Sunday Words of Encouragement February 25, 2024 - Do the Work With God.

Pastor continued his series today in Nehemiah with Chapter 6. The enemy is pressuring Nehemiah. The enemy seeks to stop God’s plan – then and now.

Beware as some of God’s enemies have silver tongues and appear harmless or good. But a discerning spirit will sense something wrong. Enemies can have a good reputation. They want to get their agenda done. Nehemiah 6:17. They made their attack personal. The enemy will destroy you with distraction and negative thoughts.

The enemy tried to call Nehemiah out four times but he refused to leave the work to go to their meeting. They were attacking his integrity. Nehemiah 6:5-7. The enemy will accuse others of motives they have (transference). Titus 1:15.

Nehemiah resisted the challenges and impulse to fight them directly. Nehemiah 6:8. Don’t take vengeance in your own hands. Stick with your job and let God deal with the enemy. Our job is to build the Kingdom: win the lost, minister love and peace; share the hope of Christ. Don’t get caught up so you become more political than spiritual.

They used intimidation. Nehemiah 6:9-10, 17-18. Nehemiah said, “No.” Nehemiah 6:11-14. Sometimes the enemy uses false prophets. Shemiah was a false prophet encouraging Nehemiah to go into the temple when he was not sanctioned to do so. We must be discerning. People who lack wisdom can be led astray. 2 Timothy 3:1-7.

Nehemiah prayed each time and asked God to give him wisdom and strength and for God to deal with the enemy. The work was accomplished with the help of God. Nehemiah 6:16. We are to set our mind on the work of God, not the work of the world. 2 Timothy 3:12-15.

There are evil people and agendas surrounding us. The church has to do its mission in order to show the enemy that the work of God is being done with His help. You will reap a harvest… keep on focusing on God’s work. God knows there is opposition, but He says continue to follow me and do my Will. He will handle the enemy but wants His followers to show His love and life.

We will ultimately win on our knees, not in the political battle. Pray – intercede for those who may be under attack. God will win!

I like this song for today: The Battle is Yours.

A Verse for Today:
Nehemiah 6:16 NIV
16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.


Lord, help me stay focused on Your Will, to do your work and trust you to win the battles.

MarthaE Cooking #7

These are my HelloFresh meals (six dinners with extra steak for a lunch too) plus a pastry for a valentine week. I am getting a little better at the timing so it isn't taking me twice as long, just a little longer.  The meals are still tasty and interesting. 

HelloFresh Everything Bagel Avocado Toasts

with Balsamic Mixed Greens & Grape Tomatoes.

I figure the avocado and greens balance out the Sourdough toast.
This was a breakfast pick but I ate it for dinner - it was quick to fix. 

This is my own creation based on You Tube versions.
 Boursin Black Truffle and Sea Salt Cheese Pastry - before cooking and when ready.
I made this for a lunch gathering at church. I used melted cheese as a dip which was good too.
Next time I might use a cream cheese and jam for more dessert flavors.

HelloFresh Prosciutto & Apple Arugula Salad,

with Feta, Pecans, Balsamic Glaze & Olive Toasts.
The toast is Ciabatta.
This is a lunch item again used for dinner as it only took 10 minute to fix. 

Sadly the Arugala didn't look fresh when I went to make this. I used some olives instead. 

HelloFresh Taverna Steak and Dilly Potato Wedges
with Zucchini-Onion Jumble & Tzatziki (salted yogurt and cucumber dip).
The dip adds a lovely flavor to the meal!

Sunday Post February 18, 2024/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 19, 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.

My work continues busy but I do feel I am being productive and moving forward.
I had a couple of nights where the computer crashed and I didn't bother to reboot it. I am looking at new computers before this one goes completely kaput.

My daughter remembered me on Valentine's Day. This was sweet as she learned from my sweet Bob who never missed a special day (and many regular days) to give me flowers. 

I took a week off the chair yoga but did several days of walking routines. I may restart the chair yoga again. 

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

I was surprised to talk to my son Saturday night and learn that they were shoveling now Friday and Saturday! We had some very nice crisp days, a couple of rainy days and then the rain brought in some cooler temperatures in the 30s at night.  

I finished two audios and made a little progress in two ebooks. I did a short review on the second at Goodreads but it is the same as set forth below.

I only visited 3 blogs last week to link up. I have to make up with visits this week.

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post February 11, 2024/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 12, 2024.

• MarthaE Cooking #6.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 18, 2024 - Give and Do Good.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible on Smartphone (A2024).

The North Star
By: Killian Carter
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
Series: Galactic Sentinel, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
Genre: Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0. This is full of action and characters that grew on me.  The narration was good and added to the work. I will likely continue the series. 
This was a free title expiring 2/29 and filled the "N" title.
  2024Alphabet and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Source: February 2024 Audible Plus title.
Click on link to see full description.

2. Audible on Smartphone (A2024).

Metal Fury: Publisher's Pack
Metal Fury, Books 1-2
By: Jonathan Yanez, Stevie Collier
Narrated by: Chris Ciulla
Series: Metal Fury, Book 1-2
Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins
Genre: Fantasy, Military, Space Opera.
My Rating on Book 1: 4.0. The main character, Jack, is a bit bumbling and awkward. He was an orphan who ended up being raised in the military with a companion AI and mech armor that he loves. He is a good guy who is chosen to become a hero to fight an evil scheme of destruction.
I mostly enjoyed the story but the continual crazy battles with last minute escapes became tiring. The narration was very good, but I will not continue with book 2 at this time even though it is free.
This is another Audible Plus expiring 2/29. It filled "M" title for my alphabet challenge.
2024Alphabet and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Source: February 2024 Audible Plus title.
Publisher's summary
Contains books one and two of the Metal Fury series.
I Am Mech, book one
His job was to guard against terrorist threats. Now he’s discovered an even more sinister enemy. To stop this encroaching doom, the people cry out for a hero. Instead, they get Jack.
This ace mech pilot contends with legendary prophecies, ancient powers, and fickle companions as he sets out on an epic task to save his planet from a baddie hellbent on destruction. Has his positive self-talk got him in too deep, or will he actually pull through to do some good this time?
Mech Planet, book two
The path to freedom leads to combat in a slave arena.
He’s only just survived the trash planet. Now, Jack has arrived in a new world to find his friends captured and enslaved. The twisted politics of Shivbowl leave little room for his normal antics. He’ll have to play by their rules and beat out the competition in the mech battling games.
While hope for freedom fades, a new darkness promises everything Jack has ever wanted but goes against everything a Knight stands for. Can he resist this powerful calling?
©2020 Archimedes Books (P)2020 Podium Audio.

Currently Reading:

1. Audio on Smartphone (ATBR).

Prodigal
A Supernatural Crime Thriller
By Judy K. Walker
Book #1 Dead Hollow
Read by Alex Knox
Run Time 9h 46min
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller.
I am already 60% in and it is reading quickly.
I needed a change from space so I picked this thriller for my “P” title.
2024TBR, 2024Alphabet, and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Source: 12/4/2021 Chirp purchase $1.99.
PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION
It’s happening again. And either Adam’s crazy, or he’s a kidnapped child’s only hope.
Drifter Adam Rutledge is haunted by his childhood, by how helpless he felt when his best friend was abducted and how terrifying it was to see the boy’s fate in his nightmares.
Twenty years later Adam is shaken by a vivid dream, one powerful enough to send him back to Cold Springs. But his Appalachian hometown never lost its mistrust of the orphaned boy who drew heartache like a lightning rod. Especially now that another child has been taken.
To find the missing girl, Adam must dig deep and solve the riddle of his own tragic past. When his efforts unleash visions he’s spent decades burying, his sanity stretches to the breaking point. And all the while, a man is watching and waiting in the shadows.
A madman who means to kill him.
Prodigal is the first book in the Dead Hollow psychic suspense trilogy. If you like crime thrillers with authentic characters and a dash of paranormal, then you’ll love Judy K. Walker’s haunting series.

2. eBook - NetGalley App on Smartphone (NGeB2024)

If the Boot Fits
By Karen Witemeyer
Pub Date 12 Mar 2024 | Archive Date 21 Apr 2024
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance
I am still enjoying this - reached 25%
2024NetGalley, 2024Alphabet, and 2024ebook Goals. Source: 1/12/2024 ebook from NetGalley.
Click on link to see full description.

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 64%.
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 will be looking next for titles with the letters O, Q, R, T, U, X, and Y for my next picks. I only have these 7 letters left now as I am zipping through this challenge. 

February 18, 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 Leviticus which sets a lot of the regulations for the Israelites, always showing that God is Holy and yet he desires us to draw near.

I finished two books, rated with mini reviews/comments above.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I continue on two ebooks. I still have another ebook and an older audio on my shelf I need to listen to.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

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.
I selected my two January Audible Credits. 

I also chose my Audiobooks.com VIP for February.

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

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

2/17/24 January Audible Credits: Both of these are to continue the series.

The Extinction Survival Series Box Set
Lost Valley, Satan's Gate, Cost of Survival & Warrior's Fate
By: Walt Browning
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Length: 38 hrs

Galactic Breach
Ruins of the Galaxy, Book 2
By: Christopher Hopper, J. N. Chaney
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Free

2/17/2024 February VIP Audiobooks.com. This sounds fun.

Not the Witch You Wed
Series: #1 Of Supernatural Singles
Written By: April Asher
Narrated By: Zura Johnson
Duration: 12 hours 15 minutes


5 more Audible Plus titles from 12/1 to 12/17/2023.

Ninefox Gambit
By: Yoon Ha Lee
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Series: Machineries of Empire , Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

My Dead World 2: My Dead World, Book 2
By: Jacqueline Druga
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro
Series: My Dead World Series , Book 2
Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins

Cole Blooded: Cole Blooded, Book 1
By: Blaise Corvin, Outspan Foster
Narrated by: Ryan Burke
Series: Cole Blooded , Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Mitigating Risk: Nora Hazard Series, Book 1
By: Blaise Corvin
Narrated by: Emily Beresford
Series: Nora Hazard , Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Competitive Advantage: Nora Hazard Series, Book 2
By: Blaise Corvin
Narrated by: Emily Beresford
Series: Nora Hazard , Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins


I still have 8 Audible Plus titles to list from 2023 and some from 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 Word's of Encouragement February 18, 2024 - Give and Do Good.

We started today’s service with warm worship. Prayer for each other’s needs – peace, direction, healing, strength… Your Will Be Done!

Today’s sermon was inspired by the scripture Nehemiah 5:1-6.
In addition to the physical building, there is need for a spiritual rebuilding. The poor were being exploited by the leaders charging interest. There came a great cry. God hears our cries. Isaiah 59:1.

We live in a culture that is greedy. We have to learn to be content and not seek more over seeking to give to help others. We brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:10. We are not to be haughty in our wealth. 1 Timothy 6:17.
God wants us to increase our status of giving, not our status of living. 1 Timothy 6:18-19. It is a Christian process to give. Acts 2:43-45.

What you are giving may be the answer to someone else’s prayer.
This is when we are generous givers:
1. Give away more than you spend on luxuries like automobiles, vacations.
2. You view your resources as tools to do good works for the kingdom so that God is glorified.
3. You are more blessed when you give than receive.

He who knows the right thing and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17. Fear of God is a key to keep you doing right
Even if someone isn’t a good steward and doesn’t take care of the gifts, we don’t get to choose. God is the judge and he calls us to be generous.

I chose this song for today: Everlasting God!

Verses for Today
Nehemiah 5:1-6:14 NIV
Nehemiah Helps the Poor
5 Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. 2 Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.”
3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.”
4 Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”
6 When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.


Lord, help me to be mindful of the needs of others and help me to give generously of my resources.

(Image found at YouVersion Study)

MarthaE Cooking #6

These are my HelloFresh meals for early February. It is still taking me longer than they say to do the prep and cooking but I am enjoying the cooking and the flavors. I listen to audio books while cooking which is a plus for me. 

Mexican-Style Beef & Bean "Lasagna".

This uses tortillas instead of noodles.

It was very good and provided six servings for me.

Sweet & Spicy Rainbow Edamame Rice Bowls,

with Cabbage, Carrots & Sesame Dressing.
I can't say "edamame" right but I do like it and this was an easy dish to make.

Creamy Cilantro Steak Bowls,

with Garlic Lime Rice & Charred Green Pepper...plus Jalapeño (to taste).

I like steak and cilantro. The sauce was wonderful and a couple of Jalapeño slices was enough to add just a bit more flavor.

This is HelloFresh Bacon which is nice and thick with two poached eggs I made for Saturday breakfast.

Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Cavatappi, with scallions & Parmesan.

This was easy to fix and another yummy dish for three meals for me.