaped Dachau? In what situation?

42. Think of a time in your life when all hope seemed lost . . . or dead. What shreds of light kept you going?

43. Have
you
ever felt like a “young man [or woman] grown old” (p. 440)? When?

44. What are your “million little reasons” (p. 452) for going on, even in the midst of difficult times?

About the Authors

Bodie and Brock Thoene BODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced
Tay-nee)
have written over 45 works of historical fiction. That these best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won
eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirms what millions of readers have already discovered--—that the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.

In their timeless classic series about Israel (The Zion Chronicles, The Zion Covenant, and The Zion Legacy), the Thoenes’ love for both story and research shines.

With The Shiloh Legacy series
and
Shiloh Autumn
--
—
poignant portrayals of the American depression--—and The Galway Chronicles, which dramatically tells of the 1840s famine in Ireland, as well as the twelve Legends of the West, the Thoenes have made their mark in modern history.

In the A.D. Chronicles, their most recent series, they step seamlessly into the world of Yerushalyim and Rome, in the days when Yeshua walked the earth and transformed lives with His touch.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as
U.S. News and World Report, The American West,
and
The Saturday Evening Post.
She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of
The Fall Guy)
and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in jJournalism and C communications.

Brock has often been described by Bodie as “an essential half of this writing team.” With degrees in both Hhistory and Eeducation, Brock has, in his role asof researcher and story-line consultant, added the vital dimension of historical accuracy. Due to such careful research, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles series are recognized by the American Library Association, as well as Zionist libraries around the world, as classic historical novels and are used to teach history in college classroomsclassrooms to teach history.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children--—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie--—and seven grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audio books. Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

For more information visit:

www.thoenebooks.com

www.FamilyAudioLibrary.com

Thoene Family Classics

THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC HISTORICALS by Bodie and Brock Thoene

Gold Medallion Winners*

The Zion Covenant

The Zion Chronicles

The Shiloh Legacy

Shiloh
Autumn

The Galway Chronicles

A.D. Chronicles

THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC AMERICAN LEGENDS

Legends of the West by Bodie and Brock Thoene

Legends of Valor by Luke Thoene

Writer-to-Writer

THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC SUSPENSE by Jake Thoene

Chapter 16 Series

THOENE FAMILY CLASSICS FOR KIDS by Jake and Luke Thoene

Baker Street Detectives

Last Chance Detectives

THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC AUDIOBOOKS

Available from www.FamilyAudioLibrary.com