LAMENT - How Long, O LORD? (Psalm 13:1-2)

 

O LORD, I lament for the loss of lives and the trauma caused by violence in Nigeria.  Men and boys are killed, leaving the women and girls vulnerable.  They are kidnapped and abused at the hands of evil men.  

Satan goads them and they respond according to his will.  Break down these forces with Your Holy Spirit's work and Your people praying and lamenting on the victims' behalf.    The victims are so very helpless on their own at this stark injustice, but You, O Lord are their valiant one who can help deliver them from all their foes.

May Your compassion be upon them.  Bring healing for any who survive.  Restore affected communities.  Intercede on the side of justice, bring peace and safety.

Strengthen the Church in Nigeria.  Awaken Your people globally to weep with those who weep. 

 "To weep at this violence, deprivation and physical freedom, bodily harm to Your people, the damage to their property and the mental abuse of severe threats". 

 It is all so very horrendous.

May they have the courage needed to remain steadfast in You, Lord.  To be ever faithful to continue to proclaim Jesus and the salvation He offers.

We who live in relative peace and safety in our own respective countries, we pray and feel otherwise helpless at all of this.  Thus we cry with You Father.  Have mercy and compassion upon Your children in Nigeria.  How long will their enemy triumph over them?

We ask in Jesus' name, the name that is so hated in many parts of this country of Nigeria, because we trust in the name of the Lord and know He will deal bountifully with those who suffer there.

                                                    ~ ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 13:1-2 and YouVersionPlan Time of Lament, Cry Out for Justice.

Sing, Make My Life a Prayer to You, along with Keith Green and Mission of Grace Church.

Book Review - Appaloosa Horse - By Anne Accardi - Publication Date: 1 August 2026

 

One of the first things I noticed when reading through Appaloosa Horses, was the lovely pictures. To me, horses are most often breathtaking and these fit into that category.  The horses appeared to be looking gently, right at me, as if saying, "Hello!".  They made me smile.

In my opinion, the accompanying script was simple and basic enough for potential young readers to read, understand, and subsequently learn about these beautiful creatures.  Additionally, the Nez Pearce, a Native American tribal group, got honorable mention.  Elements of multicultural interest are a plus for me.

Other book features are the glossary of terms used within the book and then the 'Thinking Questions' that I believe gives added impact towards educational input.

Overall, I give this children's non-fiction, educational work, 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. 

Book Review - One In Five - By Elizabeth J. Letourneaux and Luke Malone - Publication Date: 18 August 2026

 To me, this book presents a comprehensive, serious, yet understandable, look that is helpful and hopeful in outlook for the prevention of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA).  It's helpful in knowing how large the scope of occurance of CSA and how to spot potential hazards for children.

It takes a good look at prevention, incarceration of offenders, laws and legislation governing the issues and offenses.  The morphing and epochs of such regulations throughout, and from, the very early years and down through the ages until current times.

The book also offers insight into helplines the world over.  It highlights  those who feel they have certain tendancies towards CSA but who actually do NOT want to be a perpetrator, which I found to have an encouraging note to it.  

I feel there is quite a bit of compassion written into the spine of this book not only for the abused, but for the potential abusers and even post-abusers in the sense that there are some preventative treatments available to help them overcome their unacceptable desires.  It leaves the reader with an injuction at book's end.

In my opinion, this book is not for the faint-hearted.  It can be gut-wrenching and appalling even just to let the meaning of the title to sink into ones being!  Yet because of the care penned into this treatise,  this reader has been made more aware of not only the devastating occurence rate but also of the help available.  There is a lot to think about and positive actions that can be taken.  I really feel thankful for this book and hope many will be helped by it.  

                                     ~  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.

HAIKU - Mushroom Fungi's

 One little mush-

room grew up in its 'spores car'

to join the fungi's.

There it sat, alone

though, by the gravel pathway;

Solo spectator,

As feet scuffed by not 

bothering to slow and look

at little mushroom.

True strength and quiet 

progress, can grow victori-

-ous through rotting leaves.

New beginnings.  Trans -

- formation out of bad times,

'Mush-room' for new life.

So draw up in your 

'spores' cars, join the fungi's now.

Christ transformation.

~ERC  July 2026  ~

See 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV.

Sing, New Creation, along with Mac Powell, Keep the faith lyrics.

Good Book - PRAYER The Real Battle - By Brother Andrew and Al Janssen - Reviewed By: ER Chin

 In my opinion, this booklet will strongly nudge, challenge and encourage, reaching the innermost sanctums of ones' heart, looking for sincerity, willingness and obedience to God's call to prayer and action.

Praying for and with the persecuted church &/or churches in war zones is something we all can do.  But what if you are confronted by God to do more?

There are eight chapters that lead us through, convicting and setting the stage for the serious reader to contemplate various aspects of the prayer battle; the interceeding for others through spiritual warfare prayer.

There are some very good and searching quotations regarding the heart and the heart of prayer by various other authors and godly men of God.  At each chapter end is a "Take Action" section that I found very helpful in coalescing and solidifying the direction of each chapter's respective aspect, in my mind and heart in regards to praying and how to pray more effectively for our brothers and sisters-in-Christ.

I highly recommend reading this booklet and joining hands in prayer, with and for, believers in Jesus Christ who are in crisis the world over.

                                              ~  Reviewed by E. R. Chin  ~

                                                           July 2026 

Here are some links that are associated with this booklet, spinoffs from this booklet's chapters.

Lord, Teach Me to Pray

Ceaseless Praying

POEM - For Just One Hour

Earnest Prayer Needed

Pray Day and Night

Commited to Persistant Prayer

Re-Escalation Prayers

A Psalm's Prayer

Prayer - The Good Shepherd

Prayer - O LORD, My Strong Habitation

Primary Prayer Request

You Are the Answer

Sing, Pray Without Ceasing, along with Christian Worship @light for the soul 1101.

You Are the Answer

 "Are you willing to become part of the anwser to your prayer?"

If so,

"Just how far are we willing to go in obeying God's call?"

These are serious and hard questions that reach way, way down into our heart's inner sanctums.  They reach to our core and knock at our sincerity.  How genuine are we?!

Praying can be the 'easy' part.  It does not take us into the danger zones, nor get our hands too dirty - so to speak.

But it will come to a point, if we are honest with ourselves, when the Holy Spirit nudges us and we get the feeling, "praying is not enough".

Ah, then are we willing to obediently go the second mile?

It can be ought when we discover, 

"you are the answer to your own prayers".  

And we sit rather stunned, "I am the answer!!"

But we have asked the Lord to work on behalf of whichever people we have been praying forr.  His answer is, "you."  Will we say like Isaiah once said, 

"Here am I!  Send me" (see Isaiah 6:8).

When you see how Nehemiah was activated to pray when he heard the news of the wall of Jerusalem being still just a pile of rubble, he prayed and then was put into action and worked wonders on behalf of the citizens of Jerusalem.  You can read the story in the book of Nehemiah.

These are questions and strong nudges of challenge and encouragement from Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet PRAYER The Real Battle.  And I like a quote they included from Oswald Chambers.

"It is not so true that "Prayer changes things" as that prayer changes me, and then I change things; consequently we must not ask God to do what He has created us to do."

So we believers in Jesus Christ need to prayerfully ask ourselves,

"Am I willing to be the answer to my own prayer?"

Then be obedient to what the Lord has asked us to do.  By God's grace and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, let's go do our God-given job.

                                                   ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Nehemiah 1:1-4 ESV.  Also, PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, Onward Christian Soldiers, along with and Make My life a Prayer to You, along with Keith Green.

Primary Prayer Request

 As a church, what is your primary request for God to do?  Does it happen to be that the nation you reside in and/or are a citizen of, come to Christ?

As a church we can focus our attention and mindset on this 'cause'.  We can also do so as individuals as we are dismissed from the arms of the church on any given Lord's Day or other meeting of the church.  As we go about our daily tasks we can continue to pray,

"O LORD, make Yourself known to this nation of _________" (see Isaiah 19:21).

Make Yourself known so that,

"in that day they will acknowledge the LORD.  They will worship ... and make vows to the LORD and keep them" (Isaiah 10:21).

This was written for the nation of Egypt but we can also claim it for whichever nation we so happen to be living in.  Some people groups may be more inaccessible to us so we can also ask the Lord to give them visions and dreams in which the recipients see "Christ revealing Himself" to them.

Of course, this does not let us off the hook to tell of the good news of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let's make it part of our daily talk with the Lord and to pray with the people from among these walks of life, for those who have found Christ.

Pray they'll be ever faithful in their particular difficult situations.  Persist in such prayers.  Pray that their lack will be supplied.  Lack such as for boldness in sharing their faith as Paul once asked his readers to do with him.  Pray they too, as well as all of us, will continue to grow in the Lord as an individual and as a church in the place where each respectively are.

Support in prayer is essential.  Pray that their needed resources are supplied and any translation of them that is needed will come to fruition.

As an individual, we can have this vow-like dedication to pray with all fervor.  But what about, as a church?  If all brothers and sisters-in-Christ pray together, with one mind and heart, especially for and with our persecuted 'siblings,' just think of the sparks that will get fires going for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God!

Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet PRAYER The Real Battle, quote Andrew Murray as having once said,

"Who can say what power a church could develop and exercise, if it gave itself to the work of prayer day and night for the coming of the Kingdom, for God's power on His servants and His word, for the glorifying of God in the salvation of souls."

We can try to find out what a particular people group needs to help this saving of souls happen in and among a particular people group.  And/Or, we can ask the Lord to reveal the need.

For instance, as suggested by Brother Andrew and Janssen, for this distribution of Bibles in rural churches, some of which may first need translating - both the Bibles and teaching materials that could help build the people up in their most holy faith once Christ is revealed and accepted in their hearts.  Another big one is that Christians are able to forgive perpetrators of persecution.  That they would also be able to recover from the trauma wielded against them physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Let there be power and impact in our intercessory prayers.  May your primary prayer request be for your nation to come to Christ.

  Lord God, reveal Christ to this nation of _________.  Bring my nation healing and may they come to worship and sacrifice their wills and offerings, even as they make vows to You LORD God and then perform them.  Amen.

So be it, Lord.

                                                 ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Isaiah 19:20-21 ESV.  Also PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, The Battle is the Lord's, along with Rebecca St. James (Brandon Lake).

Book Review - The Ladies Hall - By Vanessa Miller - Publication Date: 11 August 2026

 Once I read the final words of this novel, I had to sit quietly and absorb the message.  It is an important one, and one the world over needs to hear, I believe.

Events that followed the American Civil War that supposedly freed the Black slaves was only a small start.  The many years that came thereafter were still a brutal, cruel struggle as illustrated in the pages of The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller.

The serious issues regarding slavery and the ongoing climb up the steep and slippery sloped mountain to justice and equality was fought in blood, sweat and tears, as well as many words.  We see this through the eyes of three, true-life stalwart and determined ladies, their names that should not be forgotten.  They were Mary Church Terrell, Anna Julia Cooper and Ida Gibbs Hunt.

In fact, in an addendum of this book it mentions a book that Anna wrote later in life, and a quotation about freedom, which is in US passports!  I found this wonderful.

Moving on, these ladies, I discovered through reading this book, worked tirelessly and bravely despite the many obstacles stacked against them, namely because of their gender and skin color.  But thank God, for them!

It will be noted that the terms Miller uses like 'Colored' and "Black" are not as insults nor to give offence, rather they were terms used in the 1880's era.  Thus, they reflect the time frame of this historical novel that has been set mostly in the town of Oberlin, Ohio and at Oberlin College.

Some of the story will bring you to weeping - at least it did for me.  The trial and joys created swimming emotions.  I'm real glad though, that I had opportunity to read this work, which, I believe, has been well researched, bringing its awareness of the struggles that many whites would never even think could happen, or at least admit to.

I feel that this book would bring many folks everywhere encouragement and hope to press on in ones' still current color struggles.  I sure hope so!

I was well satisfied and grateful to have been able to read and review this book.  It's been one of those books where I wish there could be more stars to give but the highest rating is 5, and that is a lot.  Therefore, I give it 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.

Prayer - O LORD, My Strong Habitation (Psalm 71)

 

Have you ever heard of the place called Goma?  It's in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  The citizens live in constant terror for their life.  Let's say a prayer for them.

OH Lord, we are so heartborken for the people of Goma and for Your family, our brothers and sisters-in-Christ.  But we put our trust in You especially for these people, Your Church in Goma.  They undergo so much trauma and terror at the hands of the M23 and other factions.  Deliver Your people in Your righteousness.  Help them escape, deliver them from the wicked, unrighteous and cruel godless men.

Be a strong habitation for them, in the terrors by night and by the arrow that flies by day (see Psalm 91:5).  

Be their rock and fortress.

In times of great fear help them to sing priase, to stay steadfast in You, all the day long.  Their enemies speak against them and lay in wait for them.  Make haste to help them Father God!  Send Your protecting angels, swift and mighty.  May Your grace, their fears relieve.

Confound and confuse their adversaries, those that seek to hurt and harm them, who outnumber them and come forcefully upon them.  Scatter these enemies.  Be instead, their strong habitation, we ask, once again.

Bring Your righteousness and salvation to rule and reign among them.  Help them to go on with courage and in the strength of the Lord.  You, Oh Lord, who do great and mighty works by Thy great power, rescue them.

May Your name be praised not only among Your people, but among their neighbors and others they meet because of what you do and have done on Your peoples' behalf.

Increase Your greatness among them and comfort them on every side.  May they sing praise again and again and so that their tongues will tell of Your righteouness all the day long, especially when those who seek to harm them are put to shame.

Get the last laugh Father, as through Your people, the terrorists are brought to their knees confessing the name of Jesus!  

It is our hope and would be to Your glory, honor and praise.  We ask all this in Your Son Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                             ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 71 KJV and at the encouragement of Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet, PRAYER The Real Battle, Chapter 6.

Sing, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, along with the Browns, and Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow, along with Michael W. Smith.

Prayer - The Good Shepherd (Psalm 23)

 Lord Jesus, You are my Good Shepherd.  You make me lie down in the green pastures of Your word on which I can stand because Your promises are sure.  Your still waters - the water of your Word - of which I can drink, are refreshing and renewing. They restore my soul, and lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake.

I'm so very thankful for Your presence with me in the valley of the shadow of eeath.  In times of evil You are with me.  And even though it may not feel so good, the fact that when I go astray, Your rod and staff bring me back and I'm comforted that I'm back and walking with You again.

In the midst of my enemies, You have prepared a table for me despite them.  You anoint my head with oil for I am one of  Your sheep and royal priesthood.  You've set me apart for use in Your service,  Jesus my King.

In this I see Your goodness and mercy which follow me, and that all the days of my life.  I have seen this again and again and so I trust You with my future too.

I do so look forward to dwelling in Your house, LORD, forever though.  Thank You, Good Shepherd, for You did not run away but willingly laid down Your life for me and You never leave me alone.

You are worthy of all honor and priase!

Thank You.

Amen.

                                                    ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 23 and John 10:1-18 ESV.

Sing, The Lord's My Shepherd, along with New Scottish Hymns.

Lord's Day Devotion - Belonging

 If you have been an outcast, or displaced person or are an alien or foreigner and stranger in a country not of your origin, it can be very trying.  It can be disorienting.  It can be unsettling because one can never ever fully settle, or so it seems.

Even after decades spent in a foreign land, you are still seen as a foreigner and access to certain local citizens' rights, privileges and advantages may be denied.  So sigh ... that caused one to realize, "Hey, I'm not home yet!"  Heaven is my home and I'm just a passin' through, as a line of a hymn goes.

Paul reminded the Ephesians by telling them, 

"So you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household  of God" (Ephesians 2:19 ESV).

They entered, and so does each believer in Christ Jesus, the household of God where we belong.

How precious this is!

Belonging ...

Fellow citizen ...

"We ... have access ..."

This is

 "access in one Spirit to the Father" (vs 18).

And it is, 

" ... built on the foundation of ...Christ Jesus Himself ... the chief cornerstone"              (vs 20 ESV/KJV).

Access and whole-hearted acceptance into God's country and kingdom is a healing balm.  What's more, there's growth

 "into a holy temple in the Lord" (vs 21).

In this temple we are being

 "built together."

I repeat, "built together"!  It is all encompassing.  It is all comforting, too.  In these words is, 'belonging'!

We are

 "being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit".

Does this give you a great sense of rest and peace?  It does for me.

Jesus had had no where to lay his head (see Luke 9:58).  We may find some small flickerings of belonging in certain instances here on earth in an 'adopted country' but we look forward more to that city built without hands (see 2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV).  That city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God (see Hebrews 11:10 KJV).

This is where we belong and will no longer be strangers or foreigners.  I long for that day and that place.

There is a secular song that I came across.  It has an Irish lilt to it.  The chorus' lyrics run like this,

"This is my homeland, the place I was born in

No matter where I go, it's in my soul

My feet may wander a thousand places

But my heart will lead me back home to Donegal."

O course, Heaven is our Home and Jesus will lead us back Home to where He sits even now.

Jesus made this possible through His death and resurrection.  He built it.  The foundations are rock solid.

This Lord's Day, let's remember Him in the partaking of the broken bread and drinking of the wine.  He has made us belong.  Let's remember that and all He went through to give us acccess into His Kingdom and as fellow citizens and saints.

Thank You so much, Jesus!

                                                ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Ephesians 2:18-22 ESV/KJV.

Sing, On Christ the Solid Rock, I Stand, along with Reawaken Hymns, and This World is Not My Home, along with GleamHarmony.

A Psalm's Prayer (Psalm 70)

 

Oh Lord, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  It is also a sword to be wielded in prayer.  It is an "invaluable tool".  Your word never fails.  Your promises never fail - it stands forever.  Therefore, we can claim Your words and use them even as we speak to You.

On behalf of Your church in Iran that is currently suffering a double whammy, I implore You, Father God, deliver Your people!  Make haste to help them!

Let them not be ashamed, nor confused, rather, those who seek their lives, their possessions, their all, because of their faith in Your Son Jesus, may they be the ones to be ashamed, confused and dishonored because they delight in hurting Your people.

In turn, may all who seek You, rejoice and be glad in You!  May those who love Your salvation that came through Your son Jesus Christ exclaim from their inner beings, 

 "God is great!" (ESV)

 and

 "Let God be magnified" (KJV) [vs. 4]!

May Your name be praised because You hastened to help and deliver them.  O LORD, have mercy, do not delay!

Then may this witness of Your love, care, protection and deliverance also be magnified, bringing many more sons and daughters, even from among their tormentors, into Your Kingdom and family.

May Your Kingdom reign and rule!  

In Jesus' name I beseech You.  Amen.

                                               ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 70, Psalm 119:104; Hebrews 11:12, Ephesians 6:17 and Isaiah 40:8, and PRAYER - The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, Psalm 70 Song - Help Me, along with Jason Silver Music and Come Quickly, O Lord God along with The Psalter's Voice.

Re-Escalation Prayers (War)

 At the re-escalation of the USA-Iran conflict, my heart shuddered in helplessness and concern and even fear for my brothers and sisters-in-Christ in Iran.  There has apparently been an upscaling of persecution against the Christians since the war began.  The conflict has added greater heart to what had already been ongoing oppression and abuse.

Crackdowns on churches.  Seizures of churches.  Threats of arrest of church leaders and so forth escalated.  AI Overveiw, if it is to be believed, which I do believe is true for the most part, blames some of abuse on religious stances and the regime's belief that those who turn from the mainstream religion are apostates.  Underground, rapid church growth is seen as conniving with the enemy.  The war emboldens efforts to stamp Jesus and His people out.

If you do not have a favorite country, where believers are persecuted for their faith in Jesus, to pray for, you might pray for our brothers and sisters-in-Christ in this country.  As Brother Andrew and Al Janssen encourage in their booklet, keep abreast of the news, secularly as well as through Christian channels, when and where available.

Interceed for them until you are even sacrificing your time and energy.  Be devout in these prayers and pray without ceasing for our 'family members' and for those who would come into the kingdom of God.

Heavenly Father, make a way for them.  Put Your covering over them Lord.  Have mercy upon them.  Give them courage to steadfastly hold Your name and continue to be faithful to You.  Give them light in their nightmare of persecution.  I beseech You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                ~  ERC  July 2026 ~

Based on John 15:13 ESV and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, More Than Tongue Can Tell, along with Mike Masubo Jr.

Committed to Persistent Prayer

 Have you ever cried because of suffering or because of some loss?

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has been attributed to having said,

"You see things differently through eyes that have wept."

She'd had her share of suffering and loss despite being a Queen.  She knew the heartache firsthand.  She'd lost a husband and a son.  And also on her and her family's account, someone trying to harm them in a crowd, fatally struck bystanders just a few feet away from them (see AI Overview).

We can read this and feel some kinship at the tragedy.  Our imaginations can help with some of it too.  And when we think of what's going on in Goma where the M23 continues to strike terror into the population, cutting down innocent citizens, slaughtering them and/or beating them near to death; going into private homes in the middle of the night and snatching young men straight out their beds, forcing them to join their ranks.

Or in the Ukraine with the continued conflict with Russia.  And now in Iran being mercilessly bombarded.  Can you imagine all the fallout:  all the injured, maimed, wounded physically, mentally, and emotionally?!

And we cried, "Abba Father, WHY!?"

"Lord, have mercy!!"

And hopefully we cry out on the behalf of the suffering Church in these places.  Give them courage to remain faithful due to these travesties and when the furnace of persecution is turned up seven times hotter because the brothers and sisters-in-Christ get blamed for the wars, pray our brethren, the family of God - will continue to faithfully and with great courage, stand firm and be a light shining in the darkness to lead others to Christ.  No doubt they are crying and weeping.

Remember to weep with them.  Weep and watch and pray.  Pray too for any of the pastors and the missionaries that walk among them.  Uphold them in prayer.

What is your country and people you want to pray for?  Perhaps there's even a people group in your own country that are looked down upon and bullied.  Pray for them.  Pray for those who wish to bring the true gospel of Jesus Christ to them, that they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven that does not ostracize them.

Will you be willing to consistently, persistently persevere in prayer for them, daily?  Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Weep with those who weep until He comes (Roman 12:15 ESV).

                                                     ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Romans 12:15 ESV and PRAYER - The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, A Tribute Song To All Persecuted Christians, along with and Pray Without Ceasing Pray - Hymn along with Tabernacle Cardiff.

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.