What I Will Be Reading Instead

 In my last post I wrote about being cautious about what we read in the media. One of my goals this year is to read books. I've always had a passion for reading.

So Lord willing,  here are few books I hope to read or I'm actually reading this year. I was going to snap pictures of them all with the tablet but saw it was too much trouble. Of course I will read my Bible. That's part of my quiet time with the Lord. Also you will find I'm one of those people who have more than one book going. I crochet the same way. I have several crochet projects going at the same time.😊

Physical Books:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- I'm reading this right now.

Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan 

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery - My 20 year old wants me to read this to her like I did when she and her sisters were little.  Our copy is well worn and loved. Anne of Green Gables is my favorite children's book.

A Gown of Spanish Lace by Janette Oke. I don't usually read Janette Oke books but this was on my bookshelf and never read. Another book I'm reading at the same time as another book.

Kindle Books:

I really prefer books I can touch but when I saw I could download Kindle for Sansung devices I couldn't resist.

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer and yes I'm in the middle of reading this one too.

The Secret -of the Strength- What Would the Anabaptists Tell This Generation? by Peter Hoover. This book is not just an Anabaptist history book but Peter encourages Christ-followers to put into practice the teacohings of Jesus.

Weight Loss God's Way Bible Study and Devotional by Cathy Morenzie.  I downloaded this book last year but never got around to reading it.

Speaking From My Sock by Victor S.E. Moubarak - A collection of humorous stories and anecdotes. Victor blogs over at Time for Reflections

Audio books:

I never in a million years thought I would like audio books because I love reading but last week I signed up for an Audible free trial and it's like being little again and someone is reading to you. Also I can listen to book while I crochet.

Anne of Green Gables because why not?😊

Yesterday I signed but for Scribd two month free trial which has both ebooks and audiobooks:

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace. I read this a few years ago and loved it.

Having a Martha Home the Mary Way- 31 Days to a Clean House by Sara Mae

Seeking Allah. Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. A devout Muslim shares his encounter with Christianity.   I've been wanting to read Nabeel testimony of how he became a Christian for a long time and I'm excited for the chance to read it. Sadly Nabeel passed away in 2017 from cancer leaving behind a wife and child.

And that's my partial list of books. If I get through all these books more will be added to the list.

Thoughts

 I've been troubled by the things that have been going on in our country. The riot last week at the Capitol was horrifying.  Unfortunately included with President Trump supporters were anti-Trump rioters but the timing of this whole thing was just plain weird. If the authorities knew this was going to happen because of information posted on the social media app Parler then why weren't steps taken to prepare and prevent the violence? Instead Google, Apple and Amazon removed Parler from their store after this all happened. A little too late Google, Apple and Amazon!

The media is having a field day with the whole thing. Either reporting half truths or concealing truth or telling downright lies. It just can't be trusted.

So what should  the Christian believer's response be? First of all we need to be praying. Even if that's all we do. Prayer is a powerful weapon. Pray for President Trump and in President- elect Biden. Right now there are impeachemt hearings going on which makes me wonder why the hurry to get Trump out when Biden takes office next week?  Is there something going on that the unreliable  press is not reporting that we should know? Seems rather silly and makes me think there is something fishy going on.🤔

Be cautious of what you read on the media. As I mentioned earlier the media can't be trusted. One of my Christian friends is doing a 31 day phone challenge and today's challenge is regarding the media. She says in her post to stop and think about what you are reading.  Ask ourselves " How do I know ss this truth?" " Can I verify this data, research or statistics?" " Is the opinion being stated as fact?" But most importantly Gina says is "Does it line up with the truth of God's Word?"

Gina posted this scripture which a good one for us to memorize if we haven't already. Philippians 4:8 - "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

This is something I really would like to do for myself.  I can't tell you the number of times I've either read a news article, a blog post and it's comments and got so angry and I focused on it all day. 

Finally as believers we need to be a light to a dark world. We need to share Jesus and what He's done in our lives. At church on Sunday our associate pastor asked this question after he had preached on Luke 16:19-31 which is the parable of the rich man and the beggar. He asked "Which is worse, our country "going to hell in a handbasket" or people going to hell?" 

He encouraged us to think of one person we want to reach for Christ and to send that person's name to him and he will commit to pray for him or her. We also need to commit to praying for that one person we want him to pray for.

I believe that most if not all my followers here are born again believers. I do get spammers or that one people who doesn't believe in "organized religion".Well I'm not into it either because "religion" is disorganized but Jesus is not! He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Note: There is a chance Google Blogger may remove this post as I saw someone's innocent post about the riot was removed. It would appear some Christian bloggers are being censored so we will see how long this post stays. Should my post be removed it may be a sign Google and need to call it a day and blog elsewhere. 

And a Correction

 In my birthday post, I mentioned I  bought soft crochet hooks. That should have said soft handle crochet hooks. It was late and I was tired and I didn't proofread my post.

These are what I'm talking about. The handles are very comfortable because of my arthritis.  My youngest daughter gave me a set of these crochet hooks last year and I love them so much I ordered more to replace all my metal hooks.

Happy New Year!

 Happy New year to all of you. The first day of the new year I always write my goals for the year however 2020 taught me that God always have other plans.

So my goal this year is to be open to whatever God wants me to do. There are things I would like to do such as do sew myself a dress with sleeves and crochet a granny square blanket.  I want to figure out ways of earning extra money like perhaps opening an Etsy shop but what would I sell? 

So anyway, I'm praying this horrible COVID will become a thing of the past. I'm sad there was no Rose Parade this year in California. I always looked forward to the beautiful floats and marching bands.

You all have a safe New Year!