Books to read

Because this is what I do in the middle of the night when I get my second wind, I'm making a list of books in the Bible that people are recommending that I read...which is good, because I'm totally deficient in my knowledge of the complete text.  And seeing how it's kind of God's rulebook for our lives, I need to get on the ball.  

Ecclesiastes (still re-reading it)

Ephesians

Malachi (apparently it's about God's love for us is meant to be a close friendship, where He is an active loving father-figure, as opposed to the distant judge we often view Him as)

1 and 2 Colossians

Micah (I've read some verses/passages out of here...like Micah 6:8...The Lord has told you what is good.  He has told you what he wants from you.  Do what is right to others.  Love being kind to others and live humbly, trusting your God...total fav verse there)

Joel

...and I'll add more obviously

Also, two passages that are catching my eye as I'm sifting through Ecclesiastes again tonight are the "Time for Everything" spill (Eccl. 3:1-11), you know, the one about there being a time for everything, and how "God has made everything beautiful for its own time."  Which is so true.  Though we are often the blind men surrounding the elephant (Oh, Christian analogies hahah), we have to realize that there is an elephant, and God can see him.  His purpose for us is great, and as Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  

Sidenote: my favorite part about that verse, which is one of those standby verses I turn to when I'm freaking out about life, is that God says He has plans to prosper us.  It's not up to us, and it never was.  His plan will always trump ours, it will always be better, and it is because of His creation and love that we will grow and be safe from harm.  We have hope in Him, and eternity because of Christ's sacrifice.  What greater future can you imagine than eternity in heaven, with the God of the universe and the angels singing and just, one big party for God?

Also, please excuse my ADD...I know this was a completely incoherent post, and I'll definitely try and work on that in the future.  For now, bedtime.  And then a Spanish composition in the morning.  Yay hahah!