“Wow! I need a rest!” I lamented these words yesterday out loud to no one expect my own weary soul. After 10 days of busyness, crazy schedule, dashing from one meeting/project to another, wearing different hats and carrying cumbersome expectations, all I wanted to do was to stop the hamster wheel. Reading is an essential self-care joy that renews my soul. I intentionally chose last evening to put my jammies on early and my feet up, snuggle under a warm blanket and to open a book. Ahhh, the tiring, tedious tension trickled from my heart. The quiet whisper of rest revived me. Whispers of Rest Whispers of Rest – 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul – a new release by Bonnie Gray, arrived at my home at just the right time. I received this book free as I am a member of her book launch team and feel so blessed to read its words. I am under no obligation to give a good review, but want you to do know this is a wonderful devotional to add to your time with God. This … [Read more...]
Seven Sacred Pauses: Healthy Spirituality Book Chat
Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully through the Hours of the Day by Macrina Wiederkehr is this month’s Healthy Spirituality Book Chat selection. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I want to feature a Christian book that I am reading or want to reread. To be honest, I have a towering pile of books I want to read, but never seem to get to and now by telling you this idea, I am hoping I take the time for more reading and study in my own spiritual journey. I also have a several “top shelf” books, that I have read previously and loved and want to dig back into their words once again. I yearn to go deeper and less shallow in my spiritual walk. With this monthly Book Chat, we will take a look at a book and glean a lesson to nourish a healthy spirituality. To stretch myself, in addition to what I share in writing on this blog, I want to include a video about the book and a second insight from its words. I may even try doing this as live streaming on Facebook Live. … [Read more...]
The Art of Pilgrimage: Healthy Spirituality Book Chat
The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred by Phil Cousineau is this month’s Healthy Spirituality Book Chat selection. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I want to feature a Christian book that I am reading or want to reread. To be honest, I have a towering pile of books I want to read, but never seem to get to and now by telling you this idea, I am hoping I take the time for more reading and study in my own spiritual journey. I also have a several “top shelf” books, that I have read previously and loved and want to dig back into their words once again. I yearn to go deeper and less shallow in my spiritual walk. With this monthly Book Chat, we will take a look at a book and glean a lesson to nourish a healthy spirituality. To stretch myself, in addition to what I share in writing on this blog, I want to include a video about the book and a second insight from its words. I may even try doing this as live streaming on Facebook Live. YIKES! The Art of … [Read more...]
A Look Inside the Life and Love of Katharina and Martin Luther
Next October many churches will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. I am on my church’s planning committee for the activities for 2017 which include our pastor’s 50th year of ordination, our church’s 150th and the Reformation observance. Quite a year, isn’t it? A New Book about Katharina and Martin Luther A new book by my friend, Michelle DeRusha, called Katharina and Martin Luther officially releases next week on January 31. I am on her book launch team and was lucky enough to read an early copy. I am thrilled to have this resource for helping me teach others in my church about the life and love of Katharina and Martin. This well researched and wonderfully written book is essential for anyone wanting to know more about how they lived and how they found each other. I knew some things about Martin Luther, but not very much about his wife and former nun, Katharina. Michelle offers an insightful glimpse into what marriage and the rights – in honesty, the lack of … [Read more...]
Where Do You Find Hope?
Where do you find hope? I am an optimist. I work hard as an adult to be positive, look on the bright side and find the good in others. I’d like to think I am a realistic optimist, not a Pollyanna. But I will confess: when things don’t go as planned. When dreams and hope shatter. When it seems everyone else gets all the luck, the blessings and the good fortune, being hopeful become more difficult. Where do you find hope when feeling helpless? I found a refreshing surge of courage in a book I just finished: Through the Eyes of Hope by Lacy Buchanan with Bethany Jett. Through the Eyes of Hope is Lacey’s story about her oldest son, Christian, born with a rare birth defect called Tessier cleft palate. His face didn’t fully form together and the division included up through his eyes – he is also blind. This is a book of hope. Lacey is very honest and raw in sharing her struggles with her complex pregnancy, the issues with the birth defects, and bad news upon bad news … [Read more...]
Broken Crayons Still Color – A Book and a Blessing
“Every one we meet loves someone, longs for something and has lost someone.” This expression reminds me that all of us are broken. Every single one of us carries hurts in our heart, sores in our souls, and wounds in our self-worth. All of us are broken crayons. Where do we find hope in the midst of heartbreak? How do we grow from the kicks and cuts from life? I know praying, speaking to a spiritual director, journaling, listening to God’s word – all gives me strength to face a new day. But another key practice is hearing the stories from others – how they survived. How they learned and transformed a tragedy into a triumph. How, as Michael Hyatt wisely advices, take a bad circumstance and ask yourself, “What does this experience make possible?” Broken Crayons Still Color – A Book My friend and mentor, Shelley Hitz, just released her newest book, Broken Crayons Still Color. Don’t you love that title? Shelley has poured her heart into this book and takes us on a journey … [Read more...]
7 Days of Soul Care – A Book Review and a Spiritual Practice
Soul Care Soul care? How do you take care of your soul? I believe health is multidimensional. Most of the time we think about our physical health when we consider wellness and beneficial activities for our health. Occasionally we consider our mental and emotional health and may at least once a year on April 15th ponder our financial health. How do you practice caring for your soul? With intention? With regularity? With daring risks of leaps out of your comfort zone? Or even the small steps of living each day in love with God? What is soul? It's like electricity - we don't really know what it is, but it's a force that can light a room. Ray Charles 7 Days of Soul Care 7 Days of Soul Care - A Guide to Letting God Do the Extraordinary with Your Ordinary by Dolly Lee is just now being released and is a wonderful, simple book to help you focus on taking care of your spiritual health. This book will accompany me on my next retreat or could be used as a daily devotion. … [Read more...]
Words To Live By – Book Review
Words To Live By – Book Review I love words. I love to discover new ones and play with familiar ones. My favorites ticked the tongue and stir the soul. The best ones though, stick with your spirit and emerge as words to live by. What if you could pray and ponder over 52 ordinary words that would lead to an extraordinary life? I discovered a neat newly published book called: Words to Live By – One Word a Week Devotional by Linda Gilden and Dalene Parker and also unearthed a real treasure. Each week one simple word is highlighted followed by five devotionals. For example, ordinary words like listen, change, wait and trust. Quick reads for your morning quiet time with perfect illustrations and applications. Many of us chose an action word for the year: here is a similar technique to invite you closer to God through a word a week. I think journaling about the chosen word would also deepen your experience. Many of the entries end with a question to carry with you for … [Read more...]