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Thursday, October 10, 2019

#NetGalley Book Review: Fledgling by Molly Harper

This is another fun adventure filled with magic and mystery.
Fledgling
by Molly Harper
46160530. sy475
File Size: 3440 KB
Print Length: 267 pages
Publisher: NYLA (July 23, 2019)
ASIN: B07SPGBSRW
Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


“Molly Harper’s Changeling is masterful fantasy—a spunky Cinderella story with a heroine who’s equal parts compassion, determination, and pure magical delight.” —Rachel Vincent, author of the Soul Screamers series and The Stars Never Rise, on Changeling
Days away from completing her first year at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies, Changeling-born Sarah Smith might just get away with posing as an upper-class Guardian girl named Cassandra Reed.
But strange visions of a Lightbourne destroyed by Miss Morton’s revenant army keep Sarah from enjoying her achievement. Plus, the Mother Book, Sarah’s one secret advantage and the ultimate entrĂ©e in Guardian society, suddenly stops revealing itself to her…putting her in a precarious position with the Guild. On top of all that, her former lady’s maid left Miss Castwell’s, and the new hire is, well, taking some getting used to.
If it weren’t for her two best friends, Alicia McCray and Ivy Cowel, who will do anything to protect her secret, Sarah doesn’t know if she’ll make it another year. When the three girls take summer holiday with Alicia’s family (chaperoned by an exacting and very disapproving Mrs. McCray), a relaxing vacation in Scotland is the last thing they’ll find.
Mrs. Winter is thrilled that Sarah is spending time with the influential McCray family, but Sarah can’t help but feel that her real purpose is to find other Changeling children like her, and free them to realize their own magic. Can she find genuine satisfaction in her accomplishments when she knows there are others like her out there who need her help? Will the three girls uncover the deeply-held secrets they’re looking for in the mysterious mountains of Scotland? Will the Mother Book finally start talking to her again? And will Sarah come to understand the importance of her connection with Ivy and Alicia, and the true nature of her own power…before it’s too late?


Review:
Sarah was born a Snipe expected to remain in the serving class like her parents. But she possesses magical skills that only the Guardian class are supposed to have. Her parents’ employer, society influencer, Mrs. McCray, took Sarah on and transferred her into a Guardian girl, presenting her to society as a niece, Cassandra Reed. (Book One Changling.)

Sarah/Cassandra has almost completed her first year at the elite Guardian school, Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies. This term she has strengthen her friendship with Ivy and Alicia. She has also made other friendships with a ‘room’ study group while she waits for the Mother Book to talk to her again.

Sarah discovers someone else who may have a surprising connection to the Mother Book. That reminds her that she needs to intensify her efforts to locate other Changling Children who have powers like her. Sarah discovers a location for a training school of Changling Children and she, Ivy and Alicia make plans to visit the place during summer holidays.

They will have to be creative to escape Alicia’s strict mother and to stay away from other threats. Their adventures are filled with magic and tension.

This is a good sequel to the first book. I enjoyed Sarah’s quick thinking in times of danger. She tries to protect her friends, not realizing how much she needs their help. The strong loving friendship of the young women is engaging. I am interested to see what will happen in the next book. I recommend reading the books in order and enjoying the adventures.

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

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Audible Book Review: Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett

This was an easy cozy mystery with a hint of romance.
Death in the English Countryside
Murder on Location Series, Book 1
By: Sara Rosett
Narrated by: Sarah Mollo-Christensen

Series: Murder on Location Series, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 03-20-18
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25


Publisher's Summary
Location scout and Jane Austen aficionado Kate Sharp is thrilled when the company she works for lands the job of finding locations for a new film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, but then her boss, Kevin, fails to return from a scouting trip to England. Kate travels to England to salvage Kevin's and the company's reputation before word gets out that he is missing.
Things go from bad to worse when Kate arrives in Nether Woodsmoor, a quaint village of golden stone cottages and rolling green hills, only to find no trace of Kevin except his abandoned luggage. Even the rumpled, easygoing local scout they consulted, Alex, doesn't know where Kevin might be.
Increasingly worried about Kevin and with an antsy director waiting for updates about the preproduction details, Kate embarks on a search that includes a pub-crawl and cozy cottages as well as stately country manors. But Kevin remains missing, and she begins to suspect that the picturesque village and beautiful countryside may not be as idyllic as they seem.
©2014 Sara Rosett (P)2018 Tantor


Review:
Kate Sharp, who has a solid background on Jane Austen, is thrilled when the location company she works for is engaged to find locations for a new film adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Her boss and mentor, Kevin, traveled to England to scout properties but he didn’t return when scheduled. Kate flies to England to try to locate Kevin. Initially she tries to keep it quiet that Kevin is missing but it is hard to keep secrets in a small English village.

After Kate tours the local pubs, she begins to work with local contact Alex. He is more than happy to show her the beautiful manor properties that he and Kevin were looking at. Kate meets the affable owner, the arrogant and resistant property manager and a seductive, jealous owner.

Unexpectedly Kate and Alex uncover evidence of foul play. The local DCI is quick to focus on Kate as a suspect, questioning ever movement since she arrived in town. Kate determines to investigate herself trying to discover what secrets are hidden in this lovely village.

This is an easy cozy which takes a little bit of time to build into the mystery. Kate has relationship baggage that makes her not a particularly warm character. On the other hand, Alex, who happens to be an America who has relocated to the area, tends to be welcoming and gracious, although a bit mysterious himself. The building friendship between Kate and Alex is a very soft romance element.

The mystery clues are pursued with Kate’s plodding persistence. The DCI is a wonderful intense character who adds to the story along with the quirky property owners. I liked the location scounting element and the setting provides beautiful descriptions. The tie to P&P gives a touch of interest for Austen fans. The light with just a touch of romance makes a nice cozy for fans of the genre.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Sarah Mollo-Christensen. She manages the British and English accents well and helps the story move along by keeping Kate’s introspective moments from dragging. The narration helps to make this an easy listen.

Source: 9/29/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

MBS September 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - SEPTEMBER
Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2019
Favorites for September:
One 5 Star: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Three 4.5 Stars: An Accidental Death, Genesis and Storm Rising.

  1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: An Accidental Death: A DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 1 by Peter Grainger; Genre: British Detective, Crime Fiction, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
  2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Lone Wolf, F.B.I. K-9, Book 1, by Sara Driscoll; Genre: K-9, Suspense, Terrorism Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  3. eB2019 (Ladies Book Club)- Book Review: It Started with Goodbye by Christina June; Genre: Family Life, Teen & YA; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.
  4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg; Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Romance, Teen, YA; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  5. A2019- Audio Book Review: Cyclone, Linear Tactical Series, by Janie Crouch; Genre: Military, Romance, Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle; Genre: Adventure, Classic, Historical, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
  7. ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Am Legend by Richard Matheson; Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Sci Fi, Vintage; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
  8. ATBR- Star Wars: Heir to the Empire: Behind the Scenes: An Expanded Universe is Born.
  9. ATBR- Goodreads Review: Skunk Hour by Robert Lowell; Genre: Poetry; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
  10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood; Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Literary Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.
  11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Remnant (Left Behind #10) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins; Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Religious Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  12. ATBR- This American Life: Another Frightening Show About the Economy; (Link in Finished Reading).
  13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Genesis by Ken Lozito; Genre: Colonization, Military Sci Fi, Space Fleet; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5
  14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick; Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Cancer, Diseases, Humor; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
  15. ATBR- Free College, Dude By: The Wall Street Journal; (Comments in Finished Reading).  
  16. ATBR- Goodreads Review: Light in August Free Bonus: Faulkner in 5 Minutes! by Audible Staff, Oliver Wyman Narrator; Genre: NonFiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
  17. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig; Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

On Hold: One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank

Total read = 17, +1 on hold; TBR = 14; New Authors = 12
Audio/Audible = 15 (14 TBRs)
eBook = 1 (0 TBRs)
NetGalley = 1 (0 TBRs)
Print = 0
Review books (other than NG)= 0

Goal Progress:
23 ahead on Goodreads Goal of 150
Total Read to Date: 121 of 150
TBR to Date: 72 of 100 total (I need to push this and the ebooks)
TBR ebooks: 10 of 24
Audio to Date: 80 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 43 of 40
Author Reviews: 5 of 12
Nonfiction: 11 of 12

• ebTBRs: 1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +0 +1 +1 +0
• Author titles: 1 +0 +3 +0 +1 +0 +0 +0 +0
• New to me Series: 5 +5 +8 +10 +8 +9 +9 +7 +8
• Continuing for me Series: 3 +1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +2 +2 +1
• Title with Month in it: 1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 +0 +0 +0
• Seasonal title: Winter 1; Spring 2; Summer (on hold)
• Alphabet letters covered: 12 Jan + 3 Feb + 5 March + 2 April + 0 May + 1 June + 1 July + 1 August + 0 September
(One letter left: X)

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Sunday Post October 6, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 7, 2019

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms
I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)?
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.

This was a consistently busy week although I was out on Wednesday and we took off at 2pm on Friday (Once a month I let everyone leave early for pedicures and manicures. They go an call me when there is a space for me.)
My hubby drove me to the appointment with the eye specialist. I have been experiencing floaters, flashes and haze inmy distance eye. We had to check as I am very near sighted and therefor at risk for detached retina and the local doctor couldn't see past the haze to make sure there was no tear. The good news is that I do not have a detached retina, just posterior vitreous detachment which causes the symptons. It may last a few more months. He said the left eye has already gone through this.
Our weather is supposed to cool off into the 89s this week.

I had a good week of reading/listening. Hubby installed the battery in my Kindle and it is working! Yay! Nice to be able to read it again without juggling the battery to keep it on. I finished three audiobooks and one NetGalley. I posted three reviews on the blog and the usual memes.

I visited 21 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Book'd Out. Shelleyrae is a voracious reader who started her blog in 2010 as she started reviewing for NetGalley.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • ATBR- Audible Book Review: Genesis by Ken Lozito; Genre: Colonization, Military Sci Fi, Space Fleet; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5
  • ATBR- Audible Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick; Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Cancer, Diseases, Humor; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
  • NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig; Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)



Death in the English Countryside
Murder on Location Series, Book 1
By: Sara Rosett
Narrated by: Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Series: Murder on Location Series, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
This was an easy, cozy mystery with a hint of romance.
Source: 9/29/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)



The Ruins of Gorlan
(link is to newer release)
Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1
By: John Flanagan
Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
I enjoyed this adventure fantasy.
Source: February 2013 Audible Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
The international best-selling series with over FIVE million copies sold in the US alone!
They have always scared him in the past - the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....
Here is the fantasy adventure that launched the Ranger's Apprentice series, an epic story of heroes and villains that has become an international phenomenon. Perfect for fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series.
©2006 John Flanagan (P)2019 Listening Library



3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)
46160530. sy475


Fledgling
by Molly Harper
This is another tense adventure filled with magic.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.



4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)
Patti Smith at the Minetta Lane audiobook cover art


Patti Smith at the Minetta Lane
Words and Music
By: Patti Smith
Narrated by: Patti Smith
Length: 1 hr and 23 mins
Release date: 11-01-18
I enjoyed this artist sharing about her life.
Source: November 2018 Free Audible Original.
About This Audible Original
Patti Smith at the Minetta Lane features live audio of performances captured over three evenings in September of 2018 at the Minetta Lane Theatre in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, woven into a single, one-of-a-kind audio event. Pioneering artist and writer Patti Smith commands the stage to perform original spoken-word stories from her life, interwoven with the music of her beloved catalogue, played live by Smith, her son and daughter–Jackson and Jesse Paris Smith–and longtime collaborator Tony Shanahan. What transpires is a personally revelatory showcase, an intimate portrait of an icon, focusing on family and taking stock of a near to 50-year career devoted to artistic integrity.
©2018 Patti Smith (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.



Currently Reading:
1. Audio CD/Car (A2019)
35272310. sx318


The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
Tom Parks (Narrator)
I am engaged by this.
This is our Ladies Book Club reading to be discussed 10/19.
Source: Print books for book club; I picked up the Audio CD for about $7.00 ($1.64 plus 5.46 shipping).
Will God’s Wrath Fall on America?
What happens when a country glories in its immorality, turning away from faith in God and obedience to Him?
Jeff Kinley, author of As It Was in the Days of Noah, explores historical and biblical precedents for the demise of a nation and addresses pressing questions such as…
How did we get to this point?
Is America in Bible prophecy?
Will Christians face widespread persecution here?
What effect will the rapture have on America?
How should I respond to the moral decline?
This forthright survey of current events and trends offers valuable perspective on the future of America—along with powerful motivation to embrace the only source of lasting hope.



2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)
42075477. sy475


Yours Truly, Thomas
by Rachel Fordham

This sounds like a read I will like.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.
Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.
When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.



3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)
Ghost Talkers audiobook cover art


Ghost Talkers
By: Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 08-16-16
I've tried to pick TBR titles approriate for October. :-)
Source: 8/2/18 Sci Fi Sale $4.95 each.
Publisher's Summary
Ghost Talkers: a new novel from beloved fantasy author Mary Robinette Kowal featuring the mysterious spirit corps and their heroic work in World War I.
Ginger Stuyvesant, an American heiress living in London during World War I, is engaged to Captain Benjamin Hartshorne, an intelligence officer. Ginger is a medium for the Spirit Corps, a special Spiritualist force. Each soldier heading for the front is conditioned to report to the mediums of the Spirit Corps when they die so the corps can pass instant information about troop movements to military intelligence.
Ginger and her fellow mediums contribute a great deal to the war efforts, so long as they pass the information through appropriate channels. While Ben is away at the front, Ginger discovers the presence of a traitor. Without the presence of her fiancé to validate her findings, the top brass thinks she's just imagining things. Even worse, it is clear that the Spirit Corps is now being directly targeted by the German war effort. Left to her own devices, Ginger has to find out how the Germans are targeting the Spirit Corps and stop them. This is a difficult and dangerous task for a woman of that era, but this time both the spirit and the flesh are willing....
©2016 Mary Robinette Kowal (P)2016 Audible, Inc.



4. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)
May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer by [McRoberts, Justin, Erickson, Scott]


May It Be So Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer
by Justin McRoberts; Scott Erickson
I am doing this for the 40 days so it will be listed for a month or so.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.




I'm continuing to pick titles from my list of TBR audiobooks under 10 hours.
I am deciding as I get to the next one although I have lined up some for Fraterfest (October 10-15).


October 6, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I didn't do another study put spent some time on May it Be So. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]


I completed four books and posted three reviews. I have four reviews to post this week.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible. (Eventually, I will add older reviews.)
No change to author queue again this week.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 7 unread. I added another review and got my feedback ratio to 94%.
I am still working on titles I received in July. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I have three author ebook titles left in queue. I plan to get caught up on these too- I better start soon.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.]

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.
No new review titles.
Seven audios: two for one credit at Audiobook.com (one free); One September Credit and two sale titles at Audible and two free at Audible.
No kindle titles this week. (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
NONE

Won
NONE

Purchased
9/30 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit YA Fantasy:
Tombs of Atuan, Ursula K. Le GuinThe Tombs of Atuan
By Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated By: Rob Inglis

Duration: 5 h 30 min


Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin
A Wizard of Earthsea
By Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated By: Rob Inglis
Duration: 7 h 18 min



9/30 Audible September Credit
Fool Moon audiobook cover artFool Moon
The Dresden Files, Book 2
By: Jim Butcher
Narrated by: James Marsters
Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
Release date: 12-28-08


9/30 Audible SaleTwo titles each $6.95
Hyperion audiobook cover artHyperion
By: Dan Simmons
Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Allyson Johnson, Kevin Pariseau, Jay Snyder, Victor Bevine
Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins
Release date: 12-22-08


An Ember in the Ashes audiobook cover art

An Ember in the Ashes
By: Sabaa Tahir
Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham, Steve West
Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 04-28-15


Free
9/30/19 Audible Free
741: Is America No Longer DTF? Sex Frequency in States Dives Down - Plus "The Handmaid's Tale" Special Edition audiobook cover artFree: 741: Is America No Longer DTF? Sex Frequency in States Dives Down - Plus "The Handmaid's Tale" Special Edition
By: Susie Bright
Narrated by: Susie Bright
Length: 28 mins
Release date: 04-07-17

10/5/19 Audible Free Gift in October
Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark audiobook cover art Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark
By: Stephanie K. Smith
Narrated by: Karla Crome
Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 10-03-19


No free titles at Kindle this week to add to my Kindle library. 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 October 6, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher shared another lesson from Jonathan Cahn’s book The Oracle. The lesson was about the Jubilees and compared the Cyrus Declaration (538BC) to the Balfour Declaration in 1917. The very first evidence of Jubilee restoration was reflected with Abraham’s loss of wells and restoration of wells at Beersheba in Genesis 21.

Pastor started a new sermon series: The Blessed Life. He referred to Robert Morrison’s book The Blessed Life.

Most people want to be blessed. Most -- but some actually reject God’s blessings because they want to go it alone. They want to be in charge. There are times we are outside of God's blessing. Sometimes it is a choice to be independent and other times it is because Satan lies to us trying to convince us we don’t deserve God’s blessings.

Being blessed is not luck or fortune. It is the favor of the God of the universe.

When we have God’s blessing, we have God’s supernatural power working for you. Without the blessing coverage, you may have supernatural power working against you.

Leviticus 26:3-12 sets forth conditions for blessings: “IF you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands”... he promises an overlap in provision. Blessing is conditional.
“I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.”

The Point: If you want to live a blessed life, start at the source of all blessing.

We need and should want the umbrella of God's blessing even when it is shining and clear. God’s blessing gives us protection against the deluge that can come, even unexpectedly.
Jesus tells his people that he has “come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10.

Your life can only be abundant if it is blessed by God. To attain the blessings we need to:
Listen -- to the word of the Lord.
Understand
Accept
Do (obey)

The blessing may be conditional, but God’s love is unconditional.

God is the source of life; everything good in life. Place yourself under the umbrella. Proclaim your need for God. Seek Him.


I thought I had a ‘blessing’ song but I came upon this one and 
I think it goes with God’s promise of provision.
Verses for Today:
Leviticus 26:3, 9-12 (NIV)
3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.
9 “‘I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. 11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

Lord - Help me to listen, understand, accept and obey so that I may remain under the umbrella of Your blessing!

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