Scripture and a Snapshot - An Example

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master; nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

~John 13:14-17~

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

Glimpses is hosted by Embracing Every Day, a lifestyle blog by Barbie Swihart.

Sunday Scripture Blessings is hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad.

©2008-2017 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/

Recent Reads - Here, There Be Dragons

This post contains affiliate links. 

Here, There Be Dragons (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica) by James A. Owen - I saw this YA fantasy recommended by a fellow blogger and her review inspired me to hunt it up at my library and give it a try. I was also hoping my daughter would read it, but she is too busy with other things these days, but perhaps in the summer. Anyway, the book opens with three young men - John, Jack, and Charles - meeting under the strange circumstances of an Oxford professor's death. The professor had been tutoring John in ancient languages and there was something extremely odd about his murder. The three soon meet a strange little man called Bert that tells them they are now the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica, which is an atlas of all the lands of myth and legend, and they soon find themselves on Bert's dragonship leaving World War London and traveling to the Archipelago of Dreams.

It appears the mysterious Winter King has been conquering parts of the archipelago and the lands he has taken have become Shadow-lands. His goal is to claim the Silver Throne and control the entire archipelago, and this is what the Caretakers must stop. The three companions, along with Bert and his daughter Aven, and a young knight-in-training, must work together to overcome challenges and deceptions and their own fears and doubts in order to save the lands of the Imaginarium. 

Many of the characters they meet and their adventures may seem familiar to readers, and give clues to the twist at the end, which I will not give away!

©2008-2017 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/

Recent Reads - Baseball Faith

This post contains affiliate links.

Baseball Faith: 52 MLB Stars Reflect on Their Faith by Rob Maadi - This book is a collection of short commentaries from Major League Baseball stars past and present. Each player shares a favorite Bible verse and some thoughts about why it means so much to them, along with a short testimony. For each player, there's a full page photo of them in action, and two pages summarizing their stats and a little biographical information.

Most of the devotional thoughts shared by the players are simple, and show these men that are so admired by many fans as being humble and very human. Some have been Christians since they were very young and others came to Christ recently. In some way, each testimony highlights the fact that these men rely on God, on prayer, and on the Word of God each day and in all situations. Many of them talk about their talent and abilities coming from God and their desire to use their gifts to bring glory to Him.

This book would make an excellent gift for a boy that loves baseball and needs to be encouraged in his faith. Because the testimonies are relatively short, even younger boys or reluctant readers should be able to read and understand the importance of faith in their heroes' lives.

From the publisher:

Winning the World Series may be the ultimate prize for most MLB players, but a relationship with Jesus Christ is No. 1 for many diamond stars, including:

• 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist
• Hall of Famers John Smoltz and Pedro Martinez
• Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw
• MVPs Albert Pujols and Andrew McCutcheon
• Thirteen-time All-Star Mariano Rivera
• And dozens more

Baseball Faith will inspire you in your faith journey as 52 MLB players -- past and present -- share their stories and how they are chasing the success that only comes from being God's man and following His plan. These men are committed to living their lives with eternity in mind. Empowered by God, they are looking beyond the competition to a larger goal: following God's game plan for their lives as team players, as husbands, fathers, sons, and then using their influence to point others toward Him.

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

©2008-2017 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/

What I'm Reading - March 6, 2017

This post contains affiliate links.

This weekly reading list meme is hosted at Book Date. Join in to see what others are reading and maybe get some ideas of what to read next! I also link up with Tales of a Pee Dee Mama for D.E.A.R. Monday (Drop Everything And Read).

I finished reading . . . 

Baseball Faith: 52 MLB Stars Reflect on Their Faith by Rob Maadi - I think this would be a great devotional book for a tween boy, especially one that loves baseball. (My full review is coming today or tomorrow.)




I'm currently reading . . .

Shepherd, Potter, Spy and the Star Namer by Peggy Miracle Consolver - very interesting to see the Hebrew's conquest of Canaan through the eyes of a young Canaanite boy. I feel like I should be reading faster though, so I'll be picking this book up more often starting this week.



To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden - Looks like another winner from Camden, who has become one of my favorite authors!

Here, There Be Dragons (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica) by James A. Owen - I'm nearly finished this fascinating YA fantasy, and I think it's a series, so . . . I'm probably going to have to get the next one soon!

Next on the stack...

My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas: Priscilla’s Reveille by Erica Vetsch
All in Good Time (The Gilded Legacy) by Maureen Lang

      

 On my blogs last week . . .

Here on Just A Second:

Scripture and a Snapshot - Overflow with Praise
Book Blogger Hop - March 3, 2017
Wordless Wednesday - Crocuses
Bookshelf Review - February 2017


And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Homeschool Highlights - March Beginnings
The Great Wall of China - Blogging Through the Alphabet
Virtual Refrigerator - Caribbean Lighthouse
A Homeschool Coffee Break Spring Preview

What are you reading?

©2008-2017 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/

Scripture and a Snapshot - Overflow with Praise

May my lips overflow with praise,

for you teach me your decrees.

May may tongue sing of your word,

for all your commands are righteous.

May your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

I long for your salvation, LORD,

and your law gives me delight.

Let me live that I may praise you,

and may your laws sustain me.

~Psalm 119:171-175~

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

Glimpses is hosted by Embracing Every Day, a lifestyle blog by Barbie Swihart.

Sunday Scripture Blessings is hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad.

©2008-2017 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/

Book Blogger Hop - March 3, 2017

This post contains affiliate links.

Book Blogger Hop

Welcome to another Book Blogger Hop question. Visit Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer to see the responses from other book bloggers.

When you start reading a novel, do you prefer to be plunged right into the action, or do you prefer a slower, descriptive introduction to the plot and characters? 

In general, I prefer to get right into it, and being dropped right into the drama or the action during the first chapter has a good chance of capturing my interest and curiosity about how things will play out. That said, a novel that is a relationship drama, for example, might not have much in the way of action, so it could still intrigue me with a slower-paced introduction, but I still need a compelling reason to care and keep reading.

©2008-2017 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/

Wordless Wednesday - Crocuses

This post contains affiliate links.

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life at Rossmont; and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea's Scribble Pad.

©2008-2017 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/