Coffee & Conversation
The Sunday Night Check-In for January 18
It’s time for the Sunday Night Check-In! Welcome to our new subscribers; we're happy to have you aboard. Thank you to all for taking a few minutes with me as we begin a new week. January is more than halfway over. Time doesn’t march on; it races! I’m enjoying writing posts through the letter to the Colossians. Watch for brief devotionals on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday right here.
Almost 100 people picked up my newest book while it was on sale last week. Thank you so much. Seven Signs, Seven Days is a devotional companion to John’s Gospel. It is meant to be read with your Bible open. I have had many good comments in person and a couple of great reviews on Amazon. I’m proud of that effort and hopeful it will continue to bless readers in the days to come.
I’m currently working on three books (I’ve gone insane here!). The first one to be released this year is Afternoon Break, Volume 1 (my plan is that there will be three). My book for preachers will, I believe, be the next one after that. And sometime in the undetermined future, my first novel. You know I’ll be blasting news about those as they come out. Thanks to everyone who takes a moment to read one of my books. I’m grateful.
FORSYTHE
This morning at Forsythe Church, I preached about the episode of Jesus turning the tables in the temple. I struggled with that sermon and ultimately re-wrote it Saturday night, or re-framed it anyway. Notes and audio are available HERE. This month, we are collecting for the WellSpring Women’s Shelter (wish list HERE). Today, we began our new season of GriefShare. We never know who is going to show up, but whoever does, we are happy to serve. We give first-time guests a gift bag with a coffee cup. We have some new ones, and it made me think about the cups we have offered over the years. I don’t know about you, but there’s always room for one more cup.
GriefShare
Today we had ten folks show up, and as each time I offer this course, I am struck by the privilege of walking hand in hand with hurting souls for a few months.
Here’s a three-minute introduction to this excellent program.
READING
This week, I finished Dead Reckoning from the Stanton Falls Mysteries series by Susan Reed-Flores. It’s a mystery set aboard a cruise ship. I’ve enjoyed her writing, and although it is not Christian in theme, because she is a Christian, there is an absence of bad language and other stuff. That makes it more enjoyable to me. In our Bible reading program, we are finishing Genesis, then on to Mark’s Gospel.
Although many Substacks have paid subscriptions, my posts are always free! I do have a Hope Remains Gift Registry if you’d like to show some appreciation! Check it out HERE if you are interested. If not, I still love ya!
Thanks for the treats for our dog Cali - she is crazy about those things!
LISTENING
Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, and Queen Latifah are singing in a new release of one of Dolly’s most iconic songs. What an awesome collaboration!
POLL
In last week’s poll, 72% of you said you were summer people. 28% of us are winter people. This week, let me hear from my coffee folks… share your preference!
PHOTOGRAPHY from the archives
I love to photograph the Tufted Titmouse! They are beautiful, but they are QUICK! You have to snap fast to catch them!
A friend gave me a mug just like this and I promise it makes coffee taste better!
If you read this far, thank you for reading. I hope you are doing well and finding peace. This night owl has done his work. If you read this far, Bless you! Take care, friends. Work hard, smile often, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you now more than ever!
Great work Brother John, thanks for putting in the section on Greif Share.
Have a GREAT WEEK and may God continue to bless you and your family.
You are prolific!!