Welcome to the Sunday Night Check-In. I especially welcome thirteen new subscribers! And we said goodbye to some subscribers. I wish them well. Mostly. Thanks also to Charles R. Jarvis of Relevant Today for recommending Hope Remains! Also thanks to Ester Lau of The View from The Stars for recommending this newsletter as well. I would encourage you to take a good look at both of those excellent newsletters. You made my week Charles and Ester!
This is The Eclipse Edition!
Well, in the sense that the eclipse happens tomorrow. I have seen lots of speculation and, to be honest, some ridiculous posts about this event. It is supposed to be a cloudy rainy Monday here in Louisiana and we were not on track for a GREAT visual anyway. I’m a bit blasé about it if you can’t tell. I don’t mind everyone else being excited, though. OK, that’s enough about the eclipse (unless it sets off a cataclysmic catastrophe, in which case I’ll have something new to write about next week if the power grid is still operating). Oh, and Cracker Barrel is offering a free side of pancakes on eclipse day. I’m not sure what is the connection between the eclipse and pancakes, but pancakes are never bad news.
Thanks for checking in with me, but how are things with you? I see this on another substack and I appreciate the interest it shows. How was your past week?
Feel free to share the reason for your answer in the comments.
JESUS LIKES YOU
The highlight of my week was the publication of my new book, Jesus Likes You. In the first week I have sold almost 100 copies! Move over Max Lucado! Thanks to everyone who bought a copy, or even multiple copies to give as gifts! What a great idea!
I hope that this book will make us smile, and help us be reminded of some spiritual truths that will strengthen our faith. I had someone ask me about the title … why not Jesus Loves You? A great reason to buy the book! If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, the book is free for you to read. I will have some paperback copies soon. Since this is print-on-demand, when you order a book it takes longer to get. If you don’t want to wait on one, check on getting one from me. You can check THIS POST to see what some are saying about the book if you are interested. I’m receiving a lot of positive feedback, gratefully.
If you are on the Gospel eBooks mailing list, watch for an ad for Jesus Likes You soon. I really like this list and the Christian e-books on sale that it points out on weekdays.
Not to belabor this, but if you read the book and like it, you can help spread the word in three ways:
Buy more copies and share them with friends!
Leave a positive review on Amazon HERE.
Leave a positive review on Goodreads HERE!
The reviews are particularly helpful for people who do not know me and may be on the fence about purchasing a copy or not. Thank you!
At Forsythe Church we had a great Easter Sunday last week! A nice crowd was on hand to worship the King. Last year we did an extensive renovation - over half of our church building - and it was expensive. This past Sunday we gave almost enough to pay it off and then one of our members went to the bank and paid it off! What a wonderful blessing! The renovation was very needed, after decades since previous renovations. Now we have something so usable for outreach and service. Today Daniel Kirkendall preached and challenged us from Acts 1 to be mission-minded. He talked a lot about our mission to Honduras. Next Sunday, Lord willing, I’ll be preaching from Acts 3.
Sunday night we had a singing that brought in guests from several area congregations. Jackson Street Church of Christ came over to sing with us. Worship leaders were Andrew Ashley, Terry Davis, and our own Grady Lewis. It was a great crowd of friends and family and we enjoyed the enthusiastic singing!
READING
This week I finished Travis Bookout’s outstanding Cruciform Christ, which I mentioned last week. I also finished John David Graham’s Running As Fast As I Can. I was very engaged with this story. It is dramatic, emotional, and impactful. Though it is not a story about faith, the faith of the main character is woven throughout this story of pain, struggle, and redemption. I have now started The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny. I am ready to get back to Inspector Gamache. I also won a copy of Just In Case You Ever Feel Alone by Max Lucado, a new children’s book with an important theme. I won that on Goodreads, where I sign up for the giveaways frequently! In our Bible reading program, we finished James and I am through with Joshua. Matthew is next.
WATCHING
We continue to watch Shetland, a couple of episodes at a time. I find the characters very engaging the more I’ve gotten to know them (as Jennifer Rundlett suggested would happen!). We watch the singing shows, The Voice and American Idol, but the judges on those shows will have to cull down the contestants before I get very excited about any of them. Other than that, I haven’t watched a lot of television this past week. My wife and daughter enjoyed The Way Home on Hallmark. I didn’t watch it but I do admit it has a great 80’s soundtrack in parts.
LISTENING. This song has been on my mind this evening. I’m listening to it as I write.
My brother was here to visit a few days ago. I shared a post about that good visit. Friday afternoon I went back out to Black Bayou for a few hours. Always beautiful. I’ll share a few photos with you.
On The Holy Lens this week we continue praying through the Psalms together. There continues to be a good rate of readership and some interaction. I appreciate that and I’m glad it is meaningful to others. It is meaningful to me as well. Today’s post was from Psalm 53 and has a strong New Testament connection to the book of Romans.
Well, this is going out late but there you have it. Checking in with you, my friends. Be watching for the Lord to be at work in the week ahead, He’s already there. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
Great. The flowers in picture 4 look similar to Colorado columbines. Are they related?
Not even Solomon . . .