Book Review - The Reluctant Healer of Halifax - By Terrie Todd - Publication Date: 1 August 2026

 

Having grown up in the Halifax, Nova Scotia region myself, and knowing some of the street names named in the story and having learned a smidgen or two about the Halifax Explosion years ago, this work of historical fiction made the tragic happening of yore all the more real to me.  It must truly have been a horrific and devastating period of time on top of the chaos and heartache of the ongoing WWI of that timeframe.  Not knowing many of the facts of the explosion and its aftermath, as detailed in this tale, made me appreciate this book all the more for adding to my general knowledge. 

As I read, I liked how the author carried the reader through the story as the before, during and aftermath of the explosion unfolds.  The author, at least in my opinion, brings the reader through as if you'd lived through it all yourself.  You really feel like you are at ground zero.

I believe that potential readers must be prepared to read some graphic word pictures; learn of the pyschological effects, the blindness from glass shards, the loss of family members, homes and be prepared for tears that may come, but also feel the joys.  There were wicked people who took advantage of vulnerable people but also the kind and compassionate ones like Pearline, Daisy, Mrs. Hamilton and soldiers like Oliver and Murphy, who in turn all had substantial losses of their own.

Frustrating romance, and a strong faith and trust in God coupled with prayer were laced through the narrative in good, satisfying quantities, making the whole story an extra special read for me.  The blind got very honorable mention, in fact, a school for the blind and the very newly made blind are highlighted and given good dignity and placement in the story.  

I feel that this is a well-written work and it gets a 5 Star rating from me.

                                        ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                         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.

Pray Day and Night

 " ... as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV).

Looks like this is a very determined and sincere manner of praying.  It was Paul's way of supporting the Thessalonian believers even when he wasn't among them in person.  He prayed for them, not so much for material things but that God would supply whatever was lacking in their faith.

To pray 24/7 sounds like a tall order, however.  How would it even be possible (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17)!  Learning from Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet PRAYER The Real Battle, it's more like being ever digilent and alert to prayer opportunities as they come along.

There can be earnestness and sincerity in such a stance and in each prayer.  They suggest that whenever and whereever and even during whatever you are doing or undergoing, when you hear news reports for example, pray.  Pray for the general populace of course in natural disaster situations, in places of persecution and so forth.

Then ask yourself, "What about the church in those places?"  And "What are they experiencing?  What do they lack?"  Pray that that lack will be supplied.

Pray for the Lord's mercy to be upon them and the situation they are in.  Pray that God's great name will be honored through it all, that His kingdom will be evident.  How will it affect the church?  Pray there will be church left even if it is a small flicker of light in the surrounding darkness. Above all, pray that any lacking faith will be supplied!  

Pray they will endure.  Pray they will have courage to speak for the Lord and honor Him.

Pray that the "fourth man in the fire" shows up for them (see Daniel 3:24-25).  And that they will come forth as gold.

In the news today, I saw there's major flooding in another part of the country I'm in.  Folks struggling to go to and fro work and home.  There is loss of life, and home and possessions.  There is displacement.  Then there's the re-escalating conflict between the USA and Iran and all that fall out.

Stop and pray.

Or we can pray even as we work in the office, at the job site, or sweeping the floors at home.  No doubt it's good to have a specific 'time out' to pray but we can continue our prayers when we get up from our knees.

There's a song we used to sing as children,

"Whisper a prayer in the morning,

Whisper a prayer at noon,

Whisper a prayer in the evening

To keep your heart in tune."

Keeping our heart in tune with our heavenly Father's will and desires and for the good of His family everywhere - especially for those who live under difficult circumstances where it is very dangerous to have faith in Jesus.

Here's a quote by one Karl Barth made by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen,

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world."

There's is so much havoc and upheaveal in the world, prayer is a weapon and defence against all the disorder especially as it relates to and affects the church, and missionaries as they go about their Kingdom of God work.

Let's partner with them in earnest prayer that any lack needed, will be supplied, especially in their faith.  One day, we may see them face to face and be glad we supported them.  What's more, that the Lord worked wonders on their behalf.

Set aside daily prayer time but also pray without ceasing as the opportunities occur.  Pray earnestly day and night.

Father in Heaven, You are the God of mercy.  Have mercy on Your children in Iran, especially where the country is being bombed out.  It's a terrible thing happening there.  In all the devastation and rubble, Father, bring good out of it for Your people, Your church.  Keep Your light on there and help them and help them help the helpless and those lost in sins and darkness Satan has them bound and yoked under. 

Additionally, those who are suffering from the current flooding, have mercy on them.  May Your people be on hand to help in whatever way needed.  May Your church grow and You be glorified.

I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen of Open Doors.

Sing, Whisper A Prayer in the Morning, along with Cedarmont Kids.

Earnest Prayer Needed

 Spiritual warfare is always ongoing, inevitable and sure.  Satan and his minions won't let us Christians rest in peace as we engage in winning back God's Kingdom, and souls to be saved.

As we, or others we support in prayer, like missionaries and/or our pastor, prayer is our weapon against the wiles of the devil.

Have you seen evidence of this in your own life, brothers and sisters-in-Christ?  Don't just stand there with the armor of God donned upon you, you must pray!

This was emphasised by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet PRAYER The Real Battle.  We must pray because prayer is our weapon, they said.  Then they said,

"We have the authority to order Satan and his minions to move off the scene so that the Kingdom of God may capture another section of enemy territory" (p 15.)

Pray for God's Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What are the personal wars we fight against; temptations, anger, and more?  Pray and be willing in our heart to fight these with prayer and due diligence.  Listen for Holy Spirit's guidance, as He convicts us or warns us, "Hey, watch out lest you be tempted by this, that or the other thing" as the case arises.

Or maybe the Lord has asked you "to go" and be this light in a place to which you resist going.  You stubbornly resist.  Consequences, if not obedient, could be drastic as Satan rejoices.  You allow him a foothold.

Pray that you are not overcome, but have softened and obedient hearts that our Heavenly Father can use for His glory and claiming back another part of His Kingdom.  Let's be more than conquerors through prayer with God's power working in and through us.

We may also evidence spiritual warfare as we pray for our unsaved relatives.  We do not want them to pass eternally ruined into hell that was only meant for Satan and his minions.  But Satan does NOT wish to give in, even an inch.  He will fight you tooth and nail for every single relative and friend you have!

The community surrounding us may also be kept captive by the evil one.

"Prayer is a means by which we release these hostages" (p. 15).

We must pray for their release.

It reminds me that occasionally, groups of Christians will go on prayer walks around their city or town.  We can go on our own prayer walks through the streets of our own smaller community in which we live.  Walk your dog, and pray.

Similarly, this spiritual warfare grips countries where persecution is rife.  We may not see it, but our Heavenly Father does.  As we participate in the Holy Spirit, we can be their prayer support, fortifying them and upholding them in prayer that they will be ever faithful in proclaiming Christ.  Additionally, that they will have courage and endurance in whatever situation they may be battling.

This spiritual warfare is battled through prayer.  The authors of the booklet PRAYER The Real Battle quote Ronald Dunn on this preparation for battle.

Dunn said,

"The battle for lost souls is won by prayer and intercession.  Prayer is the warfare.  Evangelism is not the attempt to win the battle - it is the mopping up operation.  The physical possessions of the church, the buildings, organization and programs are the trucks we drive onto the field of battle to load up the spoils of the victory won by interecession."

As I read through this booklet, I'm being made more aware of this battle we believers in Jesus Christ fight.  It's being impressed in a more impactful way on my mind:

More earnest prayer is needed!

And that this spiritual warfare is very real and is not going away anytime too soon.

The battle belongs to the Lord but we are His warriors.  Let's watch and pray and pray without ceasing.  Pray in the mighty name of Jesus (Matthew 24:40 & 41 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

                                                ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 24:40-41 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV).  Also PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) along with Chris Tomlin.  The following is more a reading plus song and is very meaningfully striking.  It takes about 15 minutes but I hope you will take the time to listen/watch.     RISE Prayer Warriors RISE!

Lord's Day Devotion - Remembering Jesus' Name

 What's in a name?  How well will it be remembered?  What will it be remembered for?

These were interesting questions that popped into my head this moring after reading Ephesians chapter one and especially verse 21.  Here's how it reads ...

"Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."

People want to be remembered when they are gone from this earth.  Some get honored by having a street, an airport, a building or even a bridge named after them.  Years down the road, the origins of these place names recede into obscurity and folks will ask, "Who's he?' or "What was he so famous for that he'd get a bridge named after him?"

Case in point, there are two bridges that span the Halifax Harbor between Halifax and Dartmouth, the twin cities of Nova Scotia, Canada.  One bridge is named after Angus L. Macdonald and the other is the A. Murray Mackay.

Both men these bridges were named for were valient men, who did much for their niche in the world.  But do you know what?  I may have learned about them in school but for the life of me I cannot remember what their exploits had been.  I had to search the Internet!

What's more, the locals continue to use the less than memorable terms, 'the old bridge' and 'the new bridge' respectively since the A. Murray MacKay (the new bridge) was fixed in place in 1970!

Isn't that a caution!

Yet, praise be, our Lord Jesus Christ's name is the one and only name that will be remembered

 "not only in this age but also in the one to come!?"

His is the name that is above every name and that will be on every person's tongue whether in the present age or the one to come.

In fact, every one will bow to the name of 'Jesus' (see Philippians 2:10-11).  His is the name many curse  and use carelessly now, but many do still revere it and Him because of all He has done for them in bringing us salvation.

This Lord's Day, as we brothers and sisters-in-Christ remember what He has done for us in His death and resurrection, by partaking of the broken bread and drinking of the cup of wine, let the name of Jesus be upon our lips and let's take the name of Jesus with us throughout the ensuing week, and until He comes.

Then, around the throne of God in Heaven, in that 'age to come,' we will still be singing and praising, "Jesus," how sweet the sound!  His name will be remembered for all eternity ahead.

                                          ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Ephesians 1: especially vs 21 ESV.

Sing, Take the Name of Jesus With You, along with joslingrovechoralsociety.

The A. Murray MacKay Bridge picture is downloaded from the wikipeida link.

POEM - For Just One Hour

 "So, could you not watch with me one hour"  (Matthew 26:40)?

This sounds like one of the saddest verses in the Bible.  The loneliness behind the words, of our Savior dreading one of the most difficult hours of His life on earth before experiencing the next horrendous hours of arrest, fake trial and death by crucifixion.

"Watch and pray" (Matthew 26:41 ESV).

But the disciples fell asleep.

Even now, if someone were to ask if you can schedule one hour per week in a quiet place to just watch and pray with Jesus, could you?  Would you?  Try it - and with no agenda or prayer list.  Watch and pray.  Listen.  Write down what God says to you.  This has been recommended by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet entitled PRAYER The Real Battle.

It's actually hard to do.  Seek God though.  Pray before it's too late and we get sleepy and fall asleep and don't keep Him company and don't support Him.

Our Father in Heaven, teach us to pray, to commune withYou.  What do You want to say to me?

"Cease the distractions," He says.

"Come silent before Me.

Listen.

In the stillness,

Hear Me,

What I say.

Come apart from everything.

May My Kingdom come.

Knock down Satan's strongholds -

with prayer.

Do you hear My whisper?

My still small voice?

Quiet.

Be alert.

Ready and waiting.

In this stance you may hear 

MY weeping,

MY spiritual battle.

Fierce.

Therefore,

"watch and pray that you enter not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41).

Be delivered from evil.

"Mine," continued Jesus, "Mine is the kingdom" - go and claim it back for Me, in My name and with Holy Spirit's power....

Watch for at least one hour."

"Yes, Lord."

                                                 ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 24:40 & 41 ESV, and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen (Open Doors booklet).

Sing,  Blessed Assurance, along with City Alight.

HAIKU - Solid Ground and Peace Prayer

 Earthquake shakes bring fear,

pain, rubble, lost loved ones; cry!

God, where's solid ground?

Wars, rumors of war,

Produce fear, sorrow, sadness,

God, help us, bring peace!

          ~ ERC November 2023 ~

Jesus wept at death,

for mourners at their loved ones'

wake.  He weeps today.

Oh come, Lord Jesus.

May Your Kingdom come and Your

will be done on earth!

            ~ ERC, added July 2026 ~

Sing, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, along with Reawaken Hymns.

Ceaseless Praying

 I thought I was pretty good already but I've read something that's shown me up.  There's pride there.  Not sure when it entered in, but gasp, it's surely there!

No matter how often one prays, with a phone alarm set at intervals as a reminder to pray for this, that and the other thing, it is sincerity of heart that matters.

It's also the humble of heart.  God's word actually asks us to,

 "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV).

We can have a constant conversation with our Lord.  There's no need to pat onurselves on the back at the three or five times-a-day we may utter a few words on others' behalf.

Praying, "Your will be done on earth Lord, is my desire."  but I often fall short of it.

"Lord, I repent of my pride in prayer, I forgot to ask what you want and desire.  May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  May my whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless.  I await your coming.  God of peace, sanctify me completely until you come and bring me Home" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV).

Thank You for hearing me at all hours.  May I learn to listen for your voice more.  I love You Lord.  Thank You for first loving me.  Amen.

                                            ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV.

Sing, Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus, along with David and Noelle Music.