Welcome to the Sunday Night Check-In - Don’t miss the big news below! But before we do that, I want to especially welcome new subscribers! We have a hearty 11 new subscribers over the past week and I’m glad to have you aboard! Feel free to leave a comment and introduce yourself or just tell us what you had for lunch today. We’re good with that.
BIG NEWS!
My big news is about a project I’ve been working on for a while now and am ready to reveal! JESUS LIKES YOU is the name of my new book to be released soon. The subtitle is Fifty Words For Stronger Faith. Fifty devotionals, all based on some of the most beloved Scriptures, that I hope will encourage and strengthen you for the days ahead. I’ll post more information here soon, but I would ask if you would pray that this book will be a blessing to those who read it. I do not have a large marketing campaign in place, so I’m just going to hope that friends and soon-to-be-friends will get a copy and enjoy. The first edition will be an e-book, available on Amazon one happy day before too long!
The thought that Jesus Likes You might be a head-scratcher, but it’s a story I look forward to sharing in the book. I’m happy to share the news of this book with you. This is the first public place that I’m talking about it! I appreciate your interest.
Many thanks to Mike Crow from The Meandering for mentioning this newsletter yesterday. That was a great encouragement. I recommend Mike’s posts. You should subscribe to his newsletter - when you’re finished here! Always an enjoyable read! Thanks, Mike!
I haven’t been out to take any photographs this week. It’s been pretty rainy. But I did manage to get some seeds planted and some small plants in the garden. So I think the rain is a good thing! An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was hanging out in the backyard a few days ago. My daughter alerted me to it and we both got some pictures of this beautiful creature.
At Forsythe Church this week I finished my series on the Lord’s Supper. I really enjoyed this series and feel I learned a lot. In my classes in April I am going to be teaching from a little book called Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope For Those Who Struggle to Care by Uche Anizor. It was highly recommended by a friend and I think it will be just right for the three nights of study. If you’re local, we would love for you to join us at 6 pm on Wednesdays. Today we were focused on Mark 15, our attention on the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Next Sunday we will celebrate the death of death as we observe the Resurrection of Jesus!
COOKBOOK
I’m not sure I’ve ever mentioned here that Forsythe Church has a cookbook. If you are a cookbook enthusiast and would like to order one, let me know!
READING
I finished Louise Penny’s A Rule Against Murder. Sometimes when you read multiple books by the same author you can detect a formula or get tired of the characters, but not so with Penny. I mostly listened to this one but read some as well. I have a request in through the public library app to get the audio for the next book in the series, The Brutal Telling. However, I may just start reading it on my own and not worry about the audiobook. I finished Published: The Proven Path from Blank Page to 10,000 Copies Sold by Chandler Bolt. In his book, I find some help in the self-publishing enterprise, but some of this is a bit overwhelming, he operates on a larger scale than I intend. We are in Deuteronomy this week in our Bible reading program.
LISTENING
This week’s sermon deliberations have been emotionally difficult. How can one adequately speak about the profound sacrifice of Christ on the cross? I found comfort and encouragement in listening to Robin Mark’s Highly Exalted. I listened to it several times. Keith Lancaster’s Praise and Harmony group has a great acappella version of the song HERE. I’m also listening to the audiobook Run Rose Run, a collaboration of James Patterson and Dolly Parton. The audio is fantastic, with a cast of readers, including Dolly herself!
A little humor….
WATCHING
With the news that the newest season of Vera is on Britbox, I subscribed and have been watching the episodes. There are some other shows I want to catch while I’m subscribed, but Vera is the main draw. Brenda Blethyn is fantastic as Vera Stanhope and has a great cast all around.
I went into the archives and found some photos of moonflowers from a year or two ago. Last summer the moonflower vines didn’t do well and so I had to buy seeds this year. I’m waiting for them to aarrive so I can plant and enjoy once again.
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me. I do appreciate it! I doubt anyone is as excited about my book coming out as I am, but I hope it is of interest to you. Be watching for an announcement before too long. I hope your week is filled with the best of God’s good things. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
Just finished "Fire in My Bones" an autobiography by Jimmy Allen
I’m excited to hear about your new book. It sounds interesting and needed. I am always surprised by how you have time to do so much. I was also surprised by A Rule Against Murder. I didn’t quite have this one figured out. I was in the right neighborhood. Halfway through The Brutal Telling. Penny keeps changing her formula. She is keeping me guessing still. I’m a big fan of Vera and all things Britbox so if want recommendations there I can provide several. Have you tried Shetland ? It is like Vera but different character and setting. Well have a good week!