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It’s My Opinion That

September 22, 2023 By Annette1 14 Comments

When I saw the word prompt of opinion I thought, boy, this one will write itself and I was right! Too many interesting opinions have presented themselves to me over this past week. These opinions often started with the phrase “it’s my opinion that”. As a moderator of a forum sometimes that means I have to step in and say “provide facts to support that interesting supposition”. It means when talking with others I can occasionally challenge ideas with some facts, or other suppositions that would fall within their ideology. And even less occasionally it means broadening conversations about the Lord with people that matter to me in one way or the other. Opinions are interesting things, and sometimes, just sometimes, they are worth challenging… just a bit. 🙂

It’s my opinion that

It’s my opinion that
the germ theory is false
that it doesn’t exist
because people can be
exposed to germs without
getting sick.
It’s my opinion
and scientists who believe
in it, and who teach others,
to believe in it are simply wrong!
And if you disagree with me
Why are you attacking me?

It’s my opinion that
people can change who they
are just be believing it
strongly enough.
I don’t like being female
and am happy when I act
like a boy, therefore,
I am a boy, and if you don’t
like it…
Why do you hate me?

It’s my opinion that
God isn’t real, that
he’s just a made up construct
to keep the masses happy.
What the bible can be
proven to be true?
Posh….It’s a lie and
you are just pulling at
false straws.
Why do you want to keep me captive?

It’s my opinion that
I can have whatever friends
I want and they won’t
influence my behaviour or
how I think about things.
I can stay true to myself
regardless of who I listen
to or the people that daily
fill my mind with thoughts
and ideas, even if some of them
make my heart shudder in a
not so good way.
Why do you say to guard my heart?

It’s my opinion that perhaps
I should pay attention to
those who just might
know better.
That I should present actual facts
to support my opinions.
That perhaps hatred is
not quite what I think it is.
The hole that I feel in my life
perhaps there’s a reason
it exists?
That older people saying to be
careful might know what
they are talking about?

Acts 1:6-11

September 20, 2023 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

So we’ve gotten past the introduction to Acts, and are now being reminded of the Ascension of Jesus. I find it interesting that both accounts, written by the same man, are somewhat different. We’ll see one account in Acts 1:6-11.

The question is, why are they somewhat different? Does it mean that Luke is lying or is he just emphasizing different things or what? Since the whole bible is the inspired word of God we know that he’s not lying. He’s just saying things differently.

For Instance

For instance I can say that recently we went camping up at North Bay for a while. Or I can be more specific and say recently we went camping and stayed at Restoule PP for one week starting on Aug 26. Same thing, but different right? One is more specific, the other more general. And when we read the bible we need to pay attention to what is written and not make assumptions.

We also need to realize that just because one account leaves out details doesn’t mean they haven’t happened. I don’t tell a story the same way every time I tell it. Sometimes you need to be brief and point out the most important bits and other times I have time to expand and share other important bits.

We find this account in Acts 1:6-11

⁶So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Also this account in shorter form in Luke 24

⁵⁰And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³and were continually in the temple blessing God.

It’s actually kinda neat seeing both of these passages together. Getting a bigger picture of the ascension. We see that the disciples didn’t mourn Jesus ascending into heaven. The two men in white clothes reminded them he’d be coming back. Wouldn’t that be something to joyful about? AND it reminded them to get on with what Jesus told them. Go to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes, just sometimes I wish I could go back in the day and watch events first hand right? To see their sorrow, and then their joy at those 40 days with Jesus spending time with them, and then their joy as they wait for Jesus’ promise of a helper to be fulfilled.

Looking more into Acts 1:6-11

^{When I see the disciples asking “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” I see that they are kinda getting it you know? They see that Christ has come to do a restorative work. Do they yet truly understand it? Not really I think, since they apply this restoration solely to Israel. They have yet to see the broader scope of Christ’s action.}

But see how Jesus answers them. “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Do you see how he doesn’t tell them “none of your business, that’s God’s deal. But instead says, it’s not for you to know this time that God has set in place. BUT you are going to receive power and then be my witnesses not only Jerusalem but beyond to the whole world. He expands their understanding while promising that there is more to come. That despite not knowing when this full restoration will occur, they have a task to do in the whole world, and a helper of power.

And then he ascends

After promising this gift of power and expanding their vision Christ ascends.

He’s lifted up. A cloud obscures him from their sight.

Then two men in white stand with them, reminding them that he will return. “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

I still have a hard time you know. To see Christ, someone they love, disappear. I can understand them gazing up. It’s not something that happens everyday you know? I’d stare for a while too. But I’d be sad. Cuz someone I loved has gone away!

Filled with joy

But Luke tells us this: ⁵²And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³and were continually in the temple blessing God.

They were happy! Actually joy is more than happiness you know? Joy has a depth to it that happiness lacks. Though that joy surprises me.

That joy begs some questions from me. Do you suppose it’s because those men in white told them Jesus would be coming back? Or do you think it’s that they saw their larger purpose and knew that somehow they would get the power to do it? Or perhaps it’s that they know that someday things will be restored?

What caused their great joy? I suppose it could be any and yet all of those ideas eh? Perhaps the presence of those men was enough to calm their spirits and set them to their purpose. Perhaps it was the worship of God that caused their great joy. I rather like that idea you know? But honestly, we can’t really tell exactly from the bible what caused their joy. Bible.org gives us some explanation for their joy. This article gave me food for thought.

A personal connection

Pondering the great joy of the disciples after Jesus’ ascension and all that it could possibly mean reminds me of the following:

Praising God produces joy. Have you ever noticed that when you pray praising God, or sing songs of worship meaningfully, that your joy in the Lord deepens?
Seeing ones purpose in the kingdom produces joy. Having purpose, particularly purpose that has eternal consequence is a joy producing thing.
Remembering the battle is already won produces joy. The battle is no longer ours to fuss over. God won the battle for us already, skirmishes are all that is left.
Remembering that one day Christ will return in a thing of joy. Hope for the future which makes the occasional blackness of the present bearable.

This all, this all is so good to hold on to you know?

High Five

September 13, 2023 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

Today we have another book that I recently finished an enjoyed so… here I am sharing it with you. 🙂 High Five is a murder mystery by Jane Evanovich. Reviewing just because I want to and yes, I’ll link to amazon so you can find it easily should you be so inclined.

This book showcases bounty hunter Stephanie Pluim and just takes in her life with her somewhat… unique family…and her love life (which doesn’t get overly personal), and the people that she interacts with in her daily life. Her family is odd…but what family isn’t a bit odd? They love each other dearly (at least her immediate family does) and at times have an interesting way of showing it. She’s a character who makes me laugh and sometimes… that’s just exactly what I need. 🙂

Talking about the Book

I can’t remember how long ago it was that I was introduced to the Stephanie Pluim series by Janet Evanovich. First you get a gal with all kinds of attitude and lots of get up and go but not a real financial whiz at all. Add in a quirky family and an interesting job as a bounty hunter… that often turns into a murder investigation… and you have a story that will intrigue and make you laugh.

High Five starts with Uncle Fred and a cancelled cheque. Shouldn’t be that hard to figure right? Well, before you know it, bodies are dropping in all sorts of unexpected places. The family gets involved and poor Stephanie has to deal with the fall-out.

Bad guys abound… and one bad guy really is a scary, mentally ill, sorta really bad. Didn’t much like him.

But the rest… just all murder mystery feel to it.

Recommendation

This is not the best Stephanie Pluim novel that I have read, but it made me laugh. Since I brought it to work with me… that laughter evoked conversations with co-workers, which made it all the better.

Is High Five worth reading? For sure. You’ll laugh, shake your head, and be glad that by the end, all the bad guys will have been stopped. And that my friend, is always a very good thing. 🙂

Arcane Ascension Series

January 25, 2023 By Annette1 2 Comments

I love listening to books on Audible… I have SO many books on there that I won’t have to buy any for a while. It’s a good thing that! Some books are well-worth listening to again!!! Anyways, last month I was intrigued by an Andrew Rowe book and thought I’d take a chance on a new series by him entitled the Arcane Ascension Series. His first in the series caused me to pick up the rest of the series.

This is a fantasy series that uses an interesting style of magic, and they have a religious belief system, which may or may not mean anything to different characters. Both play an integral role in how the story plays out. Good guys, bad guys, and some well… indifferent I’d suppose.

These books are the following:

Sufficiently Advanced Magic
On the Shoulders of Titans
The Torch the Ignites the Stars
The Silence of Unworthy Gods

Anyways, let’s move on so I can tell you a bit more eh?

The Basic Details

Title:

Sufficiently Advanced Magic
On the Shoulders of Titans
The Torch the Ignites the Stars
The Silence of Unworthy Gods

Author: Andrew Rowe
Formats: Kindle, Audio, Paperback
Pages: from 560-740 pages roughly
Publisher: all were independently published

About Author and Books

Andrew Rowe is a game designer who publishes his own work. He is most known for this series, Arcane Ascension. His books show his love for role playing games (LitRPG). I found it rather neat to learn that his love for fantasy was spurred by the same series I was! DragonLance by Weis and Hickman.

The Books: the life of Corin and his band of friends during their magic training at a boarding school. Since I’m listening and not reading… his friends are Sera, Patrick, Mara, Keras, and Derrick. Forgive me if I spell those names incorrectly. 🙂 The goal: Figure out their magic, fight the bad guys, figure out what the truth is, and survive!

Learning More

Four books, all listened to through the Audible app. I’m actually in the middle of book three as I write this review. I’m hoping to have finished all four books by the time this posts. 🙂 I’ll keep the review updated don’t worry! 🙂

The first two books cover their first year at school. Their teachers employ some interesting teaching decisions/methods and often feel like they don’t truly want to help their students. BUT since part of their magic and religious systems is figuring things out on their own, I guess it’s rather consistent with the overall worldview eh?

Listening to Corin’s conversations throughout these books I’m convinced that he’s a high functioning autistic kid. Other reviewers call him neurologically atypical. Doesn’t like touch, is particular about what he likes, and highly focused attention span. He’s very precise and highly focused on being honest whenever possible. It makes for an interesting character to be one of the main people in a story. I can easily understand why some folks might find him irritating. To me… all the repeated conversation (of not liking touch, of being particular etc.) fits the character to a “T”.

You’ll find the action overall to be fast-paced. There is always something happen, and if for some reason there isn’t something going on, Corin will be explaining something. 🙂 During those time periods, if I missed something in the conversation I didn’t worry about since usually… it will be repeated at some point down the road, or explained during an action scene. As I said, the narration is totally within the character for Corin.

My thoughts

I so enjoyed these books. I found the magic system an intriguing one where they actually had to earn how to use it, and then figure out how to build the strength to improve. The fact that there was some randomness in how their magic system worked added another layer of interest.

Heads up. The main character has same-gender attraction, but at where I am in the story dancing together is as far as it goes.

Andrew Rowe is at times a bit wordy, but it just helps to define the characters more or helps define how the magic or religious system works.

Overall… I liked all the books. There is a LOT of dialogue explaining what Corin was learning. It fits his personality. That is what you need to remember in the Arcane Ascension series… it is told from CORIN’s point of view and therefore needs to fit his neurodivergency.

I found it interesting as a person of faith, how Corin’s objections to the system of faith are quite similar to the objections people have to the Christian faith. The way people act about the “country’s faith” is just like people act in society along with how people divert from each other in their expression of faith.

All in all, should you read? Interesting characters, often playing out tests, learning to fight bigger tests and real life challenges. People to like and people to heartily dislike, a side to cheer for, and overall enough action to keep things moving forward. It’s a good read. (or in my case, a good listen). 🙂

Start with book one, see if you can tolerate Corin’s point of view, if so, you’ll like the rest of the series.

Blackout Book Club

December 31, 2022 By Annette1 2 Comments

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Blackout Book Club) through Nuts About Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated.

So it was kinda funny. I often take my review books to work and my co-workers would often raise their eyebrows at me when… I would cry out “NO NO NO!!! That can’t happen!!” Or I would start laughing at something Ginny would say or do. I often received comments that “Annette, you are too invested in that story!” I would just grin and say “A good story gets you invested!” I will heartily recommend The Blackout Book Club to you! Go out… READ IT! Laugh, think, read… and be inspired to read more!

The basic details of The Blackout Book Club

Title: The Blackout Book Club
Author: Amy Lynn Green
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 384
Genre: historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, WW2 historical fiction,
Intended Audience: Adult, young adult,
Additions: book club questions
Reviewed for: Nuts About Books
Formats available: Kindle, Audio, Hardcover, Softcover
Received: Softcover

Author: Amy Lynn Green

Amy Lynn Green is the author of several historical fiction novels. I also reviewed her novel The Lines Between Us. She does an excellent job of bringing history to life within the lives of people. She’s worked as a publisher, teaches at writing conferences, and generally just loves to write and read. On her website you can learn the history behind The Blackout Book Club.

About The Blackout Book Club

1942, Avis’s brother heads off to war, she takes up his position as librarian in small-town Maine. How can she help the town and her library? Answer: Start a book club! Complete with minutes, stories, secrets, and more. Discover the battle against U-boats, Wartime solutions, and see history come to life.

Digging Deeper!

You will love the characters in Ms. Green’s latest novel. Ginny made me howl with laughter, Avis tried so hard and became something more. Louise, took her time to grow on my heart, and my heart ached for Martina and her secrets. You’ll meet new characters like Freddy, Patrick, Russell, Gio, Oliver, Rosa and many more. Some you will love and others, well, your thoughts will be less tender toward. 🙂 ALL will broaden your understanding of USA history and WW2.

Each chapter is written by a different main character. Through these chapters we witness different parts of history and catch glimpses into the secrets of each person. Some secrets are hard and are held close, but through friendship…. wow… it’s amazing what good friends help each other do.

Minutes are taken for the Blackout Book Club. Mostly written by Avis, and occasionally by other members. It was rather fun reading the minutes!

Letters to friends are written, hardship and loss experienced, the realities of war lived out. You’ll find the writing clear and inviting to read. Nothing complicated, just a friendly story of people learning and becoming more among the stress of war.

Should you read it?

Oh Please YES!!! Add it to your bookshelves, loan it out to your friends, and enjoy a good read. Don’t expect yourself to fall in love with all the characters with The Blackout Book Club, and there is a chance you won’t love some of the characters I did. But expect to laugh, expect to hold your breathe in anticipation, and expect to learn more of USA history during WW2. It’s a good thing that!

As much as this is called Christian historical fiction I didn’t see faith playing a real role. Did some of the characters possess faith in God? For sure, but you can find that in any book. To me it’s just a well-written story about a small USA town dealing with the effects of WW2.

Have your highschool students read it as they learn more about some of the things the USA did to help in the battle of WW2. More was done then simply sending soldiers off to fight in the war. And seeing history lived out is fantastic. When they are done, they could pick just one aspect and dig into it deeper too! (if that’s what you want from them). Your choice right? 🙂

Roots Laid Down

September 2, 2022 By Annette1 22 Comments

So, it’s been a long, rather tiring day. I worked hard at my job today with lots of product to move, and I had a dog to walk before and after work as well. A neighbour is away for a short holiday, so I’m helping him out with Boone. Such a NICE dog. 🙂 Anyways, I sit here and ponder (while resting my aching feet) the word ROOT. A word prompt provided by Miss Kate. And I come up with roots laid down.

AND OOPS, I fell asleep! So starting again this morning Friday. Looking out my window at a sunshiny day with a light breeze.

Roots Laid Down

Sunshine, Lollipops and rainbows…
I don’t know why
when I think of root
this pops into my brain
running through my dreams
as I slept the night
away, awoken only by the
sudden closing of a door as
my lad heads off to work
at 6 a.m.

I fret over my boy
it seems all the day long.
I don’t mean to,
and I don’t want to,
but it’s a constant thing
in my head.
About how he doesn’t
know for a certainty
that the bible is true
and that God is real
just because some stupid
website told him so.

It’s like he’d rather
believe someone with a
vested interest against God
than believe what he was
taught growing up.

And yet, God,
yes God… keeps saying
that he minds me full well
that he understands my fretting.
And yet, he calls for me
to trust him.
To understand that
he is not finished with my lad.

So can I just trust him?
Can I believe that the
roots laid down for my lad
will have their say in the end?
Can I believe the words
he has written?
About how you train up
a child in the way
they should go…
how that training doesn’t
leave them?

Can I trust him?
Will I let my heart
Stop fretting so?
Will I choose to
follow the roots
laid down for me?

Today I say yes,
Yes, Lord. You the
one who bore the result
of ALL the sin of the
world laid down.
Yes, today I will choose to
honour that and I
Will CHOOSE this day
to trust you.

Will I have to make
that same choice tomorrow?
Most definitely.
It will be a work
in progress to
continually make that
choice. To
honour sacrifice,
to live by what has been
planted in my over
my now 57 years.

What choices will
you make this day?
what roots have been laid
down in your life?

And So God Speaks

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)

⁶And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.⁸You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Job 14: 14-17 (ESV)

If a man dies, shall he live again?
    All the days of my service I would wait,
    till my renewal should come.
¹⁵You would call, and I would answer you;
    you would long for the work of your hands.
¹⁶For then you would number my steps;
    you would not keep watch over my sin;
¹⁷my transgression would be sealed up in a bag,
    and you would cover over my iniquity.

Black Boy, Black Boy

July 30, 2022 By Annette1 4 Comments

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Black Boy, Black Boy) through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated.

Young children can be inspired with a short walk through history in Black Boy, Black Boy. Told to a child, with children in mind, find yourself inspired and encouraged to move into your future confidently! A nice story for children, particularly black children, giving them black historical figures to look up to.

A general overview

Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond collaborated to produce a 40 page black history book to encourage young readers. Children 3-7 years old will delight in rhyming couplets as they consider men of history and are encouraged to look forward to their futures. Illustrated by Ken Daley with bright colours and a winding trail. Sourcebooks published.

I am reviewing an ARC on behalf of Raincoast Books.

Looking Deeper into Black Boy

Some books lend themselves well to Black History month, Black Boy is one of them. Giving us glimpses into the lives of 9 black people from history. We will delve into the lives of poets, athletes, musicians, aviators and more. A couple of the people mentioned are Chinua Achebe and Elijah McCoy.

Don’t you just love the bright colours that fill the page? From the multi-coloured trail that winds it’s way through the history of these men through the brilliant images depicting their impact on history.

rhyming verse connects the young black boy to these various men of history. For instance “show me the style of your favorite dance, Just like Arthur Mitchell look at my stance.”

A brief write up is included about each individual at the close of this picture book. Just three to four sentences for each notable individual. Things like their birth/death, what they did, and any notables.

Grab it up to read?

If you are working through a unit study of black people from history, this book will give you an easy list to start with. 🙂 Even though it is by no means in-depth, sometimes all you need is a starter book to encourage you in your studies. A good book to springboard from!

Even if you aren’t looking for black history, but just want a book to encourage your children to look to history for inspiration. Black boy, Black Boy does an excellent job of connecting young male readers to history. Do they like to dance? Here’s a dancer. Do they like to read… here’s an author. In the end, the reader is encouraged to leap into action.

To learn more about black history month and other African-American themed books I’ve read, please do check out my link.

A shorter review can be found on goodreads.

Uncategorized

It’s My Opinion That

It’s my opinion that