Doubt. Since we are exploring prayer this year on Healthy Spirituality, room needs to be made for times of doubt and unanswered prayer. How do we keep praying in time of waiting and indecision? Where is God when we don't experience him or hear his voice? Sheryl Giesbrecht shares her story and strategies for difficult times like these in her new book "It'll be Okay: Finding God when Doubt Hides the Truth." During her dark times, she would keep telling herself, "It'll be okay." She writes she wasn't sure what "it" was, but this phrase kept her on the search for God in her foggy times. I think we all can identify with experiences of doubt and uncertainty. It'll Be Okay is a new book what can help us through these difficult times. She writes: "Frequent flyers know what it is like to trust an airplane pilot to land a plane in zero visibility. To me, that’s what it is like to trust God when you can’t “see, hear, or feel” him. Pilots trust their radar and depend on their landing … [Read more...]
What Are You Reading? Year of Reading Update
One of my goals this year is to read more. What are you reading right now? In January, I proudly told you that beside this being the year of prayer and creativity for me, it was also the year of reading. I shared a video from Pat Flynn where he recommended reading every day, so I put reading on my daily to do list. I even created an editorial calendar for my reading. Well, that lasted most of January, but disappeared in February. While on vacation a few weeks ago though I began to read again. Maybe there is hope yet. Here are two books I just finished to share with you. I found it interesting that both books combined something practical with inspiration and scripture. Reading: A Pinch Wisdom, Taste of Scripture – Guiding You into the Word Around the Table. I love this newest book by Clella Camp. Think spices, meal ideas, and inspiration all rolled into a devotional recipe book. Clella writes about spices and herbs such as cinnamon, allspice, basil and tells … [Read more...]
I Choose Praise – In Spite of Myself – Book Review
I choose praise. Isn’t that a wonderful refrain? Finding a short simply statement like this realigns my heart and redirects my eyes on God. The words set my intention. The line serves as a landmark on the shore to prevent me from going too far adrift. I choose praise. An option we always have when faced with discouragement, destruction, and disillusionment. I have heard these types of sentences can be called “sticky statements” as they cling to our ears and fix to our souls. Many of you commented about the phrase I wrote about last week – grace before guess – as one you wanted to remember and use. I choose praise gained my attention from the new book by Katie Hornor called “In Spite of Myself - How Intentional Praise Can Transform Your Heart and Home." I Choose Praise – In Spite of Myself – the Book In Spite of Myself is a four-week Bible study exploring how praise heals and provides hope even in dark times. I love her personal illustrations, thought provoking … [Read more...]
What is Your Image of God?
When you think of God, what image forms in your mind and heart? “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer In my spiritual journey, my image of God has evolved. How I saw him as a child - an old man, peering down upon me, ready to judge my every move – is so different from the loving presence I now experience. Dare I admit, God is now not always male to me, either. To take the time, to see into your heart, asking the question: What is my image of God? takes courage, time, and vulnerability. When I am honest, I find at times, how I view God may not be the healthiest for my spiritual growth. But when I name it, describe how I see God, I learn so much more about God. Changing Image of God A few years ago, I realized God often appeared as far away, on the far side of a room. Oddly and surprising to me, God seemed unapproachable, distant, out of grasp. I was shocked to recognize how this image of God still lingered within my … [Read more...]
Walk It Out – Book Review
Some books come along in our lives at just the right moment. A few weeks ago, I prayed for help in living a more devoted life, more fully connected with God. I needed guidance to jumpstart my spirit by hearing God deeper. I felt a yearning to live like Jesus did, as he called us to in the Sermon on the Mount. Then Tricia Goyer’s newest book arrived. Walk It Out – Book Overview Walk it Out – a Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time is an inspirational, practical read. I love how she weaves her honest life stories amidst real-life ideas, actions steps, and thought provoking questions. As we search for where God is leading us, Tricia also offers great suggestions to balance our lives without doing too much. Walk It Out reminded me once again life isn’t just about me. “Sometimes in the busyness of our Christian walk, we forget that our ministry is not all about us and what we have to offer God. Many of us think it’s up to us to figure out God’s purposes for … [Read more...]
A Testament of Devotion
Devotion. How can we cultivate a deeper devotion to God? This is one question I ask frequently in my prayers and my journal. A question I hear in my spiritual direction practice. A question that arises from the hearts of the readers of this blog. I was pondering this the other day when I saw a book, an old friend, on my shelf that I hadn’t read for a while: A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly. What a great find to reread and savor once again. A Testament of Devotion practically jumped into my hands. I wanted to find a classic to feature as this month’s Healthy Spirituality Book Chat and instead of my searching for one, it found me! “Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return.” A Testament of Devotion The theme of this book is the discovery and exploration of the presence of God within us. Basically, A Testament of Devotion is five essays, titled: The … [Read more...]
Are You a Hurried or Unhurried Leader?
When I led the county health department, I learned a key lesson. Avoid making “stairway decisions.” A stairway decision occurs when a person asks you something on the stairs, in the hallway or say, by the coffee pot. I always believed in being approachable and open to conversations and suggestions, but learned the hard way, not to make quick decisions on the fly. Too often those choices weren’t fully considered and with not all the correct information presented. I had to learn to be an unhurried leader. Hasty choices cause horrible consequences. Jean Wise [bctt tweet="Hasty choices cause horrible consequences. Jean Wise" username="Jeanwise"] An Unhurried Leader – The Lasting Fruit of Daily Influence – is a new book by Alan Fadling. I am part of his book launch team and am in no way required to give a good review, but am happy to present this fascinating unique approach to leadership to you today. Fadling writes, “Hurried leaders are quick to do and slow to be; quick to … [Read more...]
Let God Be Present – Healthy Spirituality Book Chat
Let God Be Present, Uncovering the Will, Courage, and Persistence to Truly Connect is a book recently released by Matthew Brough. This book tackles the often-neglected topic of God’s presence even when you might not want it. It’s hard to admit, but there are times we just don’t want to connect with God. I tend to think as a Christian I “should” want to be in God’s presence all the time. To be honest, sometimes I run from God. I hid from him. I chose to ignore him. As if I could really do those things. Let God Be Present – The Book This book is easy to read and holds short reflections that lead you into pondering a thought for the day. Though the book is not a “how to guide,” Matt doesn’t just leave us hanging in the dark, but provides guidance to tuning in and trusting God more. One sentence I recorded in my journal for further conversations with God is this: “It doesn’t take us long to replace God.” OUCH! A lot of truth in those words. I really like how Matthew … [Read more...]