Attention: Retreat leaders and small group facilitators. I discovered a great reference to add to your library. Where is God in your Life? by Susan M. Provost.The purpose of this book is to help us see God in our lives and to know His love. The book is uniquely set up in the style of three two-day retreats with the topics of spirituality, understanding the soul, Christian spirituality, God’s presence, prayer, and spirituality within the community. The author shares ideas for icebreakers, Biblical readings, music, and even the time schedule. How handy for a busy retreat leader.The strength of the book’s resources lies with the strong narrative – the type of “meaty” material that adds depth to a retreat. The book explores the teachings expressed by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich and is an examination of the six stages of a person’s faith journey:(1)recognition of God;(2)the life of discipleship;(3)the productive life;(4)the journey inward and meeting the wall;(5)the journey … [Read more...]
Winner: Present Perfect Book Giveaway
We have a winner! A number was drawn randomly from the commenters ( of course not my responses!)The winner is...... KAREN!!I have your address and will put a copy of your book in the mail this week. I hope it blesses your spiritual journey.Jeanie … [Read more...]
Living within the Presence of God – Every Moment, Every Day
“Each moment is a revelation of God.” Jean-Pierre de Caussade"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18The phrase pray continually beckons my heart. Living each moment in the presence of God is a deep hunger within me. Surveying my shelves this week, I discovered quite a few books discussing this spiritual practice and realized once again just how God is inviting me to dwell with him in every moment – even the ordinary ones throughout my day. Wow – isn’t that just amazing? God – in all His glory, majesty, power, wisdom – desires to spend time with little ol’ me. With all of us! And not just an occasionally fleeting visit or an hour on Sunday, but every minute, second, and nanosecond. Gregory Boyd wrote a book I read this week: Present Perfect – Finding God in the Now – that relit this desire within my heart. (See review below and be sure to leave a comment because I will be giving … [Read more...]
PLAN B – Spiritual Lessons when Life is Not Fair
What can we learn from life’s Plan B’s? Plan B is a new direction we take or are forced to take when what we originally planned/hoped/dreamed for fell apart. Often we are not happy when we first enter this new place – we are angry, disappointed, and hurt. I recently read new book by Pete Wilson, called Plan B (see review below of the book that I received as part of Booksneeze book reviews). This book inspired me to think about the Plan B’s in my life and the lessons I learned.Every life overflows with Plan B’s (and probably C’s. D’s and XYZ’s too). The honest truth is that we are not really in control no matter what we chose to think.I planned to have my dad walk me down the aisle – he died when I was 16.I envisioned my mom holding my babies – she died ten months before I conceived.I thought I would earn my Masters degree before the age of 30 – I did achieve that dream, but not until my 40s.Bill and I thought we would live our entire lives in a midsize college town - yet God planted … [Read more...]
THIN PLACES
A Thin Place is a place where heaven and the physical worlds meet. The Celts use this word to describe the moments or places in our lives where the veil parts a little and we taste the sacredness or catch of glimpse of heaven.In Germany a few years back, exploring the monastery ruins in Disibonenberg, I felt the presence and walked the grounds with Hildegard of Bingen. Disibon, a missionary from Ireland to that area, built the monastery in the 600s. Perhaps he did create a thin place there.Recently I read a book of hope and healing titled Thin Places, a memoir by Mary Demuth. I recommend her haunting story about her broken childhood and the healing that takes places when she discovered God in her thin places.Even though I received this book at no cost in exchange for posting a review, I do highly recommend its reading. I also think Thin Places would make a great book club or small group discussion. Storytellers and writers will appreciate the rich language of this memoir. “Age grants … [Read more...]
Angels: God’s Ambassadors
During the month of February, the Monday post will feature a book I am reading.Do you believe in angels?As part of my public speaking ministry, the most frequently requested presentation is on Angels: God’s Ambassadors. Interest in their existence and meaning peaked in the 90s, but in every group I speak to at least a couple of people will share their experience with an angel. Bookshelves are flooded with various books about these heavenly agents. During my presentation I mention the classic one by Billy Graham and several others, but always leave the listeners with a warning also. Many books about angels are just plain bunk. Be sure what you are reading is Bible based.I have a new one to recommend that is a solid reference: Angels by Dr. David Jeremiah. Now I have to give the basic disclosure here: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. But I am so pleased to have new Bible based material to add to my collection. The book is widely … [Read more...]
Making a Difference through Simple Compassion
What difference can I make? How can I show compassion? What is my role in fighting injustice in the world?I just read a new book by Keri Wyatt Kent, titled Simple Compassion- Devotions to Make a Difference in your Neighborhood and your World. This book contains 52 devotional readings about compassion that could use individually or by a small group. Each chapter contains Biblical references and ends with action steps. A leader’s guide is also printed for small group reference.The book offers inspiration and motivation to explore how God is calling each of us to grow hearts full of compassion. What a refreshing way to approach a topic like this that should be rooted in prayer and meditation by having an only a once a week reading. This creates space to open our hearts to how God is calling us and our eyes to fully see injustice surrounding us.Two quotes I especially liked are: “If the goal of Christian spiritual formation is to become more Christ-like, then I should be more … [Read more...]
Spiritual and Prayer Books – What’s on my reading table?
I am one of those types of people who read two or three books at one time. Come to my house and you will find books in multiple places. Whenever I find an extra minute or two, my nose dives into the pages.What am I currently reading to nourish my spirituality?Everyday Greatness by Stephen Covey.I received this book through the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger program. It attracted my attention as I usually like Stephen Covey’s material, finding it uplifting and informative.Everyday Greatness is living each day with character and contribution. It is a way of life not a one time five minutes of glory that the media loves to exploit. He writes, “It speaks more about people’s motives than about their talents; more about small simple deeds than about grandiose accomplishments. It is humble.”What I like about his book is I can read it in tiny pieces – small stories that inspired you to think beyond yourself.My disappointment is that the book isn’t written by Covey though his name is … [Read more...]