Join Two Christian Online Book Clubs

Are you a voracious reader?

Well, I have the perfect two book clubs for you!

Both are online, and it doesn't require meeting up with others; you just get a book mailed to you every month. I suspect they are not very well-known book clubs, and especially in this day and age, book clubs aren't as popular, but these two are serious and very rewarding clubs in becoming more knowledgeable about God, saints, the Christian life, etc. So, here they are:

CATHOLIC ANSWERS BOOK CLUB

As a book club member, here is what you get (as of this writing, since, of course, it could change in the future):

A St. Thomas Aquinas bookmark 

• Submit questions to the club inbox for a segment on Catholic Answers Live with the author

• Invite-only livestream events with the author and others discussing the book

• Members-only sneak peeks at content from upcoming titles

• Exclusive coupon codes for club members to purchase additional copies of their favorite titles

• As of this writing, club monthly fee is $25.00.

SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS

As a book club member, here is what you get (as of this writing, since, of course, it could change in the future):

• One of the top new releases every month

• Spiritual treasures that will help you deepen your understanding of the faith

• As of this writing, club monthly fee is $15.00.

Both are Christian "Catholic" book clubs, but really, anyone can benefit from them, as many of the books are not directly related to Catholicism only. 

Enjoy!

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

Climate Change and a Change in How We Treat Animals

One of Relevant's articles asks: Why Don't More Christians Care About Climate Change? 

Well, that's a good question, but it's not just about climate change more Christians should care about. Christians should also care about animals.

Jesus constantly spoke about love and caring for others--and this includes all God's creations, which includes animals of course. We should love them--not eat them and using animals in selfish ways.

Oh, I know people will say, "Jesus condoned eating fish..." I have my own theory about this, but also like many passages in the Bible, we don't always know the reasons why it was mentioned. Plus, think about it: Jesus was a loving, compassionate person toward the vulnerable; this is constantly, consistantly mentioned throughout the gospels! For Jesus to mention eating fish in just a few passages is very contradictory to his MANY other teachings AND His personality. 

It's wise to go by Jesus' overall teachings of not harming others and respecting God's creations than to focus on a few instances contrary to His teachings and His nature. 

There is a reason as to why fish was eaten in those few instances, but as I said, we don't understand every thing written in the Bible.

Also, eating animal products does effect our environment and our health.

More Resources:

Christspiracy: Correcting 2,000 Years of Censorship on Animal Ethics 

https://christspiracy.com

Meat and the Environment

How Meat Harms People – From Health to Human Rights

Every Argument Against Veganism | Ed Winters | TEDxBathUniversity

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

Your "Calling"

Everyone has a "calling", whether they realize it or not. 

One of the most clear signs of one's calling is something that has interested you or has constantly been a part of your life in a positive way since you were a child. A calling is more about others than about you; it's a service you do to get others closer to God (directly or indirectly) to glorify God.

It is important that we realize our calling because it will help us to go further in being successful in it, thereby praising God more. 

It can become an "obsession" in a negative way if we feel saddened, very anxious, depressed, etc...any negative kind of feeling about finding out what our calling is. Just pray for a better understanding of your calling if you feel those things, and have faith that God will reveal more to you about your calling. 

In the meantime, continue to do positive service(s)--it could be more than one!--that you are most interested in that helps people get to know God. Who knows? Maybe that is (or those are) actually your calling.

Read more about one's calling here:

https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/can-christians-be-too-obsessed-with-calling

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

How to Handle Money

The article at the link below gives great advice on giving, being generous and tithing. Even when you don't have much money to give, there are other things you can do.

What Does Generosity Look Like When Everyone's Broke?

"We give generously, save wisely and then live appropriately", the article mentions.

Here are my thoughts on each:

GIVE GENEROUSLY

Pray and think about where God wants you to give. Of course tithing is the number one priority (and by the way, tithing literally means one-tenth of your salary. If you give more than the tithe, that extra is an "offering". Less than a tithe is a "donation"). If you feel lead by the Holy Spirit to give to other places also, then do so--generously--but not more than the tithe. If you can't afford to give one-tenth of your gross salary, then give one-tenth of your net salary.

SAVE WISELY

Give to yourself also. Have a financial plan for your future. Again, pray about it. Go by the leading of the Holy Sprit in where and how much you should save for yourself. If you want to invest your money, fine, but don't obsess over it. Invest moderately and try not to think about it much.

LIVE APPROPRIATELY 

Many people live above their means. Make sure what you buy is aligned with what God wants you to buy. It's not just "What Would Jesus Do?", but also "What Would Jesus Buy?", meaning is it modest? Is it healthy for the body, mind and spirit? When you buy what God wants you to buy, you can afford anything! The closer relationship you have with God, and the more you lead a godly life, you will naturally truly want only what God wants for you, and you can get it all.

Also, don't hate money or love money. Be neutral toward it. 

I'm not financially rich, but I truly can buy whatever I want. 

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

No Excuses

I want to mention a very common excuse Christians use in order to not be a true disciple and spread the Word.

Christians tend to do two extremes: 

1. We don't mention God at all, and no one (or very few), outside of fellow Christians, don't know we are Christian.

2. We are overbearing, shoving Jesus down people's throats.

I think most Christians fear doing #2 so much, they cower under #1, as an excuse not to talk about faith at all.

But there should be no excuses. Actually, talking about your faith life should be no different than when people talk about their life interests, and passions.

For instance, at work it's quite common for co-workers or bosses to ask you after the weekend, or a vacation, "How was it?" "What did you do?" Instead of saying something that doesn't really have to do with faith, tell them what you did that is faith-based that you did, like for example, "I started a Bible study." Or, "I discovered a great way to pray throughout the day". Or "I started going to a new church." Say it with enthusiasm! It's perfectly OK to say that. You are not "preaching" to them, but simply answering their question (if they don't like the answer, they won't ask you again).

This way, you are not being silent about God, and you are not being pushy about God. You are just giving witness in how you live your life. 

Everyone in your life--work, social activities, etc.--should know you are a Christian. That alone is witness, but don't be scared in going beyond that by taking the next step:

If someone asks what you did, or what you are going to do, mention your faith life.

Here are some additional things about discipleship:

4 Things We Get Wrong About Discipleship

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

Stop Waiting and Just Do It

This article, sadly, reminds me of my own problem in waiting for big issues to pass before I start back my daily Bible Study/Catechism/Bible stories reading. (which all only lasts 1 hour a day total).

So, part of my mid-year New Year's Resolution is to do that daily--no matter what!

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

Christian TV Show Resurrection

7th Heaven is Officially Getting Resurrected

The Christian soap, Another Life, should also be resurrected!

I have been binge-watching this old series for about a week now. It's very good, although it would be nice if they mentioned God more, but as characters in the show become Christians, they are to talking about Him more frequently.

Unfortunately, Another Life episodes 1-69 were not released on syndication, but an introduction in episode 70 does give background information.

I LOVE the opening scene of Another Life, where it shows the sun in the background of an ocean. It's such a soothing comfort for me...I have always loved watching (and hearing) the Pacific Ocean, so no surprise there.

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com