Sunday Words of Encouragement May 22, 2011

We had a grand service this morning with the Spirit reminding us that God controls the time of Christ's return... no man knows the date or hour.  And God may choose to delay His coming while He calls every last soul who will respond.

Pastor gave an interesting sermon entitled "Breaking the Cycle of Immaturity." (See 1 Cor 13:11.)  Pastor gave us three steps to help keep us growing and moving toward maturity. This is just the outline and my summary (and interpretation) from Pastor's lesson. Perhaps another day I will share more of the in depth comments which were also striking to me.

We come as children to believe and accept Christ as our savior. As teenagers we act on emotion not on mature, intellectual choices. But we are told that we should be maturing so that we can be of service to God's cause and to be a witness to others of His mercy and grace.  As we grow in spiritual understanding we see more of the pieces and more of the larger of God's plan... or at least His purpose even if we still do not see His plan.

1> Change of Character - we need to become whole and complete until our behavior, which is on display, reveals the character of God and not the nature of man. Maturity will lead to security in our position and contentment with our circumstances...thus allowing God to use us as He will.
2> Change of Crowd - we need to make sure that we are not aimless and not allowing ourselves to be influenced by the wrong (sinful nature) crowd.  We should be the people influencing those around us. We should seek people and circumstances that are productive, of value and leading to peace.
3> Change of Course - we need to recognize that our lives are determined by our choices. Even if we don't always "feel" like it, as followers of Christ we should direct ourselves to a point where we choose: to pray; to tithe; to worship; to do what is right; to forgive; to study God's word to help us gain maturity.

This song came to mind -
I had to hunt it down as I kept finding a different version
and this is the one I wanted to share.

Verses for Today:

Psalm 37: 30 -31

30The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.

31The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. 

I prayed this morning that God would help us grow up in Him.

Winner of Holy Guacamole and Replacement Winner for 2 St. Claire books

As always - Thank you to those who entered.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winner of

Holy Guacamole 

by Dan and Denise Harmer

I had to pick a replacement winner for 

 Shiver of Fear (The Guardian Angelinos) 

AND  Face of Danger (Guardian Angelinos)

by Roxanne St. Claire 

 

Congratulations to 

Book Dilettante (harvee 44)

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 38 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Most of us agree we like to be outside on a bright sunny spring day! I would love to go on an archaeological dig with Elizabeth too! That would be awesome.  Green and Blue tied as favorite colors with four votes each and October and December each got three votes.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #37 is: #13 Jane. Jane, please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 38 QUESTIONS

1. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

HA - I think sometime before the age of 12 I read Alice in Wonderland. I can't find the quote but somehow I always knew then that 'if I am to be a queen, I'd surely handle it in time.'

In High School I wanted to be a writer, more precisely a journalist and that was my undergrad work in college. But as soon as I took a business law class in college - I was hooked on law.

2. Did you go to college?

Yes for 6 years. I got a BS in Journalism/Public Relations. Then I got my JD - Juris Doctor - in Law.

3. Do you attend your high school or college reunions?

My DH and I attended my 20 year reunion with my sister and her husband - she and I graduated together. I have not gone since although my sister has. My DH and I danced up a storm!  
We have not been to a college reunion.

Your turn to share: What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you go to college? Do you attend reunions? Please NOTE while you are answering - Lori at Dollycas has advised that she is going to be ending this meme at #40. I have really enjoyed getting to know you better by your answers and I may continue the questions or I could go to a comment meme. Please let me know if you are interested in continuing the enquiring type questions or would prefer another type of comment meme.

Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, May 27 at 10PM central. 

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones

An entertaining read where Super Soldiers battle for control of the world -- and individually.

The Legend of Michael: Sin and Satisfaction (Zodius) by Lisa Renee Jone

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402251564
• ISBN-13: 978-1402251566

Genre: Paranormal Suspense
 My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description

"Jones scorches the pages...the result is seductive and volatile!"
-RT Book Reviews
HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON...
One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.
HE IS HER ENEMY...AND HER DESTINY...
Cassandra holds the key to Michael's power, and his pain. With loyalties divided and against insurmountable odds, Cassandra's heart propels her to Michael's side-but can her love do anything but destroy him...

No ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear-the world will never be the same...

Review:  This is fast paced, sexually charged, action.
Cassandra is a beautiful psychologist who has been brought into the top-secret facilities at Area 51 to evaluate the recently created hi-tech soldiers known as GTECHs. These are Super Soldiers who were created by injection of alien DNA. The secret Project Zodius is headed by Cassandra’s father, General Powell. Although Cassandra believes her father’s claims that he is trying to protect and help the Zodius soldiers, sometimes she has doubts.

Michael is one of the top Gtech Soldiers with his super human strength, his dedication to the mission and his special abilities to not only wind walk, like all the GTECHS, but his newly developing ability which he is keeping secret.  Michael knows that getting involved with Cassandra could expose her to danger but he can’t resist the attraction.

Cassandra knows better than to get involved with a man whose life is soldiering and who is also a “patient” in her program. When she decides that one dinner can’t hurt she has no idea how the magnetic pull between them could lead to bonding them together — in trouble.

A group of the GTECH soldiers, led by Adam and helped by Michael, escapes from the government control to establish their own colony. Adam is darkly evil and plans to take over the world with his super human Zodius race. The remaining GTECH soldiers, the Renegades, are being led by Adam’s twin brother, Caleb.  It is the Renegades goal to protect humans from the brutal Zodius soldiers.

While the two soldier factions gather their resources, General Powell and his scientists are creating a new weapon which is developed from a red alien crystal. Although use of Red Dart has been fatal to humans, Powell hopes to use it to trace, torture and control the GTECH soldiers.

When Michael returns after being with the enemy soldiers for two years Cassandra doesn’t know who she can trust. Michael claims he was undercover for the Renegades and he tells her of her father’s real plans to use Red Dart to gain control of the Renegades as well as the Zodius soldiers.  Cassandra doesn’t want to believe her father is so ruthless. Can she really trust Michael? Can Michael keep her safe when she is a target for Zodius to either kill or use as a hostage?

I liked the characters of Cassandra and Michael who are both strong yet have a vulnerability and need for each other.  I especially liked the very good story line which has lots of creativity and action.  I liked the chemistry among the characters and there are other characters who also have some good chemistry and banter.  I wasn’t totally enthralled with the plentiful romance scenes which are pretty edgy - “scorching” as the book blurb says.  I think I would like to continue the series to see how the battle goes and I can hope the heat level won’t get any hotter.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC:

1. Visit the Author's Blog and tell me something you like there.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on June 3, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway May 20, 2011

I am very glad it is Friday! I had a fairly tiring week - had to drive to Atlanta on Tuesday night and back on Wednesday so I am still recouping tonight.
Thank you to all who entered May 13. There are TWO Auto winners - those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
Carol M gets The Cobra Event
Winne gets  Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6)

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners from May 13 Pick:

ChrisS  - gets Silver Falls

LLEHN - Gift Card credit

All winners please email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - either sweet and sensual or sexy +plus. 

An M book for May. Check out this DIY project at

Leafy Treetop Spot

5/13/11

New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Pairs:

Debbie Macomber 

Between Friends

Thursdays at Eight

Luanne Rice

Firefly Beach

Cloud Nine

Singles

Iced (Regan Reilly Mysteries, No. 3)by Carol Higgins Clark

A Price for Everything (Rosamunde Pilcher's Book Shelf) by Mary Sheepshank

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mystery) by Sue Grafton

Poirot Investigates - Volume 1 Agatha Christie - Audio Cassettes

Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy

Hope Everlastin' by Mickee Madden

The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz

The Hope Chest: Yesterday's Magic\Today's Secrets\Tomorrow's Promise (Signature Select) Anthology

Susan, Kearney, Julie Kenner and Jacquie D'Alessandro

Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey

Resistance: A Novel by Anita Shreve

Vanity by Jane Feather

3/25/11  I did get to set up a new group of books:
Group #19

Pair - James Patterson

1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)

Kiss the Girls (2nd Alex Cross Novel)

Singles

And Then Came You: Sam's Story

Second Chance: A NovelSecond Chance: A Novel

Disguised Blessing

The Italian (Mira Historical Romance)

Rhapsody: A Love Story

A Sight for Sore Eyes 

The Waterfall

Primary Colors - audio tapes

A Little Magic

See No Evil (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #39) (black stripe on cover)

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!
Not all of these are two from a series but several are.  Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell:
Cruel and Unusual
At Risk (Win Garano)
John Grisham
Bleachers
The Last Juror
Jack Higgins
Touch the Devil (1983 Signet Edition)
Thunder Point (Sean Dillon)
Fern Michaels 
Final Justice: Sisterhood Series #5
The Jury: Sisterhood Series #4 (Revenge of the Sisterhood)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

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.

So far I have posted 19 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

I am continuing to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off until I get around to deleting the crossed off books.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 178 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the correct number sent out.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.
I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 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. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.   
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY  NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings before the next Pick post. 
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so.... 

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

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!

1/14/11 New List 
#17

Scavenger by David Morrell
The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4) by Janet Evanovich
Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6) by Christine Feehan
Saving Faith by David Baldacci

12/3/10  Book Set:
#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
Blueberry Hill by Marcia Evanick (small tear on cover)
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

The Texas CEO's Secret (Silhouette Special Edition) by Nicole Foster

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) by Larson Reed

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
Depraved Indifference by Joseph Teller
Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Must the Maiden Die (Seneca Falls Historical Myster) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom
The Summons by John Grisham - Audio CDs

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read.  Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!"  Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....
Group #12
The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson
First King of Shannara (Shannara Trilogy, Prequel)  by Terry Brooks
Seal Team One by Dick Couch
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Saughnessy
Presumption of Death by Perri O'Saughnessy
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla
Lethal Practice by Peter Clement
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Burning Man by Phillip M. Margollin
Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt
The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods - CD Audio
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1 Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Sixth Sense
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee
Montana Bride by Barbara Clark (A)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz (A)
The Jester by James Patterson - Audio Tapes
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
Misfortune by Nancy Geary
False Prophet by Faye Kellerman
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes
A Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney (SC)

Pick #6
Tin Man by Dale Brown
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
In Her Defense by Stephen Horn - Audio Tape
A Perfect Gentleman by Barbara Metzger (slightly creased)
Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
The Path to Her Heart by Linda Ford (Personally Autographed)
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)

Pick #9
Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Runaway Heart by Stephen J. Cannell
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10
The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)
Double Blind by Ken Goodard
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)