Sunday Words of Encouragement August 7, 2011

This morning our Pastor preached on the Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25:14-30.  The master left one servant with five talents, another two and the third servant one talent.  The first two servants increased their talents and were found faithful by the master. The third servant buried the talent thinking to keep it safe because he mistakenly perceived the master as a hard man instead of a diligent man. When he returned the talent with no investment the master considered him a lazy and wicked servant and cast him out.

This parable is often difficult to understand for some people as the distribution of talents and the rewards seems unfair.  Our Pastor did a good job of expounding on the principle that is being taught: in whatever circumstances you are in, be faithful to use your God given talents and not bury them.

The master chooses to whom he will give the talents. God gives dreams and visions to those who can accomplish them. Then He waits to see if we are faithful to do His work. If we are faithful in using what we have then God will bring the increase and entrust more. If we allow insecurities or fear to result in our making no investment with the talent then the talent becomes stagnant; if we don't use it we'll lose it.

But some would question "What if the servant invested the one talent and had a loss?" First, God is the one to bless the endeavor so it is doubtful there would be a lose. Second, God desires faithfulness and commitment, he doesn't require success.

So the question for each of us is: Do we invest our blessings or hide them? The use of the talent may not always be exciting, but it will always be rewarding. Above all God wants us to be willing to use our talent (or talents) for His Glory.

I was seeking a video for an old chorus: I am willing. 

Instead I found this newer song:  Here I Am (send me.)
The words seem to match the message today.

A Verse for Today:

Matthew 25:23

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

I pray for myself that I will always be willing to at least try to use the talent(s) God has blessed me with.

Book Review: Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake

This is wonderful Christian fiction with grounded faith, sweet romance and a bit of mystery.

Letter Perfect (California Historical Series #1) by Cathy Marie Hake.

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764201654
• ASIN: B001C2FW3U 

Genre: Chrisitian Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description:
If her own two feet don't end up tripping her, Ruth Caldwell's mouth is likely to get her into equal trouble. But Ruth has the best of intentions. Truly. It's just that her attempts to live up to her mother's expectations of how a lady should act have often yielded...well, less than impressive results.

Josh McCain is speechless when he sees Ruth step off the stage in Folsom, California. Sure, it looks like she's been sleeping in her gown for the past week, but with a crown of riotous curls and those deep green eyes, she's certainly the most beautiful woman he's ever met.

But Josh soon finds the sparks that fly upon Ruth's arrival aren't the romantic type. With her legitimate claims to an inheritance, the Broken P Ranch's future is suddenly precarious. And when Ruth's "accidents"--going beyond even her normal bumbling ways--seem to take a sinister turn, Josh must decide where his loyalties lie.

Review:  This is delightful and the ladies from my book club enjoyed it too.

Ruth Caldwell is a brave, bright young lady but her independent ways keep her from fitting into the mold of the respectable ladies’ schools. She is distressed that she is sent home once again to disappoint her mother.  Ruth’s mother gives deathbed instructions for Ruth to go west to Broken P Ranch to be with her father. Ruth finds this difficult as she has never met her father who sent her mother away before he even learned that she was pregnant. When Ruth arrives in California she learns that her father is dead.

Josh McCain is a quiet and intense man. Ruth’s father had a drinking problem and did not get control of himself until he got help from Josh and Josh’s father, Mr. McCain.  The McCains made an arrangement with Mr. Caldwell to help with the failing ranch. They would get half of the ranch now and the other half under his Will since he didn’t know he had any heirs.

If Ruth can prove that she is Mr. Caldwell’s daughter then she will inherit fifty percent of the ranch. Although Josh is unhappy about the circumstances and Ruth’s possible claim, he agrees that Ruth can stay at the ranch until the circuit Judge can hear the case. Josh’s sister Laney has been needing a female companion and is thrilled to have Ruth.

The lovely, kind Laney is frilly and ladylike next to Ruth’s clumsy, cheerful and practical personality. They become fast friends. Ruth wants to do chores but Josh thinks she is too clumsy and Mr. McCain insists she should be more of a lady like his daughter. When Ruth wants to set up a library in town she meets with more opposition but she is determined.

Soon the accidents that are happening begin to look more deliberate than accidental. Who could be trying to injure Ruth? Is it one of the ranch hands who seems to be following her? Or could it be someone in the family who is upset with her inheritance claim?

I really enjoyed Ruth’s independence but mostly I loved her steadfast faith. There is another neighbor family whose elder son takes a shine to Ruth although Laney has been sweet on him for some time. Galen is a fine Christian and I enjoyed the faith and interactions of his family too.  The faith messages flow naturally in the story.

The story moves along well with the charming and likeable characters and the mysterious attacks. The villain’s misdoings are slowly exposed until the full extent of the evil and twisted mind are revealed at the end. This was a very lovely read and I am definitely interested in the sequel and more stories by this author.

Sharing Beyond Books #8 August 6, 2011

Welcome to another Saturday night! I see from last week's answers that I failed to change Question 3 in the wrap up so some people answered that rather than the new Q. My Bad and I apologize. Guess I should be more careful when I am extra tired. Now I will delete the old Qs right away so I don't make that mistake again.

Thanks again for the interesting answers. :-)

It looks like many of us would give second chances to our favorite authors but are less likely to give a second chance to a new to us author if we didn't care for the their first book we read. Some mention they would check reviews then before giving a second chance.  There is an example when reviews can be helpful to us. :-)

I was surprised that I had one of the larger families although Jane, Jennifer and Louisa were up there too. And Mary P noted four generations who could populate a small country! I love that Jennifer has a Nanny who is 92. Just think of the changes she has observed over her lifetime!  I hope Carol will feel part of the blog family so she knows she doesn't have to feel alone.

Most of us started as young readers. I liked how some of you were avid library readers. Mary P mentioned how books are part of gift giving - very cool!  Ricki is the only one who acknowledged in print the addiction that we all share:  BOOKS! *G*

The Winner from SBB #7 comments is: #8 LINDA K.  There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 8 Christmas choices and 4 Summer titles below. So Linda - please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books or the summer books below and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #8 Questions
I am backing down to two questions instead of three for the forseeable future to help with time constraints for all of us. I hope no one has a big objection.
 

Q1.  Winnie asks this week's first question:  Which book do you think would make a great movie or tv show? Or which book do you want to see it made into a new medium?

A: I would love to see the Project Universe Series by Pauline Baird Jones made into TV series or movie. These are science fiction romance stories and I love the steampunk, time travel mix and aliens from the future mix.  I'm reading book #4 right now.

Frank Peretti books would be great too. Oh and the Study Series or Inside Out and Outside In by Maria V. Snyder too!

Q2.  I decided to pick this Q to go with Winnie's. What is an existing movie that you like that you read as a book first?

A:  I'm sure I am going to miss one... or two... good choices. The Harry Potter movies are grand but not really as full as the books.  The movie that comes to mind where I thought they did a pretty good job with the book is The Time Traveller's Wife.  I actually listened to that on Audible which was a little hard to get used to because Henry jumps forward and backward in time.
  

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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 will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC.

Your turn to share: 

1. What book do you think would make a great movie or TV show?

2. What is an existing movie you like that you read as a book first?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 17 books available plus 4 more in the Summer titles to choose from.

Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
The one I have is hardcover.

 

One Reckless Summer: A Destiny Novel

This book is brand new, but will be gently

read if I get to read it!

Under the Boardwalk: A Dazzling Collection of All-New Summertime Love Stories (Sonnet Books)

My paperback is from 1999 and
has a beach image.

The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006

with a different cover.

 The Summerhouse

 Hmmm - this has a bit of magic in the plot.

 

 A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles) 

I love Susan Wiggs historicals!

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions 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 by Friday, August 12 at 10PM central. 

Winners for In The Heat of the Bite, Cover Me and Touch if You Dare

Thank you to everyone who entered these giveaways. It was fun to read who you choose for sweethearts from the paranormal world. :-)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ARC WINNERS!

In the Heat of the Bite

by Lydia Dare

Cover Me

by Catherine Mann

Touch If You Dare

by Stephanie Rowe

Tatiana, Jane and donnas please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail out the books to their new homes!  Please reply within 72 hours.

August 5, 2011 Friday Pick Comment Link Fixed

MY APOLOGIES TO THOSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ENTERING THE FRIDAY PICK POST ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNING. I HAD FAILED TO SET THE POST TO ALLOW COMMENTS. I WAS BUSY ALL DAY FRIDAY AT WORK AND NEVER GOT TO CHECK THE POST.  Thanks to several faithful subscribers who brought this to my attention.

THE COMMENT SECTION IS NOW PROPERLY OPEN.