Book Review - The Bucharest Legacy - By William Max - Publication Date: 20 June 2023

 

This book comes on the coat-tails of the first in a series, The Bucharest Dossier.  And just when you think you've come full circle to a happily-ever-after ending, this story throws a curve ball at you as happened in the former book.  You'll just have to read this intriguing tale to come to the conclusion's beginning.  There's plenty of cloak and dagger and spy work happening with Bill Hefflin once again at the helm. The intrepid Catherine also makes an appearance, so beware.  

One doesn't often read historical fiction works about such countries as Romania as this one does, so it is 'novel'.  The time-frame is post-revolution and all the aftermath turmoil with embroiled oligarchs, henchmen and spies.

What's not to love about this second in a series chronicle?  I think readers will be just as interested in it as the first.  Although it's a 'stand alone' work, there would be better connection if a reader could read the first in the series, I felt, and was glad I had had that privilege.  There are discussion questions  at book's end as well as a brief history 'lesson' regarding the book's time frame setting and the political situation of that time.   Note that some of the more intimate scenes I could definitely have lived without reading, so other readers may take exception to these limited episodes.  Overall, I'd say William Maz has got himself another winner.

                                                  ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                                    April 2023

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

Read review on Goodreads.

The Thessalonica Letters

 Locate the first letter to the Thessalonians and find chapter 5.  Read verses 1-11.  Now think, while waiting for an important event to happen what do you do to prepare for it?

If the event is a birthday party, you'd want to shop for and wrap gifts; invite friends; make a cake and decorate it; decorate the venue; create a menu and cook it, among a hundred and one other things on a to-do list.  As the date approaches the flurry and scurry increases until all prep is done and then you can celebrate in style and relative ease.

It behooves us nowadays to prepare for that great second coming of Jesus event.  Back in the apostle Paul's day, he actively and thoroughly prepared by going on missionary journeys.  On his first one he went along with Barnabas (see Acts 13).  This was shorter in nature, and closer to home than the later two.  If you look at Bible times maps you will see.  It was only on those second and third trips that Paul, along with Silas, reached as far west as Thessalonica in Greece (see Acts 15:36-18).

They traveled in combos of by land and by sea.  Mammoth journey's in those days.  There was no easy flying jaunt of today's long-distance travel.  Their journeys were fraught with great dangers yet they had the heart and grace of Jesus to press on.

The Holy Spirit helped Paul and Sials to understand the Word of God and teach the Thessalonians the gospel of Jesus Christ and how to live according to the Spirit with Christian living and hope of Christ's return.  The Thessalonians in turn taught their fellow citizens and so on.  

After all this hard work and the establishment of an assembly in Thessalonica by these brothers, Satan of course, could not leave well enough alone.  God's enemy made trouble stirring up persecution.  Being cruelly and unjustly treated is one of Satan's tactics against believers in Jesus Christ, even in today's world.

However, Satan being the father of lies, also uses more sneaky methods of dividing and conquering.  Among the Thessalonian believers, false teaching crept in.  Somehow, the rumor that Jesus had already come the second time began to infiltrate and cause anxiety and confusion.

Because the false teachers said Jesus had already come, then no one else could be saved.  It's too late to accept Jesus as Savior.  These lies worked like poison, hampering and killing any evangelisteic efforts and any comfort of assurance in Christ.

When Paul heard about this, he was unable to visit Thessalonica.  Instead, he wrote them letters.  This is how we now get to read 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.

As we read and study these letters we find hope once again.  Jesus has not yet come.  One and all peoples of the earth can still come to salvation through Jesus Christ.  We still await His glorious day.

As we study these letters and of course, the whole of God's Word, be sure to do so well and in context.  Allow the Holy Spirit to teach and guide you into all truth and to undersand His Word correctly.  When Satan's lies come your way, you will then be equipped to know the difference between them and the truth of God's Word more adroitly.  You will not be easily fooled by the wiles of the devil.

We still have the Rapture to look forward too.  In my mind I say this event is like Part 1 of the second coming of Christ.  This is that wondrous event when believers in Jesus Christ will go up to meet the Lord in the air.  There will be a trumpet blast, Jesus will say, "Come."  In the blink of an eye, those who have accepted Jesus as Savior will join Jesus in the clouds and then together, go to Heaven to be with Him forever, in a never-ending celebration of joy (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Part 2 is when we all come back to earth with Jesus when He comes back as Judge of all the earth.  He'll come in power and majesty, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  The whole earth will know Him and bow their knees to Him (see Revelation 1:5-8).

Sadly for those who have rejected Jesus since the time of His death, resurrection and ascension (from His first coming), He will reject them.  This is what He will have come to judge and ascertain.

NO ONE KNOWS though when this time will come, except for God.  It will be like a thief in the night.  No one knows when he will strike.  We just have to be sure to lock our doors and have as much security as possible in place.

Similary, all peoples of the earth must prepare for this second coming of Jesus event.  Salvation by repenting of one's sins, saying sorry to God and asking Jesus to wash away your sins with His blood.  Jesus accepts this and forgives your sins with His blood.  Jesus accepts this and forgives your sins and gives you eternal life and His Holy Spirit to help you live a life to please Him and to understand God's Word.  This is just like Paul, Silas, the Thessalonians and the myriads of people since those ages past.

Now you can tell your family and friends and maybe even go on missionary journeys as Paul and Silas once did.  Now is the time.

Jesus has not yet come back.  Be ready.  When He does come, that is time when it will be forever, 'too late'.  This is the truth.

For now continue to put your faith and trust in the Lord.  Read and study God's Word thoroughly so you will be able to discern Satan's lies from God's truth.  Continue to love and honor the Lord and obey His word.  Do your best in all of these, even in continuing to share the message of Jesus to one and all.

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" [all] (1 Thessalonians 5:28).

                                                     ~ ERC  June 2023 ~

Based on Kawan Grace Resource P4b Sunday School Lesson 7 - Letters to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).

Sing, When The Lord Comes Back, along with Christian Media and Soon and Very Soon, along with Sunday Choir by Andrae Crouch.

Father's Day 2023 - Father Who Fathers - For 18 June 2023

When  Father's Day comes round, it, not surprizingly, gets you to think of fathers and a lot of sentimental nostalgic-y stuff about them.  Oh, I suppose to think of your own father or lack thereof and what kind of man and father he is or was swirls through the mind as well.

Ironically, Mother's Day last month got me started thinking of my own dad, the standards, the rules and regulations he set for my siblings and I.  One thing to say is that he practiced what he preached and we could not find many loopholes out of stuff very often.

That was good even when we may not have appreciated all the abundance of standard at the time.  With the bar set high, stress and strain to survive and live up to them was a challenge

A good relationship is always needed to manage such a way of life.  The father - the man - the standard - for all other men who may dare to enter our lives and to be measured thereby, by his offspring.  This must be rather a frightening responsibility for any responsible father.  And when he is fruitful and multiplies, the fright increases incrementally with the number of children.

Dads are so, so necessary to the wellbeing of a child though.  Dads who are caring and present when they are present and who are just and kind, impact positively for life, big time.

Dads, you need to know this, not just in theory.  YOU. ARE. NEEDED!  Moms, let Dads do their thing.  

Here's a quote by someone named Rick Lefe (I stand to be corrected if anyone knows for sure) that brings this message home,

"The power of a dad in a child's life is unmatched".

You better believe it!

It could be for better or for worse.  I have witnessed the devastating result upon children when the dad abdicates his responsiblity and the home.  It makes one's heart weep.  

Dads, you are needed!

There are so many aspects to being a dad and it may be overwhelming at first but, you guys can do it and do it with aplomb.

Here's a verse for you that will hopefully give encouragement as you execute your role in your child's life.  

"The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him"  (Proverbs 23:24).

Please take note that 'fathers' is not a noun in the second part of this verse!  It is a verb - an action word!  Who is it who's pro-creating and then fathering a righteous and wise son?  It's the father who fathers!

May all fathers reading this have great joy and rejoicing today and all the years ahead despite all the parenting challenges.  Go for it!  God your Heavenly Father walks with you.

                       HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, to all DAD'S! 

                                                        ~ERC  June 2023~

Based on Proverbs 23:24.

Sing, My Father's Love, along with Hymns and Praises.

Feeding Your Spouse

 

Recently I heard,

"...the wife feeds on her husband's love and the husband on the respect his wife gives him."

Yeah, that was at a wedding.  The pastoress based this on,

"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband" (Ephesians 5:33 NIV).

This may get some of your backs up because you've not gotten the level of love or respect you expected of your marriage partner.  It's all well and good sentiment on the wedding day where 'love is still rather blind' but as the days, weeks, months and years roll by, it wears really thin and he or she has done things that make you rescind on that love and respect.  The forgiveness-commodity quotient is at a premium, all-time low.

In God's dictionary, 'love' is unconditional, and perseverence is one of the characteristics of His love.  For believers this is the 'should' and 'ought' of the matter where the better or for worse element kicks in.

I'm not talking about an abusive situation but the everyday choreography within a marital relationship which can spiral down.  The love-respect dynamic can indeed become a vicious cycle of better or worse, with less give and more take.

If a couple wants to make a faithful sustaining go of their marriage for the long haul, keep feeding your spouse his/her love language whether it's love or respect, in the forever maze after you've fed him/her the wedding cake.  It's one of the very best gifts you could give each other.  It's the way to keep the kettle boiling and the coffee percolating.

Go feed your spouse.  😃

                                                      ~ERC June 2023~

Based on Ephesians 5:33 and a wedding admonition.

Sing, Together, along with Steven Curtis Chapman.

The Epitaph

 

You might say this is an angry outburst, and tell me not to let the sun go down upon my wrath.  I'd like to think this is righteous anger, however, and God will sanction this outburst.  May He forgive me if I'm out of line.

Is it so difficult to gain an interest in the Savior and the good deeds He prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10) after our salvation?  Where are the spiritual men and women, but especially men, of God, who felt God's amazing love was for them once upon a time.  It 'used' to be so wonderful to have salvation through the blood of Jesus and His infinite grace and live for Him, so where are these believers now?

A little storm and trouble in their lives and away they go?  Poof!  Was the soil of their hearts so thorny the good seed got choked?

Do they not realize the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling them?!  The dynamic power - think of that...'dynamic' plus 'power'.  Men of God RISE UP!  Where are you?  We sisters need you to do so.  One and all need to mature!  Our gatherings of believers are sick and dying.  Get your act together.  Jesus went through a lot for you!  Where are your full baskets?

Peter, John, Andrew, Thomas, Philip, James and the other apostles, and last but not least, the apostle Paul - they went the whole nine yards and then some for Christ.  Where are you today's brothers-in-Christ?  Please wake up and rise up.  

Have you forgotten you are servants of the most high God?  You've come into His family by the "gift of God's grace" (Ephesians 3:7)?  Have you flung this gift back into His face because you want to pursue your own interests?

Get with the beat!  Repent of your complacency, apathy, doing-your-own-thingy things.  Do you know the cost and price God paid for your salvation?  It was COSTLY GRACE - the life of His own dear Son!  

What are you paying for your service for Him?

What are you paying to be the spiritual leader in your own, supposedly, Christian, home?  What are you paying to be the spiritual leader in your own church setting?

Rise up if you call yourself a man of God.  RISE UP!

Approach God with freedom and confidence to give you  what you think you lack.  BUT have a willing, obedient heart.  Have ears that hear and do something for Him.

Yes, I am ranting because I am so, so, so disappointed and depressed with the men who could but don't become the spiritual men they are duty bound and responsible to be among the saints of God.  STUDY the Scriptures.  Let the Holy Spirit be your coach, guide and counselor that He is.  

His POWER IS IN YOU!

"Now unto Him who is able to do immearsurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20).

His incomparable power is at work within you, brothers.  Let Him do His work.  Don't give Him a hard time.  Don't quench the Spirit.  Listen and obey and rise up!  Give Him the glory and time by being pro-active in your personal spiritual life, in the spiritual life of your family, and in the life of the church.  Also in your workplace realm be, 

 "salt, light, and spiritual leader". 

 May this be the epitaph you leave in, and at, your wake.

                                                   ~ERC  June 2023~

Based on Ephesians 3 and a grieving heart for the men of God who need to come to their spiritual senses and full potential in Christ.

Song, Rise Up, O Men of God, along with, sorry, it seems only to be the Mormans that sing this so well.  May those who follow Jesus Christ through salvation in Him alone and not salvation by works lest any should boast, take hold and let this be their motto song for service to the Lord from now on until Jesus comes.

An Important Official Comes to Christ

 The Holy Spirit of Truth and God work in many different ways on the behalf of the believer in Jesus Christ.  One of those ways is the help us understand God's Word and be able to explain it to others.

This is exactly what Philip did.  The Holy Spirit told him to go into the desert.  There he found an Ethiopian official riding along in a chariot, reading from Isaiah.  Philip trotted along beside the chariot and asked if the man could understand what he was reading.  The God-fearing Ethiopian man said he couldn't unless someone would explain what Isaiah was talking about.

As Philip said he could help, the Ethiopian invited Philip to come and sit beside him in the chariot.  He was  agreeable, as after all the Holy Spirit had directed him to the man.

This man who was humble, so it it seemed despite being an important official to the Queen of Sheba, had been up in Jerusalem to worship God there but as yet didn't understand about Jesus.  He was reading from Isaiah 53 and especially verses 7 and 8 which read,

"HE was like a sheep that was taken to be slaughtered, like a lamb that makes no sound when its wool is cut off.  He did not say a word.  He was put to shame and justice was denied Him" (Isaiah 53:7-8 NIV).

So the man asked, "What does it mean?"

Philip explained that when the men put Jesus on the cross, Jesus didn't say a thing in His own defense.  He just kept quiet.  This whole thing was unfair with false accusations bashed about and more, but Jesus went through with it all because He loves you.

Yes!  That's right...because He loves you and wanted to be able to save you.  For you to be able to have your sins washed away and bring reconciliation between God and man; He did this for you.

"The good news," Philip told the Ethiopian man, "is that Jesus rose again on the third day.  He is alive!  He went back to Heaven but will come back to earth again.  We do not know the day nor the hour, just that it is "soon".  So he and all people of the Earth must get ready by repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus as Savior.

The Ethiopian man believed in Jesus and was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Why must a believer be baptised, you may ask?  It's because Jesus asked us to.  In obedience to Him  our first act of obedience as a new creation in Christ is to be baptized.  The Ethiopian man declared,

"Yes, I believe with all my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and accept Him as my Savior."

This is music to God's ears and there is great joy and rejoicing in Heaven over such repentence  (see Luke 15:7).

This is a prime example of obedience in Philip too in going to the desert to help the man.  Who would want to go to a dry, hot desert place with poisonous snakes and wild animals voluntarily?  Not too many people.  The Holy Spirit helped Philip understand and to explain God's Word, so he went obediently.  He had a divine appointment to meet.

In our day, when we accept Christ, we will have the Holy Spirit indwell us, helping us understand and to explain the Bible.  Ask Him for His help .  Don't be shy.

Will YOU accept Christ?  Today?  If you haven't already done so, be eager and willing like the important official.

If you are looking for a prayer to say in order to come to Christ, you can pray the following which I adapted from a Sunday School Lesson.  Pray with sincerity.

"Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that you are God's Son.  I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and that you rose again on the third day.  Jesus, you are alive!  I know I'm a sinner.  I am sorry for all the sins that I have done.  I repent.  Please forgive me and wash all my sins away with your blood.  I ask you to come into my life to be my Lord and Savior.  Thank you for the Holy Spirit who helps me to do right things.  I want to be ready for when you call us up to be with you in Heaven.  Thank you for loving me and making me Your child. Amen."

All this is good news of Jesus and it is for EVERYONE!

After the Ethiopioan understood Isaiah 53, he believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he was baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

You know how he felt then?

He went home full of JOY!

He had been like a sheep that wanted to go his own way but because the Lord laid his sins on Jesus, he could have that burden removed and with joy received salvation through Jesus Christ (see Isaiah 53:6).

                                                        ~ERC  June 2023~

Based on Kawan Grace REsource P4b Lesson 4.

Sing, Hymn of Joy, along with Chris Tomlin.

Resurrection Power

 "Bring the crash cart, STAT!" shouted the doctor.  Nurse immediately scrambled for it whilst Doctor performed CPR.

"Defibrillator!"

"150 joules!"

"Stand back, all clear!"

And a jolt of joules coursed through the patient's body.

Nothing...

"200 joules..."

"Stand back."

Pumphf!  Another joules' jolt.

And the moniters began to record pulse and heart rythmn again.

Phew!

"Another one saved," smiled Doctor, relieved.

It's not so easy to resuscitate a person in cardiac arrest, but not impossible with today's machines and technology.  It makes me smile though.

Compare that with the resurrection of Jesus Christ after being in the tomb three days.  On the third day God's mighty and awesome power was exerted and raised Christ from the dead.

No expensive equipment needed and NO cost to the patient, I might add.

This was God's,

"incomparably great power" (Ephesians 1:18-23 especially vs 19 NIV).

The power of God believers in Jesus Christ have is the same that is at work in us through His Holy Spirit.  Thank the Lord for this power, not so we can make a name for ourselves, but to realize that when we are weak, He is strong.

Ask for His wisdom and revelation for what He wants you to do and know so that we can do exploits for Him in Jesus' name and through His almighty power (Ephesians 1:16-17).  Give thanks with a grateful, beating 💓.

In so doing our spiritual life in and with Christ will be resuscitated and revived time and again.  This is the richness of His gracious inheritance we have in Christ.

Sing then as the days go by and we live for Him.  Some day soon we will go to be with Him forever.  Let us make our days count for Him.  After all, His mighty resurrecting power works within us.

                                                        ~ERC  June 2023~

Based on Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV.

Sing, Resurrection Power, along with Christ Tomlin.