Just A Second

Friday, April 19

Scripture and a Snapshot - Good Friday

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from my cries of anguish?

All who see me mock me;

they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

"He trusts in the LORD," they say,

"let the LORD rescue him.

Let him deliver him,

since he delights in him."

I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint.

My heart has turned to wax/

it has melted within me.

My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,

and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;

you lay me in the dust of death.

Dogs surround me,

a pack of villains encircles me;

they pierce my hands and my feet.

All my bones are on display;

people stare and gloat over me.

They divide my clothes among them

and cast lots for my garment.

~Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 14-18~

When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him there -- along with the two criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One."

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the land until about three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out in loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."

~Luke 23:33-35; 39-47~

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.

This post is also linked at 40 Days of Seeking Him, hosted by Day by Day in Our World.

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.

Thursday, April 18

Scripture and a Snapshot - Maundy Thursday

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

~John 13:34-35~

I've often wondered where the name "Maundy Thursday" came from. What is a Maundy, anyway? So this year I decided to stop wondering and just look it up.

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday during Holy Week, between Palm Sunday and Easter. It is considered the day that Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. That was also when he washed their feet and commanded them to do the same. That commandment is where the name comes from. "Maundy" is a shortened form of the Latin word "mandatum", which means "command". Jesus gave his disciples a command or a mandate to love one another. More specifically, to love one another as he loved, and he gave this mandate right after he had willingly washed their feet. That's a selfless love, a love that is humble and serves others. I think most of us modern-day, western Christians have a little trouble with that humility and servant-heart aspect. I know I do. It's easy to show love to others when I feel like it, and not so much when they irritate me or it puts me out and costs me something. Perhaps I need to be reminded that the King of Kings knelt on the floor and washed the dusty, calloused feet of his friends. And he did it knowing that within hours they would turn coward and desert him, even as he was laying down his very life for them.

That's the mandate. Love the other disciples.

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.

This post is also linked at 40 Days of Seeking Him, hosted by Day by Day in Our World.

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, April 17

Wordless Wednesday - Concert Weekend

This post contains affiliate links.

On Saturday after her chorus dress rehearsal, my daughter and I enjoyed a walk around the farm museum complex while we were waiting to meet her friends. It was a beautiful sunny spring day!

On Sunday afternoon she sang in her final Children's Chorus concert. Obviously I needed pictures.

I took her and two of her friends out for Olive Garden after the concert - it's a tradition! But we did have a short wait for a table . . .

The bouquet was from her dad.

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

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, April 13

Scripture and a Snapshot - Glorify the Lord

I will extol the LORD at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

I will glory in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the LORD with me;

let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

~Psalm 34:1-5, 8, 17-18~

As he was drawing near -- already on the way down the Mount of Olives -- the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

~Luke 19:37-38~

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 Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

This post is also linked at 40 Days of Seeking Him, hosted by Day by Day in Our World.

©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, April 10

NIV Artisan Collection Bible

This post contains affiliate links.

NIV Artisan Collection Bible, Teal Floral - This Bible may be the most beautiful I have ever seen. The NIV Artisan Collection Bible has a gorgeous cover design printed on cloth and foil gilding on the page edges that forms beautiful images as well. There are lined, wide margins on each page, perfect for journals, notes, or art.

From the publisher:

The only NIV Bible with a printed hand-painted cover design and beautiful art hidden in the page edges.

Exquisite from the inside out, the NIV Artisan Collection Bible stuns with its printed cover design showcasing hand-painted flair. When the Bible is opened, beautiful art appears on the page edges as you read through Scripture. When you close the Bible, the image vanishes into shimmery foil gilding. As you start reading, let your eyes relax as you take in more of God's Word with the exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface, carefully designed with custom fonts to be easy and enjoyable to read. In addition to the attractive typesetting, each page of this Bible has lightly ruled, wide margins, inviting you to journal, reflect, take notes, and create art.

Features:

Stunning, hand-painted cover design printed on soft, durable cloth
Hidden page edge design is fully revealed when pages are fanned open
Sparkling foil edge gilding when closed
Lined, wide margins for journals, notes, and art
Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)
Words of Jesus in red
Two ribbon markers
Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface
9.9-point print size

Edna Marie Esparra - Founder, Everlasting Words Designs - Edna founded Everlasting Words Designs, a Bible painting ministry, in 2017. A former industrial engineer, she quickly changed paths and discovered her true passion when a friend asked her to custom paint a Bible cover. Creating personal and inspirational artwork that glorified God turned into a new journey for her life and career. An avid lover of flowers, landscape views, writing, and music, you can find Edna sitting in her home studio painting fields of wild flowers and hand lettering while she listens to her newest playlist. She resides in Puerto Rico with her husband and two adorable dogs.

My Thoughts

I chose this beautiful Bible thinking it would make a lovely gift for my daughter who is graduating from high school soon. In many ways it's perfect for her, since she is a singer, songwriter, and musician, and she also loves art. Honestly, I may have a hard time giving it away! But she has already seen it briefly, and I think her reaction was everything I could have hoped for.

It has a lot of visual appeal, with the lovely water color cover and music notes gracing the gilded edges. The cloth cover, ribbon markers, and lined margins give it an elegance and indicate that it's a Bible for serious students; yet the artwork has a joyful cheer as well.

For those who like to journal, take sermon notes, or even create artwork inspired by their Scripture reading, the lined margins give space to do that without coloring over the text. And the text is in a clear and easy-on-the eyes font on creamy smooth high quality pages. The pages are not stark white, but more of a cream color, which enhances the readability too.

There are a couple of lined blank pages in the back for Notes, and a brief preface giving some information about the NIV translation, but there are no maps or additional study materials in the volume. It could be used as an elegant study Bible, with room for your own notes and thoughts.

A beautiful gift Bible!

Find out more on the Zondervan page.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tuesday, April 9

Recent Reads - The Golden Bride

This post contains affiliate links.

The Golden Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower) by Kimberley Woodhouse - Olivia Brighton married in haste, and has many reasons to regret her decision as well as to feel guilty about her attitude. She has only been married for a few weeks when her husband dies in an accident on their way to look for gold. Olivia carries on by herself to find her brother Daniel, who operates a successful restaurant in San Francisco. Thankfully he offers her a place to live, employment, and plenty of love and support. Soon she also meets Daniel's best friend, Joseph Sawyer. Joseph is kind and trustworthy, treats her with courteous respect, and he is very handsome too.

But Olivia has made up her mind that she won't marry again, and she certainly won't marry a gold miner. Joseph soon finds himself in love with Olivia, but respectfully gives her time and they become fast friends as they work together with Daniel to bring godly influence and law and order to the city.

Joseph has a very successful gold mine, and is on the newly formed city council. When his Chinese foreman comes to him requesting help for his brothers who are being held in forced labor, Joseph is determined to investigate who is being the crimes and to establish a police force and make San Francisco a safer and more civilized place. But his commitment to finding evidence about the slave trade takes him away from Olivia and may put them both in grave danger.

This was a very enjoyable read and an interesting perspective on the San Francisco of 1849. I especially liked the detail of the journals Olivia had inherited from her mother, grandmother, and her ancestor from the Mayflower - other Daughters of the Mayflower - and how the writings of these women inspired and encouraged her. This tied the series together beautifully, although of course each of the books can be read on its own. The characters were warm and believable, and I liked the patience and gentleness shown in the developing romance between Olivia and Joseph. I have only one minor complaint and that is a phrase that appeared throughout the book - "Prayerfully such and such would happen". "Hopefully" would have been a far more accurate word, and I felt that the word "prayerfully" was over-used and didn't make sense in the context.

From the publisher:

Can Olivia survive the crime and Gold Rush fever of 1849 . . . and the countless marriage proposals?
A series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues when Olivia Brighton finds herself widowed and working her brother's restaurant in San Francisco during the height of the rush for gold. Even though she receives at least twenty marriage proposals a day, she will never marry a gold miner. Her brother's friend Joseph Sawyer has gotten caught up in local politics and the plight of the Chinese in forced labor. The more Joseph gets pulled into investigating crime in the city, the less Olivia sees of the compassionate man. And just when she thinks she could love again, a fire threatens to steal all hope.

Other books in this series: The Mayflower Bride, The Pirate Bride, The Captured Bride, The Patriot Bride, The Cumberland Bride, The Liberty Bride, The Alamo Bride

Book Seven in the Daughters of the Mayflower series.

By the same author: The Mayflower Bride, The Patriot Bride

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.

Monday, April 8

What I'm Reading - April 8, 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've had trouble keeping up with a weekly schedule, so I've decided to try for every other week! Here's the latest from my reading list.

I finished reading . . .

The White City: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime by Grace Hitchcock - Winnifred Wylde goes undercover to investigate a man suspected of kidnapping. She and her bodyguard and partner, detective Jude Thorpe, are fictional characters, but the crime itself is based on a true story from the time of the Chicago World's Fair. (Read my full review HERE)

Downsizing The Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go by Marni Jameson - I found this after a long hiatus, and read it all the way through. Although I have no intention of moving any time soon, our home would benefit from a good downsizing of stuff, so this was a bit of a motivator. (Read my full review HERE.)

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery - Valancy Stirling has felt unloved by most everyone, and stifled by her family for most of her life. When she reaches her twenty-ninth birthday, she decides to take some chances and try living life on her terms. Her quest for fulfillment and happiness takes some interesting and humorous twists. (Read my full review HERE.)

The Golden Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower) by Kimberley Woodhouse - I finished this one on the weekend, so will post a review this week. It's about Olivia Brighton, a young widow who goes to live with her brother in San Francisco during the gold rush.

I'm currently reading . . .

A Dangerous Collaboration (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery) by Deanna Raybourn - I was very excited when my long awaited pre-order of the latest Veronica Speedwell mystery arrived and started reading right away - but haven't been able to sit down and binge-read it the way I'd like.

Shadow among Sheaves by Naomi Stephens - Just got started on this review book, a story set in England and based on the Biblical story of Ruth. A British widow returns to England with her widowed Indian daughter-in-law.