R is for Ruth

My A to Z blogging theme is characters in (people from) the scriptures. Since my blog is a book blog, this theme would fit right in and help me strengthen a weakness at the same. How fantastic is that?!  This challenge is a blessing. Thank you A to Z Challenge team!  *Book: LDS quad combo scriptures: KJV Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. (p)1989, (c)1979.

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In the book of Ruth found in the Old Testament, we learn the history of the family of Elimelech, an Israelite.  Due to famine, Elimelech fled Bethlehem with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons to Moab.  There the two sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah.  The two sons and their father died leaving the women widowed.  Naomi returned to Bethlehem and Ruth went with her expressing loyalty and devotion stating that she not only wished to stay with her mother-in-law but also desired to make Naomi's people her people and Naomi's god her God.

Back in Bethlehem, Ruth was among the destitute and thus offered to go into the fields and glean (gather) fallen stalks.  One day while gleaning in the field of Boaz, Ruth found a liking to Boaz.  Naomi wanting to secure a husband and family for Ruth, planned to have Boaz marry Ruth.  She considered doing this through the levirate marriage (see Deut. 25:5-10).  Boaz was willing but only if the nearer kinsman to whom the right belonged declined.  He did and so they married. 

By the way, with Naomi's bidding, Ruth proposed to Boaz!  While Boaz asleep on a heap of corn after eating and drinking (drunk), Ruth laid beside him.  Boaz awoke startled and asked who she was.  Ruth replied with the proposal, "I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a kinsman." (Ruth 3:8).  The idiom skirt meaning, protect me, or in other words, be my protector or husband.  Go Ruth!!

Famously, the story of Ruth is a beautiful account of the conversion of a non-Israelite into the fold of Israel, giving up her former god and former life to unite with the household of faith in the service of the God of Israel.  You rock Ruth!

Interesting tidbit about gleaning:
“Harvesting was difficult work and demanded long hours. Young men moved through the fields grasping handfuls of the grain and cutting through the stalks with sickles. These small bunches of grain were then bound into bundles called sheaves. As the men worked rapidly, a number of stalks fell to the ground. If the men were careful and took the time, these too could be gathered up. However, any stalks that dropped were allowed to remain where they fell. Poor people, following the reapers, were permitted to ‘glean,’ or gather, the random stalks—possibly all that stood between them and starvation. In addition, the edges of the field, where the sickle was not as easily wielded, were left unharvested. The poor were welcome to that portion, as well." (Great People of the Bible and How They Lived, pg 129)

Q is for Queen Sheba

My A to Z blogging theme is characters in (people from) the scriptures. Since my blog is a book blog, this theme would fit right in and help me strengthen a weakness at the same. How fantastic is that?!  This challenge is a blessing. Thank you A to Z Challenge team!  *Book: LDS quad combo scriptures: KJV Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. (p)1989, (c)1979.

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1 Kings 10 and 2 Corinthians 9 is where one can find Queen Sheba's story of her visit to Solomon.  I didn't really get it so I browsed the Web and found some pretty interesting stuff.  Yay for awesome people who share their knowledge and talents!  Thank you. :)

The Queen of Sheba:
"According to Ethiopian legend, she was born in 1020 B.C. in Ophir, and educated in Ethiopia. Her mother was Queen Ismenie; her father, chief minister to Za Sebado, succeeded him as King. One story describes that as a child Sheba (called Makeda) was to be sacrificed to a serpent god, but was rescued by the stranger 'Angaboo. Later, her pet jackal bit her badly on one foot and leg, leaving lasting scars and deformity. When her father died in 1005 B.C., Sheba became Queen at the age of fifteen. Contradictory legends refer to her as ruling for forty years, and reigning as a virgin queen for six years. In most accounts, she never married.

Sheba was known to be beautiful (despite her ankle and leg), intelligent, understanding, resourceful, and adventurous. A gracious queen, she had a melodious voice and was an eloquent speaker. Excelling in public relations and international diplomacy, she was a also competent ruler." (source)

"Christian interpretations of the scriptures mentioning the Queen of Sheba in the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, typically have emphasized both the historical and metaphorical values in the story. The account of the Queen of Sheba is thereby interpreted by Christians as being both a metaphor and an analogy: the Queen's visit to Solomon has been compared to the metaphorical marriage of the Church to Christ where Solomon is the anointed one or the messiah and Sheba represents a Gentile population submitting to the messiah; the Queen of Sheba's chastity has also been depicted as a foreshadowing of the Virgin Mary; and the three gifts that she brought (gold, spices, and stones) have been seen as analogous to the gifts of the Magi (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). The latter is emphasized as being consistent with a passage from Isaiah 60:6; And they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring forth gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord. This last connection is interpreted as relating to the Magi, the learned astronomers of Sheba who saw a new star and set off on a journey to find a new ruler connected to the new star, that led them to Bethlehem." (Wikipedia)

P is for Pharaoh

My A to Z blogging theme is characters in (people from) the scriptures. Since my blog is a book blog, this theme would fit right in and help me strengthen a weakness at the same. How fantastic is that?!  This challenge is a blessing. Thank you A to Z Challenge team!  *Book: LDS quad combo scriptures: KJV Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. (p)1989, (c)1979.

(Yul Brynner as Pharaoh Ramses in 1956 film, The Ten Commandments; source)

Pharaoh was a title given of kings of Egypt.  Today we will be discussing the Pharaoh spoken of from the book of Exodus.  Oddly enough, the book does not mention the Pharaoh's name but some have given the honor to Ramses I and some to Ramses II.  This post will not name any but say that Yul Brynner was a cutie as Pharaoh in the famous 1956 film, The Ten Commandments. :)

In Exodus 1-10, the story goes like this ..God's chosen people, Israel, was taken into bondage by the Egyptians.  There they suffered and multiplied.  After 400 some years, the Lord decreed that the time had arrived for Israel's to occupy her own land.  The two main characters that played a major role in the eventual exodus were Moses and the pharaoh.  Moses was meek and allowed himself to be led by the hand of God giving way to succeed in delivering Israel from bondage with great and might miracles.  On the flip side, the pharaoh, was self-centered, power hungry, cruel, and hard-hearted.  He preferred to follow the counterfeit power of Satan, which allowed him the false belief that he was a god on earth.  Bad move Mr. Pharaoh! 

Interesting side note:
God promised Abraham that Israel would become numerous.  To fulfill this with merely 70 person (Gen. 46:26-27), they needed time and peaceful place to multiply.  Egypt was that place!  The eventual bondage of Israel served a good purpose.  The cruelty of the taskmasters, the hatred that existed between the Hebrews and the Egyptians, and the length of their trying servitude fused Jacob's children into a united people.  Also, the hatred they felt toward the Egyptians prevented intermarriage between the Hebrews and their neighbors.  To reap the benefits of the Abrahamic promises, Israel had to remain a pure race, and the Lord used this means to achieve it.  --Pretty rough, but goes to show that we don't often see the whole picture but God does. 

*Additional reference material used: Old Testament Student Manual: Religion 301, pg 103-108

Book Loot Giddy

This browsing for free Kindle books is addictive!  I don't know why I pile on more books for my TBR list especially since I haven't been reading books much.  The A to Z Challenge has taken up much of my reading time which is alright because I get to study the scriptures everyday!  I'm also way behind on book reviews but I haven't added to it in awhile either.  So April's going to be mainly the A to Z Challenge but come May, the book reviews will be back including books that authors have provided me to review.  I did not seek authors to review their books but they found me!  Several requests have come in and I'm booked through early June!  It's an exciting new step in my blogging adventure.  I'm liking this opportunity to help authors feature their books.  Enough about that, here's my book loot for the week. 

Purchased for free from Amazon for my Kindle:

title The Glass Case: A Short Story

author Hannah, Kristin

title Kissing Adrien

author Mitchell, Siri

title Promise Me This

author Gohlke, Cathy

Borrowed from the library (for book group ..hoping I'll be able to squeeze this one between commitments):

title Jellicoe Road

author Marchetta, Melina

O is for Obadiah

My A to Z blogging theme is characters in (people from) the scriptures. Since my blog is a book blog, this theme would fit right in and help me strengthen a weakness at the same. How fantastic is that?!  This challenge is a blessing. Thank you A to Z Challenge team!  *Book: LDS quad combo scriptures: KJV Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. (p)1989, (c)1979.

(The Prophet Obadiah by James Tissot)

Obadiah was a prophet estimated to be a contemporary to Jeremiah since they prophesied of the destruction of Edom in similar ways.  His book is the shortest book in the Old Testament (one chapter, 21 verses).  Nothing is known of his personal life and family.  Another man named Obadiah was mentioned in 1 Kings but he was not likely this prophet Obadiah.  Hence, the book of Obadiah basically was an account of said seer's vision of the downfall of Edom and salvation of Israel.

In my understanding, it appears that Edom (aka Esau) and his brother Jacob (Israel) have had contentions early on.  The people of Edom being the wicked ones because of their hatred for Israel, like Babylon, became a symbol of the world (wicked).  The reasons for their doom were the violence shown against their brother Jacob and their rejoicing at the destruction of the children of Judah in the day of distress. (v.10, 12).  Then Obadiah concludes his book with reference to his vision of the day when Israel will be completely restored and evil eliminated ..Mount Zion (symbol for deliverance and holiness) will be the inheritance of the house of Jacob, while the house of Esau will be stubble.  So it looks like we better be on Jacob's team! :D

N is for Naaman

My A to Z blogging theme is characters in (people from) the scriptures. Since my blog is a book blog, this theme would fit right in and help me strengthen a weakness at the same. How fantastic is that?!  This challenge is a blessing. Thank you A to Z Challenge team!  *Book: LDS quad combo scriptures: KJV Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. (p)1989, (c)1979.

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Found in 2 Kings chapter 5, is the subject of today's letter N, Naaman.  Naaman's experience is sure worth a look for it exemplifies the principles of humility, obedience, and faith. 

Naaman was a great warrior, chief captain of the entire army of the Syrians.  He was said to be an honorable man.  One could conclude that he was educated, physically fit, wealthy, and influential.  However, none of that mattered after acquiring leprosy (chronic skin disease).  His future looked bleak until learning from his wife's Israelite maid that a prophet (Elisha) in Samaria could heal.  Using his influence with the king of Syria (Jehoshaphat), asked that the king write a letter to the king of Israel for introduction.  Jehoram, king of Israel, replied, “Only God can perform such miracles.” If Jehoram sent him to Elisha and the prophet failed to heal him, the situation could cause a difficult rift between Israel and Syria. Perhaps, if Naaman were not healed, Jehoshaphat would grow angry and declare war on Jehoram (Old Testament Studen Manual, Religion 302, pg75).  Now Elisha hearing of this sent for Naaman.  Naaman came to the house of Elisha in style ..with chariots, horses, servants, and wealth.  He was expecting to personally be dealt with Elisha and given a grand miracle of healing at the hand of the Lord's anointed.  No such luck.  Instead, Elisha sent a messenger to meet him at the door with instructions for healing, “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.” (2 Kings 5:10).  Angry was Naaman until his servants were able to convince him saying, “And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? (2 kings 5:13).  Naaman complied and was healed.  Naaman therefore believed in the god of Israel though still carried obligation to his old faith.  Also, in gratitude, Naaman offered gifts for payment for being healed but Elisha refused.

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Interesting tidbits:

• 7 washing in the water of Jordan symbolic of 7 days of quarantine required of leper in Israel.
• Miracles need not be dramatic.
• Servants of the Lord should not get paid for their divine services ..Paul suggested that if one charged for priesthood service, he might abuse his power (1 Corinthians 9:18) ; Also, Jesus taught "Freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8).  This is so because it's by divine power that miracles in the hands of the authorized priesthood work, not by the man.

Book Trailer and Excerpt of "Taste" by Kate Evangelista

Find Book:
Goodreads | Crescent Moon Press

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

Debut trailer. Enjoy!

Song Credits: "Hunger" © Noelle Pico.
Full Download available at http://sheisnoelle.bandcamp.com


Now here's an exerpt:

I sat up and followed Calixta’s gaze upward. I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t know what I was seeing at first. A statue? ¬My brain refused to snap together coherent thoughts. I didn’t realize I’d fallen so close to one of the garden benches until I stared up at the boy that sat on one. He was strikingly beautiful. His tumble of blonde hair curled just above his sculpted cheekbones. He wore a silk shirt and a loosened cravat, like he’d become bored while dressing and decided to leave himself in disarray. His ivory skin and frozen position was what had me mistaking him for something carved from marble by Michelangelo. Then he sighed—a lonely, breathy proof of life. If I had to imagine what Lucifer looked like before he fell from heaven, the boy on the bench would certainly fulfill that image. My brain told me I had to look away, but I couldn’t.
“Luka,” Calixta said again, her voice unsure, almost nervous. It no longer contained the steel and bite she had threatened me with, which made me wonder who the boy was.
He leaned on his hands and crossed his legs, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on the night sky. His movements spoke of elegance and control. I’d encountered many people with breeding before, but his took on the air of arrogance and self-assuredness of someone used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it.
I only realized I’d been holding my breath when my lungs protested. I exhaled. My heart sputtered and restarted with a vengeance. Luka tore his gaze away from the stars and settled it on me. I’d expected pitch-black irises, like the other Night Students, but blue ice stared back at me.
“Human,” he whispered.
He reached out, and with a finger, followed an invisible trail down my cheek. I stiffened. His touch, cooler than Demitri’s, caused warm sparks to blossom on my face. He lifted his finger to his lips and licked its tip. He might as well have licked me from the way my body shivered.
Luka’s curious gaze held mine. “Leave us,” he said, but not to me.
“But—” Calixta protested like a spoiled child.
He spoke in a language I hadn’t heard before, remaining calm yet firm. The words had a rolling cadence I couldn’t quite follow, like rumbling thunder in the distance. They contained a harsh sensuality. The consonants were hard and the vowels were long and lilting.
Footsteps retreated behind me.
Luka reached out again.
It took me a minute to realize he wanted to help me up. I hesitated. He smiled. I smiled back timidly and took his hand, completely dazzled. Even with my uniform soaked from melted snow, I didn’t feel cold—all my attention was on him and the way his callused hand felt on mine. Without moving much from his seated position, he helped me stand.
“What’s your name?” he asked. He had a voice like a familiar lullaby. It filled my heart to the brim with comfort.
I swallowed and tried to stop gawking. “Phoenix.”
“The bird that rose from the ashes.” Luka bent his head and kissed the back of my hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
My cheeks warmed. My head reeled, not knowing what to think. I couldn’t understand why I felt drawn to him. And the strange connection frightened me.
From behind, someone gripped my arms and yanked me away before I could sort out the feelings Luka inspired in me. I found myself behind a towering figure yet again. Recognizing the blue-black silk for hair tied at the nape, relief washed over me. Calixta hadn’t come back to finish me off.
Demitri’s large hand wrapped around my wrist. Unlike the night before, no calm existed in his demeanor. He trembled like a junky in need of a fix. The coiled power in his tense muscles vibrated into me.
“What are you doing here?” Demitri asked.
I didn’t know he’d spoken to me until I saw his expressionless profile. I sighed.
“Phoenix.”
I flinched. The ruthless way he said my name punched all the air out of me. “You owe me answers,” I said with as much bravado as I could muster.
“I owe you nothing.” He glared. “In fact, you owe me your life.”
“I don’t think so.”
Ignoring my indignation, he faced Luka, who’d remained seated on the bench during my exchange with Demitri. “Why is she with you, Luka?”
“I wasn’t going to taste her, if that’s what you’re implying,” Luka said. “Although, she is simply delicious. I wouldn’t mind if you left us alone.”
There it was again. Taste. The word that kept coming up between these Night Students and I was connected to it in an increasingly uncomfortable way. To taste meant to sample, but what? My flesh? They had to be joking because the alternative wasn’t funny.
“The sins of the father …” Demitri left his sentence unfinished.
Luka’s smile shifted into a snarl. “Obey my command.” His chin lifted. “Kneel.”
Demitri’s stance went rigid. His grip tightened around my wrist.
Okay, weird just got weirder. Why would Luka want Demitri to kneel before him? I thought back to Eli and the others bowing to Demitri when he questioned them, but they didn’t kneel. Seriously? Were they all living on a different planet or something?
“Kneel.” Luka’s detestable smirk made his features sinister rather than angelic. The real Lucifer: a fallen angel.
Without letting go of my wrist, Demitri knelt down on one knee and bowed his head, his free hand flat at the center of his chest. “Your command has been obeyed,” he said formally.
Luka nodded once.
Demitri stood up and pulled me toward the school without telling me where we were going. Not having the time to thank Luka for saving me from Calixta, I risked a glance back. Luka smiled at me. His smile spoke of whispers, secrets, and promises to be shared on a later date.

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When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.