Sunday Words of Encouragement August 4, 2019

We shared prayer concerns and praises. Our substitute Sunday School teacher shared a good message about Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20.

Our church service began with a praise song that fit with the Sunday School message. After praise and worship we shared Communion.
Our pastor shared another Resolution Sermon based Hebrews 11.
Faith is nothing without Action. Faith must be continually exercised.
Faith accompanied by action increases our endurance. Especially for spiritual attacks.

All Christians face spiritual attacks in finances, illness, community and opposition. When pastors seek vision they are often attacked by doubts. We see this in battles our missionaries face.
Some people avoid them; others become fearful of them. Some find triumph while others suffer.
Hebrews 11:32-40.

The Point: We have been equipped with faith to endure and win the spiritual battle.

Faith is required for spiritual endurance.
There attacks against the Church from outside but Churches stand against outward battles. However, Churches often fall as a result of attacks from within.

The enemy is fighting for a whole generation. The enemy is Satan.

We've been equipped with faith; with the power of The Holy Spirit; with numbers in the support of each other.

When we recognize the spiritual attack, then it can be defeated.
God has provided leaders and equipped His people. Ephesians 4:12.
Then we will no longer be like immature children... Each part does its own special work...Ephesians 4: 14-16.

The body is not supposed to avoid spiritual battles. The battle is imminent. We have a vision to go into the community. The ‘gates of hell’ can't hold us back. Matthew 16:18.
The church is equipped to fight the battle. We are to take the battle to the enemy.
Are we ready to face the battle? Together.
No condemnation in church, but rather support. Let us be warriors to face the battle.

I picked this song for today’s message: Warrior.

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 4:11-16 NIV
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.


I pray that God gives me the heart and strength to be a Warrior for Him.

#NetGalley Book Review: Birds of a Feather by Vanita Oelschlager, Robin Hegan (Illustrator)

This is a fun, engaging learning tool.
Birds of a Feather
by Vanita Oelschlager, Robin Hegan (Illustrator).

Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Vanita Books (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0980016282
Genre: Children, Illustrated, Kindergarten - 3
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Children are innately curious about words, especially phrases that make them laugh ("Ants in your pants!"), sound silly ("Barking up the wrong tree" or "Goosebumps") or trigger images that tickle a child's sense of the absurd ("Like a bull in a china shop"). Birds of a Feather introduces children to the magic of idioms words that separately have one meaning, but together take on something entirely different. Birds of a Feather introduces idioms with outlandish illustrations of what the words describe literally. The reader then has to guess the "real" meaning of the phrases (which is upside down in the corner of each spread). At the end of the book, the reader is invited to learn more about these figures of speech.

Review:
As adults we have heard idioms all our lives but you can well imagine that a child might wonder what is meant by “ants in his pants” or “bull in a china shop”. And what are “goosebumps” or a “wild goose chase”?

This book covers sixteen or so well-known idioms. The book states the idiom with a whimsical, interpretive and engaging illustration. The meaning of the idiom, and an example using it in a sentence, is shown upside down on the bottom of the page. Some images, like “barking up a tree” and “raining cats and dogs” are perfectly fitting. Other illustrations did not fit as well in my view, even though they were all fun.

I love words and the meaning of words, so I was naturally drawn to this. I have also read and enjoyed two other books by Vanita Oelschlager. I found the tone and intent of the work delightful and think it would be wonderful to use with children.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2019NetGalley goal.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 2, 2019

Happy Friday! Can you believe it is August already! Many are ready for the weather to cool off a little.

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 July 26, 2019 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 no titles blocked.
AUTO: Elizabeth gets Forged Steel

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 26, 2019 Pick:
FREDAMANS gets a GC
and
BN100 gets When Lightning Strikes.

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 need some sunglasses like these (injured my eye this week but it is healing).
Image found at The Lily.

New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forged in Steel by Maya Banks
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Eco-Sisters: The Car by P. Ryan Hembree and Mary Ann Gustin
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Murder at Granite Falls by Roxanne Rustand
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes
SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Homecoming
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES
Best Laid Plans
Darkness Tell Us
Cooking More Deadly


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
Firebird
No Getting Over a Cowboy
The Book of Fate Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


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
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(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 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,262+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year 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!

#NetGalley Book Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym Martineau

This is wonderfully creative and intense!

Kingdom of Exiles
by Maxym Martineau

File Size: 3057 KB
Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 25, 2019)
ASIN: B07MZHRNCC
Genre: Action and Adventure, Romantic Fantasy
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Description:
My heart wasn’t part of the deal when I bargained for my life,
But assassins so rarely keep their word.
Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts—an offense punishable by death—and now there’s a price on her head. With the realm’s most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can’t refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.
Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena’s terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin’s oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena’s continued survival…and his own.

Review:
Leena is a beast Charmer exiled from her beloved community by a vicious lover. The council believed him because he was older and on the council. Leena has since had to sell beasts which isn’t permitted. Leena is determined to tame a council level beast and return to prove her innocence. But someone has other plans – they have engaged one of the most powerful assassin groups, the Cruor, to kill Leena.

Leena manages to capture the first assassin sent after her. She returns to the Cruor lair to try to negotiate for her life. She meets Noc, the leader of the dark shadowy group. She is able to make a deal to provide his people with four magical creatures in exchange for her life. She doesn’t realize there is a loophole to his contract and she has no idea that he is burdened by a curse.

Noc’s curse brings death to those he loves. He has seen the devastation and now must hold himself aloof or risk even his brother assassins.

As Noc and a handful of his leaders travel with Leena to allow her to capture their beasts, they all grow in respect for the caring nature of their ‘target’. Especially Noc is conflicted by his growing attraction which he cannot allow without a cure for his curse. Noc believes that Leena may be able to provide him with a creature that can fulfill the wish to end his curse. Leena tries to warn him that such wishes come with unexpected and usually damaging consequences, but Noc is desperate.

I was captured by this story from beginning to end. The characters are intense as is the tension.
Early on I was struck by the risks and extreme choices being set up for the hero and heroine to face. The creatures tamed by Leena are wonderfully creative and imaginative. There is a strong sexual scene at bout 70% in and another near the end, but these are fitting to the intense romance that is developed. It is secondary to a well-developed, action packed, intriguing plot.

I definitely want to read the next book in the series. I cannot think of any reason not to give this 5 stars. I highly recommend this to readers who like intrigue, fantasy and tension filled romance; magical beasts are great too.

Source: 2019 NetGalley; Release date June 25, 2019. This qualifies for 2019Alphabet and 2019NetGalley goals.

Audible Book Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Primary Phase (Dramatized) by Douglas Adams

This is a fun radio play presentation of a crazy sic fi journey.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Primary Phase (Dramatized)
By: Douglas Adams
Narrated by: Peter Jones, Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey, Susan Sheridan, Stephen Moore
Series: Hitchhiker's Guide (radio plays), Book 1

Series: Hitchhiker's Guide (radio plays), Book 1
Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
Radio/TV Program
Release date: 11-14-08
Language: English
Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited
Genre: Humor, Plays, Sci FI
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A dynamic remastering of the original BBC Radio 4 full-cast serial - Fit the First to Fit the Sixth - which spawned a phenomenal hitchhiking legend.
The original series of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, remastered by Dirk Maggs (director of the Tertiary, Quandary and Quintessential Phases) to give a full, vibrant sound, now with Philip Pope’s version of the familiar theme tune and specially re-recorded announcements by John Marsh.
Join Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Trillian, Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin the Paranoid Android in their first series of adventures as they witness the destruction of Earth to make way for a hyperspace bypass, stumble upon the ancient planet of Magrathea, dine at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, and seek an answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe And Everything.
Peter Jones, Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey, Susan Sheridan, Stephen Moore and a full supporting cast star in these BBC Radio 4 episodes.
A special 55-minute bonus programme, Douglas Adams’s Guide to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, explores the genesis of the radio series and its incredible success, with contributions from the original cast and production team.
©2008 BBC Audiobooks Ltd (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Review:
I had only marginally recalled how wacky this book is. Arthur Dent is lying in front of his home in order to prevent the demolition team making way for a new road. His friend, Ford Prefect, convinces Arthur to meet him at the pub because his home doesn’t matter because, according to Ford, the Earth is going to be destroyed in minutes. Ford reveals that he is actually an alien not a human. Just before the Earth is destroyed, Arthur and Ford are whisked off planet and a crazy space ride begins.

I don’t recall when I first read or watched this program. I suspect it was a good 12 or so years ago when our son was graduating high school or in college. He has always loved this work.

I totally enjoyed this version as it is a presentation of the original BBC radio broadcast which includes fun character voices and fun sound effects. This audiobook concludes with a very interesting interview which reveals the struggles involved in getting the author to complete the episodes timely.

This is a fun listen of a zany science fiction journey.

Audio Notes: Peter Jones, Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey, Susan Sheridan, Stephen Moore all do a great job with the broadcast.

Source: February 2014 Audible Purchase. This qualifies for my 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goal.