Self-Control Needed

 More self-control is needed, so I'm glad that self-control is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Why?

Because it is often difficult to impliment.  Therefore, followers of Jesus Christ have this advantage - if we so employ this potential.

How so?

It is a benefit of humility.  It stops us from having to have the last word; it helps us to give soft answers; from over or under eating and from becoming proud - obviously - along with a whole list of other things.

We can ask the Lord Jesus to teach us these in greater measure as we walk in step with Him, enabling us to walk in greater humility - just like He did when He walked this earth.

Let's honor God by humbly exercising Holy Spirit-led self - control.  In Him is our strength.

Bye for now...

                                             ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5:22-23ESV.

Sing, Give Me Self-Control, along with Soverign Grace Music.

Cycle of Grace and Humility

 It's tricky talking about being humble.  The very moment I do, I feel prickles in my mind that say, "Uh-oh, are you sure you're humble?  Sounds like some tinge of pridefulness."

But I'm glad God gives more grace ...

"But He gives more grace.  Therefore, it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6 ESV).

So, I suppose cultivating God's grace will help me become more humble.  The humble are given more grace. A cycle of grace and humility then can become intertwined in ever-increasing measures.

This cycle can then help me towards humble repentance.  And God hears and answers those who pray.  We can then humbly listen for His voice and answers.

Let's all grow humility in our hearts and cultivate God's grace in our lives.  That's not too tricky, I don't think.

Bye for now ...

                                                  ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on James 4:6 ESV.

Sing, God of Every Grace, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Book Review - After the Betrayal (Duty and Betrayal Series Book 3) - By Roberta Kagan - Publication Date: 16 September 2026

 Manifold are the stories that have been untold, but do unfold in historical works of fiction such as Roberta Kagan can create.  This After the Betrayal is a prime example.  It is timeset in Hitler's Germany during WWII.  Atrocities and cruelty abound even among members of an SS Officer's family against whom the 'weaker' members suffer.  Despite that, we are told of kind and caring Germans who stuck their necks out to hide, protect and care for Jewish people.  Both ends of this spectrum are seen in this book.

Although this book can be a stand alone, it would be helpful to read Books 1 and 2 in this Duty and Betrayal Series to draw and weave the ends together in greater pleasure and enjoyment.  Either way, we meet good folks like Greta, Ziggy, Hermann, Lily, Ruth, Rebecca and others; and the not so good, like Ludwig and Alex.  Each expose their true characters.

We learn of the dangers of those who hid folks in their homes, of the Partisans and other groups of resistance people, with their varying successes and devastating consequences.  We learn of Hitler's sadistic project against those with disabilites: anything NOT Aryan and 'whole'.

As Kagan masterfully weaves her story, I often felt maximun emotional impact.  I believe potential readers would come to 'feel' some of what those characters portraying the strife of those days revealed, even down into their souls.  The author keeps the kettle boiling with the pathos the whole way through, adding a well executed ending.

5-Star rating, from me.

                                              ~  Eunice C.   Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                              September 2026

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

Read reviewo on Goodreads.

Encouragers Needed

 

More encouragers are needed.

Just think of this case scenario...

You drive along mountainous terrain having torrential rains come in unprecedented deluges.

The mountainsides begin to tremble, shake and slide.  Then there's an avalanche of earth, trees, and boulders.  They thunder and tumble down the slopes, landing in your path as if someone had purposefully upended a cornucopia of malice and shook it out, blocking your road and escape.

There's no way around, under, over or through.  You are stunned and stuck!  What are you thinking?  How are you feeling?

Time has stopped.

Numbness of brain and thought paralyze.  You feel hopeless and helpless.

What's to be done!?

How about this case #2 scenario ...

There is a river wide and wild that eventually slims down to rocky banks, of meandering twists and turns.  But then there's a great big granite rock in the middle of the flowing river.  But look, the river has found a way around and continues to rush onwards.  It smoothes and polishes that rock as it streams by.

In both cases, there are obstacles.  In the first scenario, one cannot help oneself.  Dependance upon others is needed to remove the debris so you can continue the journey.

In the second instance, you paddle your own canoe around the obstacles, finding a pathway as does the river.  Or, you portage.  You've been able to 'move on'.

Life is so much like both of these sequence of events.  There are times we need help from others.  There are times we take a deep breath and carry on.

For believers, no doubt , we pray and show our dependance upon the Lord, our strength and helper.

We never know the depth of another person's life's struggles and situation.  If we can humble ourselves and offer some form of encouragment to them, whether in word or deed or both, be sure you may well be the one helping to remove the debris, from soneone's life - if not physically perhaps mentally, emotionally and/or spiritually.

Whatever, let's be sensitive to the people in our paths who need encouragement.  Let's be the one to give another brother or sister-in-Christ the lift gift!

It is very often needed ...

Bye for now ...

                                              ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on James 4:10 and Acts 4:36.

Sing, Encourage One Another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11, along with Steve Green.

Book Review - Daughters of the Wreckage - By Stefanie Koens - Publication Date: 15 September 2026

 

What a fascinating story!  I found it to be one of those very difficult-to-put-down novels, and was disgruntled when I had to do just that to do life.  Based on a true-life story that harkened back to the 1600's, a ship named Batavia enroute to Batavia (present day Jakarta, Indonesia), sailed from Amsterdam, Holland.  It got shipwrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.  Then a whole horror story happened!

This historical narrative runs along a two time frame setting from 1628 and the "present" day.  The two dovetail as Saskia experiences the nightmare of events whilst Tess 'digs' them up and discovers the history.  Several of the book's characters named were actual, true-to-life characters that helped shape the tale as it unfolded.  My favorite character was Aris.

Besides the actual history parts of the story, I appreciated the faith-based injections as well as the sweet romance that wafted its fragrances, softly, in threads throughout.  In my opinion, this has been a great way to become more aware of events from history despite the horrendousness thereof, and the people of those times and places can be remembered once again.

                                            ~  Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                             August 2026

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

Read review on Goodreads.  

Less Finger-Pointing Needed

 

There's the old mother's proverb that instructs,

"If you point your finger at someone else, you still have three fingers pointing back at yourself."

In other words, don't be judgemental and critical of others.  We have our own foibles.  And it's good to be reminded that when there's better relationship between and among people, there will be less finger-pointing at others.

Similarly, Jesus told the accusing crowd that humilitated the woman allegedly caught in adultery ... And as they continued to ask Him, He stood up and said to them,

"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her"                 (John 8:7 ESV).

If you continue to read the story of what came after Jesus said those words, you'll see that one-by-one, from the eldest to the youngest, the crowds turned away and dispersed.

Let's be humble, truly see the other person.  In many cases, our own assumptions, prejudices, or the negative gossip regarding others, is false and unfounded.

Let's see what's actually behind a person and not make snap judgements.

Don't be the pot that calls the kettle black when you yourself are not without sin.

Lord Jesus, preserve us from self-righteousness and being critical of others.  Help us to humbly see the situation through Your eyes and so respond as You would.  Amen.

Bye for now ...

                                      ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on John 8:4 ESV.

Sing, Jesus Said, Judge Not that Ye Be Not Judged, along with scriptural thinking songs.

Better Relationships Needed

 Better relationships are needed.  Instead of generating bullying, domineering kind of power and control-hungry persons, we ought to pro-actively work on bettering relationships with our children, neighbors, other church members and the like.

Being humble is a big step forward towards this end.  If one is in a position of power, be it ever so slight, being firm is a necessary ingredient for sure, but building trust and respect cannot be coerced.  Coercion produces fear driven subservience, not willing obedience.

Admitting our mistakes, being kind, helping others and being more observant of individuals under our care would go a long way, I believe, towards humble beginnings but also sustaining better relationship with others.

We can slowly but surely do this with Jesus' help and in His name.

Bye for now ...

                                              ~ ERC  August 2026 ~

Based on Philippians 2:3-4 ESV.

Sing, Humble Yourselves, along with the Maranatha Singers.