Scripture and a Snapshot: August 16, 2014

There is none like you, O Lord; 

you are great, and your name is great in might.

It is he who made the earth by his power, 

who established the world by his wisdom, 

and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

When he utters his voice, 

there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,

and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.

He makes lightning for the rain,

and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

~Jeremiah 10:6, 12-13~

Scripture and a Snapshot is hosted by A Glimpse of Our Life.

The Weekend Brew is hosted by My Freshly Brewed Life.

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Recent Reads - Loyal In Love

Loyal In Love by Jean Plaidy - I have read a number of Jean Plaidy's biographical novels, and the historical novels she has written under other names, and generally I enjoy them. This story in the Queens of England series was interesting, but not a favorite of mine. It is the story of Henrietta Maria, the French Princess married to Charles I of England. As usual, Plaidy delivers a novelization of history that is rich in detail and background, and highlights the personalities of historical figures. However, in this case I didn't find Henrietta Maria to be very likable, so I often found myself rather unsympathetic to her in a tale told from her point of view. 

Henrietta was self-centered and short-sighted, and for most of her life cared only for her opinions and desires. She was staunchly Catholic, having been raised in France, and part of the purpose in marrying her to Charles of England was the hope that she would be able to turn the Stuarts and England itself back to Catholicism. In her loyalty to her religion, she offended many in England by refusing to be crowned as Queen (because it was a Protestant ceremony), and stubbornly quarreled often with the nobility and even with Charles I over religious matters. She was fiercely loyal to Charles, however, and they were devoted to one another and to their children. When Oliver Cromwell's Puritans came into control of the Parliament and clashed with Charles, Henrietta worked tirelessly to help Charles hold his throne, even traveling to Holland to request support from the Prince of Orange. Later, after Charles I had been captured and executed by the Roundhead Parliament, Henrietta turned her scheming to try and help her son Charles regain the throne.

Henrietta never gave up her hope that her son Charles would win back his throne, but she also sparred with each of her children over religion, refusing to see one of her sons because he would not convert to Catholicism. She felt that she was always working for the good of her children, but as I was reading, I felt that she was meddlesome and judgmental, imposing her own opinions and preferences on all those around her. Although I didn't really like Henrietta very much, I did enjoy reading her story and learning a bit more about her side of the story during this tumultuous period of England's history.

By the same author (as Philippa Carr): The Black Swan, The Changeling; The Witch From the Sea; The Lion Triumphant; The Miracle at St Bruno's.

(Book #34 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

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The "Summer's Flying By" Reading Challenge - Update and Mini-Challenge #3

Time for an update on The "Summer's Flying By" Reading Challenge! I took on Mini-Challenge #1, and here is the update on the titles I'm reading for that.

S-U-M-M-E-R

S - (A) Stand At Sinai by Hope Auer

U - Understanding the Times by Ken Ham (finished!)

M - Michal by Jill Eileen Smith

M -

E - (The) Eight by Katherine Neville

R -

I decided to skip Mini-Challenge #2. I can't remember why. Probably just because it took me a week to get Mini-Challenge #1 posted with my kick-off post! Here is Mini-Challenge #3.

Read a book with your birth month in the title, or read books that start with each letter of your birth month. My birth month is December, and it seems that most of the books with December in the title are Christmas themed. Or they are about Pearl Harbor, which I'm not sure I want to read about any more. I did remember the book Fireflies in December, which I put on a to-read-someday list awhile ago, so I might grab that. My daughter's birthday is in July - maybe we could try that. More summery, and fewer letters if we go that route! 

Not included in the Mini-Challenges are these books that I am reading:

Loyal In Love by Jean Plaidy and Deep & Wide by Andy Stanley

There is nothing more luxurious than eating while you read; unless it be reading while you eat. Amabel did both: they are not the same thing, as you will see if you think the matter over. ~E. Nesbit

 What summery books are you reading? Please take "just a second" to leave a comment and let me know.
There's still time to join the challenge - just visit The "Summer's Flying By" Reading Challenge Kick-off Post at Simply Audra Marie.

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Recent Reads - Understanding the Times

Understanding the Times by Ken Ham - This book was free for Kindle a while back and I thought it was worth picking up. Turns out it was a very quick read, and much of the material in the book is what Mr Ham presented when I last heard him speak - at the Teach Them Diligently conference in Washington DC. Although I immediately recognized the content as something I'd already heard (and could still remember exactly how he said it - delightful Australian accent and all!), it was not just a rehash. I loved having all of the Scripture references and the explanations included, because I couldn't take notes that efficiently! Plus there are many points and items that I had not heard or read before. Ham presents a heartfelt call to the church to stand firm on the authority of God's Word, and gives compelling and logical reasons that we can and must do so with confidence. A recommended read for parents, Sunday School teachers, and church leaders.

By the same author: Already Compromised, Already Gone, The New Answers Book 1

(Book #33 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

WWW Wednesdays: August 13, 2014

Should Be Reading hosts this weekly update on what we're reading, what we recently finished reading, and what's next. 

• What are you currently reading?  Seems I am not reading very fast lately. I am still working on Michal by Jill Eileen Smith, and Loyal In Love by Jean Plaidy. I'm also reading a book of my daughter's, A Stand At Sinai by Hope Auer.         

   

• What did you recently finish reading? Just yesterday I finished Understanding the Times by Ken Ham. I still need to write a review.

• What do you think you'll read next? I pulled a perennial favorite out to re-read - The Eight by Katherine Neville, and I am ready to start Deep & Wide by Andy Stanley.

   

What are you reading? Anyone can join in this link-up by answering these three questions. Visit Should Be Reading for this week's link-up.

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Teaser Tuesdays: August 12, 2014

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
• Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

The shots were coming faster and one came so near that when it buried itself in the ground the soil came up and was spattered over our clothes and faces. I was hurried through the village to the ditch which surrounded it and Henry made us all lie in this so that the shots could whistle over our heads and where, apart from a direct hit, we could be safe.

~Loyal in Love by Jean Plaidy, page 258

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Scripture and a Snapshot: August 9, 2014

But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!

~Jeremiah 9:24~

Scripture and a Snapshot is hosted by A Glimpse of Our Life.

The Weekend Brew is hosted by My Freshly Brewed Life.

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/