Sunday Words of Encouragement November 10, 2013

My God has a wonderful way of confirming His word and His messages. Ladies Book Club met yesterday to discuss The Last Christian. (I hope to post my review a little later today.)  The bottom line message is that the Gospel message - that Christ is our savior and the only way to eternal life - is only a part of the message. The rest of the message is  that God is the light and life of the world for those who believe, accept and allow the Spirit to dwell within. When a person accepts Christ into their life they have a connection that allows the Spirit to live through them.

Sunday School message centered on the fact that we are seeing more and more apostasy even in the churches.  Too many churches focus on numbers or quantity instead of quality and connection, i.e. life through the Spirit.

Pastor’s sermon was on God’s healing presenting the message that we shouldn’t pick at wounds that have been treated and are healing, whether in ourselves or in others.  Once God has forgiven then we shouldn’t keep digging up the sin or the bad behavior that the Spirit will help heal.  First we believe, then we must receive the gifts of grace and healing.  Then we need to allow the Spirit in us to lead to righteousness.

I see all three messages confirming that Christians should live a life that is distinguishable from non-Christians.  Part of that is not trying to fix everything ourselves but rather allowing the Spirit to work through us. We should also recognize the Spirit as He works through others and help encourage them, not pick at their wounds.

This morning we sang a wonderful song of praise that I want to share.
I liked the sound and enthusiasm of these young singers.

Because of Who You Are!

Verses for Today:
James 2:22-24 (NIV)
22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Lord, please help me to give praise each day for Who You Are and not just for all you have done for me - which is more than I can ever acknowledge.  

Sharing Beyond Books #125 Comment Giveaway 11/9/13

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

Moving along in November! Happy Day! I am having minimal discomfort and am pretty much back to work. I am still trying to be careful with my arm and trying to go to bed a little earlier for rest. :-)

There were only one or two with definite beauty routines which was a little surprising! Most of you have no beauty routine or minimal. But many of us are sure to use moisturizer.

I was also surprised that few of you keep lists of your wins. Many of you used to keep lists and many keep track to make sure you get the book wins. You sort of have to have some list or folder if you are going to track. :-)

Thank you to all who shared last week.

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The Winner from SBB #124 comments is: #16 bn100 who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #125

Q1. MaryP asks: Have you moved around during your life, or do you still live in your home town??

A: I was born in Pennsylvania where we lived in two places. We moved to Florida when I was 11. Before I went to college our family lived in two houses; then my parents divorced to add two more homes. Since college there have been at least nine moves/homes.  

Image found at DoingItWright

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Have you ever used a book as a hiding place??

A: I have lost papers in books on occasion but, no, I have not used one as a hiding place.  But I love the idea! 

Image found at Otega Daily Times.

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! We are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. MaryP asks: Have you moved around during your life, or do you still live in your home town??

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Have you ever used a book as a hiding place??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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, November 15, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Winners: The Christmas He Loved Her, Hallowed Eve and No Escape

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS:


Giveaway Ended October 25, 2013

ARC Giveaway: The Christmas He Loved Her

Winner: Cheryl (scottsgal)



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Giveaway Ended October 31, 2013

Giveaway: Hallowed Eve 

Winners: Meghan and Kyaw


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Giveaway Ended November 8, 2013


Giveaway: No Escape

Winner: Texas Book Lady

Cheryl (Scottsgal), Meghan, Kyaw, and Texas Book Lady Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Audio Book Review: Prime Suspects by Jim Bernheimer

This is a futuristic murder mystery where the suspects have a lot in common!
Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery
by Jim Bernheimer
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer

    LENGTH
    4 hrs and 54 mins
    RELEASE DATE
    12-14-12
    PUBLISHER
    Jim Bernheimer

Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Homicide Detective David Bagini awakens in a strange world only to discover that he is, in fact, the 42nd clone of the Bagini line. With no memories of why his Prime entered into a clone contract, he wants answers. The first problem is his Prime is dead and Bagini 42 is in charge of the investigation. The second problem is all the clues point at a clone from his line and they already know all his tricks. How can he solve his own murder when every suspect has his name and face?
©2012 Jim Bernheimer (P)2012 Jim Bernheimer

Review:
This is an easy, fun listen of a strange mystery. The protagonist awakens in the hospital trying to recall what happened. He discovers that he is actually a 42nd clone of his “Prime” human, Homicide Detective David Bagini. Bagini 42, as he is called, is distressed to learn that he is a clone especially since, the last he recalls, his Prime wasn’t interested in extending his life by cloning. Bagini 42 next learns that he has been brought forth to investigate the murder of his own Prime because the clues lead towards one of the other clones being the killer!  42 has to learn the quirks of thirty-nine or so of ‘himself’ (a couple are dead) as he tries to figure out opportunity and motive for the crime. This is particularly tricky since the other clones all know his investigation methods.

42 is forced to attend counseling sessions to make sure he is adjusting to life as a clone. He initially resents being a clone and resents counseling but then he begins to find his counselor, also a clone, is one of the few people he can relate to. He ends up asking for help outside his own line when he feels uncomfortable with only two of his own brothers, who are not always cooperative, as partners.  42 also has to deal with his Prime’s widow and rebellious teen-aged daughter.

Although you might think that clones would be alike, in this story it is fun to listen to 42's efforts to sort out his ‘siblings’ different nuances! The writing is crisp and forth right. There are some fun quotes from other books, including The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.  The clone world is unique and interesting, if not overly developed. There is betrayal, danger and mystery blended with the dry wit of Bagini 42's struggles which make this a fun, quick listen. I highly recommend it as a new twist for mystery lovers.

Audio Notes: Jeffrey Kafer’s narration of this story is slightly reminiscent of Dragnet with an almost - but not quite - dry, presentation. Kafer manages to share the character nuances and portray 42's dry wit as well as keeping the story moving. This makes for a good audio listen.

I received this audio from the Publisher through AudioBook Jukebox.

Saturday Snapshot 11/9/2013 Remembering Madeira - 2008

Thanks for all the well wishes last week. I am glad to report minor pain and only a little discomfort. I am being cautious on lifting with my right arm.  I have been going to bed earlier but other than that I am mostly back to work. 

My DH keeps notes in his daily reading Bible about where we are or things that occurred on that day. He reminded me this week that we were on our first transatlantic cruise in November 2008.
Specifically on 11/9/2008 we were visiting Funchal, Madeira, Portugal - a very beautiful place!

This is a view of a fascinating, crowded cemetery.

(Complete with crane in the background.)

This is a picture of homes up the mountainside.

This was one of my favorite sites that we saw from the ship:

Pico Fortress which sits right amid the houses above the port.
View #1

View #2 - closer. 

Note the pretty burgundy bushes along the road way at the bottom of the picture.

View #3 - closest.

The black walls of the fort are such a stark contrast to the terracotta roofs!

We toured the island on an open air double-decker bus. There were many other beautiful colors and sites, including wonderfully tiled/tiered yards and gardens. I'm sure I'll share more another day. :-)


I visited a little bit last week ut have actually spent shorter time on the computer this week.
Thanks again for visits and well wishes!

A big Thank You to Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility.


To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.