Sunday Words of Encouragement August 25, 2019

Our Sunday School lesson this morning was on Anointing. Last week he explained how we are Chosen and this week he noted that all believers receive Anointing for His purpose. 2 Timothy 2:21. It was a good prelude to the sermon which continued on Culture Shift.

Last week the message on Culture Shift had us looking outside. Now we are looking inside.
In the church there are certain things that don't shift: God's word and God's love. There are things that can change within the church to better reach people.

Pastor described a time in his past when he was bivocational, working for a secular company. He was pleasantly surprised that the environment in the marketplace job was very positive atmosphere. This should be truer in Church. The first impression in work or church is usually contact with the human element.

An inner culture should be written in Church: Kindness must be in our DNA. We are the Gatekeepers and need to show a sincerely warm welcome. There are broken people seeking help.
Fruits of the spirit include love, joy, peace, kindness, self-control.
God exhibits kindness for us “Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” Psalm 63:3.
Paul tells us how you treat one another; who you will become: Colossians 3:1-2,5-12,17; Ephesians 4:29-32.
Galatians 6:10: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Point: Every person most positively contribute to a culture of KINDNESS.

The Church needs a mindset that doesn’t say we failed, but that we have an opportunity.
Everyone wants to be noticed and have their needs met. Relationships should be sought and growing. We should talk to each other. When we see negative, we need to respond with “we don't do that here”.
Kindness does not mean weakness. Kindness is an internal skill so it can be learned.
Church members need to give a kind word, a helping and sharing attitude; celebrating the successes of others. A community is created when people are kind to those who need help.
Church should offer healing and kindness as well as God.

Colossians 3:16-17 tells us to be ready to represent Jesus. When kindness is in our DNA, the Church stands out. People experience emotional healing while finding Jesus.

I spent over an hour listening to songs to find one I wanted. I didn't find one exactly for the message but I think this worship song works. When we welcome the Spirit in then we hopefully reflect Him.

Verses for Today:
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.

Sharing Beyond Books #376 Comment Giveaway August 24, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
I was surprised none of the 12 commenters traveled to a book location although Natalija has visited Italy and Rubynreba has visited Amish Communities. Places that responders would like to visit include: Scotland, Hobbit dwellings in the UK, Prince Edward Island, and The Lord of the Rings setting in New Zealand.

The Winner from SBB #375 comments is: #10 ASHFA 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. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**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 #376

(One Question.)

Nikki asks: Is there a food you absolutely would not, willing to pay NOT to eat??

When I was young I probably would've said cottage cheese, but I have learned to eat that. Now I would say a food I don't want to eat is sardines or any oily, fishy fish. I'm okay with 'white' fish like talapia, mahi mahi and others etc. and I actually love most shell fish. I will even eat octopus, calamari and squid. But, if it smells fishy -- No Thanks.

Image found at M&M Seafood Market.

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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.
Thanks go to St. James and Nikki for August Questions. They each get $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Nikki asks: Is there a food you absolutely would not, willing to pay NOT to eat??

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 September 7, 2019 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

A little slow start and then I was engrossed.

The Collapsing Empire
The Interdependency, Book 1
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Series: The Interdependency, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 03-21-17
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Galactic Empire, Space Opera, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
2018 Locus Award, Best Science Fiction Novel
Our universe is ruled by physics, and faster-than-light travel is not possible - until the discovery of The Flow, an extradimensional field we can access at certain points in space-time that transports us to other worlds, around other stars.
Humanity flows away from Earth, into space, and in time forgets our home world and creates a new empire, the Interdependency, whose ethos requires that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It's a hedge against interstellar war - and a system of control for the rulers of the empire.
The Flow is eternal - but it is not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well, cutting off worlds from the rest of humanity. When it's discovered that The Flow is moving, possibly cutting off all human worlds from faster-than-light travel forever, three individuals - a scientist, a starship captain, and the empress of the Interdependency - are in a race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse.
©2017 John Scalzi (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Review:
The Interdependency is a universe of human occupied worlds, planets and outposts, which are connected by The Flow. The Flow is an extradimensional field which allows travel through space so the worlds can trade together. As in any empire, there are social layers (workers, teachers, scientists), some struggling, some succeeded. And there are ‘elite’ houses competing for power. On the ruling planet, the Hub, a brand-new Emperox, Cardenia, is struggling to learn how to handle her unexpected role which includes balancing the governing council, the mercantile guilds, the spiritual arm and the other interests which are the concern of the ultimate ruler.

A starship captain, after surviving an ill-timed mutiny, arrives at the farthest planet, End, to learn that the Duke, currently in charge but involved in rebel war, wants to quarantine their cargo. Now the captain and the owner’s rep, Lady Kiva, need to figure out how to bring back a profitable return. As the rebellion rages it looks like they might be able to sell passage to people who want to leave the planet.

Meanwhile, there is a family on another section of End where a friend of the prior emperor has been engrossed in quietly studding The Flow. Father and son physicists have determined that The Flow is soon going to collapse. Lord Marce hopes to get his son and the important research on the last starship that will be able to leave End. This information will change the Interdependency and some of the powers on End don’t want the information to get to the Hub.

The lives of these three primary characters become intertwined as the universe begins its drastic change. The story started a little slowly, but I did become involved in personalities and the political plot. I enjoyed the humor and intrigue but was just disappointed by the bad language. The book ends at a point that leaves open a lot for the next struggles. I will finish the Old Man Series while I think if I want to continue this series. I can recommend this to readers who like intergalactic politics and don’t mind the language.

Audio Notes: Wil Wheaton does a nice job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and strong energy. The narration made this a better ‘reading’ experience for me.

Source: September 2017 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 23, 2019

Happy Friday! I picked a new box of books from my home shelves. Still no electric at the office. 
We haven't mailed out books for a couple months because we've been busy in the office. I will ask my staff to help get them mailed this coming week.

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 August 16, 2019 Pick. There was no 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.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 16, 2019 Pick:
MARJORIE gets a GC
and
NATALIJA 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.}

It's back to school already!
Image found at Freepik.

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

PAIRS:
Joan Johnston The Bodyguard and The Bridegroom
Nora Roberts: The MacGregor Grooms (1998) and The MacGregor Brides (1997)
SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Dawn Encounter by Jennifer Blake
Flame Lily by Candace Camp (spine creasing)
The Wedding Promise by Carolyn Davidson
The Devil's Daughter by Lara Drewry
Touch of Texas by Tracy Garrett (now Texas Gold)
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
Innocent as Sin by Elizabeth Lowell (hardback)
Tempt Me by Lucy Monroe
Abandon by Carla Neggers
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


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 by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
James Patterson NYPD Red 2 and NYPD Red 3
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer 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 by Jillian Hart
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 1,265+ 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!

Book Review: Preserving Liberty by Candice Sue Patterson

I enjoyed the characters and plot in this quick read.
Preserving Liberty
by Candice Sue Patterson

File Size: 1007 KB
Print Length: 113 pages
Publisher: Pure Amore (September 8, 2017)
ASIN: B07QL2YVLS
Genre: Clean Romance, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Historic preservation specialist Liberty Carmichael loves her position at the Library of Congress, caring for America's oldest documents. So when she intercepts an inside threat by a radical group planning to steal part of Thomas Jefferson's original collection, she takes it to the highest authority--her father, the president. When he fails to take the threat seriously, she steals the books to keep them safe.
Undercover FBI agent Cole Harding is close to disbanding the group responsible for killing his father. Believing documents once owned by Thomas Jefferson hold clues to answering a two hundred year old question, the group's next target is the Library of Congress. However, he wasn't expecting the First Daughter to get caught in the middle.
Will Cole convince the president to trust his abilities? Can he keep Liberty safe without blowing his cover? Can either protect their hearts?

Review:
Liberty, aka Libby, is a historic preservation specialist who is also the president’s daughter. She gains knowledge of a threat by a radical group planning to steal important historical documents, but her father doesn’t take the threat seriously. To protect the books Liberty steals them herself, sneaking them out of the collections and hiding them.

As she is purloining the final book, she is stunned to be stopped by someone she trusts. She barely escapes when a stranger on a motorcycle offers to help her. Libby is reluctant to trust a stranger but soon realizes that she can’t complete her mission without help.

Cole is an FBI agent who is undercover with the radical group trying to steal the books. He happens to be in the right place to ‘rescue’ the president’s daughter. He presents himself to help Libby without telling her that he will use her as bait to set-up the true radicals. The two decide to recover the books and decipher the hidden clues themselves. They are on the run, dodging bullets and thrown closer together after losing cash and clothes.

The longer Cole works with Libby the more he wants to keep her safe and explore a future with her. But how will she feel about him when the truth comes out? And how will he face her father, the president, after using Libby as a lure – assuming he can return her safely?

Libby is a strong, mostly likeable character. She had a clever idea about hiding the books, but she is a pampered young woman who didn’t fully plan for being on her own without a handy credit card or guard. Cole is a nice hunky FBI agent who knows better how to live on the run, even if he gets distracted a bit. I very much enjoyed their relationship and the puzzle clues surrounding secrets of Thomas Jefferson.

This is the second book I have read by Ms. Patterson (How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart) and I will have to add her to my repeat reading list. She provides clear characters, strong plots and a sweet romance that flows in easy writing. I recommend this quick book and author to readers who like clean romance.

Source: Pelican Book Group review gift September, 2018. This qualifies for 2019TBR goal.