Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 12, 2017

Happy Friday!
Work was steady this week. I could tell it was a full moon. Five people came in yesterday trying to see me without an appointment. I do try to be accessible but there are days when I am elbow deep in projects and not able to have clients just pop in. 

I added a new book list. I'll try to get a picture at least with my phone

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 5 Pick. There was one 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.
Carol NW gets The Cat Who Sang for the Birds

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 5 Pick:
BECKY gets Valentine through the block
and
MIKI 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.}

I bet you are all hoping this doesn't happen!
Image found at Goodreads.

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
PAIRS:
Brenda Joyce: The Third Heiress and The Rival
Jayne Ann Krentz: Dangerous Affair and True Colors
SINGLES:
Identity: Unknown by Suzanne Brockmann
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner
Anna’s Book by Barbara Vine (Audio Cassette)
Passions Treasure by Betina Krahn
My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell
Led Astray By A Rake by Sara Bennett
Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Valley of Bones by Eric Wilson
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn (Hardcover)
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)


New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
PAIR:
Matthew Reilly: Temple and Area 7
SINGLES:
Deception on His Mind by Elizabeth George
‘E’ is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
In Plain Sight by C.J. Box
Keepers by Gary A. Braunbeck
Lullaby and Goodnight by Wendy Corsi Staub
One Dark Night by Kevin F. McMurray
Rattlesnake Crossing by J.A. Jance
The Cat Who Sang for the Birds by Lillian Jackson Braun
The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina
The Silenced by Heather Graham
The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood by Susan Wittig Albert
Total Exposure by Tori Carrington
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
The Old Silent by Martha Grimes (Audio Cassettes)


New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
PAIRS:
Betty Neels: The Girl With Green Eyes and the Damsel in Green
Linda Howard: The Touch of Fire and Loving Forever
SINGLES:
The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke by Jillian Hunter
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn
Love Letters From a Duke (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 3) by Elizabeth Boyle
Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
Only With Your Love (Vallerands Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Scandalous Love by Brenda Joyce
Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
Valentine by Jane Feather
A Visit From Sir Nicholas (Effington Family Book 9) by Victoria Alexander
Winter Fire by Jo Beverly


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Mistletoe Marriage by Jessica Hart
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLE:
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Critical by Robin Cook


New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)


New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
SINGLES:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
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
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,061+ books have found new homes! YAY. 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!

Book Review: Bookburners by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap

This is a fun read - a squad fighting magic by confiscating the books that let the monsters out.
Bookburners
by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap

File Size: 2920 KB
Print Length: 800 pages
Publisher: Serial Box (January 24, 2017)
ASIN: B01N0SKM0F
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Magic is real, and hungry. It’s trapped in ancient texts and artifacts, and only a few who discover it survive to fight back. Detective Sal Brooks is a survivor. She joins a Vatican-backed black-ops anti-magic squad—Team Three of the Societas Librorum Occultorum—and together they stand between humanity and the magical apocalypse. Some call them the Bookburners. They don’t like the label.
Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in a fast-paced, kickass character driven novel chock-full of magic, mystery, and mayhem, written collaboratively by a team of some of the best writers working in fantasy.
Originally presented serially in 16 episodes, this omnibus collects all installments of Bookburners Season One into one edition.

Review:
This book tells the tales of a squad known as the Bookburners. Thank goodness they don’t really burn books – well at least Team 3 doesn’t. They capture the magical books that allow monsters, usually evil and harmful, out to hurt the world.

The reader first meets Detective Sal Brooks when her brother shows up at her home with a strange book. The next thing Sal knows people are knocking on her door looking for her brother. The strangers burst into her apartment and she experiences a warp in time as her brother vanishes. Sal joins ‘the team’ to find her brother and soon learns that things are much stranger than she knew.

The team is based out of the Vatican and consists of a Menchu, a priest, Asanti, an archivist, Liam, a computer whiz, Grace, a fierce monster fighter (with secrets) and now Sal, an observant and determined detective. Actually, they all have secrets from their pasts that resulted in them being selected or recruited to Team 3. There are other teams who may be called in if Team 3 can’t contain the situation or if there needs to be clean up after Team 3 captures the book and shuts down the demon it contains.

The book consists of 16 Episodes which were apparently originally released in serial form. Combining them made this a bit long (at least for me) but I liked reading all of the adventures together. The episodes tell different assignment adventures running chronologically. There are four authors but the episodes flow well together. Although several of the monsters are very strange, there were only two episodes that I found really bizarre. One of those was a trip into a very strange ‘hellish’ realm.

I really liked the characters, whose traits, quirks and vulnerabilities are revealed though the assignments with each getting a time when their strengths are ‘showcased’. The interactions of the team add engagement beyond the monster fighting action. I found myself rooting for them to work things out together and to overcome the enemies within their own organization. This is a bit zany but a lot of fun. I recommend it to readers who like monster hunting adventures served up with humor.

I received this title through NetGalley. It qualifies for 2017 NetGalley Challenge, 2017 Mount TBR and “B” in Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: The Quilt by Gary Paulsen

This was lovely and had me in tears by the end.

The Quilt
Written by: Gary Paulsen
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
Series: Alida
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-26-13
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Family, Ages 8-10
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A six-year-old boy goes to spend the summer with his grandmother, Alida, in a small Minnesota town. With the men all gone off to fight, the women are left to run the farms. There’s plenty for the boy to do - trying to help with the chores; getting to know the dog and the horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.
But when his cousin Kristina goes into labor, he can’t do a thing. Instead, the house fills with women come to help and to wait, and to work on the quilt together. This is no common, everyday quilt, but one that contains all the stories of the boy’s family. And as they wait, and work, the women share these stories with the boy.
In this spare, affecting novel, ordinary life and ordinary things take on a new meaning, and the bond between a boy and his grandmother shines through.
©2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 2005 Gary Paulsen

Review:
Gary Paulsen has painful memories of his mother but some wonderful memories of his grandmother, Alida. He spent summers with Alida and one summer, as a six-year-old boy, was particularly memorable. Alida and young Gary are driven on an old, lumbering truck to cousin Kristina’s home to be with her as she is expecting. The boy learned of all the fun animals on a farm along with all the chores even a young boy can help with. But he learned something even more important about people… about the community of family.

The men are all away at war so the women are about the business of taking care of the farms. Kristina works up to the day she goes into labor. Young Gary tries to figure out what is going on but the kitchen full of women shoo him aside. And when he hears the cries of labor he runs out the door.

But Gary is blessed to be allowed to sit in the circle around the community quilt. There he learns the special history of the quilt as the ladies tell stories of their family members who are no longer there.

The story was simple in its presentation but deeply moving in emotional impact. I had never read Gary Paulsen so I did not pick this up because of the author. I thought it sounded interesting. As it started I wasn’t immediately pulled in but then I began to be interested in the historical elements. Then it moved into the emotional aspects and I was punched in the gut with the beauty of the precious memories shared. This may be written for young people but it is a gem for adults too.

Audio Notes: Susan Ericksen is a wonderful narrator and I recognized her voice immediately as the voice of JD Robb’s In Death series. I had to adjust my listening to her narration of this totally different work. I loved how she does grandmother’s Norwegian accent, adding the extra touch to the narration. I am very glad I got this on audio.

This was from my Audible TBR shelf. (I didn’t note so I don’t know if this was an Audible Daily Deal or a half price purchase.) This qualifies for 2017 Audio Book Challenge, 2017 Mount TBR and “Q” in Alphabet Challenge.

Sunday Post May 7, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 8, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had everyone at work this week which helped. I am working away on various files and this week we have underwriter audits which are normal.
Hubby continues to work around the house and he was in his element this morning helping to cook at church for spaghetti lunch.
Our weather was in the 50s several mornings but still warmed up to 82.
I continue to pray for those suffering the freakish weather events, including famines in Africa.

I enjoyed my reading this week. I finished two ebooks and one audio book. I posted four reviews plus all of my usual memes.

I visited over 30 blogs last week.
Blog shout out this week is for Our Familiarium who has a remarkably busy and creative blog!
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 30, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 1, 2017.

• MBS April 2017 Reading Wrap-Up. (I have several reviews still to link but the list is there.)

• eNGTBR- Book Review and Giveaway: Free Space by Sean Danker; Sci Fi, Thriller; my rating 4.0. Print Copy, US only ; ends 5/13/17

• eNGTBR- Book Review: Fake by Twist Phelan; Suspense, Thriller; my rating: 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 5, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/11/2017.

• A- Audible Review: Silence Fallen: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 10 by Patricia Briggs; Urban Fantasy, Romance; my rating: 5.0.

• Clean Sweep ARC Reading Challenge May 2017. (I certainly need to work on my NetGalley and author lists.)

• ABJ- Audio Book Review: Keystone by Dannika Dark; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating: 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #302 Comment Giveaway May 6, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/13/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 7, 2017.

Winner of Talent for Trouble is Vicki W.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Bookburners
by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap
This was a long read but I liked the team dynamics.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/mp3 (ABJ)

The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Written by: Jordan Stratford
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
This is a fun little mystery.
I received this from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
[I had a download issue on my end that has delayed this.]
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author TBR)

From Afar
by Roger Thomas
This is beautiful and moving. I plan to get it for the Ladies Book Club closer to Christmas.

Currently reading:

1. Print (Ladies Book Club TBR)

Plain Proposal (Daughters of the Promise Book 5)
by Beth Wiseman
I am just starting this for our Ladies Book Club
discussion on May 13.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Pump up Your Book Tour)

Desert Melody
by Laura Evans Serna
I received this through Pump Up Your Book for tour review to post on May 17.
For generations the Voyan have lived peacefully among Humans, blending in despite their special thought-sharing abilities and unique communal culture. But now a mysterious disease is killing Voyan babies.
Teagan is a Voyan wet nurse saving the lives of newborns. As the mother of a half-Human child, she struggles to fit into the Voyan world. When she falls for Josh, a Human man eager to take on the roles of husband and father, she starts to question her deepest beliefs about her people and her own fate.
Soon Teagan faces threats from unknown and unlikely foes. She must decide what she's willing to risk for a chance at love, security, and a future for her child.

3. Audible/mp3 (iRead)

Old Loves Die Hard: A Mac Faraday Mystery
Written by: Lauren Carr
Narrated by: James C. Lewis
I received this title through
iRead Book Tours; review date May 23.
Publisher's Summary
Old loves die hard...and in the worst places.
In Old Loves Die Hard, Lauren Carr continues the rags-to-riches story of Mac Faraday, an underpaid homicide detective who inherits 270 million dollars and an estate on Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, from his birth mother on the day his divorce becomes final.
Mac is settling nicely into his new life at Spencer Manor when his ex-wife Christine shows up-and she wants him back! Before Mac can send her packing, Christine and her estranged lover are murdered in Mac's private penthouse suite at the Spencer Inn, the five-star resort built by his ancestors.
The investigation leads to the discovery of cases files for some of Mac's murder cases in the room of the man responsible for destroying his marriage. Why would his ex-wife's lover come to Spencer to dig into Mac's old cases?
With the help of his new friends on Deep Creek Lake, Mac must use all of his detective skills to clear his name and the Spencer Inn's reputation, before its five-stars - and more bodies - start dropping!
©2016 Terri Lynn Zaleski (P)2016 Terri Lynn Zaleski

May 7 2017 - I am half a day ahead in the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

Some of my reading time is going to a Wednesday night study we are doing called Freedom Course.

I completed four books and posted four reviews; this means I still have four reviews current and one for later release.
I am back to 13 NetGalley Titles and still at 10+ author titles in my queue.

Shades of Darkness and Light, A Poetry Collection is available at eTreasure's NetGalley page.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I received two review audio books from the author; for June.
I have one review title from Pump Up Your Book for July.
I received two review titles through NetGalley, one for tour and one for me.
I resisted the Audible Daily Deals but bought two Kindle ebooks.
I picked up more free kindle titles again. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two Audible books from the Author for review in June with tour and giveaway:
Shadow Sight: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective Series
Written by: E. J. Stevens
Narrated by: Traci Odom

I enjoyed this series and am glad to listen to the first and the latest.

Hound's Bite: Ivy Granger
Psychic Detective, Volume 5

By: E.J. Stevens

Narrator: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony A. Bowlin

I received one review title from Pump Up Your Book
for Campaign read before July 11:
FIFO 50 STATES
by Hayley Rose
Children’s Picture Book
Rhyming trip through the states looks like fun.




I received these titles from NetGalley.

From Little Bird Publicity for tour review on July 6:

Serenity Harbor
by RaeAnne Thayne
"In the town of Haven Point, love can be just a wish—and one magical kiss—away…"
I enjoy Ms. Thayne's writing and this sounds like a nice romance.

No Specific date; releases June 1

Weaver's Needle
by Robin Caroll
"Two recovery specialists.
One murder.
A hunt for the Dutchman's Lost Gold Mine becomes a race of survival."

This Christian suspense sounds good.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I purchased one Kindlge title for $2.99
 
Last Stand: The Complete Four-Book Box Set 
(A Post-Apocalyptic, EMP-Survival Thriller)
William H. Weber

I purchased this Kindle title for $.99

 

Girl of Stone (The Expulsion Project Book 2)
Norma Hinkens

Free

I picked up Week One and Two SYNC Audio titles:

Here are just some really good sounding books I got for free - all new to me authors again:
Because of the Rain
by Deborah Raney

Alternative outcome: Where fact and fiction collide
(Mike Stanhope Mysteries Book 1)
by Peter Rowlands

God's Hammer (Hakon's Saga Book 1)
by Eric Schumacher

One Shingle to Hang (A Western Romance)
DeAnn Smallwood

I added (only) 40 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 7, 2017

Our Sunday School teacher continued his resurrection and belief message. I will be excited to share this when I go on vacation soon.

We enjoyed communion and then our pastor concluded his sermon series on Broken.
He reminded us of the last three weeks of teachings that 1) the world is broken, 2) dreams are broken and 3) people are broken. This morning’s message was on Broken Families.
The family may be the church family or the home family. Our homes do not always have healthy families.

Pastor’s parents were churched raised (Catholic and Lutheran) when they met each other but they were not yet Christ followers. During their first year or so together they met and accepted Jesus. From that point forward his family grew toward health. Their home had a foundation built on faith. As they studied and taught at church, their devotion to God and each other grew.

How do you measure your family's success? How the world defines success is very different from how God defines success. The enemy seeks to Destroy the family.

There is pressure in the world to conform. Conforming involves following rules, obeying. Conforming to the world results in brokenness. Conforming to God's will breaks down our independence but leads to blessings. Romans 12:2. The world often measures success in possessions and achievements (lusts and pride). The true Christ follower must be careful not to fall to the cravings and pride of this world. 1 John 2:15-16.

The Point: The foundation for family success is a full commitment to living for God, and a firm refusal to conform to the world.

Serving Christ, then is true success for the believer, not possessions and achievement. Joshua told the Israelite people to “…choose today whom you will serve…” Joshua 24:14-5.

As long as we are living there is still time to work on our families. Take account: Is my family growing stronger? Am I growing stronger spirituality. Your growth in Christ’s service will be identified by your fruit.

Men are to be the God-ordained spiritual leader of their family. It is more likely for the whole family to come to Christ when the father believes and serves. Are there inconsistencies in your life walk? You should be leading your family to church and service, not driving them there.

Do other things take a higher priority over your family's spiritual health? We each must make our family’s spiritual health a priority in our lives – both the church family and our individual households. Look first in the mirror. Is it possible that the enemy is fighting harder for your family than you are?

The good news from these messages is that our heavenly Father restores the broken!

In the spirit of restoration I found two fitting songs, both new  to me.
I picked this one.

Mended!

Verses for Today:
1 John 2:15-17 NIV

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Lord I pray that you help me to remember, in all aspects of my life, to serve the Lord. Help me to serve the Lord at home, in business and community.