Sunday Words of Encouragement July 16, 2017

Last week’s Sunday school lesson was from Acts 24:24-26 and titled Paul’s Big Three. Paul was telling Felix and his wife about his faith. “As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened.” v25. This is a message that was not a ‘tickle the ear’ message. The message frightened Felix, who had enough belief to be uncomfortable. Felix lured his wife from another so he was in an adulterous relationship. In those days, the Roman culture was full of sin, adultery, homosexuality, even bestiality. Felix was familiar with the Way.

The lost need to hear that the day of Judgment is coming. Righteousness (true freedom) is a basic need of all men. There is a consequence at the time of Judgment. The Bible, especially the words of Jesus and the letters of Paul promote self-control which is needed to be victorious.
We need to choose to deny the flesh; the lusts, anger, gluttony, and greed of the body and mind. Galatians 5:19-21. The lusts of eye, lusts of flesh, and pride of life; passions, pleasure and pride.

Our human nature is selfish. We are drawn away by our desires. Mind over matter is temporary. Control is different for each individual. We have to train ourselves to temperance. John 2:16. We have to take control of mind, mouth and body.

We do not have the ability or power to rule or regulate ourselves in our own strength. We need to seek control through the sacrifice of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:4-8.

I wasn't sure which song I wanted. I found many choices.

It took more than an hour of wonderful listening. Then I chose this.
Our God is Able!

Verses for Today:
2 Peter 1:4-8 NLT
4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Help me Lord to grow more in your strength of character and love for others.

 

Sharing Beyond Books #311 Comment Giveaway July 15, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Most of the commenters would pay off debt, particularly mortgages of their own or family. A couple would pay off house renovations; a couple would travel; and several would make donations to help others.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #310 comments is: #2 Mary P 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 #311

(One Question.)

Poetryinleaves asks: Can you relate any part of the story you are currently reading or have read to an event in your life??

Hmmm - I just finished a paranormal about gods...so that is not really relatable to my life. I also finished a small town romance that included a lawyer and an author so that is sort of relatable. I am reading a poetry book that praises God and His guiding hand in our lives. Now THAT I relate to!

Image found at Pinterest.

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.

Your turn to share. Poetryinleaves asks: Can you relate any part of the story you are currently reading or have read to an event in your life??

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 July 22, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review and Giveaway: A Texan's Choice, Heart of a Hero Series #3 by Shelley Gray

This is a lovely story of love and redemption.
A Texan's Choice, Heart of a Hero Series #3
By Shelley Gray

Amazon link
File Size: 1316 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Fiction (October 1, 2012)
ASIN: B01ES91T12
Genre: Western Romance,Christian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Texas, 1874. Long ago, Scout Proffitt gave up on ever being a man of honor like his Civil War hero brother Clayton. But when Scout steps foot on the rundown remnants of the Circle C ranch, he wonders if maybe-just maybe-the Lord has something different intended for him.
Rosemarie has lived most of her life doubting her worth and shouldering the blame for her brother's death. But when a stranger rides onto her ranch, claiming he owns it, she suddenly is given a choice: either keep looking at the dark side of life . . . or dare to dream.

Review:
This is a lovely story with a realistic setting in 1874 Texas and some darker characters. Scout Proffitt and Rosemarie are two damaged people who find love, worth and redemption.

Rosemarie lives with her family on a dirt-poor farm in Texas. Her father, a squanderer, is on his death bed with a room full holding death watch. Rosemarie is barely allowed in the room, much less near enough to say goodbye. But Rosemarie is used to being ignored and treated as less than worthless. Her family abandoned her emotionally when she was nine years old and it doesn’t matter how hard she might try to work, it will never be enough.

Scout Proffitt is a wanted man, a known killer. He wanted to follow in his big brother’s footsteps as a war hero when he ran away from home over 15 years ago. But living in the world without resources didn’t turn out as he planned. He thinks he may have found a way out when he won a farm in a bet a few months back. He shows up to find the farm is mostly dilapidated and dreary. The man he is claiming it from has just died.

Though stoic, Scout is inwardly dismayed when Rosemarie’s mother and sister pack their things and leave…leaving Rosemarie behind. She proposes that she clean and cook for him if he lets her stay. He agrees she can stay for two weeks.

Just as Scout and Rosemarie are trying to sort out a new living arrangement, four outlaws show up to seek Scout’s leadership for a job that promises them all a new start. Scout can’t turn down the opportunity so once again he rides off and Rosemarie is left alone.

Rosemarie is a mistreated soul who shows gumption and strength of character just in moving forward each day. Scout is a good man inside with a dark past that haunts him. I couldn’t help but root for them. The messages of love and redemption are shared through the story and not in any preachy way.

The story jumps a bit as the chapters move to introduce the four outlaws who eventually show up at the ranch. This was a little confusing but I was sure there would be a connection. I read this with my Ladies Book Club and we all noted that there were numerous typographical errors and several fact errors that should have been caught during editing. Although noticeable, it did not damage our enjoyment of the story.

The story reads easily and kept my attention. This is the third in the series and reads fine as a standalone but I was glad to realize that I had books one and two in my Kindle library. This is the second story I read by Ms. Gray and I am impressed by her versatility. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy western historical romance with a lovely message of redemption.

I picked this book up in print at Christianbook.com for $2.49 a copy for Ladies Book Club.

GIVEAWAY:

Paperback Book (US Only)

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's Website.

* This contest is open to US only for paperback book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) July 22, 2017. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Post on July 23, 2017.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email

Book Review: The Detective: A Nathan McNamara Story (The Soul Summoner) by Elicia Hyder

I enjoyed this character in The Soul Summoner and enjoyed this additional background on him.

The Detective: A Nathan McNamara Story (The Soul Summoner)
by Elicia Hyder

File Size: 3191 KB
Print Length: 149 pages
Publisher: Inkwell & Quill, LLC (October 29, 2015)
ASIN: B017DSORBE
Genre: Police Procedures
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Robbery, arson, murder...and the one night stand that just won't end.
With eleven missing women to find and six high-profile burglary cases to solve, the last thing Detective Nathan McNamara needs in his life is one more complication. And that’s exactly what his recent one-night stand is becoming—complicated. With his heinous lieutenant breathing down his neck for answers and his accidental girlfriend dropping hints for a commitment, Nathan is realizing that his career and his bachelor status are both on the line.
When the burglary cases suddenly escalate to homicide, Nathan must put everything else aside to stop the killer. But this is easier said than done when the blonde from the bar repeatedly shows up at his doorstep and enlists his own mother against him. Now he’s more convinced than ever that his job hangs in the balance and that the Surgeon General’s warning on the whiskey bottle should include something about women.
***Detective Nathan McNamara is one of the leading men in The Soul Summoner Series. Book One, The Soul Summoner (a full-length novel), focuses on the investigation of the eleven missing girls. Chronologically, this novella happens before the series begins, but it is a standalone and doesn't have to be read in order.***

Review:
I met the very attractive (okay, -- "yummy" is a better description) Detective Nathan McNamara in The Soul Summoner. This short story fills in his history and how he got involved with Shannon, his stalking girlfriend in the next book.

Nate is ducking his unpleasant superior while pursuing the investigation of a rash of robberies. The criminals left a victim at one of the scenes, turning the case into a homicide investigation. Nate is relentless in his efforts despite the negative attitude of his lieutenant. In his spare time Nate is working on a case with eleven missing women. This case is a special burden for him.

I enjoyed Nate’s family background and input. I didn’t enjoy his ‘accidental’ relationship with Shannon. He initially picks her up at a bar and then takes advantage of the open invitation. Shannon follows him to his town, calls his mother to make connections and repeatedly calls him even as he makes it clear he has work to do. Instead of putting a halt to the eager chase he lets her carry on, and I didn’t like that.

I did like how Nate worked the case and I like the direct writing style. Written in first person from Nate’s view gives it a hands-on approach. I think I would have liked to have read this before The Soul Summoner but I still liked it well enough. This does not have the paranormal elements that show up in the rest of the series. I want to continue with book 2, The Siren, and I recommend these be read in order.

I received this title through InstaFreebies. It qualifies for my TBR Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Avenging Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 7

This is a good enough continuation of the stories to keep the series moving forward.
Avenging Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 7
Written by: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
Series: Survivalist, Book 7
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-14-16
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Survival
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In Enforcing Home, Morgan and his group suffered some loss. They discovered their old foes weren't gone, as they'd thought. Not only were they not gone, but they were also stronger than before. Morgan would have to deal with this threat while at the same time trying to restore some sort of quality of life to his community.
But this wasn't going to be easy. With the bombing at the market and the wounding of his daughter, Taylor, it became all too clear to Morgan that he was once again in a fight for the lives of those who mattered most to him. Taylor was injured and would need care for some time. It wouldn't be easy. Added to that was the realization that he would have to deal with second-guessing himself. Was it his fault that she was now hurt?
In Avenging Home, we see how this long-running battle between Morgan's people and their number one nemesis plays out. While Morgan thinks this is the biggest threat they face, there are things on the horizon he cannot yet see that are going to dwarf these problems.
Morgan has lived in a vacuum. He's had little information about the outside world. While he's used radios to listen to what he can, there's been precious little real information. But now he's found what he believes to be a reliable source and knows when and where to listen. But is it valid? Or is it simply propaganda? News and information can be powerful tools, but they must always be taken in context to make an educated decision. And the challenge is that there's only one source. When you have to make decisions that mean the difference between life and death, the process becomes even more critical.
So we'll follow Morgan and his tightly knit group as they are once again in the fight. Will they finally defeat the federal thugs in their backyard? And, more importantly, what will be the cost?
©2016 A. American (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Review:
I enjoyed listening to the latest confrontations in this series although I didn’t find it as good as some of the earlier books. This one seemed to have a little shallower focus on the characters while preparing for a showdown with the very nasty federal opposition. The books really should be read in sequence to know the characters.

The local town community is still seeking leadership from ‘Sheriff” Morgan. Morgan meets new suppliers in the market, gathers engineers to work on the power plant, recruits workers for the community garden and prepares his family and friends for a shoot-out. Meanwhile he must deal with captured enemies as well as drunken murderers and local thieves. Morgan doesn’t want to be judge, jury, sentencer and executioner… but someone has to do the hard jobs. He is seeking someone to serve as a judge at least for sentencing if not for fact finding as mostly the facts are clear when the culprits are caught in the act. Sadly, the man who steps forward for the job is just not the right person and he and his guards have to be dealt with firmly.

There are the usual antics from Sarge and his sometimes infantile and trigger-happy army guys, Mike and Ted. This repeated some of the male crudeness and of course violence considering the battle that occurs. Other characters add their part -- humor, determination, fear, revenge and even romance -- to the story. There were more survival tips shared, although maybe not as many as earlier books. I guess the help from the local military and the powers in high places really gives Morgan's neighborhood an edge but I couldn't help feeling that things were just a bit too easy going in the town.

Morgan catches a radio broadcast that brings disturbing news. They can’t tell if it is true, a hoax or propaganda, but it is scary if real. This book does a good job of continuing the story, wrapping up one phase and introducing a new conflict for future books. I hope the next book has a little more depth to it.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine does his usual solid narration of these characters. It just seemed to me that even he didn't have quite the same enthusiasm for this episode. Or maybe that was me projecting. I do enjoy listening to these though as they move well in audio.

My prior reviews in the series:
Book 1, Going Home My rating 4.5
Book 2, Surviving Home My rating 4.5
Book 3, Escaping Home My rating 4.25
Book 4, Forsaking Home My rating 4.25
Book 5, Resurrecting Home My rating 4.0
Book 6, Enforcing Home My rating 4.25

I am working on my Audio, TBR and Alphabet Challenges. This is a series I like and "A" title.