I love non-fiction. I know that puts me in the minority, but give me a good book full of fascinating info and I am a goner. Here are three good ones I devoured in August:Living theQuaker Way by Philip GulleyI received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but am not obligated to give it a good review.In Gulley's latest book he explains some of the key beliefs in the Quaker faith. These pillars are simplicity, peace, integrity, community and equality. I really enjoyed this easy to read peek into a faith I really didn't know much about.On Simplicity he writes: "What is needed is a new measure of success, for it is clear the further acquisition of good is not only unsustainable but also ultimately unsatisfying."With quotes like this and the included questions in the back of the book, this would be a great topic to study in a small group or Sunday School class interested in learning more about Quakers. Not only will you learn more, you will have … [Read more...]
Release, Renew, Refresh
Release, Renew, Refresh Jen Ferguson organizes a great community of Christian sisters called Soli Deo Gloria and Jen feeds us spiritually with thought provoking ideas and questions. Check out her blog, Finding Heaven here. The group's mission is "to encourage one another with words of affirmation and the love of Jesus. We seek to let each other in our lives, being real and vulnerable, so that we may be uplifted, refined, and grown in the body of Christ. As we receive, so we give, creating bonds of friendship and sisterhood." Her latest question got me a-thinkin'. What about the summer brought about a release of things ready to be let go, or a vacation that evoked a sense of renewal, or how do you long to be refreshed as the summer winds down and fall begins? Release - I am letting go of the busyness of a crazy summer schedule. We have been blessed to have many opportunities to travel since April and to host family here. Wonderful times but to be honest, I am … [Read more...]
What’s Impossible to God? – Quote of the Week
"God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves."A.W. Tozer … [Read more...]
Five Favorite Bible Verses
I underline them in my Bible. What are YOUR favorite Bible verses? Then out comes the highlighter to dazzle my eyes with their message. I've rewritten them word by word in my journal, then wrote them once again in my own language. I've typed their words and hung them by my computer to remember to repeat them until they are scorched on my heart. Certain Bible verses that call out to me - "Take me, I'm yours." I've tasted their sweetness and chewed on their meaning for me. Here are five verses that bring me closer to God and draw me into his spirit. 1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 … [Read more...]
Three Tips To Growing Deeper with God
How do we keep growing deeper with God? One theme in my life this year has been growing deeper. A Bible verse calling to me recently is: "Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him Your root will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. Ephesians, 3: 17 I have been trying to live this call in 2013 in two ways and just discovered last week another way I can't wait to try. Three Books about Growing Deeper with God I prayerfully asked God to lead me to three books to reread in 2013. I chose - hopefully with his blessing -: The Cloud of the Unknowing - CarmenButcher The Interior Castle - Teresa of Avila John 14 What I am doing is rereading these texts slowly and savoring their lessons. I highlight, rewrite passages in my own words and journal my thoughts. Too often I skim books and quickly forget their words of wisdom. Lectio Divina - Growing Deeper with God Lectio Divina means divine reading and is … [Read more...]
God’s Questions
Do I not see what happens in secret? Am I not everywhere, filling heaven and earth? I have heard these prophets who speak lies in My name. They say, “I had a dream, I had a dream,” and claim it was Me speaking to them! How long will this go on? Will the hearts of these lying prophets ever change? How long will they deceive themselves and all who listen to them? They think they can make My people forget My name with all this talk of dreams—just as their ancestors forgot My name as they worshiped Baal. If a prophet has a dream, he should tell others of that dream. But the one who has My word should speak it with unshakable faith. For what is straw worth, when compared to grain? Does not My word burn like fire? Does it not shatter rock like a strong hammer? Jeremiah 23:23-29 The Voice Lord, you ask lots of questions this week for me to ponder. Am I only a God who is close by, and not a God of the farthest … [Read more...]
Is ‘God Alone’ Enough? – Quote of the Week
Trust is the foundation of love. St. Teresa of Avila prayed that she would let God be enough for her. There are many times when I find this notion extremely challenging. When I have times of emptiness I sometimes ask God: 'Are you enough for me? Can I be satisfied with just having you and not having whoever or whatever is being emptied out of my life?'I do want God to be enough for me so that I do not go seeking for things to take the place of this Loving Presence in my life, but it is easy to waver and to doubt that God is enough in my moments of insecurity or pain.It's a crazy thing, but as much as I find myself longing for God it is sometimes excruciating to have nothing but God.Joyce Rupp … [Read more...]
Amazing Earth. Amazing God!
Amazing God! Amazing Earth! Amazing! Take a minute to look at this photo. See that tiny dot? That is us. Earth. That's home seen from far away. Isn't this photo astonishing? NASA released this photo on July 19. The wide-angle camera on NASA's Cassini spacecraft captured Saturn's rings and our planet Earth and its moon in the same frame. Earth, which is 898 million miles away in this image, appears as a blue dot at center right; the moon can be seen as a fainter protrusion off its right side. Like this photo, our lives often appear like a speck in the middle of nowhere. We wonder if any one cares or speculate if we matter. We feel alone in a dark night. My first thought when I saw this fascinating photo was that how God sees us. He sits in remote heaven listening to harp music and giving orders to angels. Then I realized God does not view us from a distance. He is here on earth. In our hearts. Walking with our spirit. Communing with us. Desiring to be with us. To … [Read more...]