Scripture and a Snapshot - Watchmen on the Walls

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,

for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,

till her vindication shines out like the dawn,

her salvation like a blazing torch.

The nations will see your vindication,

and all kings your glory;

you will be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,

a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;

they will never be silent day or night.

You who call on the LORD,

give yourselves no rest,

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem

and makes her the praise of the earth.

The LORD has made proclamation

to the ends of the earth:

"Say to Daughter Zion,

'See, your Savior comes!

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.'"

They will be called the Holy People,

the Redeemed of the LORD;

and you will be called Sought After,

the City No Longer Deserted.

~Isaiah 62:1-3, 6-7, 11-12~

When I read this passage this week, that middle section stood out to me and I noticed something I hadn't paid attention to before. The watchmen are not silent day or night - they are to watch and I assume to to keep reporting what they see. And "you who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest," - don't take a break from crying out to him or from proclaiming his word. But it's the next line that made me think: "and give him no rest".  Give God no rest? That's what it says. Be persistent. Don't give up. Keep calling on God to keep his promises, because he will. Keep pleading for justice and mercy. Keep asking for him to make his will clear, to lead us, to strengthen us. God wants us to keep praying and not give up. 

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Recent Reads - Daughters of Zion

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

Daughters of Zion: Biblical Retellings by C.A. Gray - Like her book of Biblical retellings (Messiah), this is a collection of short stories based on Scripture along with reflections and historical background. This collection focuses on women mentioned in the Bible. Some are well-known heroines of faith like Sarah, Ruth, and Mary; and others are not named in Scripture and little is known about them - the 'woman with the issue of blood' and the Syro-Phoenician woman. A close reading of Scripture, research, and the author's imagination bring women like Rahab, Hannah, Esther, and Anna to more vivid life.

The short stories are arranged in chronological order, and each story is followed by the author's notes and reflections on what is known about the characters and the setting, and some Biblical truth that can be illustrated or learned from the story. Then the passage of Scripture is included as well.

The retellings are compelling and thought-provoking, as are the background notes and reflections. I especially appreciated the inclusion of the Scripture, which makes it easy to read the original account immediately, and see that the author has been faithful to the text. What she has added gives context and background, some historical and some imagined possibility, but is not contradictory to what is known from the Bible's account. The Afterword to each story gives valuable insight into the research and spiritual lessons that can be gleaned from these women of the Bible.

From the publisher: 

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Eve to be the first woman, created as an adult but with the mind of a child? What must it have been like for Deborah to be the only female judge in Israel's history? Ever considered how Esther felt about being chosen as queen in the ungodly kingdom of Persia - particularly when she'd have to share her husband with a harem? What must Mary and Martha have thought when their brother Lazarus had died, and it looked to them like Jesus was not coming?

This collection of retellings from the perspectives of women in scripture explores these stories and more, including a few stories from female perspectives that also appear in Messiah: Biblical Retellings. While all of these women lived in various patriarchal cultures, and some of the most prominent women were even Gentiles, scripture shows that God cherished them all. As the Apostle Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) - and this was true for believing women under the old covenant as well, whose faith was counted to them as righteousness.

These are tales of miracles and victory: from brokenness, bitterness and envy to shalom: peace and wholeness, with nothing missing and nothing broken. For some, this meant a transition from barrenness to motherhood; for others, from widowhood to love and belonging. Still others went from bereavement to receiving their dead restored to life again. They included judges and queens, and also prostitutes and despised foreigners. God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:25): what He does for one, He will do for all who believe in His promises.

By the same author: Messiah: Biblical Retellings

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

©2008-2021 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 - May 10, 2021

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 have a lot I'm reading these days, but not many books that I've finished reading lately. Seems like I've been cycling the books I'm working on because I realize I need to pause a bit on one so that I can focus on another book or another project before a deadline. I've got a few deadlines coming up so hopefully I can stay on track!

I finished reading . . . 

The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma - Polly is a young and ambitious newspaper reporter who teams up with a detective in 1900 Denver to find the killer who has been targeting women. (Read my full review HERE)

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - My Lit class wraps this up this week. It's the final novel for our school year, and was such an enjoyable re-read for me! I'll write a review soon! 

I'm currently reading . . .

The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber - The first Lady Darby mystery, in which portrait artist Kiera, the widow of an anatomist, assists the investigator Sebastian Gage in solving a murder. I am re-reading along with many other fans and the author as we 'count down' to the release of the next Lady Darby novel. (Find the Lady Darby Read-Along group on Facebook if you're interested.)

A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber - And I had just started the latest in the Lady Darby series when the Read-Along was announced. So I am kind of torn - I really want to keep going, but it's a little odd to have both books going at once, plus I really need to keep up with review titles. 

Daughters of Zion: Biblical Retellings - C.A. Gray - This is a collection of retellings of the stories of women in the Bible. My review is coming up soon, so I need to wrap this up! 

Feed the Birds: Attract and Identify 196 Common North American Birds by Chris Earley - Just about finished perusing this beautiful guidebook!

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict - I started this historical novel about Hedy Lamarr, the glamour icon and screen star who was also a brilliant scientist, but it's on the backburner until I catch up on a few other things!

Next on the stack... 

Heart of a Runaway Girl - Trevor Wiltzen

Beekeeping: A Handbook on Honey, Hives & Helping the Bees by Joachim Petterson

The Inviting Life by Laura Calder.

Mortal Arts - Anna Lee Huber

     

What I'm Highlighting . . . Along with a few blogging friends, I'm participating in an Online Book Club that is 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 May is Spring. Stop by HS Coffee Break to find out more.

On my blogs recently . . . 

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

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Wordless Wednesday posts

When God Says No

Share Four Somethings - April 2021

Monthly Bookshelf Review - April 2021

Books About Hygge

Vooks - Kid-Safe Streaming Library 

Tell Me Thursday - Unexpected Blessing

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

Five Minute Friday - Who Is She?

Online Book Club: May Theme - Spring

Westminster, MD - Free Homeschooling Books and Materials

Five Minute Friday - Remedy

April Photo Album

Online Book Club: Wrapping Up April - Migration

Five Minute Friday - Broken

Vooks - Kid-Safe Streaming Library

Five Minute Friday - Permission

High School Writing Tip Sheets - Word Count Requirements

What are you reading?

©2008-2021 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 - You Hear My Voice

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait expectantly.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

~Psalm 5:3, 11~

This reminded me of a mother's prayers. Petitioning the Lord for her children in the morning, pleading protection for them and praying that they would always serve him and find happiness in following his will. Near the end of the Bible is sort of a "bookend" prayer to go with this one. The Jude Doxology, as it is sometimes known, proclaims praise and glory "to him who is able to keep you from stumbling". As our kids are following God's path for their lives, it is God who can keep them from getting tripped up. This is our prayer for them, that they would stay on the path and bring glory to God. It's our prayer for ourselves too, because God will keep us from stumbling in our parenting, and he will present us - with great joy! - as blameless through Jesus Christ. 

Thank you, Lord, for hearing my voice. For hearing the voice of every mom that waits expectantly for her prayers for her family to be answered. To you be the glory. Amen.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

~Jude 1:20-21, 24-25~

Happy Mother's Day!

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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.

©2008-2021 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.

When God Says No

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

When God Says "No": Facing Disappointment and Denial without Losing Heart, Losing Hope, or Losing Your Head by Elizabeth Laing Thompson -  There is a whole lot of wisdom and practical teaching packed into this little study book. Thompson chooses eleven examples from the Bible of times when God's answer to a prayer was "no" and unpacks the lessons to learn from each. God would not allow Moses to enter the promised land; God disciplined Adam and Eve, and Cain; he would not take away Paul's 'thorn in the flesh'; and he even said "no" when Jesus prayed for another way besides the cross. In these and the other examples, we can find emotions and reactions so similar to what we feel when we don't get the job, when we are bitterly disappointed, or when the news from the doctor isn't good.

Each chapter begins with an imaginative retelling of the Bible story referenced. Then in the rest of the chapter, Thompson provides further insight into the story and solid teaching about what we can learn and what we can apply in our lives. Will we acknowledge our limitations and be humble, like Naaman? Will we be persistent in prayer and petition, like Abraham? Will we accept a "no" we don't understand and allow God to work things out in his way, like David? Other Biblical stories and references are woven into the chapters, along with personal stories from the author's life. At the end of each chapter are suggestions for deeper Bible study, a prayer prompt from Scripture, and a couple of journal prompts. 

I was especially touched by the story and lesson from the life of David. After King David had been inspired to create detailed plans for the temple he wished to build for the Lord, God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David that he would not be the one the build the temple. The answer was a firm "no". Although the blow was probably softened by the assurance that God was pleased with the king, and that his son Solomon would carry out the work according to David's plan, it must still have been a bitter disappointment. Bittersweet, perhaps, to realize that a great work he'd dreamed about and planned for would not be his to do. And that he wouldn't be alive to see it. Seeing our hopes pass us by and having to turn over the reins to someone else can be very hard, even when it's someone we love. What a comforting look into the Scripture, and into God's heart, and see that he knows our mixed emotions and understands.

From the publisher:

No is not a four-letter word, but it certainly feels like one.

It's one thing to feel God's love when life goes your way, but what happens to your faith when life doesn't go as you had planned?

When prayers go unanswered and dreams unfulfilled?

When the sick stay sick and the dead do not rise?

When you're lost in the desert and the Promised Land seems like empty promise?

When God says, "No," how do you grapple with disappointment?

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson walks alongside readers as she tackles the difficulties that stymie our faith, stifle our prayers, and stunt our relationship with God. When God Says, "No" will help you to discover hope when life feels hopeless, good in what feels bad, and new dreams when old ones have died. This book is a fantastic reminder of Who is in charge - Who He is and how He works. How He loves us and why He limits us. The better we know Him the more we understand that He says "no" to a few things, so He might say "Yes" to many more.

By the same author: When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal; When God Says Go

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.

©2008-2021 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.

Wordless Wednesday - Impromptu Greenhouse Tour

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This post will be linked at the Wordless Wednesday hosted by Life on Chickadee Lane, and at the Wordless Wednesday hosted by Tots and Me . . . Growing Up Together!

 

©2008-2021 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 - The Silver Shadow

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

The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma - Polly Blythe is trying to make her way as a newspaper reporter in Denver in 1900, but she's not getting chances at anything but society news. When a woman is attacked not far from the newspaper office, she manages to get the scoop, but her story is still pushed to the back of the paper. Then Polly's friend becomes a victim of the mysterious assailant, and the story becomes very personal. Polly is more determined than ever to follow the story and help bring the man to justice.

Edwin Price is the Denver detective working on the case and wondering if there's a connection between several of the attacks on women. All were out walking alone in the evening, hit on the head, but not robbed or attacked in any other way. What is the motive? Edwin is considering the young reporter's idea that the attacks are connected when a friend of his dies from her injuries and then later when his sister becomes a victim. Edwin and Polly begin working together to look for the culprit and keep women safe, and a friendship develops too.

After writing a fiery editorial and keeping the attention on the story, Polly starts receiving threats from the Silver Shadow, as the attacker has been nicknamed. Edwin does his best to keep her safe while following up on any leads, all while they both deal with stubborn and overbearing superiors in their workplaces. 

I've read several of the True Colors series, and this one is a little different because so little was known about the real criminal and his motives. Author Liz Tolsma had plenty of room to fictionalize since the historical framework was so loose. The motive and identity of the Shadow is not clear in her fictional version of the story either, so the focus of the story stays more on Polly and Edwin, and on the theme of women finding their independence during this time in history.

From the publisher:

Step into True Colors -- a series of Historical Stories of Romance and True American Crime

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.

Denver of 1900 is still a dangerous place to be following the silver crash of 1893. And out of the dark comes a shadow intent on harming women. Ambitious young Denver newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is searching for the big story that's going to launch her career. On Friday evening, August 24, 1900, she gets her break when two women are cracked over the head within a two-minute walk of each other. But policeman Edwin Price thwarts Polly's ideas of a serial criminal . . . until the shadowy figure strikes again. Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the culprit before he strikes too close for comfort?

By the same author: The Gold Digger, The Pink Bonnet, The Green Dress

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

#TheSilverShadow #NetGalley

©2008-2021 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.