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...]
Book Lover Day – What Are You Reading?
Book Lover Day is coming! August 9. This is a day to relax and enjoy a book – of course I think that could be every and any day. I sure do like reading and often am pouring my heart into several books at one time. Some I buy but many come from our library. Gotta love the library. Here are a few quotes from my current pile of books. Write for your Life – Anne Quindlen.“I have to write to discover what I am doing.” Flannery O’Connor“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” Anais Nin“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” Christian Lange, in his 1921 Nobel Prize acceptance speech. Amazing this was said 100 years ago and is even more true today. New Seeds of Contemplation - Thomas Merton (an often reread – do you have books you continue to pick up and reread?) “Contemplation is the highest expression of man’s intellectual and spiritual life. It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active, full aware that it is alive. It is spiritual … [Read more...]
All In
“All” is my word of the year, and I am exploring, listening, and watching for its wisdom and lessons. I am still in the get-to-know phase of my new friendship with my word. I so enjoy the One Word Community founded by Lisa Burgess where I shared my words and experiences with others who also do this practice each year. Thanks to @lynnmorrisey who suggested in the comments there to read Mark Batterson’s book All In to add insight to my word. Reading what others write about your word of the year is a great way to start. Discovering the words to define and clarify whatever we are experiencing in our spiritual journey often lights the way forward. This simple but powerful practice grounds us if we are upset, in transition, or uncertain. Naming and describing our feelings, our thoughts, our reflections and even our word of the year settles our souls and aligns us with God. “All” is defined as the whole. The total. Nothing held back. Batterson explains that this word … [Read more...]
Books Ready to be Read
Books! I love them. I have a constant list ordered to borrow from my library. And of course, I buy too many books. Amazon and I are on a first name basis. I don't have too many books; my challenge is not enough bookshelves. I do love to read what others are reading and have shared current books I am reading on this blog too. So here are a few I am immersed in reading, savoring, highlighting, enjoying and devouring. Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee The idea of unhurried living certainly appeals to most of us worn out by busyness, expectations, and distractions. In this book Jennifer talks about when she gave herself permission to slow down and invites us to join her. I can't wait to read the practices she suggests for slowing down. She writes, "Hurry will consume you until you have nothing left. But we don't even know it's happening, because there's a popular idea out there that purposeful living is synonymous with hurry. And that if you want a great life, … [Read more...]
What’s On My Reading Stand?
What's on my reading stand? I don't know about you but I am one of those types who has multiple books going at once. I pick one up to read one night, then often am onto another one next. I love to slowly digest the wisdom from other writers. I love the blog posts where I get the glimpse into what another is reading so thought today I would share what is piled up, ready to be taken in by my heart, mind, and spirit. 3000 Miles to Jesus – Pilgrimage as a Way of Life for Spiritual Seekers by Lisa Deam. She had me at the word – pilgrimage -as that is a key word in my spirituality. This is a new title exploring that everyone is a pilgrim and we are all on a journey. This is a book about traveling well. "For Dante, pilgrimage required two elements; the challenge of distance and the sense of being strangers in a strange land." I certainly can agree with that statement – both in my external travels and my inward journey. I especially like how she introduces us to fellow … [Read more...]
Searching for Certainty in Uncertain Times
Searching for certainty? Aren't we all seeking solid ground in this crazy upheaval of a year we are living in? Searching for certainty, if I am honest, has always been a need of mine. How about you? Shelly Miller's Searching for Certainty Searching for Certainty is the name of a new book, released today, by my friend and fellow writer, Shelly Miller. Searching for certainty always leads me back to the certain, faithful God of all. I read an early copy of Shelley's book and her words made me realize how often uncertainty has influence my thoughts and behaviors. She shared her shaky times in her life and then surrounds her story with wisdom and grace. Each chapter ends with amazing thought-provoking questions to take to God through prayer and journaling. Ironically Shelly wrote this book long before the pandemic arrived at everyone's doorstep - God prepared her heart to share these insights just in time to provide strength, wisdom, and encouragement for all … [Read more...]