Please join us as we recap Joe Beam’s book, Seeing the Unseen (Preparing Yourself for Spiritual Warfare). The dedication reads, “For my wife, Alice, If it had not been for her unquenchable love, I surely would have lost my spiritual war.”

Satan’s strategies haven’t changed because they are still effective. First, he distorts the truth, next comes a hardening of the heart, then sensitivity is lost followed by an immersion in sensuality and finally spiritual destruction. His game plan worked with Adam and Eve and sadly it is still successful today.

Destruction comes to those who don’t love Truth. Christians aren’t immune, however, God hasn’t left us defenseless against evil. The vantage is ours but we must choose to use it:

Spiritual Vision = Discernment + Bible Knowledge

“Humans didn’t invent evil and we will never eradicate it. Knowing there is a devil deceiving people into sin arms me for a successful fight.”

Helpful questions to ask ourselves:

• Who benefits, God or satan?

• Who would be pleased, God or satan?

• Which people in my life encourage me spiritually or worldly?

Just as gold is refined, so is our faith. Through trials, pain, and loss we must learn to trust God on this journey and not give the devil a foothold. Remember what he used to get to Job, evil people, natural disasters, boils, and even good people. He uses the same on us. “We don’t have enough strength to face life when things get bad. Fortunately, God does. By His Spirit and by His power, He places His strength in our hearts.”

“We cannot live like the enemy and continue in the ranks of the righteous. It is a war of commitment. The one we surrender to becomes our master.” (2Pet. 2:19)

Connects with the Native American adage:“Two natures beat within my breast, one is cursed, one is blest, One I love, one I hate, The one I feed will dominate.”

Are you ready to see the unseen? As Kate says, “Let’s dive in!”

You can listen to Joe Beam and his daughter on the podcast Relationship Radio…Marriage Helper found on Apple podcast.

Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap the second book in their chronological reading of the Bible this year. Genesis is such an amazing book, keeping readers in awe of God from creation to Joseph in Egypt! 

God has a plan, yet when man loses focus and strays (as we tend to do) God is not derailed. He is patient, loving, just and forgiving throughout the valleys and mountaintops of faithlessness and faithfulness. From the Fall to the flood to famines God leads His people onward and upward. 

Stories stick and facts fade, these timeless treasures guide readers in discovering how  tumultuous times develop faith which leads to growth as God guides His people ever forward!

In our quest to read the best, the Bible is the pinnacle book! Grab a cup of coffee/tea and tune in as we discuss the wonders to be found in the book of Genesis!

Do you and your kids enjoy WW 2 books? If so, you are in luck! Join us as we discuss The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zekdus McDonough with our special guest! 

The opening line draws the reader in…“A gust of wind cut across Marcel’s face as he cycled furiously down the street.”

Twelve year old Marcel dreams of someday competing in the Tour de France as he races through the streets of France making bread deliveries for his parents’ bakery. Soldiers have been everywhere since Germany’s occupation of France two years ago. They interrupt Marcel's deliveries with checkpoints and questioning making for some tension that makes this book hard to put down!

Marcel discovers two secrets. His parents are part of the Resistance and his friend’s family is in grave danger! Marcel wants to help! A risky ride passing important information where the unexpected happens keeps our brave fast thinker pedaling quickly!

 “Escape? Where?” The hair on the back of Marcel’s neck began to prickle and he knew it wasn’t just from the crisp, cold air.” What a riveting read!

 Please join us as we recap this exciting and suspenseful book for middle grade readers! If you like gritty characters that keep going no matter what, this book’s for you!

“All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank.”

S.D. Smith’s book, The Green Ember, wonderfully weaves a tale of adventure, family, friendship, betrayal and conquering fear. We meet Picket Longtreader and his sister, Heather, as they are forced to go on the run after they return home to find it on fire and their parents and baby brother missing.

A wolf attack forces Heather and Picket into a cave. Thankfully in the nick of time, they are rescued by their uncle and a rabbit named Smalls who take them to Cloud Mountain.

All the rabbits are working together to fight against evil forces that are trying to overtake them. Their beloved King Jupiter had been betrayed by someone in the Longtreader family so Heather and Picket do not have the red carpet rolled out for them if you know what I mean. Emma was not like the other rabbits, she was helpful and kind to the newcomers.

Helmer is a big brute of a rabbit who keeps to himself. Picket wants Helmer to train him to be a fighter. Helmer calls him Ladybug.  The training is tough when “Everything is a weapon.” 

Will the rabbit community be strong enough to get peace from their enemies? 

“You can choose what you believe, Shuffler (Picket’s other nickname), but you can’t choose what’s true.”

Yes, dear listeners, “Healing is on the horizon, but fire comes first. Bear the flame.” Are you ready to meet these endearing characters and join the journey?

In this episode of the Recap Book Chat, Kate and Sheila dive into Rachel Norman's book 'If Mama Ain't Happy,' discussing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and the role of authenticity in relationships. They explore the difference between treating oneself and genuinely taking care of one's needs, emphasizing that self-care is essential for overall well-being. The conversation also touches on the significance of routine and planning in family life, and how clear communication can foster healthier relationships. The episode concludes with key takeaways and practical advice for listeners.

Kate recaps Rachel Norman’s book, If Mama Ain’t Happy which stresses the need we all have of setting healthy boundaries. Rachel’s wake up call came when her cancer doctor told her that she couldn’t keep doing what she was doing and survive.

“Simplifying makes life less stressful.” Join us as Kate highlights some of the high points of this remarkable book that will benefit anyone trying to ‘white knuckle it through life’. 

This quote resonated with me, “We can decide how far we want to push ourselves, but that doesn’t change when we’ll give out.”

Do you stuff things in your emotional basement? It is what we do when we shove our feelings and emotions down. Sooner or later (and usually at the most inopportune time) they erupt and come out like overfilling a gas tank.

This book will change the self-care mindset. Self-care actually needs to be done first. We can’t pour from an empty cup. Treating ourselves is not the equivalent of taking care of ourselves. Self-care is a way of preparing ourselves to be our best self. Have you ever thought about self-care as an act of worship? Would our abundant God want us running on empty?

“Being authentic attracts others.” Isn’t this quote so true! “It’s better to be honest about your capacity than to over promise and underdeliver.”

Why not pick up a copy of this little jewel to get some help with setting beneficial boundaries and keeping them? Let’s thrive in 2025!  Do you agree with the author about happiness being a natural byproduct of wise living? Dive into this recap as we continue our quest to read the best! Blessings to you dear listeners!

Have you walked through the struggles in the book of Job? God describes Job as blameless, however his friends did not get the memo. In the midst of severe loss Job’s friends lambast him with all the wrongs they think he must have done to end up in the shape he’s in.

(Note to self: Give grace instead of advice, everyone is struggling with something.)

 As Kate mentioned, the friends waited in silence for 7 days… definitely their finest hour. 

We can learn so much from this book! 

The big question is… Why do bad things happen to good people? This is woven throughout life and the book of Job. God is no respecter of persons and He is just…this leads us to realize that life in this broken world will not be fair. If life were like Job’s friends describe obeying God would not be from the heart but from a place of concern for self to avoid hardships.

Please join us as we recap the amazing book of Job, we’re sure you know the Author! Have a blessed day dear listeners! Let’s continue our quest to read the best!

In Episode 172, we learned the difference between IQ (Incorrect questions) such as “Why did he cut me off?”, and QBQ (Questions that are positive and productive) like, “What can I do to help you out ?” 

QBQs focus on action. How can I improve myself? How can I provide value to you?

Action requires courage; inaction is fueled by fear

Action builds confidence; inaction builds doubt

Action even when it leads to mistakes leads to growth; inaction leads to stagnation

In the Question Behind the Question we discovered the Power of ONE: Departments, teams, committees don’t change, People change…one at a time.

Asking questions that focus our efforts, thoughts, and energy is the way to be effective and really make a difference.

John G. Miller was taught by his wrestling coach, aka his father,  he had 3 people to beat:

Please join us as we dive into QBQ: The Question Behind the Question and discover instead of thinking outside the box, it is beneficial to succeed using what is in our box, a Bloom Where You’re Planted mentality. 

Learning is about change. We always have a choice, even if it is choosing not to make a choice.

What can we do to bless your day?

Happy New Year!!! May your reading continue to thrive in 2025!!!

Join Kate and Sheila as they very carefully recap The Nature of Fragile Things 

by Susan Meissner while striving to withhold all the plot twists and jaw droppers.

This roller coaster of a read begins in 1906 just before the San Francisco earthquake.

We meet a young mail order bride, Sophie. She is an Irish immigrant who answers an ad of the bereaved widower, Martin, who is seeking a mother for Kat, his 5 year old daughter. Sophie longs to have a home and be a mother.

This book is unlike any historical fiction we’ve read! 

“It is the nature of fragile things to break…it is also in our nature to start over after disaster.” 

GloriaZ  recommended this book and The Frozen River, so far she’s been a good resource in our Quest to Read the Best! 

Have a blessed day dear readers!

https://www.youtube.com/@GloriaZThompson

2024 Recap Book Chat Awards…Please join Kate and Sheila to see if you agree or disagree with their choices : )

Most Whimsical - ?

Grittiest - ?

Most Unique Format - ?

Best Opening Line - ?

Most Unpredictable - ?

Most Intense - ?

Most Impactful in Society - ?

Most Creative - ?

Best Leading Lady - ?

Best Leading Man - ?

Best Ending - ?

Changed Our Lives - ?

Stands the Test of Time - ?

Overall Best Book - ?

Quotes from The Green Ember: “All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank.”

“Stay on the job, son. Do the next right thing.”

Have a Happy New Year dear listeners! Happy Reading : )