1 Corinthians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 There is so much packed into this epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian Church. There are many sermons that have been preached out of here, on love, spiritual gifts, roles of men and women in marriage and the church, doing things that might cause weaker believers to stumble. There is a long discussion about eating food offered to idols, and I think a lot of the meaning of that is lost on modern-day Christians. I think there was more to it than just eating food that was set before idols, then given to others to eat, but I am going to have to research it. We know that in many Greco-Roman temples, not only were there animal sacrifices, but also sexual offerings as well, and demonic activity. But like I said, I think this needs some in depth study before I comment any more on it.

I am going to share one little part of this book from chapter 10, verses 6-13. In context, Paul is speaking about the Israelites during the time of Moses in Exodus, how they constantly turned back to idolatry and sinful acts, and is applying it to believers: 

"Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did. Don't become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play.' Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead. Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes. Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it. "

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

Romans, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 Ah, the book of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul, to the Christians in Rome. There is so much good stuff in this book I don't think one can retain it all in one time through it. In the first chapter, Paul tells us that the depravity in the world comes from seeing evidence of God in this world and rejecting him, causing hearts to be hardened, thinking becomes nonsense, and their senseless minds become darkened. Claiming to be wise, they become fools, exchanging God's glory for cheap counterfeits.  And it is for this reason that God turned them over to depraved minds including homosexuality, envy, murder, pride, boasting, inventing evil, parental disobedience, undiscerning minds, untrustworthy behavior, being unloving and unmerciful (paraphrased). Paul lays it all out from the get go and he's pretty blunt. He was speaking to the early church in Rome, a center for immoral behavior, and I am sure that many new converts came from that culture where immorality was just an acceptable part of daily life. He had to make sure they understood that this was not acceptable, especially as followers of Christ. He then proceeds to make sure they know that ALL have sinned and need Christ, from the decadent Roman citizen to the Pharisee in the synagogue, and that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ.

I will probably hit other areas of Romans the next time I read it, I just wanted to share this opening part of it. Note that nowhere does it say that because Jesus loves them, that sinners can stay in their sinful lifestyles and still be part of the body of Christ. We all must turn away from our sin  and not pick it up again. We can't turn away from it if we don't recognize it as sin. And we can't do that without God showing it to us.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

Painted Garden Art Anyone Can Do by Lin Wellford

Painted Garden Art, Lin Wellford, ArtStone Press

This is not my first Lin Wellford book but it is just as delightful as the rest. These garden art projects look like so much fun, I really want to try them! Being a semi-pro artist, I feel like I don't have time to do things for fun, I have to constantly be creating art to sell or show, but I really want to do some of these projects for my own yard. I love the elephant border, the iguana stone, and the koi pond. Who knows, maybe I will put aside everything else and just do it!

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

 

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk, Kelli Estes

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk, Kelli Estes, Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing

I LOVED this book. This is yet another fictional storytelling of Chinese American history. This book is based in the Seattle area and Orcas Island, going between present day and the late 1880's-1900's during the Chinese Exclusion Act. 

A young Chinese woman escapes genocide by being pushed into the water near Orcas Island and is rescued by a kind man. This is her story, and she embroiders her history and the story of her family on a silk robe, part of which is discovered years later. This story profoundly affects the family that discovered it, as well as the professor who researches its history. I am not going to say much more because you just need to read it.

Absolutely worth reading. Even though it's fiction, it gives one an idea of how the Chinese were treated. It makes me think about the Lilly White mine, near where I live in Baker City, Oregon. The mine was worked by Chinese slaves, and instead of paying them, when the mine was mined out, they sealed the workers inside and blew it up with dynamite, literally killing hundreds of Chinese.  It's sad and atrocious what mankind has done in our country's history. Reading things like this helps us remember and strive not to let things like that ever happen again.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck