Scripture and a Snapshot - December 27, 2014

This post may contain affiliate links. 

"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

~Luke 1:32-33~

This drawing was done live by my daughter during our Christmas Eve service.

Scripture & 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/

Recent Reads - Star of the East

This post may contain affiliate links. 

 Star of the East: A Lady Emily Christmas Story by Tasha Alexander - I read this Lady Emily novella shortly before Christmas. Lady Emily and her husband Colin have agreed to spend Christmas at her parents' home, even though her mother tries Emily's patience quite sorely. The other house guests include a family from British India. Emily befriends the daughter, who is petulantly demanding that her parents find her a husband even though she is still rather young for marriage. This odd behavior sets the stage for the drama, because the 'Star of the East' is a valuable family jewel that is traditionally worn by a bride, but has a curse attached to it. When the jewel disappears after ----- wears it to a dinner party, Colin and Emily set to work to find out what happened. After all, the list of suspects is not very long, since it must have been someone in the house.

By the same author: The Counterfeit Heiress, Behind the Shattered Glass, Death in the Floating City, A Crimson Warning, Dangerous to Know, Tears of Pearl, A Fatal Waltz, A Poisoned Season, And Only to Deceive

  ©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/

Scripture and a Snapshot - December 21, 2014

This post may contain affiliate links.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of god, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

~John 1:9-14~

Scripture & 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/

Recent Reads - Look and Live

This post may contain affiliate links. 

Look and Live by Matt Papa - I must admit that I hadn't heard of Matt Papa before reading his book, and didn't know that he was a songwriter and musician, but this was immediately apparent in his writing style. While this is a practical book that addresses our need to turn our full attention to Jesus, it is written in a lyrical style that appealed to my creative and musical side. Papa delivers hard-hitting truth and personal experience, but not in a dry theological treatise. Instead he builds the compelling case from Scripture that we can live victoriously and overcome sin only when we see God's glory and focus on that rather than the cheap counterfeit glory of the world. The gist is that the basis of all sin is idolatry - we will worship something, but only God is worthy of our worship; but we tend to worship what we look upon. Papa invites Christians to turn our gaze upon Christ and the glory of the cross, and insists that when we do that, 'the things of this earth will grow strangely dim'.

This book should appeal especially to those with a creative and poetic bent, because of the writing style, but may be frustrating to readers who prefer a more "just get to the point" style. As with most non-fiction, I found that reading it slowly and in small chunks worked best for me, allowing me time to think and digest each section before diving into the next. I appreciated the practical application of Scripture and the inclusion of much wisdom from respected theologians; and the encouraging and uplifting tone throughout. This is not a book that beats us over the head because we so often fail at our attempts to power past our sin and temptation. It exhorts us to set our affections and worship where it rightfully belongs; with the assurance that earthly things have nothing to offer that can compare to the glory of God.

From the publisher:

Only One Addiction Can Set You Free
Matt Papa was a "professional Christian" in full-time ministry, ready and determined to change the world. All the while he was depressed, addicted to the approval of others, and enslaved to sin. But then everything changed. He encountered the glory of God.

All of us live in the tension between where we are and where we ought to be. We try our best to bully our desires into submission. And we all know, this is exhausting.

Are you tired? Stuck? Still fighting the same sin you've been fighting for years? The call in these pages is not to work or to strive, but to lift your eyes. You don't need more willpower. You need a vision of greatness that sweeps you off your feet. You  need to see glory.

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Look and Live.

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

(Book #54 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/

Recent Reads - Love Unexpected

This post may contain affiliate links. 

Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund - I was able to read the novella that introduced the Beacons of Hope series, and have been looking forward to Book One ever since! I'm fascinated by lighthouses, so this fictional glimpse into the world of lighthouse keepers around the Great Lakes is intriguing. This story opens with Emma Chambers and her brother on a steamer which is being attacked by pirates. They are forced to abandon the ship when it catches fire, and lose their few possessions. They make it safely to the little community at Presque Isle, and Ryan is able to find some work, but Emma really has no place. There is no work for her, and no place for her to stay, because there are so few women in the town. A solution is proposed when the traveling preacher suggests she marry the lighthouse keeper, who has just buried his wife and can't fulfill his duties while caring for a mischievous little boy. Emma and Patrick agree to this plan, and she is delighted at her chance for what she has always wanted - a home of her own, a place to belong, a husband and family - even if she and Patrick have much to learn about each other.

Unfortunately, Emma's one friend in town is a relative of Patrick's late wife and she has a hearty dislike and mistrust of Patrick. Her accusations and suspicions worry Emma, especially when her own observations raise some concerns that Patrick may be hiding things from her. Patrick continues to hope that his past really has been forgiven and that he can provide safety and happiness for his little boy and his new wife, but an unwelcome figure from his past threatens all of them.

I was drawn in by the characters and the story right from the beginning, and although the "happy ending" for Patrick and Emma is expected, some of the twists and turns the story takes are not. Some of the dramatic plot twists are a bit over the top, but the characters are lovable and I couldn't help but root for them all the way through. I am now looking forward to the next book in this series!

From the publisher:

1859 - Presque Isle, Michigan

What Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?

All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay.

An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.

Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife's death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters.

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

(Book #53 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/

Scripture and a Snapshot - December 14, 2014

This post may contain affiliate links. 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

~Matthew 1:1-2, 9-11~

Scripture & a Snapshot is hosted by A Glimpse of Our 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/

Teaser Tuesdays - December 9, 2014

This post may contain affiliate links. 

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!

 Corporate worship is all about Jesus, and if it is not about Jesus, it is not Christian worship.
We do not go to church to hear helpful living tips, nor do we go to church merely to serve or merely to exercise our spiritual gifts.
We go to church to look at Jesus.
~Look and Live by Matt Papa, page 128


I opened the shutters. It was a glorious night, the sort made for lovers and thieves, and I stood at the window for a long time, smelling the heady scent of the jasmine that bloomed under my window.
Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn, page 137


 Soon enough we were inside the Great Hall of Darnley House, beneath the disapproving stares of my ancestors, whose portraits lined the walls. "I do wish you had managed to arrive earlier," my mother said. She gave every appearance of having the goal of dispensing as many disapproving stares as possible while she was still alive, undoubtedly so they could be accompanied by disparaging comments that were beyond what any portrait could communicate.
 Star of the East: A Lady Emily Christmas Story by Tasha Alexander, 6% on Kindle

     

©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/

Scripture and a Snapshot - December 7, 2014

This post may contain affiliate links. 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us).
~Matthew 1:18-23~

Scripture & 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/

Weekend Reflections - Ornamental Grass

This post may contain affiliate links. 

A reflection of the dried ornamental grass dressed up the garage door this week.

This post is linked at Weekend Reflections.

Reflection = An image given back by a reflecting surface

Post a photo taken by you that contains a visual reflection (water, glass, metal, eyes, etc - be creative! Reflections can be found almost anywhere!) and link up at the Weekend Reflections blog from Friday 11am through midnight Sunday each weekend. Comment on other Weekend Reflections participant's blogs.

©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 - December 3, 2014

This post may contain affiliate links. 

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? I have been working on Look and Live: Behold the Soul-Thrilling, Sin-Destroying Glory of Christ by Matt Papa - it's one of those books that I need to read a little at a time so I can digest it better. I am also reading Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn, and got started on Star of the East: A Lady Emily Christmas Story by Tasha Alexander.  I have just barely started Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven Worldby Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane. 

      

   

• What did you recently finish reading?   I finished three books since I last did a WWW Wednesday two weeks ago: The Counterfeit Heiress: A Lady Emily Mystery by Tasha Alexander; Waiting for Summer's Return by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Read my thoughts about these books HERE and HERE.); and Love Unexpected (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund (my review still to come!).

   

• What do you think you'll read next? I'd like to get started on Ticker by Lisa Mantchev. I've also got a stack (figuratively speaking) of Christmas-themed novels I'd like to read, including: A Highlander for Christmas by Jamie Carie; In Time for Christmas by Heather Blanton; The Santa Society by Kristine McCord; The Carpenter by D.L. Maynard; and of course, the classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (which I read every holiday season!). 

     
    
    

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/