Scripture and a Snapshot - Peace In The Land

"Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD.

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain it its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.

I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.

I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.

I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

~Leviticus 26:2-6, 9, 12~

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Come To The Waters

"Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts.

Let them turn to the LORD, that he will have mercy on them,

and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

- declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

~Isaiah 55:1-2, 6-11~

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©2008-2022 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/ 

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Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for February 18, 2022

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

"But one parting word of advice," said Iain, as he stood to leave. "Don't rock the boat."

Iain's cheap shot annoyed me. This evening had helped confirm my position. I knew exactly what my next career step would be.

~from Raincoats & Sunglasses by Caroline Johnston, at 56% on my Kindle

   

In Glasgow's autumnal sunshine Raincoats & Sunglasses are everywhere . . . Kirsty wraps herself in her Raincoat & Sunglasses, blending in to the crowd. As yet another failed relationship crashes down around her, she wonders if true love does exist. But just when it all seems hopeless a new work project and a new hairdresser have her dreaming about love again. Jennifer throws on her Raincoat & Sunglasses as she races to the school gates. But as her youngest daughter starts school her world suddenly seems empty. Where has her purpose gone? More to the point, where is her joy? As she picks up her paintbrush, she glimpses the possibility of a new career path. Will a new purpose restore her joy? Paul can't understand women's fascination with bland Raincoats & Sunglasses. He also can't understand why he's feeling so unsettled. Desperate to regain peace, he questions whether being a senior stylist at a prestigious salon is enough. But Paul has to deal with more than just questions about his career when a tall, beautiful woman walks into the salon in her Raincoat & Sunglasses. Join Kirsty, Jennifer and Paul as their lives intertwine around faith and Raincoats & Sunglasses.

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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"Jo! Help!" I bashed out the text, squinting through stinging tears. I needed my best friend.

My life was crashing around me.

~From the beginning of Raincoats & Sunglasses by Caroline Johnston

   

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

 ©2008-2022 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/ 

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Recent Reads - Mrs Witherspoon Goes To War

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis - Peggy Witherspoon aspired to be a pilot from an early age, and her flying experience made her a valuable member of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) after her pilot husband was killed during WWII. Her courage and leadership have earned her the respect of her fellow WASPs, but many of the male soldiers don't feel that women should be pilots at all.

Major Howie Berg is the officer newly appointed to supervise the WASPs at Bolling Field in Washington DC, and he is impressed by the skill and dedication of the women pilots - especially Peggy - but he has to work hard to overcome his instinct to protect the women. It doesn't take long for him to learn that these ladies are as brave and tough as any soldiers.

While on a routine cargo flight to Cuba, Peggy overhears information about American soldiers being held captive on the island. She passes the intelligence along, but when no official rescue effort is planned, Peggy and two fellow WASPs start planning their own daring rescue mission. Until Major Berg discovers what they are doing. Will he put a stop to the plan? Will Peggy go against orders to fly to Cuba anyway?

I don't generally think of the WWII setting as one I enjoy reading about, but a story about the WASPs caught my attention. I was very interested in the historical details inserted into the story, although the rescue mission seemed farfetched and not really believable. Peggy's duties were more wide-ranging than most of the individual women pilots, but it did show the broad range of skills and talents these ladies brought to the war effort. The little glimpses of everyday life and the budding romantic interest between Peggy and Howie kept the story warm and human. Both Peggy and Howie had to come to terms with their own losses and fears before they could consider getting involved in a relationship. 

From the publisher:

A WASP Goes Above the Call of Duty to Free Captive American Soldiers

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes - the heroines of WWII.

Peggy Witherspoon, a widow, mother, and pilot flying for the Women's Airforce Service in 1944 clashes with her new reporting officer. Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg was injured in combat and is now stationed at Bolling Field in Washington D.C. Most of Peggy's jobs are safe, predictable, and she can be home each night with her three daughters - until a cargo run to Cuba alerts her to American soldiers being held captive there, despite Cuba being an "ally." Will Peggy go against orders to help the men - even risk her own life?

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.

©2008-2022 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.

What I'm Reading - February 14, 2022

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

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 . . . 

High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt - A novelist works on research for her latest novel at the former Ringling estate, while also looking for clues about her great-grandmother, who was a trapeze artist with the Ringling circus. (Read my full review HERE)

Atomic Habits by James Clear - A practical and understandable approach to beating bad habits and establishing beneficial ones, with just a few small changes at a time. (Read my full review HERE)

Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis - While on a routine mission, WASP Peggy hears about some American soldiers being held prisoner and decides to attempt a rescue. (Read my full review HERE - coming tomorrow!)

I'm currently reading . . .

Lumberjacks and Ladies (a novella collection) - four romance novellas set in the 1800s, all featuring - you guessed it - lumberjacks! It's a review book that I need to finish up as soon as possible!

A Brush with Shadows (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber - Kiera helps Gage in the search for his missing cousin at the family estate in Dartmoor.

The End of the Magi by Patrick W. Carr - I set this aside for a little while, but need to finish it. Young magi Myrad makes loyal friends and some dangerous enemies on his quest to find the meaning of his vision about a coming king.

Next on the stack... 

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

All That's Fair by Amanda G. Stevens

Raincoats & Sunglasses by Caroline Johnston

     

   

     

What I'm Highlighting . . . I'm participating in the #write28days challenge, which explains why there are more posts than usual in the 'recent' section for my blog. My series is 28 Days of Coping With Change, and I'm attempting to write something every day in the month of February. So far I have been writing every day, but have not posted every day! Stop by and check it out - this is my landing page, being updated as I add posts:

On my blogs recently . . . 

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines posts

Monthly Bookshelf Review - January 2022

Redeeming Love - Movie Review

And on my "first cup blog", HS Coffee Break:

I Spy posts (#55-#58)

Caring For Others

Shake The Dust Off Your Feet

Five Minute Friday - Commit

Choosing Peace

Cornerstone

High School Writing Tip Sheets - Dynamic Descriptions

Live Worthy

Ease The Burden

You Need A Good Shepherd

Five Minute Friday - Achieve

Empty Nesting

Grab The Life Raft

Currently . . . February 2, 2022

Ordinary Days

Longing To Make A Change

January Photo Album

Five Minute Friday - Trial

Share Four Somethings - January 2022

Five Minute Friday - Possibility

Redeeming Love: The Movie (Review)

What are you reading?

 ©2008-2022 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.

Scripture and a Snapshot - The Greatest Commandment

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

~Matthew 22:36-40~

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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.

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I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles, and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2022 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.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Write It On Their Hearts

"This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel

after that time, declares the LORD.

I will put my law in their minds,

and write it on their hearts.

I will be their God,.

and they will be my people.

No longer will they teach his neighbor,

or say to one another, 'Know the LORD,'

because they will all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest,"

declares the LORD.

"For I will forgive their wickedness,

and will remember their sins no more."

~Jeremiah 31:33-34~

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How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

~Hebrews 9:14-15~

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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.

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I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles, and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2022 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.

Recent Reads - Atomic Habits

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

Atomic Habits by James Clear - This practical guide to building beneficial habits gives lots of background information, research data, anecdotes, and examples of how making small incremental changes can have a big impact. The author begins with his own background story of a devastating injury in his teens compelled him to work on developing daily habits to help him recover and feel some control and order in his world. He kept notes about his own experiments in building habits and began writing about it, eventually delving into the related research and developing a blog and newsletter to help others in this area. 

The concepts he presents make sense, and the basic premise is quite simple. By making productive habits easy and rewarding through small but smart strategies, those good habits become part of you and compound into successful changes. The same approach can be used in reverse to break harmful habits. 

After establishing the fundamentals of how small changes result in big differences, the strategies are presented as four Laws - make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. Clear explains how to put each of these laws into practice to intentionally build habits, and gives the reader charts (and access to his resources online) to help. 

Overall, this book is easy to read and encouraging; and would be practical for almost anyone - students, parents, business people, or anyone who sees the need to make changes to their daily routines in order to achieve their goals and be more productive. 

This is a Non-Fiction Bestseller (#7) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

©2008-2022 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.