Tuesday, October 22

When God Says Wait - A Devotional Thought Journal (From Barbour Publishing)

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When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal by Elizabeth Laing Thompson - This lovely hard-covered devotional journal opens with the words, "We're all waiting for something." I think that is probably true. The opening devotional introduction talks about the waiting seasons we all experience and the author's prayer and hope that the reader will find hope and encouragement in this journal. Each page of the journal has plenty of lined space to write out thoughts and prayers and the responses to the journaling prompts. Every other page is simply a passage of Scripture without any added commentary, which I love - let the Word of God speak! On the alternating pages, there are thought-provoking questions or short devotional thoughts based on the verses shared. These thoughts focus on positive, Biblical responses to the waiting season. Things like participating in corporate worship, seeking out godly friendships, being patient and persistent in prayer, and building godly character.

This would make a beautiful and encouraging gift for yourself or a loved one who is going through a difficult season. 

From the publisher:

A job, a true love, a baby, a cure . . .
We're all waiting for something from God.
And the place between His answers can feel like a wasteland where dreams - and faith - go to die.
When we're waiting, we wonder, "Why?", "Why me?", and "How long?"

But the truth? . . .
When God says, "Wait," He doesn't tell us for how long.
When God says, "Wait," we face one of life's greatest tests.
When God says, "Wait," we have decisions to make.
When God says, "Wait," we can control only two things: how we wait, and who we become along the way.

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson invites you to journal through your personal "wait" and come out on the other side with your faith, relationships, and sense of humor intact.

This lovely volume will encourage and inspire you in your wait - with meaningful devotional thoughts, scriptural truths, and thought-provoking journal prompts.


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.


©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.

Monday, October 21

What I'm Reading - October 21, 2019

This post contains affiliate links.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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 . . . 

Detective Trigger and the Ruby Collar by M.A. Owens - I enjoyed every minute of this fun private eye story even though it's actually intended for middle grade readers. Witty story featuring a hard-boiled chihuahua detective. (Read my full review HERE.)




I'm currently reading . . .


A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd - Annabelle flees her life in London to earn her way at the school operated by her uncle, but even there it appears she may be followed by scandal and tragedy.




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




War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells - reading this early science fiction novel for the Lit class I teach at our co-op.

   


Next on the stack... 


Undertones by L.S. Popovich
Church With No Walls by Noah Cleveland
©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.

Saturday, October 19

Scripture and a Snapshot - Forgiving



Be kind and compassionate to one another; forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

~Ephesians 4:32~


Offering forgiveness can be hard sometimes. But when we refuse to forgive, we become bitter. The verse right ahead of this one says to "get rid of bitterness" and the way to do that is to forgive others. One explanation of forgiveness is "releasing someone from the debt that occurred when they hurt you". That's what is hard - we tend to want to hold onto all the IOUs we have because other people hurt us. We need God's help to forgive. Instead of going back to bitterness and anger, keep going back to the cross, where Christ released us from the debt we owed. Let go of the dirty little scraps of paper with those IOUs scribbled on them and accept mercy and grace. Then extend that mercy and grace to others.





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


©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.

Wednesday, October 16

Recent Reads - Detective Trigger and the Ruby Collar

This post contains affiliate links.



Detective Trigger and the Ruby Collar by M.A. Owens - In this fun private eye story for middle grade readers, all the characters are dogs and cats, and the narrative is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the classic hard-nosed detectives seen in television and movie portrayals.

Detective Trigger is a ex-police chihuahua with a humorously cynical outlook on life and crime. He knows that the notoriously powerful crime boss in the city, Mr. B, has the mayor and a lot of police under his thumb, and he figures there's not much anyone can do about it. He's just doing the best he can with the small cases that come his way. So when a dame from the better part of town hires him to find a stolen family heirloom, he initially thinks it's a simple case and pretty easy money, but things get . . . interesting pretty quickly.

Trigger's investigation leads him to a string of burglaries in the swankiest section of the city and into all kinds of dangerous situations. He gets a little help along the way from a master thief, a couple of the remaining good guys on the police force, and some surprising allies. Throw in a bit of luck, and Trigger's own quick wits and sardonic commentary, and this is a detective story with a great balance of suspense and humor. It may be intended for middle grade readers, but as an adult I was entertained from beginning to end.

There is some violence, as you might expect in a private eye versus ruthless crime boss story, but it has a comic book flavor to it because it's cats and dogs fighting it out.

It's extremely well written, and is entertaining for adults as well as kids, and I am looking forward to Trigger's further adventures.


From the publisher:

When a pretty dame from the nicer part of town hires Trigger to track down a missing family heirloom, he quickly realizes he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Throw in an infamous master thief in the role of ally, and the city's most dangerous mobster as the foe, and Trigger finds himself wondering if this will be the biggest case of his career . . . or the last.

He's on the trail of a crooked cat. Can our doggy detective make this crime their last meow?

Four-legged private eye Trigger wishes someone would throw him a bone. Without a case to solve, the quick-witted Chihuahua is stuck digging for leftovers in a city run by criminals. So he thinks his luck has changed when a classy purebred dame hires him to find a priceless stolen collar.

With his client insisting that an infamous master thief took the jewel-studded accessory, Trigger sniffs around for clues. But what he digs up is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take down the city's wicked feline kingpin . . .

Can Trigger restore law and order, or is he barking up the wrong tree?

Featured Book Reviewer


©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.


Saturday, October 12

Scripture and a Snapshot - Sacrifice of Praise


Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

~Hebrews 13:15-16~





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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

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


©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.

Wednesday, October 9

Wordless Wednesday - Laundromat

This post contains affiliate links.


This is what happens when our washing machine is broken so we have to go to the laundromat. It turns into a photo shoot, because Kennady has a weird fascination with the aesthetics of the laundromat.










This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life on Chickadee Lane.


©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.

Monday, October 7

What I'm Readng - October 7, 2019

This post contains affiliate links.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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 . . . 

Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain  - I read this with my girls in a Lit class I'm teaching at our co-op. Everyone enjoyed this classic that includes a courtroom drama and switched identities. (Read my full review HERE.)




Secrets in the Mist (A Gothic Myths Novel) by Anna Lee Huber - Suspense, intrigue, secrets, and a simmering romance in this Gothic styled novel. (Read my full review HERE.)

  


A Study In Scarlet Women (The Lady Sherlock Series) by Sherry Thomas - In this version of Sherlock Holmes, the detective is actually a young woman named Charlotte Holmes, who must find a murderer when her own family comes under suspicion. (Read my full review HERE)




I'm currently reading . . .

Detective Trigger and the Ruby Collar by M.A. Owens - A clever mystery for young readers featuring a canine detective and a humorous film noir vibe.




A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd - With the passing of their parents, Annabelle's brother inherits a financial disaster, and she faces the loss of her position in society. The only option she sees is to go to her uncle at Fellsworth.




Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - I started to see a connection (for the Connect 5 challenge) of books with themes of prejudice and racism. In order to finish the set of five, I decided to read this classic from my TBR, set in South Africa during the years of apartheid.





Next on the stack... 


War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

   


On my blogs recently . . . 

Here on Just A Second:

Scripture and a Snapshot - Great Reward
Recent Reads - Secrets in the Mist
Wordless Wednesday - Jazz
Monthly Bookshelf Review - September 2019
Recent Reads - Pudd'nhead Wilson
Scripture and a Snapshot - A Spring of Water
Share Four Somethings - September 2019
Scripture and a Snapshot - Wonderful Light
Wordless Wednesday - Quiet Moment
Recent Reads - A Study in Scarlet Women


And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Coffee Break Reading List (October 7, 2019)
Homeschool Highlights - College and Co-op Week Five
Virtual Refrigerator - City At Night (From the Art Archives)
Fall Savings at SchoolhouseTeachers.com
Homeschool Highlights - College and Co-op Week Four
Virtual Refrigerator - September Showcase
Za'atar Flatbread
Coffee Break Reading List (September 23, 2019)
Homeschool Highlights - College and Co-op Week Three
Virtual Refrigerator - Saturn
A Conservatory Tour PhotoJournal - Longwood Gardens


What are you reading?


©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.