Book Review: Sunrise on the Battery

Sunrise on the Battery

By Beth Webb Hart

ISBN: 1595542000

ISBN-13: 9781595542007

Paperback/Page count: 304 (also in e-book)

Publication Date: Oct. 2011
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart, a story about Mary Lynn Scoville and her husband, Jackson, who made a fortune by selling their low-country South Carolina property have just begun to realize their dreams when God whispers it’s time for a change into Mary’s spirit.

Sunrise on the Battery is more than just a work of Christian fiction. It’s a mirror that reflects the lives of countless Americans today. Many appear to “have it all”, but deep inside many harbor restless discontent, just as Mary Lynn did. Things change for Mary and rather quickly as she attends church and prays for her husband to turn to God. Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it! With her husband’s conversion, Mary can no longer place wealth and social status above her relationship with God. Now, Mary must decide if she has the strength to go “all out” for God alongside her seemingly loony, but beloved, husband, Jackson.

Jackson’s conversion is so radical that he shakes the family’s moorings, threatening their very lifestyle. How can a man risk everything he’s worked to gain simply to share the gospel, to share the love of God with those around him?

Is the entire Scoville family willing to go ‘all out’ for God? Am I willing to? That’s the question I ask myself after reading this book. What would happen if we Christians went “all out” for God? Perhaps a great wave of life-changing revival would sweep across the land.

Imagine that!

I like the message in this book. Although, I was disconcerted to see it end so abruptly. I also prefer a story to focus on one character. 

But overall, the book was good enough. It’s an enjoyable weekend read that makes you feel as if you should search your heart, even if it doesn’t keep you up all night reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book in e-book format free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com 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.”

Civility Rules: What is Christian Etiquette?

In this world of hustle and bustle, it seems people have lost their basic civility toward one another. Alright, not everyone, but quite a few seem to have forgotten to "Be nice!" as our mothers hopefully taught us to be. And sadly, many of those who've lost their civility are Christians. So, in this column, I'm going to put forth suggested ways of civility. Even on our worst days, is it too difficult to simply show our fellow man a bit of kindness? After all, a soft answer turns away wrath, as Proverbs 15:1 tells us.

I do not suggest that there aren't situations wherein we must assert ourselves, but there are times that keeping our mouth shut is the best rule. If we ask for wisdom God grants it to us so that we'll know in which situations to assert ourselves and in which matters we need to just be quiet, as proper Christian etiquette suggests we should. Again, I repeat God's word, "a soft answer turns away wrath."

What do I deem as Christian etiquette?

If according to Merriam Webster's dictionary etiquette is, " 

: the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life", then Christian etiquette merely folds into basic etiquette the love of Christ. Proper etiquette blended with the love of Christ really is the ultimate way to preach the Gospel, for we do so with every step of our way! We are, in effect, living the Gospel of Jesus Christ before all men.

Why not recall with me the ways of kindness and proper etiquette, and in living a life of good Christian etiquette we share the love of Christ with our fellow man.

If you do not know Christ and want to learn how you can come to know Him and His great love for us, follow this link. This link opens to a page at my author's blog, Sand and Pearls II.

"Jesus Christ; the Savior."

Practice civility every day!

One way to be kind to others is not to jump to conclusions when someone appears rude. Perhaps the person is merely distracted, tired, sick, or in pain from chronic ailments. Their distraction may come across as rudeness. When we jump to conclusions and assume a person is treating us unkindly many times we fuel an unnecessary fire with our lack of civil behavior.

Instead, respond with kindness, understanding and mercy. Glance at the person's eyes. Perhaps you'll see the sadness and the longing for something more in their life. Perhaps their assumed rudeness is actually a cry for help. Show them the love of Christ. Give them Jesus, not a sharp-tongued retort and an unmerciful heart. Did not Christ show us mercy and grace? Humm, perhaps we, and I speak to myself! Perhaps we should remember to reciprocate with the same love Christ shows us. Now, I'm off to be tried on my words!

What are some ways you use Christian Etiquette in your life? Feel free to add a comment.

Blessings and God's grace go with you throughout your day.

"A soft answer turns away wrath,
      But a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)
Taken from
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Sweet and Salty Pecan Pie

I love the taste of sweet and salty nut bars. So this Thanksgiving, I altered my pecan pie recipe to suit my taste. Goodness, was it ever good. This is my recipe for Sweet and Salty Pecan Pie. Please alter it to suit your own tastes and enjoy it.
Blessings
Steph

Sweet and Salty Pecan Pie

If you’re like me and you enjoy the taste of sweet and salty deserts, then this pie is for you! I created it because I love the sweet and salty granola-type bars. Alter this recipe to suit yourself and enjoy. We certainly did, on Thanksgiving Day.

Ingredients

·         3/4 cup sugar (granulated)

·         1 1/2 cups corn syrup (I mixed mine by adding 1 cup dark and ½ cup light.)

·         4 eggs, slightly beaten

·         1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened but not melted

·         1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

·         1 1/2 cups whole pecans

·         Kosher salt

·         1 unbaked deep dish pie shell

Directions

Boil sugar and corn syrup together until the sugar dissolves well-2 to 3 minutes will do. Afterward, set aside the sugar-syrup mixture to cool slightly. Lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl (Hint: use a heat proof bowl) then pour the syrup mixture into the eggs. Stir constantly to prevent lumping. If lumps appear stir and break them up. Remove or strain stubborn lumps from mixture. Stir in butter or margarine, vanilla, pecans, and a dash of Kosher salt. Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake on center rake in a 350° oven for 40 to 60 minutes. When the top of the pie is no longer runny sprinkle Kosher salt to taste over the entire top. Continue cooking. The pie will set somewhat firm but not overmuch otherwise the pecans will be too hard to eat.

Serve with vanilla ice-cream or cool whip.

Where will you Spend Eternity?

Angels Rejoice Tonight!

There is nothing more disquieting than the fear that a loved one may not enter heaven upon their death.

I have a family member who rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ for some time. I felt a desperate need for this family member to receive the Lord as his savior. But with one year piling upon another, I came close to giving up the 'fight' to see him saved. Last year he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His health declined and grew steadily worse. And my need to see him accept Jesus Christ and therein the assurance of eternity with God, increased significantly.

You see, there is a heaven and there is a hell. Upon death we enter one or the other. Reject Jesus Christ, who is the true Messiah and the son of God, and you’ll see hell. Romans 10:9-10 from the Holy Word of God-the Bible-tells us this. “⁹ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” And we find in Acts 4:12 that, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

God grants us all free will, so choose what you wish. You may believe what the Word of God says or not, but do you really want to take the chance of going to hell by rejecting Jesus Christ if at the end you realize that the Bible is true, that God is real, that Jesus Christ as actually the risen son of God and the only way to heaven? Read John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” What do you have to lose by simply praying and asking God to reveal the truth to you? Try it. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

But, I must finish the story!

After witnessing my beloved family member withering away from cancer during the past year and praying that he would come to know the Lord Jesus before he passes, I’m so very thankful to say that tonight he came to know the Lord. My fretful days are over! Thank you, God for your mercy and your grace, for your enduring love, for your son Jesus Christ who died upon the cross to grant full and free forgiveness -we cannot buy Jesus’ forgiveness with tithing or offerings. His forgiveness is full and free- to all who choose to follow Him. You see, and I’m paraphrasing, the angels rejoice over every soul who accepts Jesus Christ, “. . . joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. . .” Luke 15:7 All this time, I felt as if my family member was hard set against hearing the Gospel, that he’d never accept the Lord, never go to heaven. But life has a way of wearing down the hard edges. God knows just how to make our hearts pliable.

So don’t give up praying for family and friends who seem to reject Jesus at every corner. You do not know their heart. Even if you’ve prayed for many years for their salvation, keep praying. Live a godly life before them, pray, preach the gospel as led by the Holy Spirit, meaning never try and force the gospel of Jesus Christ upon someone. Aggression is not the answer for unsaved loved ones. You cannot bully people into believing in the Lord. It’s a choice that each individual makes. In other words, be nice but steady in the Lord. The unsaved loved one will see your faithfulness to God and with prayer may very well come to accept Jesus.

Tonight my troubled heart found peace. Although it’s terribly difficult to watch my beloved family member suffer and to carry the sad burden of his eminent death, I now walk with the assurance that he is heaven bound when his time comes.  

Our life upon earth is transitory. With death we face an eternity in heaven or hell. I’m so glad that my family member chooses to spend eternity with the Lord.

Where will you spend eternity?

Scripture

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:7 (KJV)

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32 (KJV)

 ⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)

 ¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

 ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

 ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:1-6 (NIV)

How to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior
This link opens to a page at my Sand & Pearls Blog.

Links:

http://sermons.christiansunite.com/

Blessings!

The Generals: Pershing Commander of the Great War

The Generals: Pershing

Commander of the Great War

by John Perry

ISBN: 159555355X

ISBN-13: 9781595553553

Hardcover/Page count: 240

Publication Date: 2011

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pershing: Commander of the Great War, written by John Perry, is one of the works in Thomas Nelson's series The Generals.

Perry introduces us to John J. Pershing, an American military leader who commanded the Expeditionary Force in World War I, leading his million-man army in France and defeating the German’s in a mere six months of action.

In this biography of John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, the author paints a portrait of Pershing, not only as the brilliant yet demanding and difficult-to-please military leader in action-“nothing imperfect escaped his notice or criticism”-but also chronicles Pershing’s role as a loving husband and father, an excellent dancer, and a true friend to those fortunate enough to know him well off the battlefield. 

Perry states that the ‘real’ Pershing was a truly great man.

And after having read this book, I must agree with the author!

If you want to learn more about the First World War and General Pershing’s role in it, I recommend this book as Perry’s style of writing isn’t arduous. His work on Pershing is quite an enjoyable read, one in which I did not want to lie down until I completed it.

And considering Perry’s military career and place in American history, which includes time in New Mexico to the Battle of Wounded Knee, a tour in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, the hunt for Pauncho Villa in Mexico, and more before he made his way to France in World War I, I feel this book would add a fine element to middle school or high school level lessons in American history or Pershing’s role in World War I.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com 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.”