ULTIMATE BOOK CLUB
Every month I look forward to watching the Anchor at Home. I sent an invitation out to several friends asking them to join me for a watch party at my house.
I love to try the appetizers and fun drinks from our Anchor Watch Party Kit and I get excited about gathering together to view the virtual Anchor and to be encouraged.
Last week I had made a list of several women I know to ask to my Anchor watch party. Sadly, they all had to decline due to their book club groups that just so happen to meet on the first Thursday of the month—our Anchor at Home day. After being turned down, I went to bed that night pondering book clubs. I’ve heard a lot about them over the years.
They gather people together regularly to discuss books they are reading. I have several friends who talk about their groups and the insightful books they are discussing. Maybe it’s my “FOMO” (fear of missing out) but I laid in my bed wondering why had I never been asked to be in a book club. I rationalized in my mind that I needed to be in one — to broaden my horizons and to gain the wisdom that comes from different authors and topics that encourages lively, interesting discussion sure to enlighten my soul.
I began to have a sinking feeling and wrestled with thoughts of self-pity wondering why I had never been invited to be in a book club. I questioned myself: was I not smart enough or fun enough? Truth be told, this line of thought was sending me down a negative spiral. I somehow shut my brain off as I drifted off to sleep thinking I would pick the topic up again in the morning. That is when I couldn’t believe what happened!
I awoke early the next morning. My days are always action-packed as I get ready to tackle the day and all it brings. This particular morning began a little differently than usual in that it started with a Zoom Bible study. It is a study I recently joined on the book of Amos. Amos is a very short book in the Old Testament of the Bible and I have never studied it before. I actually don’t think I’ve read it since I was 12 years old when I received my first Bible and was determined to read the entire book cover to cover. Honestly, I didn’t even remember that there was a book called Amos.
The Zoom study starts promptly at 9:00 in the morning. With coffee, Bible, and computer on hand, I was ready to begin. There are 30 women on the Zoom call from all around the country and it is quite an amazing experience to delve into discussion on God’s word. The wisdom and insight I’ve gained already has been enlightening and has deepened my knowledge of the Bible.
This is when the crazy thing happened to me.
I was just sitting there, eyes glued to the computer screen, when the woman leading the study randomly diverted the discussion to another point she felt was relevant to share with the group. She looked straight into the camera and began to share about her thoughts on book clubs. Her words grabbed my attention in that she was addressing the very topic I had fallen asleep noodling on just hours before. She said she was aware of the many book clubs in our world today gathering people together for discussion. Now mind you, she wasn’t discrediting them and the fun social connection and camaraderie they provide; rather she was actually making a point about an important book club that tends to get overlooked in our world today. Her words spoke to me so loud and clear as if she knew the thoughts I had been wrestling with on this topic.
As she glared into the computer I felt as if she was staring right at me and she said, “You know the best book club to be in is on the BIBLE.” I can’t even begin to describe the way these words spoke so directly to me. I literally had just been invited by a friend a few weeks ago to join her in this Zoom Bible study. It was as if a light went off in my mind so bright and clear: I HAD been invited into a book club — the BEST BOOK CLUB — one focused on the Bible. I quickly texted my friend and thanked her for inviting me. I kept thinking about the timing, how perfect it was, and the peace that it brought me. I was confident I was in the book club that was best for me.
Reading the Bible and listening to what it says has been helpful in staying anchored to Jesus and His truths. I’ve learned the importance of meditating on and memorizing scripture to help stay grounded on the promises of God and the peace, strength and joy they bring. (“Meditate and Memorize” or M&M as I have come to refer to it, and my favorite candy 😉). The longer I let the truths soak into my heart the stronger I am to live this life.
I want to invite you into the ULTIMATE BOOK CLUB!
I have written a Bible study called “Live Anchored” and am asking you to join me in studying together. The study is on 5 simple truths about the Lord and how to anchor them in your heart.
Please join me for three Tuesdays in May (the 11th, 18th and 25th) from 9am to 10am (PST) on Zoom. You can sign up below if you are interested and we will get more information to you. Let’s encourage one another and take time for the book club that will change our lives and help us to experience anchored living forever!
Please join me for three Tuesdays in May (the 11th, 18th and 25th) from 9am to 10am (PST) on Zoom. You can sign up below if you are interested and we will get more information to you. Let’s encourage one another and take time for the book club that will change our lives and help us to experience anchored living forever!
Fill out your information below to get all the information on the Ultimate Book Club!
With hope and light,
BY MAIL
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The Anchor Gathering
c/o Director of Finance
14717 247th Pl SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
ONLINE
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www.theanchorgathering.com/give
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