Book Review - Bianca's Cure - By Gigi Berardi - Pulication Date 10 February 2026

 Besides decades of romance between Bianca and the Medici prince, there were decades of meticulous experiments and documentations of her findings.  Bianca was determined to find a cure for malaria, especially for her Prince Francesco, but also for the others in the world of Florence.  The setbacks and frustrations and overt hostilitiy towards her as a woman in the 1500's, dabbling in 'brews' would have been enough to halt a person of lesser caliber, but not Bianca.  She forged through relentlessly.  I liked her strength in this aspect.

This work of historical fiction has been based on real pepole (as reflected in the main characters).  Of course as this is fictional, there are the added 'salt and pepper seasonings'.

I mostly enjoyed the narrative but did find it somewhat draggy.  Perhas there were too many descriptions.  Overall, it felt long and drawn out.  However, this could be the cleverness of the author to mirror the long years of Bianca's scientific work in progress.  If so, it surely gave me, the reader, the 'feel' for that slow pace of the whole process she had had to work through.  Either way, I felt impatient, waiting for the story to end.

This could be just me though.  Other potential readers may find it thoroughly fascinating especially with the descriptions of the plants and leaves and distellations as Bianca created her medicines.

Just so you know, for those who are adverse to initmate bedroom scenes, there are plenty of them in this book.  This is the one other caution I'd have for this narrative.

                                         ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                      January 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 - An Unconventional Lady - By Sarah E. Ladd - Publication Date: 10 February 2026

 

Historical fiction from the 1800's interests me very much.  And as this narrative is set in that time frame I really enjoyed this story.  The dynamics of women having to marry for convenience to set up alliances with another family or to secure an inheritance or legacy are issues explored in this book.  

Phrenology, a pseudoscience, that was discussed, dissected and explored in those days, features largely in this tale.  Repercussions, lies and deceit snarl around Ella, her father, Gabriel Rowe, Phoebe and the Society.  I'm also happy when an author addresses abuse of women, which Sarah E. Ladd has done in this book.  

Overall, I found the story to be pleasant and I was favorably satisfied with the storyline.

                                               ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                           November 2025

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Roll Along Well (Humility)

 

Unity ... it's being together or at one with someone or something.  Like a person on a bicycle, powering it with their strong legs, turning the pedals that are attached to the crank arms that are connected to the back wheel hub.  The chain that links them engages to move the back wheel forward, setting the bicycle in motion.  There are different parts but the person and the bicycle function as one.

Similarly, the body of Christ can function.  This can relate directly to the unity of the Spirit in church.  Unity is an expression of humility.  Even though there are brothers and sisters-in-Christ with their own thoughts, ideas and opinions, when they humbly work together, they power and keep the unity of the Spirit.

This 'one body' unity is kept by the willingness of our minds and hearts.  It is not coerced.  Unity allows all the believers to use their gifts for the good and benefit of all the other believers.  It doesn't get jealous or demanding.  Humiltiy keeps the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  

Furthermore, because of the grace given us, this unity can be activated and maintained,

"But the grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift" (Ephesians 4:7 ESV).

God's grace in us, coupled with Christlike humility, can do wondrous things among the congregation of believers.  It is like being one with the Spirit like the person with the bicycle.  Like this, we can roll along well for Jesus.

Heavenly Father, our humanness often causes rifts among assembled believers.  Help us with Holy Spirit empowerment to clothe ourselves with humility and the grace you have given us through Jesus to keep the unity of the Spirit You so desire and require. I beseech You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                      ~ ERC  January 2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 12:13-20, 27 and Ephesians 4:3-7 ESV.

Sing, Trust and Obey, along with the Vagle Brothers and We Are One Body, along with Tom Iglis.

Lord's Day Devotion - The Oil of Humility (Humility)

 

Just as a bicycle chain needs regular oiling to prevent rusting and to give a smoother ride, so too, humility can act as 'oil' to keep unity of the Spirit.

Serving in church is an expression of humility.  With this 'oil' there will be fewer arguments and disagreements that divide the saints.  Discovering ones' gift and using it among the believers is good.  We do not need to show off or toot our own horns about it.  Just quietly go about our service for the Lord and His people.

The gift of teaching or a pastor's preaching does not have the be in competition.  Some people giving generously and cheerfully doing acts of mercy are welcome especially when there is no boasting about it.  Those who tally the weekly offerings must be people of integrity and good at math and accounting.  The church office worker, a person who has a gift of administration and so much more.  There are various and sundry gifts that can be used in our Master's service.

Pastors, the shepherds who take care of the sheep, often work tirelessly and quietly all week long doing so much for the good of the congregants, unbeknowst to the general comgregation.  They are often unappreciated.  Yet, altogether with all the church members, they can work in peace and harmony, and the believers grow in their Christian life and relationship with the Lord and each other.  It keeps the unity of the Spriit in the bond of peace and faith as each humbly use their respective gift of service.

As the well-oiled bicycle runs smoothly, so too when the oil of humilty is regularly applied to the interrelations of the church members.

Father God we lift our voices up to You in praise and gladdness that Your gifts of grace have been given to Your children for the good and benefit of all in any given congregation of Your people.  Hallelujah!  You have faithfully given us all of them.  Help us to apply the 'oil' of humility as we go about our service for You among the brethren and those who are yet to know You.  

This Lord's Day, we keep this in mind as we partake of the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine, those symbols that remind us of all Jesus has done for us through His death and resurrection.  We are so thankful for it all.  In Your Son Jesus' name we give You are heartfelt thanks.  Amen.

                                                 ~  ERC  January 2026 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13 ESV.

Sing, We Fall Down, along with Chris Tomlin and Speak, O Lord, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Common Denominator (Humility)

 Living in a land that is supposedly a "land of the free and home of the brave" sounds like fantasy.  When immigration pours in, yes, the immigrants likely feel freedoms they hadn't experienced in their land of birth.  They have had to be brave to come.  But do they ever, truly become one with their adopted country?

Are they looked upon as 'belonging'?  That is the question.  Have they inculcated enough of the local vibes to give the appearance of being one with the locals?  Are there enough common denominators?

There are so many cultures coming together but wishing to remain who they were in their country of origin.  Generally speaking, it's armor, defensive armor.

But when there are church members in multicultural conglomerate, we Christians have to remember God's words about no more Jew or Greeks, slaves or free in the congregation of believers.

The 'common denominator' is that we are one body in Christ.  We are one in Christ.  We are all followers of Jesus Christ.  There is a 'code of ethics' - so to speak - that should characterize each believer and they each need to put it into action among the assemblage.

We all belong to Jesus Christ.  We are all Christians.  Each has the Holy Spirit.  These are common denominators.  And if each is walking humbly in the fear of the Lord, and in step with the Holy Spirit, they will behave in a manner pleasing to the Lord and not look down on anyone in contempt.  Nor will anyone look up and put anyone on a pedestal.

If you read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 you will see what God says through the Apostle Paul.

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of the one Spirit" (ESV).

When we wrap ourselves in humility, which by-the-way, is required of the Lord (see Micah 6:8 NKJV), we will want and have that attitude of Jesus Christ.  We will want to imitate Him.  At church we will engage certain behavior referred to as "expressions of humility."  These should be obvious to all.

There will then be greater unity among the saints.  There will be greater love shown to one and all.  All our praise, worship and boasting will be for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Let's let our common denominator of humility to activate.

Heavenly Father, You know how our humanness often makes us selfish and proud.  In humility, Jesus came and showed us true humility.  Help us to wrap ourselves in His, to grow more and more humble in imitation of Jesus' attitude.  We need this especially at church among believers of all shapes and sizes and ethnic backgrounds.  May we see ourselves first and foremost as Your children characterized by Your love, forgiveness and humility and more.

In Christ we are all one and not the culture we were born into.  May there be peace and harmony and a showing of Your love among the believers.  When non-believers look at us they will say we truly belong to You.  I ask all this in Jesus' most precious name.  Amen.

                                                  ~ ERC  January 2026 ~

Based on:  1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV.

Sing, The Love of God is Greater Far, along with Guy Penrod, Joy Gardner and David Phelps.

Let Another Praise You (Humility)

"Let another praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lipe" (Proverbs 27:2 ESV).

There may be good reason for praising something successful and the one who worked hard to achive a goal.  But this verse tells us to let others do the praising.

I'd say its okay to compete, to have excellence and success in various pursuits a person can have.  It's good to do and be the best we can but don't praise yourself upon the accomplishments.  This seems to be the verse's sentiments God wants us to know.

Success and praise can become idols and be hindrances to growing humility in our Christian lives.  We need to walk humbly with the Lord.  In fact, humility is what the Lord requires of us (see Micah 6:8 NKJV).

Think about the Apostle Paul.  He had the finest of pedigrees.  Top education, straight A's, so to speak, the best of Pharisees, abiding religiously correct to God's Laws and among other things, top grade.  He had had such great success and acclaim in his life.

But in the end, he actually considered the accomplishements as "rubbish" (see Philippians 3:8).  Why?  He said this because he wanted to gain Christ in his life, to have Christ's righteousness and goodness instead of banking on his own merits.

And he did have much to boast about.  You can read the list in 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10.  But he said not to put confidence in ourselves.  We need the confidence that comes from God to make us complete, which we can't achieve from all our earthly successes (see 2 Corinthians 3:1-4).

He practiced what he preached, too.  Remember Phoebe?  She was one Paul commended and praised to the Romans.  It wasn't because of her beauty and charm - we're not told about that.  But because she had been such a help and blessing to many, including Paul himself.

In the same passage, Paul names several others like Priscilla and Aquila, his fellowworkers who risked their lives for him.  The church also met in their home.  The list goes on (see Romans 16).

So even if we have swimming success in whatever we do, be sure to boast about what our Lord and Savior has done for us.  Be sure to thank Him for it too.

As we practice this daily, humility we'll have more fertile ground in which to grow humility within us and govern our lives.  Let's seek this outcome and give God the praise.

Father God, may the humility and attitude of Jesus characterize me too.  Work it into my life so all my praise and worship goes to You and Your Son Jesus.  In Jesus' name I ask.  Amen.

                                               ~ ERC  December 2025 ~

Based on Proverbs 27:2; Jeremiah 9:23-24 and 1 Corinthians 1:31 ESV.

Sing, Praise the Savior, along with Songs From Scripture (Abe & Liza Philip).  Or here's another version of it with choir input from Martijin de Groot and Grace Community Church.

War Across the Divide (Humility)

 

They say birds of a feather flock together.  It seems quite true.  Take an ordinary classsroom of students with a teacher in front of the class.  Often, it becomes teacher vs students.

So teachers from other classes band together, forming a coalition of sorts.  Then across the divide of feathers, there's tension and 'war'.

The same scenario could float to the top at church with church leadership vs congregation. Or, at work, employees vs employer.  In the home it could be parents vs their children.

With this divide there comes 'resistance to learning'.  Resistance to learning is a hindrance to developing humility in our lives as believers in Jesus Christ.

Those in leadership positions may feel those under their leadership are rebellious, stubborn, lazy, uncaring and not eager to cooperate or to learn.

The students, church members, employees and children may feel that those in authority above them are too bossy, unwilling to listen to feedback and therefore, unable to accept teaching and words of wisdom.  So can you see this tug-of-war?

When Christian teachers, church leaders, employers and parents together with their Christian students, church members, employees and children see Jesus as THE Teacher, and make HIM boss of their life, there will be more humility, I believe.  When we realize Jesus is the true Person in authority, both sides of the divide will be better able to accept each other better and then like beautiful flowers, each will be able to grow and blossom.  There won't be as much resistance to learning and listening, and there won't be so much war across the divide.

Learning will be more able to flow in both directions with greater respect for each other:  teachers and students; church leadership with church members, employers with employees, and parents with their children and visa versa.

"Hallelujah!"  we can then joyfully exclaim.

                                                    ~  ERC  December 1015  ~

Based on Matthew 7:28-29 and John 1:38 ESV.

Sing, I Want to Serve the Purpose of God in My Generation, along with Peter C3  and Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated, along with Reawaken.