Life Interrupted and other thoughts

I am new to this blogging thing so I'm still trying to organize my blog and my thoughts. I would really like to find a way to put my goodreads widget on here so you can see the books I have. I may end up using a different site if I cannot get things to post on here like I want them to. My wonderful techie hubby will have to try to assist me.

I currently have a few books in the works (I seem to read more than one book at a time.) My friend, Mary, suggested I read a book by Priscilla Shirer called Life Interrupted: Navigating the Unexpected. Thank YOU, Mary!! This book is wonderful. Shirer uses the book of Jonah to show how "interruptions" in our life can actually be God's intervention showing us what He is calling us to do. Jonah is a quite short book in the Bible, so she is able to really go indepth into scripture.

I really enjoyed her chapter on second chances. Our God is the God of second chances, but just because we are given a second chance doesn't mean we aren't asked to complete the task God assigned us. Like Jonah, we could be running away and suddenly swallowed up only to be put back on the shore we were running from.

I highly recommend this book. It is based on scripture and the book of Jonah but it is not a "bible study" in the traditional sense. I would encourage you to dig out your bible and really look at the passages she discusses them in this book. Pray that God give you open your heart and mind to the message He is putting out there for you.

What does it mean to be the Lord's light? I think it means shining through the darkness in our life--whatever it is. The darkness could be an illness, an unpleasant person in your life, your past, anything that weighs on you. I do struggle to be a light through the darkness and I doubt I am alone. Jesus does offer us a way to let go of the things weighing on our hearts.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."    Matt. 11: 28-30 ESV

Sometimes I need a song to remind me how to do this. My new favorite song is by Newworldson called Learning To Be The Light. 

Some of you know that I was recently baptized by immersion at Hillcrest Bible Church. In my renewed devotion to the Lord and as a way to reach others, I am creating this blog. I pray that I will be able to keep up with it as I have started so many things in my life only to quit after a short time. I have been reading quite a few Christian books lately. I'm going to start with doing some book reviews and add in some little nuggets or inspirational ideas that come to me. 

For those that do not know, the title of my blog is in reference to Jesus' sermon on the mount where he talks about being like salt and a light to the world. I think that as a Christian this is very important and also very difficult. This is my journey about learning through reading the Bible, Christian books, devotions and every day life. My goal is to read one book a month and to keep up with my daily Bible reading plan. Thank you for coming along on my journey. 

      "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.             

       You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:13-16 NIV