Saturday, July 29, 2017

Sunday Scripture Blessings 7 30



 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms
in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show 
the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:6-7 NIV


It's Sunday Scripture Blessings link up time and you're next. Thank you for the blessings that you share. Have a wonderful Sunday.




~hugs 'n giggles 'n blessings~

Peabea




Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Pictorial Tuesday ~ Egypt's Sister Book Review


Egypt’s Sister – The Silent Years/A Novel of Cleopatra
Author:  Angela Hunt


The author, Angela Hunt, winds a story around the life and loves of Cleopatra. The story is told in the voice of Chava (pronounced hah-vah) who as a child was a playmate and best friend to Cleopatra. They even swore to be blood sisters. Chava, a Jewish girl, loved Cleopatra, but knew she would never be on the same plain as Cleopatra; an Egyptian princess who would someday become Queen. But, she also felt they would always remain blood sisters and be in each other’s lives. She was thrilled to be a friend to the future Queen. She envisioned someday being her lady-in-waiting.
If you’ve always thought you knew the story of Cleopatra, this book gives a look into the life of Cleopatra, and some Egyptian, Roman and Greek history. It is also the story of Chava, a Hebrew who starts out life with a naive view of the world. She soon learns some heartbreaking and also back-breaking lessons about love and giving your allegiance to a person.

Chava is called by God whom she calls HaShem, for a special purpose in her life. She knows she has to remain true to what God has called her to do, but at times, she would prefer to follow her heart. The chain of events that follow in her life somehow don’t seem to fit with what God has asked of her, and she doesn’t see how His plan will be fulfilled.

The author does a great job of setting the scenes of life through a woman who would have lived a century before Christ and the New Testament. There are many scenes when Chava and Cleopatra are young friends. There is also depictions of the differences of Egyptians and the Jewish population and what it means for Chava.

In the beginning of reading the book, it took me a minute to grasp where the author might be going with this story, but it didn’t take long to get to the meat of the story, and my interest stayed piqued. There were many twists and turns, but to me that made it all the more interesting and a desire to keep reading to find out what happened next.
It is a great and interesting story, and the author writes in such a way that you will feel different emotions; some anger, some sadness, and some bitterness. The author does a good job of getting the point of her book across. I would definitely say this is a must-have for anyone’s reading list no matter your genre preference.

Excerpt from the book:
Raised together in the Alexandrian palace, Chava, the Hebrew daughter of the royal tutor, and Urbi, an Egyptian princess, become as close as sisters – and rivals with their dreams of greatness. When Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne as Queen Cleopatra, Chava believes their bond is strong enough to survive. But absolute power has a way of changing everything.
The ultimate betrayal rips Chava from everything she’s ever known and sends her to the lowest rung of Roman society where she must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God’s will for her life, if she hopes to rise again.
Publisher: Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group
There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy reading this book. I give it Five Stars

Note:
I received Egypt's Sister as a copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise was required. All opinions are my own.
The reviews on my blog are specifically my own interpretation of my like or dislike for a book that I read.

Egypt’s Sister is available here:

Christianbooks.com
Amazon
Goodreads
Books-A-Million
Indiebound
Lifeway

Book graphic that I've added to my graphic above came from aspnesdesigns.com

You're Next for sharing your photography, graphic, photographic art:



~hugs 'n giggles 'n scribbles~

Peabea


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About the Author:  Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who expect the unexpected in novels. With nearly five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 140 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to non-fiction books, to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times).
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
Also in 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree. She completed her doctorate in biblical studies in 2008 and her Th.D. in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.  She is also an avid photographer, using her photos to help find homes for animals at local rescues.

~

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Sunday Scripture Blessings 7 23

Sharing some notes from past reading plans when I first began reading the Bible in earnest in 2014

Question: How does remembering that it's not "about you" but instead "all about God" encourage you today?
  • The glory is to be given to God ~ not seeked by promoting things I do for my own glory.
  • I can know that when it's all about God ~ the plan of salvation was in place for me because He Loves Us
  • He takes center stage always, and I'm thankful it's not about me because he is so awesome and no one can fill those shoes except Yahweh.
In what ways are you being called to step out in faith, in spite of your weaknesses and flaws and in spite of the labels you have given yourself?
  • I am called to have a more loving heart and reminded to be kind.
  • I am challenged to speak up and remember to share his word since that was never my norm.
  • I am called to read his word daily which reminds me who he is.
  • I am called to pray daily and be better at it.
What might be standing in my way of obedience?
  • Not being Bold enough to speak up for God, but praying to be better about it.

Working on Forgiveness for things that have happened in my life.

1 Corinthians 15: 55-58

55. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
56. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Observation:  The death on the cross was not in vain. There was no victory of death because He Lives! He is Risen!

Application:  Give thanks daily to God and his gift of victory through Jesus and the Resurrection.

Romans 3:21-24

21.  But now, a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been make known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.
23.  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
24.  and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Observation:  Through Christ all are righteous who believe. The redemption of Christ on the cross paid for our sins.

When studying/reading, I sometimes write out the scripture that I'm reading to try to help implant it in my brain better for memory. Sometimes it works, other times not. But doing it this way and with Bible Journaling has helped me get a better overall picture of God's word than I ever had before. The main thing is a daily read. I usually read first thing in the morning with quiet time and my coffee. :)




"Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not
your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27 KJV

I look forward to your scripture sharings with Sunday Scripture Blessings. You're next:






~hugs 'n giggles 'n blessings~

Peabea





Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Pictorial Tuesday 7 18


Just some photo fun...Jumping Out from Winter into a warmer scene. The photo is an old family photo of myself (the one in the hat) and cousins having winter fun. Well, it doesn't actually look like we're having that much fun...we look cold.

The grandson had used my black chalk tape to make the background black on card stock and used chalk to make the grass one day when he was bored at my house. Instead of throwing it out, I scanned it in and had been on my computer for a bit. I decided to do something with it, and this is what I came up with.

The original photo is below.


It's Pictorial Tuesday link up time, and You're Next. Thanks for sharing your photography and photo art. Hope you're having a fun week so far.




~hugs 'n giggles 'n scribbles~

Peabea




Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Pictorial Tuesday 7 11

These are from a walk I took at a local preserve a few years back









My Sister who took the walk with me
Already, we're into the 2nd week of July. Seems like May just started and here we are in July already. Summer is flying by, and hope everyone is having an enjoyable one.

Thanks for popping by and sharing your Pictorial Art or Photography. You're Next for linking:




~hugs 'n giggles 'n scribbles~

Peabea




I've been playing with scallops and borders this week. Sharing a border with you. You can download it HERE Hope you like it. It's a .png file so you should be able to resize, rotate, and use however you like.


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Sunday, July 9, 2017

Sunday Scripture Blessings Link up 7 9


Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions...For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith----- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---- not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:4,8-9 NIV



How amazingly simple and wonderful that we are saved just because God loved us enough to send his Son for us....no amount of work is needed to prove that we are worthy. We are worthy because God deems us worthy of his loving grace through our faith. Amen

You're next if you would like to share a Scripture Blessing. Please try to visit at least another visitor's blog who links if you can....and give a virtual handshake hello. :)



God's blessings on this Sunday,

Peabea

NOTE: I won't be posting a Sunday Scripture Blessing for next Sunday as hubby and I will be out of town for our daughter's wedding, and will also be having a house full prior to leaving so I'm pretty sure I won't have much computer time to get it done. Thanks and blessings for visiting today. :)


Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Pictorial Tuesday 7 4

Without little ones, I'm not sure I'd enjoy the fun of the 4th of July as much. Their excitement makes it all worthwhile.
We no longer have our place at the lake, but for 18 years, we were lucky enough to watch the fireworks from our boat on the water. They never disappointed., but as always when we celebrate the Independence Holiday, my thoughts always turn to those who are fighting for my right to relax and enjoy this holiday. I always get sad for those who are on foreign lands and away from their families. God Bless all those who serve and have served since the beginning of America. I pray that my children, grandchildren, and generations to come have the same comfort level that I experience. It is a fun holiday, but it is also one that always gives me a heavy heart thinking of those who have given so much. They are true heroes.


That freedom allows the little ones to experience the Sparkler Fun. God Bless the USA.




Happy 4th of July America and God Bless the USA.

Re-sharing some photo/graphics this from July 4th a couple of years ago as we haven't gone to the fireworks for the past couple of years.

You're next for sharing in Pictorial Tuesday :)



Peabea

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Sunday, July 2, 2017

Sunday Scripture Blessings 7 2



Thanks to all who can share a Scripture Blessing. You're Next:



~hugs 'n scribbles 'n blessings~

Peabea


Happy 4th of July

For those celebrating the July 4th holiday, prayers for safety and lots of good food and fun. I, for one, cannot believe that it is July already. Seems June flew by while I wasn't paying attention.

Please feel free to take this graphic that I created. Enjoy!! You will find the download link below. :)




You can download it HERE without my Logo


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Scripture and a Snapshot
Spiritual Sundays
Journal Through The Bible
Sunday Thoughts Link Up