BOOKS EIGHTEEN & NINETEEN OF TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN

Still reading about Dr. Fingal O’Reilly in “A Dublin Student Doctor” and still enjoying the books.  This book focused on Dr. O’Reilly’s younger days as a medical student.  We are taken on a journey from Fingal going against his father’s wishes to completing medical school.  We become more intimate with his parents, brother, his close circle of friends, and even Kitty.

We learn Dr. O’Reilly’s back-story and what shapes him into the caring, problem-solving general practitioner that he is.  We are introduced to Kitty and see how their relationship evolved…and why it is what it is currently…and why they will soon be having a wedding.

My parents were here for Jackson’s graduation; I introduced the series to my mom and she became hooked.  I just dropped book 18 in the mail to her so she will be not have to pause between books.  She has more time to read than I do, so I spent the weekend reading so I could get it to her.

This week I read Mitch Albom’s “For One More Day” which was an enjoyable quick read.  It was meaningful to me at this time of my life as it is a tale about mother-son relationships.  It is also a reminder that we should make the most of everyday and spend time with those who mean something to us.  What would we do with one more day with those who are no longer with us?

Several of the author’s books have been made into TV movies, including this one.  I have never seen it, but I know it cannot be as good as the book.  They never are.

Both books are highly recommended.

BOOK REVIEW 17 OF 2014–SOUL’S GATE BY JAMES L. RUBART

If you have read and loved Frank Peretti’s books, “This Present Darkness” and “Piercing The Darkness”, you will love James L. Rubart’s novels.  I have read “The Chair”, an amazing book about a chair believed to have been made out of the wood of the cross of Jesus.  I have also read “Book of Days” which explores the idea of a written record of every person’s past and future.

Peretti was one of the first to give us a novel presenting the existence and interaction of demons and angels on the earth in such vivid writing.  I believe in angels and demons and I remembering the book bringing home to me just how real these supernatural beings are.

Soul’s Gate is a first of a trilogy and as you know, I love a good trilogy.  Reece Roth gathers a crew that is to fulfill a prophecy given to him.  He has fears and struggles but knows obedience to God is priority.    Rubart’s writing brings the supernatural to the forefront and reminds us that the Bible states that we as Christians will do even greater works than Jesus.  He teaches the other three about entering a soul and battling for them.  They experience the enemy in a very real way and defeat that same enemy with the name of Jesus.

Ok,  if you are thinking, this is a bit far fetched, you can think that.  The book is fiction…but…there are truths in the novel.  Truths that apply today and make me examine the question:  If we really believed God’s Word and applied it to our lives, would we be experiencing more of the supernatural?  If we were battling for others freedom, the enemy would not be happy, and we would know it.  God is so much greater than Satan; we need to know that and we need act on that.  WE NEED TO LIVE LIKE THAT!

A quote from Rubart’s website:  “What keeps you from living in freedom?  Shattered dreams? Broken relationships?  Fear?  No matter where you’re at, I believe you can find life-altering freedom.  Getting there is at the heart of all my novels”.

Giving you just a tip of the iceberg…bottom line is the book is great…and I am looking forward to reading the next two (which are both in print).  I love a book that stretches me, challenges me, and encourages me to enlarge my territories.

 

 

Book reviews 15 & 16

Book 15 is a “Band Of Sisters”, by Cathy Gohlke.  This is the first time I have read this author and I will continue to read her books.  As you know I have been engrossed in books about Ireland and this book fit right in.  The story is about two sisters who leave Ireland after the death of their mother in order to start new lives.  Maureen O’Reilly has been in service but abused by the master of the house; she is an outcast in her village so America is a fresh start.  Maureen and her sister run into many obstacles trying to make a new start, including learning of a human trafficking ring.  The women in the story come together, hence the title, to try to help the immigrant women coming into America.  The book was a good read, not a great read.  Didn’t speak to me in any way.

Book 16 is “An Irish Country Courtship”, by Patrick Taylor which returned to the lives of doctors O’Reilly and Laverty.  As much as I love Mrs. Kincaid, I enjoyed being back with the entire cast and crew of the Irish Country tales.  Just a tiny spoiler:  Barry’s love life is on the rocks, but Fingal’s is moving right along.  Enough said.  Once again the doctors are able to solve medical mysteries as well as Ballybucklebo mysteries.  I especially like this book because  the author answers questions regarding the life and times of the time period of the book. Again, sad to end another of these books, but looking forward to the next one.

Enhance your life…Enlarge your life…read a book!

CHRISTIANS!!!! BEWARE!!!!

I am jumping up on my soapbox. Many items in the news lately about Christians coming out!!!  Not coming out of the closet but coming out in support of gay marriage and ultimately, the gay lifestyle.  I will begin by stating, not for the first time, that I am not a gay basher or gay hater.  I love gay people but I do hate the sin of homosexuality.  I saw a post on facebook recently asking why are Christians concentrating on or always talking about homosexuality.  Why?  Because it is a major focus of gays and those who support gays to bash Christians and anyone who speaks out loud their non-support of gay marriage.  Where do we live?  I thought it was the land of the free…home of the brave.  A place quickly becoming land of the don’t you dare speak out how you believe cuz you just might lose your job, your freedom, or your platform.  I warned you,  I am on a soapbox.  Not only are homosexuals supported by Hollywood, politicians, the media, etc; they are being supported by “Christians”?????

Have you heard about the preacher (the evangelical preacher) who stated that Jesus told him to support homosexuality?  Here is the link to that story (http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/watchman-on-the-wall/43595-no-pastor-jesus-did-not-tell-you-to-support-homosexuality), but if you are not brave enough to read it, here is an excerpt from the article which is a statement from this Vineyard preacher:

“When the Bible prohibits same-sex sex, what was the historical context for that? There’s no real indication monogamous, gay partnerships were the aim of the biblical texts, but there were some very clearly [sic] examples of exploitative same-sex sexuality, like temple prostitution or slave sex, masters requiring slaves to perform sexual services as part of their ownership of them.

“In the New Testament, there was pederasty, where older men providing mentoring to underage prepubescent males in exchange for sexual services … The Sodom and Gomorrah story is about gang rape. It’s not about anything like loving monogamous relationships. To apply that to the issue of homosexuality is a gross misuse of scripture.”

Give me a break.  Is he serious?

Have you heard about the recent tweet of the lead singer of the “Christian” music group, Jars of Clay?  Here is his tweet:  

Haseltine, who is the lead singer of Jars of Clay and whose band became famous for its Christian-themed music, posted to his Twitter account on Wednesday: “Not meaning to stir things up BUT… is there a non-speculative or non ‘slippery slope’ reason why gays shouldn’t marry? I don’t hear one.”

“I’m trying to make sense of the conservative argument. But it doesn’t hold up to basic scrutiny. Feels akin to women’s suffrage. I just don’t see a negative effect to allowing gay marriage. No societal breakdown, no war on traditional marriage. Anyone?” he went on to argue.

“I don’t think Scripture ‘clearly’ states much of anything regarding morality,” Haseltine stated.

And the link to that story if you dare:  http://christiannews.net/2014/04/24/jars-of-clay-frontman-comes-out-in-support-of-homosexual-marriage/

So what Bible is he reading?  Certainly not the one I read.

Romans 1:24-27

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies among themselves.

²⁵ They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

²⁶ For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature.

²⁷ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men, working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense for their error which was meet.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

⁹ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

¹¹ And such were some of you. But ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

The following is a letter sent out by the American Family Association last week: (http://www.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147545184)

7 common careers Christians may no longer hold in America

April 23, 2014

Many Christians choose self-employed careers because they want to be able to run their business according to the dictates of their faith and conscience.

That list is quickly shrinking as homosexuals pro-actively seek opportunities to wreck the personal business and career of any Christian who declines to support the gay lifestyle.

Don’t be fooled. This is a focused effort to ostracize and humiliate faith-based businesses and their owners. Here are a few recent examples:

• Photography – A Christian photographer in New Mexico was fined $6700 for politely declining to photograph a lesbian commitment ceremony. The Supreme Court allowed this fine to stand.
• Baker – A Christian baker in Oregon is facing both civil and criminal penalties, including jail time, for politely declining to bake a cake for a gay wedding ceremony. Her business has closed.
• Florist – Baronelle Stutzman, a Christian florist in Washington, is being sued by the state attorney general for politely declining to prepare an arrangement for a gay wedding ceremony.
• Broadcasting – Craig James was fired by Fox Sports Southwest after only one day on the job for expressing his support for natural marriage while he was a candidate for the United States Senate.
• Counseling – Jennifer Keeton was dismissed from the counseling program at Augusta State University for her religious reservations about the homosexual lifestyle.
• Innkeeping – The Wildflower Inn in Vermont was fined $30,000 and forced to shut down its wedding reception business after politely declining to host a lesbian ceremony.
• Teaching – Ms. Gillian John-Charles was kicked out of a doctoral program in education at Roosevelt University for expressing in class her belief that homosexuals aren’t born gay.

THIS LETTER SHOULD ALARM US!!!!

I am going to use part of my husband’s sermon from this morning.

God has called us to SEASON—SHINE—AND STINK!

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and who maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place.

¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in those who are saved and in those who perish:

¹⁶ to the one we are the savor of death unto death, and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

¹⁷ For we are not as many who corrupt the Word of God; but as out of sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Jesus calls us to be salt…salt is cleansing and adds flavor.  He calls us to be light…to illuminate.  He calls us to stink…yes…when we speak out for what we believe in:  marriage between a man and woman—homosexuality is a sin—all roads do not lead to heaven—etc., we may stink to those around us.  They may not want to hear it…they may not want to believe it…it is like the savor of death unto death!  But we may speak out and bring life to someone who is hoping that there is hope…hoping there is God who loves them no matter what sin they have been involved in…hoping there is a Christian out there who will stand up and shout what they believe…who will not back down because it is politically correct.  You can bring life by speaking the truth.  God did not call us to hide our light under a bushel!!!!

I could point fingers…I could say the church is slipping down a slippery slope in not training up warriors who know what they believe in…I could blame the government for backing the gay agenda, Muslim belief, etc…but I won’t.  I will take responsibility for my part of the world as you should take it for your own part of the world.

It is not hate, but love, that points out to a brother or sister in Christ, that they may need to make some corrections in their walk.  it is love that speaks truth to the asked questions about homosexuality, adultery, fornication, shacking up, stealing, lying, etc.

BE LIGHT…BE SALT…BE THAT STINK (WHETHER GOOD OR BAD).  It is our Christian responsibilty.

 

 

BOOK 14 OF ’14 — AN IRISH COUNTRY GIRL BY PATRICK TAYLOR

I am late writing this review…been finished with the book for a week.  Author Patrick Taylor took a break from writing about the doctors and wrote about Mrs. Kincaid (Kinky) and her life as a young woman who experienced the sighting of fairies, the dreaded banshee, and spirits.  Keep in mind that Ireland and the Irish are full of stories of the Dubh Sidhe (doov shee), the dark fairies, and the banshee.

It was a fascinating tale of Irish mythology written to take you on a journey along with the young Maureen O’Hanlon who then became Mrs. Kincaid.  We learn of her family, her romance with her future husband, who we already know died within a year of their marriage, and how she came to be housekeeper to Dr. O’Reilly.  It was true delight getting to know Mrs. Kincaid on a more intimate scale.

The book picks up right where “An Irish Country Christmas” ends…well actually it starts a bit before the end of that book.  It is Christmas Day and Mrs. Kincaid is passing out treats to children carolers and invites them in for a ghost story.

I must admit I missed the doctors, but not as much as I thought I would.  Actually was not that excited when I saw the book was mostly about Irish mythology, but it was a grand read, as each and every book in the series has been.

I am now taking a break from the series (haven’t made it to Barnes and Noble) so book 15 review will be coming soon.  I think I am suffering withdrawal and looking forward to reading “An Irish Country Courtship”.

May your reading hours be many!!!

My Birthday Wishes

A long standing birthday tradition is to blow out the candles on the cake and make a wish or two or three.  Today is my 53rd birthday and I have a few more than 1 and not quite 53, but I will only give you my top 10 wishes.

To wish is to want, to desire, to long for and these are my wishes for you today and everyday…

1.  I wish for you laughter every day…you read right…every single day.  In my house it is unavoidable…Rick and Jackson are always giving me reasons to laugh.  If you don’t have people in your life to make you laugh, then find a funny friend or read funny things.  Make it happen.

2. Speaking of my husband…if you are female and unmarried…I wish you a husband as good as mine.   He is my better half and I thank God for him every day.  He makes me a better person and I know when I can’t count on anyone else, I can count on him.

3.  I wish that you would love to read.  I love to read…the things I learn from reading…the people I meet and the places I go.

4.  Happy times with your children!

5.  That you are truly happy-happy-happy like Phil Robertson and myself…know that real happiness comes from Christ.

6.  I wish for you the ability to relax…sit on your porch swing or where ever that relaxed spot might be. (Reading helps)

7.  Freedom of speech.  I am not sure people realize that this right and privilege is being stolen from us, including the right to believe what you want to believe.  Don’t be afraid to speak up…stand up for what you believe.

8.  Strength…I can do all things through Christ!

9.  A personal relationship with Jesus…I don’t wish on you religion but a relationship!

10.  A friend or two or three…true friends that are there when you need them…with encouragement, laughter, honesty, and love.

 

 

Search me, O God

Going off track today…My blog has consisted of only book reviews in 2014, but I got things stirring in my spirit all day…gotta let them out.

I was thinking today how Easter is just a week away and although it is late in the season this year, it seems it has snuck up on me.  I was missing the days when my boys were young, and during the weeks before Easter and Christmas, we spent a lot of time talking about the upcoming holiday, whether it be about Christ’s birth or His death and resurrection. We counted the days, we did daily Bible studies concerning the subject at hand, our crafts focused on the season.  (Let me just say…I do not miss my kids being little most of the time…I do miss their cute little faces…and their undying love for their mother…and the cute things they would say…their sweet faces when sleeping…their near worship of their mother…okay enough…I really do enjoy having older children except for the fact that my youngest is about to fly off across the seas…I’m stopping!)  What I was missing today was the focus we had on the resurrection of Christ and what it means to us as Christians.  I realize that each of us can have that focus individually and I do try to do that…but those times were very special to me and to my boys.

So my plan is for the next week to meditate and focus on what Jesus has done for you and me.  A scripture that I have thought about a lot today is one of my favorites.  It is Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me and know my thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.  Wow…are we just crazy enough to tell God to search us?  Does not matter if we invite him to or not…He knows it all, but when we open up to him and say Search me…know me…know my thoughts…asking him to point out those areas we need to work on…sometimes we know what they are…sometimes we need a little God light shining on them.  Who can know us like God?  Absolutely no one.  We never reveal ourselves that much to others.  God is waiting for that invitation from you:  to search you…to know your thoughts…to lead you along the paths of everlasting life.  He created us with free wills so although he knows your thoughts…He is waiting for an invite.  Christian or not…He is waiting on you!  Christ died…He rose again…why?  Because He loves you and wants to lead you along the path of everlasting life.

And since it is the season of new life…new growth…let me share with you about my crepe myrtles.  2 years ago I asked for crepe myrtles for my birthday (if you are not from the south you may have to google crepe myrtle)…so I got eight of them and we planted them in the very back of our yard to create a natural fence.  Last Tuesday I was planting seeds and I was checking out the myrtles…looking for the new buds and signs of life.  There was one tree…no life.  The others had green buds all over them…but one.  I looked and looked all over that tree for a sign of green and I was tempted to snap off a twig and look for green but I was did not do that because I was afraid of what I might find.  What I did instead was pray.  I laid hands on that tree and declared life over it.  Rick and I was watering last night and I told him about my prayer and we checked out the tree.  What did we find?  We found life!!!  Maybe the tree is a late bloomer but maybe God gave new life to my tree!!!!  God has new life for you too!!!!

Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me and them coming back to life for me.  I believe in you…I believe you came back to life.  Search me…know my thoughts…lead me in your path to everlasting life.  Amen.

 

 

Book 13 of 2014—AN IRISH COUNTRY CHRISTMAS BY PATRICK TAYLOR

I do love reading and I do love a Christmas story even when it’s not Christmas…maybe even more so.  I just finished the third book in the Irish Doctor series and I feel like I just celebrated Christmas in the quaint village of Ballybucklebo with Drs. O’Reilly and Laverty, Mrs. Kincaid, Kitty, Patricia and the entire village.  What a wonderful Christmas it was and it makes me yearn for simpler times and a time machine. 

The doctors had to become involved when a young single mother, who had been saving up for Christmas, needed a helping hand, after her savings went up in smoke…literally.  Of course, they had to accomplish this so the mother didn’t know it was “charity”.   Planning, a “fixed” raffle, and a Christmas party later…mission accomplished.  During that same party, Santa ran out of gifts for the children but once again, Dr. O’Reilly (Santa) saves the day.

Barry Laverty’s girlfriend is off to school in Cambridge…does absence make the heart grow fonder?  Fingal might be losing his heart after years of being alone.  Big decisions.

Some great words: 

ta-ta-ta-ra and hooley:  party

 

highheejins:  not in Patrick Taylor’s handy dandy glossary in the back of his book.  Love the word…just need a definition.

 

Kinky (Mrs. Kincaid) does the afterword and includes recipes…this time they were Christmas recipes.  I do believe I am going to try the Mock Turtle Soup which was in “An Irish Country Village”.

 

Finally, once again I have been transported from where I live everyday to Ballybuckbo.  You might want to join me.

 

Happy reading!!

 

 

 

 

 

AN IRISH COUNTRY VILLAGE BY PATRICK TAYLOR—BOOK 12 OF 2014

This is the second book of the Irish tales and I loved the second one just as much as the first.  Although there are 8 novels right now (I think) I delay reading the end of the novel…hate to see them end.

I find myself wanting to use the word “wee” all the time since starting these novels.  They are the most colorful tales about the most colorful characters I have read in a very long time.

Doctors O’Reilly and Laverty are two kind-hearted general practitioners who see patients in the mornings in the “surgery” and then make any needed house calls in the afternoon.  Mrs. Kincaid watches over these two men…cleaning and cooking for them and running interference when necessary.

There are always villagers that need the assistance of the doctors, but not always in a medical way.  The two men are great at scheming and hatching solutions to various problems that may arise in Ballybucklebo.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I love the new words I am seeing and learning.  Here are some examples:  pan•jan•drum which is a self-important or pretentious official and in•ter•ne•cine 1. of or pertaining to conflict or struggle within a group: an internecine feud among proxy holders. 2. mutually destructive. 3. characterized by great slaughter; deadly
Here is a bit of wisdom I gleaned from the book.  In an exchange between the doctors regarding taking action regarding a problem, Dr. Fingal O’Reilly states:  “I once asked an expert what kind of flies caught fish.  Do you know what he said?”  Barry shook his head.  “He said, ‘Only the ones you put in the river.'” O’Reilly grinned.  “if you don’t try, you’ll never get anywhere.”

If you have not realized how much I am enjoying my reading of these Irish Country stories…let me tell you this…I have purchased three of them so far…at full price!!!!  That is something you don’t find me doing very often and it speaks “volumes”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SEARCH COMMITTEE BY TIM OWENS—BOOK 11

Warning:  If you are highly sensitive and/or easily offended, you might not want to read this book review.  Why?  Because book #11 is about church people and you just might be one.  Church people can be very good people…even better if they are born again, but over the years I have also found church people to be annoying, selfish, completely self absorbed, did I say annoying?  Am I kidding…no not really, but remember my warning.  I have been in various churches for many years with all kinds of church people…and church people are people just like you and me.  I remember many moons ago, I wrote a skit to do for a pastor’s appreciation service…it was about sheep (you know the sheep (God’s children) who attend church) and after a practice or two, one couple involved suggested that people may become too offended by the skit so we did not do it.  Come on, if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at??

I have said all that to say I enjoy reading about church people…real church people.  Lisa Samson has a great book out called “The Church Ladies”…so true to life.  I have experienced church people as a preacher’s daughter, a church member, and a preacher’s wife…so the title of this book intrigued me.  Growing up in non-denominational churches we did not have “search committees”, but I thought it sounded like a humorous book…and it was.

Humorous and true to life.  Church people will be church people.  The story gives back stories of each person on the search committee giving it a serious note now and again. Maybe too serious.  My opinion is the book would have been even better if it would have stuck to pure comedy. Real life can give much comic relief.

Chris Fabry (an author I enjoy) stated:  “These people are as real as the grape juice in the Communion tray.  A slice of life as rich as a pie at the potlock.”

The Search Committee is the author’s first book.  He grew up in North Carolina and now resides in South Carolina.  The locale of the story was North Carolina so many familiar places were mentioned such as Conway, SC, South of the Border,and Santee. 

Don’t be offended by my book review…look in the mirror and laugh heartily.  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.