Stacking the Shelves - Weekly Roundup for Aug 1 to 6

Stacking the virtual shelves with cozies this past week.

Grabbed three new cozy mysteries this week - the first 2 listed from among over 60 freebies via an August Bookfunnel Promo. Check it out - "Free Cozy Mystery Books." 

• Bed & Breakfast & Burglary by Sally Bayless
• And Then There Were Bones by Adriana Licio
• Arson and Americanos by Justine Maxwell

I could have downloaded a dozen more that interested me, but then I'd also be signing up for the author's newsletters. Which isn't a bad thing...I'm just on a lot of newsletter lists right now! Are you?

What's your approach when getting free ebooks and getting on an author's mailing list - do you feel you should keep getting their newsletter for awhile or do you quit right away?

I usually give the newsletter about a month and if it stays interesting, I keep it. Otherwise, I unsubscribe without comment. I just hate it when people unsubscribe from my newsletter! lol 

The third ebook I grabbed for free was Arson and Americanos and I found it by exploring Maxwell's 2nd book in the series, Murder and Macchiatos. Amazon's "Look Inside" feature revealed this line in the front matter: "To read a free novella showing how Hazel got started with her mobile coffee business, click here!" Which led to her Bookfunnel landing page. Another newsletter, but that's okay!

Looks like I've got some reading to do this next week - plus some newsletters to catch up on!

As for my current #AMREADING entry, I'm half way through a paperback by Colin Dexter, the creator of Inspector Morse. In fact, this is the first Inspector Morse mystery, Last Bus to Woodstock. 

The novel Morse is a slightly different character than who we got to know on PBS, and quite a lot different than Endeavor (our younger Morse, also on PBS). But maybe it's the first novel jitters. ;-)

Very much enjoying the mystery, though. It's a slow burn so not a lot of action yet. Not gruesome, the murder occured off the page. And Sargent Lewis is very likeable. 

Last Bus was first published in 1975, and I like the omniscient story telling that took place back in that era. People call it head hopping today, but when done well it really helps move the story along and provides interesting insight into the characters actions and motives.

So that's it for me this week. Be sure to visit the following book bloggers and add your links if you want to participate in the weekly blog hops. Comment below and let me know what's on your shelf!

• Sunday Post
• The Sunday Salon
• Stacking the Shelves

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Hello! I'm Lyn Perry, a spec-fic writer living in Puerto Rico. I'm a former pastor and current husband, father, coffee drinker, and cat-wrangler. My wife and I are semi-retired and enjoying life on the beach where I get to write full time. It's crazy.

I'm currently working on my own series of cozy mysteries featuring Ma Tutt who owns a bakery in Sugar Pine Station. Her mysterious feline friend, Mack the Magical Cat, lends a helping paw as her strange recipes get her in and out of trouble!

This series, which started wtih Ma Tutt's Donut Hut, continues with Book 2, Ma Tutt's Secret Spice, available for pre-order now, arriving Sept 1, 2022. Are you a cozy reviewer? Are you interested in an ARC? Contact me and let me know. I would love a few reviews when Secret Spice hits the online stores in a few weeks! 

Email me at lyngperry at yahoo dot com. You can also find me almost anywhere online, so check out my various Linktree Locations and say hello!

Super Bowl Party

Went to some friends to watch the super bowl - our 25th year doing this, maybe 26. It's been a fun get-together with mostly the same folks all this time, though some friends have passed away.

We eat and fellowship and talk and just enjoy the evening. Some of us cheer and I guess some team won at the end of the game. National anthem was pretty good, I think, though she was off key at the beginning trying to find her voice in that huge stadium. Overall, a wonderful night.

Matthew's Story - Show Me the Money

Matthew's Story by Lyndon Perry

Chapter 1 – Show Me the Money

One sunny morning in the region of Galilee…

Matthew: Hey, hey. Hold up, there. You have to pay your obol to enter Capernaum.

Visitor: What’s an obol?

Matthew: A sixth of a drachma, of course. You must not be from around here. Entry tax, my friend. Entry tax.

Visitor: What’s going on today, some special holiday? Seems pretty busy.

Matthew: No, there’s no festival that I know of. Oh, you mean the crowd down by the lake? Yeah, the man sure has a following. He’s pretty hard to miss.

Visitor: Some entertainer?

Matthew: A teacher. I’ve seen him around, heard him tell a few stories. Likeable guy. Folks just seem to flock to him.

Visitor: How do you mean?

Matthew: Well, if he’s out teaching by the Sea of Galilee, crowds show up. When he’s at Synagogue, the place is packed. Visiting one of his friends at home? Standing room only.

Visitor: Wonder what his appeal is.

Matthew: I’ll tell you. People around here are pretty convinced. The word is, he’s God’s agent. Know what I mean?

Visitor: Nope.

Matthew: You don’t? We might be talking about the Messiah here. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of Jesus! Oh my, first an obol, now this. He’s headline news, friend. You’re certainly a strange one.

Visitor: Sorry.

Matthew: Anyway, a lot of people knew who Jesus was even before he started teaching. Worked as a carpenter and craftsman around the area. Born and raised near here, in Nazareth.

Visitor: Can anything good come from Nazareth?

Matthew: I know, right? By the way, what’s your name?

Visitor: Jordan.

Matthew: Like the river? Very cool. I’m Levi. Tax collector. Now, you gonna pay that obol or what?

Later that day...

Matthew: Hey, good to see you again, friend. Jordan, right? You get settled someplace in town?

Jordan: Yeah, I’ve decided to spend a few days here. Take a look around, maybe go fishing.

Matthew: Very nice, but If I’d known you were staying, I could have recommended an inn. I’ve got some pretty good connections.

Jordan: That’s okay. But I am a little curious about this man, Jesus. Everyone seems to be talking about him.

Matthew: You got that right. And you won’t believe what happened to me after you left. When Jesus finished teaching down by the lake, he came this way. You just missed him!

Jordan: That’s disappointing. Tell me what happened.

Matthew: I was right over there in my booth, busy collecting tolls, when he joined the line. He waited until it was his turn, and when I said, “Next,” he looked me in the eye and said, “Follow me.”

Jordan: What? Like, leave your booth and take off after him?

Matthew: Exactly! I did one of those ‘who me?’ moves and shot a glance behind me, but nope, I was his audience.

Jordan: That’s pretty wild.

Matthew: You’re telling me. I asked Jesus, “You sure about that?” You know, me being a tax collector and all.

Jordan: I’m not following.

Matthew: What? You don’t know about tax collectors? Well, let me educate you.

Jordan: Educate me.

Matthew: We’re despised by Romans because we’re Jews. And we’re despised by our fellow Jews because we work for the Romans collecting money. Get it?

Jordan: Ah, a collaborator! A traitor to your people. Scum of the earth. A sinner.

Matthew: Hey now! Watch your language. Anyway, Jesus waved me out of my chair. Said, “I’ve not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jordan: See there?

Matthew: I won’t deny it. So I left my booth. Just like that! I’m one of his followers now.

Jordan: Wow! That’s incredible. Why aren’t you with Jesus, then?

Matthew: I’m throwing a party tonight in his honor and I’m off to invite a few friends over. I’m going to introduce all of them. Hey! Why don’t you swing by tonight?

Jordan: Are you serious? I can go to your party and maybe meet this Jesus?

Matthew: Sure you can! You’d be welcome, I know it. There’s always room for one more sinner!

<><

You just read the first chapter of my story about Matthew, a disciple of Jesus. The rest of the story can be found in our free app called Faith Journeys. Once you download the app (free from Apple Store and Google Play), you can read Matthew for free as well as the story of Adam for free. Other stories are available for purchase (cheap!) and there are no advertisements! I invite you to check it out. Artwork is by Jacbo Aybara. We're excited about this new project. Please spread the word! Thanks!

~*~

"Tip a buck, get a book."

(via PayPal.Me - an e-book from Tule Fog Press.) 

This blog is reader supported. Thank you for your support!

In God's GRIP - An E-mail Bible Study

I’m in an e-mail small group bible study. You wouldn’t think it would work, but it does.

For us church types, a small group implies fellowship, refreshments, discussion of scripture, and prayer. All that’s missing from the e-mail group I’m a part of is the coffee and donuts. It’s pretty neat.

The ministry is called In His GRIP. If you look at the graphic, you’ll see it stands for God’s Word, Reveal, Implement, and Prayer. Since this ministry was founded within the context of sharing Christ within the golfing community, GRIP is a good acronym.

One needn’t be a golfer to enjoy the benefits of daily bible reading and reflection, however. The point is to get into God’s Word each day, reflect on what God is revealing to you, implement some practical aspect of God’s Word, and pray.

How it works...

The founder, Scott Lehman, starts us off with a short, 3 minute video on their YouTube channel. Then you share your own “GRIP” with others by replying-all to the email chain you’re in. Yes, this is the one time you are allowed to reply-all.

We have a reading schedule, so we know what passage to read every day of the month. From Nov 1-30 we’re reading Psalms 61-90; Dec 1-31 we’ll cover Psalms 91-121. Then in the New Year, a 31 Day Challenge: Proverbs 1-31 from January 1 to 31.

Chapter a day. Great way to read through God’s Word.

So each morning, I open the email, watch the short video and then I usually go to Bible Gateway and read the chapter from the NIV or NRSV (those are just two of many bible translations available).

After reading the passage, I pick one or two verses that struck me and write my GRIP. For example, here’s one I did from John chapter 10 awhile back.

• G – God’s Word – John 10.3-5 – “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” (NRSV)
• R – Reveal – Jesus, our shepherd, knows his sheep intimately. He calls each of us by name; he knows our needs and personal struggles. He promises to go ahead of us, preparing the way, leading us to green pastures and still waters (that beautiful image from Psalm 23). Sheep that know the shepherd will follow his voice – even if they can't see him – and they won't follow a stranger.
• I – Implement – I believe Jesus knows me intimately. Of course he knows my name – he's created me and he’s the Lord of the universe. The very hairs on my head are numbered (that's another bible verse, I'm pretty sure!). BUT. Do I know HIS voice? Am I following HIS calling (even though I can't see him literally with my eyes)? Am I too willing to follow the voice of a stranger because I like what the stranger is saying? I should run from the voice of a stranger instead. Now that's some food for thought.
• P – Prayer – Lord, keep calling (I know you will) and help me become so familiar with your voice that I will drop everything and follow when I hear your commands. Help me easily distinguish between your voice, my own thoughts and desires, and the voice of strangers – especially the ones that want to seek and destroy what is good. Amen.

That’s it. Throughout the day you get to read the other GRIPs as they come in from the various members of the bible study. You gain a lot of insight into the scripture and a person’s life over time. It’s great.

If you’re interested in joining a group, let me know. Just hit reply-all!

RIP Colin L. Powell

You probably knew this, but Colin Powell’s funeral service was this past Friday, November 5 (he died October 18, 2021).

I think I knew this, but Powell was a life-long Episcopalian. He evidently loved the Anglo-Catholic liturgy, traditional hymns, and high church tradition. Fittingly, his service was held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

I have yet to watch the service, but I heard it was glorifying to God and placed Jesus Christ at the center of everything. I plan to watch it this week. (Here’s a link to the PBS broadcast that highlights his life prior to the service.)

One of the things I appreciate about the liturgy is that it necessarily proclaims the Gospel. As one wag once said: It’s amazing how often the Bible quotes from the Book of Common Prayer! For me, the Gospel-centeredness of the liturgical tradition is so very impactful. It lifts up Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The funeral service for General Powell was no less God honoring, it seems. For instance, I came across this quote from the memorial meditation by Rev. Stuart A. Kenworthy, the vicar at Washington National Cathedral. It speaks to Powell’s faith in Christ, and is a very good witness to the saving power of Jesus.

“God raised Jesus so that you and I might share in his resurrection, and if you turn to him and accept him in faith, he will come into you and raise you into that new and eternal life now.”

A number of years ago, I heard General Colin Powell speak. I remember him as a man of quiet integrity, telling the story of his humble beginnings, of his childhood in Harlem and the South Bronx. 

He was the son of Jamaican immigrants. He came from a disciplined home. He spoke about the positive aspects of being shamed into doing what was right. In fact, I recall him talking about the moms of his neighborhood correcting his behavior and warning him that they’d tell his parents on him! (Oh, for a return to those days when everyone was expected to mind their manners in public.)

Powell eventually attended the City College of New York, was in ROTC, then served in Vietnam. He went far! He became a four-star general and the first Black secretary of state, serving 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush. Before that, he served as National Security Advisor under Ronald Reagan, and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H. W. Bush and William Jefferson Blythe III (aka Bill Clinton).

It is with respect that I take a moment and remember him as a statesman, a patriot, an American, a Christian. He died at age 84 from blood cancer complicated by Parkinson’s and covid. Rest in peace, Mr. Powell. 

(I don't know who to credit the above photo. If you know, let me know.)