Sunday Words of Encouragement - Agents of Change June 26, 2022

Our Sunday School teacher continued to lead the study of Revelation 14. Today he outlined why his studies lead him to believe in a pre-wrath (not pre-trib) rapture.

We had a wonderful time of worship before hearing the sermon from our Pastoral Candidate. The sermon titled Agents of Change expanded on Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13-16.
Jesus was speaking to the disciples when told them to be salt and light in a dark world.

Pastor noted that our society sometimes focuses on the behaviors of people instead of becoming what Jesus will make us. Jesus us wants to save us and make us clean then make us fishers of men. When we accept Christ, we are made righteous. But there is a further “making” process as we become more like Him.

When we surrender to Christ, the Spirit comes to dwell in us and make us what He wants from the inside out. Just as a potter has a hand to put pressure (worldly stress) on the outer surface of the clay, the potter (Spirit) has a hand on the inside to press back and form us into a vessel that can be used.

Do we embrace the Spirit’s forming/making us? There is a constant renewing of our mind. We don't have to ask Him to do it, He has already said He will.

Salt preserves and seasons. Some people say that mankind are basically good. But God’s word tells us that man is inherently evil. The nature of man is sin.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

Humanity has a sin problem. We all need a savior. What would the world be like without Christians? We are preserving humankind by holding off evil.

We have to have an impact on others or we have lost our saltiness. Each Christian needs to b salt and light where we are in our private and work lives. We should be making life better around us.
Always be ready to give an answer for your hope. We can't just do church, we need to be the church.

At all times, but especially in a society in division, we need to be a change agent, not relying on voting to change the world but relying on changing hearts for God.
We need to carry out the mission: making disciples, baptizing in the name of God, Son and Spirit, and teaching others to follow God’s commands. Matthew 28:19-20.
We need to focus on saving lost souls. Focus on what matters.
How do we be sure not to lose our saltiness?
1 Stay in the word of God.
2 Stay in His presence. Let His light shine through us.
3 Get out of the shaker and be the salt in the world around you. Engage the culture.

We need to love the lost even as Christ does: love them even if they don't love Jesus or give their lives to Jesus.
We need to get out of our comfortable pews. Fishers go where the fish are to fish. God tells us to go out and compel people to come in. Luke 14:23.

It isn't all about me or you. God blessed us to give resources for the Kingdom.

This is a song we sang this morning. So powerful – I Speak Jesus:

Verses for Today:
Matthew 5:13-16 NIV
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Sharing Beyond Books #447 Comment Giveaway June 25, 2022

Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books. (Note - the next SBB post will be July 23, 2022. Enjoy your next month - summer or winter!)

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#446 Becky asked: If you had a choice, which format would you choose for all of your books (Print, ebook, or audio)??
I am all alone choosing audio. Eight of the commenters prefer print and two would choose ebooks.

The Winner from SBB#446 comments is #5 NATALIA 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. -- [9-18-2021 I have added a new box and crossed off books no longer available through August 2021.]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #447

(One Question.)

Ashfa asks: What are your favourite books that deals with pandemics and post-apocalyptic worlds??
BECAUSE THIS QUESTION MIGHT TAKE LONGER TO CONSIDER AND ANSWER, (Plus I want a break in the next 30 days) I will leave this question and deadline for a month, until July 23.

I saw this question and started creating a list a year ago - June 2021.
The first thing I did was look up the distinction between dystopian and post-apocalyptic:

Dystopian novels often focus on societies and cultures that appear stable and well established, whereas post-apocalyptic cultures are more imbalanced or volatile. Apocalyptic: An apocalyptic novel tells the story of the end of the world, which occurs during the timeline of the story.

Common themes and situations seen in apocalyptic fiction are:

Depletion of resources
Dangerous weather patterns and/or exposure to the elements
Radiation after a nuclear war
Pandemic sickness (causing extreme loss of life)
Loss of technology
Nomadic living
Group dynamics in survival situations

I think my favorite trope is surviving after loss of technology.
My list includes close to 50 books (without including fantasy/zombie worlds EXCEPT for D. J. Molles which would add another 25+) broken down as follows:
Finished series = 9
Series in progress read more than one = 6
Have read/listened to one and plan more = 15
Series I want to try: 18

CLASSICs: Alas Babylon by Pat Frank -- Written in 1959 about surviving nuclear holocaust.
Earth Abides: The 60th Anniversary Edition By: George R. Stewart – Written in 1949. One man survives deadly disease.
Classics To be read: The Last Man by Mary Shelley
The Day Of The Triffids Audiobook By John Wyndham

My Favorites include the two classics; all series/books by D.J. Molle; The Survivalist Series by A. American (10 books); After It Happened Series by Devon C. Ford (12 books); several economic collapse series by Mark Goodwin (Christian principles) (Over 15 books in 4 series); The Ranch: Jack Sterlings (6 books).
Two stand-alone titles: The Road By: Cormac McCarthy – Bleak story of father and son crossing wasteland Amercia.
(eBook) When the English Fall: A Novel by David Williams – How would a loss of technology impact Amish community?

I have too many to list. If any one would like my list, feel free to provide your email and I will send it along.

Here are other lists that might help you identify favorites:
The 50 Greatest Apocalypse Novels
The Differences (and Similarities) Between Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
Dystopian vs. Apocalyptic Fiction: What’s the difference?
Genre Guide: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction for Teens

Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee in the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road. (Dimension Films)
Image found at CBC.ca

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 them.
June questions were provided by Becky and Ashfa so they get half a book or $2.50.

Your turn to share. Ashfa asks: What are your favourite books that deals with pandemics and post-apocalyptic worlds??

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.
BECAUSE THIS QUESTION MIGHT TAKE LONGER TO CONSIDER AND ANSWER, (Plus I want a break in the next 30 days) I will leave this question and deadline for a month, until July 23.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Zombies A Record of the Year of Infection by Don Roff

This journal style was interesting but less action than some might like.

Zombies
A Record of the Year of Infection
By: Don Roff
Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

Length: 1 hr and 40 mins
Publisher: AudioGO
Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Horror
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
The year is 2011, and what starts as a pervasive and inexplicable illness ends up as a zombie infestation that devastates the world's population. Taking the form of a biologist's journal found in the aftermath of the attack, this pulse-pounding, suspenseful tale of zombie apocalypse follows the narrator as he flees from city to countryside and heads north to Canada, where he hopes the undead will be slowed by the colder climate. Encountering scattered humans and scores of the infected along the way, he fills his notebook with descriptions and careful observations of zombie behavior, along with terrifying tales of survival.
This frightening contribution to the massively popular zombie resurgence will keep fans on the edge of their seats right up to the very end. ©2009 Don Roff (P)2012 AudioGO

Review:
As soon as a new illness begins to ravage the population, Dr. Robert Twombly, begins to journal the symptoms and progress of the decease. He dictates his findings noting that he and his colleagues soon realize the illness moves quickly into a zombie infestation. They lock up one doctor who is infected and Twombly (and the audio listener) can hear that co-worker banging on the door in the background.

Twombly and another healthy man plot an escape from the building when it is threatened by a mob of the undead. The doctor, and people he meets along the way, continue to hide and flee from the death behind him. Although he hears of a safe place further north, Twombly decides to locate and investigate a food facility which is believed to have started the illness.

Ultimately Twombly travels further north since reports are that the zombies can’t function in cold weather. He reaches a community that has not had any experience with the infected. Will they be safe?

Because this is presented as journal entries it lacks the intensity of live action and danger that some readers might want with their zombie story. I enjoyed the style for its uniqueness and quick presentation. It appears the print (and kindle) versions have some good drawings that enhance the journal style reading. Zombie reading fans who aren’t audio buffs might want to try the print versions.

Audio Notes: I found that the - sometimes rough - narration provided by Stephen R. Thorne fit the journal style of the story. I enjoyed the quick audio reading opportunity.

Source: October 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: See You Someday Soon by Pat Zietlow Miller

This is a book with a very sweet message.
See You Someday Soon
by Pat Zietlow Miller, Suzy Lee (Illustrations)
Narrated by Katharine Chin

Listening Length: 6 minutes
Audible.com Release Date June 14, 2022
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Children, Family
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Description:
Someday soon, I'll see you.
Even though you are there.
And I am here.
So very far apart.
In this heartfelt picture book, a child imagines ways to connect with a grandmother who lives far way. Whether by rocket ship or jet pack, train or in a plane, any journey is worth it to see someone you love.
With an inviting, accessible text by Pat Zietlow Miller and inventive art from the critically-acclaimed illustrator Suzy Lee, this picture book reminds us that, no matter the physical distance between us, the people we care about are never far from our hearts. The book features clever and innovative die-cuts throughout, adding a creative, thoughtful and discussion-worthy novelty aspect to this layered and deeply emotional story.

Review:
This is a lovely book that helps explain the longing to be together when we are far apart. A grandmother and child express how they would like to visit each other and how they might travel to make it happen. Some readers might connect this to missing a loved one in heaven, although I think that is a stretch.

There are sample images on the Amazon post which show how charming the hardback book is. Listening to the exchange is nice but I think that the print book might be better for this book. I enjoyed the easy prose and know that my grandchildren would enjoy this book. I recommend this book to share with children.

Audio Notes: Katharine Chin does a nice job with the reading. The narration conveys the longing of the separated people. I enjoyed the very quick listening experience.

Source: NetGalley 2022. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 24, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
I've started putting together my totals for GC wins and hope to be sending emails this weekend.

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 June 17, 2022 Pick. There was no automatic win this past week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS to two winners:
Random.org picked Winner from June 17, 2022 Pick:
  DIANE gets Marry in Secret
and
ASHFA 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.}

Oh such possibilities in the places books take us! 
Image found at Johnson County Library

New Book Box #96 June 10, 2022

PAIR:
Liz Carlyle: Three Little Secrets and My False Heart
Johanna Lindsey: Brave the Wild Wind and Fires of Winter
SINGLE TITLES
Against the Sky by Kat Martin
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

The Eagle and the Dove by Jane Feather
Heir to a Dark Inheritance by Maisey Yates
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour
A Legacy of Secrets by Carol Marinelli
Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie
No Greater Treasure by Ellen Kelley
One Minute Out by Mark Greaney
Texas Born by Diana Palmer
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (Illustrated Classic Edition)
While Others Sleep by Helen R. Myers


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
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three One Audio CD Books:
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale

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

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
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


PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence


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 #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES

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

SINGLES:
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek


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

SINGLES:
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
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
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018
All Gone

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
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.

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
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
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
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 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 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 1,398 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!