Swapping time spent scrolling to reading

Recently, I made a decision to be more intentional with how I spend my time. Instead of scrolling endlessly on social media, I’ve started using that time to read books on my phone through the Hoopla app. Hoopla is a really convenient app that connects to your local library and allows you to borrow ebooks (and more) for free using your library card, which has made it so easy to get back into reading regularly.

I just finished a novel by Karen Witemeyer, and I truly enjoyed it. The story is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but with its own unique twists and setting that made it feel fresh and engaging. One of the things I especially appreciate about Karen Witemeyer is that she’s a Christian author, so her stories naturally include themes of faith, God’s love, and spiritual growth.

That aspect really stood out to me in this book. It wasn’t just a good story, it also had meaningful moments that pointed back to God, which made the reading experience even more enjoyable and uplifting for me. If you love the story of Beauty and the Beast, I think you'll love this story. Try it out. See if you like it.

I give it a 8 out of 10. I liked it, but there was some things that could have been better.

The Cross and The Switchblade by David Wilkerson

 The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson is a true story about faith, obedience to God, and how the message of Jesus can transform even the hardest lives.

1. The Beginning of the Call

David Wilkerson was a small-town Pentecostal preacher in Pennsylvania in the late 1950s. One day, he saw a Life magazine article about seven teenage gang members on trial for murder in New York City. When he saw their faces, he felt that God was calling him to go help them. 

Even though he had never worked with gangs before, he believed God wanted him to go to New York and preach the Gospel to them.

2. First Attempts in New York

Wilkerson traveled to New York and tried to speak to the boys in court, but the judge removed him, and the media mocked him.

Instead of quitting, he kept returning to New York and began meeting teenagers involved in gangs, drugs, and violence. He realized that many of them were angry, lonely, and hopeless. 

3. Working With Street Gangs

Wilkerson started preaching in the streets and visiting gang members personally.

He met Nicky Cruz, the violent leader of the Mau Maus gang. Nicky hated Wilkerson and even threatened to kill him.

Wilkerson responded with love and told him something famous:

“You could cut me into a thousand pieces and lay them in the street, and every piece would still love you.”

This shocked Nicky because he had never experienced real love before.

4. Conversions and Changed Lives

Through prayer, preaching, and revival meetings, many gang members began to change.

Eventually:

• Nicky Cruz accepted Christ
• Several gang members left violence and drugs
• Many found new purpose and hope through faith

Nicky later became a Christian preacher himself. 

5. Teen Challenge Ministry

To help addicted and troubled youth long-term, Wilkerson started Teen Challenge, a Christian rehabilitation program.

The program focused on:

• Faith in Jesus
• Prayer and Bible teaching
• Community support
• Freedom from drugs and crime

Teen Challenge later spread around the world. 

Main message of the book:

The power of the Gospel and God’s love can transform anyone—even people deeply involved in crime, gangs, or addiction.

Key themes

• Obeying God’s calling even when it seems impossible
• The power of love and forgiveness
• Redemption through Jesus Christ
• Hope for people trapped in violence and addiction

I listened to this book on Hoopla: Hoopla is a digital service that lets you borrow movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, eBooks, and comics, all with your library card. You can stream or download right from your phone, tablet, or computer.

I love this app.

Seeking the Lord With All Your Heart

Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV)

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

What This Verse Teaches

God promises that those who truly seek Him will find Him. This is not a casual search, but a sincere and wholehearted desire to know God.

The Lord wants people to come to Him with their whole heart not half-heartedly, not only in times of trouble, but with genuine faith and devotion.

Seek the Lord

To seek the Lord means to pursue Him, to desire His presence, and to turn to Him for truth, forgiveness, and guidance.

Isaiah 55:6 (KJV)

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”

God invites everyone to come to Him.

Search With All Your Heart

God does not want only outward religion. He looks at the heart.

Searching with all your heart means:

• Humbly coming to God
• Truly wanting to know Him
• Turning away from sin
• Trusting in Jesus Christ

Psalm 119:2 (KJV)

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

The Promise: You Will Find Him

God promises that those who truly seek Him will find Him. He is not hiding from those who come sincerely.

Jesus also said:

Matthew 7:7 (KJV)

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

When a person seeks God with a sincere heart, God reveals Himself and brings them into a relationship with Him.

A Personal Invitation

God is calling you today to seek Him with your whole heart.

You can begin right now by praying:

“Lord, help me to seek You with all my heart. Teach me Your ways and draw me closer to You.”

Remember

God promises:

• If you seek Him
• If you search with all your heart

You will find Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV)

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”