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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
~John 1:14~
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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 don't manage to post that often. I aim to post and link about once a month, although I sometimes link up my monthly summary as well.
I finished reading . . .
To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette - Eliora flees her Philistine homeland to follow the ark of the covenant to Hebrew territory, where she finds a loving home with a priestly family. (Read my full review HERE)
The Calm I Seek by Christina Lourens - Rebecca is cautiously opening her wounded heart to Gabriel when she finds that he hasn't been completely truthful about something. Then a family tragedy strikes with the potential to splinter the family further or bring them all together. A novel about forgiveness and second chances. (Read my full review HERE)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - I had finished this one when I wrote my last summary (a month ago!) but hadn't written up a review yet. You can now find that review HERE.
Silas Marner by George Eliot - This classic was next for our Lit class, and once again I've finished the book but haven't finished a review yet. Watch for it soon!
I'm currently reading . . .
Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass - A thoughtful look at defining gratitude and how we understand and express it in different ways. This was my November Online Book Club choice, but I didn't quite finish by the end of the month.
A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber - Verity and Sydney help out a relative by looking into the disappearance of some the artwork from the estate, and they are still on the trail of a traitor to England.
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp - I started reading this just before Thanksgiving and need to finish up! Beautiful, lyrical writing that gives such a sense of peace.
Everyday Confetti by Karen Ehman & Glynnis Whitwer - This is my December Online Book Club pick. I'd just loaded it to my Kindle when our theme was assigned - Celebration - and it seemed perfect.
The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield - A town banker accepts the daughter of a farmer as payment on a defaulted loan because he doesn't want the young woman to suffer any further abuse.
The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick - I'm re-reading this YA novel along with the students in my fiction writing class.
What I'm Highlighting . . . Along with a few blogging friends, I'm participating in an Online Book Club that will be a little different. Instead of all reading the same title, we'll be reading books that have a theme in common. That way readers of all ages, homeschoolers or not, can participate. Our theme for December is Celebrations. Stop by Homeschool Coffee Break to find out more.
On my blogs recently . . . Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:
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When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
~Luke 2:15-20~
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
~Jesus, in John 15:11
I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty --
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works --
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
~Psalm 145:1-7~
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The Loneliness Solution by Jack Eason - Much earlier this year when most countries were "locked down" in some way as a response to a virus, there were popular slogans to encourage us. One of the most popular was something about us being "alone together". Yes, most of us were alone, and since most of the people we knew were also staying home and were alone, we thought we were "alone together" but really . . . we were just . . . alone. And more and more people realized that they were lonely and that they had been lonely for a long time, even when they were together with others. That is one of the paradoxes of our modern world - that we are lonely even though we seem to have so many connections. This book by Jack Eason addresses the epidemic of loneliness, its causes and some practical and compassionate solutions for the problem.
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty. ~Mother Teresa
Part One opens with this quote, and goes on to describe The Problem of Loneliness. We think we're connected because technology opens so many channels of communication and social networks. Yet many of us only have acquaintances, and not many genuine friends. Eason defines loneliness and discusses the problems that people of all ages face because of loneliness, and the situations that contribute to isolation and loneliness in the first place. Even in these chapters that are describing and presenting the problems, Eason offers a few thoughtful questions and a practical assignment for readers at the end of each chapter.
Part Two focuses on The Loneliness Solution. These chapters present practical and encouraging ways to build relationships in community, church, and family settings. Many of us want to be with others and experience togetherness in a meaningful way, but don't know how to make it happen. Eason's suggestions are great because they are small and incremental steps that inspire courage and growth in relationships. He also addresses the roadblocks to friendship that we need to deal with - things like our selfishness and pride, and being unwilling to forgive. These chapters encourage readers to do things like pray with others, to meet the needs of others, and work with others for a common cause. Adjusting our thinking about friendship and community, and bringing it in line with what the Bible teaches us the church should be. Each of these chapters also ends with questions to think about, and an assignment to put the principles into practice. The book ends with a letter to Christ-followers and some specific encouragement to leaders (who are often especially lonely).
This is a year when we are seeing the effects of loneliness all around us, and I'd venture to say we all need some of the encouragement, challenge, and accountability to others that true community would offer. And we could all use some help in finding solutions for our own loneliness and offering solutions to those around us.
Here's a short video trailer about the book:
From the Publisher:
You are not alone.
We are lonelier than ever. As countless students travel home for the holidays, many may feel especially isolated and lonely, even while "keeping up" with friends on social media. Social media tricks us into thinking that we are engaged in genuine friendships. Yet instead of intimacy, we get little more than what amounts to digital small talk. But there is a solution.
With plenty of good humor and practical advice, Jack Eason invites you to discover the benefits of doing life together with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Grounding his message in Scripture, Eason helps you:
learn the obstacles to real community
reimagine what real friendship looks like
discover a place of true belonging
and more
If you're tired of feeling lonely, this encouraging and community-building book is just what you need.
NOW is the time to share this book with parents, students--everyone--to foster a healthy, relational community for all!
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):
Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing the product/product information. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did/will receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
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To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette - One of my very favorite authors is back with another novel exploring the ancient history of Israel, during one of the time periods about which the Bible doesn't offer much detail. We have the familiar story of how Israel took the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistines, was soundly defeated, and the Ark captured by the enemy. Later the Philistines return the Ark on a cart drawn by cows, and the Ark is kept by a Levite family for many years before the Biblical narrative picks up again.
In Cossette's telling, two Philistine children follow the ark in obedience to the last words of their Hebrew nurse, and are adopted into one of the Levitical families. Eliora (formerly Arisa) and Natan (formerly Lukio) are welcome additions to the large family of Elazar the Levite. Eliora is especially drawn to the Ark, wanting always to stay near to it. About eight years after this escape from Philistia, Ronen, the young Levite musician who originally found the two children, returns to the mountain and the two are reacquainted.
Ronen has spent the years trying to get over the death of his father and brothers who had been killed in battle, and his bitterness has been fed by the radical ideas of his uncle and cousins. They have a plan to remove the ark from its mountain resting place and bring it back to what they believe is a more suitable place. Ronen is expected to help them find the ark, but to do so, he will have to deceive Eliora. Something he grows increasingly uncomfortable with as he gets to know the beautiful young woman she's become.
Trust, obedience, finding purpose in worship and God's plan, and the beauty of adoption are themes of this beautifully told novel. Eliora and Ronen are the narrators of their own tale and each has a distinctive and believable voice and story. The research and the detail paid to history, setting, and evocative description bring a realism to the characters and to the Israel of this time period.
As always, Cossette delivers a compelling and imaginative story that is firmly rooted in Biblical history. The struggles and even the dialogue of the characters is realistic and sensitive, and the truths they discuss and discover are timeless and inspiring.
If you enjoy ancient or Biblical settings, you will love this novel, and you'll probably want to keep an eye out for the second in this set when it comes out in spring. I know it is already on my wish list!
From the publisher:
Eight years ago, when the Philistines stole and then surrendered the ark of the covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora left her Philistine homeland to follow the ark to the community of Kiryat Yearim. There, the family she was adopted into has guarded the ark at the top of a mountain in seclusion.
Ronen is a Levite musician determined to secret away the ark to a more fitting resting place, watched over by priests who would restore the Holy of Holies. He never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he's tasked to deceive.
As Ronen's attempts to charm Eliora lead them in unexpected directions, betrayal leaves Eliora with strained family ties and Ronen questioning his own loyalties. Ultimately, Eliora and Ronen are caught up in the battle for the soul of Israel and its future under the leadership of Samuel, the last judge before the era of the kings begins.
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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
~Luke 2:8-14~
*************************
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
~Luke 19:37-40~
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