This morning my church experience was different than expected. We have had a lot of illness in our community in the form of flu, strep, and Covid. These illnesses have impacted our church family including a group of teachers and leaders, including our Sunday School teacher and our youth pastor. Accordingly, in caution, it was decided to not have services this morning.
My own husband is in hospital with Covid – he was more concerned about a raw throat but the NP at our doctor’s office was concerned when his blood pressure and oxygen levels were too low. We thought he was going to the hospital to get the infusion right then. Instead, he was put into a separate room and I sat around the emergency waiting room for six hours before a doctor admitted him and told him that the treatment is given over five days. I felt cold symptoms yesterday, but a home test showed negative for Covid. Still, I will quarantine for five days so I am out of office through Tuesday at least.
I ended up listening a live service of Real Life with Jack Hibbs. The worship was nice with songs I know. The sermon was good with a two-fold message: We are all sinners, and our only Hope is through the savior, Jesus.
I found this song to share today:
Verses for Today:
Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I'll adopt the song as my prayer this morning. Although I also add prayers for health for my church family and friends everywhere!
I had a busy week with trial on Thursday. It went well but didn't finish so there will be delay until another day.
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 January 7, 2022 Pick. There was no automatic win last 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 last week.
CONGRATULATIONS to Random.org picked Winners from January 7, 2022 Pick: ASHFA gets a GC AND NATALIJA gets a GC
All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Formor 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 love these cute book inserts, Don't you? Image found at Bored Panda.
New Book Box #95 November 7, 2021
I'll add the titles through the week (16 including 2 doubles, 1 pair).
(on top) (Two) Rancher's Wild Secret and Hold Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates
(on top) Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
(Two) The Taming & The Conquest by Jude Deveraux (Pair) Dreaming of You and Promises of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs What We Find by Robyn Carr Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich The Hollows by Ben Larken Robbie Taggart: Highland Sailor by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella Storm Sisters: Friends Through All Seasons by Afton Rovrik (Hardback)
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)
New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)
Three Audio CD Books: Web of Evil by J.A. Jance One Good Deed by David Baldacci Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery The Stranger by Harlan Coben Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson
New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020. #92 (15 books):
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs
Box #93 (14 books)
Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed) For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington When We Met by Susan Mallery Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery All of Me by Lori Wilde
New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed
SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook
PICK TWO your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:
Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky Valley of Silence Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue
New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020 Quite a few mysteries in this box.
SINGLES: Alias by Smy J. Fetzer Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)
New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020
Singles: My Surrender by Connie Brockway How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere
New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019
Singles: A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs
New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019 A variety from my shelves.
SINGLES: Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
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.
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
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
SINGLES: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith
New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018
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
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)
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
Too 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 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.) Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.) Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.) *The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed) Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One 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 Manby 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 TWELVE years I have posted 91 groups of mostly 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling approximately 1,535 books available to find new homes! (As of November 26, 2021).
I am happy to say that so far at least 1,388 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, TWRP, 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 faraway 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!
This is an informative work, full of scientific analysis. The Case for a Creator
By: Lee Strobel
Narrated by: Lee Strobel
Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 10-05-04
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Apologetics, Spiritual Growth My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
Publisher's Summary
Discover the astonishing evidence for intelligent design in this New York Times best-selling book by award-winning journalist Lee Strobel.
"My road to atheism was paved by science...but, ironically, so was my later journey to God," Strobel says.
During his academic years, Lee Strobel became convinced that God was obsolete, a belief that colored his journalism career. Science had made the idea of a creator irrelevant - or so Strobel thought.
But today science points in a different direction. A diverse and impressive body of research has increasingly supported the conclusion that the universe was intelligently designed. At the same time, Darwinism has faltered in the face of concrete facts and hard reason. Has science discovered God? At the very least, it's giving faith an immense boost, as new findings emerge about the incredible complexity of our universe.
Join Strobel as he reexamines the theories that once led him away from God. Through his compelling and highly readable account, you'll encounter the mind-stretching discoveries from cosmology, cellular biology, DNA research, astronomy, physics, and human consciousness that present compelling evidence in The Case for a Creator.
Review:
Lee Strobel has done a long series on “The Case for…” related to Christ and Christian faith.
I am a strong believer in creation by design with God as the intelligent and creative designer. Accordingly, I was expecting to like this book, and I was glad to be impressed with the extent of science shared in support of an intelligent creator. Using the skills of a serious journalist, Strobel reaches out to experts in six scientific disciplines: Cosmology, Physics, Astrology, Biochemistry, Biological, and Consciousness. The interviews are presented in a clear fashion with the author raising challenges in each field.
This presentation might be a little dry for some readers. There is more scientific technical detail in this work than I have used in my study lessons fifteen years ago. I am curious to see if the companion study series uses the same interview format or adds more visual imagery.
I have a soft spot for Lee Strobel from my journalism days. Some part of my brain remembers when he changed from an atheist to a Christ believer. After providing solid scientific basis to support Theism, Stobel concludes with some wonderful Bible verses that show God's handiwork and declaration of creation.
I am glad I chose this as my first book of 2022 as I learned a lot of science while reinforcing my faith. I recommend this to Christ followers who would enjoy the depth of scientific data to support their faith. I also recommend this to readers who are skeptical and are open minded to hear the scientific evidence that overcomes Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Audio Notes: Lee Strobel does a fine job narrating his own book. He brings his open-mindedness and confidence into the reading. I am glad I had the audio although I would like to have a print copy as well.
Source: May 18, 2021 Purchase at $2.99 with Whispersync. This is 2022 First Book and qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.
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.
Getting back to normal work was pretty much okay this week. My appointment schedule was pretty open as we kept it clear so I could work on my trial prep.
I am sharing an interior wall of our damaged office as a before image. We finally have all the repairs and funds approved by State Farm so they will be working on the building soon!! Our thoughts are to remove the plaster and retain the bricks on this wall with a glace over it. We'll see how the repairs move forward.
Our weather got into the 30s and I had to cover some of our more sensitive plants (a pony tale palm we have had for years). Today I was out for a meeting and it got to 82. This coming week is expected to run from 65 down to 35 so I expect jacket days and heater nights.
My reading is still a little slow --- but good. I enjoyed the two audiobooks I finished. I posted two 2021 Wrap ups and two 2022 Challenge and Goals posts, with my usual memes.
I visited 20 blogs last week. Shout Out this week to GIRLXOXO. Tanya and Kim say "Girlxoxo.com (GXO) is where we share our passions, and hopefully inspire you to find yours." They also share the full list of 2022 reading challenges!
The Case for a Creator
By: Lee Strobel
Narrated by: Lee Strobel
Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 10-05-04 Not too surprising -- I enjoyed all of the scientific analysis in this.
Source: May 18 Purchase at $2.99 with Whispersync.
Click on book title for full description; review linked above.
Artificial Condition
By Martha Wells
Narrated By: Kevin R. Free
Duration: 3 h 21 min I've started this and am enjoying it.
Source: 8/28/2021 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
Click on book title for full description; review linked above.
2. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)
The After Days Trilogy
(After Days Trilogy #1-3)
by Scott Medbury I have made progress. Still frustrated that the app is slow and freezes up.
Source: Free Kindle 2017.
Click on book title for full description; review linked above.
3. Audio/Smartphone (NG2021)
The Chase
by Candice Fox I look forward to listening to this crime thriller.
Received 11/17/2021 Audiobook through NetGalley. The Chase is a modern The Fugitive with characters only number-one New York Times and Globe and Mail best-selling author Candice Fox can write.
“Are you listening, Warden?”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to let them out.”
“Which inmates are we talking about?”
“All of them.”
When 650 of the world’s most violent human beings pour out of the Pronghorn Correctional Facility into the Nevada Desert, the biggest manhunt in US history begins.
For John Kradle, this is his chance to prove his innocence, 26 years after the murder of his wife and child. He just needs to stay one step ahead of the law enforcement officers he knows will be chasing down the escapees.
Death Row Supervisor turned fugitive-hunter Celine Osbourne is single-minded in her mission to catch Kradle. She has very personal reasons for hating him - and she knows exactly where he’s heading....
A Macmillan Audio production from Forge Books
January 9, 2022 - I am really enjoying the videos in my new Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I like the look of this project. I am looking forward to keeping up with my reading each day.
I may start smaller studies soon.
I completed two books for review this week. My NetGalley shelf has two back to three old ebook titles. I still have two author titles remaining in queue. They will (obviously) be read in 2022. (Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No new review books. I usually start the year NOT buying books except if I use my audio credits. I do have Audiobooks.com credits but they are good for 60 days.
We continue to enjoy the Sunday School study in Revelation. We covered Revelation 7 today with visits to Daniel and Thessalonians.
After praise and worship our board chairman introduced our interim pastor who is a man who attended our church years back and has served as interim pastor at numerous churches.
Pastor Mark gave a great sermon titled “Will You Endure?” The sermon was centered on the scripture of Matthew 24:1-13. This talks about signs of the end times: much sorrow, much deception, despair, and lawlessness. Whether or not we are truly near the end times, Pastor (and others) believe that the worldly, evil spirit behind the end times is in the world today but still hindered by the Church of Christ followers.
We live in perilous times. Timothy 1:3. There is clearly a spiritual battle raging. Matthew 24:13 says “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Are we prepared to endure? To finish the race?
The news around us talks of “the great resignation”. People in society are walking away from jobs and careers. This has always been part of church live too. Members get disillusioned, hurt or tired and they walk away or members fall into temptations and fall away.
When you see a pine tree growing up in a rock, don’t you wonder if it will endure?
Don't let your faith become shipwrecked. As Paul admonished Timothy, we must endure hardness in life as a good soldier of Christ. Not giving up. Holding our ground. Remembering and trusting that God’s promises are faithful. His word is “Yes and Amen”. 2 Corinthians 1:20.
‘To the end’ has a two fold meaning: To the end of our own physical life and to the end of the age when the trumpet sounds.
Endure does not mean just putting up with the situation. It doesn’t mean we grumble and stick it out because of a commitment. It means we accept our positions as servants, serving with joy. James 1:2-4 tells us to consider trials as joy, as the testing of our faith produces perseverance (endurance).
God intends for us to endure. Pastor shared three things to help us endure:
1. Be rooted. Every tree (and Christ follower) needs a proper root system. The roots not only serve as an anchor for the tree, but they provide a transportation system for nutrients to grow and stay strong.
In the parable of the sower we learn that the word of God that falls on hard soil or shallow soil doesn’t endure. Mark 4:16-17.
We have to be ready to stand when times are tough, not just while times are easy. We need to be like “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord, for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3.
We need to endure with gladness and share the message of God’s salvation while there is still time. We need to embrace the Psalmist statement: I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 26:8 KJV. Stand firm. 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Our roots need to be deep and wide. We need to be rooted in faith and with thankfulness. “6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7.
2. Be Refreshed. Too many people are running on empty. We need a fresh touch each day. Trust in God.“7 But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream….” Jeremiah 17:5-8.
God’s strength is available to us. Not just as anointing rain (which is good), but from the flowing waters that never runs dry. Isaiah 12:2-3, Isaiah 44:3, Isaiah 58:11, Psalm 65:9, John 7:37.
The Holy Ghost is available for us every day. God is always there for you so don't blame others. Seek delight in God’s flowing river. Psalm 36:37-39. Tap in.
3. Be Reminded. We need extra encouragement to endure. Remember what the Lord has already done, He will do again. 1 Samuel 17:34-37.
When the psalmist was troubled and despairing he questioned God but then said:
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:10-12.
Remember...the blessings, the faithfulness, the works He has done in your life!
Don't lose sight of God's promises and His prior faithfulness.
God will do good things for those who are called for His purposes. Romans 8:28. He rewards those who persevere in doing good. Romans 2:7.
Even Jesus tells his disciples that he is with you always to the end. Matthew 28:20.
We need to be like the Baobab tree that can store 32 gallons of water. We have a river we need to stay tapped into. Press on.
Accept Christ and be saved, get roots. As believers, connect to the Holy Ghost.
I have always liked this song. I did find one version with lyrics on screen, but I chose this version because it has all of the wonderful verses even though the lyrics don’t show.
Verses for Today:
Matthew 24:9-14 NIV 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Lord, I acknowledge that I do need to seek Your touch each day! Please help me be faithful to endure.
