...and not one I EVER thought would prompt me to put pen to paper!
It all started when a friend gave me a bag of books to take to the charity shop for her and said that I could take a look and if there was anything I wanted, to take it. OK. Thanks very much!
I had a look through, there were some gardening books, a beautiful Concordance Bible and....a huge book of women's stories that I thought I would take a better look at. And I am so thankful I did!
Inside were 5 stories, re-written in a more contemporary way about 5 strong women of the Bible, and one of them was my favourite Ruth.
Knowing the 'Love Story' of Ruth, a sort of Cinderella story, I was looking forward to the other 4 stories too.
Well, I read them all. How wonderful they were. Well written and thought provoking. Each section ended with a set of questions, a bit like a Book Club might ask, you know....what did you think of this character, did what happen surprise you, how could it have ended differently.... you know what I mean!
Well, in essence, this book was a book of Bible stories and the review questions were Bible studies.
It was so good I ordered the book of 5 stories about men in the Bible!
And this is what I'm reading at the moment.
Reading that first book was a pinnacle moment.
It lead me to watch a sermon on TV which got me searching for a book to help with my anxiety called 'Be Anxious for Nothing' and this was linked to another called 'Battlefield of the Mind'.
And these in turn got me thinking about my bookshelf and some books I had that I could revisit. When I was studying for my health sciences degree I was recommended a book by Lee Strobel, all scientific studies...all faith based. In fact he has written at least 3 in the same format, all undertaken to disprove the person of Jesus, disprove Creation over Evolution and to question faith. Science and Faith? Well, I challenge anyone to read these and not think more deeply about the scientific findings within.
So began my journey to rekindle a belief that took root as a child, but had never been developed because I didn't know how. Now I know more, I am excited. In this hurting world, it calms and thrills me that, irrespective of faith, we can read a book that gives us good advice and live a better, more considerate, more loving life that not only makes us happier but can be used to bring happiness to others too.
Until next time,
Toodle-ooo!
Nora xxx
