Book Review - Jokes For Independence Day - By Jane R. Davis - Publication Date: 15 July 2025

 

Well this is certainly a kid's book!  Kids' jokes can be corny but that makes them more amusing, in my opinion, especially when the kids themselves are telling them.  It's fun to see how they can get a kick out of them.  This could well be the ticket for the kids in your life.

I found this to be a lighthearted, fun book that combines educational value with humor, offering tidbits of history regarding Independence Day.  It finishes off with a glossary of Independence Day terms.  

I believe any elementary school child will enjoy this book, more so if they are Americans.

                                          ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                            June 2025

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Reivew - Our Friendly Farmhouse - By Melissa Ferguson - Publication Date: 15 July 2025

 From the busy city to the slower-paced country-type busyness, a family decides to move lock, stock and barrel.  They build together and find sweet contentment.

I really like the story line and the accompanying illustrations which give this read an endearing down-home vibe.  What's more it has been based on a true family's true experience, making it all the more authentic.  Well done, Melissa Ferguson!

                                          ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                         July 2025

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

Read Review on Goodreads.

He Holds Me Fast (TT)

 

Fear of flying, fear of drowning, and fear of what's going to happen in the future can often paralyze a person.  Other kinds of fears can also make a believer in Jesus Christ doubt God's care.

The fears swirl around in our minds and we discuss about them with our friends and whomever else will listen.  The more one speaks about them the more we show our doubt in the Lord's preservation and care, Deborah Smith Pegues tells us.

By contrast,  we see the writer of Psalm 91 was very confident of God's protection and deliverance.  If you read verses 2, 5, 7, 11 and 14 you will see how the Lord held him fast, and how the psalmist trusted in God.  I especially like verse 14, which seems like God's answer.

"Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him, I will protect him, because he knows My name" (ESV).

This can put our minds to rest and then we can speak these Scriptures to continue the trust, and creating a reliance-on-the-Lord cycle, breaking the cycle of doubt, discouragement, and ungodly and unhealthy fear.

It doesn't necessarily mean all our troubles will evaporate, but we can trust and build faith.  When we speak with God's confidence it can encourage ourselves and of those with whom we speak.

Daniel's three friends, Shadraek, Meshach and Abednego, trusted God that no matter if He rescued them from the fiery furnace or not, they would still not doubt God's goodness but trust Him for the outcome.  They would NOT bow to the 'god' of Babylon nor to the 'god' of fear.  They would only fear and trust the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who was also their God.

What Deborah Smith Pegues says in her book 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, is good.  She writes,

"Of course, merely knowing the promises of God is not enough; we must become proficient at declaring them.  Faith comes by hearing" (Romans 10:17).

Pegues also recommends memorizing verses related, such as the Psalm 91 ones.  When we have God's word firmly placed in our minds and hearts, the Holy Spirit can then use them in times of stress, trials and tribulation, whether you are flying, drowning or have an uncertain future.  These can be 'faith'-building moments.

I do realize this is often easier said than done.  My own heart sped up when I wrote that last paragraph and mentioned drowning.  So it is a challenge and if I must go out and about in a boat, I will be uneasy.  I hope I can remember these verses and put my trust in the Lord, declaring my faith in Him.

Here's one of Pegues' affirmations:

"I will declare my faith rather than discuss my doubts."

So which  Bible verse (s) will you choose to hold on to and declare with faith in the Lord?  Write them out and memorize them, Pegues suggests it.  Put your confidence in the Lord because He'll hold You fast.

Lord Jesus, thank You for holding me fast, teach me to hold You fast too.  I call on You now for this.  Help, Thou my unbelief.  In Your name I ask, amen.

                                              ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 11:23, Psalm 91:2, 5, 7, 11, and 14 ESV.  Also 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 27 - The Doubting Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, He Will Hold Me Fast, and By Faith, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Job's Precious Smile (TT)

 There's a bit of a joke about the longest word in the English language.  Do you know it?  It's 'smiles' because there's a mile between the two 's's'.

Funny, right?

Another expression is when a person grins 'from ear to ear'.  That would be a pretty big smile.

But smiles, generally thought of as positive, do have the power to discourage as well as encourage.  I therefore like Job's smile.  Deborah Smith Pegues brings our attention to the NLT version of Job 29:24 in her book 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue.  It reads,

"When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.  My look of approval was precious to them."

How do you like that!  Job's smile was precious to the people of his acquaintance.  If they could get his smile, they felt his approval of them.  The discouarged would feel encouraged.

Do you see discouraged people around you?  Why not give them a soothing smile.  A smile that encourages, and gives hope that maybe things will get better; or their ideas and thoughts are legitimate and/or have potential.

When we see a brother or sister cast down with a heavy burden, let's try a little kindness, as an old song suggests.  Your smile could be that 'golden buzzer' that tips a person towards enheartening life rather than deathly discouragement.

As followers of Jesus Christ, let's examine ourselves to see our own personal tendency.  Is it to give smiles and looks of well-placed approval or do we tend to put a damper on others' endeavors and feelings?  Remedy accordingly.

Give a precious 'Job's smile' today!

Lord Jesus, I look up to You for Your smile of approval, for Your "well done".  As I live according to Your word with Your Holy Spirit's help, may I please You and then be able to show another brother or sister a little kindness by my words but also by the smile I can pass on.  May those folks who feel cast down be uplifted by the fragrance of Christ in me, embodied even in a precious smile of encouragement.  I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, amen.

                                                   ~  ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Job 29:24 NLT.  Also, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 26 - The Discouraging Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Try a Little Kindness, along with Glenn Campbell.

Ask and Listen (TT)

 One of the big things I pray about for my children, grown though they may be, is that they won't ever be falsely accused and/or framed, especially in matters of money.  Being accused when they are actually persons of integrity would be a devastating pill to swallow.

Accusations will have far-reaching effects on the accused and their loved ones.  It could take years and years to prove their innocence if, they ever get cleared.  Gossipers and judgemental people, as well as the accusers determined to keep the accused nose rubbed in the dust, will not let it go. So it is a serious matter to accuse someone of something without establishing the evidence and truth of a matter.

Deborah Smith Pegues in her book 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue cites what God asked Adam after Adam had sinned and hid.  God already knew the answers (see Genesis 3:9-11) but He was establishing and clarifying the situation so He

 "[asked and listened]" 

for Adam's answers.

"Asked and listened."  It is a good practice.  Ask and listen to the one accused, not just to the accusers' answers.

Pegues also mentions Job's three friend-accusers. Job knew he was innocent of the charges laid against him.  But his 'so-called' friends didn't listen to his answers.

I like Pegues' point and I'll try to keep it in mind for when I'm tempted to accuse someone of somehting.  Check the so-called 'information'.  We can be so quick to judge and accuse.  As brothers and sisters-in-Christ, let's show greater kindness and the love of Jesus to others. Ask the Lord for wisdom, insight and understanding of any given situation of accusation.  There may be no easy out but don't be the one to perpetrate nor perpetuate an accusation against another person!  I pray to God I'm never such an accuser nor the accused, nor any of my family members!

Father God, stop me when my intent is to accuse another person unjustly.  Remind me to 'ask' and 'listen' to anyone accused and not to perpetuate a situation without establishing the truth of the matter and even then to go about speaking with and/or about that person with caution and according to the biblical principle of two or three witnesses who are truth-witnesses.  If I have hurt anyone with false accusations, I'm sorry, Father.  I repent of it.  Help Thou my weak flesh to be repentant, forgiven and renewed.  Bring to mind so I can make amends to that person or persons.  

Give me wisdom, understanding and insight and good listening ears.  May I follow Jesus' way.  I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                    ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Revelation 12:!) ES>  Also, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 25 - The Accusing Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, The Jesus Way, along with Phil Wickham.

Book Review - Second Chance at Sunshine Inn - By Amy Clipson - Publication Date: 8 July 2025

 Despite some sadness in the narrative, I found Second Chance at Sunshine Inn a pleasant read.  The tension between Everleigh and Cade kept the curiosity spark alive and alert among the more tender moments.  I liked the idea of a very cozy sounding Inn as well as the one of a non-profit benefit to address the neo-natal niche's related need.  Discussion Questions at book's end lends to a flourished finishing touch.  All-in-all, it has been a satisfactory read for me.  Kudos, once again, to author Amy Clipson.

                                           ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                       January 2025

Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Read review on Goodreads.

Lord's Day Devotion - Insults and Blasphemies Forgiven (Mark 3)

 

How would you feel if your family members declared you were out of your mind because of some of the unusual things you'd done and continued to do?  On top of that, the religious leaders, whom people looked up to, said you were possessed by Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, a.k.a. Satan!

This is what happened to Jesus. You can read about it in Mark 3, verses 20-30.  Of all the insulting things to say about Jesus, what the religious leaders said, would have hit Jesus to the core.  Remember Jesus is God - the holy and pure and blameless One.  The insult would have gone deep!

It was Satan, as Lucifer, who had tried to become God.  He was cast out of heaven and is now known as Satan or Beelzebub.  Therefore, you can see it was the worst insult they could have come up with. It was Satan manipulating the religious leaders to cast his own sin upon the precious Son of God!

Yet, Jesus firmly refuted this, and what's more, in His grace and mercy said,

"I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them" 

(Mark 3:28).

I believe Jesus kept the cross in mind.  It was the reason He came to earth and nothing would deter him from that mission.  That mission would bring salvation, redemption and forgiveness to those who through faith, would accept Jesus as Lord and Savior; even for those religious leaders!

And then because Jesus' mother and brothers were outside the house, Jesus happened to be visiting, looking to take Him away, He said,

"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother" (vs 35).

Having accepted Jesus as Savior, we are part of Him family.  We too may endure painful insults and betrayals from our own family members and even church members.  

Let's remember though, that Jesus forgives these because of the cross. He forgives them (when they repent of them) and He forgives us, His brothers and sisters, when we repent of perhaps insulting others ourselves.

Praise the Lord for His powerful statement that

"[He] will forgive [our] iniquity, and ... remember [our] sin no more."

Furthermore, He,

"blots them out,"

 and is merciful to us (see Jeremiah 31:34; Isaiah 43:25; and Hebrews 8:12 & 10:17), because of His great love for us.

This Lord's Day, let's remember the all encompassing love, grace, mercy and forgiveness that our Savior Jesus bought and brought for us on the cross despite any betrayals and insults we may have hurled at Him.  In His mercy He forgave.  In His mercy He still forgives.  What a blessed Savior and Redeemer, Friend and Brother!  He is like no other!

With great gratitude in our hearts, Lord Jesus, we give You our thanks, for You alone are worthy of all our praise and worship.  You took all our sins and iniquities upon Yourself and with this act of love, grace and mercy, we are healed.

With the broken bread we partake and the cup of wine from which we sip, we show our remembrance of what You have done for us.  Thank You, Jesus!

                                           ~  ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 3:21, 22, 28 and 35 NIV.

Sing, It's About the Cross, along with the Ball Brothers.