because He lives: January 2022

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Mercies Anew

Every morning that breaks
There are mercies anew
Every breath that I take
Is your faithfulness proved
And at the end of each day
When my labors are through
I will sing of Your mercies anew

When I’ve fallen and strayed
There were mercies anew
For you sought me in love
And my heart you pursued
In the face of my sin
Lord, You never withdrew
So I sing of Your mercies anew

And Your mercies, they will never end
For ten thousand years they’ll remain
And when this world’s beauty has passed away
Your mercies will be unchanged

And when the storms swirl and rage
There are mercies anew
In affliction and pain
You will carry me through
And at the end of my days
When Your throne fills my view
I will sing of Your mercies anew

- by Bob Kauflin and Mark Altrogge

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Tuesday, January 18, 2022

2022 Reading Challenges

While my overall reading goal in 2022 is to read 80 books, I've decided to also participate in a couple of reading challenges this year.

Last year I participated in the challenges listed below:

Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2021
I was aiming for Level two (Investigator): read 20 cozy mysteries of your choice, and I read 6 total.

European Reading Challenge 2021
I was planning on participating at the "Honeymooner" level, which means I planned to read at least 4 books from Europe, and I read 3 total.

For the Love of EBooks
My goal was to reach Phase 5 (40+ books). I read a total of 33 books for this category.

Library Love Challenge 2021
I was planning on taking on the "Library Card on Fire" level, which means I planned to read at 60 books that I borrow from my library. I read a total of 15 books for this category.

2021 Modern Mrs. Darcy Challenge
I managed to finish 10 out of 12 categories for this challenge.

So, what's up for 2022? Here are the challenges I'm hoping to tackle.

2022 Audiobook Challenge
I'm aiming for Stenographer (can listen while multitasking): 10-15 books.

Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2022
I'm aiming for Level one (Snoop): read 10 cozy mysteries of your choice.

European Reading Challenge 2022
The idea is to read books by European authors or books set in European countries (no matter where the author comes from). The books can be anything – novels, short stories, memoirs, travel guides, cookbooks, biography, poetry, or any other genre. You can participate at different levels, but each book must be by a different author and set in a different country – it's supposed to be a tour. I'm planning on participating at the "Honeymooner" level, which means I plan to read at least 4 books from Europe.

For the Love of EBooks
The person who hosted this challenge in the past is no longer hosting it, but I'm still going to try to read at least 40 ebooks this year.

Library Love Challenge 2022
I'm planning on taking on the "Overdrive Junkie" level, which means I plan to read at least 36 books that I borrow from my library.

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Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Reading and Writing Goals 2022

This past year I had two reading and writing goals. I also participated in a couple of reading challenges.

- Writing: I didn’t have a specific goal that I set for this year. However, I did continue to write quite a bit.
- Reading: read a total of 100 books

How did I do?
- Writing: As mentioned, I did write quite a bit this year. In fact, I’ve been finishing up the final draft of my first book, which I am hoping to publish this year. More details to follow!
- Reading: I did not have as good a reading year this year. I only read 51 books. I know a lot of the factors that contributed to that, and I’m ok with how it turned out. Just not what I had originally planned for.

What's up for this year?
- Writing: I’m planning on continuing to write this year, but I’m not setting a particular goal for this year.
- Reading: My plan is to read a total of 80 books this year. Since I didn’t reach my goal in 2021, I’m adjusting my number and am hopeful that I’ll reach this in 2022.

How about you? Any reading or writing goals for 2022?

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Tuesday, January 04, 2022

Best of Because He Lives 2021

These are the most popular posts posted here in 2021.
A few posts you may have missed, so check them out.

- 30-Day Giving Challenge 2021
- 40 Things About Me as a Reader
- 2021 Reading Challenges
- Favorite Love Stories
- Reading and Writing Goals 2021

Happy New Year, dear readers!

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Monday, January 03, 2022

Speaking

Possible Speaking Topics
I would be honored to host a conversation with your church, small group, MOPS, library, book club, Sunday School class, retreat, or podcast. I have been teaching since 2008 and enjoy sharing with others. Here are some examples of what I could share:

Biographical Sketches of the Reformation
An individual session or a series of sessions on different characters from the Reformation.

Following Jesus
A look at 1 John and what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus.

Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Jesus
What does it look like to grow in grace and Christlikeness?

About Me

I blog under the name "en karin" which is the Greek for "in grace."
In normal life I go by "Laura."

I grew up in the New England area, Germany, and Minnesota. I returned to Minnesota after graduate school. I learned to read at a young age and have loved books ever since. I read some every single day (unless I am really sick, and then the fact that I don't want to read is a huge indicator of just how poorly I am doing). I was definitely one of those kids who read with a flashlight under the bedcovers.

If you would like to contact me, I can be reached here.

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Contact Me

Speaking

Possible Speaking Topics

I would be honored to host a conversation with your church, small group, MOPS, library, book club, Sunday School class, retreat, or podcast. I have been teaching since 2008 and enjoy sharing with others. Here are some examples of what I could share:

Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Jesus
What does it look like to grow in grace and Christlikeness?

Biographical Sketches of the Reformation
An individual session or a series of sessions on different characters from the Reformation.