So many Christians leave Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media channels for their Lenten devotion or fast. With the purpose of Lent being to rededicate our lives to God and grow in holiness, I understand why so many fast from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more for Lent. Our social media feeds these days are full of darkness, sadness, and temptation. They are far from the original purpose of the platforms to bring community together. Pope Benedict said in his message for World Communications Day 2013, “Believers are increasingly aware that, unless the Good News is made known also in the digital world, it may be absent in the experience of many people for whom this existential space is important.” He continued. “Social networks… also reshape the dynamics of communication which builds relationships.” This is part of the reason why I dedicate my time to sharing the Good News online. I believe in my call as a Christian to go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS – eve
New Year’s Day 2022 propelled Goodreads beyond their server limits as over five million existing users reviewed last year’s reading challenge and new users signed up to join them in setting new reading goals. I love the Reading Challenge, with its ratings and reviews to remind me what I’ve read and what I liked - or didn’t like – each year. I added 45 books this year. Several were Texas Bluebonnet Award nominees, which I read with my son each year. Other titles come from review copies from publishers, previews through NetGalley , or titles that caught my eye while browsing through a bookstore. A few came from Once Upon a Book Club . Another reliable source for new titles is The BookPage , a monthly independent recommendation guide offered at our local public library. My 2021 Top Ten In reviewing the 45 books I added to Goodreads this year, I discovered 17 standouts. From those I chose these ten books as my “top reads.” Here they are in no particular order: 1. Finding Sanctuary:
