Welcome and thanks for stopping by for the Sunday Night Check-In. Howdy to the five new subscribers. Hope you all had a great Easter weekend! I’d love to hear from any of you in the comments - just a shoutout telling us where you’re reading from would be fun. When you were growing up, did you have visits from the Easter Bunny? We definitely did. If you have kids at home…
My background music while composing this post is a great instrumental from Integrity Music located HERE.
I’ve had an interesting few days on Facebook - as I have been limited by the powers that be (some call it Facebook jail). For 24 hours I was unable to ‘like’ any posts. I could read, respond, and even post on my account. But what’s this about? So I endured my 24-hour restriction … and now less than 24 hours later it has happened again. I find this very odd.
I had hoped by tonight to have exciting release news about JESUS LIKES YOU, my book that should hit Amazon any day now. But not yet. I have paperback and hardback samples ordered - if they meet my approval they will be available as well. Don’t worry, you’ll get a special email from me when that comes through! I’ll wait until then to reveal the cover I settled on.
At Forsythe Church, we had a super nice Resurrection Day service with a ton of guests, enthusiastic singing, and a sermon I enjoyed sharing (notes HERE). I concluded my sermons through Mark’s Gospel. The families with children had a combined class and made ‘Resurrection Gardens’ and had devotional and egg hunt together. In April we will have some messages through the first eight verses of Acts. On Wednesdays this month I will have a three-part series on Apathy, springing from Uche Anizor’s interesting book.
Our Easter celebration at home was quiet but enjoyable. We don’t have any littles to entertain, so we enjoyed a great lunch prepared by Maggy. My mom came over to enjoy it with us. I understand that my brother is coming to Monroe tomorrow (Monday) and I look forward to seeing him. It isn’t nearly as often as I would like.
This cardinal was in my back yard a few days ago. I think he was a bit dramatic.
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of taking pictures of the cardinals.
READING
This week I’ve been reading John David Graham’s Running As Fast As I Can. I follow him on Substack and have enjoyed getting to know him through his writings HERE. To be honest, the book is a bit unsettling, as it traces the journey of a young man through poverty, abuse, and the inner struggles of life. I am looking forward to seeing what happens to the main character. This week I expect to finish John Mark Hicks’ Tranforming Encounters: Baptism, Assembly, and the Lord’s Supper, which is an excellent Bible study. As we conclude our study of Mark, I have to say that the very best book I read among my resources was Cruciform Christ by Travis J. Bookout. I quoted him so much in my sermons and classes. I would encourage you to get this and add it to your Bible study library. He also has a book on John’s Gospel. In our Bible reading program, we have finished Deuteronomy, and James, and are headed to Joshua.
WATCHING
This week we have been watching SHETLAND on Britbox. We watched the most recent season first (Season 8) and then started at the beginning and are almost through with Season 2. It is based on books written by Ann Cleeves, who also wrote the books that VERA is based upon. For all these characters I’m enjoying based on Cleeves’ books, I suppose I should open one up and read it.
LISTENING
I’m still listening to Run Rose Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton. I do not have long before I’ll be through. This is really a great audio book with a superb cast, including Dolly Parton, and a large cast of readers. It’s a good story, as expected from James Patterson. I have enjoyed it.
HUMOR
And I legitimately saw this in an ad from WalMart. If these ads are being fed to us by interest, I wonder in what crazy way I gave the idea I’d be interested in this:
That would be good for weight loss right there. I’d rather starve. I was going to ask if any of you have tried that… but I will unfriend you if you admit it.
Well, I’ve kept you long enough. If you read this far, you are an exceptional, stellar, and amazing friend. Try not to fall for any tricks on April Fool’s Day, which means no watching any news media! I hope your week is filled with the best of God’s good gifts. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
So is Jimmy Perez growing on you? And Tosh? And the rest of the gang on Shetland? Enjoy!
And I definitely think that cardinal is taking a bow.
I love your posts and what you call Easter, Resurrection Day. I hope it has been a glorious day! God bless you. Jesus is risen!