Posted on by Angela

The Morning Meeting

Exodus 24:4 

And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Then he got up early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve memorial stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. (NASB) 

The response we have to the Bible indicates our response to God. After all, the Bible is His written word to us. If we neglect His word, it is an indication of neglect in our relationship with Him. If we are hostile to His word, then more than likely we are hostile to Him and do not know Him.  

In our verse, Moses is acting in response to the people. They had agreed that all that the Lord had said they would do. So, Moses wrote down the words of the Lord for the people, then he got up early in the morning and built an altar. The word of the Lord and his interaction with God moved him to worship. If you read chapter 24 of Exodus, which I challenge you to do, you will see that several others had been invited onto the mountain and had a holy experience with God. Here is what the Bible tells us they saw. “…they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.  Yet He did not reach out with His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.” (Exodus 24:10-11 NASB.) 

What an experience! Afterward, Moses was asked to go higher on the mountain. I can’t help but think that He wants something similar with us.  Reading, praying, memorizing, studying, and even writing down His word are all ways we can draw closer into an experience with Him.  Our text says that Moses got up early in the morning and built an altar. We don’t need to build an altar because Jesus is our sacrifice, but we do need a place that is special so that every day we have a time set apart that is ready and waiting. A corner of a room. A desk, a special chair. Maybe your deck or back porch. Someplace that you know is your place to meet with God.  

The Bible talks about meeting with God early in the morning. Why do you think that is? I believe that it is because to meet with Him early in the day before the day begins sets the day. The trouble of the day hasn’t begun. The day is fresh. The work for the day hasn’t begun yet. It makes the ideal time to meet with God to make Him the priority of the day. But I also think that the time is less important than the meeting. Plan daily to meet with God.  

So, the question is where are you? Are you neglecting your Bible interaction and as a result your interaction with God? Does your interaction with God’s word lead you to worship? Or are you fumbling through your day?  

My hope is that we each will write down the word of the Lord and get up early in the morning to build an altar. So, we will interact with the word of the Lord in such a way that we can only worship Him who sits on the throne. 

All for One 

Angela 

Posted on by Angela

First Reading Choices 2026

Sometimes we make choices without really thinking about them. Other times we agonize over a choice or decision, wanting to be sure to make the best one. I wanted to do that with my reading list for the year. So many books and so little time. Yet, almost without realizing it, I made my choices. Some of them I started last year and carried over to finish.  

I wonder if anyone else is like me. I figure probably not. Most people probably just pick up a book and start reading. Oh no. I have to make a production out of it in my head. I mean I can’t just grab a book. What if I grab the wrong one? Then the whole year is off on the wrong foot, and the tone is set. It must be just right, see. The right book can set the tone for the whole year of reading. Anyone with me? No? I was afraid of that.  

Of course, your reading plan can go off the rail at any time. Last year I started with Killing the Witches by Bill O’Reilly. I usually like this series and looked forward to reading this book. I was disappointed. As I was by The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. That ending, really?  Big disappointment there. I was also disappointed by The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden. So much so, I didn’t even finish it. My year was redeemed with other books such as Little Buried Secrets by Cheryl Bradshaw, Soulbound by Bethany Adams, When Birds Fall Silent by Shana Frost, Raven Black by Ann Cleeves and the four books I read by Brandon Sanderson. I’m not going into a review of each of the books, but I enjoyed them and would read another by each of the authors.  

My beginning list contains authors I have never read or heard of before, except for one, I have heard of Robert Whitlow but am not sure I have read any of his books, so it will be fun to read his newest, Witness Protection.   

So, here are my first five selections for the 2026 reading year. 

Death on the Doorstep by Mary Lancaster 

Codex Arcanum 1888 by Tasmin Turner 

Witness Protection by Robert Whitlow 

Super Moon Protocol by J.T. Fluhart 

Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness 

Of course I have already finished Death on the Doorstep, by Mary Lancaster and you can find my review here on All for One. Not on the list is the third Mistborn book by Brandon Sanderson, Hero of the Ages. I started it last year and need to finish.  I usually read a couple of chapters in bed before I turn out the light, which is why it has taken me so long to finish. I am currently reading Codex Arcanum 1888 by Tasmin Turner and Super Moon Protocol by J.T. Fluhart. I am enjoying both books although they are very different in tone and structure and language. I am enjoying one more than the other but more on that later. I will give my review on both when I have finished them.  

How do you select your books? Do you line them out for the year? Or do you wait and see what comes out and go from there? Maybe a mix of the two?  

What makes the grade? Are there any topics or genres that are off limits? What sections do you pass right over in the bookstore?  

I hope all of us say that the one book above all others that is on the list without question is our Bible. May you be blessed as you read the Word of God this year. If you need ideas where to start, there are abundant options online to choose to get you started. The Bible app always has some good reading plans. If you are new to Bible reading, then I hope is the year you start.  

Let me know your choices. I look forward to hearing from you. 

All for One 

Angela 

Posted on by Angela

Reading Goals – More Than Just Books on a List

Welcome to 2026! I hope the new year has already been a blessing to you. Let’s talk reading. My first year of All for One didn’t show much in books or reading. When I set out to write a blog, I had originally planned a book blog. What I wrote was something very different. Yet still I love books and reading. So, this year I want to add more book reviews to All for One as well as the content you are used to seeing. I have been on a more consistent reading basis since 2021. Each year I set my goal just a little higher. Sometimes I make it and sometimes I don’t.  

I didn’t meet my goal in 2025. I got hung up on Brandon Sanderson’s cosmere and because of the length, two of his Stormlight books should have counted as two normal books, but here I am keeping my low count again this year. 

I deliberately keep my book count goal low.  So, my count this year is 35.  I started at twelve and feel pretty good about my count of 35. I made it to 22 last year. I know there may be some of you who have busier lives than me, and you are reading into the hundreds, and I am super proud of you. Maybe one day I will reach that level. Each reader must read what they are able and what their life will allow. I got five books read in January and thought yesss this is going to be an awesome year. Then I learned that reading is more than books on a list. Reading is also about a connection. This happened when my son introduced me to Sanderson.  

There is a story here. He was never much of a reader. So, when he came to me and said, “you have to read this”, I dove in. Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn books and Stormlight books had been on my reading list for a while. So, when he got into them and wanted me to read them, it seemed like a good time. I don’t regret reading them and if you are looking for something to add to your own list, I would recommend his books but be prepared for a commitment where Stormlight is concerned.  I ended up reading Way of Kings and Words of Radiance from the Stormlight series and the first two Mistborn books. I am still working on the third one.  

While reading is a solo endeavor, it doesn’t have to be isolated. Books profit by being shared. This is why book clubs are so important and popular. My son and I have had countless conversations over Sanderson’s books this year. I don’t regret that my book goal was not reached. I was introduced to a new author and my son and I built a new connection – over books. That is the power of reading and books. So, I will gladly keep a low reading goal if I can have that kind of result with my family or another person.  

Has a book helped you make a connection with someone? What was it? Was it one you liked or hated? Was it a series or a stand alone?  

What does your reading life look like? Do you enjoy reading? Do you have a reading book goal for 2026?  

Oh, and while you are adding books to your reading list for this year, don’t forget to add the best-selling book of all-time – the Bible. Make sure to read it each day.  

Share your thoughts with me in the comments. I would love to hear from you.  

All for One 

Angela