Book Review - Tell Me the Stories of Jesus - By R. Albert Mohler, Jr. - Publication Date: 14 June 2022

 

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. has written several books, amongst which, is this Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.  It has been a privilege and a delight to read this work from such a Bible scholar and practitioner of the Word of God.  As this book concentrates on the parables Jesus told while still here on the earth I was enthused to learn more and was not disappointed as the commentary is very good and in fact, I had trouble to highlight even the highlights of what I found to be so interesting because there are so many good points and down-to-earth explanations.  

Mohler, Jr drills down on the essence and meaning as to what he believed Jesus was teaching His disciples and subsequently from which today's church could learn.  It is interesting to note that one of Mohler, Jr's favorite word descriptions is "explosive", as much of what Jesus had to say, he explained, was rather revolutionary to the status quo of the times.  Jesus' stories would harrow up and confront religious leaders, causing more than just a little stir.  Mohler Jr goes on to say that his perspective of these parables stems from his doctrinal convictions and that he does not allegorize the parables.

Some of the parables commented  upon are the wedding feast; the persistant widow, the Sheep and the Goats, and my favorite - the mustard seed of Matthew 13.  These among many more will earn you greater perspective on the Kingdom of God and how God looks at judgment.  I learned a few things about shrewdness which took me by surprize but made sense; about forgiving, especially brothers and sisters-in-Christ, and much, much more.  I beleive that those of us who are "in Christ" will be well benefited to explore what Mohler, Jr has to say in this book.

                                                     ~Eunice C.,  April 2022~

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Drone Adventure - By Chris Mather - Publication Date: 11 June 2022

 In this day and age of greater drone usage by the general public, this book serves as an excellent 'how-to' of playing by the safety rules.  Chris Mather, the author, weaves those rules adroitly into story form in such a way that children can be made aware of them, yet not be bored to tears by a droning-on list of do's and don'ts.  Extra kudos and salute because it is a father engaging with his two sons - spending valuable and constructive quality and  quantity time with his offspring.  Colorful pictures augment the story line.  Included at the end of the book is word search fun using word associations to flying drones and aviation.  A drone safety song is also suggested, to which children  may listen.

Great going, Chris Mather!  Short, sweet and to the point!

                                              ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                           March 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the review copy of the book sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Lord's Day Devotion - Source and Relief

 "But if we pray our tears we enter into sadnesses that integrate our sorrows with our Lord's sorrows and discover both the source of the relief from our sadness."                                                                     ~Eugene H. Peterson~

This sentiment keeps swilling around in my brain, permeating me with permission to connect with Jesus in the poignancy and abyss of my sorrow, together with His.  His sorrow not of His own making but of mine and all of mankind's.

The pivotal point here is to submit to Him.  He knows all our thoughts and cares.  "Pray our tears, pray our doubt," because He understands!

Sadnesses, sicknesses, slanderings and more, heaped upon us and we sorrow.  Doubts may well assail, swell and overwhelm us.  When the tsunami subsides and the undertow threatens to drag us under, capturing us in its forceful grip's retreat, don't let it take you with it, as tempting as it may be.

Instead, pray.  Pray your doubts just like Asaph, the psalmist did in Psalm 73.  He saw how the wicked prospered and compared their lives to his.  He followed God's precepts yet he apparently had trouble aplenty.  What was the point of living a righteous life he wondered?  

"I'm not being blessed with success!"

"Why, Lord?"

"You said, if we follow all Your commands we'd have good success.  That's what You told Moses to tell us children of Israel.  It's not happening  in 'real life'!"

Yet the before and after 'yet' of Psalm 73:23 links two contrasting statements:  those of doubt coursing through Asaph's mind and then the looking at his situation through the lens of God.  He's reminded that God is in control, that he is Sovereign, a Refuge and that He is all around us (omnipresent).

"God is the strength of my heart " (Psalm 73:26).

Oh, but for how long - can this sustain?

Oh, yes!  Asaph had made God his,

"portion forever" (Psalm 73:26 NIV).

This is because God is eternal.

He too, is our Portion and Privilege.  Let's pour out our hearts:  tears, fears, and doubts to our ever faithful, unfailing loving One - Jesus, Savior, Friend.  How dear God was to Asaph.  How dear Jesus can be to each and every one of His followers nowadays.

Fix your hope and trust in Jesus.  He will be your anchor in the storms of life.  That may sound cliche but it is true and we can cling onto our Anchor, Jesus.  Let Him be Your Refuge. 

Then tell all His deeds to others so they too can learn to lean on Him through the earthquakes, tornadoes, and the tsunamis of life that menance and imperil our faith.

Your anchoring in Jesus will hold.

Then you can be steadfast and unmoveable in mind, heart, soul and strength.

"Thank-You, Jesus!"

This Lord's Day, pass the broken bread and cup of wine, remembering Jesus' sorrows on  earth were because of us.  Yet despite this, He sacrificed His life for us to become that Sovereign Anchor of life for us in our sorrows and doubts.  In the travail of His soul we can integrate  ours.  In the travail of our minds, we can, like Asaph did with God, set our eyes, mind and heart back on Jesus.  Focus on what Jesus has done for us through His death, resurrection and ascension, and so remember Him for all He has done for us.  He is both our Source and Relief from our sadnesses and doubts.  

Together, let's praise the Lord, the One who died for us.  His mercy has set us free.  Be grounded firm and deep in our Savior's love.

                                                          ~ERC  June 2022~

Based on Psalm 73 NIV.

Sing, Jesus, Your Mercy, along with The Glorious Christ Live and Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life, along with Northern Baptist Association.

Book Review - The Runaway Orphans - By Pam Weaver - Publication Date: 9 June 2022

 

Norah and Jim, who, even though married for a number of years, still acted like honeymooners; their close-knit family and then  the young evacuees, together with other local village friends, made this a good-hearted story with a brush of humor that caught my attention.  The story is set in England pre- and during WWII.  Norah and Jim took in two little girlies named Ruth and Marjorie, who'd come in pre-emptively from London to avoid the chaos and horror of bombings.  They stayed some weeks until their mother, who missed them too much, took them home again.  Then there were the runaway orphans Amelie and Linnet who managed to escape from the  clutches of their abusive father - at least for a while.  Norah's caring and  tenderhearted character could  not leave them on the streets.  However, that's when things got a whole lot more interesting.  The evil, vindictive Dad was on their tail and not going to back off peacefully.  Add in some spy activity and you've got yourself quite a powder keg.

I like this historical narrative very much as it described more of what life was like for the civilians and young ladies and what they could do for their bit to support the war effort.  I loved most of the characters who were generally good natured and worked together for the cause and also for the good and benefit of the runaways.  Of course, you always have to have the antagonists adding angst to the tale.  At any rate, the story moved along at a good pace and it all  came together in satisfactory conclusion despite a heartache that Jim and Norah experienced.  I'd say that most mid-teens to adult readers would find this an enjoyable read.

                                                    ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                               February 2022

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Integrate Our Sorrows

 Gut-wrenching sobs coursed through her body in wave after wave, threatening to cut off her very breath.  The tsuami of tears lashed her face, and she was rendered unable to stem the flow.  Why, why, why!?  Why did it have to be like this!?  

The anguish just kept coming and days later, weary and exhausted from emotion, her pillow drenched, eyes dim and heavy with sorrow, she remembered, "I can cry out to my Heavenly Father!"

She gulped several breaths, stilled herself and began her earnestly repentant prayer - her first in many years.

"Father, I'm sorry.  I put you on a shelf, relegating You to the back, behind all the knick knacks.  Do not rebuke me now in Your anger nor discipline me in Your wrath.  I hear You now.  Have mercy on me Lord, for I am so very faint. faint with sorrow and sadness, and of pushing You aside, I realize now, for all these many years.  You have been waiting ever so patiently for me.

Heal me now, Father, my bones and soul are in agony and deep anguish.  How long Lord, how long, must this go on and on?  The betrayal - the slaps on the face, the backstabs - so devastating.  Now this, Lord.

Deliver me Lord, save me not just because I am actually Your child, but because You are that waiting Father on the lookout for repentant, wayward daughters - me - and because of Your unfailing love and holy name.

Your love, which will set me free over and above this present trial and predicament that's been loaded layer upon layer on my life, some of my own making.  Let me praise You again.  I'm no good at that  if kept in this situation.

Lord, I know You have heard my prayer and accept it.  Your mercy overflows.  Hide me now under Your wings until all my enemies are overwhelmed with shame and anguish equal to my current ones and so be compelled to turn back and suddenly be put to shame themselves.

Father, You heard David's cry.  Hear mine now.  I integrate my sorrow with Jesus'.  I realize He too, as in the Garden of Gethesame, sorrowed and sweat great drops like blood, that He knows what we feel even if His sorrow was not of His own making.  This was of mine, in large part.  Oh, Jesus, Friend unfailing, how dear You are now to me.  You are my Source and Relief from my deep sadness.

Thank-You for Your peace now, knowing You have heard and accepted my prayer.  May Your compassion, mercy and love envelop us all.  Turn my anguish into praises of gratitude and thanksgiving.  I rest in You."

In Jesus Name.

                                                 ~ERC  June 2022~

Based on Psalm 6 NIV and Psalms - Prayers on the Heart Lesson 9 Bible Study Guide, by Eugene H. Peterson, Scripture Union.

Sing, Hide Me Now.

NOTE:  I know that we are in the Day of Grace period and we need to pray for the salvation of all sinners and even of our enemies.  However, in our times of anguish it is good to pray our tears.  Psalm 6 is a cry from the heart and God's Word.  Use God's word to help you express your troubles, cares and feelings as did David.  

Book Review - A Time to Bloom - By Lauraine Snelling - Publication Date: 7 June 2022

 

I love pioneering stories of stalwart people persevering and pitting their strength  against the elements such as tornados or grasshoppers decimating crops.  Reading about the teamwork of townsfolk setting up and setling into a new town, of teaching the children in one-roomed schoolhouses, of living out their faith in God and so on, has inspired me yet again in this late-ish 1800's historical work of fiction.  This book put me in mind of the Little House on the Prairies book series, which I love.

This narrative was set in Salton, Nebraska, USA with a family of sisters all named for flowers like, Delphinium and Larkspur, whose parents had passed. The sisters were now holding the fort on their farm.  Soldiers returned from the American war of independance, arrive in town making themselves useful.  The author also touches on racial issues of clinging prejudice against people of color, social issue of abuse and on a more positive note, of romance that crept in, raising the heartbeats and pulses to pleasant and satisfying conclusions.  A happily ever after, feel good story.

                                               ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                               June 2022

Disclaimer:  This is m honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Unforgiven (Deep Ops #5) - By Rebecca Zanetti - Publication Date: 7 June 2022

Yup!  This book kept me up at night reading past my bedtime.  There's a lot of grit, excitement and nail-biting fear and stress.  Strong characters emerge especially 'dangerous' ones.  There are three sets of brothers you had best watch out for.  There are Monty and Jack, both doctors of dubious character; Fletcher and Jethro, both  killers; and twins Oliver and Ian, among other individuals of like ilk.  One will also need to reckon with Gemma and Trudy, or are those their real names?  Oh, and then there is the 'dangerous' dog recovering from an addiction.

Evil vs good.  If there are so many killers, are any of them good ones?  This is what I had to find out; which would overcome which, or would that happen at all?

There is much action:  graphic suspense and murders; intentional spook, harm and abuse but there is also love, tender moments, amusing episodes and strong bonds of friendship that wade through evil together creating some relief, at least for a while.  

Some readers may take exception and not wish to read through a significant number of pages of intimate goings on in the bedroom.  So I give these words of caution. 

The author of this book Unforgiven, Rebecca Zanetti, has authored numerous books of several different series.  This book is from the series Deep Ops; if I'm not mistaken this is the fifth book in the series each with 4.5 or more stars of brilliance.  I'd have similarly slated this one a 4 stars.

                                          ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                          March 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the Publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.