Book Review - The Wreckage of Light - By Jos Gordon - Publication Date: 10 September 2023

 There are so many strong characters, Knox and Crew being two of them that work and live against great odds.  Lots of action and reaction.  The narrative is filled with multicultural interest - namely the whites vs the Ulayu.  Racism is rife and the ensuing hate and brutality that abounds against each other will make you stop and give you pause.  However, the author explains this setting scenario.

Betrayal clatters in and there is some paranormal activity, which adds mystery.  It's very believable though but could there be any acceptance from either side of the ethnic divide that may even provide a bridge of understanding?!  And what does the 'owl' have to do with it all?  Tantalising romance is laced through this bewitching saga.  Being left hanging on at the end will likely leave the reader panting for the proposed next book in the series, I believe.

There is a precaution with content that some readers may wish to be aware of and that is all the 'stahl'-ing that happens whenever, wherever, seemingly unabated.  You'll have to check out the useful glossary of the Ulayu language provided at book's end.  Ok, you may be able to guess that to 'stahl' is very intimate action.

A 4-Star rating from me.

                                             ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Victorious Overcomers - Sardis

 

The Sardis overcomers were awake and completing the good deeds God had given them to do.  They had received, heard, obeyed and repented of lethargy and went on to strengthen what remained to be done.

This puts me in mind, so much, of how Christians in general, operated during and post Covid-19 era.  It was so much easier just to stay at home and continue to stay at home and not have to participate in person in church activities and ministries for the Lord, His people and for the unsaved, not lifting much of a finger to engage in evangelism work and/or building others up in their most holy faith.  

Things have slowly improved but we still need to fully WAKE UP!  Now.  Be overcomers and complete the course of deeds set out for us each to do.  The Sardis folks were "dressed in white"; clean, pure and were worthy.  Jesus acknowledged them and does not blot them out of His book of life.

Our perfect example, of course is Jesus, who had so set His face towards Jerusalem, determined to fulfil the reason and purpose He was sent to earth.  He bought our pardon on the cross, redeeming our souls, and making us children of God when we accept this free gift of salvation.  It is only through Jesus we can have our names written in His Lamb's Book of Life.

It's heady stuff to see your name written in a book, especially if you are the author or an editor or a reviewer of books.  Here overcomers are on the LIFE LIST, not the DEATH LIST.  May each one reading this have life in Christ and be able to find his or her name on God's list in His book of LIFE, then go pro-actively forth and complete the good deeds God sets out for you to do.  I ask it in Jesus' name.

                                                        ~ERC  July 2023~

Based on Revelation 2 & 3, especially 3:1-6 NIV.

Sing,  Great Things, along with Phil Wickham.

See also, the following links.

Victorious Overcomers:

Ephesus

Symrna

Pergamum

Thyatira

Book Review - Embracing Joy - By Jean Wilund - Publication Date: 5 September 2023

 I deeply appreciate this author's in-depth look at the book of Habakkuk, and Habakkuk's interactions with God during very distressing times in his life and God's actions seemingly against the nation of Israel.  I feel that serious readers who wish to delve genuinely into seeking greater knowledge and understanding of God's Word, will and ways will greatly appreciate this study.

This study kept my pen to the pages of my journal, responding to what the author was expounding about, helping to bring forth ones' own thoughts and feelings regarding what was happening in Habakkuk's time but that also relates to the current times.  The spiritual exercises will keep one engaged in what is said and create plenty of time to keep a person on their knees in humble prayer before the Lord.

Jean Wilund, the authoress, has written this eight week study of Habakkuk with group study questions, memory verses, daily conviction prayers and so forth.  It has been one of my best 'grow book' reads in a while.  I do recommend it to those readers who would also like to learn more about God's Sovereignty.

                                              ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                               June 2023

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - When the People Pray - By Thom S. Raines - Publication Date: 5 September 2023

 In many churches, October is the pray-for-your-pastor month.  This 30 Day Devotional feels like a huge, great boon and gift for those who wish to pray for and show their pastor and his/her family their appreciation and support.  

Each day includes a main theme such as:  wisdom, weddings, funerals, temptations, comparisons, joy and so many more.  An appropriately targeted bible verse follows, after which is a reflection based on true life anecdotes, and then an actual, helpful prayer to pray for the pastor.  

I really like how these devotionals are arranged.  They are short, sweet and simply put to the point.  Certainly an overall great way to show ones' appreciation by praying for the pastor.

This book could be used by individuals but it seems that praying as a congregation is encouraged as the reader will discover modes for group praying in teams and explaining key actions in implimenting the prayer groups and gatherings.

I was quite excited to come across this devotional as it seems very user friendly, while still giving attentive believers a way for pro-active quality praying.  As some denominations do not have clergy, I still say that this devotional can be used to pray for the spiritual leaders in any given gathering so that they too will stay true to the Lord and be encouraged by those to whom they teach and preach.

                                           ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                        May 2023

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Lord's Day Devotion - Knowledge and Discernment

 

The more we read and learn of Christ, we will obviously know more of His character and holiness.  This in turn will bring a believer greater discernment in how to live in Christlike manner.

Take a look at these words which were written by the apostle Paul while he was in prison for his faith and knowledge of Christ.

"And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV).

These verses show me Paul's tender loving care for the Philippian believers.  He wanted what was good and best for them.  That is, with the knowledge and insight about Jesus, they would be made ever increasingly pure and blameless, with the righteousness that comes through Jesus.

The more we know of Jesus, the more we will understand Him and obey Him.  As we do, we will be more like Him in purity, living a sanctified life after having been justified and made righteous in God's sight through faith in Jesus Christ.

The sanctified life of continued living in holiness is accomplished by living in the knowledge and depth of insight of Christ.  When I discern the right and pleasing path I will give glory and praise to God when I obediently follow Him and His ways.

This Lord's Day, let each follower of Jesus Christ keep these thoughts in mind.  It has only been through our salvation through faith in Him we are saved, justified and sanctified.

As we partake of the broken bread, remember our righteousness comes only through Jesus.  As we drink of the cup of wine, remember it is because of Jesus' intimate knowledge and depth of insight into His Father's will, His obedience to His Father's will and His love for us, that we have been made worthy in God's sight, to eat and drink in showing Jesus's death until He comes.

Give thanks with a cheerful heart.

Abba Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit who came to those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior via your offer of salvation.  This is when you made us righteous in your sight.

With Holy Spirit's help we can learn more of Jesus and gain greater insight of Him and for living a more holy life on a day-to-day basis, so we will be more fully holy as you are holy - living progressively more sanctified from the inside out.

We give you our thanks and praise and will live to bring you more glory with your help and strength through your Holy Spirit's aiding and abetting.  May we each continue to be transformed according to Jesus' likeness through continued gaining of knowledge and depth of insight and discernment.

In Jesus' name we praise and pray.

                                               ~ERC  September 2023~

Based on Philippians 1:9-11 NIV.

Sing, Goodness of God, along with Bethel Music.

Book Review - The Bravest Soldiers - By Elaine Schroller - Publication Date: 3 Setpember 2023

 A wonderful historical fiction narrative of love and service for Australians and the good of humanity during WWII.  I really enjoyed learning more of how the Aussies did their bit for the world, defending their own country but also in the general Pacific region, as well as in littler known areas of  combat and conflict in other parts of the world during that time.  I especially liked the part about the parachutes, and the French lady Marianne's hand in it.  I suspect readers will come to love the Parker family, as did I.  Mercifully, there is a glossary of Aussie terms and slang to aid the readers' understanding.  It is such a great story that I savor it still.  A 5-Star rating from me.

                                          ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Victorious Overcomers - Thyatira

 

When Jesus comes back the second time He will come, not as a baby, but as a Judge.  He is the Judge of judges.  We learn that the overcomers of Thyatira are given authority over the nations.  Seems that 'in the end' they will rule with great disciplinary power, punishing those who have rejected Christ.  Perhaps they also get to rule over  those steeped in moral decay from whence they had overcome.  These overcomers had had self-control and persevereance through it all. There had been no double standards for them.  The Judge had

 'searched their hearts and minds" (Rev 3:23) 

and they'd passed the test.

They had been in the place where Satan had had his throne with all sorts of wickedness going on:  idolatry and sexual immorality, for instance.  The Pergamum overcomers had clung on to their faith in the worst of days.  Much of this sounds similar to our day and age.

Brothers and sisters-in-Christ let's be this type of victorious overcomer too.  Movie celebrities are often awarded a star in the world's estimation and 'hall of fame'.  Our Judge of all the earth awards a 'morning star' and He holds us in His hand.

Does that spark your attention?  Jesus held the seven stars in His hand.  Now He gives these overcomers a star and not just any star, but The Morning Star - Jesus.  He gives them Himself - the true "Light-Bringer' (Revelation 22:16).  

Isn't this astonishing?!

Will you be an overcomer?

                                                        ~ERC  July 2023~

Based on Revelation 2 & 3, especially 2:12-17.

Sing, Will You Be An Overcomer?, along with Hymns & Spiritual Songs.

See also...

Victorious Overcomers - Ephesus

 Victorious Overcomers - Smyrna

Victorious Overcomers - Pergamum