Author: Pearl Ada Pridham

Pearl lives on scenic Vancouver Island in Canada. If she's not writing on her website or working on a manuscript, she may reading or cooking or walking with her dog on a beach. Her past lives have included raising two sons, and education and careers in fields of Bible, Childcare, Psychology & Counselling, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
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God’s Appointment

For followers of the Bible, there are a few pills that are hard to swallow. At least for strong-minded individuals. Romans 13 is one of them.

What? We must subject ourselves?

Written at a time in history when the countries around the Mediterranean were subject to the Roman Empire, many likely objected to their rule and the taxes they imposed.

Yet, the chapter goes on to say more. Since governments are actually appointed by God, we incur his wrath by not respectfully submitting to them.

Romans 13, The Amplified Bible

But the government is no good 😕

It may at times be hard to believe that God himself has appointed and put in place those in government who we find ourselves subject to. But it says here that we must respect their authority to avoid God’s wrath. Strong words. God wants us to live as principled people, because we represent him to the world.

We must follow the example of Jesus, who respected and honored the rulers of the day, even paying the taxes they demanded of him.

The Roman Empire was not a democracy. They had conquered the surrounding countries. People were treated unfairly, often cruelly, and taxed heavily.

Hey, what about my rights?

Things are different now, aren’t they? We now vote in governments and have ‘freedom of speech’. Yes, even an obligation to speak out for what is right.

So let’s exercise our rights, bearing in mind these verses. That governing authorities have been appointed by God, for his own reasons. And we, as his followers, represent him. Speak and act with respect and honor. Pray for our rulers. Not just for their sakes, but also for our own.

With all the things going on in today’s world, it certainly can’t be easy to be in government. Rather than respect and honor, they are subject to daily ridicule, even threats, in the name of ‘freedom of speech’. But this is not principled behavior for followers of the Bible. Bear in mind that whether or not we agree with them, the authorities are appointed by God.

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The Last Way Home, by Liz Johnson, 2022, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

A Hockey Player Returns Home

The Last Way Home
The Last Way Home

The Last Way Home tells the story of Eli Ross, an NHL hockey player who returns home to Prince Edward Island after more than a decade away.

It’s complicated. Why had he never returned, even for a visit, before now? I don’t want to spoil it for readers by giving away reasons.

Will his brothers and mother accept him? He doesn’t expect them to, but he has nowhere else to go.

And then there’s Violet Donaghy, a young lady who, he finds, his family has taken under wing as a family member. She’s cold to him, and extremely secretive. Which he can’t blame her for. After all, he’s not telling anyone his own secrets either.

No sooner does he arrive home, than a disaster occurs, and he decides to prove his integrity by pitching in to help. Helping Violet is like trying to help a snarling cat. But he ignores the snarling and persists. You’ll have to read it to see how that goes.

Plot and Writing Style

The plot seems to fit into a Prodigal Son trope. Both Eli and Violet carry a lot of angst resulting from years of hidden guilty feelings.

Despite his unrelenting efforts, Eli seems to be stuck on a train headed for doom. Will he be able to ditch it in the end?

The story is compelling, but it took me reading on a ways before I began to really like it. Revell asked me for an honest review, so here you have it. To be honest, I’m wondering whether authors these days are trying so hard to ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’, or to stay in a ‘deep point of view’, that the reader is left feeling a bit boggled at times. For example, instead of simply saying that a character felt anxious, we read that her stomach hit the floor. The first time this happened in the book, it took me a while to figure out whether it was literal or a figure of speech. And that was just the start. Both main characters really had problems with their stomachs dropping, hitting the ground, sinking or twisting.

The Last Way Home causes one to rethink secrets along with Eli and Violet. Is divulging them the best thing to do? Or could it cause more harm than good?

Learn more about the author and her books at LizJohnsonBooks.com.

Read other reviews of The Last Way Home on Goodreads by clicking here.

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Broken but Loved

Broken but Loved

Broken but loved, this ornament is a gift from my son 💙. It represents his love to me. But alas, the tail broke off some time ago. I glued it back on, but later it broke off again. Then it sat in a drawer for several years, until yesterday I got it out and glued it back together again. You can see where it broke, but I put it back out where it can remind me daily of my son who I love.

We are all like this ornamental bird, broken but loved. God our Father and Creator loved each one of us from the beginning. No one is perfect. We’re all broken. But he sent Jesus to redeem us and restore us to himself.

Romans 3:23-24 (The Amplified Bible) says: Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives, all are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is provided in Christ Jesus.

I’m so glad God loves me that much. In spite of my foibles, big mistakes, stupidity, brokenness and shame, he loves me. Jesus has redeemed us, and by faith in him we are restored to a right standing with God.

I wish I could undo the stupid things I’ve done, but I can’t. Yet God loves me anyway. And you too. Broken but loved.

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What the World🌎 Needs Now…

Is Love, Sweet Love

Remember that song 🎵? Today as I read my Bible I was reminded of God’s love, which He has continually blessed us with throughout history. We just need to open our eyes and see it. God opened the eyes of the apostle Paul, who spread the gospel of God’s love to the world.

I [Paul] stand here testifying to small and great alike, asserting nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses declared would come to pass; that the Christ, the Anointed One, must suffer; and that He, by being the first to rise from the dead, would declare and show light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles. Acts 26:22-23 (The Amplified Bible)

Paul was making his defense before King Agrippa and the prominent citizens of Damascus. He had been falsely accused by Jews who didn’t believe in Jesus, and wanted to kill Paul.

Paul himself had previously persecuted Christians, until Jesus spoke to him personally one day out of a blinding light.

Jesus appointed him as a witness to both Jews and Gentiles “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in me.” (verse 18)

The Gospel of God’s Love Keeps Spreading

Paul had been given the astounding privilege of spreading the amazing message of the gospel to the world. Those who tried to kill him only helped further the gospel by giving Paul the opportunity to testify before Roman authorities and prominent people.

This same gospel message still reverberates around the world 🌎–a message we all personally need–to be forgiven and accepted and loved by God. Jesus made it possible–praise God! He turns sinners into saints by making us right with Him. Who wouldn’t want that?

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a complicated kindness, by Miriam Toews, 2004, Vintage Canada (Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto)

A Teenager in a Mennonite Community

a complicated kindness
a complicated kindness

This kindness is definitely complicated! Miriam Toews, in first person narrative, describes the life of a teenage girl in a Canadian Mennonite community.

Please don’t assume all Canadian Mennonite communities are like this one. It’s not at all the same as the small prairie town that my mother grew up in, which is largely composed of Mennonites.

A Bit of History

The Mennonites are a people group with an interesting history. Basically, they are followers of Menno Simons, who, in 1536 broke away from the Catholic church during the Protestant Reformation. He lived in Friesland, an area around the border of Holland and Germany. The Mennonites later migrated to Russia (now Ukraine), and later escaped as refugees to Canada and other parts of North and South America.

Canada has many Mennonite communities, and churches. The different communities have evolved in various ways–some are very strict in resisting change, while others embrace change just like any other Christian group.

The Mouth is a Power-hungry Cultish Leader

a complicated kindness depicts a small prairie community dominated by one cultish leader of their one Mennonite church. This man, who the main character Nomi Nickel calls The Mouth, controls the people of the town. At least so it appears.

The book reads like a diary written by Nomi. We learn from it that although The Mouth manages to control much of what goes on, he cannot control people’s hearts and minds. Rather than this cultish control creating a peaceful community isolated from the rest of the world, it rips apart families and hearts and lives.

I noticed years ago that deception is most effective when mixed with truth. That’s how people get caught up in cults. Lured in by truth and goodness, they find themselves entrapped by power-hungry leaders. The Mouth is this kind of a leader. Please know that not all Mennonite groups or churches have this type of leaders. Menno Simons did not start a cult.

Underneath it all Lies a Complicated Kindness

Nomi, as a teen, realizes and resents the trap she lives in. Her dream is to escape to New York. However, as her teen years progress through the depressing gradual loss of everything meaningful to her, she also realizes the undercurrent of a complicated kindness that also exists here. Maybe she’ll stay after all.

Click on this link to connect to reviews and discussion on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13374.A_Complicated_Kindness?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=kU3AHS20aR&rank=1

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THE EXTRAORDINARY DEATHS OF MRS. KIP, by SARA BRUNSVOLD, 2022, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Inspiring and Thought-provoking

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip features an indomitable woman, who through her generous spirit of love, instigated and inspired many others.

Woven into the story is the poignant history in the late 1970s of the immigration of a large group of Laotian refugees to Kansas City.

The author cleverly pieces into this novel the points she is trying to get across through the life-changing experience of reporter Aidyn Kelley as she interviews Clara Kip.

Reading it will cause you to ponder many things about life. How turning your desires over to God can open doors to unexpected blessings for yourself and others. How death is only a step in the continuation of life. And much more.

Personally Relatable

I can personally relate to most everything in this book. I’ll just share a few instances. As a writer I can relate to Aidyn. And I can relate to many of Mrs. Kip’s experiences.

She, in the process of her own death, showers God’s love on another person in the hospice. The detailed descriptions of the end of life in the book brought to mind the same things my late husband went through. He passed into heaven exactly two years ago today. Like Clara Kip, he was quite a character, also refusing a wheelchair and walking around on his own until he fell so many times that he was confined to his bed. He joked with staff and friends, and even had me bring his guitar so he could entertain them with hymns. Sadly, his ability to do so only lasted a couple of days.

Clara Kip inspired the immigration and integration of Laotian refugees. In the 1980s the church I was a member of sponsored refugees from Viet Nam. Now in 2022, my church is in process of sponsoring refugees from war-torn Ukraine. We are gearing up to help them with housing and provisions as well as English and spiritual nourishment.

Hopefully I’ve given you enough of a taste of what The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is about to interest you, without giving away too many spoilers. My thanks to the publisher for sending me the paperback version to review. I’m glad I chose it.

Click on the Links

Revell has an on-line book club now, called Beyond the Book, where you can discuss books with authors and readers. Find it at facebook.com/groups/RevellBeyondtheBook.

Connect with the author at SARABRUNSVOLD.COM.

Buy the book here:

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

This website is a participant in the Indigo Affiliate Program which allows it to earn commissions from Indigo if you make a purchase on indigo.ca after linking through this website.

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The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles, 2021, Simon & Schuster Canada

Authentic History Portrayed in a Dual Timeline Novel

The Paris Library

The Paris Library is based on the actual American Library in Paris. The author worked there as Programs Manager in 2010. She now divides her time between Paris and Montana, the other setting in the book.

The story is effectively written as a dual timeline novel. Young Lily, growing up in smalltown Montana, is fascinated by the mysterious Odile, the widow next door. They become fast friends, and Odile’s story of working in the Paris library during WWII emerges. Amazingly, the dedicated staff and volunteers kept the library open throughout the war. The Author’s Note at the end of the book fills in more details about the real people she based the characters on, plus other facts about the library that she didn’t include in the story.

The Personal WWII Within Each of Us

The Paris Library is about so much more than history, though. It’s about relationships–family, friends, lovers. Coworkers and community. Betrayal and forgiveness. The power of the tongue, for good and for evil. Most of us reading The Paris Library have not lived in the centre of a major war. Although the blatant evils of war are obvious, we often fail to see the evil in ourselves, caused by just a few words of betrayal that slip out of our mouths unintentionally. The war opened Odile’s eyes to her own guilt, and she is able to pass on the awareness to Lily before she ruins her own relationships.

I was lucky to find The Paris Library in a little free library on the roadside. Thank you to whoever left it there. Such a worthwhile read.

This website is a participant in the Indigo Affiliate Program which allows it to earn commissions from Indigo if you make a purchase on indigo.ca after linking through this website. Get the book here https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=the%20paris%20library#suggest=1&internal=1 by clicking on the link.

Learn more about the author at JSkeslienCharles.com.

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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.

Get your copy here. This website is a participant in the Indigo Affiliate Program which allows it to earn commissions from Indigo if you make a purchase on indigo.ca after linking through this website.

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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

This website is a participant in the Indigo Affiliate Program which allows it to earn commissions from Indigo if you make a purchase on indigo.ca after linking through this website.

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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.

This website is a participant in the Indigo Affiliate Program which allows it to earn commissions from Indigo if you make a purchase on indigo.ca after linking through this website.

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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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