Month: June 2022

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where the ROAD BENDS, by Rachel Fordham, 2022, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Follow where the Road Bends

"...follow where the road bends. You can have a different life."
where the ROAD BENDS

Follow where the road bends. You can have a different life. That’s the advice Norah gave Quincy, but could she do that herself? Here she was, engaged to someone she wasn’t in love with, in order to save her farm. It was all she knew, and she loved it there. It held happy memories of her parents. But alone, she found it impossible to maintain.

This is the first book by Rachel Fordham that I’ve read, and I’ll definitely read more. The characters are well defined; the main characters are refreshingly human and likeable, the villains despicable. The plot twists and turns and bends like the road in the title.

The characters, plot, and setting would lend themselves to a series. I wonder what happens next in the lives of secondary characters, and in the growing establishments in the setting of the book.

Thought-provoking

As I read, I found myself rehashing the choices I’ve made at the twists and turns in my own life. As the characters struggle between secrecy and honesty, holding back and being forthright, I wonder how my own life might have been different had I shared from my heart rather than putting up fences. The path of life is very tricky, isn’t it?

At the end of the book there’s a list of questions for readers that would make an interesting discussion for a book club. Even just by myself, I found them thought-provoking. Could I be brave enough to change my life by following where the road bends?

Thank you to Revell for sending me this beautiful book to give my honest review. I’m so glad I chose it. Be the first to hear about new books from Revell. Sign up at RevellBooks.com/SignUp.

Meet author Rachel Fordham at RachelFordham.com.

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Mercy

The Mercy Seat

You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the testimony [the ten commandments] that I will give you. Exodus 25:21

It strikes me that the mercy seat was placed above the 10 commandments.

The 10 commandments (found in Exodus chapter 20) are very good–given from God who loves us and wants us to live in a good way. But we continually fail to live up to even those few commandments.

So God, in his love for us, puts the mercy seat above the commandments. He goes on to say that at the mercy seat he will meet with us, and speak intimately with us.

Who wouldn’t want to sit there on that seat between two angelic golden cherubim spreading their wings of protection overhead, with God sitting next to us and speaking intimately with us.

Wow! From the beginning God showed his understanding, love and mercy for us people who he created. We are so in need of mercy all the time. Thank you so much God!

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The Associate, by John Grisham, 2009, Dell (Random House)

An Associate in a prestigious New York law firm.
The Associate, by John Grisham

An Associate in a prestigious New York law firm, Kyle isn’t where he wants to be. He followed in his father’s footsteps to become a lawyer. But his father practices in a small town and chose the career because he had a heart for helping ordinary people. He’s generous with his time and charges only what his clients can afford.

Kyle wants to even take a low-paying position with a charitable organization for a year or two.

But past mistakes now have him caught in a trap. Basically just too much ‘partying’ as a college student. Suddenly he’s being accused of rape. Not only him, but several of his college room mates as well. It’s not the young woman herself holding threats over him, but a group of thugs who seem to be FBI. The intrigue starts there, but I won’t spoil it for you by telling you any more.

An associate position in a prestigious New York law firm may make Kyle rich, but what about his soul?

John Grisham’s books are always interesting and full of intrigue. Plus readers learn a lot about the workings of the American legal system. Possibly a lot you’d rather not know. Hidden failures and corruption. Learn, be aware, and use caution! Grisham writes from the standpoint of being a former lawyer himself. His books are an entertaining education for the general public.

Check out his website at www.jgrisham.com

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Respect

You shall not revile God [the judges His agents], or esteem lightly or curse a ruler of your people. Exodus 22:28

Disrespect for authority is rampant these days. What has become of respect? As a child in the 1950s I was taught to respect my elders, teachers, pastors, police, and anyone in a position of government.

People in such positions fulfill a purpose in society–to represent God in guiding us with principles and keeping us from being wronged.

Yes, often they are wrong–sometimes even evil.

But the fact is that they ARE in a position of authority. How they got there may also be right or wrong. Nevertheless, we ought to esteem them and pray for them rather than reviling and cursing them.

We must pray that they make good decisions, God-honouring and wise. We can speak out to address issues in many ways these days–by writing to the authorities directly or by posting on social media. Yes, certainly address issues, but do it with respect.

Bear in mind that they are actually God’s agents. When you feel like cursing them, pray for them instead, that their decisions and judgements will be godly.

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The Lord

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2

A joyous song of praise that Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord after he opened the sea for them to pass through, and then drowned their pursuers.

Is there a sea 🌊 that lies before you, impossible to cross? God will make a way. And he’ll put a stop to the enemies that pursue you.

It’s no use trying to make your own way. Can you imagine if the 600,000 Israelite men with their wives and children, herds and flocks, tried to swim across? No, they were forced to rely on the Lord. He was showing the world who he is.

Someone once asked me where I get my strength. I was going through deep waters, yet I had a song of joy in my heart. She saw that I had some type of strength in my spirit and wondered where it came from. I told her that I’m a Christian. She just shook her head. There wasn’t time to explain that the Lord is my Saviour and my heart is full of songs of praise.

He’s our Saviour and Redeemer. We are not to worry and fret, but to look to him and follow his leading. And joyously give him all the praise and glory. He loves us.

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A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman, 2014, Sceptre

A Man Called Ove
A Man Called Ove

Deep inside of the grumpy old man called Ove is a very sad heart. Bit by bit, over a lifetime of disappointments, he’s grown a thick crust. He’s not up for any more hurts–all he wants is to die in peace.

Yet it seems he cannot even do that. Because the people around him can’t do anything right and he must help them. Sonja would want him to. And that’s the kind of people he and his father before him are.

And his neighbours, including a stray cat, expect his help. Begrudgingly he starts by doing the least he can, accompanied by swearing and complaining. You’ll have to read the book to find out how that works out.

I found this book in the little give-one-take-one library in our complex. It was originally written in Swedish, and was translated to English. But the sentiments of the man called Ove could likely be found in any country. I know I could relate to him myself. Yes, I can easily get quite grumpy. After many disappointments in life, a person can grow a crusty exterior to insulate themselves, and use word-swords to strike out at the stupid people all around. I’m sure many people would sometimes just rather die in peace than deal with any more ****.

But magic happens. It happens in this story and it happens in life. Even opening your heart a tiny crack to help someone just a little, whether they deserve it or not, changes you deep down inside.

This Contemporary Fiction, written from the Point Of View of Ove, mostly, except for some Omniscient comments from the author, is not racy or romantic, but somber and darkly humorous. I’m not sure younger adults could relate much to Ove, but as I come from his generation, I definitely could. The first line, “Ove is fifty-nine,” immediately tips off potential readers as to the age category of the Main Character. In the first paragraph we find out that the type of car he drives is important to him, and that he’s uncomfortable and grumpy in a store that sells iPads because he doesn’t even know how to talk to the sales clerk about what he wants. Haha, I’ve certainly had that experience! A Man Called Ove was a bestseller, so perhaps I’m not the only reader that relates.

Find out more about the author at www.fredrikbackman.com.

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Blueberry Oat Muffins

platter of blueberry muffins
Nutritious, tasty blueberry muffins
small plate with two blueberry muffins and watermelon slices
A perfect nutritious snack.

Nutritious, tasty blueberry oat muffins, paired with fresh fruit, make a perfect snack. Not too sweet, the combination of oats and brown sugar with the blueberries gives you that great feeling of eating something satisfying and delicious without guilt. Health-giving nutrition rather than empty calories. Long-lasting energy so you won’t feel hungry again right away. Did you know that blueberries are good for your eyes?

Ingredients

  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
  • 1 cup blueberries

Method

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine oats and buttermilk in a small mixing bowl. Let stand. If you don’t have any buttermilk on hand, just add a tablespoon of vinegar to regular milk. If using large flake oats, I recommend allowing them plenty of time to soak in order to soften them.

In a larger mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and brown sugar. Stir well to blend.

Add egg to oat mixture and stir. Keep stirring while drizzling in the melted butter. Add this mixture all at once into the dry ingredients and stir just until all ingredients are moistened. Gently fold in blueberries.

Grease muffin tin and fill cups to 3/4 full. Bake 15-22 minutes. Test with a toothpick. Makes one dozen muffins.

Enjoy!

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