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| ©Penny Frost McGinnis |
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Friday, May 6, 2016
Fiction Book Review: The Inheritance by Michael Philipps
Book Description:
Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch's heir to be
his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that
MacGregor left no will, David's grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to
the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And while
Hardy doesn't enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group
of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate's assets while
the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial
limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the
balance.
Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .
Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips's dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.
Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .
Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips's dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.
Book Giveaway
My Review:
The Inheritance is the kind of book I enjoy sitting on the porch to read on a beautiful spring day or snuggle into the couch with when the wind blows and the rains pour. Either way, I savored every word as the writer led me from Whales Reef on one of the incredible Shetland Islands to the lovely Pennsylvania countryside where Loni grew up. The vividness of the Scottish isles drew me in and made me want to travel there. Michael Philipps brought first-hand experience to the story through he and his wife's ventures into Scottish territory.
The Inheritance is the kind of book I enjoy sitting on the porch to read on a beautiful spring day or snuggle into the couch with when the wind blows and the rains pour. Either way, I savored every word as the writer led me from Whales Reef on one of the incredible Shetland Islands to the lovely Pennsylvania countryside where Loni grew up. The vividness of the Scottish isles drew me in and made me want to travel there. Michael Philipps brought first-hand experience to the story through he and his wife's ventures into Scottish territory.
He's also the creator of some incredible
characters in this latest saga. Plus an ancestry that spreads over more than
four generations. I especially enjoyed Loni's venture to find her own history
and her challenge to figure out what to do with it. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1QpMpIN
Humble and Selfless
Philippians 2:1-4
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Proverbs 31 is often the go to chapter of the
Bible for Mother's Day. Granted there are many wonderful words there in
reference to a wife and mother. But as I was reading through some Bible verses
for this week's devotion, I read Philippians 2. I know Paul was speaking to the
church in Philippi, but I can't imagine better words to describe a mom.
Throughout the scripture, I've read of many mom's who put their children's
needs above their own, practiced tenderness and compassion, loved God, and
bowed before him with a humble spirit.
Hannah turned her son over to God's service after
she'd spent years praying to have a baby. Moses' mom hid him to keep him safe.
Ham, Shem, and Japheth's mother climbed into an ark full of stinky animals to
ride out the storm with her boys. I've always appreciated that Timothy's grandmother
and mother raised him to love the Lord. Of course I can't leave out Mary,
Jesus' mother. She watched her son die for the rest of us. She knew God needed
him to do that.
Whether we're moms, daughters, aunts, Grammies, or
friends God shows us many great examples of what a Christian woman looks like.
I mention women because of Mother's Day, but the scripture applies to guys too.
We all need to be selfless and encourage each other.
And by the way, when your mom said she didn't
really want that last piece of dessert she gave you, she probably really did. She
was just being nice.
Happy Mother's Day!
Friday, April 29, 2016
Is Belief Enough?
Hebrews 11:1-2
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
We sat in on a Super Saturday architecture class
with our granddaughter. The teacher, an architect, shared a video with the
students of how a foundation is built. They watched with interest as a cement
mixer sloshed the gravel, sand, water, and cement around to make concrete. The
teacher went on to explain that the concrete wasn't strong enough to hold the
skyscraper up by itself. So the construction workers laid heavy wire mesh at the base and poured the concrete over it. This small change made a huge
difference in the strength of the foundation.
That got me thinking about faith. I've known many believers
who went through difficult times. Instead of giving up, they clung to their
faith and marched through the fire. But what if instead of faith, the person
only had belief. Believing might be like the concrete. It's not strong enough
by itself. But with faith mixed with belief a strong foundation is built. It's
not enough to just believe God exists. I have to have faith and know beyond a
doubt that God knows me and loves me, that everything comes from Him. I didn't
see the creation come into being, but I believe and have faith that God created
our world. I didn't see Jesus raise from the dead, but I know he did. I
believe, I have faith, and I trust. Praise God for faith that's the foundation
for life.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Children's Board Book Review: Counting Blessings by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Lee Holland
Book Description:
Children count along from 1 to 10, following the sweet rhyming text by beloved author Eileen Spinelli and the cute and cuddly illustrations by Lee Holland. Along with counting, this padded cover board book teaches children to see the blessings in life. With whimsy and joy, Counting Blessings captures the attention of young children, filling their minds with numbers and their hearts with happiness.
My Review:
I can count on Eileen Spinelli to deliver an enjoyable rhyming text that's fun to read to my grandchildren. In Counting Blessings, which is more than a counting book, she leads the child through numbers 1 to 10 then goes on to name many blessings like, "snow to dance in and songs to sing." My favorite blessing in the story is, "Six books beside your chair." What reviewer wouldn't love that. The bunny in the story is adorable thanks to Lee Holland's delightful illustrations. They're the kind of drawings that make me go ahhh— charming and colorful. The sturdy board book pages, simple text, and bright illustrations make this a perfect book for little ones. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.
Purchase a copy at Amazon.
Children count along from 1 to 10, following the sweet rhyming text by beloved author Eileen Spinelli and the cute and cuddly illustrations by Lee Holland. Along with counting, this padded cover board book teaches children to see the blessings in life. With whimsy and joy, Counting Blessings captures the attention of young children, filling their minds with numbers and their hearts with happiness.
My Review:
I can count on Eileen Spinelli to deliver an enjoyable rhyming text that's fun to read to my grandchildren. In Counting Blessings, which is more than a counting book, she leads the child through numbers 1 to 10 then goes on to name many blessings like, "snow to dance in and songs to sing." My favorite blessing in the story is, "Six books beside your chair." What reviewer wouldn't love that. The bunny in the story is adorable thanks to Lee Holland's delightful illustrations. They're the kind of drawings that make me go ahhh— charming and colorful. The sturdy board book pages, simple text, and bright illustrations make this a perfect book for little ones. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.
Purchase a copy at Amazon.
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