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Saturday, February 8, 2020

The Dangers of Making Assumptions


   by Pearl Nsiah-Kumi 

An assumption is defined as the acceptance that something is true, or is certain to happen, without proof. Needless to say, it’s risky when we assume and present false information as truth, based on what we think or feel. We need to be certain about the information we choose to believe and share, by first verifying our facts, and then being patient–not rushing to accuse, judge, or condemn people.

What is at risk if our assumptions turn out to be wrong? When we make assumptions, we falsely accuse others, which can destroy their reputations, even if only temporarily, jeopardizing our own in the process. In fact, if what we say turns out to be false, whatever we say in the future could be taken with a grain of salt.  

Click to Tweet: So, before we jump to conclusions and accuse others, let’s research our facts and have proof, and even then be very unhurried to speak.

The Bible teaches this lesson in the story of Job, who was described this way: “blameless, a man of complete integrity, feared God, and stayed away from evil” (see Job 1:1). 

If you are familiar with this story, you’ll remember that the devil was permitted to bring misfortune into Job’s life, to prove Job’s loyalty to God. He lost his ten children, property, and health; and, needless to say, he was heart-broken and in anguish. He tried to figure out why God would cause him such distress. As far as he knew, he had done nothing wrong to warrant that kind of punishment. Even his wife did not console him. She said to him: “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9 NLT). Wow!



Job’s three friends, who knew nothing about the conversation that took place between God and the devil prior to Job’s troubles, chided him (see Job 4:3-6), and then jumped to conclude that Job’s suffering was the result of sin in his life. “Stop and think!” Eliphaz, the first friend, said, “Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed? My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same. A breath of God destroys them” (Job 4:7-9 NLT). Sadly, his conclusion was partially based on his personal experience. If we are honest, we’ll admit that we all do occasionally jump to conclusions about issues we know nothing, or very little, about. God help us.

Job’s second friend Bildad’s assessment of the situation was this: “Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved. But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home” (Job 8:4-6 NLT). “WELL DESERVED.” Really? Talk about jumping to conclusions. 

As Bildad continued to ramble on, he said, “The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. … The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine, its branches spreading across the garden… But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked” (Job 8:13-20 NLT). Unbelievable. This was like adding insult to injury.

Zophar, friend number three, finally chimed in. “Listen. God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!” Then he adds, “Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence” (Job 11:6 and 14 NLT). Such boldness.

Elihu, another character, younger than Job and his three friends, finally responded. He rebuked all four men. He was angry with Job for insisting he was innocent, instead of admitting wrongdoing, and admitting God was just in punishing him. He was angry with the three friends for making God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 

Elihu’s assessment of the situation, however, was just as bad. One of his many accusations was: “Be on guard. Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil” (36:21). 

When Job tried to defend himself, these friends would have none of it; they were 100% sure Job’s troubles were the result of his sin. These were friends who had come to comfort one of their own. No wonder Job referred to them as “miserable comforters” (see Job 16:2). He told them, “If it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief” (Job 16:5 NLT); “Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy on me” (19:21 NLT).



God finally entered the conversation and challenged Job: “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer me” (38:3). Then He rebuked Eliphaz: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me as my servant Job has … My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve” (42:7-8 NLT).

Let’s not jump to conclusions! If we choose to offer our opinion, it should be clear to our listeners that it’s strictly an opinion and not necessarily facts. These four men really hurt Job with their ignorant statements, and by so doing displeased God. Let’s be careful, quick to hear, but slow to speak!


♱♱♱♱♱


Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Book Review of Seventh Dimension - The Howling by Author/Book Reviewer Carol A. Brown - Time Travel, Christian fiction, and More



Book Six in the Seventh Dimension Series


THE HOWLING is the final book in the six-book series, The Seventh Dimension. The title did not give me a clue as to the storyline—but oh my! The story just takes off and takes you with it. Time travel, Christian fiction, romantic fiction, sci-fi, action, and fantasy…Roberts almost cuts a new genre as she seamlessly combines them all! Regardless of where your theology places you on the spectrum of when the rapture and subsequent events will occur, THE HOWLING is a most compelling depiction of the “end times.”

I connected with Daniel Sperling, the very relatable main character. The story is told from his point of view. Roberts' characters are very effective. Well drawn and likable, or not likable as the case may be! The writing is clean and fluid, the vocabulary is appropriate and the storyline well-plotted. I appreciated the lack of swearing or gratuitous violence. There were no “ho-hum” parts where you want to put the book down. The reader is not allowed to lose interest!

I’m not giving any spoiler alerts—this is a “must-read” book! It will make you think about events in ways you may not have thought before.

I have already recommended this book!


Carol Brown 

Only 99¢ for a limited time.






Monday, January 6, 2020

The Vikings of Loch Morar (The Creation Seekers Book 2) by William D. Burt

Book 2 in the "CREATION SEEKERS" series authored by William D. Burt.

Published by: CREATION WAY BOOKS (an imprint of KOT BOOKS, LLC). 

March, 2019. (Softcover; 250 pages. Illustrated by Becky Miller.)

Jonathan Oliver is chasing down an intruder on Lake Oswego’s Iron Mountain when he discovers some long-buried artifacts. One of these relics sparks a remarkable spinoff from the Oliver family’s anti-gravity inventions. 

Together, Jon and his father incorporate their breakthrough into a revolutionary submersible design. At the invitation of Dr. Graham MacKenzie, the Gyrosensors team travels to one of Scotland’s wildest and remotest regions—and its deepest lake—to develop their secret prototype. 

While staying at Dr. MacKenzie’s Christian retreat center, they meet a pretty but mysterious Frenchwoman. 

Across the loch, the reclusive caretaker of a Victorian-era hunting lodge is hiding staggering secrets of his own. During the prototype's construction and sea trials, Jon and his family confront enemies on land, in the air, and under the water. In the end, Jon rekindles a long-lost love and uncovers an ancient, holy treasure-hoard.





BUY LINKS:

AUTHOR’S WEBSITE (AUTOGRAPHED COPIES):  Click Here

AMAZON (PAPERBACK): Click Here

AMAZON (KINDLE): Click Here


Amazon Review

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019




Monday, December 16, 2019

Please Help "The Howing" to Stay in the Running for Best Book Cover At All Author



UPDATE:  I MADE IT TO THE THIRD ROUND
To continue in the best book cover contest at All Author, I need to be in the top 24, and I'm at number 28 right now. That means without your help, I won't be able to continue. I have six days to get there.   

The main reason I want to make it to the next round is my book is a Christian book, and anytime we can promote our Lord Jesus Christ to a secular reading audience, we should do everything in our power to be a witness to the unsaved.   

I am asking those who love Christ to help me keep going. Perhaps someone who is not a Christian will see my book cover and be led to purchase it. I lowered the price to 99c on Amazon as long as I'm in the running. That means for every book sold I make 33c on Amazon, so this isn't about money. It's about spreading the love of Jesus Christ to secular readers. 

I truly believe the Lord's return is imminent. The Howling is the final book in the Seventh Dimension Series and is about the end days. 

Many people will never pick up a Bible, but if they are hooked in the first chapter of a book, they will usually keep reading. 

Getting people to pick up a book by an unknown author requires a book cover that intrigues them. If you think my book cover is "awesome," please vote. It only takes a second. 


You can do "open voting" by signing in with your Facebook account. Someone told me All Author asks for your birthday, and that's to make sure people only vote ONCE in each round. 
Round three just opened yesterday, and so if you are wondering if you have voted in round three, if you haven't voted in the last twenty-four hours, you haven't. 

Again, thanks for your help. To have a realistic chance of winning, I need about two hundred votes. 

 


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Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Sassy Pants Learns to Take Responsibility - Book 4 in the Sassy Pants Series - Just in Time for Christmas, by Carol a. Brown



Learning to take responsibility for choices and actions is a tough thing to learn. It is also developmentally foundational—a life skill! Sassy Pants Learns to take responsibility; she models and reinforces this essential lesson in delightfully funny ways. She takes on tasks she not sure she can handle and forgets what she knows…and then remembers when Mom gives her “the look.” Excellent addition for early readers: children, grandchildren, or your local library. Children and adults alike enjoy Sassy Pants capers! Join Sassy Pants as she learns, in a humorous way, that what seems to be a small thing can quickly grow beyond what we could imagine!









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“Look Inside”
SORRY MAMA


Soon, Sassy Pants was walking back and forth in front of the pig barn. Her tummy felt like it was tied in a knot. It was still early in the morning. Birds were singing but the butterflies and big buzzy black flies weren’t awake, yet. Except she hardly noticed any of that. Instead, she was thinking about what she had to do.



Last year, there was a bumper crop of piggies—too many for her mama to take care of—so Sassy Pants was sent to live in the big house, where Farmer White's children could take care of her. She loved living there so much she began to think she was a people, not a pig. When she finally grew big enough to go back to the pigpen, she did not want to go. She felt like she didn't belong there. So, whenever she saw a chance to escape, she took it. And every time she escaped she would get into lots of trouble.

On the days when she couldn't escape, she would make lots of trouble in the pigpen. In fact, she became the barnyard bully! She was sassy, too, but she didn't care. Not even a bit. Which is why Farmer White had to teach her a lesson the hard way. After that, she didn't make trouble anymore. Not for anyone. Oh, she made some mistakes once in a while, but that isn't the same thing.

After Sassy Pants learned her hard lesson, she was a transformed pig. A good pig. Except by that time there wasn't anyone left on the farm who wanted to be her friend. Not even one. 



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Carol A. Brown

“I began telling stories when I had enough brothers to make an audience!” (Carol has four brothers and one sister!) She and her husband reside in Juneau, Alaska. They have two daughters on the west coast and five grandchildren. Carol was raised in a farming community in Iowa. She enjoys reading, nature and music, playing the piano, knitting, crocheting, painting and telling stories! As a retired educator, “I dedicate myself to knitting sweaters and spinning yarns!”