Sunday Words of Encouragement November 17, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher came in from sabbatical to share a great lesson this morning. The message was on faith and hope based on Hebrews, starting with chapter 3 and continuing into the “hall of faith”, chapter 11.

Our senior pastor is out of town so the sermon was shared by our youth minister (actually “Youth and Family Focus Director”). He continued with message six in The Blessed Life series.
This message is based on John 13: 3-16 where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and shows them the example of servanthood. Jesus gave them an example, exhorting them ‘to do as I have done’. John 13:15. Jesus gives a call to action.

Often in our lives – family, church, work and community – we want to do what we want to do, not always what needs doing.

If you want to be blessed, learn to serve.

There is a difference between knowing and serving. The impact comes from doing what you know. The church needs to be and do more than being a place for information transfer.
We need to acknowledge there is a difference between being a consumer and a servant.
James tells us that faith without works is dead. James 2:14-17, plus 2:26 and James 1:22.

People need you because you know Him. What makes you qualified to help, isn't who you are but that you know Him. We have to go out and be the church. People may not know Jesus but they know you.

Impact 360 Institute research says that only 4 percent of Gen Z have a Biblical worldview.
They have no roots in faith, Sunday school, church, camp. The Biblical worldview has declined over the last generations as follows: 10% of Boomers; 7% of Gen X; 6% of Millennials 6; and now 4% in Gen Z.

The concern is that the Church became focused on programs rather than serving. Changing this starts with each Christ follower and each individual’s relationship with God.

If you don't learn how to serve in secret, you won't serve in public.
When you give don't let others know. Matthew 6:1-4.
Church attendance with nothing else is not living faith.

POINT: If you want to be blessed, learn to serve ... even without anyone knowing.

God will reward you openly for serving Him privately. Allow God to transform you.
Jesus takes the towel before He takes the throne. He picked up a towel and served. John 13:14.
Our society culture encourages us to live for ourselves, but Biblical culture says live as a servant to help others.

Jesus showed us the Father's heart. Don't live for yourself, be a servant. Love people as God loves you. You have the answer: Jesus. How is your heart to serve?
Love God, love people.

I like this Video Song for today; We need to share about the Jesus we know!

Verses for Today:
John 13:12-17
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Lord, help me to be about doing and loving people to show them Jesus.  

Sharing Beyond Books #382 Comment Giveaway November 16, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
In Death by JD Robb (which I incorrectly called the Eve Dallas series) got 4 mentions and
Women’s Murder Series got 2 mentions. Two commentors prefer standalones and two others couldn't think of any series.
These are other series mentioned:

The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling (My son is frustrated I got stuck at number 5 of 7. They are just soooo long.)
Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey (23 – I think I read one long ago and meant to read more)
Eve Duncan Series by Iris Johansen (These are good suspense thrillers. I read this through about number 9 but it is now up to 29!)
The Cat Who Series by Lilian Jackson Braun (29 books)
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (9 big books and lots in between)
Virgin River Series by Robyn Carr (20+ books. I didn’t think of this even though I was planning to listen to one)
Mitford series by Jan Karon (14 books)
Morland Dynasty Series by Cynthia Harrod Eagles (I counted 35!)
The Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton (25)

The Winner from SBB #381 comments is: #14 Elizabeth 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. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #382

(One Question.)

Miki asks: If you wished to contact an author about something not urgent like telling her/him how much you love her/his book(s) would you opt for email or for a handwritten letter? Why that choice??

I like this question. I would be likely to send an email although I think a letter is such a nice idea. Who wouldn't enjoy getting a little card of encouragement? On the other hand, some say what the author would most appreciate is a nice review to help boost their work.

First image found at Pinterest and second image found at J.L. Pattison

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.

Your turn to share. Miki asks: If you wished to contact an author about something not urgent like telling her/him how much you love her/his book(s) would you opt for email or for a handwritten letter? Why that choice??

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.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, November 30, 2019, at 5 PM central.

#NetGalley Book Review: One Wish by Jodi Thomas

This is a rather unusual, sweet, western historical romance.
One Wish
by Jodi Thomas

File Size: 671 KB
Print Length: 352 pages This number is incorrect as this is a novella.
Publisher: Zebra Books; 1 edition (November 1, 2019)
ASIN: B07M6D2GVM
Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday, Novella, Western Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas takes you back deep into the Texas Panhandle, where the winters are long, the storms fierce—and the Yuletide nights are unforgettable . . .
It’s the week before Christmas in Kasota Springs and Maggie Allison is sweeping the floors before closing her shop for the night. But out in the cold darkness three men are keeping a close watch on her movements. Local farmer Sam Thompson is also there in the shadows, ready to step in if need be. Sure enough, when Maggie finds herself cornered by Boss Adler and his men demanding her money and more if she doesn’t cooperate, Sam comes to the rescue. Trouble is, Boss Adler gets away and everyone in town expects he’ll be back for revenge. Forced into hiding on Sam’s ranch, Maggie and Sam discover their distant memories of a childhood friendship promise something more in the present. But the Thompsons are famous for keeping to themselves, and Maggie knows it’ll take more than a moment under the mistletoe to bring Sam to his senses...

Review:
A week before Christmas, Maggie is hoping members of Kasota Springs will come shopping. Unfortunately, the town has treated Maggie as an outsider since she was the rich young daughter attending school with the poor of the community. Now Maggie runs her store alone, with no friends, while she journals her dwindling hopes and dreams. At this point, she has whittled down her dream list to one wish.

Sam has never forgotten the other outsider from his childhood who became his friend. Thompsons are known to stick to themselves, but Sam will do anything he can to keep Maggie safe. He overheard three men plotting to rob Maggie and take advantage of her. Although Sam is able to rescue her from the attack, the main outlaw, Boss Adler, gets away. But Adler never leaves witnesses so the sheriff agrees that Sam should take Maggie to his house – after all, no one would suspect a Thompson to become involved and no one really knows where Sam’s home is anyway.

When Sam gets Maggie down the canyon, she is shocked not only by his home but to learn of another occupant. Sam and Maggie decide to play a gentle marriage game for the short time they expect to be together. But then they get unexpected visitors that put them all in danger. They get some help from an ornery old woman, Nina, who is an interesting secondary character.

I enjoyed this holiday novella which added some unusual elements to the ‘snowed in’ romance. Instead of flashy protagonists, these are two vulnerable outsiders who are very likeable, especially as they interact. The rustic setting, gentle way they treat each other, and the spice of danger is sweet and engaging. Jodi Thomas creates fun characters and distinct settings which I enjoy. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a sweet historical western.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019 NetGalley and #HoHoHoRat goals.

#HoHoHoRAT 2019 Book Bingo Challenge

This Challenge is sponsored by Simply Angela
These are always fun!

Bingo can be won any direction: Across, Down, Diagonal or Postage Stamp

Across 1, 2 and 3, 4, 5 and 6 or 7, 8 and 9
Down 1, 4 and 7; 2, 5 and 8; 3, 6 and 9
Postage Stamp:  1,2, 4 and 5; 2,3, 5 and 6; and 5,6, 8 and 9

Since I hadn't yet read an Auld Lang Syne title, I used my snowed in title for a different square.

1. Baby It's Cold Outside (Snowed in)

2. Last Christmas
(TBR over one year) Santa’s Christmas Eve Blues by Douglas Lindsey (TBR from 2012)
3. Step Into Christmas
(Christmas in title) Evergreen: A Christmas Tale by Richard Taylor
4. Winter Wonderland
(Snowy Cover) One Wish: A Christmas Story by Jodi Thomas (Not a TBR)

5. FREE SPACE FREE SPACE

6. Merry Christmas Baby  Also Green
(Christmas/Holiday Romance) Bring Me Home For Christmas by Robyn Carr (Audio)


7. Audle Lang Syne (New Year Read)

8. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
(Mistletoe in title) The Sheriff’s Mistletoe Law by Nita Wick
9. The Bells of St. Paul
(Set in Britain) Christmas Scandal… Not! by Jeanne Savery (Regency England)


I finished a total of ten (10) books (3 audios and 7 ebooks, 9 TBRS) and am still reading one more I might finish before the end of tonight. ( I was thinking ended 11/15 - I still have two days!)
In addition to the six listed abore I have completed:
Christmas Eve, 1914 by Charles Olivier (Audio)
Ruth's First Christmas Tree (Ruth Galloway, #4.5) by Elly Griffiths
The Twelve Cats of Christmas (All the Creatures of Christmas) by Kevin Whitlark
Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings (The Chronicles of St Mary's #6.5) by Jodi Taylor (Audio)

Book Review: The Sheriff's Mistletoe Law by Nita Wick

This is a very quick, sweet read.
The Sheriff's Mistletoe Law
by Nita Wick

File Size: 147 KB
Print Length: 13 pages
Publication Date: December 14, 2011
Language: English
ASIN: B006M95CT2
Genre: Historical, Holiday Romance, Short Story, Western Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Western romance holiday 5 minute quick read.
This very short story is offered as a sample of the author's work.
If you enjoy this, you might also like Nita Wick's award-winning historical western romance, The Wagonmaster.

Review:
Opening line: “You’re standing under the mistletoe.” Rebekah/Becky is surprised when she is confronted by the new town sheriff, Colton. He insists that she owes him a kiss. Even her brothers and parents don’t scare him off. Why is he pushing so hard for a kiss? Will she give in? and then what?

This is a very short and sweet, historical almost romance – really just an introduction to a possible romance. I liked the setting and brief character development. It gives just a taste of the author’s writing and I liked it. I would read more historical romance by Ms. Wick. I recommend this as a five-minute holiday read to those who enjoy historical romance.

Source: 2012 Free Kindle Download. This qualifies for 2019TBR goal and #HoHoHoRat.