When October Goes
The Sunday Night Check-In
Hello friends, it’s time for the Sunday Night Check-In. Thank you for reading, especially new subscribers. We have 507 subscribers as we conclude our second year on Substack and look forward to another great year of connections. This will be the last post for our very-dry-October, and I just wonder how it went by so fast.
Some of my personal heroes are David and Elaine Kilbern. They were the catalyst for an enormous relief effort following Hurricane Katrina in Pascagoula, Mississippi. I was saddened to note the passing of their son, Davy. I’m praying for David and Elaine and Davy’s wife, Karen, and their children. This is going to be a difficult season for them all. I pray that they all know how much they are loved.
Last week I offered a giveaway of some of my books and people were so excited that there were SEVEN comments on that post. So, I’m going to send them each a book. Trent, Kim, Chris, Tim, Valerie, Jennifer, and Bruce - if each of you would send me an email with your preference of format (paperback or e-book) and address, I’ll get those out to you. Thanks for your participation! (My email is dobbs [at] duck.com)
Last week’s poll was pretty decisive. 57% of you think that licorice is the worst Halloween candy (Sorry Valerie!). I’m just glad candy corn, my favorite, only reached 10%. This week’s poll has to do with Halloween participation.
At Forsythe Church this morning we continued our series through Romans with a study of chapter 12. (Notes and audio available HERE.) Next week we will be in Romans 13. God has a sense of humor to have me studying that text two days before the presidential election! We will proceed, however, in faith! Wednesday we have Trick-R-Trunk or Trunk-or-Treat, anyway kids get candy and we all have hot dogs and chili - if you’re local come join us from 5-7.
Yesterday I went out to Black Bayou. It was only about an hour before dark, but I enjoyed the visit anyway. One of these, the squirrel, was from last week.
READING
I didn’t finish any books this week. I bought an ebook that I thought was a murder mystery and now about halfway through The Pumpkin Spice Cafe I realize no one is dead yet. I can see where someone would enjoy this, so I don’t want to say anything bad about it - but it’s not my cup of tea. I picked up Praying God’s Perfect Will for free on Amazon HERE. I follow Todd Eflin on Substack (here) and I’m looking forward to this. I’ve been enjoying Quiet Reflections of Peace - a night time devotional. I also read a few Risen Light Nature Photography Devotionals most days. This one looks better on the iPad or iPhone Kindle app, as the photos are in full color. In our Bible reading program we finished Ezekiel (Hallelujah!) and now we are reading the Gospel of John.
I have been informed by Books-A-Million that The Grey Wolf has shipped and I’m anxious for it to arrive. Someone gave me a BAM gift card some months ago and I spent it on this book that I’ve been excited to get - and that should happen this week! I’ve already read a synopsis of the plot and I can’t wait to dig in.
WRITING
Thanks to those who have purchased MERRY CHRISTMAS TO A BROKEN HEART. I am hearing some encouraging words about this project. I posted some of the comments of early readers HERE. Also, several people bought copies of JESUS LIKES YOU this week, so thank you for that! LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER is also available and would be a great book to start off your new year with daily prayers through the Psalms. In my opinion, they would all make great Christmas gifts!
About Merry Christmas To A Broken Heart:
“Whether it is lights or food or song, these things do not necessarily have to only be painful reminders that we are in the middle of the holidays without a loved one, but can be elements that remind us of a great God that is present and carries us during this time. I really appreciated that Dobbs didn't simply recommend hunkering down and weathering the tough storm of painful nostalgia and loss, and neither did he just say "Cheer up!" He actually presents practical ways to use those painful reminders to your advantage in your grief.”—Amber Smith, Wasilla, Alaska
LISTENING
When October Goes is a plaintive and moody tune that suits me at this time of year.
OTHER STACKS TO CHECK OUT
Get Todd Eflin’s new book on prayer by reading this post.
Cork Hutson shares some wisdom about purchasing automobiles.
Repentance and Rest, Quietness and Trust - Richard Myerscough
The Vineyard and the True Vine: A Love Story - Chuck Phillips
Seven Bible Verses to Pray Before You Go to Sleep At Night - J. R. Heimbigner
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
Praying the Psalms was my second presentation at the Prayer Workshop. Notes and audio.
What Readers are Saying about MERRY CHRISTMAS TO A BROKEN HEART.
On The Holy Lens this week we are praying through some passages in 1 and 2 Peter.
If you’re still reading, blessings upon you! I’ve enjoyed checking in with you. I’d like to know what’s going on in your world in the comments. I may have a mid-week meditation, but this could be my last post for October. I guess because it is the beginning of my third year on Substack, I’m thinking about how I can adjust my posting here. Oddly, I hate to make any changes because I know that will mean some unsubs. But I also have to work smart. The Holy Lens has a goal: 365 daily posts. It will likely come to Hope Remains in 2025 and not be quite daily. Maybe my ‘Sermons and Studies from Forsythe’ will come here as well. I will adjust to only having one post per day, and some days no posts. And who knows how many actually will be read? Anyway, those are some of the things I’m thinking about and have a few months to decide. As for you, work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
Thanks for the shoutout John! I will say that I am very, very disappointed that candy corn only got 10% of the vote. I stand firmly in that 10%.
Love the Egret photo and the song, John. I'd not heard that one before. Also, thanks for the shout out (with misspelled last name, LOL).