Book Review - Puma Concolor - By Rene Araneda - Publication Date: 29 September 2026

 The wonderful world of pumas awaits young and curious readers in this adventure with Rene Araneda and team.  Any young reader who wishes to explore these amazing creatures in their natural habitat through the author's eyes will find this read very welcome, I believe.  Such readers may well fall in love with the pumas.  I've come to understand more about them:  their different names they're known by; their habitats; their care of their young, and so much more.  The story in this case, of Rupestre, which I found endearing, was lovely.  What's more, the young readers would learn of the respect due between the pumas in their natural world and their interactions with human beings.  Learning about the meaning of 'concolor' and why a mother puma has a darker tipped tail were interesting tidbits of general information for me.

I believe the serious-minded reader will be truly satisfied with this read.  The great illustrations paired with puma facts and the real-life account Araneda personally experienced, are, in my opinion, major pluses of this children's book.  Very likely the whole blend will inspire many inquisitive minds.

It was noted that this book has been translated from Spanish into English. Kudos to the translator who made a lot of good sense with his excellent translation!

Although I believe this book was meant for children, I feel, it would interest adults as well - it did for me.  For further exploration, there is a list of several documentaries at book's end.  

Overall, I believe this children's educational adventure deserves a 5 Star rating.

                                             ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                          August  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.

For His Eternal Purpose (Ephesians 3:1-13 ESV)

 

The apostle Paul knew his purpose well and took it very seriously.  He lived it out and executed his mission with excellence.  Regarding preaching the message of Jesus he told the Ephesians,

"Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of His power" (Ephesians 3:7 ESV).

Paul continued to fulfill his purpose in focused fashion even when beaten, left for dead and incarcerated.  Even then, he did not waste time.  God's gift of grace was bestowed upon him and he would and did treasure it.

" ... The eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord"                   (Ephesians 3:11 ESV).

This is standing up straitght, walking tall with dignity even when knocked down  by those who would pour gasoline upon us and set us alight - figuratively speaking.  Although, I do realize there are those who would do that to God's children - literally.

It reminds me of a debate I recently heard part of.  One debater was a real piece of work, a discordant clanging and clashing cymbol for sure.  I couldn't stand it so I stopped listening.

She was so faith - LESS!  It gushed from her pores.  Her purpose appeared to be to be so loud and disrespectful of her opponent - who was a daughter in God's family - to shut her up, and shame her and discredit the message of Jesus.

This is the kind of person, that even days later, I pray that the Lord will take the blinders off her spiritual eyes that the devil has blinded her with and take the cotten out of her spiritual ears that the devil has stuffed them with so that she can see and hear what Jesus her Savior, who truly died on the cross for her, has done for her because He cares about her.  May she see Him beckoning her to, "Come, My daughter!"  May God grant her the faith to believe.

But I have gotten off track...

Back to the detractors of the gospel of Jesus that brings peace ... 

Similarly to what that lady had been doing to her debate opponent, Paul and Jesus had their detractors.  We will too but neither of these two forgot their purpose.  They steadfastly moved forward to fulfill their missions.  Jesus, of course, being the prime and perfect example, we can follow.

May the light of Jesus be brought to each one in our own spheres of purpose.  May we have boldness and confidence because of our faith in Jesus, and not lose heart no matter the 'beatings' we must take.  Let's not have confidence in our own flesh but see the

 "manifold wisdom of God."  

May it be made known in each individual believer's heart, in each and every collective assemblage of believers and then out into the 'villages and byways' of our neighborhoods and beyond.

Let's know our eternal purpose, take it seriously and execute it well - God helping us each step of the way until Jesus comes ...

Father God, Your ways and thoughts are always higher than mine, and that I could ever have!  Make me Your humble and obedient servant, therefore, so that I will follow Your will and ways with the same attitude as Jesus had as He trod this earth.  

What is my purpose, Father?  Show me the way that I may walk in it.  What thoughts do I need to have?  May Your ways and thoughts be mine too.  Jesus is my Savior and strength.  I trust in Him.

May Your Holy Spirit aid and abet me, helping me to submit to Your plan and instructions for my life - to fulfill my purpose and to execute the good works You have for me to do until Jesus comes.  In Jesus' precious name I ask, amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  September 2026   ~

Based on Ephesians 3:1-13 and Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV.

Sing, When You Speak, along with Jeremy Camp, and Show Me the Way Lord, along with Gospel Songs, The Divine Healer.

                                         

Lord's Day Devotion - Jesus, The Branch

 

We know and believe that God is faithful in keeping His promises.  He promised He'd send a Messiah and He did.  We see it fulfilled in Jesus - Immanuel - God with us.  Praise the Lord for this!

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (which means, God with us)" (Matthew 1:23 ESV).

Immanuel, our Savior, the Messiah, "the anointed one," is the one who specifically and purposely came to fix a major problem, and save a group from a crisis.

And didn't Jesus do just that ~  He came to save His people from their sins and this spilled over for the Gentiles benefit too.  He came to seek and to save the lost.  That is whom this Messiah came to save.  And He did (see Matthew 1:21 and Luke 19:10 ESV).

He died a cruel death upon the cross at Calvary.  He rose again for our justification and He's alive and I'm redeemed, along with all my other brothers and sisters-in-Christ the world over.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Furthermore, Jesus is the Branch mentioned in Isaiah 11:1-9.  This is why I say God has kept His promise not only to Israel but to the "whosoever will" who should accept His offer of salvation (see John 3:16).

Jesus is the shoot and branch that came out of the stump of Jesse, His ancestor of something like 28 or 29 generations past.  Jesus is the royal descendant of King David.  He came up out of a seemingly dead stump or line which was raised up again and brought new life.

He brought righteousness and peace.  God kept His promise even to so many generations down the lineage.  It's rather mind-blowing but it startles one into the realization of just how much God cares about us and also how much we can trust Him because He keeps and has kept His promise.

And now we can delight in Him and all He has done for us through Jesus Messiah.  Indeed He is righteous and faithful!

This Lord's Day, let's remember our faithful God and Savior who is our priest and king.  Jesus the branch being of the same trunk as God, sharing the same divine life and 'material' as our Creator God.  He is the Branch who came as the Messiah to save us from our crisis of the penalty of our sins.

Take of the broken bread, drink of the cup of wine in sacred solemn reverence, but also in joyful, glad thanksgiving for His salvation of our souls!

Thank You, Jesus!

                                                  ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on Isaiah 11:1-9; Matthew 1:21; Jeremiah 23:5-6 and 33:14-22 and Luke 19:10 ESV.

Sing, Hallelujah chorus of Handels Messiah, along with the Royal Choral Society.

Book Review - Korean Black - By JP Blome - Publication Date: 25 September 2026

 Tragedy is tough to overcome especially when you've seen somthing horrendous.  The effects often roar silently, rumbling in waves and aftershocks of silent grief even years later.  The 'victims' become strong in their overcoming.  Such was the case for Yi Seo and her Dad, along with Wendy and Liam who became a very supportive and close-knit, caring family.  I really like this aspect of the Korean Black story.  The mysteries and masks and secrets of Korean Black added lure, as did the reasoning and development behind them, which Yi Seo and Liam created and breathed, setting the rythmn and beat tempo.

The worlds of designers and music were an interesting mix in my opinion.  About 10% of the way into reading the book, the word that came to mind was 'intricate'.  As I read further into the novel, I found it an intoxicating balance between the two lines or lives, that Yi Seo lived:  fashion and song, coupled with healing.

Another thing I appreciated was the multicultural thread of interest that ran through this living, 'breathing' story.  The romance angles were icing on the cake in this hard-to-put down account.  For me, two other words, tender and compassionate, help in describing this good book.  I believe other potential readers will find it just as riveting a read.  

A 5 Star rating from me.

                                           ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                         August 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.

And more than ....

More Punctuality Needed

 Ugh, late again and they made all the others wait.  So they cheerfully sang a song they'd heard at camp ...

"What we want is more punctuality,

More punctuality,

More punctuality;

What we want is more punctuality,

We were here on time.

We were here on time x2

what we want is more punctuality,

We were here on time."

And then they all clapped enthusiastically.

The late ones, sheepishly, at least, sat down as soon as possible, attempting to blend in ...

The singers were not sure if the latecomers were truly sorry or not since they made a habit of being late, no matter the time of any event.   They seemed rather incorrigible.

Sigh ...

It was like they felt themselves to be more important than everyone else.  This obviously was not an attitude of humility nor was it looking out for the other peoples' intersts.  Rather, they

 "counted themselves more significant" (Philippians 2:3 & 4 ESV).

But where there's life, there is hope.  Where the Holy Spirit indwells, the one indwelt can and ought to change this lack of punctuality into being on time.  

Because ...

What we need is more humble punctuality, but not to get proud of that either ... Here's hoping ...

Bye for now ...

                                             ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on James 3:17 & 18.

Song, Be In Time, along with Hymns of Praise.

Incidently, it is exceedingly important to be on time to receive Jesus as Savior in the here and now.  Once Jesus comes to call all believers up to heaven, it will be forever too late.

Imitating NOT Comparing

 God of wonders, beyond our comprehension, You are the best!  You are the "most-est" of all.  We cannot compare ourselves to You even one iota.  Yet we still desire to emulate Your son Jesus Christ.  We desire to be more like Him; to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered.  We wish to avoid comparing ourselves with others.  Help us Father.

Like Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he exhorted ...

"Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves.  But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding"                             (2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV).

Cain got jealous and angry at Abel, comparing himself with his brother.  It led to murder.

Hearts full of 'self' are a huge hindrance towards humility and becoming Christlike.  I tell you, just so you know.

Nothing we can do or be, can compare to our Jesus Christ but we can allow the Holy Spirit to move and nudge us towards being more like Him.  In this can be found more humble hearts.

Let's pray for that.

Bye for now...

                                            ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on 2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV.

Sing, God of Wonders, along with Chris Tomlin.

HAIKU & A PRAYER of Blessing and Hope - The Little Bundle

 "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds" (Psalm 9:1 ESV).

We can observe the psalmist's thanksgiving for all the Lord has done and how it swelled his heart and lips with praise. He seems to be declaring and recounting His wonderful deeds.  And they are indeed, good deeds.

It is very good and one of the most wonderful recent things our LORD has given to us to tell about, it is a baby boy grandson.  Our first of many, I hope ... haha.

Praise You Father and Lord of my heart for the safe arrival of little boy S____.  May he grow up before You as a tender plant that is well nurtured in every way.  May he grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with both You and all mankind.

Give the Grandparents the wisdom and understanding to have good influence in his life and to pass on the love of Jesus, so His will and ways will be instilled.

May he live under Your Lordship in every relationship and let him be willingly taught by You, walking with a meek and humble heart, yet with Your courage and peace guiding him.

I ask this in Jesus name, amen.

That is the prayer of blessing and hope.  Now here's the Haiku...

HAIKU - The Little Bundle

The Grandparents did

not know they were old enough

for that title.  Joy.

 

The Little Bundle

of joy slept soundly.  Snuggled

in swaddling blankets

Then, in their arms, he

slept on, unaware of the

moments of rapture.

Sleep well, Little One,

Jesus loves you, and wraps you

in His tender care.

        ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 9:1 ESV.

Sing, Because He Lives, along with the Gaither Vocal Band Music.

NOTE:

This song was chosen because of the line, "How sweet to hold a newborn baby."