Sunday Words of Encouragement July 9, 2023 - "Our Great God"

Our Sunday School lesson continued in James 1:16-18 with the message that Grace is connected to temptation; it is a good and perfect gift. Grace needed for sin. Gods unmerited favor is a higher level than forgiveness and mercy. Christ is the vehicle of that grace. Through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, death is swallowed by triumphant life. Sin, guilt, and death are gone. Romans 5:20-21. God sees us cleansed and as righteous with our final right standing to be revealed in our eternal lives.

We celebrated communion, remembering the sacrifice of Christ through the symbolism of the body (bread) and blood (wine/juice). We also celebrated our Pastor’s first year anniversary.

Pastor’s message was from 1 John 4:1-4, titled “Our Great God”. We are involved in spiritual warfare in this world. We have to test the spirits and teaching of any who present them as speaking for God.

Don't be misled by a charismatic person. Instead, ask if their message brings conviction. Preaching is sometimes a hard word in today’s worldly culture. Revelation 2:20-23. The church of Thyatira was scolded for tolerating the teachings of Jezebel instead of following God. [Note messages to the other churches also talk about false teachings. Revelation 2:2 and 2:14-15.]

Compare the acts and teachings of leaders and preachers to determine if it is consistent with the Biblical true. Does the teaching confess that Jesus is from God. Does it acknowledge our personal relationship with God?

We must discern what is of God. Antichrist has been in the world since the days that Adam and Eve were misled. We each must grow in faith by reading the Word daily.

Don't be deceived. “Feelings” are not reliable for decision making. There is a truth to stand on.
Once a believer has accepted Christ as his or her savior, the God dwells in that believer. ‘Dear children you are from God and have overcome’ the spirits of the world. ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’ 1 John 4:4.

No weapon formed against you can prosper. Don't compromise. Truth has not changed. Be biblically true rather than culturally correct.  Anchor yourself in the Word, and be in a church that teaches Biblical truth. We become Godly temples and must resist the upside-down teachings of the world.

I like this song for today:

Verses for Today:
1 John 4:1-4 NIV
On Denying the Incarnation
4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

God my Father, Christ my Savior, Spirit my Guide, please keep me on your path and protect me from being deceived by the antichrist spirits of the world.

Audio Book Review: The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

This fantasy aroused mixed emotions. I picked up book 2 for sale at Chirp.
The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice
Written By: Robin Hobb
Narrated By: Paul Boehmer

Series: Farseer Trilogy, Book 1, Realms of the Elderlings, Book 1
Duration: 17 hours 21 minutes
Release Date: March 2010
Publisher: Tantor Media
Genre: Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Epic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary
With unforgettable characters, a sweeping backdrop, and passionate storytelling, this is a fantasy debut to rival that of Robert Jordan. Filled with adventure and bloodshed, pageantry and piracy, mystery and menace, Assassin's Apprentice is the story of a royal house and the young man who is destined to chart its course through tempests of change.
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal household by his father's gruff stableman. An outcast whose existence has forced his father to abdicate his claim on the throne, Fitz is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in the young man's blood is a heritage of magic, the talent called the Skill, as well as another, even more mysterious ability.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts and leave behind the zombie-like husks of the townspeople to prowl the countryside, Fitz is growing toward manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission, a mission that poses as much a threat to himself as it does for his target-for Fitz is a threat to the throne...but he may also be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

Review:
“Boy” is the bastard son of royal Prince Chivalry, the first born son of King Shrewd. He is dropped off at the keep at age six and taken to Prince Chivalry’s head stableman, Burrich. Since the boy has no name, he is dubbed “Fitz”. Burrich begins training Fitz to care for the dogs and horses in the stable, but he is alarmed when he realizes that Fitz is developing a mental bond with one of the new puppies. He scolds Fitz and takes away the dog.

Soon Fitz is moved into the royal household where he struggles in his position. Prince Verity, the second son, is kind and caring when he can take time from his busy schedule, especially after Chivalry abdicates his position. The third royal son, from a second wife, Prince Regal, wants nothing to do with this bastard child who could complicate the bloodlines. Regal is inclined to ignore Fitz or maybe kick him when he sees him. King Shrewd has his own plans for the boy. He arranges for Fitz to be secretly trained by the King’s assassin because Fitz may have the family trait of magic that allows them to Skill, or hear the thoughts of, and sometimes influence, others.

While Fitz struggles with his aloneness, he tries to find ways to please those around him. But the royals are busy dealing with horrible raiders who are ravaging the coast line and even moving into the countryside of the territories under the King. Fitz has committed to be a “king’s man” but in the process of his growth he is outcast, ostracized, abused, and used for the King’s goals. The one true talent he has must remain hidden as it is despised the by one man he thinks is his friend. And meanwhile betrayal stalks close to home.

The story is told by an older Fitz in the form of a history of the Six Duchies under the King. The author pulls at the heartstrings of the reader (listener) for the abandoned and misused boy. There is a tone of depression in the story. I did struggle with Fitz’s attitude at times but his feelings and lack of perception at times is fitting for the beleaguered boy that he is. I enjoyed the distinct secondary characters, especially Burrich, Verity, the assassin, and the fool. I hope all of them will be in the second book which I found on sale at Chirp. I recommend this to fans of epic fantasy tales of adventure with a touch of magic.

Audio Notes: Paul Boehmer does a great job with the narration. He provides clear and distinct voices that fit the characters, the settings and the tone. I am looking forward to continuing the next book on audio.

Source: 6/3/19 June VIP free selection from Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

MBS - 2023 Audiobook Challenge Mid-Year Status

It's time for mid-year check in on the Audiobook Challenge.

My goal is the 100 Club level and I am at 61 audiobooks at the end of June so I am on track to meet the goal.
I have read 64 books through the end of June so you can see the majority of my reading is audio.

My reading lists and reviews are linked HERE (or in the blog header under "Reading Lists").

MBS June 2023 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2023 Reading List - JUNE

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; 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 2023
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =
4.75 Stars = The Never-Ending End of the World
4.5 Stars = Extinction Shadow, Extinction Inferno, Phule's Company, To Serve and Protect. Leila Nugget

1. ATBR: Audible Book Review: When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti; Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
2. ATBR: Audible Book Review: A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1 by Barbara Cameron; Genre: Amish, Family, Mennonite, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
3. ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Never-Ending End of the World by Ann Christy; Genre: Dystopian, EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
4. A2023: Audible Book Review: Extinction Shadow, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1 by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri; Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
   
5. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Extinction Inferno, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 2 by Nicholas Sansbury Smith; Genre: Horror, Post Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
6. A2023: Audio Book Review: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith; Genre: Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.
   
7. ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker; Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller & Horror; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
8. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Phule's Company by Robert Asprin; Genre: Humor, Sci Fi, Space Military; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
   
9. ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Bewitching a Highlander by Roma Cordon; Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Historical Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
10. ATBR: Audible Book Review: To Serve and Protect by Glynn Stewart; Genre: Action, Paranormal, Superhero, Supernatural, Urban; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5. 
11. ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues by Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady; Genre: Children’s, Chapter Book, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

This Month Total read = 11
TBR = 7
New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 11 (7 TBRs)
NetGalley = 3 (3 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1
Nonfiction = 0
eBook = 0 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)
DNF - 0

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month)
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 64 of 125
TBR to Date: 50 of 90
Audio to Date: 61 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 12 of 10
Author Reviews: 2 of 12
Nonfiction: 5 of 10
TBR ebooks or Print: 2 of 8
New Authors to date: 38

• Series: 47 of 75 (12 continuing, 35 new)
• New to me Series: 35 (19 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 5 maybe, 4 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 2 (maybe? Not sure if the Bobiverse is done)

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 2 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Alphabet letters covered: (22 of 26) -- 9 January (A, C, D, F, H, L, P, R, S); 6 February (B, E, G, I, T, Y); 5 March (K, M, J, O, U) 1 April (W) 1 May (N) 0 June
NEED: Q, V, X, Z

Locations: 6 of 8
      River, Mountains, Kingdoms, Castle, Junkyard, Deadlands, Shore
Numbers: 6 of 12
      Forging Zero, Cat o’ Nine Tales, Six Crimson Cranes, One Heart to Win, The Fifth Victim, The Fourth Monkey

Groups of Five: (Places and Numbers above)
Times of Day: 2 of 5
      Moonshine, Morning
Occupations: 7 of 5
      Warrior, Cowboy, Vet, King, Cop, Pirate, Instructor
Colors: 4 of 5
      The Far Blue Mountains, Six Crimson Cranes, Silver Dollar Duke; Altered Carbon

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues by Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady

This is a fun 'treasure hunt' mystery for young people.

Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues
By: Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady
Narrated by: Emily Eiden

Series: Leila and Nugget Mysteries, Book 2
Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
Release date: 06-27-23
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Genre: Children’s, Chapter Book, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Mr. McGee was the principal of Englewood Elementary in 1947, and the students have just discovered that he created a massive treasure hunt all those years ago... But Mr. McGee disappeared before he could share any of the clues. Seventy years later, Leila and Nugget are ready to crack the case and find that missing treasure.
Leila & Nugget Mysteries reward developing listeners with nonstop laughs, twists, and—of course—cute pets.
©2023 Dustin Brady (P)2023 Andrews McMeel Publishing

Review:
Leila is a third grader who, with her small dog Nugget, likes to visit neighbor, Mrs. Crenshaw, who used to be a teacher at Englewood Elementary where Leila attends. Leila likes mysteries and is excited when Mrs. Crenshaw tells her that the first principal of the school, Mr. McGee, created a treasure hunt for the students seventy years ago. The special event never took place and the treasure has never been found.

Leila and Nugget set out to look for clues. The search distracts her from even her best friend, and Leila begins to be disappointed after months with little progress. Finally, she gets a breakthrough and it isn’t long before her friend and other students are looking too. Can they solve the case and find the treasure?

The clues are wonderful riddles and the author takes Leila (and the reader) on a search up and down halls in the school, through a Hall of Presidents, and finding a “zoo” of critters with the help of some older teachers and the elderly janitor. There is history of the school, and, along the way, Leila learns a few lessons on friendship and working together. The story is sweet, and I enjoyed the treasure hunt. I do think that my grandchildren (4th and 1st graders) would enjoy this story. The images that are available at the Amazon link are very cute too so I would recommend the print version as well as the audio.

Audio Notes: Emily Eiden does a very nice job of narrating this children’s audiobook. The voice fits Leila and she provides distinct voices for the other characters too. I enjoyed the audio experience.

Source: 4/1/2023 NetGalley Title. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.