Sunday Words of Encouragement February 18, 2018

We had a strong message in Sunday School continuing the study of death. I loved the testimony shared: You can’t do anything more, nor anything less, to change how God loves us. He already loves us beyond our imagining. Our music worship was beautiful and I broke into tears. (**See below the Sermon notes for comment on this.)

Pastor continued his sermon series on Inhabited. We need to seek the real deal – not momentary experiences or flash in the pain.

The last several weeks have noted how the Holy Spirit lives in us. The Holy Spirit is for anyone who believes In Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us power to defeat sin.

Anyone who has ever been near a lightning strike, or has made a mistake with electricity knows how you can feel the heat and power. Surges can hurt and do damage, so what you want is a steady flow.

The Holy Spirit brings power. Acts 1:8. The Greek word means ‘dunamis’ can be translated to mean dynamite. Don’t let the Holy Spirit be limited to an event. We need changed lives with a steady flow of power, not a surge of dynamite.

The power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is very practical, and for every day. This is shown in the story of Elijah and the challenge with the Prophets of Baal described in 1 Kings 18:16-39. The Prophets spent from morning to evening petitioning their God and Elijah mocked them “maybe your God is sleeping”. (I love God’s humor!) Then, at the usual time for the evening sacrifice, after having the people prepare an altar and offering soaked with water, Elijah prayed a straight forward prayer. And the TRUE GOD (the only God) showed His power and the people cried out “The Lord, he is God”. (v39.)

Point: The power of the Holy Spirit displayed in your life will point people to Jesus.

James 5:17 says that Elijah is just another human man, but he prayed earnestly and fervently.
Elijah lived before the Messiah, before the Holy Spirit so think how strong his faith was.
Why don't we see the power working in our lives?
We can be functional, even effective, but not powerful.
The Holy Spirit wants us to be powerful. Do not let the troubles, stresses and burdens of life steal the power within you. Give the burdens and hindrances back to God and be filled with power instead of worldly troubles.

I had another song in this post but the Spirit took me to this song instead!
(It fits my postscript below too.)
What if His People Prayed?

Verses for Today:
1 Kings 18:36-39 NIV
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”


**I mentioned in the first of this post that I was moved to tears during our worship. We were singing Holy is The Lord and my mind went to the sad comments of Joy Behar of ABC's "The View" who basically said United States Vice President Mike Pence is ‘mentally ill’ for talking to Jesus and listening for God's voice. I have been praying for her since I saw some tidbit about that. I was struck during worship how she rejects, even mocks, the very presence and power of God to be real in our lives. Tears started running down my face as I felt the heartbreak of her being so lost and then the heartbreak for loved ones who do not walk with God and then for heartbreak for all the lost. Then we sang Spirit of the Living God which begins with a phrase "we want to hear your voice" and later says  "You move us to tears".
I thought how the heart of God and Jesus must break when people refuse to accept all that has been created and the sacrifice that has been given for man. I am determined to continue to pray that Ms. Behar and others who are lost will hear the voice of God.

#NetGalley Review: All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai

Time travel paradox: What would you do if your actions changed your own time line?
All Our Wrong Todays: A Novel
by Elan Mastai

File Size: 1884 KB
Print Length: 380 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1101986506
Publisher: Dutton (February 7, 2017)
ASIN: B01FEY5EP2
Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Elan Mastai's acclaimed debut novel is a story of friendship and family, of unexpected journeys and alternate paths, and of love in its multitude of forms.
It's 2016, and in Tom Barren's world, technology has solved all of humanity's problems—there's no war, no poverty, no under-ripe avocadoes. Unfortunately, Tom isn't happy. He's lost the girl of his dreams. And what do you do when you're heartbroken and have a time machine? Something stupid.
Finding himself stranded in a terrible alternate reality—which we immediately recognize as our 2016—Tom is desperate to fix his mistake and go home. Right up until the moment he discovers wonderfully unexpected versions of his family, his career, and the woman who may just be the love of his life.
Now Tom faces an impossible choice. Go back to his perfect but loveless life. Or stay in our messy reality with a soulmate by his side. His search for the answer takes him across continents and timelines in a quest to figure out, finally, who he really is and what his future—our future—is supposed to be.
Filled with humor and heart and packed with insight, intelligence, and mind-bending invention, All Our Wrong Todays is a powerful and moving story of life, loss, and love.

Review:
Tom Barren’s world of 2016 is a future that looks like the Jettson’s TV show with sleek buildings, robotic maids and hovercrafts. It is full of technology, (most) everyone is happy and (most) people finds their work in a field of entertainment or exploration. Tom’s parents are a strange, aloof couple and, sadly, Tom doesn’t have the focus or drive to keep a job, much less a career. He is pretty much a second rate loser who fantasizes about women and currently about one particular woman, Penelope, a brilliant young woman who is now the lead chrononaut on his father’s time travel team. Tom has been given the position of her understudy due to a freak accident four months earlier and a moment of pity from his father.

Tom’s father is a famous scientist who is about to run the first time travel experiment. His calculations are keyed to a specific time and energy signature in 1965 when another scientist unveiled the experiment that created endless free, clean energy which allowed the world to become Tom’s remarkable world in 2016.

The night before the trip in time Tom manages to mess up life again – for himself, Penelope and his father. In an extreme moment, Tom plunges himself into the time machine without being fully prepared – as usual. His arrival is partially successful but results in a glitch that changes time.

Tom awakens in a new 2016 as John Barren who has had a fall at a construction site. John is everything that Tom wasn’t. He is a driven, successful, wealthy architect with loving parents and a bright, sassy sister. No one believes Tom/John’s story of another timeline even as he is determined to set things right. But then he meets a wonderful bookstore owner, Penny who could be the love of his life. This would be a beautiful life, but it isn’t Tom’s life.

Tom/John must search out a way to proof his craziness, especially to Penny. That sets him across continents and times where he discovers that messing with time isn’t always a good thing.

Tom is somewhat of a shallow, miserable character making the beginning of the story slow and hard to get into. But once he travels back in time things become complex and interesting…and Tom even matures along the way. The story is more about the consequences of time travel than the travel itself, although there is some of that too in an interesting span.

I enjoy the paradox of time travel and this story is fun once it gets going. I recommend this to sci fi fans who enjoy the issues raised by time travel.

Source: NetGalley. This qualifies for 2018TBR, 2018NetGalley, 2018Alphabet Challenges and a book set in Canada for I Spy Reading Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Brothers in Valor, Man of War, Book 3 by H. Paul Honsinger

This Space Marine Sci Fi provides great entertainment.

Brothers in Valor, Man of War, Book 3
By: H. Paul Honsinger
Narrated by: Ray Chase

Series: Man of War, Book 3
Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 06-30-15
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Sci Fi, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: Entertainment/Story 4.5 of 5.0;
Performance 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Sometimes Captain Max Robichaux fights by the book - and sometimes he throws the book away. This makes him one of the Union Space Navy's rising stars. It's also what has kept him and his green crew alive...thus far.
When Max and his ship - the twenty-fourth-century space destroyer USS Cumberland - are boxed in by eight enemy battleships, the odds are against them at a million to one. It takes all their skill and guts just to escape...and surviving won't get easier. Sent on a covert mission behind enemy lines, Max and his crew are poised to strike a blow so hard that, if successful, it could turn the tide of the war. But if they fail, it will cost them their lives...and the lives of every human in the galaxy.
©2015 H. Paul Honsinger (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Review:
Max Robichaux is a young space Captain on the space destroyer USS Cumberland, a ship that was previously mocked for its losses. The crew knew more about polishing the rivets than fighting the enemy of the Union until Max became their Captain. Since then they have faced danger and come out alive through Max’s quick, sometimes out of the box thinking.

The action starts as Max has to help the ship and crew escape from overwhelming odds. He will have to pull a rabbit out his hat – or try a trick that has never been done- to succeed.

Next the Cumberland is sent on a covert mission that takes them into the heart of the enemy. There is initial conflict as the other Captain he is paired with is a seasoned man who doesn’t want to take orders from Max. Once that conflict is resolved, they proceed with a daring plan. Although it means they may end up stranded with the enemy they have to take the risk to capture a key leader to have a chance of stopping the war.

I loved the non-stop action and danger in this story. Max is a great character who comes up with ingenious tactical solutions and is willing to trust his crew to know their jobs and make effective suggestions. Dr. Sahin, chief medical officer and special ambassador, adds good humor with his side comments and views from a nonmilitary aspect. I like the other crew ‘family’ and shared in their emotions.

I am only sorry that Mr. Honsinger has no other books for me to get. I do recommend this series to readers who enjoy action packed military space battles.

Audio Notes: As with Book 2, Ray Chase does a great job with the narration. He captures the intensity, the dry wit and the quirks of the characters. The listening experience enhanced the entertainment of the story.

Source: Audible TBR, 2016 Sale. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

NetGalley Review of Book 1: To Honor You Call Us (Man of War Book 1) by H. Paul Honsinger 5.0
Audible Review of Book 2: For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2 by H. Paul Honsinger 4.5

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 16, 2018

Happy Friday !

I had another crazy work week... sigh, sigh. I just keep trying to push through the work. Thank goodness I wasn't sick this week.
A new box is posted. Picture and list! :-)

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the February 9 Pick. There were no automatic wins again this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title blocked but it was won.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 9 Pick:
BECKY gets Five Gold Rings (through a block); and
Marjorie gets a CG.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I am ALWAYS ready to read. How about you?
Image found at The Third Wheel Teacher.

New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018
I thought I would look for some 'Springish' titles but that didn't happen. Hope someone finds a title or two you like.

PAIRS
Betty Neals: Tabitha by Moonlight and Fate Takes a Hand
Nora Robert: Hot Ice (spine creased) and Sanctuary
SINGLES:
My Lord Conqueror by Samantha James
Surrender by Pamela Clare
Dessert Rogue by Suzanne Simmons
The Rose and the Shield by Elaine Barrieri
Hannah’s Courtship by Emma Miller
Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
A Husband’s Wicked Ways by Jane Feather
Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery
Indigo Blue by Catherine Anderson
Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James Book 2) by Lorraine Heath (hardback)


New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
21 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


 THESE BOOKS CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Atlantis Found
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber 
Shadow Music 
Corbin's Fancy 
Hawk's Lady

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I *Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester


If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,140+books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

#NetGalley Book Review: Battle Hymn (America Rising) by William C. Dietz

I enjoyed this alternate history, military series.
Battle Hymn (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz

File Size: 1861 KB
Print Length: 346 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0425278743
Publisher: Ace (February 20, 2018)
ASIN: B072LT18QW
Genre: Alternate History, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Legion of the Damned® novels comes the final volume in the postapocalyptic military science fiction trilogy about America warring with itself and the people trying to keep it together...
The Second Civil War continues to rage as Union president Samuel T. Sloan battles to keep America whole and, more than that, to restore the country to its former greatness.
"Wanted Dead or Alive." Following a fateful battle between Union Army major Robin "Mac" Macintyre and her sister, the New Confederacy places a price on Mac's head, and bounty hunters are on her trail.
But there's work to be done, and Mac is determined to help Sloan reunify the country by freeing hundreds of Union POWs from appalling conditions in Mexico and capturing a strategic oil reserve that lies deep inside Confederate territory.
However, to truly have peace it will be necessary to capture or kill the New Confederacy's leadership, and that includes Mac's father, General Bo Macintyre.

Review:
At the end of book two Mac and her sister had a fateful confrontation. The New Confederacy, by the command of her own father, has placed a price on Mac’s head making her the target of bounty hunters. Many of Mac’s original platoon have been lost so there is a steady stream of new troops coming in. Some of those under her command have Confederate sympathies, or are just greedy, making it hard to know whom she can trust.

Mac’s new commander views Mac as lucky and getting favoritism as the suspected ‘lover’ of Union President, Sam Sloan. Mac gets a new team together and has to prove her worth through a treacherous rescue of abused POWs held in a Mexican prison. More losses occur but the battles don’t stop.
Mac and her Marauders are assigned to capture a strategic oil reserve within Confederacy territory. The odds aren’t good and get worse when unexpected Mexican troops begin to swarm from the south. The Confederacy leadership has made a devil’s bargain with Mexican leaders in an effort to turn the tide of their losses.

President Sloan struggles to prevail as the engagements heat up and the Union faces fresh masses of troops arriving from Mexico. A ravaging hurricane hitting New Orleans adds to the confusion and the tense situation. A daring plan is implemented to take down the leaders of the New Confederacy hoping to stop the confrontation once and for all.

Between battles, corruption and betrayal are revealed. There are a few moments for Sloan and Mac to come together but they can’t let their guard down as enemies continue to stalk them.

This final book in the America Rising series packs a lot of action and some inconsistencies. There are some early bounty attacks on Mac, but those threats pretty much stop in spite of her notoriety and visibility. Some chilling attack plans are discussed and then never mentioned again. This was a good thing, but it seemed strange that it was introduced as a possibility only to never be revisited.

As in the prior books some of the scenes are implausible and have to be accepted as just entertainment. In spite of these inconsistencies, I enjoyed the steady action and suspense that continues to the end. I liked the teasing relationship between Sloan and Mac even in their brief encounters. This series was entertaining and the ending was a satisfactory conclusion.

Source: Publisher through NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges.

My Review of Book One: Into the Guns (America Rising) by William C. Diet, rated 4.0

My Review of Book Two: Seek and Destroy (America Rising) by William C. Diet, rated 4.5

Note: I think this series is overpriced in the Kindle format and, IMHO, that may limit readership.
The Audible prices might be acceptable but with so many choices of books available it seems strange to overprice a series that may be entertaining but isn’t really stellar.