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Reading Challenge 2023: Are reading challenges any good?

Posted on December 28, 2022December 28, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

As every new year comes around so do the ‘Reading Challenges’. And every year I commit to a reading challenge, and every year I fail. Or I think I do. I come home from work wiped out, mind bleary and only able to absorb kitten or thrifting videos … picking up but then putting aside the book I’m reading “until tomorrow”. Until suddenly it’s December and the same book is still staring dolefully at me from the same place I’d put it down.

So this year I vowed to ignore all Reading Challenges.

Then GoodReads sent me a link to “My Reading Activity” this year. I put my hand over my eyes like I was watching a horror film and clicked…but it wasn’t so bad. Hey! I read more books than I thought I did! I perked up and took a good look at the stats.

Twenty-four books, not so bad. I didn’t finish a couple, like the Trueman book, but I did skim the rest of it after I read the first chapters. I put down the “Book Lovers” book because it was supposed to be a romantic comedy but it was filled with rough language (f-bombs). Like, why do that? So I quit that one pretty early. Not all books are winners.

My favorites were A Night To Remember, A Sheep Remembers, Puritan, and Johnny Cash’s bio of the Apostle Paul, Man in White. Y’know, those were GOOD BOOKS! I’m glad I read them! So that is number 1 reason to dive into a reading challenge, you end up reading good books! Maybe not as many as I’d wanted, but some!

Looking back, another value of the reading challenge for me was that I know I would not have read Treasure Island unless I’d been challenged to. It is a classic and I like to read the classics, but I always put them off in favor of some other book, either an easy fiction or a spiritual book. Not so this time, and I completed the book. I’m glad I did. It was haunting and interesting and truth be known, challenging to read. So that’s good.

Another value of the Reading Challenge is that I tend to track my progress at GoodReads. I know in addition to the 24 books listed I read a few other booklets from Chapel Library, but now I do not remember which ones. At least I have these I’d tracked thanks to GoodReads.

And the value of tracking is not only to help me remember what I’ve read (either to revisit my enjoyment of the book or to continue to apply edification of the book’s concepts to my heart and mind) but to help me stop beating myself up for ‘failing’ to meet some goals. Now can objectively assess my reading progress rather than through the veil of “I’m too tired” and “I’m a failure”.

Hm, I guess there is value in doing a reading challenge after all. So far I’ve counted 4 valuable lessons for participating in one, with a 5th below. Here are the books I read in 2022.

A Sheep Remembers Calhoun, David B. Jan 2022
Hell Bay (Barker & Llewelyn, #8) Thomas, Jan 2022
A Time for Confidence: Trusting God in a Post-Christian Society Nichols, Stephen J. Jan 2022
Man in White Cash, Johnny Jan 2022
Borden of Yale ’09 Taylor, Geraldine Guinness Apr 2022
Moody: A Biography Pollock, John Charles Apr 2022
The Atonement Murray, John May 2022
Treasure Island Stevenson, Robert Louis May 2022
A Night to Remember Lord, Walter May 2022
Disorder in the Court: Great Fractured Moments in Courtroom History
Sevilla, Charles M May 2022
The Sovereignty of God in Providence Reisinger, John G. May 2022
Our True Riches in Heaven MacArthur Jr., John F. Jun 2022
Blood Is Blood (Barker & Llewelyn, #10) Thomas, Will Jun 2022
Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1) Peters, Elizabeth Jun 2022
Brothers, We Are Not Plagiarists: A Pastoral Plea To Forsake The Peddling Of God’s Word Schrock, David Jul 2022
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution Trueman, Carl R. Jul 2022
The Blood of the Lamb: The Conquering Weapon Spurgeon, Charles Haddon Jul 2022
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament Vroegop, Mark Aug 2022
Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson Carson, D.A. Aug 2022
Because the Time is Near: John MacArthur Explains the Book of Revelation MacArthur Jr., John F. Nov 2022
The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey, Buck, Rinker Dec 2022
Benefiting From Life’s Trials: [James 1:2-18] (John MacArthur’s Bible studies) MacArthur Jr., John F. Dec 2022
Book Lovers Henry, Emily Dec 2022
To God’s Glory: Lessons on Puritanism: Puritan DVD Workbook, by Joel Beeke Dec 2022

Right-click to see larger in new tab.

I see my pattern. I started off gangbusters in January, fresh from the new year, entering a new challenge. Then not much (at least not recorded) in Feb-March. April we have a week-long break so I read at home then. And of course as the end of May, June, July came I am on summer break, so I see I resumed then. September and October I’m in the flush of a new school year and consumed with that, so I see the reading dropped off. Then as November’s Thanksgiving and December’s Christmas school break approached and with it, the end of the year, I resumed my gangbusters attitude to try and meet the Challenge goals.

I decided to go ahead and do another Reading Challenge. I picked the G3 Reading Challenge again, because I like those guys and because I’m attending the National Conference this September. Below are the suggested books and the ones I chose under each suggested category. The Reformation Women book by VanDoodewaard isn’t strictly a marriage biography, but first, I own it already, and second, I want to see how these women, if they were married, managed in making such a global impact while married and attending to their home duties.

And that’s the other thing, I own these books already, except for Powlison’s Power Encounters. There is time enough to find that one either at a library or a book sale, or at the least, Amazon when the time comes to read it. That’s another benefit a Reading Challenge does for me, makes me take a hard look at my shelves, and focus on reading the books I already own.

So here is my checklist of books I’ve picked for the G3 2023 Reading Challenge:

I was glad to review my reading throughout the year because it helped me see my patterns. I don’t want to let two months go by without absorbing some good material. Of course, it isn’t a total black hole, I’m reading the Bible, and also stuff given out in Sunday School class, but still, it’s too long to just sink into a routine of only watching media and not reading.

I’m looking forward to this year’s books. What are your thoughts on Reading Challenges and such? Do you have reading goals for the New Year?

theology

Ministries to Follow: Recs & Lists

Posted on December 27, 2022December 27, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Ladies, as a New Year approaches, you might be thinking you’d like to change up who you follow for women’s ministries. Or maybe the Spirit grew you in discernment and you’ve abandoned some less solid ministries but aren’t sure who to turn to next. I can recommend these ministries of women by women, though you’re certainly NOT restricted to women only! I do encourage women to follow solid men too.

I personally follow WWUTT.com (Pastor Gabe Hughes at When We Understand the Text, DB Harrison and Virgil Walker at the Just Thinking Podcast, and anything from The Master’s University or The Master’s Seminary. There are so many other male-led podcasts I can recommend too, Reagan Rose at Redeeming Productivity, the guys at Ligonier and Ligonier Connect, Chris Hohnholz and Rich Story at Voice of Reason radio, Nathaniel Jolly and Ekkie Tepsupornchai at Truth be Known podcast, Andrew Rappaport’s Striving for Eternity, and so many others.

If you’re looking for solid discernment ministries, there are several I trust. Chris Rosebrough-the Pirate Christian, Justin Peters Ministries, and Steve Kozar at the Messed Up Church. I also enjoy videos from the BTWN guy Tim Hurd, and Polite Leader Alan Hunter.

Here are some ladies’ podcasts I think you may enjoy:

The Women’s Hope podcast, with Dr. Shelbi Cullen and Kimberly Cummings. “Join Dr. Shelbi Cullen and Kimberly Cummings as they bring hope and encouragement through 25 years of combined experience in biblical discipleship and counseling as ACBC counselors.”

Susan J. Heck With the Master. “Susan is a certified counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (biblicalcounseling.com) since 2003. She is also the author of With the Master Bible study series for ladies and many books. She has memorized the entire New Testament along with two books from the Old Testament!”

Martha Peace. “…Received training and certification from ACBC, which stands for Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Martha teaches counseling classes and counsels in her church’s Certified Counselor Training Center. She has also written many books, most notably “The Excellent Wife.” She is a noted church and conference speaker, too.

Amy Spreeman and Michelle Lesley “A Word Fitly Spoken“. Each of these women have separate ongoing ministries in the form of blogs, Bible studies, and other written material, links to which are inside the podcast link on their About page. Michelle has a long-standing blog of discipleship and discernment issues, has written Sunday School curriculum for publishers, and has authored a book, in addition to traveling for speaking engagements. Amy also has much written material on topics of discernment and discipleship and also founded Naomi’s Table Bible Studies for women, and participates in speaking engagements.

Brooke Bartz, founder of the free online annual conference, Open Hearts in A Closed World Women’s Online Conference, Brooke has authored “Chronic Love: Trusting God while suffering with a Chronic Illness” and the Christian teen book “Godly Ever After (Fiona’s Faith, 1)”

These women are solid.

What I look for in a podcast, either from men or women, is a serious podcast that takes on biblical concepts unafraid and unapologetic, in love and gentleness. If the podcast discusses cultural issues, do they do so in a tone of charity, yet being solidly informed?

I think too many podcasts from ladies send too much of the podcast time giggling, horsing around, and talking of inane things. It is insulting to me, to think that of a 40 minute podcast I’ve got 20 minutes to waste. I don’t. I have limited time and increasingly as I age, with limited mental energy to devote. My ‘think time’ has shrunk! If you’re a younger woman, you only have so much time before the baby wakes up, the dinner has to be cooked, the husband arrives home, etc. If I want to indulge in a mental break or some inanity I’ll watch Green Acres or a few kitten hijinks videos. Spending half your podcast time in personal conversations with each other, swapping in-jokes, and larking about, is self-indulgent! It also displays a lack of control and women who teach are supposed to display control. Titus 2:5, 7 says older women are supposed to teach the younger to “be sensible…dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach,” yet they themselves are not sensible or self-controlled. Ugh.

Secondly, I also think it lowers the credibility of a woman’s podcast to spend time with giggling and tomfoolery, and then turn to the word of God to share eternal concepts. A podcast to me, IMO, is kind of like a pulpit. If you’re going to relate biblical concepts to people, do so with gravitas and a commitment to the One who authored it, in seriousness and earnestness.

So look for podcasts from women who are sensible, self-controlled, dignified in speech, true to the word, and talk about Jesus more than themselves.

I know we are all crunched for time most days, and every minute is precious. If you don’t listen to many podcasts (or sermons, teaching series, audio books, hymns, or Bible studies) I ask you to consider doing so. In the in-between times, like when folding laundry, doing errands in the car, or over a quick lunch, we can fill our mind with Bible-based, edifying material. Even 5 or 10 minutes’ worth will be edifying. 10 minutes 6X a week is an hour. An hour a week is 4 hours a month, and that adds up to 48 hours a year of “extra” edifying material. After all, our mind is how the Spirit transforms us, through the Bible’s good word and through discussions over the Bible’s concepts and doctrines.

Happy New Year ladies!

prophecy, Uncategorized

Thirty Days of Jesus: Postlude, He is coming again

Posted on December 26, 2022December 26, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 30, He sat down

Posted on December 25, 2022December 25, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We are coming toward the end of our look at the life of Jesus through scripture. The first section of His life was seen through verses focused on prophecy, arrival, and early life.

The next section of verses looked at Him as the Son, second person of the Trinity.

Continue reading →

prophecy, Uncategorized

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus- Day 29, Ascension

Posted on December 24, 2022December 24, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We are coming toward the end of our look at the life of Jesus through scripture. The first section of His life was seen through verses focused on prophecy, arrival, and early life.

The next section of verses looked at Him as the Son, second person of the Trinity.

We proceeded into looking at Jesus as the Son’s preeminence, His works, and His ministry. Under ministry & works, I chose verses showing His attributes and aspects of being servant, teacher, shepherd, intercessor, and compassionate healer; and His attributes of omniscience, having all authority and power, and sinlessness.

Continue reading →

prophecy, Uncategorized

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 28, Resurrection of central importance

Posted on December 23, 2022December 23, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Christmas advent. We are coming toward the end of our look at the life of Jesus through scripture. The first section of His life was seen through verses focused on prophecy, arrival, and early life.

The next section of verses looked at Him as the Son, second person of the Trinity.

Continue reading →

theology

Jesus was not born in a stable; more on ‘The Nativity’, art by Gari Melchers

Posted on December 22, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I enjoy biblical art, and I’m entranced with a few particular pieces. One I come back to a lot happens at Christmas time, and I love to look at it. I’ve written about it before. It is called The Nativity, by Gari Melchers.

When preaching about this moment in history, Pastor S. Lewis Johnson emphasized the virgin conception rather than the virgin birth. He preached that the birth was typical, human, bloody, and messy. It was the conception that was immaculate. The art by American painter Gari Melchers depicts a scene more reflective of a birth than most nativity scenes usually do.

Here, we see a deeply concentrating Joseph gazing at his newborn son, perhaps pondering the spiritual implications of this new physical life that promised to bring new spiritual life. Note his furrowed brow. Mary, exhausted, drooping, leans against her husband sleepily, a recently used washbowl and cloth by her side. Is the glow from the Babe’s head, or the lantern that has been set next to Him? The scene depicts exhaustion, wonder, light, and hope.

Julius Garibaldi Melchers (1860-1932) was an American artist. He was one of the leading American proponents of naturalism. He won a 1932 Gold medal from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, according to Wikipedia.

As for the setting itself, it is unusual in that it does not show the usual display of a barn or stable, with animals around. Certainly the Wise Men from the East were not present. Historically we know that appeared up to two years later, when Mary and Joseph were living in a house and the babe was a toddler. This is another reason I’ve always liked this painting, above all others. It is more closely historical and accurate than many people know in setting the scene in the animal section of a house.

It was highly likely, almost certain, that Mary gave birth in a relative’s house. Perhaps the house was crowded with other relatives who’d arrived for the census prior to Joseph and Mary’s arrival, so the only spot left was the downstairs entry where the animals were usually kept. Here is information about the likelihood that Jesus was not born in a barn or stable, but in a home, and probably a relative’s domicile. The essay also discusses what is meant by “inn”, and more.

Once More, Jesus was Not Born in a Stable

The mention of a ‘manger’ in Luke’s nativity story, suggesting animals, led mediaeval illustrators to depict the ox and the ass recognising the baby Jesus, so the natural setting was a stable—after all, isn’t that where animals are kept? (Answer: not necessarily!)

The third issue relates to our understanding of (you guessed it) the historical and social context of the story. In the first place, it would be unthinkable that Joseph, returning to his place of ancestral origins, would not have been received by family members, even if they were not close relatives.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16)

advent, theology

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 27, He Rises

Posted on December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Christmas advent. We are coming toward the end of our look at the life of Jesus through scripture. The first section of His life was seen through verses focused on prophecy, arrival, and early life.

The next section of verses looked at Him as the Son, second person of the Trinity.

We proceeded into looking at Jesus as the Son and His preeminence, His works, and His ministry. Under ministry & works, I chose verses showing His attributes and aspects of being servant, teacher, shepherd, intercessor, and compassionate healer; and His attributes of omniscience, having all authority and power, and sinlessness.

Continue reading →

encouragement, Uncategorized

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 26, Jesus’ sinlessness

Posted on December 21, 2022December 21, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

This section of verses that show Jesus’ life are focused on His attributes & earthly ministry. We’ve seen Him as servant, teacher, shepherd, intercessor, and healer. We looked at His attributes of omniscience, His authority, and now His sinlessness.

He came from glory where righteousness reigns. He descended to an earth that’s cursed where every single human is depraved, thoroughly drenched with a sin nature. He lived among us, sinlessly and perfectly fulfilling the Father’s commands for righteous living. He did this at every moment in every way. Not one blot, not one thought, not one act of anything less than perfection.

For this, He was reviled, mocked, hated, and killed.

He did it for us.

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Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 25, Jesus’ Authority

Posted on December 20, 2022December 20, 2022 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

This section of verses that show Jesus’ life are focused on His attributes and earthly ministry. We’ve seen Him through what He does, as servant, teacher, shepherd, intercessor, and healer. Now we look at who He is by looking at His attributes. We looked at His omniscience yesterday and today we ponder His authority.

How to represent the authority of Jesus over life, in pictorial form? That was a tough one. I settled on the notion of the dock being the long journey of finite earthly life in the flesh, then we come to an inevitable end and launch up and into the eternal heavens. Jesus has authority over every step.

I recently wrote an essay focusing on the authority of Jesus. It is linked below if you’re interested, along with a couple of additional essays from credible sources.

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Further Reading

The End Time: Jesus Has the Authority
What does this mean, exactly? Let’s look into the nature of the word authority and what it means when Jesus says He has been given all of it.

AIG: What is the extent of Jesus’ authority?
When Jesus told His disciples He has full authority in heaven and earth, His declaration came before giving them a direction: “make disciples of all the nations.” … Yet we easily forget that the implication of biblical authority is much more than defending truth. In the case of Matthew 28:18–19, upholding the authority of the Bible is about doing. If God’s Word is authoritative, we must not overlook any directive in it. We should never consider one passage more authoritative than another.

Ligonier Devotional: The Authority of Jesus
In today’s passage, Mark highlights the matter of Jesus’ authority by recording an exchange our Lord had in the temple with “the chief priests and the scribes and the elders” not long before He went to the cross.

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Thirty Days of Jesus Series-

Introduction/Background

Prophecies-
Day 1: The Virgin shall conceive
Day 2: A shoot from Jesse
Day 3: God sent His Son in the fullness of time
Day 4: Marry her, she will bear a Son

Birth & Early Life-
Day 5: The Babe has arrived!
Day 6: The Glory of Jesus
Day 7: Magi seek the Child
Day 8: The Magi Offer gifts & worship
Day 9: The Child Grew
Day 10- the Boy Jesus at the Temple
Day 11: He was Obedient
Day 12: The Son!
Day 13: God is Pleased with His Son