Just A Second

Wednesday, November 6

Wordless Wednesday - Autumn Sunshine

This post contains affiliate links.

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life on Chickadee Lane, and at Pictoral Tuesday, hosted by Peabea Scribbles.

Pictorial Tuesday

©2008-2019 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/

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Tuesday, November 5

Recent Reads - The War of the Worlds

This post contains affiliate links.

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells - I vaguely remembered reading this pioneer work of science fiction when I was in high school, but it was so long ago that this was really like a first-time read. We studied this book in the Lit class I'm teaching at a homeschool co-op.

The unnamed narrator of this classic opens by setting the backdrop, explaining his acquaintance with scientists and their observation of the planet Mars. Several anomalies observed on Mars are unexplained, until meteorites that land in the English countryside turn out to be cylinders containing extra-terrestrial visitors from Mars. The local gawking and fascination soon gives way to panic when the Martians begin using a heat-ray to wipe out entire towns and terrorize the area in their strange walking metal transports.

The narrator manages to get his wife to relative safety, then returns to their hometown to find it destroyed. On his flight out of danger, he is thrown together with an hysterical curate and trapped in a partially demolished house right next to a new Martian landing place. From their dangerous vantage point, they are able to observe the Martians somewhat more closely, and eventually the narrator escapes, still determined to find his wife.

He arrives in London to find it mostly in ruins and with very few inhabitants, but soon learns that the Martians are not invincible after all.

The girls in my class and I agreed that although the early parts of the book were slow going, we felt it was a worthwhile read and found that it definitely got more interesting as we went.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Monday, November 4

What I'm Reading - November 4, 2019

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! Although the Book Date link-up happens weekly, I haven't been keeping up with a weekly schedule, so I kind of post these whenever! So in the past couple of weeks:

I finished reading . . .

A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd - Annabelle leaves her life in London amid scandal and fear because her brother is trying to force her to marry. Her new life at her uncle's school is not as easy, but she finds it more peaceful . . . until her brother finds her. (Read my full review HERE.)

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells - Science fiction is not a genre I usually read, but this was for the Lit class I teach. The students and I all agreed that this one is worth pushing through the slow start. (Full review coming soon!)

I'm currently reading . . .

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - the classic set in South Africa during the years of apartheid.

Undertones by L.S. Popovich - just started, but I think this fantasy mystery will be very entertaining! It features an all animal jazz band led by a giant anteater who stumbles onto an underground criminal organization.

Church With No Walls by Noah Cleveland - Okay, so far I've read the introduction, but I'm looking forward to getting into this book after hearing the author speak at a worship conference a couple weeks ago.

Next on the stack...

The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West
The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
Penny For Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber

On my blogs recently . . .

Here on Just A Second:

Scripture and a Snapshot - Truth
Daily Wisdom for Men: The Godly Power of Transformation
Share Four Somethings - October 2019
Wordless Wednesday - Trick or Treat
Monthly Bookshelf Review - October 2019
Recent Reads - A Stranger at Fellsworth
Scripture and a Snapshot - Doxology
Wordless Wednesday - Fall Colours
When God Says Wait - A Devotional Thought Journal

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Homeschool Highlights - Trick or Treat Week
Virtual Refrigerator - Jack-o'-Lanterns
Homeschool Highlights - College and Co-op Week Seven
Virtual Refrigerator - Field of Daisies
Creating A Masterpiece ~ Drawing Lessons ~ A Homeschool Coffee Break Review
Coffee Break Reading List (October 21, 2019)

What are you reading?

Saturday, November 2

Scripture and a Snapshot - Truth

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

~John 4:23-24~

In order for a compass, a weathervane, or a map to be useful and effective, the cardinal directions must remain constant. North must be north. When north is the known constant, we can also know which way is south, east, or west. Then we'll know which direction we're headed, which way the wind is blowing, and how to get where we're going using the map.

God is "true north". He is constant and faithful, and he doesn't change. When we know God, we know the truth and everything else in our lives tends to fall in the proper place. We'll know how to live and find meaning for our lives; we'll be able to follow the Holy Spirit's leading; and we'll be able to find God's direction for our lives and obey his Word.

As we catch glimpses of the truth of who God is, we cannot help but worship him!

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad.

Thursday, October 31

Daily Wisdom for Men: The Power of Godly Transformation (from Barbour Publishing)

This post contains affiliate links.

Daily Wisdom for Men 2020 Devotional Collection - The focus of the daily devotionals in this handsome leather-look volume is transformation. For each calendar day in 2020, there is a selected Scripture, a brief devotional of about four paragraphs, and a prayer. With devotional titles such as "Remain Faithful within the Family", "A New King in Town", and "How Goes the Battle", these nuggets of wisdom are likely to inspire and challenge men to trust God's wisdom and guidance.

I handed the book over to my husband for his thoughts, and he said it would be an excellent book for a relatively new Christian, as it lays a good foundation for faith and godly living. He pointed out that there were some devotionals that spoke about emulating characteristics of some of the women in the Bible, and although the characteristics are admirable, titles such as "Are You Like Miriam?" did seem a bit out of place in a devotional geared towards men.

Overall, this is a devotional book that delivers as promised - daily thoughts on becoming more like Christ through the transforming wisdom of God's Word - and would be a good resource or gift.

From the publisher:

You Are a Man of God Being Transformed to Be More Like Him Every Day!

This brand-new 2020 daily devotional focuses on the theme of transformation. Every day for an entire year, you will be encouraged by scriptures and devotional readings that celebrate being made new creations in Christ; becoming more like Him in your thoughts, actions, and attitude; that He makes all things new; the transforming power of prayer; how God can transform situations according to His plan; and how to cultivate courage as God continues to change the world to follow His will.

In these pages you'll find challenge, inspiration, and spiritual encouragement as you grow in your faith all 365 days of the year.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Share Four Somethings - October 2019

This post contains affiliate links.

It's the last day of October, which means a couple of things. It's Reformation Day. It's Halloween. It's my niece's birthday. I have today to finish all the things left on my to-do list for the month (which is not going to happen). And I had better hurry up and share Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, and Something Read for the month!

Something Loved

I loved having the family plus some auxiliary kids here to help us celebrate Thanksgiving (the Canadian edition!). I took the day off work, and my son had the day off as well, so the two of us cooked and baked and prepared so we could enjoy a big family dinner once everyone else arrived.

In October 2018 one of the things I loved was attending a Twenty One Pilots concert with my daughter and two friends. Well, we did the same in October 2019! I wish it could be an annual thing, but I rather doubt they will tour that often. Anyway, we had a blast and I'm so honored that these young people put up with my going along with them.

Something Said

If you lost your ability to make music today, would your church still see you as a spiritual leader tomorrow? ~ Aaron Keyes

Earlier this month, hubby and I attended a worship leaders conference, and this was the gist of one of the keynote messages. Definitely gave us some food for thought!

Something Learned

I learned that with a good instructor (Sharon Hofer from the online art instruction Creating A Masterpiece), even I can create a decent piece of art. This was my first time using charcoal, but the drawing lessons at Creating A Masterpiece made it easy. (We reviewed this course on Homeschool Coffee Break - see the full review here: Creating A Masterpiece ~Drawing Lessons)