Preventing Pride

 Humble hearts needed, as always.  Lord, help me to be more like You.  Jesus, You came, humbly and obediently, and in

 "the form of a servant."

Reading Your word is one way to imitate You.  Thank you for these words which tell me,

"This regular reading will prevent [me] from becoming proud and acting as if [I'm] above [my] fellow citizens" (Deuteronomy 17:20 NLT).

May Your Holy Spirit convict me, and show me where and when I'm proud and feeling and acting superior to others.  Be my faithful reminder.  In Your name I ask, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Bye for now ...

                                        ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Deuteronomy 17:20 NLT, and Philippians 2:4-10 ESV.

Sing, Great is Thy Faithfulness, along with the Maranatha Singers

Book Review - Writer In Residence - By Rhonda McKnight - Publication Date: 8 September 2026

 

As the story warms up, emotions spill, secrets are uncovered with traumatic impact, romance captures hearts, even as Alexandra, the 'writer in residence,' discovers so many piercing facts of her life, all the while fighting writer's block.

The added multicultural interest elements of the Gullah Geechee people described within the pages, helped expand my limited knowledge of this lesser-known people group.  In my opinion, it added extra flavorful seasoning to the story.

Issues such as helping to teach young and budding writers, touching on trauma, guilt and embarassment dished out by ancestors' actions, forgiveness, and intermittent injections and references to faith and God were pluses for me.  This book ends with intended discussion questions, which I feel will more than likely aid the rounding out of these issues for serious-minded, potential readers.

All in all, I give this book a 5 STAR rating.

                                        ~  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.

Book Review - Library of Forbidden Books - By Mario Escobar - Publication Date: 1 September 2026

 

I like how Mario Escobar turned his history knowledge and love of writing into this passionate work of historical fiction.  Although many bookworms love books and reading them, one does not necessarily think of preserving them in a life or death stance would be a general norm.  Certainly, not to the point of sacrificing oneself, or inadvertantly, their friends for them.

Yet, this book is a testament to librarians willing to do just that.  When regimes take over, such as Hitler's, some of the first things to be banned are books, literature and even librarians.  If you want to brainwash the masses, you gut out the thought-provoking works and those behind them.

This book targets this area in a very dramatic story of Helene Nathan  (based on a true life woman of this name), her husband Derek, her librarian friends Lena, Klaus and Gabor.  Of course, Helene has another strike against her, she was half-Jewish.

A reader will also meet some of the other true life figures such as Hitler's generals.  Although the cruelites and brutalities are difficult to read, the essence of goodness Helene and friends were imbued with, bathes and acts as salve to the story.

Added merit points, in my mind, stem from the nuances of faith-based mentions of and references to God.  These always sit right with me.

I found this read to be very satisfactory and am compelled to christen it with a 5-Star rating.

                                            ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                              May 2026

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

Read review on Goodreads.  

Book Review - Wish On a Willow - By Maria Oka - Publication Date: 1 September 2026

 I was very pleasantly surprized by this wonderfully endearing and amusing children's fiction story.  I would totally recommend it!  In my opinion, as it is a many-chaptered book, a young reader would likely need to be able to read fairly proficiently.  The main characters are around the 10-11 year old mark.

A reader will meet them in the names of Eloise, Olive and Kimiko.  I was pleased to see there was a multi-cultural element as well as an inter-generational one.  The girls encounter some sadness as well as joy; wishful thinking and magical moments. 

It was a good, clean read with a bit of nip to it as the girls become protectors.  Will let any potential reader find out for themselves, just what that nip was in relation to, too.  Additionally, there are a few discussion questions at book's end that may engage readers further regarding issues touched on in the narrative.

A very satisfying read for me and my opinion christens this book at a 5-Star rating.

                                             ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                               May 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.

Good Listeners Needed

 Good listeners needed.  Use your ears.  Use your eyes, give undivided attention until the speaker is finished speaking and even if they don't speak.    What are they really saying to you?  Add in your heart's ears.  Listen with your heart?  Yes!  Empathy and compassion go a long way.  All together we give respect to the person and their story of happiness, anger, pain, sadness, trauma and the like.  

Let's listen well.  It's the intelligent and wise thing to do.

Bye for now ...

                                           ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Proverbs 18:15 ESV.

Sing, Give Me Your Eyes, along with Brandon Heath.

Note:  Even if you can't appreciate the music to the song, try to see the lyrics and the sentiment behind them that connect well with the above message.

Apply For the Servant's Job

 What do you think about Phoebe?  She humbly looked out for the interests of others, engaging in a servant's role in the church she attended.  Paul commended her because of it.

Humble servants needed for the Lord's work ... Let's all apply and serve Him well.  Be His song and singing servant.

Bye for now ...

                                                     ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Romans 16:1-2 ESV.

Sing, The Servant Song, along with jack-terrell-wilkes.

Gray Hairs of Wisdom

 It's good to be reminded that ...

"When pride comes, then comes shame:  but with the lowly (or humble) is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2 KJV/ESV).

So we can ask ourselves, "What's my aura?"  

Pride or humbleness?  

Will shame and disgrace be a dark cloud bearing down upon my head and shoulders or will wisdom characterize my being?

Most of us would choose the latter state, I should think.  But often we don't realize the inklings and fingers of underlyhing insidious pride.

Let's search our hearts and minds in sincerity and repent and be rid of any pride that hurts.  It's the wise thing to do and before you know it you may be sprouting gray hairs of wisdom.  😀

Bye for now ...

                                                          ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Proverbs 11:2 KJV/ESV.

Sing, In Christ Alone, along with Hadleigh Baptist Church.