Book Review - My Calm Down Books: I Can Talk - By Caitie McAneney - Publication Date: 1 August 2023

 This illustrated children's book is great because it is short, sweet, and simple to understand.  Empowering a child to speak up and feel heard especially in difficult circumstances with a trusted adult is a plus.  I believe this book will be helpful to young readers to realize that what they think, feel and say, matters.

                                                    ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                                      July 2023

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Football Rising Stars: Leah Williamson - By Harry Meredith - Publication Date: 1 August 2023

 One does not hear much about women's football especially coming out of England where the men seem to rule.  However, this biography of Leah Williamson and her rise from humble beginnings to playing in the Women's Super League and making a big difference, may well inspire other like-minded girls and women to join the ranks.  Leah's hard work, persistence and determination aided her well.  

Harry Meredith writes in easy-to-read enthusiastic form.  Therefore, I would say that any young girls who love playing football, will likely love taking a look at Leah's journey as spelled out in this book.  There are also some 'hand-drawn' illustrations throughout that are interesting.

                                              ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                                  July 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 - The Heart's Bidding - By Kelly Irvin - Publication Date: 1 August 2023

 

Tender.  Humorous.  Amish.  Romantic.  A great combo of adjectives to describe this story.  I also like the sensitivity used in having some children, and even adults, with learning disabilities included as characters in this book as it can give enlightenment to any caring person who wishes greater understanding in relating to people with such challenges in life.  Among the Amish they are affectionally called, "special" and feature throughout the unfolding narrative.

The relationship between Toby and Rachelle keeps them, and incidently the reader, on a teeter-totter of quizzical dynamics.  Will they, or will they not, get it together?

A 4-Star rating from me.

                                          ~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.

Stars in His Hands

Sing,

"He's got the whole world in His hands.

 He's got the whole world in His hands.

 He's got the whole world in His hands.

 He's got the whole world in His hands."

"He's got the wind and the rain in His hands" (x4).

and other verses, each one 4x each:

"He's got the tiny little baby,"

 

"You and me brother,"

"He's got everybody here in His hands."

This is a fun song to sing.  From Google search we learn that it appears the song, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, was written by one Alan W. Livingston and Cousin Joe.  Singer Laurie London made it poplular in the late 1950's.

It's comforting to think of if you stop and think about the lyrics themselves.  He, our great and almighty God has us in His hands .

This phrasal expression, "in His hands" was not new, I don't think, to Livingston and Joe.  You'll understand why if you read Revelation 2:1.

"These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand..."

The stars representing the seven churches you read about in the ensuing verses and chapter.  

Many people say, "reach for the stars" or "aim for the moon and you might land on a star".

Who is it who can HOLD 'stars,' plural, in His hand?  I like it that they, stars, plural, fit in His hands and they are not too hot to handle.  He doesn't burn His hand with the stars.  I like it that it is Jesus holding the stars.  I like the idea that He is overseeing and caring for these stars.  He does not do so from a distance either.  NO.  He has them... 

"...in His right hand."

He keeps them close and under His watchful, loving eye.   He has not forsaken them.  He sees what is postitive and also what needs correction.  He gives warning and He gives commendation, all for the best outcome.

Any ministry a brother or sister does from the heart for the Lord, is like a star.  I think our Jesus keeps such a star in His right hand of strength and care too. 

He has The Church and your local church stars in His hand.  He cares for you.  Can you feel His loving care?  Do His rod and staff comfort you?  Are you resting, feeding at His table even in the presence of His enemies?  (Your enemies are His too, or rather, His enemies are yours).  Remember goodness and mercy are doggedly following after you.  He reaches for your star(s).

In fact He holds them in His hands.  

Create your own next stanza to that song,

"He holds your church/ministry in His hands, He's got the whole ministry in His hands."

Your star is safely in His hands.  Just think of that!  Give thanks.

                                                   ~ERC  July 2023~

Based on Revelation 1:12-17; 2:1; Psalm 23.

Sing, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, along with the African children choir & Gaither Music.

Set Free

The best words for an accused person in a court of law to hear must be "not guilty!"  How sweet the sweet sound of it, if they are truly not guilty.  The defendent is set free.  God pronounces the believer in Jesus, "NOT guilty" too.  That is good news.

A man named Paul wrote the book of Romans to the Christians in Rome.  He explained what the Gospel of Jesus is.  'Gospel', means 'good news'.

What was the 'good news'?  Simply put, when a person has repented of their sins, confessed them to God and accepted Jesus as Savior, trusting Him for their salvation, they have been 'set free' by God from the punishment which would have been meted out for their sins.

We all like to be free to do whatever we want.  Some may want to go shopping all day with their friends; go play badminton all day; not have to go to school or work, or have to wash the dishes and so on.

The believer though, has also been set free from guilt.  When we do something wrong like lying, slandering or stealing, for instance, our conscience, will hopefully, make us feel very uncomfortable and tell us, "Hey, that's wrong".  This is the feeling of guilt.  We have free will to be free to do those wrong things but guilt feelings will be the stop signs to let us know we shouldn't be quite so free.

In a court of law the judge will declare a person "Guilty!" and bang his gavel on the table or "Not Guilty!" and still bang it.  Whichever, there is finality - a last word, so to speak.  If the person is found to be guilty, then the judge metes out punishment to compensate for wrongs done, whether the judged person feels guilty or not.

We all sin, so we are all guilty in God's sight.  Therefore, we all need to be punished for our sins.  For those who reject Jesus there is the terrifying end in the fires and darkness of Hell, without Christ.  Tragic but true.

There is someone who took all our punishment though.  It's Jesus.  He took all our punishment when He was on the cross.  He willingly did this even though He was 100% good and had never, ever sinned.  He made it look like HE was guilty instead of us.

Jesus did this because He loved us so, so much.  What should we do in response?

We must say, "Yes," to Jesus.  Accept Him as Savior while there is still time.  

When we do, Jesus forgives us and it's like He bangs His gavel and says,

"NOT GUILTY!"

Read Romans 8:1 NIV.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Look at the word, 'condemnation'.  It's a BIG word that means a person has sinned, is quilty and needs to be punished.  Think of it something like this.

A big dark ominous storm cloud hovers low in the sky.  You see it lurking there for some time and the suspense is killing you as you wait for it to release its deluge.  You see it.  You know it's coming.  You keep looking up at it trying to guess the time and you start 'preparing to combat it' looking for shelter and battening down the hatches as the wind picks up and the drops begin to splash down.

Condemnation is a dark ominous cloud above our heads too.  What can be done about it though?  One girl in Sunday School said you need an umbrella.  

Well, symbolically speaking, she was correct.  Our 'umbrella' is Jesus.  When we accept Him as Savior, condemnation that tries to fall upon us will be stopped by the protection of the 'Umbrella" - Jesus.

Jesus says, "NOT GUILTY" any longer when we accept Him.  We become righteous in God's sight.  There is now "NO condemnation".

Yes, we still do wrong.  We need to confess this to Jesus who will forgive (see 1 John 1:9).  This of course does NOT give liberty to deliberately continue to sin.  

You may ask, "Why?"  It's because God is holy and cannot tolerate sin.  He punishes us, but He also sees us as righteous due to the blood of Jesus Christ which has cleansed us from all sin.

We are often reminded that God hates the sin but not the sinner.  In this we can be glad and rejoice.  His love has made the guilty sinner free through Jesus Christ and His shed blood.

It was God's love that sent Jesus to do so and to die in our place.  He has made us clean if we confess our sins.  God accepts us then because He is fully satisfied with His Son Jesus' sacrifice.

This is also why, when our sins are forgiven, God pronounces, "NOT GUILTY!" over us.  We are now clothed in righteousness.  No matter what we have done, nothing can then separate us from God's love.  God is on our side.  We say,

"God is for us..."

His love, grace, mercy, salvation protect us.

Let us revel in these facts and that, 

"If God be for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31)?

                                                     ~ERC  July 2023~

Based on Kawan Grace Resource P4b, Lesson 10 NOT GUILTY and Romans 8:1, 31.

Sing, There is Therefore NO Condemnation, along with Divine Hymns.

Lord's Day Devotional - Prayer - Rainbow Promise

 Blessed be Your name, oh Lord!  We can trust in You.  Your Word and promises are sure.  We can be certain of it.  We put our faith and hope in You.  You gave Noah the rainbow promise and to this day, about 4000 or more years later, You are still faithfully keeping Your promise, so we do indeed put our hope in Your unfailing Holy Word.

You saved us by your power and love in action through Jesus.  You have accepted our repentance and  forgiven us making us righteous in Your sight.   Now we trust You to bring us all the way to Your Home in Heaven to be with You there - forever.

We, Your childre,n give you praise and show our grateful thanksgiving through the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup.  Thanks be to Jesus who showed us the way through His last supper with His disciples.  Jesus sacrifice has made us whole and His promises endure forever.  In Him we put our hope.

Blessed be Your name oh Lord God!

                                                  ~ERC  July 2023~

Sing, Blessed Be the Name, along with Matt Redman.

Good Book - Creating a Healthier Church - By Ronald W. Richardson - Reviewed By: ERC

 If you've ever been through a church split you'll know how thoroughly painful and devestating it can be.  At other times there are conflicts, which aren't quite so serious yet still troubling.  There are ways to help a local church to become healthier.  I found Ronald W. Richardson's thoughts innovative and logical.

Learning how to understand people and what 'ticks' they are coming from whether from the environment they grew up in, or even birth order, are factors which can have bearings on how they respond or react to conflicts within the church setting.

Richardson talks very interestingly about what he calls 'fusion,' as well as 'differentiation'.  He begins his book with two great respective examples of how two churchs of similar circumstance handled a crisis; one by fusion, the other by differentiation and the very different resulting results.

Leadership of any church could well benefit from having a read.  Furthermore, there are questions for the reader's own individual pondering, as well as for group discussions.  It is good to note that this book is also from the series about 'Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling'.

May all who read find themselves part of a church that is continuously moving towards greater health and consciously maintaining it.  God bless you all.

                                                    ~ERC  July 2023~