Sunday Words of Encouragement May 20, 2018

We had another good Sunday School lesson and then enjoyed worship to open our service.
We celebrated graduation for our seniors before pastor continued his sermon series on Relationslips.

He reminded us of the five Love languages.
Love goes beyond family. Each person experiences love differently as children. Some gentle, some not. Love involves loss, anger, and hurt for some. As they mature, some give love freely, others have a hard time giving love.

We may need to restore what it means to love.
We may need to restore what it means to love one another.

God models love. God has gone to great lengths to restore love and a right relationship.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world....
God’s love is selfless, unconditional love.
People need to become better givers.

Point: We have the ability to give life or give death in our relationships. That ability is in our words, our silence, our actions and our in-actions.

As DC Talk stated: Love is a verb.
Love is Proactive.
Your words are powerful.
The various impact of negative and positive words are set out in Proverbs 18.
Proverbs 18:1-2, 9-10, 13-14, 19-24.

We should freely give words to build up.
1. Ask God to restore your understanding of love to His standard.
2. Determine to only give LIFE.

I couldn’t find Luv is a Verb with lyrics but I found this DC Talk song that also fits:

Say the Words.

Verses for Today:
Proverbs 18: 14 and 21 (NIV)
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Lord, I pray that you help me to always speak LIFE to everyone I come into contact with.

Sharing Beyond Books #344 Comment Giveaway May 19, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

My work is still crazy but I am slowly working through the stacks. I am sorry I am so behind in posting Giveaways and Winners in the sidebar. :-(

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Nine commenters give books they won't read to friends and/or libraries. Four of us do host giveaways. Almost all responders enter giveaways for books they want or GCs.

The Winner from SBB #343 comments is: #14 Rubynreba who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #344

(One Question.)

Nikki asks: Have you ever come across a song for the first time in a movie/tv series where it became a fave song of yours? Please share the name of the song.

The song that comes to mind is "I Will Find You" from The Last of the Mohicans. I love that song and the rest of the whole sound track.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.
Questions this month were provided by bn100 and Nikki who each get $2.50 toward GC or 1/2 book credit.

Your turn to share. Nikki asks: Have you ever come across a song for the first time in a movie/tv series where it became a fave song of yours? Please share the name of the song.

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday June 2, 2018 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Joshua by John S. Wilson

I enjoyed this post apocalyptic listen.

Joshua
By: John S. Wilson
Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-05-13
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
He had to keep moving, that the man instinctively knew. He had to get away, from the rioting, the lawlessness, the killing. Away from the brutal gangs that ruled the highways. Then there was the boy that he found along the way, an orphan with no place to go. He couldn't leave the child behind; that would be murder. Together they had to make their way across the razed landscape of post-collapse America, west to where there was safety, a chance to begin again. If only they survived the journey.
©2012 John S. Wilson (P)2013 Podium Publishing

Review:
The man and boy, Joshua, have traveled a long way. Now the man is sick and they have been captured by an unknown group. They are treating him pretty roughly as they suspect him of mistreating the boy. After a few days the man tells his full story.

The man had a mixed work background, including EMT experience. He was living in Tennessee, but when the economy collapsed he chose to travel home to Lexington, Kentucky in hopes of finding his parents. The man had a good heart and sought to help those in need along the way. That didn’t work out so well. He had a vehicle when he started but it didn’t take long before looters attacked.

The man had hoped the cities would be in better shape than the highways. Instead he found fires, devastating destruction and death. He finds a twisted surprise at his parent’s neighborhood. As he continues along the edges of the roads, the man has to avoid evil gangs, militia groups and even worse, all while foraging for food and water.

At one point the man finds a dying woman with a toddler. He can’t leave the child alone so he becomes his protector and provider. They see horrors and little kindness along the way. Can the man keep Joshua safe to get across country to Wyoming where he hopes to find his brother? Can the man stay true to his Christian background in a world where he faces kill or be killed?

This story reminded me of The Road which also dealt with an unnamed man and his son. I did not find this as eloquent as The Road but I did find it engaging. I like the man and the boy, Joshua, whose growth comes with the influence of the man’s ideals and background. I thought the story was building to a different ending, but we don’t always get what we want. There is grittiness and bleakness consistent with post-apocalyptic society. If you don’t like bleak post-apocalyptic then this might not be for you. I recommend it to readers who like character studies in post-apocalyptic stories.

Audio Notes: Jonathan Yen does a very nice job with the narration. His rendition fits the contemplative bleakness of the difficult journey of The Man. He provides different voices for characters when applicable. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2013 Audible Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges ("J" title)

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 18, 2018

Happy Friday! 

Again a busy week but I had fewer appointments so I was able to whittle away at the work. We've had some heavy rains.

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 May 11 Pick. There was no automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were two titles blocked; one was won through the block.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 11 Pick:
MAYOR gets Indigo Blue (through the block) and
MARYP gets a GC.

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.}

Image found at Books-Rain-Caffeine.

New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

Midnight Rainbow
Betrayal 
Indigo Blue

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 books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*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 1,162+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!

Audible Book Review: Aspire by Kevin Hall

I enjoyed this book about positive words!
Aspire
By: Kevin Hall
Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-05-10
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Communication, Inspirational, Self-Development
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
We live our lives word by word - to build our relationships, to convey our points of view, to object to wrongs done to us or to others, to comfort our children and our friends. We also use the wrong words - sometimes unknowingly - and get ourselves into situations we'd rather not be in.
As Stephen R. Covey points out in his introduction: "Words sell and words repel; Words lead and words impede; Words heal and words kill."
Kevin Hall discovered the deeper power inherent in words after a fateful encounter with a wise shopkeeper in Vienna. When that led to an introduction to an esteemed etymologist residing in a senior home, Hall embarked on a project that changed his life, and has since changed the lives of thousands. Discover the eleven words - as well as the secret word - that when used correctly, can light your path to the lifelong success you deserve.
©2009 Kevin Hall, Power of Words LLC (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
I found this audiobook exciting to listen to. Of course, I am a person who loves words. I especially love positive and encouraging words. This work shares eleven strong words that follow a journey of growth by the author. There are really more words than the primary eleven, (dubbed "core" words) because the author expands with root words and derivatives that run off on rabbit trails – wonderful side trips.

The claims of the blurb may be a bit grandiose as I don’t think it takes a secret word to lead to success. Still the words come with strong, positive and powerful messages that can improve a life with their positive approach. They are inspiring in their power and description. This work might be good in print as it sounded like it comes with workbook pages to expand the words and share them with others.

These are words that can enhance a journey of growth for any listener (reader) who is interested in pursing the path. Although I may not implement the words in a journal, I thoroughly enjoyed them and learning how they impacted the author’s life. This is a book I think I would listen to more than once or twice. I recommend this to readers who enjoy learning about words and the impact they can have.

Audio Notes: Patrick Lawlor does a good job with the narration. His voice is clear and shares the excitement of the author. I enjoyed the listening experience.

Source: 2018 Audible sale purchase. This qualifies for my Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.