I don’t know how it can be June already, but here we are. Welcome to the Sunday Night Check-In, especially to new subscribers. Always feel free to say howdy in the comments. Back to June, it is the half way point of the year. If you have big goals for this year, you better get to it! I saw a post on Facebook that there were 30 weeks until Christmas. I didn’t count, but it gives perspective! For now we are in the Summer months and that means lots of travel. When are you most likely to travel?
Last week I was battling a sore throat and thankfully that seems to be a thing of the past now. I did manage to go out to Black Bayou Lake NWR one day this past week and take a few pictures. I wasn’t out there long, but it was as enjoyable as always.
At Forsythe Church this morning we began our summer study, Journey With Jesus: The Daily Trek of Discipleship. We started with the Beatitudes, a significant teaching we sometimes fail to put into action. Our church had a “low country boil” after the gathering and everyone enjoyed that. Doug White and David Gordy and crew outdid themselves. Sunday evening I had the privilege to preach at the Sterlington Church of Christ. Legendary gospel preacher, Don DeLukie, is the minister at this good church. I enjoyed being with the group there. (Don would not like to be called “legendary”, but in these parts, he truly is.)
READING
I devoured A Great Reckoning and am working through a few other books before starting the next Louise Penny novel, Glass Houses. According to Louise Penny’s newsletter, the next Three Pines book will be released on October 29th and is called The Grey Wolf. In our Bible reading group we have finished 2 Samuel, Colossians, and now we are venturing into 1 Kings. My Goodreads Challenge tells me I’ve read 46 of my goal of 75 books for the year.
A Few Passages (but not spoilers!) From A Great Reckoning
“It took a long time, and a lot of help … the world is a cruel place, but it’s also filled with more goodness than we ever realized. And you know what? Kindness beats cruelty. In the long run. It really does. Believe me.”
“We are all of us marred and scarred and imperfect. We make mistakes. We do things we deeply regret. We are tempted and sometimes we give in to that temptation. Not because we’re bad or weak, but because we’re human.”
“There is always a road back. If we have the courage to look for it, and take it. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I don’t know.” He paused again. “I need help. Those are the signposts. The cardinal directions.”
WATCHING
We did finish AFTER THE FLOOD and it was a great story (on Britbox). I’m not watching anything else at the moment, although my friend Mark has gotten my interest up for The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch. Maybe I’ll give that a try. Have you seen it?
Some blooms from the backyard this week.
Other Stacks to Check Out
In case you missed it on this newsletter, I posted:
The Cup - one of the storys in Jesus Likes You circulates around a cup in my office all these years later!
Love Made a Way - a midweek reflection about how love made the difference in a seeker’s life.
When You Disagree - I’ve had to put my own advice into practice this week with some of the news and culture happenings.
Last week I mentioned Kent Peterson. I love his nature photos and thoughts, such as in his latest post HERE. I wanted to share that I bought one of his home-made stamps. It is a heron. I love it! Talented guy, that Mr. Peterson!
Chris Anselmo has another heart-felt encouragement about asking for help. Out of the Abyss is excellent.
Richard Myerscough offers up some inside information on Autism and the Church.
Always interesting and thought provoking, Duane Toops’ Remain is a post I enjoyed.
THANKS
Thanks once again for spending a little time with me this Sunday night! Watch for a mid-week message coming sometime… oh … mid-week. Whenever that is. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
Thanks for the shout-out, John! I like that kindness quote from A Great Reckoning