Good friends & Good books

I'll start by saying that there are two things I really enjoy. Spending time with friends, and reading. Spending time with friends is something I've been able to do quite a lot of in the last few years. Reading? Not so much.

I have been challenged over the past several years by my "friends" quite frequently. I have had several what I thought were "close friends" just drop off the map or stop talking to me altogether because of something that was going on in my life. I now realize that it was because they weren't "close friends." In just the past few weeks, I have had several people from the church reach out to me, take time to read my blog, or just stop to chat at an unexpected meeting. I barely know these people, but it is easy to see that they truly care about me, my husband, my family, my faith.... These are the kinds of people that I/we should be surrounding ourselves with. The same kind of friend that I have tried to be to others...the kind that would lend you their last $5.

We haven't gotten a chance to get involved in a small group at church yet, but I can say that I am very much looking forward to it. I am anxious to find some other couples with young children with a passion for Christ that we can become friends with and build lasting memories with. I can say right now that I do have one true friend. One that supports me no matter what, and that has been such a blessing in my life. He has helped me through some very tough times, and I am eager to find some more true friends to share in my new "changing" life. Through church, and maybe even through this blog that he inspired, I'll find some.

Maybe these new "friends" can suggest some books on God, faith and religion to me, as well. I've been aching to read lately...I've been reading some in the Bible here and there, but am really wanting to learn more. I think it's from our sessions in CORE at VCC, where we are learning about the fundamentals... Eric, our teacher knows so much, and I have such a thirst right now for some knowledge.

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Col 1:9-10


I found myself wandering around Mardel on Tuesday in the book section. Holy cow. There are so many books... I found myself thinking "that looks interesting," picking it up, reading the back cover and putting it back, because I was scared that I would read something that isn't right or good. I was terrified that I would read a book that wasn't the right interpretation, or the right belief. I left, empty-handed. So my question is this. You have your beliefs but limited knowledge. How do you keep from "learning" the wrong thing? If I taught my daughter all her life that 2+2=5, she'd believe me because she never knew any different. While I am so thirsty for knowledge, I feel even more suceptible to believing what I hear or read.

I guess, for now, I'll stick to just reading the Bible. I know I can't go wrong with that one.