This month I have been revisiting my bookshelf, spending time with “old friends” and seeping in their wisdom. On the August 8 blog post, I shared this wonderful quote about the value of this practice: “A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight.” – Robertson Davies Today I will finish with a book that I didn’t originally consider, but leaped into my heart for rereading after revisiting my bookshelf. My own journals! Harvesting my Journals Harvesting my journals is my practice of rereading past entries, highlighting thoughts, and noticing patterns and lessons. Asking questions is another powerful tool to harvesting a journal. What lessons did God teach me this year? Does a single word or phrase jump out? Is there a recurring theme, such as discouragement or anger and is there any insight to this repeating affliction? Has something been left … [Read more...]
Meeting God in Scripture – Revisiting My Bookshelf – Part Four
“Meeting God in Scripture” by Jan Johnson is the next book to reread, to immerse myself into its wise words over this summer. What fun I have had perusing my shelves, listening to their invitations. To be honest, sometimes many of the books shout, “Pick me!” so I pause and listen quietly to which voice resonates within my heart. I have been revisiting my bookshelf this summer and decided to make this a series in the month of August. Each week I will rediscover an old friend, reread its wisdom and share a title, its theme, a few quotes, and a small reflection/application. Meeting God in Scripture This book offers 40 guided meditations in the style of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is sacred reading grouped by reading a passage four times, once to read, next to reflect, then to respond, and last to rest, contemplate and listen to God. The unique gift of this book is its set up for easy to find, read, study, and even use in a small group. Most readings are 2-3 pages with … [Read more...]
The Cup of Life – Revisiting My Bookshelf, Part Three
The Cup of Our Life is a wonderful image to hold, ponder and be a conduit to lessons from God. I hunted for this book by Joyce Rupp the other day, wanting to drink again from its wisdom. I smiled at all the sticky notes, underlining and tattered edges of this loved book. Words once again inviting me to reread. What would stand out to me this time? I have been revisiting my bookshelf this summer and decided to make this a series in the month of August. Each week I will rediscover an old friend, reread its wisdom and share a title, its theme, a few quotes, and a small reflection/application. The Cup of Our Life Joyce Rupp is one of my favorite authors. Most of her books sit on my shelf so it didn’t surprise me that at least one of them jumped into my pile to reread. Joyce reminds us that a cup is a powerful teacher and metaphor for spiritual growth. She writes, “I have learned that my life holds stale things that need to be discarded and that sometimes my life feel as … [Read more...]
Discernment – Revisiting My Bookshelf – Part Two
I have been revisiting my bookshelf this summer and decided to make this a series in the month of August. Each week I will rediscover an old friend, reread its wisdom and share a title, its theme, a few quotes, and a small reflection/application. When I slowly took the books from the shelf it felt like I was holding treasure. I can’t help to think that wisdom in these pages call to me for this particular time. And the excitement of possibilities! “A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight.” – Robertson Davies Hearing with the Heart - Debra Farrington Discernment is an essential spiritual practice for all of us. Hearing with the Heart was one of the first books I read about discernment and still continues today to be a resource of wisdom and guidance. “To discern means more than to understand or to make a decision, Discern comes from the Latin … [Read more...]
Revisiting My Bookshelf – Rediscovering Old Friends
I do love books. My hubby says I have too many – I say let’s just get a new bookshelf. I was looking for a specific book a few weeks ago and came across a book I started but never finished. It called to me. Then another one. Then another. I made myself stop at small stack of six books – old friends wanting to visit. I longed to turn their pages once again. I needed to linger in their words. Their message summoned me back once again. Whitney wrote on her blog a few weeks ago, “But if we truly love reading and love building a home collection of books, our shelves should fill us with JOY - yes, even all the unread books! What could more exhilarating for the true book devotee than shelves brimming with possibilities?” Revisiting my bookshelf will be the featured blog posts in August. I will share a title, its theme, a few quotes, and a small reflection/application. Maybe I will periodically do this again later in the year. When I slowly took the books from the shelf … [Read more...]
Practice of the Presence – Book Review
Practice of the Presence is a new translation of the writings by and about Brother Lawrence. Carmen Acevedo Butcher is the author and I love the way she works with his words and brings them alive in our century. She includes her notes, so the reader also has a deeper understanding of her reasons for choices for translation. I have known about Brother Lawrence for quite a while, yet this new book animated his spirituality. I highlighted, journaled, and took copious notes. I didn’t just read this book, its practices seeped into my life. Brother Lawrence, birth name of Nicolas Herman, was born in1614. He lived in the time of the Thirty-Year War (when he was injured, a disability that he suffered with the rest of his life), bubonic plagues, poverty, and famine. When he was 18, he received “a profound awareness of God’s kindness and power there never left his soul.” He failed as a monk, but re-entered a monastery in Paris as a lay brother in 1640 when he received his new … [Read more...]
Book Review – Seasons of the Soul
Seasons of the Soul, On Becoming Who You Are is a new book written by one of my favorite authors, Michelle DeRusha. The book takes you through the four seasons of the year with delightful detailed observations, thoughtful lessons from nature, and spiritual formation wisdom and healing we all can use. Michelle incorporates great quotes and personal antidotes that keeps you reading. I love Michelle’s raw honestly as she struggles to let go of ego and world driven expectations and her discovery of her true self. She models for us a way of discernment, listening to God, and how to allow ourselves to be how God created us to be. As a fellow writer, I loved her use of imagery and language. Here is an example: “This morning from my desk at the sunroom widow I caught sight of the yellow iris waltzing in the spring breeze, ruffled petals swishing like the hem of a flamenco skirt.” A shelf worthy and time worthy book! This is one book I am keeping by my prayer space for … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Questions
Questions! Do you have a curious faith? Some people belong(ed) to church that discourages asking questions. As a spiritual director I have learned the power in the spiritual practice of using questions to explore, understand, and hear God in new ways. I am a fixer and quick decider. I like the comfort of knowing answers or at least the next couple of steps on this adventure and gift of life God has given all of us. Tell me where I am going and what to expect and I will dig down and get there. But that isn’t God’s way, is it? Unanswered questions are the fertile ground of growth, formation, and surprises. I wonder why does this question nag my soul? What does it mean? What does it make possible? The best lessons emerge in the wrestling, welcoming, and wondering with each question. Lore Ferguson Wilbert has just released a new book, A Curious Faith, that looks at the questions God asks, we ask, and we wish someone would ask us. Questions grow from curiosity. Trying to … [Read more...]