Never Stop Growing
Many of you know we lost our daughter to STAGE IV colon cancer over five years ago. Our loss was her gain; she went to her Lord and Savior and Joanne and I are grateful for the time we had with her here. We miss her, no question.
If you followed Jen’s last years on Facebook (Jennifer Ciervo Koren) you witnessed a courageous, positive, funny woman who fought for her life and with everything she had. We were blessed to have her and learn from her. Jen was a wordsmith and had names for everything, like her cars, gadgets, etc. One issue was front and center to her was her purpose in life. I believe she excelled in that.
Jen’s motto for most of her career and certainly her final days was “never stop growing.” At her memorial service in Maryland, she had sapling Blue Spruce pine trees for everyone to take home. A sign adorned each one with her motto, “Never Stop Growing.” We have at least four of them around our property.
So, what came to my mind was to encourage you with this motto, “never stop growing.” For me, my best tool for growing spiritually and as a person is reading. There are other ways to grow spiritually, morally, and by serving, but reading is foundational, inspirational, and of course educational. It’s also challenging.
I’ve always been a reader whether it was historical novels, or back in the day - Literature was part of our education. Biographies of George Washington Carver and Classics like Moby Dick, and Julius Caesar were part of the curriculum. Although I can’t remember all we read I believe they helped me grow. Regrettably this is not the case in education today.
Most Christians (people in general) read at a certain level and put books down if it looks too difficult to grasp the subject. Most of us read at a fourth grade level, at least that’s the level newspapers are written at. I would add most Christian books are written at that level.
I continue to read and study. I don’t think I’ll ever stop either, because I am a life-long learner. This year I’ve listened to (Audible) and read more than two books a month. That’s modest as I looked over my Audible library. - that’s twenty-four books. I’m always anticipating another good book.
I mentioned some of my favorites in a former newletter, but here’s an update. Since that newsletter I went back over and included newer reads.
I read mostly my interests which I defend by believing God gives me books to read. I providentially come across titles that catch my eye, usually more than once. Once I start the book I understand why I must read it. I don’t have any unfinished books in my library and make a habit of getting at least a Kindle copy of the book to highlight. I know, it’s extreme. My library grows and grows.
I’m not challenging you to do this, not bragging either. It’s a love interest. There’s lots of things I cannot do and know reading limits my time.
So here goes: I’ve read quite a bit on Socialism/Marxism. But here’s why . . .
After reading a couple of books on cultural effects, like education and transgender issues (Abigail Shrier’s Irreversible Damage, broke my heart and angered me). I also kept coming across the underlying issue of cultural marxism. It’s everywhere and you may have begun to hear it in the media. I then began to understand that Marxism is not just anti-capitalist, it’s anti-Christian. Dare I say it has the makings of a formidable Anti-Christ.
Fair Warning: So here’s my challenge for you: If you want to grow and keep growing first, start to read above your level. Stretch yourself. It’s no shame to sit with a dictionary.
I suggest in next year read these four books. Really just these four.
- America’s Cultural Revolution: How the Radical Left Conquered Everything, by Christopher Rufo
- The Marxification of Education: Paulo Freire’s Critical Marxism and the Theft of Education, By James Lindsay
- Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture, by Aaron Renn
- Pagan America: The Decline of Christianity and the Dark Age to Come. By John Daniel Davidson
Start a book club in your church and meet to discuss what think or what you’ve learned by reading.
There’s a progression in these books I’ve listed as they will broaden your perpsective and I believe they’ll help you understand the world we live in so you can address these issues. In the least, pick one to read and begin. They are all eye-openers!