One of my favorite songs of Christmas!
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The Loft –FAVORITE BOOKS!
It is Tuesday and that means it is The Loft day. (Graphic by Kerry Messer )
This week’s topic is BOOKS. A great topic. BOOKS. Where would we be without them? Darkness I’d say. Reading. One of the most blessed privileges a soul can have. I think one cannot learn too early to read and a soul does not live long enough on this planet to read all the good there is to read out there! And I think I am learning that it is good to read outside your preferred genre from time to time. It broadens one’s perspective.
Unbroken 
by Laura Hillenbrand was such a book for me.
There were pages upon pages, chapter after chapter that was soul jarring, so much so that my instinct was flight but I stayed the course; much because the One who had recommended the book is loved and respected. The conclusion was worth it all!
As with Leah, I am of the same mind, the Bible is THE BOOK. The one read that if you miss it you have missed it all! Favorite Translations? That varies with the season of my life. I have a copy of The New American Standard Bible with worn covers. It was my constant companion for a space of about three especially hard years. Even though I now default mostly to the Complete Jewish Bible that dog-eared, chipped-up leather cover holds golden treasures for me. It would take an Act of the HOLY SPIRIT for me to part with it. Then there is the Amplified Version and the King James and the New King James, The Reese Chronological, the Parallel Greek English New Testament, The Message, The New Century Version, The New Living, and I think there’s an NIV too on one of these shelves. No shortage of Scripture on the shelves in this house — May it be, ABBA, there will be no shortage in me of Your Word.
Let me give a short list of some other titles that have nourished me.
Understanding Jesus – Joe Amaral. That was my book of the year 2013. It stays with me.
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller. A must read! One to refer back to again and again. Want a sample? Here is chapter One in audio:
Forest Man by J. Steve Biggs. Entertainment for me! Written by a much-loved friend. I’m waiting for a sequel. Or the movie! :) :) Steve has written another, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. It is a heavy one and at times over my head as to Creation – Intelligent Design. If you have an interest, you owe it to yourself to read it.
This has gone on sufficiently long, hasn’t it? I’m looking forward to seeing the Reading List of others at The Loft.
Day 280 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.
Kathie
Even with Wobbly Knees
Earlier this morning I opened my Bible via my iphone – it opened to John 16. A most appropriate passage for today.
John 16:1 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. via John 16 NASB;CJB – Jesus’ Warning – “These things I – Bible Gateway.
See what I mean?
If you would like to read the passage in its entirety, just click the link above and you will be directed to Biblegateway dot com; there you will be able to read the chapter in either the NASB or the CJB or choose another translation of your liking.
Jesus (Yeshua) continues in the Passage with promises and assurances. He ends the chapter with this:
33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” via John 16 NASB;CJB – Jesus’ Warning – “These things I – Bible Gateway.
I also find comfort in the CJB version of this verse:
33 “I have said these things to you so that, united with me, you may have shalom. In the world, you have tsuris. But be brave! I have conquered the world!” via John 16 NASB;CJB – Jesus’ Warning – “These things I – Bible Gateway.
tsuris – tribulation
Be brave? In this world? Right now? Today?
Yes. For HE has conquered the world! And this assurance is real and sure; even more so than the sun which rose over this continent this morning. Bravery does not mean we blindly without caution jump headlong into a thing. No, it means we move forward through the day, through the tsuris with HIM even when our knees are wobbly.
Be brave. We are not alone. He is with us.
And the most effective way I know to practice His fellowship, infusing us with bravery is to give Him thanks, to live in eucharisteo in all things.
Day 254 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.
Kathie
Something Funny
Time to visit The Loft. And this week’s challenge is Something Funny. I say challenge because I do not consider myself to be funny; not that I have not on more than a few occasions given a few folks a good laugh. :) Even the HOLY SPIRIT told me one day that I needed to loosen up and have some Holy Fun. I kid you not!
However, I can direct you to funny. His name is Joe. Joe McGee. He cracks me up in a holy way. Here take a listen.
Want more? There’s enough for all day, click HERE
That’s it folks. This is me being funny! I hope you laugh enough to get those endorphins so stirred up that you will feel good all day!
