#NetGalley Book Review: In Darkest Days May Blossom by Leila Snow

This is dark history with class injustices and a strong romance.

In Darkest Days May Blossom
by Leila Snow

File Size: 3629 KB
Print Length: 255 pages
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07NJ8PTR2
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

♥ A GRITTY TALE OF ADVERSITY AND THE SHEER POWER OF LOVE ♥
Bruised but not broken, she stood in the mud of the street, wearing nothing but a tattered shift the day Jonathan first saw her. He had watched in mesmerized fascination as the girl swiped a filthy arm across her split lip, squared her shoulders, and raised her chin in defiance of her assailants. But when, by random happenstance she turned her head and her piercing, blue eyes met his regard, Jonathan knew his entire world had tipped on end.
Charlotte had known nothing but adversity and hardship the entirety of her life. Orphaned at a young age and condemned to fend for herself, she learned to trust no one and rely solely upon her own strength. Yet, when she’s cut down in the street for a crime she didn’t commit and Jonathan comes to her rescue, Charlotte is begrudgingly compelled to the realization that perhaps hope and love do exist in this miserable world.
England, at the end of the 18th century, is a land exemplified by firm divisions between the social classes. What is a life of ease and prosperity for some, is an arduous existence for others. Nevertheless, ’tis true that love can bloom in the unlikeliest of places. But when a grievously injured Charlotte is falsely accused of a crime and sent to one of the most infamous prisons in the land, the tender bud of Jonathan and Charlotte’s love is threatened. Jonathan is forced to defy family in a desperate bid to save her from the hangman, whilst conspiracies and betrayal are afoot in a cruel effort to keep them apart.
“Better far thou art, a piece
Of God’s own heaven-born beauty,
Smiling in this wintry time.
Doubtless ’tis thy duty,
Us to teach that love and grace
In darkest days may blossom,
And that a tender bloom of hope
May shine in sorrow’s bosom.”
-J.J. Britton

Review:
Charlotte is a young girl who has struggled among the poor in a small English town in 1796. She was orphaned early and sold off to a family who houses her while she works and turns over her work and income. The mistress of the house has died, and the master now feels he can get more ‘duties’ from Charlotte. When she resists, he accuses her of theft. The local constable gives chase and is prepared to physically (and sexually) abuse the girl.

Jonathan is the youngest son of the wealthiest man in the community. Although they are not titled, their excessive wealth allows them to rub shoulders with the nobles. He has observed the division of the classes in London and the usual disregard and disdain for the lower classes by the uppers. He has no business interfering in a local street arrest, but his gaze is captured by the desperate spirit in the eyes of the ragged girl.

Jonathan steps in and requires the constable to help him get the girl to a holding room and to send for the doctor. In only a few days Jonathan and Charlotte develop a bond that results in trouble at home. Jonathan is fortunate to have income of his own since he doesn’t have a lot of respect for his father and is willing to rebel against his father’s demand to stay away from the girl.

Jonathan has no idea how far his father will go to control the situation. Jonathan goes to London to secure a solicitor to help Charlotte. While he is gone his father steps in to assure that that Charlotte will be eliminated. Jonathan’s mother and brothers are sympathetic but don’t agree on how to help resolve the situation.

There is quick depth of attraction and love between Charlotte and Jonathan even though the class differences raise large obstacles. Their level of physical contact was a little surprising although fairly understandable. Charlotte makes a friend in goal (jail) who first helps her. Later the frail girl accuses Charlotte of abandoning her and blames Charlotte for her own problems. I really had difficulty with this girl’s immaturity and the co-dependent relationship she abuses.

The story is well written and moves along well. The historical details, especially the level of poverty and injustice, is hard to read. Even housekeepers look down on lower servants and won’t give them a chance if they have no references.

There are several scenes of suspense: can Charlotte escape hanging? Can Jonathan turn his life around when he falls into depression thinking that Charlotte is lost to him? This isn’t an easy, happy read, but it is interesting. I recommend it to fans of historical romance.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley and ‘month title’ goals.

Audible Book Review: The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute

This is a wonderful resource and I recommend it to everyone!
The Anatomy of Peace, Expanded Second Edition
Resolving the Heart of Conflict
By: The Arbinger Institute
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-13-15
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Relationship, Self Development
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
What if conflicts at home, conflicts at work, and conflicts in the world stem from the same root cause? What if we systematically misunderstand that cause? And what if, as a result, we systematically perpetuate the very problems we think we are trying to solve?
From the authors of Leadership and Self-Deception comes an international best seller that instills hope and inspires reconciliation. Through a moving story of parents who are struggling with their own children and with problems that have come to consume their lives, we learn from once-bitter enemies the way to transform personal, professional, and global conflicts, even when war is upon us.
Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2006, 2008, 2015 Arbinger Properties, LLC (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
When I picked this audiobook (originally and last week for reading), I wasn’t sure if I would like it or have to push through it. I was wonderfully surprised when I recognized the narrator’s voice (from fiction series Monster Hunter International) and was pulled right in. Although this is nonfiction to the extent it is a self-development work, it is told in an engaging story through the eyes of parents who are struggling with out of control teens. The primary character is also suffering from implosion at his company so the lessons in the workshop hit home doubly for him.

The parents meet in a two-day session to support their children who are entering an intervention camp program. The parents have reason to be secretive, wary and judgmental until the leaders share a story of political/cultural enemies who found their lives transformed by changing their views. The leaders are two unlikely companions: Yusuf al-Falah, a Palestinian Arab and Avi Rozen, an Israeli Jew.

The premise of the presentation is that people live with either a heart at peace or a heart at war. Too often it is the heart of war as we set expectations for others that we don’t necessarily require of ourselves. Since a ‘heart at war needs enemies’, we lift ourselves up at the expense of others and find (untruthful) ways to justify our own behaviors – most often by transferring the blame to others. It often involves self-betrayal (our desires supersede honor) which fuels the anger and unhappiness within us. We must determine to see the worthiness of others so that we can provide ourselves with a heart at peace.

This reminded me very much of the transactional analysis program I took in my 20’s. The bottom line I was reminded of is: we cannot change the behavior or actions of others but we can accept responsibility for and change our own actions (and reactions).

The audio book came with a download resource of the graphs and worksheets that provide direction to identify strengths and weaknesses and help focus on getting out of wrong thinking ‘boxes’. I see so many people, family and strangers, who I think could benefit from reading this book.

Audio notes: I recognized the voice of Oliver Wyman immediately and it made my heart happy. This is very different from the Monster Hunter series he narrates but he does a great job with this too. His voice and character voices pulled me in right away and helped me feel as part of the workshop with the characters. The story and narration are a great fit.

Source: Audible Daily Deal 2016, $2.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and nonfiction goals.

MBS May 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - MAY

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 May:
5.0 The Hope of Azure Springs and The Anatomy of Peace.
4.75: Vigilante Assassin
4.5:  Deadly Vows, Storm Cursed

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell; Children, Fantasy, Middle Grade (ages 8-10); My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
2. Aeb2018- Book Review: Vigilante Assassin (Jake Wolfe Book 2) by Mark Nolan; Action, Mystery, Thriller; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.
3. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Still Life by Dani Pettrey; Christian, Religious Romance, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
4. NG2019- #NetGalley: Deadly Vows by Jody Holford; Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
5. A2019- Audible Book Review: Storm Cursed, Mercy Thompson Novel Series, Book 11 by Patricia Briggs; Fantasy, Paranormal, Werewolves; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.
6. ebTBR- Book Review: The Breaking Point by Karen Ball; Christian, Family Drama, Inspirational; My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0.
7. A2019- Audible Book Review: God of War by J. M. Barlog and Cory Barlog; Fantasy, Greek & Roman Myth, Norse & Viking Myth; Rating: My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.0.
8. A2019- Audio Book Review: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham; Christian, Historical Romance, Western; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
9. A2019- Audible Book Review: The Hammer Commission by John Van Stry; Paranormal, Shifters, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
10. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Read on Arrival by Nora Page; Amateur Sleuth, Animals, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
11. A2019- #NetGalley and Audible Book Review: Nightstalkers, An Area 51 Novel, by Bob Mayer; Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
12. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: In Darkest Days May Blossom by Leila Snow; Historical Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute; Genre: Relationship, Self Development; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Noble Beginnings by L.T. Ryan; Genre: Military Thriller; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 3.0.

Total read = 14; TBR = 8; New Authors = 12
Audio/Audible = 9 (4 TBRs)
eBook = 2 (2 TBRs)
NetGalley = 4 (2 TBRs)
Print = 0
Review books (other than NG)- 2

Goal Progress:
5 ahead on Goodreads Goal of 150
Total Read to Date: 67 of 1150
TBR to Date: 33 of 100 total
TBR ebooks:  8 of 24
Audio to Date:  36 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 21 of 40
Author Reviews: 5 of 12
Nonfiction:  5 of 12


• ebTBRs: 1 +2 +2 +2 +1
• Author titles: 1 +0 +3 +0 +1
• New to me Series: 5 +5 +8 +10 +8
• Continuing for me Series: 3 +1 +2 +2 +2
• Title with Month in it: 1 +1 +1 +1 +1
• Seasonal title: Winter 1; Spring 2;
• Alphabet letters covered: 12 Jan + 3 Feb + 5 March + 2 April + 0 May

Sunday Post June 2, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 3, 2019

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.

Happy JUNE! I am not sure I am really ready for mid year but here it is.
If I stop and think of the work I have to do I may become overwhelmed. Hubby and I will be traveling to Illinois at the end of the week to visit son and family for a week. I always try to get the work done before I leave but I know that won't happen.
We had a conference call with the structural engineer, architect and contractor. YAY!. At last there is forward movement.

I hope the video/sound will work.

This is the chicken 'morning song' after they lay their egg. :-)

Hubby has decided to give the chickens away as the coop cleaning is difficult for him and they restrict us when we want to travel. Our daughter is going to stay at the house next week to take care of them.

Our cat must be doing okay. Twice this week she brought birds into our bedroom. We're not so happy about that but don't know how we would stop it since she comes and goes through the doggy door.
I continue to pray for so many people suffering from floods, tornadoes and severe weather.
Our weather last week was 97-99 hot each day; mid 70s at night.

My reading/listening week was good - Five books: 4 audiobooks and 1 ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.
WINNER: Giveaway: The Breaking Point by Karen Ball
ElizabethT

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Lovely Audiobooks. Eline and I have a couple of things in common: loving audiobooks and lsitening in an RV.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 26, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 27, 2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: The Hammer Commission by John Van Stry; Paranormal, Shifters, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Read on Arrival by Nora Page; Amateur Sleuth, Animals, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 31, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/6/2019.

• A2019- #NetGalley and Audible Book Review: Nightstalkers, An Area 51 Novel, by Bob Mayer; Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #370 Comment Giveaway June 1, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/15/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 2, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)/(NGTBR)

Nightstalkers
An Area 51 Novel
By: Bob Mayer
Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
Series: Area 51: The Nightstalkers, Book 1, Area 51, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
Review linked above.
Source: 2013 NetGalley and Kindle Unlimited and Whisper Sync pick up 5/4/19.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

In Darkest Days May Blossom
by Leila Snow
Dark history with strong romance.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (A2019)

The Anatomy of Peace, Expanded Second Edition
Resolving the Heart of Conflict
By: The Arbinger Institute
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
I was very happy with this!
Source: Audible Daily Deal 2016.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Noble Beginnings
By: L. T. Ryan
Narrated by: Dennis Holland
Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins
I wanted to try this series. It was a fast listen.
Source: 9/21/18 Audible Daily Deal $1.95
Publisher's Summary
In March of 2002, while the eyes of the world focused on Afghanistan, Jack Noble finds himself on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq. A Marine in name only, Jack is on loan to the CIA. Normally an integral part of the team, he finds that he is nothing more than a security detail in Iraq.
Jack and his partner Bear have a run-in with four CIA special agents over the treatment of an Iraqi family. Within hours Jack and Bear are detained.
All Jack wanted was to finish his enlistment and move on with his life. All he did was intervene and save a family from unwarranted violence at the hands of four CIA agents. But he soon discovers that he did far more than intervene. He has placed himself dead square in the middle of a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the US government.
This fast-paced political crime thriller by USA Today best-selling author L.T. Ryan will leave you burning through the minutes as Jack races to stop the conspiracy before it claims his life. Fans of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, and Jason Bourne should enjoy Jack Noble.
©2012 L.T. Ryan (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

5. Audio/Smartphone (A2019)

The Event
By: Nathan Hystad
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
I slipped this into May as a quick sci fi listen.
Source: 1/24/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
The ships came at dawn. Dean’s wife is dead. Her last words: When the ships come...wear the necklace. Then the ships arrived.
Cities all around the world reported strange alien vessels descending. Some saw them as the heralds of a new age; others fired everything they had at them. All were taken as the beams lashed down and drew them into the sky.
Dean was left behind, seemingly the last man on Earth. A trail of clues left by his dead wife guides Dean on a perilous journey across America and beyond to learn the truth behind the mysterious ships and save humanity from its doom.
But not everything is as it seems.
The Event is the epic first novel by Nathan Hystad, creator of the best-selling Explorations anthology series.
©2018 Nathan Hystad (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Finder
by Suzanne Palmer
I am working through my NetGalley titles and this sounded like a good sci fi.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Fergus Ferguson has been called a lot of names: thief, con artist, repo man. He prefers the term finder.
His latest job should be simple. Find the spacecraft Venetia's Sword and steal it back from Arum Gilger, ex-nobleman turned power-hungry trade boss. He’ll slip in, decode the ship’s compromised AI security, and get out of town, Sword in hand.
Fergus locates both Gilger and the ship in the farthest corner of human-inhabited space, a backwater deep space colony called Cernee. But Fergus’ arrival at the colony is anything but simple. A cable car explosion launches Cernee into civil war, and Fergus must ally with Gilger’s enemies to navigate a field of space mines and a small army of hostile mercenaries. What was supposed to be a routine job evolves into negotiating a power struggle between factions. Even worse, Fergus has become increasingly—and inconveniently—invested in the lives of the locals.
It doesn’t help that a dangerous alien species Fergus thought mythical prove unsettlingly real, and their ominous triangle ships keep following him around.
Foolhardy. Eccentric. Reckless. Whatever he’s called, Fergus will need all the help he can get to take back the Sword and maybe save Cernee from destruction in the process.

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)

Mirror Gate
The Harbinger Series, Book 2
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
I listened to book one at the end of last year and decided to listen to this now.
(It will free up a Kindle Unlimited slot.)
Source: 1/3/19 Free with Kindle Unlimited.
People who bought this also bought...
Publisher's Summary
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler continues his wondrous Harbinger series in which two young women unite as two worlds approach the brink of war…
Though relations between Princess Seraphin Fitzempress and her father have been strained, Sera’s royal position has remained unchallenged. Filled with self-doubt, she struggles to grasp the Mysteries - her greatest trial yet.
An education in the enigmatic magic is a necessary one, should Sera plan to rise in her station and invoke her powers during war. But the emperor’s death now leaves both Sera and her ambitious father eligible for the throne - a contest the prince regent intends to win. Even if it means an alliance with a rival empire.
Sera’s hope lies in Cettie, a waif raised in the world below, whose life has intertwined with Sera’s in the most unexpected ways. The Mysteries come easily to Cettie, and her studies have begun to yield new insight into her growing powers. But those same powers put Cettie in the path of those who would destroy her.
Now as the threat of war ignites and an insidious sickness spreads throughout the kingdom, Sera and Cettie will need to gather their courage and fight for each other’s lives…and for the future of their endangered world.
©2018 Jeff Wheeler (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

3. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Forever in a Moment
by Charlotte O'Shay
I think I'll enjoy this one too.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
A stormy encounter...
Samantha DeMartino's Christmas wedding is two weeks away when her fiancé calls the whole thing off. Word on the street: his cold feet are being heated by an old flame. With her well-ordered world in complete disarray, Sam's friends convince her to go on her honeymoon—alone. A week at a charming Vermont inn away from the city and her demanding corporate career could be just what she needs to figure out her next steps.
Between his twenty-four seven work schedule on his family's dairy farm and teaching tourists to ski, Jed Armstrong's too busy to think about how lonely he is...until Sam sings her way into his life during a Christmas blizzard. Now he has to figure out a way to convince her to stay.
Can a vivacious city girl find forever with a reclusive farmer?
Will her secret keep her from trying?

I think I'll pick the next audio when I get there. :-)

June 2, 2019 - I have stayed up to date. I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I am on day 2 of 3 of: A Positive Outcome. I'll pick another study this week. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed five books and posted three reviews. I continue to be current for review posts.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. (Eventually I will add older reviews.)
My NetGalley shelf is still at 14 unread (added one but reading 2). I am working on now 8 April titles. [I have 4 old titles (2012-13!)]
I still have four author ebook titles in queue.
Still many 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.
I received one review book from NetGalley.
No audios this week - Shocking!
I downloaded week 6 titles from SYNC.
I picked up two free kindle titles. (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

From Callisto Media and Rockridge Press NetGalley:

The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens
How to Raise a Happy Backyard Flock
by Anne Kuo
I'll get to enjoy this even if we give up our chickens. :-(

Won

NONE

Purchased

Free

SYNC Audio 2019
6/2/19 Week 6: May 30 – June 6
THE FIRST TIME SHE DROWNED by Kerry Kletter, narrated by Jorjeana Marie (Penguin Random House Audio/Listening Library)
WILD BIRD by Wendelin Van Draanen, narrated by Alex McKenna (Penguin Random House Audio/Listening Library)

I added only 2 titles 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 June 2, 2019

Our substitute Sunday School teacher led today with a wonderful message on the Fruits of Spirit, Galatians 5:23. We started the morning with prayer, including prayer for our President as requested by Franklin Graham.

Our church service began with praise and worship which lead into communion. After celebrating the Lord’s Supper in remembrance, Pastor continued with his message series of “Life Hacks”. He noted that as children we are usually taught to save with a piggy bank and then a savings account (recalling how many of us had the old savings book with handwritten entries). As we mature, too often our spending outgrows our income resulting in debt. Sadly, saving alone rarely accounts for growth.

The Bible tells of a “Life law”; a “Spiritual law” known as the Law of Sowing and Reaping.
Galatians 6:7: “7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Point: You will harvest from what you invest.

Charles F. Stanley stated the principle as: You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow. We always have to wait for the harvest – no seed blooms overnight.

We think we can live our life first, show our children how we pursue our own needs and still they will follow God. It doesn’t work that way. We need to put God first, not ourselves. Do we look for the best life now or in the future? Or do we think like children who think “I want it now”. 1 Corinthians 13:11.

Determine to cultivate investing and patience. Pursue your best life, not for now, but for eternity. The best extends to and includes eternity. These three remain faith hope and love. 1 Corinthians 13:13.

God's blessings run through the law of planting and harvesting. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. You can lock it or unlock it. When you give, God returns the gift abundantly: pressed down, overflowing. Luke 6:37-38.

If you invest evil, you will harvest evil. If you invest mercy, you will harvest mercy.
Decide for yourself what you will give. 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Where do you need to invest yourself? Where can you, or where do you need to invest for a future harvest? Where can you serve?
Young and old, we are all supposed to serve; to invest in the Kingdom of God.

Our praise team shared a new song this morning which fit the message:

New Wine.

Verses for Today
Luke 6: 37-38 (NIV)
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”


Lord- I offer myself. Use me, invest me. Show me where to invest my love and time for You.