Book Review - The Girl From the War Room - By Catherine Law - Publication Date: 19 August 2025

 Another historical work of fiction spanning the effects of the Great War and the ongoing WWII in England.  A reader will see the tragedy of war and the awful effects but also the stalwart women who valiantly picked up jobs that were tough and deemed more as 'a man's work'.  Keeping war secrets was a challenge that confronted Cassie right in the face.

Throughout the story we see great family togetherness but also deep secrets within the family ties that once discovered, rocked the foundations of Cassie's being.  Romance comes in to play as well, with shocking discovery.  

I quite enjoyed this story and was sorry to have reached the last page.  All-in-all, it was a satisfying read.

                                                  ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                                     July 2025

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Heart Treasures (Luke 2 esp vs 51 ESV)

 I find Luke 2 a touching read.  How desparately Mary and Joseph must have been while looking for Jesus.  Then surpize of all surprizes, they find Him safe and sound in the Jerusalem temple, holding sway with the religious leaders and teachers of His day.

Upon finding Him, His parents admonished Him.  His reply was,

"Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house" (vs 49)?

They did not know how to respond but Mary ...

" ... treasured all these things in her heart" (vs 51).

That comment got me thinking about what I happen to treasure in my heart.  When kind people do or say something good and beneficial, this is some of what I treasure.  How about you?

At times, though, people do treasure negative things, haboring them and letting them fester.  If I'm to "be in my Father's house," how will that sit?

These things need weeding out.  By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit's enabling, we can.

Letting Holy Spirit convict and help is a good plan.  Then one can truely treasure real treasures, especially regarding Jesus' life on earth and the purposes for which He came and did accomplish.  Not forgetting to mention the purpose He has for each one of us who believe, to accomplish.   These are the best heart treasures to ponder upon and store up.

Thank You, Jesus, for all you have done for me.  I treasure them.  Amen.

                                               ~ ERC  August 2025 ~

Based on Luke 2 especially verse 51 ESV.

Sing, Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer (Hymn), along with Keith & Kristyn Getty.

HAIKU - Jesus Messiah Joy

 

Jesus Messiah,

From Heaven to Earth He Came

My soul to reclaim.

Born a babe, fruit of 

Mary's virgin womb, bless-ed

among women.  Joy!

Joy and salvation

         God had not forgotten His

created people.

Jesus, blessed Son of

God bringing His tender love,

mercy - path of peace.

From generation

to generation, let us

Rejoice and be glad.

Father God, we sing, "Hallelujah" to You!  Thank You for sending Jesus to us in such a way we cannot even begin to understand the depth of it all.  But we are glad and rejoice just the same.  By faith we believe in the salvation we have in Jesus Messiah our King of kings and Lord of lords.   You have redeemed our souls and reclaimed them back to You.

We praise in and through Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                  ~ ERC August 2025 ~

Based on Luke 1 (ESV).

Sing, Jesus Messiah, along with Chris Tomlin.

Inseparable

 The main thing about Jesus' death and being buried is that He rose again from the dead.  We serve a risen Savior.  "He's alive and I'm forgiven," as a line from Don Francisco's He's Alive song goes.

The tomb's stone had been rolled away.  The young man inside the tomb told the women who'd gone with spices to anoint Jesus' body,

"You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He has risen; He is not here ..."    (Mark 16:6 ESV).

What a shock!  The women were terrified and fled the scene.

But the good news is that Jesus' death and resurrection are inseparable.  Through faith in Jesus we can have life and hope - sure hope, of being with Him someday but also to building a relationship with Him here on earth in the meantime.

Praise the Lord, Jesus is alive!

We give thanks to You oh Father God, among the nations.  You have given us life in Jesus.  In His name we give our grateful thanks, Amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 16:1-8 especially vs 4-6 (ESV).

Sing, He's Alive! by Don Francisco, along with Ccelebrate Music).

Epoch-Making Choice (Mark 15:6-15)

 It wasn't just a simple choice between tea or coffee.  No, it was "Would you prefer a rebellious murderer, or a loving Savior:  Barabbas or Jesus?  Whom do you choose?"

Pilate had already suspected it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had stirred up the crowds to demand Jesus' crucifixion.  To save his own skin, however, he chose to satisfy the crowd, therefore choosing Barabbas.  "Go with the flow, the easy way out," thought Pilate to himself.

He was the 'postman' and,

"delivered [Jesus] to be crucified" (vs 15).

Choices have epoch-making consequence.  Pilate's sent Jesus to His death.  But praise the Lord, Jesus' choice to go through with it all for you and me, gave us the choice to accept or reject salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him, or not.  The alternative being eternal death separated forever from Him.

Our choice, if you will, is Jesus or Satan, Heaven or Hell.  I pray all readers choose Jesus and everlasting life.  It's not such a simple choice for you perhaps, but it will be catastrophic to choose otherwise!  

Choose Jesus.

                                                         ~  ERC  July 2025  ~

Based on Mark 15:6-15 ESV.

Sing, I Have Decided, along with Elevation Worship (a bit noisy for some maybe) and I Choose Christ, along with Rebecca nelson Music (more tame).

Hearts Warmed By Jesus

 It's always refreshing to hear about the women of the Bible especially in relation to Jesus.  In this case it was at the time of His crucifixion, as they stood, looking on.

How helpless they must have felt!  How crestfallen and devastated!  They were ones from Galilee and who had followed Jesus along the way to Jerusalem.

This was not some celebrity fan club.  No, I believe that out of loving care for Him, and their appreciation of Him, they followed and

 "ministered to Him" (vs 41).

Perhaps they cooked for Him, washed His clothes and sat at His feet listening to His words like Mary, Martha and Lazarus' sister had done.

Now they could do no more for Him, except 'be there' lending moral support.  They were not part of the mockers, rather the carers and mourners, full of grief.  It touches my heart to think of these brave ladies.  

One could ask oneself, "Why do you follow Jesus?"   Is it for prestige or the novelty of seeing all the miracles as great and wonderful those had been, or was it because of HIM,  because of who He was, and still is, and what He has done for us on that cross?

When we blank all else out, we see Jesus alone.  Only Jesus and who He is.  This claims my heart and makes me want to follow.    I think this was the same for all those ladies of times past.  May each of us have our hearts so warmed by Jesus today.

Amen, so be it Jesus!

                                                 ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 15:40-41 (ESV).

Sing, What a Beautiful Name, along with Hillsong.

Lord's Day Devotion - What They Did to Him (Mark 14 ESV)

 The women from Bethany lovingly anointed Jesus.  Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for money.  The religious leaders sent a gang with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus and at their hands received blows, being spit upon and mocked.  As a final blow, Peter denied he knew Jesus.  That was a lot for one person to take!

This was just the beginning.  The beginning of Jesus' purpose for coming to earth; the one He had ever set His face purposely towards.  It was the plan God had set into action to prove His love for mankind.  Jesus death and resurrction set me free though.

By faith in Jesus Christ and His redemption plan fulfilled on the cross, this allowed me the salvation I needed.  His death and resurrection set me and countless other brothers and sisters-in-Christ, free.

This Lord's Day, let's remember all that grief, sorrow, the sacrifice and pain Jesus went through for us.  As we partake of the broken bread, remember the blows, the whipping, the being nailed to the cross - His body beaten to a pulp.  As we sip of the cup of wine, let's remember the blood that flowed from his body, all leading to his death, enabling that salvation of our souls.

Let us also remember, He rose again from the dead.  This resurrection power has great importance, telling us that we trust and worship a living God.

All praise be to Jesus!  Despite all mankind did to Him, He was able to do so much for us who believe!

Praise Him!

Thank You, Jesus.

                                                     ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 14 ESV.

Sing, Living Hope, along with Phil Wickham.