Janet Sketchley's Blog: Tenacity, page 56
January 27, 2017
The Grass is Always Greener—or is It? (Guest Post)
I had an epiphany recently.
I would have said, by and large, I was content—happy even. But then I took a closer look at my dreams and aspirations.
Work Life
I serve as church administrator. The hours are good. I have every Friday off. I enjoy interacting with the other staff members and those who call or pop into the office.
But part of me would enjoy earning enough money from writing that I wouldn’t need to work outside the home. Od...
January 23, 2017
Review: Grace for the Good Girl, by Emily P. Freeman
Grace for the Good Girl, by Emily P. Freeman (Revell, 2011)
This is a book for all the women whose honest desire to be good sets up impossible expectations and leads to hiding behind facades and fearing to be found out. Anxiety grows, and we struggle in our own strength instead of learning to rely on God. Hence the subtitle: “Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life.”
The author says, “Somewhere along the way, I got the message that salvation is by faith alone but anything after that is faith plus my...
January 16, 2017
Review: Go, Ivy, Go! by Lorena McCourtney
Go, Ivy, Go!, by Lorena McCourtney (Rogue Ridge Press, 2015)
Ivy Malone has been on the run from the Braxton family for years, but they haven’t tried to kill her recently. Maybe it’s safe to go home. Her boyfriend disagrees, but once Ivy gets an idea in her head, there’s no stopping her.
If you’re not familiar with Ivy, she’s a self-described “LOL” (little old lady). In the first book in the series, aptly titled Invisible, Ivy discovered that most people don’t notice elderly people – which ca...
January 9, 2017
New Releases in Christian Fiction (January 2017)
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley by Valerie Comer, Mary Jane Hathaway, Elizabeth Maddrey, Danica Favorite, Lee Tobin McClain and Annalisa Daughety — Is love possible for a makeshift mom and a handsome widower? What about a bed and breakfast owner and the farmer next door? A curvy jilted bride and...
January 2, 2017
Picks from 2016
Goodreads tells me I’ve read103 books in 2016. And that’s not counting Bible reading. Hereare the books (and music) that I’ve most enjoyed this year. Some were produced in 2016, some previously. Pop a note into the comments with your own favourites?
My top picks from 2016:
Christian living:The Menopause Guide, by Danna Demetre, RN.
Contemporary novel:The Things We Knew, by Catherine West.
Favourites revisited: Ice Station Zebra, by Alistair MacLean, and the Blackcollar series:Blackcollar, The...
December 30, 2016
My Theme for 2017: Less (Guest Post)
Having read Kevin DeYoung’s newest book, Crazy Busy, I came face to face with what I already knew: I spend far too much time doing things that don’t actually propel me toward my goals.
My word of the year for 2016 was more, as in more time spent writing and editing, more time spent in prayer and Bible study, more time seeking the Lord with my hubby and our daughter. My lack of success in these areas could be because I wasn’t focussed on the flipsi...
December 23, 2016
Christmas Blessings
(With thanks to the fine folks at picmonkey.com who make graphics fun!)
December 21, 2016
Residual Strongholds
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power.
Acts 8:18, NLT*
Simon had been a magician and a man of great influence before Philip showed up and began teaching about Jesus and doing miracles. Along with many others, “Simon himself believed and was baptized” (Acts 8:13, NLT).
Old ways of life die hard, and his request here shows that he still doesn’t understand the power of God. Peter’s stern response points ou...
December 19, 2016
Review: The Christmas Angel Project, by Melody Carlson
The Christmas Angel Project, by Melody Carlson (Revell, 2016)
Abby Wentworth is the leader of a local book club, but more than that, she’s a significant influence in each member’s life. When she dies just after Thanksgiving, her four friends are devastated. They meet one last time and discover Abby has left them each a hand-made angel ornament.
What if each of them could follow Abby’s example of helping others? Could they overlook their own grief and make a difference?
The Christmas Angel Pro...
December 16, 2016
40% Sale: Secrets and Lies
Flash Sale! 40% off Secrets and Lies for Kobo Dec 15-19. Use promo code 40DEC at checkout.
Shop here: Secrets and Lies.
