The book, Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning, begins with this story and quote from his spiritual director: “Brennan, you don’t need any more insight into the faith, you’ve got enough insights to last you three hundred years. The most urgent need in your life is to trust what you have received.” Recently I revisited my bookshelves and this book, Ruthless Trust, called to me. Don’t you love to slowly reread an old favorite and savor its wisdom once again in your life?  I needed this book at this time in my life; I am sure God knew that. I needed to dig deep and ponder trust in my spiritual journey just as Brennan Manning did in this book. Here is some of his wisdom: “Trust is our gift back to God and he finds it so enchanting that Jesus died for love of it.” “Childlike surrender in trust is the defining spirit of authentic discipleship.” “Trust was not some feature out at the edges of Jesus’ teaching; it was its heart and center.” “The biggest obstacle on my … [Read more...]

One of my favorite authors, Emily P Freeman, just released a new book, How to Walk into a Room. The host of a wonderful weekly podcast too, Emily accompanies us as we discern the decisions we face in life. As a spiritual director, discernment is often the doorway that directees seek an appointment with me - they are at the crossroad. Do I stay? Or do I leave?  And how will I know?  Emily’s new book is a practical tool for discernment, full of helpful clarifying questions. Here is her description of the contents: “If life were a house, then every room holds a story. What do we do when a room we’re in is no longer a room where we belong? What do you do when you start to feel a shift and must decide if it’s time to make a change? When it comes to navigating big decisions about when to stay and go, how can we know for sure when the time is right? Though we enter and exit many rooms over the course of our life—jobs, relationships, communities, life stages—knowing how and … [Read more...]

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” 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...]

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...]