What is on your summer reading pile? I like to periodically update you all on what I am currently reading. Here are three I have read lately that are lingering in my mind and heart: A Prayer Journal – Flannery O'Connor Interesting collection of journal entries of writer Flannery O'Connor written between 1946 and 1947. Most are her prayers/conversations with God and her discernment as she discovers herself as a writer. What a great writer even in her journal entries. Lovely words like this: "Dear God, I cannot love Thee the way I want to. You are the slim crescent of a moon that I see and my self is the earth's shadow that keeps me from seeing all the moon. The crescent is beautiful and perhaps that is all one like I am should or could see; but what I am afraid of, dear God, is that my self shadow will grow so large that it blocks the whole moon, and that I will judge myself by the shadow that is nothing. I do not know you God because I am in the way. Please help me to … [Read more...]
The Gift of Wonder – Book Review
This year I am exploring three WWW's – Wonder, Wisdom, and Whimsey. Imagine my excitement then when I discovered this new book by Christine Sine, The Gift of Wonder – Creative Practices for Delighting God – her words piqued my interest and made my day. The Gift of Wonder is available for preordered now and will be released March 26. Reading what authors give as their dedication often gives the reader a glimpse into their heart – Sine writes "to all who are learning to laugh and dance and play with God." Isn't that fun? In a more serious note, she writes, "We suffer from play deprivation, nature deficit disorder, awe depletion, compassion fatigue, imagination suppression, and more. As a result, I think we suffer from God deprivation too. I am increasingly convinced that rediscovering our inner child is essential for our spiritual health. It has become an important and delightful journey for me and is the central theme of The Gift of Wonder. "Awe and wonder, imagination … [Read more...]
Invitation to Retreat – New Book by Ruth Haley Barton
Here is your invitation to retreat – Dear Beloved Child of God Your presence is requested in my Presence. You are invited to come away with me. This time is my gift to you – being together with your Creator, Savior, and Spirit. This time is also my summons, a necessity for your soul-health. Come. Be. Retreat. The spiritual practice of going on retreat is a discipline I have experienced and believe is one of the most essential tools for nurturing my spirit. I have written about this practice in the past on several blog posts such as How to Prepare Your Heart for Spiritual Retreat and 5 Ways Spiritual Retreats Transform Your Life. I even wrote a book called Spiritual Retreats in response to a friend's questions about my practice. I was thrilled to hear about a new book on this topic by one of my favorite authors. What a great combination! Ruth Haley Barton just released her latest title: Invitation to Retreat – the Gift and Necessity of Time Away … [Read more...]
May Book Chat
What book are you reading this month? Did you know May is Get Caught Reading Month? Get Caught Reading is a nationwide public service campaign launched by the Association of American Publishers to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read. One focus I have for 2018 is more reading. I wrote about my good start for reading books in January that unfortunately has slowed and become quite lethargic in February and March. I became more intentionally here in spring. What a great way to spend time in May – reading books. Here is the book I am diving into this month: May Book Chat Life Without Lack – Living in the Fullness of the Psalm 23 by Dallas Willard. This is a new book and if you know anything about Dallas Willard, you know he died in 2013. How is there a new book by him? Life Without Lack is based on a series of talks given by Willard and edited by his friend Larry Burtoft and his daughter Rebecca Willard Hartley. In 1991 Willard taught a small group of … [Read more...]
Doubt – It’ll Be Okay: Finding God when Doubt Hides the Truth – Book Review
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...]