it’s Friday, it wasn’t “Fantabulous” but it is Friday.
I had a Grand-baby free day, Daughter number one had her day off, so I thought I would get a lot more done than I did… but what I did do was move around all the furniture in the living room, vacuum the rug and sweep the floors, got all the washing in the whole house done, out on the line dried and brought in, folded and put away, except for the load which is out there now.
And then I got lazy.
I was going to write Snail Mail. I owe some letters, but then I looked at them and felt like it was all too hard and so I did not do that. I had a cat nap and watched a DVD with the children and read my new cook book “Paleo Cooking, from Elana’s Pantry” its Gluten free, diary free and Grain free recipes. You can find out more about Elana at her website here: http://elanaspantry.com/
So that got me thinking about how much I wanted to share about my book on my blog, because let’s face it, not many people in my real life circle are readers and even the ones who are, are not as eclectic (I love that word!) as me, so they are usually not really very interested in hearing about my books. So I have decided to add a page to my blog where I will talk about books.. they are one of my favorite subjects and there are thousands of books in my house, my husband keeps building shelves and I keep filling them up, recently I decided to “set them free” after I read them because let’s face it, there is not enough time to read a good book more than once when there are so many other good books waiting to be devoured.
Then I discovered “Sarah Mae” (go here: http://sarahmae.com/ ) and she is a Christian Blogger and in February she is starting a group to read Christian Classics. She has a little group called “Sisterhood Circle” its free to join and then you can join in with Sarah Mae and her reading, she’s supplied a list for the first six months, a book a month. I had a quick look, I have never heard of these books but I might enjoy them…
Here is what Sarah Mae has to say…
I declare 2015 the YEAR OF CHRISTIAN CLASSICS!
Oh friends.
I can hardly wait to dig into these great books WITH YOU. I’m just going to jump right into what I’m reading, and then I have FAQ below that will give you all the details of the club!
What I Will Be Reading
I have picked six books, one per month, that I am committed to reading. After six months is up, I will pick more classics for the rest of the year. Below is what I’m reading, a bit about that book, and my note on why I’m reading it.
First up (of course)…
About: This book contains rare, never before published material of selected, transcribed, edited sermons delivered by A.W. Tozer.
BONUS: Contains In Pursuit of God, Christianity Today “Readers’ Choice Award” winning biography of A. W. Tozer by James L. Snyder.
My note: If you know anything about me, you know I love Tozer. That’s why this book. Also, this: “I am looking for the fellowship of the burning heart – for men and women of all generations everywhere who love the Savior until adoration becomes the music of their soul…”
About: The Holy Spirit & Power contains ten Spirit-empowered, original sermons of John Wesley from John Wesley’s “Standard Sermons,” excerpts from John Wesley’s testimony, material from “The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley,” and portions from his letter to Dr. Conyers Middleton.
My note: I read the beginning of this to see what it was about and I was completely sucked in. It pretty much had to do with this quote: “I became a missionary to convert the heathens; but oh who shall convert me? Who, what, is He who will deliver me from this evil heart of unbelief? I have a fair summer religion. I can talk well, and believe myself while no danger is near. But let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled.”
About: Who’s in control of this world—God or the devil? In this best-selling classic, A.W. Pink answers such profound questions in a language the average Christian layperson will find not only understandable but totally engaging.
Pink, one of the most influential evangelical authors of the last century, writes with fiery passion and brilliant clarity, giving Biblical answers to our deepest questions regarding the “sadly neglected and little understood” doctrine of the sovereignty of God.
My Note: I have always heard of A.W. Pink but I have never read anything he has written. Time to change that!
About: Time after time, when Jonathan Edwards read his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” both sinners and sinning saints in his audience would weep, cry out, fall down in repentance, and plead for God’s forgiveness.
For more than two centuries, Jonathan Edwards’ messages have brought conversion, hope, and spiritual awakening to thousands of Christians. Updated and revised, these eleven classic messages will bring a fresh awakening to today’s Christians.
My Note: This is probably Edwards most famous sermon, and the title makes me wince. But I want to know what it says and why it has captivated people throughout the years.
About: God’s names reveal not only different dimensions of His character but also point to their fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. This insightful little book is a study of the twelve most common Hebrew names for God—and their significance and fulfillment in Christ.
Names of God accurately and clearly works through the many names of God throughout the Old Testament.
My Note: I want to know they names of God and, as the description says, understand their fulfillment in Christ. Fascinating.
About: George Mueller was a truly great man of God, but he wasn’t always so. As a youth, he was a thief, a liar, and a gambler, but God’s grace brought about a 180-degree turnaround in his life. After that happened, Mueller learned about the power of prayer, which taught him that: God is real, God is completely trustworthy, and God answers prayer.
As you read the bountiful and miraculous answers to prayer in this book, don’t be surprised if you feel a stirring within your spirit that becomes a desire to pray and ask God to use your life for His glory.
My Note: George Mueller was the director of an orphanage in England, and he cared for thousands of orphans. You might remember him as the man who, when 300 children had no food to eat, he sat at the table and thanked God for the food. Within minutes, food and milk was provided. Wow. I want to know more about that man and about that kind of faith and prayer.
FAQ
Why are you doing a Christian Classics book club?
I have decided to do a Christian Classics book club because I have long wanted to spend more time reading Christian classics, but I have never made the time or effort. This year, I am going to dig into the words of the saints of the past, as I know there is such richness to be unearthed. Also, some the books I’ve chosen are just extremely famous (if that’s the right word) and I want to know about them. For example, “Sinners in the Hands of Angry God” is not exactly something I would pick up, but because it’s a well-known and revered classic, I’m going to read it.
Why wait until February?
I’m waiting until February for two reasons:
1.) I’m technically still on my year-off break. 
2.) I’m doing a book study of Sally Clarkson’s new book, Own Your Life, in January.
When will we officially begin?
I will begin reading my first classic book at the beginning of February. On Friday, February 27th I will post my thoughts on the book. I will have a link-up where others can share what they’ve read and what they’ve learned.
How will this club go down?
Here’s the plan: You pick six Christian classics to read, and so will I (see the books above). At the end of each month I will write my thoughts/what I’ve learned on the book for that month. I will include a link-up for those who want to share what they’ve learned. You are welcome to read the same books as I am reading, or choose your own.
Will there be any interaction other than link-ups?
Maybe. I might do a Google hangout or something like that so we can actually discuss what we’re reading at the end of the month. I’ll figure this out in the coming months.
Can I do a real-life book club?
Yes! If you want to get some friends together and read a classic, I say GO FOR IT! I think it’s a fantastic idea!
Let me know in the comments if you plan on joining in! (If you’re reading this in an email, just click here to come on over to the blog!) Here’s to February and learning and FELLOWSHIP of the burning hearts! You know, I may just rename this the Burning Hearts Club…what do you think?
So I am thinking about starting a challenge page for that, it will be monthly where I will check in and let you know what I am reading and how I am going with it… I will check out my local library and see if I can find any of these books there rather than go right out and buy them.
There is so much coming up in 2015. I think I am going to have to pace myself, at about this time of the year I start thinking back about this year and ask myself things like “Did you enjoy that class/lesson/book/study group? etc ect” and thinking about do I want to do the same next year or something different, I am a bit like a magpie, my mind flutters all over the place and likes to investigate any different things. Apparently that is common to the “Libra” Star sign… we’re ditsy until we find our passion and then watch out.
So I was asking myself about this year and I’ve come to the conclusion that the few ART CLASSES I did that were centered about Biblical teachings were the ones I most enjoyed, because when I started them, I was new to my “Walk with the Lord” and I didn’t know about what I was learning and so as I was learning new things I really connected well with it and loved it. One of the Classes was “His Kingdom Come” with Shonna and that proved so popular she’s started a whole ning class for the whole year..you can find out more about that here: http://his-kingdom-come.com/ The class I am most excited to do is called “Take me Deeper 52 verses” and here is a little bit about the class..
Take Me Deeper™ is a free weekly journey at His Kingdom Come beginning Friday, January 2 2015. Take Me Deeper™ will be a weekly devotional and verse that will prompt us to spending time in His word. It is about each of us encouraging, sharing and studying the word.
Each week you will get the opportunity to translate bible study into art- mixed media, a journal, a photograph, or a digital page, poem, music. Every Friday HKC will post a verse, devotional, worship video and examples of how we interpreted the bible study in our art. We pray that these 52 weeks will change how you approach, engage and apply God’s word in your life and art. At the end of the year regardless of how many weeks your participated, you will have created a legacy of the faith walk. This legacy will show you how God has moved in your life!
So I am looking forward to not only my daily devotionals and bible studies but also weekly Art lessons about biblical matters.
In January I am starting a 30 day Journal writing class..online… with Lisa Sonora. I have done previous classes with her and enjoyed them, you can find out more here: http://www.lisasonora.com/blog/flow-30-day-journal-project/
So next it’s time to think about “New Years Resolutions” Do you make them? I make them each year and I usually manage to keep them.
So far for next year I know one of my resolutions is going to be “Dig Deeper into my walk with the Lord” Probably I’ll have something to do with my “weight” and maybe something about my “creativeness” whether that be writing or art or both… but I’ll let you know those closer to 31st December.
So talk to me in the comments section….
- Do you make New Years Resolutions?
- Do you keep them? if not why?
- Are they too big and hard?
Kim L Hine 