Janet Sketchley's Blog: Tenacity, page 88
December 8, 2014
Review: Snowflake Tiara, by Angela Breidenbach and Valerie Comer
Snowflake Tiara, by Angela Breidenbach and Valerie Comer (Gems of Wisdom, 2014)
Two heart-warming novellas, linked through time: one historical, one contemporary. In 1889, Montana is granted statehood, and debutante Calista Blythe enters the inaugural Snowflake Pageant because the prize money ($100) would allow her to buy the freedom of a 6-year-old indentured servant she’s rescued from an abusive situation. But what if the handsome event organizer discovers Calista is illegally harbouring a r...
December 5, 2014
On Joy and Interruptions
How did I lose the joy of Christmas?
It would be easy to blame the commercialism and hype. The music that starts too early in the stores. The trees that pop up, fully decorated, after Halloween – not even pausing for Remembrance Day.
Or the details, oh, the details. What to buy? Make a list. Be sure everyone gets enough – enough stuff they don’t have room or need for. Cringe when the bills come in.
Beneath it all, the dread – what if I can’t find the perfect gift for each loved one? They like mo...
December 3, 2014
Devoted to Prayer
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2, NLT*
If we devote ourselves to prayer, it will become an essential part of our daily lives. We’ll find a quiet time to be alone with the Lord to worship, to listen and to speak. We’ll also carry the attitude of prayer with us through the day.
With a mindset of prayer, trouble won’t be something to fight, to complain or fret about. We can lift every struggle to God, as often as needed. Good things won’t be source...
December 1, 2014
Review: Fatal Exchange, by Lisa Harris
Fatal Exchange, by Lisa Harris (Revell, 2014)
Emily Hunt’s father is a retired police captain. Her sister’s a detective. Her brother was on the force and died in the line of duty. Emily has chosen a quieter way to make a difference: she’s a teacher.
Fatal Exchange is her worst nightmare. A trusted student takes Emily’s high school class hostage, demanding two million dollars in ransom. How can she talk Rafael down, and keep the others calm?
For undercover cop Mason Taylor, it’s personal. He’s me...
November 28, 2014
On Perseverance and Writing
The ideas! The words! Sometimes writing is so exciting (pardon the rhyme) and the thoughts come so fast it’s hard to keep up.
Othertimes it’s hard work. A mountain of work. Work tainted by despair: will anyone want to read it? Most writers serve a very long “apprenticeship” learning the craft, discovering their niche and finding a way to get their words “out there” in terms of paid publication.
It gets discouraging. We start to wonder if we’re wasting our lives. I had the privilege of guest pos...
November 26, 2014
Growing and Building
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT*
If we truly accept Jesus as Lord and Messiah (Christ), it’s more than a head thing. By definition, Lord is someone in authority. And Messiah is our Saviour, rescuing us from the destructive power of sin.
That mak...
November 24, 2014
Review: The Patmos Deception, by Davis Bunn
The Patmos Deception, by Davis Bunn (Bethany House, 2014)
Priceless antiquities are disappearing, with no official acknowledgement of the crimes… because people in positions of power are involved in the scheme. At least that’s what journalist Nick Hennessy’s UN contact believes. Nick teams up with forensic archaeologist Carey Mathers to find the truth.
On the other side of the law, Patmos tour-boat operator Dimitri Rubinos finds himself forced to do as his ancestors have done in previous times...
November 21, 2014
Rest or Rush? 4 Links that Resonated with Me
photo credit: Janet Sketchley
It’s been a while since I’ve posted links to things I’ve read online that have encouraged or resonated with me. Apparently, there’s a name for this sort of post: curated content. I just call it passing on material that I think you might like.
I collected these links a year ago but didn’t do anything with them. It was good for me to go back and re-read these blog posts, because resting and rushing are timeless topics.
Here goes:
Ginny Jaques unpacks “four elements of...
November 19, 2014
Staying True
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Philippians 4:1, NLT*
I was reading this verse, and praying for my family, that God would draw each one “truer” to Himself and keep us true to Him. Staying true to an invisible God is hard, if we let our personal time with Him slip. Life and busyness have a way of eroding that time, and without a vibrant, intimate connection with G...
November 17, 2014
Review: Consider the Sunflowers, by Elma Schemenauer
Consider the Sunflowers, by Elma Schemenauer (Borealis Press, 2014)
In 1940s Saskatchewan, Tina Janz schemes to win the man who fascinates her, instead of the rich-but-boring man who impresses her Mennonite parents. Tina and Frank marry for love—or at least fascination—but it’s a rocky trail. They each have insecurities, attitudes and suspicions, and Tina is keeping a secret that may come back to hurt them both.
Consider the Sunflowers is a skillfully crafted literary novel that opens a window...
