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Wednesday, January 4, 2023

First Book of the Year, Audible Book Review: The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn

WOW! Want to know why America is so divided today? Read this book.
The Return of the Gods
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Lawrence Richardson


Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 09-06-22
Publisher: Frontline
Genre: Christian Spiritual Growth
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.


Publisher's Summary
In The Return of the Gods, Cahn takes the listener on a journey from an ancient parable, the ancient inscriptions in Sumer, Assyria, and Babylonia that become the puzzle pieces behind what is taking place in our world to this day, specifically in America.
The mystery involves the gods. Who are they? What are they? And is it possible that these beings, whose origins are from ancient times, are the unseen catalysts of modern culture?
Is it possible that these gods lie behind the most pivotal events, forces, and movements taking place in our nation and around the world at this very moment? Are the gods at this very moment transforming our culture, our children, our lives, and America itself?
Could this mystery have even determined the exact days on which Supreme Court decisions had to be handed down?
What is the Dark Trinity?
Is it possible that what we in the modern world take as nothing more than ancient mythology could actually possess a reality beyond our fathoming?
Who is the Possessor? The Enchanter? The Destroyer? And the Sorceress?
Could a sign that has appeared all over America and the world be linked to the gods of Mesopotamia? And if so, what does it actually mean?
Could the gods have returned to New York City and an ancient mythology played out on the streets in real time?
Is it possible that the gods lie behind everything from what appears on our computer monitors, our televisions and movie screens; to the lessons given in our classrooms; to the breakdown of the family; to wokism; to the occult; to our addictions; to the Supreme Court; to cancel culture; to children's cartoons; to every force and factor that has transformed the parameters of gender; to that which appears in our stores, on our T-shirts, and on our coffee mugs—to that which is, at this very moment, transforming America and much of the world? Is it possible that behind all these things are ancient mysteries that go back to the Middle East and ancient Mesopotamia? This and so much more, most of which we can't even reveal in this description, will be uncovered.
Is it possible that the gods are even affecting your life right now? How can you recognize it? And what can you do about it?
The Return of the Gods is not only one of the most explosive books you'll ever listen to but also one of the most profound. It will reveal the most stunning secrets and truths behind what is happening before your eyes in America and the nations. You will see things, even in your world, in a whole new light. With such chapters as “The House of Spirits,” “The Avatar,” “The Masters,” “The Deep Magic,” and “The Day of the Goddess,” The Return of the Gods will take listeners on a fascinating, unforgettable, and mind-blowing journey that will leave them stunned and with the ability to see the world as they never have before.
Be prepared to be blown away as you open up Jonathan Cahn's most explosive book ever, The Return of the Gods!
©2022 Jonathan Cahn (P)2022 Frontline


Review:
This book presents many details from Israel’s past that relate to America’s history and current events. Jonathan Cahn explains how America pushed God away (removing prayer from schools and the ten commandments from public buildings) and allowed the ancient gods Baal, Molech, and Isis/Ishtar to move into the ‘house’. Cahn outlines how the move toward these demon gods brought an opening to sexual promiscuity, open sex (on media), and also the ‘sacrifice’ of babies by the method of abortion. More recently we have seen an increase in identity confusion, denial of reality, censorship, and cancel culture. Cahn ties these all to the movement away from the Christian Judaeo God towards these lesser, pagan gods.

I am a firm believer of one true God and have always chosen to say there are no other gods. On the other hand, I do believe in spiritual beings and recognize that there are demons of greater and lesser standing (thanks to Frank Peretti novels that made this clear to me and Ephesians). I am always awed by Cahn’s books by reason of the matching elements he shows between the past of Israel and the present of America.

Cahn may do massive amounts of research, but I believe that his insights are aided by the inspiration of God. There are too many parallels and coincidences to be nothing less than God incidences in my opinion. There are some repeated lines in the book which made me feel like someone rushed the editing. That is unfortunate but didn’t detract from the powerful impact of the work.

In the epilogue, which was added due to an event that occurred shortly before publication, Cahn notes there may be some turning points for America. I don’t think that Cahn can give a strategic plan for how to accomplish that in such a divided society. But he does encourage Christ followers to pray and live their lives in a fashion that shows God’s love and grace. If we want to save the America we have known and loved, the one that was founded on Christian values, we may have to stand and fight while we also kneel and pray. I highly recommend this book and author.

Audio Notes: Lawrence Richardson does a very fine job of narrating this work. I have listened to Cahn’s preaching and sharing and I really felt like Richardson captured the same intensity. I appreciated the audio experience.

Source: 12/31/22 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

MBS 2023 Audiobook Challenge

2022 Audiobook Challenge
The 2023 Audiobook Challenge is again hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you hosts!

I didn't sign up for this challenge all of these years but I had set my own goals for the years between 2018 and  2022.
Here is my history of audio reading over the past years:
          2022 Total Audio: 135.
                   I signed up for The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict).
2021 I listened to 113 books with the original goal only 64.
2020 I listened to 96 with the original goal of 75.
2019 I listened to 108 with the original goal of 75.
2018 Total Audio: 106.
         I signed up for Marathon, 50 books in 2016 and 2017.
2017 I listened to 79 Audiobooks.
2016 I listened to 70 Audiobooks.

I am having more and more difficulty reading ebooks and even print. Listening goes much easier for me.
I am going for the high level "The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict) 100+" again for 2023.

I am working this into all of my Goals as I update my reading choices. 

Monday, January 2, 2023

MBS 2023 Reading GOALS

MBS (Martha's Bookshelf) 2023 Reading GOALS

I expect to only sign up for one actual goal (Goodreads) and one actual challenge (Audiobook). The rest are just my own set goals again These help me focus on selection of titles from my huge TBR shelves. 

GOODREADS Goal: 125 again
I exceeded this goal the last two years but I know I have some longer audios I plan to listen to this year.

TBR Goal: 90 again All media: Audio, ebook or print.
I am keeping this the same.

AUDIOBOOK Goal: 100 again
I will join the 2023 Audiobook Challenge, hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and That's What I am Talking About, with the highest level again - The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict) 100+.

NETGALLEY Goal: 10 again
Since I can do audio on NetGalley so this should be doable with a few children’s titles too. I currently have five (plus two older)on my shelf.

AUTHOR Reviews Goal: ? I'd like to do at least 4, one per quarter.
If I can get to some then I will be glad to do so.

NONFICTION Goal: 10
I reduced this from 12. I like including this to get in nonfiction. Most likely the books will be TBR audiobooks.

EBOOKS or PRINT Goal: 8
This is reduced from 12. I am struggling with ebooks and print. I only got to 10 in 2022 because four were children's books.

SEASONS Goal: 4
I will do this again for Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn (maybe Fall).

SERIES Goal: 75
I have done over 90 the last two years so this should be easily doable.

ALPHABET CHALLENGE #1: My first choice is AUDIO SERIES which I so enjoy! Most will be TBR before 2023 as I have bought several and held them for 2023 listening. Part of my fun decisions will be choosing between a series I am familiar with or those I want to start!

NO ALPHABET CHALLENGE #2: I may do a second set but I am not setting it as a goal. Although the Alphabet helps me pick from my overflowing shelves, I am going to keep my options open for more free flow this year so I won't worry about a second set.

YouVersion Bible App Goal: Bible through the year and 5 additional plans. (I reduced plans from 10 to 5 to meet what I did in 2022.)

Three New Goals this year:

LOCATIONS Goal: 8
This is for settings in the titles like Mountain, River, Woods, Sky, Inn, Ranch, Bay, Ruins, Villa, City, Lighthouse, etc. I may have a liberal interpretation but I think this will be a fun way to pick books.

NUMBERS Goal: 12

I am not insisting these be in order like One to Twelve although I will do some in that group. But I will be picking titles with numbers in them as another way to pick books.

GROUPS OF  FIVES: Five categories with five titles for each:
Five Places (Covered by Locations) Five Numbers (Covered by Numbers)
Five Times of Day: i.e., Dawn, Sunrise, Morning, Noon, Twilight, Sunset, Evening, Night, Midnight
Five Occupations: i.e., Cowboy, Rancher, Cook, Detective, Witch, Sorceress, Soldier
Five Colors: I'm pretty sure I can find at least five. :-)

Wrap Up MBS 2022 Audiobook Challenge

WRAP - UP
MBS (Martha's Book Shelf) 2022 Audiobook Challenge 
 
2022 Audiobook Challenge
The 2022 Audiobook Challenge, hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About.

I COMPLETED This challenge well with 135 Audio books read out of a total of 144. Clearly, I favor listening to "reading".


I didn't sign up for this challenge the last few years but perhaps I should have. I have set my own goals though.
Here is my history of audio reading over the past six years:
2021 I listened to 113 books with the original goal only 64.
2020 I listened to 96 with the original goal of 75.
2019 I listened to 108 with the original goal of 75.
2018 Total Audio: 106.
I signed up for Marathon, 50 books in 2016 and 2017.
2017 I listened to 79 Audiobooks.
2016 I listened to 70 Audiobooks.

I am having more and more difficulty reading on the Kindle App. Listening goes much easier for me.
So for 2022 I am going for the high level "The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict) 100+".

I am working this into my Alphabet challenge too and already have many audio titles lined up.

Wrap Up MBS 2022 Reading GOALS

WRAP UP
MBS (Martha's Bookshelf) 2022 Reading GOALS

I have only signed up for one actual goal (Goodreads) and one actual challenge (Audiobook). The rest are just my own set goals. 
I didn't meet all goals but I was happy with those completed and overall happy with the reading year. I still would like to find a way to read more ebooks.

GOODREADS Goal: 125
COMPLETE - I exceeded the Goodreads Goal finishing 145.

TBR Goal: 90 Audio, ebook or print.
COMPLETE - TBR exceeded at 111 total.

AUDIOBOOK Goal: 100
I am joining the 2022 Audiobook Challenge hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer.
I have chosen the highest level - The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict) 100+
COMPLETE - I ended up reading almost all Audio for the year finishing 135.

NETGALLEY Goal: 10
I am having trouble with the ebooks so I will shoot for at least 10 in either children’s titles or audios. Most of these will be new since I only have 4 on the TBR shelf, one of which is a third read.
COMPLETE - NetGalley exceeded with 14.

AUTHOR Goal: 10
I did 14 in 2021 so I should be able to do 10. My concern is the slowness I have for ebooks so I have to hope for audios. I have two to start the year.
Not Completed - I only did 3. I just didn't get through the ebooks this year. I'd be glad to listen to audio!

NONFICTION Goal: 12
I like including this to get in nonfiction. Most likely the books will be TBR audiobooks.
Not Completed - I only finished 11.

EBOOKS or PRINT Goal: 12
I only did 10 (of 24) in 2021 so I want to push to at least one per month. Not necessarily have to be read one per month but that would be nice.
Not Completed - I got to 10 with four of those being children's books. As noted above, I ended up shifting to Audiobooks.

SEASONS Goal: 4
I will do this again for Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn (maybe Fall). I have toyed with monthly goal in prior years, but it just didn’t work to match the month. I could try reading the months whenever… I’ll think about that.
COMPLETE

SERIES Goal: 75
Considering I read 97 series in 2021 (32 continuing + 65 new) I expect to do well with this again.
COMPLETE - I read 99 series; 34 continuing and 65 new to me.

ALPHABET CHALLENGE #1: My first choice is AUDIO SERIES which I so enjoy! Most will be TBR before 2022. Part of my decisions will be choosing between a series I am familiar with or one I want to start!
COMPLETE but I had to use an X22 Podcast for X.

ALPHABET CHALLENGE #2
: This will be a variety Mixed Media - Audio, NetGalley, eBook and Print. I will try for single titles rather than series in this challenge, but not guaranteed. Most will be TBR before 2022.
The Alphabet goals help me pick from my overflowing shelves. :-)
All done except X.

YouVersion Bible App Goal: Bible through the year and 10 additional plans.
I finished my Bible (5th year in a row) but only did 5 additional plans.

Colors – No goal. This wasn’t as easy as I hoped so I am not setting this one up this year. I may just keep track to see how it goes.

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