Challenge: a call or summons to engage in any contest as of skill, strength, etc; to take exception, to call into question.

I chuckled as I put this week's Five Minute Friday word into my header and looked at my subtitle. Every week I write, I feel the challenge to engage in this skill of writing on a new word. Some weeks seem easier than others.

I'm also keenly aware that each day brings forth some sort of challenge. Even if the challenges are small, if there are too many, it can feel overwhelming. I recalled these words from Philippians 3:13-14 (TPT):

"I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus." (Click to read verses 12-16)

However, one challenge I do enjoy is the Goodreads Reading Challenge. (By the way, I love this week's graphic that Kate picked, because I always drink coffee when I read, especially in the morning.) This is my 4th year doing this. Each person sets their own goal. I do have to say, mine is MUCH lower than many, but it's doable with my schedule. I also find that it helps bring balance to my life when I set aside some time most days to read. My goal is to read 1 non-fiction and 1 fiction book a month, so 24 books for the year! It's so fun (and easy) to keep track of the books I want to read and those I actually read on the Goodreads app. I'm also intrigued by what others are reading and many times put those books on my "to be read list". 

So, in case you're interested, this is what I read from January - June 2019. I will put out another post in December to share what I read in the 2nd half of 2019. 

Fiction: 

A Haven on Orchard Lane, by Lawana Blackwell. I borrowed this from a friend and had read another series by this author. I enjoyed this period piece. 

Long Way Gone, by Charles Martin. This was recommended by my favorite podcaster, Annie F. Downs. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the development of the characters. 

Summer on Blossom Street, Hannah's List, The Knitting Diaries, A Turn in the Road, and Starting Now,  by Debbie Macomber. Debbie's novels are easy reads and just fun romances. 

When We Were Young, by Karen Kingsbury. Another favorite author of mine. This was another part of her Baxter Family series of books. 

Non-Fiction: 

The 30-Day Heart Tune-Up, by Steven Masley. Good information and yummy recipes. 

It's All Under Control: A Journey of Letting Go, Hanging On, and Finding a Peace you Almost Forgot Was Possible by Jennifer Dukes Lee. This book was life-changing for me and I read it at just the right time. Jennifer has very relatable stories. 

Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me), by Kate Motaung and Shannon Popkin. Kate runs the Five Minute Friday community and this is an easy read. It's packed with great insight on how to keep your eyes focused on God while using your gifts to honor Him, no matter the size of your platform. 

Supernatural Provision: Where God Guides, He Provides, by Mark Hendrickson. Amazing stories of God's provision in the author's life with many good Scripture references. Made me think about what I truly believe.  

If you are on Goodreads and want to connect there as friends you can find me under my name, Pam Dow.

You can find all of these books (print and Kindle) on Amazon or at your library and I have linked a couple of the author's websites for you.  

This post was prompted by Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with very little editing. (Some weeks I have more trouble with that part than others and this week I had problems posting on my blog.) Check out the other writers on this topic!