Free - Flow (Philippians 4:7 ESV)

 Irritations such as other road users who don't drive as well as we do (ha,ha) or children who can make us frustrated and bring out our impatience and anger, can be hindrances to free-flow fellowship with our Lord and Savior.

I don't know about you but I'd like to have that free-flow of fellowship with my Heavenly Father like Abraham and even Moses once had with Him.  It seems like it was so natural and easy for them.  

So what holds us back from this today?

Actually, we need to grab hold of our faith and believing in God, that He can and will and has already, clothed me with His Holy Spirit.  In Holy Spirit's strength I can overcome the interruptions and irritations of the daily grind.

Do you feel any resistance and/or skepticism to this ideal idea because of those road users, children, annoying colleagues and the like?

There are times we need to give up our rights.  Our rights to uninterrupted time, to not having to slow down when some car driver cuts in, in front of us, or when someone is not punctual to an event, and so on.

Free-flow fellowship with our Abba Father would confess those frustrations and anger and impatience.  It would forgive the 'intruders'.

As difficult as it may be, let's make peace with all that and praise our God from whom all blessings flow.  Let's crawl up into His arms, rest our head on His shoulder and bask in His love, calling Him, "Abba Father."

And say, "OK Lord, what shall I learn from this?  May your peace and joy be a mantle upon me and may I go in peace."

We can choose.  It's our choice.

                                              ~  ERC  June 2026  ~

Based on Philippians 4:7 ESV.

Sing, Your Are My Peace, along with Faithful Sound.

Inside Out Personality Change (Galatians)

 Some people's personalities can change overtime.  They can change from sweet and carefree to troubled and grumpy, and the like.  What happens to make them thus?  Many things!!!

But let's look at some postivie direction in how our own persaonlities can change from the inside out.  But how they can change from not so good, to good, better and then best.

If you do a study of the book of Galatians, you could well have your mind renewed.  Operating less on ones own strength and more through the work of the Holy Spirit indwelling all followers of Jesus Christ.  In this way we can choose to allow the fruit of the Spirit to be released within us to full potential.  Indeed, we could then become ever more Christlike.

We can give our time and attention to working on these as we read through the book of Galatians and let the Lord work in our hearts as we apply its teaching.

Father God, in Your own time and way, bring this Holy Spirit change within me.  Let nothing prevent me from completing this journey from the inside out.  In Your Son Jesus' name, Amen.

                                             ~  ERC  June 2026  ~

Based on the book of Galatians.

Sing, Holy Spirit, along with Jesus Culture 2021.

Prisoner Set Free (John 8:32-36 ESV)

 Do you ever feel like you are in prison; at least, mentally or emotionally?  That you are stuck and it's making you feel depressed?  You can't seem to look above the situation you are in?

And someone hints at, or you hear a sermon or see some reel about forgiveness vs bitterness with which someone tries to catch your attention.  May you be encouraged to see the postitive side by,

"Look[ing] to Jesus Christ".

Oi.  How to do that!  In what way!?

And you feel more resentment, resistance and self-pity turning into guilt and more imprisoning ... But you keep thinking ...

Does forgiveness really bring freedom and joy?  Will it loosen chains that bind my heart and mind and peace?

Don't stay 40 years in the desert.

Jesus came to set captives free (see Luke 4:18).

Look to His light.  Try it.  Look up to that window a way up in your prison cell where some sunlight filters in.

Reach for it.

Slowly.

Painfully, but surely.

Advance over obstacles to get there.

May God's truth set us all free.  Give it all to Jesus and seek His forgiveness.  Then forgive others as He enables you.

Be set free ...

                                                  ~  ERC  June 2026  ~

Based on John 8:32-36 ESV.

Sing, Freedom Hymn, along with Austin French.  This may be a bit of a 'wild' song, albeit a Christian one.  Try to see the lyrics even if the music isn't your style.

Restoration and Perfection (2 Corinthians 13: especially vs 9, 11 and 14 ESV)

 

The Corinthian believers grew up in a very promiscuous society, and may even have engaged in such doings before their salvation.  Many had relinquished those practices but some still clung to them (read both 1 & 2 Corinthians to discover this).

They'd also grown up in an affluent society.  Many were very likely well-to-do.  Clinging to their wealth and hoarding it "just in case" of hard times may have led to their reluctance in giving monetary help when and where needed.  In this case, to the Jerusalem believers who were in dire straits.

Paul had to remind them at least three times to follow through on their initial desire to give such a gift.  He was trying hard to spur them on to love (with God's unconditional love) and good works (see Hebrews 10:24).

There was still work to do in their hearts and minds.  A work of perfection and restoration.  Paul told them to ... 

"Aim for perfection ... (2 Corinthians NIV).

Or as the ESV puts it,

"Aim for restoration."

He said that they prayed for it ...

"Your restoration is what we pray for" (2 Corinthians 13:9 ESV).

He wanted them to

 "Be perfect" (2 Corinthains 13:11 KJV).

When they could be restored in their souls and spirits, they'd be perfect. 

Grace, love and fellowship could be restored to the unity of the Spirit.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all,"

Paul wrote and prayed (2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV).

May all of us reading this also have this aim:  restoration and perfection through Christ's grace; God's love and the Holy Spirit's fellowship.  Then may we follow through on our good intentions. In Jesus' name we ask.  Amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  June 2026  ~

Based on 2 Corinthians 13:especially vs 9, 11 and 14 ESV.

Sing, The Love of God, along with Reawaken.

Photo credits:  Jane Koh.

Book Review - My Son's Duty - By Roberta Kagan - Pulication Date: 8 July 2026

 

Roberta Kagan was 'on fire' with this historical work of fiction.  In my opinion, it was a blast from start to finish.  Her time frame for the book is during WWII and the setting is Hitler's Germany.  Besides the plight of the Jews and Gypsies which was horrendous, the ordinary Aryan, German citizen was also in a dilemma.  A case of 'do or die' was basically presented to them and if they did or did not comply to the ever-constrictive rules of Nazi Germany, their fate would be swift and sealed towards destruction right there alongside the Jews and other folks deemed 'undesirable' by the Nazi's.  It was a terrible choice.  What's more, if one happened to be a wife or a son of a diehard SS officer obsessed with promotions in the regime, it was even more dangerous.

This is the take in a nutshell I got and that I felt Kagan was highlighting so aptly.  I found my heart in my throat and tears in my eyes at the heartless, senseless, uncaring behavior.  But when there were those who cared, it was so heartening to see.

I'd say this Book 2 in the Duty and Betrayal series is very well done and more than satisfactory.  I'm holding my breath, waiting for the next in the series, which I hope to be able to read.

                                                    ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Silence Sounds Simple - By Gary Golio - Publication Date: 7 July 2026

 Musically themed illustrations dance across the pages of this children's book.  I believe young readers will be drawn to it and curiosity will lead them through.

The book is based on the life of John Cage explaining his own unique way of 'hearing' silence and enabling audiences to 'hear' it too.  In my opinion, it has some intrigue.

At book's end a reader will be treated to an interesing and brief biography of John Cage's life.

                                             ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                           March 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimetnary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Conspiracy - By Colleen Coble - Publication Date: 7 July 2026

 

There are a lot of characters, good guys and the bad ones, to keep track of in this third and final book in the Sanctuary Novel series.  It kinda made my head spin to do so.  However, Hez and Savannah and Simon briefly appear.  One would have met them in the earlier books.  The main focus here though was upon Paradise, Blake, Drew and others as they track down who the killers of their parents had been.  Despite it having been a 'cold' case, suspicious things were still happening even 20 years down the road since the murders had taken place.

Scare tactics were employed, attempting to dissuade Paradise and team to turn away from investigating .  The meance escalates as one moves through the story.  Threads of romance, season the narrative and injections of faith actions such as prayer and the occasional references to God appear throughout.  I like that the read is clean and I didn't have to be on guard against descriptions of intimate interactions in bedrooms.

Discussion Question at story's end touch on issues alluded to in the story creating a nice helpful summary should one take the time to answer them.

                                        ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                            April 2026

Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Read review on Goodreads.