Sunday Words of Encouragement March 31, 2024 - Resurrection Victory!

Happy Resurrection Day! This morning pastor gave his message from Acts 2:22-24. Fifty days since the resurrection of Christ Jesus, Peter preaches resurrection for the first time. In his message he notes important elements.

1. God attested to Jesus by the miracles, mighty wonders He did “in your midst”. That power still exists today to show who Jesus is. Resurrection is really about Jesus.

2. The crucifixion of Christ was planned as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinful man. Jesus is the propitiation for sin; His death satisfied the debt and wrath we owe.
John 3:16-17. Jesus came to provide a restored relationship for sinful man. Isaiah 53:11.
We are all sinners. He is faithful to forgive, ‘if we confess our sins’. 1 John 1:9. We need to be more than believers. Be worshipers.

3. Those whom Christ died for, crucified Him. We are unable to keep the law or to truly love our neighbors as ourselves. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:8-10. God is concerned about our soul, not our comfort.
Love is willing to be vulnerable. And God loved so much he was vulnerable to allow man freedom of choice.

4. It was not possible for Christ to be held by death. Resurrection is proof of acceptance of the sacrifice to pay the debt and restore us. John 10:15.
Whosoever believes on Christ - the Way, the truth and the life - will have everlasting life.
those who sleep in Jesus. Because Jesus had victory over death, we can have victory. 1 Thessalonians 4:8-16.

Believe and Praise God for the Resurrection of Jesus who won our victory!

I chose this beautiful song for today: Here is Love Vast as the Ocean

Verses for Today:
Acts 2:22-24 New International Version
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Lord, I confess I am a sinner and I believe you died for my sins.

Martha's Cooking #11

These are my HelloFresh meals over weeks three and four of March. The meals come in on Tuesday but often I don't get to cook them until the weekend since I don't eat after 7pm (or 7:30 if I am running late).. The shipments come in with ingredients for two meals, but often I get at least three meals. 

HelloFresh Mexican Street Corn Pasta

with Bell Pepper, Jalapeno & Pepper Jack
This recipe gave me four meals. 
I had a Mexican Corn Casserole at a potluck and I loved it. This isn't quite the same and I still need to make the other recipe.

Chicken & Snap Pea Stir Fry

with Scallion Lime Rice & Creamy Chili Sauce.
I love crispy Snap Peas. This made enough for three meals although I had to add extra rice from a package I bought for Jasmine Rice.  

HelloFresh Street Cart-Style Chicken Bowls

with Chicken Thighs, Yellow Rice, White Sauce & Pita Wedges.
This will also make three meals with extra rice.

HelloFresh Caramelized Onion Meatloaf Sandwiches

with Potato Wedges & Horseradish Dijonnaise.

I love meatloaf and this was delicious. 
I don't eat much mayonnaise so I was glad it was flavored with horseradish and Dijon.

This made two good size sandwiches and extra meatloaf for lunch.

Sunday Post March 24, 2024/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 25, 2024

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.

I was thinking of going north for the week of spring break that my grandkids get this coming week. Sadly, I feel really swamped at work so I decided not to go right now. But I may make a surprise visit soon. The plus on postponing my visit is that staff kept the week open so I should have few interruptions and can concentrate on paperwork. 

I got a call Friday with the good news that the biopsy confirmed a benign tumor. On the other hand, I received a letter from my dermatologist that the biopsy they took is a skin cancer so I'll be setting an appointment for that.

We are seeing colors of spring

This view of our courthouse is directly across the street from my office.
As I got into the car Friday at end of day I looked and thought that the azaleas in the plantings made me think of one of those online garden games or house designs.

These bright colors are honey suckle in my back yard.

I need to pick up my exercise efforts. Why is this so hard to get into habit?

I will continue to pray for the Advent messages all year: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Our weather is pretty lovely, even with a few thunder storms during the week.

I finished only one audiobook and made slow progress in my ebooks. I did a review at Goodreads.

I apparently linked my post at three sites last week and then forgot to go visit and comment. I will be visiting two posts where I visit catch up this week. 
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post March 17, 2024/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 18, 2024.

• MarthaE Cooking #10.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 24, 2024 - Worship Our God.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible on Smartphone (TBR).

Barrow King: An Epic LitRPG/GameLit Adventure
By: C.M. Carney
Narrated by: Armen Taylor
Series: The Realms Series, Book 1 (8 books)
Genre: Action, Adventure, LitRPG, Superhero.
Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins
My Rating: 4.5. I found this to be good action and fun adventure.
 My Review at Goodreads.
2024TBR and 2024Audiobook goals
Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale on Sci Fi and Fantasy titles.
Click on link to see full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible on Smartphone (TBR).

Chosen
The Warrior Chronicles, Book 1
By: K. F. Breene
Narrated by: Caitlin Davies
Genre: Action, Adventure, Epic.
Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins.
I have had this a while and decided it was time to listen. I am enjoying the strong female protagonist and the story at three hours in.
2024TBR and 2024Audiobook goals.
Source: 5/12/19 Audible Credit.
Publisher's summary
It is said that when war threatens the world, one individual will be selected by prophecy to lead the Shadow Warriors out of the Land of Mist and reclaim the freedom that has been stolen.
Shanti has grown up under the constant threat of war. Since she helped her people defeat a raiding party by using a special power, she's been a hunted woman. Carrying rare abilities and an uncanny fighting aptitude, Shanti is the only hope of salvation for her people. The problem is, she doesn't believe in her own divinity, and when she flounders, she nearly fails in the duty hanging so heavy on her shoulders.
It seems like any other day when Sanders and his band of misfit boys find a foreign woman clinging to life in the wastelands. Oblivious to the weapon they now have in their possession, they are content to harbor the mysterious woman until she is well enough to continue her journey. But when the war spreads its arms and lands on her borrowed doorstep, Shanti has no choice but to reveal her secrets, plunging her saviors into danger. If they band with her, they will face certain death. But to trade her to Xandre, the warlord desperate to add her to his war machine, would be to give up their entire way of life.
War is coming. The only question is this: Which side do you choose?
©2014 K. F. Breene (P)2016 Podium Publishing

2. Audio on Smartphone (TBR).

6/20/2020 2 for 1 Audiobooks.com
Dog on It
Written By: Spencer Quinn
Narrated By: Jim Frangione
Publisher: Recorded Books
Date: February 2009
Genre: Mystery, Police Detective
Duration: 9 hours 42 minutes
This is another older TBR and I felt it was time for a lighter mystery …with a dog.
Source: 6/20/2020 2 for 1 Audiobooks.com.
SUMMARY
Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, and Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator, are quick to take a new case involving a frantic mother searching for her teenage daughter. This well-behaved and gifted student may or may not have been kidnapped, but she has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters. With Chet's highly trained nose leading the way, their hunt for clues takes them into the desert to biker bars and other exotic locales-until the bad guys try to turn the tables and the resourceful duo lands in the paws of peril. Spencer Quinn's irresistible mystery kicks off a delightful new series that will have readers panting for more.

3. eBook - NetGalley App on Smartphone (NGeB2024)

The Wild Lavender Bookshop
by Jodi Thomas
Pub Date 23 Apr 2024 | Archive Date 07 May 2024
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Small Town, Western.
I am 30% in on this and still enjoying the quirky characters.
2024NetGalley and 2024ebook Goals.
Source: 1/4/2024 NetGalley.

Sort of ON HOLD. Kindle (/NetGalley ) App on Smartphone (NGeB2023)

The Altered Moon 2: The Tyrant of Unity
By James McGettigan, Jingjing Huntley (Photographer), Fabiana Granado, Kyle Davis, Jason Frank, Serena Lucatero, Jacqui Corn-Uys (Editor), Anthony McGettigan (Editor), Judy McGettigan (Editor)
Genre: Alien Invasion, Space Sci Fi.
This is still reading slowly. I have reached 77%.
Although I am reading the other NetGalley ebook, I open this each day to read on the Kindle App.
Source: December 27, 2023 NetGalley.
2024TBR, 2024NetGalley, 2024Alphabet, and 2024ebook Goals.
Click on link to see full description.

I only have one letter left for my Alphabet Challenge: X. You might note I am proceeding through the Alphabet again but trying to pull from older year TBRs.

March 24, 2024 - I am enjoying the YouVersion App called The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble. (The link is to the plan online.) We are reading in Joshua this week. I have always enjoyed this book where Joshua is told to "be strong and courageous".
I appreciate how Tara Leigh Cobble's discussion points out each day that "God is where the Joy is."
I am 37 days into a 40 day study for Lent: Hillsong: 40 Days of Revival.

I finished one book; rated  with review at Goodreads.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I have started my next ebook. I still have an older audio on my shelf I need to listen to.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles I might get to this year..

Other Sources: I have a dozen or so books that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests. plus many titles through InstaFreebie over the past few years.

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, and Me. Emma has retired so we are looking for another person willing to assist.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review titles.
No new Audibles this week but there are several sales - I'm trying not to look.
I did pick my Audiobooks.com March VIP title.

No new Kindle titles this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

3/23/24 March VIP at Audiobooks.com. This continues a series. 

Day Shift
Written By: Charlaine Harris
Narrated By: Susan Bennett
Series: #2 Of Midnight, Texas
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranomal
Duration: 9 hours 55 minutes

A portion of the Audible Plus titles from February 2024:

On a Night Like This
By: Liz Maverick
Narrated by: Dara Rosenberg, Andrew Eiden
Series: Winter Nights, Book 3
Length: 3 hrs and 34 mins

The Hollow of Fear
By: Sherry Thomas
Narrated by: Kate Reading
Series: Lady Sherlock, Book 3
Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins

The Lost Gargoyle of Paris
By: Gigi Pandian
Narrated by: Julia Motyka
Series: Accidental Alchemist Mysteries, Book 4.5
Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Artifact
A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, Book 1
By: Gigi Pandian
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Series: Jaya Jones, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Runaway Girl
By: Tessa Bailey
Narrated by: Hayden Bishop, Tyler Donne
Series: The Girl, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Protecting What's His
By: Tessa Bailey
Narrated by: Alice Chapman
Series: Line of Duty, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Lies My Teacher Told Me
Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
By: James W. Loewen
Narrated by: Brian Keeler
Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins

The Fairy-Tale Detectives
The Sisters Grimm
By: Michael Buckley
Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
Series: Sisters Grimm, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

The Rebound
By: Leeanne Slade
Narrated by: Claudia Jessie
Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

The Takedown’
By: Lily Chu
Narrated by: Phillipa Soo
Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

This gets me down to 17 more Audible Plus titles to list from February and March, 2024.

No new free titles added to Kindle library.  Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 24, 2024 - Worship our God!

Pastor continued his preaching from Nehemiah noting the overall theme: Rebuild and Revive.
Believes this is prophetic message for our church (the church). Today’s message is from Nehemiah Chapter 9.
Five elements of spiritual revival expressed here:
1. Humility – they fasted, dressed in sack cloth and put dirt on their heads. Nehemiah 9:1; 2 Chronicles 7:14.
2. Separate from foreigners. Nehemiah 9:2; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 - separate from sin. Allow God to transfer your nature.
3. Confession/repentance. Nehemiah 9:2-3. Confess inequities of ancestors and recognize our own sin. 1 John 1:9-10. Do we love the sin more than we love God?
4. Worship. Nehemiah 9:3-5. God created us to worship Him. Seek the Lord and He will be found. It is our gift to Him.
5. Listen to the Word of God. Nehemiah 9:3. They read for a quarter of the day! The Word of a God is a mirror to our behavior. The God of the universe has given us instructions how to best live our lives.

Remainder of the chapter gives examples of how to worship, what to say.
Acknowledge His greatness, who He is. Talk about His attributes. Nehemiah 9:6-7.
Worship Him for all He has done – creation, history, provision, healing; Nehemiah 9:8-11.
Worship Him for guidance, the Spirit that instructs, convicts, directs. Nehemiah 9:12-13.
Worship Him for His Word. Nehemiah 9:13-14.
Worship Him for miracles of the past and miracles of your current life. Nehemiah 9:15-17.
Worship Him for His forgiveness and steadfastness. Nehemiah 9:17-19.
Worship Him for the promises He has fulfilled and for His compassion. Nehemiah 9:20-30.
Worship Him for His presence, grace and mercy. He will never leave you. Nehemiah 9:31.
Worship Him for His greatness and His righteousness. Nehemiah 9:32-34.

When we worship, He shows up. He has come to seek and save those who were lost.

We sang a wonderful ‘older’ praise song this morning: To Him Who Sits On The Throne”… be Blessing and Glory and Honor and Power forever. That is a great song but I chose this song today: Greater Things.

Verses for Today:
Nehemiah 9 NIV
1 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.

Heavenly Father my creator, Christ my Savior, Holy Spirit my Guide – May I share your Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence with those I come in touch with.

Additional Verse:
2 Chronicles 7:14
…[I]f my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Martha Cooking #10

These are my HelloFresh meals over weeks two and three of March. When I show a plate or bowl it is for one meal, I am noting if it made two or more meals for me. 

Pasta Primavera

with Lemon Sauce, Bell Pepper, Zucchini & Peas;
This recipe gave me three meals. 

Peanut Butter & Cherry Belgian Waffles

with Jammy Honey Sauce & Apple
This comes with four waffles - four breakfasts and/or a lunch. 

Paprika Chicken in a Lemony Sauce with Pistachio Rice & Roasted Carrots.
I took a picture before the meat was cut but realized I hadn't added the sauce or pistachios.
This was two meals.

Za’atar-Crusted Grilling Cheese

with Sumac-Spiced Zucchini & Onion over Couscous.

I do love cheese even this when it squeaked as I ate it!

I followed the instructions to broil the veggies but my broiler was really hot.
They are crispier but taste good.
This made two meals.