My mornings are blessed lately by rereading a classic – A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie. First published in 1936, A Diary of Private Prayer remains a devotional masterpiece with more than a million copies in print. To be honest, this old book has been sitting on my shelf untouched for quite awhile. I don’t remember buying it. I even don’t know what made me find it a couple of weeks ago and put it by my Bible. This last week its words just called to me to open it and I was amazed and taken in by its wisdom. Each prayer captures my deepest desire to love God more. His language is a beautiful devotional testament to his love for God. Each day has two pages, one titled Morning and the other Evening and there are 31 chapters for each of the days of a month. The language is old – lots of “thees, thines and thous and didst” but the meaning is lovely. I simply translate them in my heart and mind to “you” and “did.” This morning I read one aloud twice – once with the archaic … [Read more...]
Between the Dark and the Daylight – Joan Chittister – Book Review
We all hit the wall at times. Tensions tug. Paradoxes confuse. We wandered through the thick mud of contradictions of life. Knowing this is all too common for many of us is what drew me to Joan Chittister’s newest book. Between the Dark and the Daylight – Embracing the Contradictions of life. I have read her words of wisdom before and knew this would be a wonderful thought provoking exploration of the paradoxical moments of life. What lessons can we learn in these times? What insights could we share with others? The truth is we don’t live in a clear right vs. wrong, black vs. white world – we drift and try to see and survive through varying shades of grayness. This book lived up to its marketing. Chittister presents 32 common dilemmas – such as “The Delusion of Frustration”, “The Insecurity of Certainty”, “The Emptiness of Accumulation”, and “the Role of Failure in Success” and discusses with the reader the meaning behind these tough issues. Each chapter is short, easy to … [Read more...]
A Fresh Perspective to Prayer
I threw the windows open and unlocked the front door last week and invited the crisp spring air inside my house and my heart. Deep breathe, Jeanie. Feel the life in the atmosphere. Time to refresh and shake out that old dust. Don’t you love gaining a new perspective to old routines? Rearranging the furniture. Cleaning out the bedlam buried in a kitchen drawer. Learning a new way to thinking or doing something This is how I feel about a book I am reading by Kelly O’Dell Stanley called Praying Upside Down – a Creative Prayer Experience to Transform Your Time with God. Kelly tackles prayer from an artist point of view, giving me new insight and ways to pray. I love how she weaves in her own story, humbly sharing her ups and downs and inviting us no matter what our faith background is or our history with prayer to join her. The book is one of the most creative books I have read on prayer and I have read a ton of books on this topic. Quotes to share: “Praying upside down is a … [Read more...]
The Ancient Path – Book Review
When planning and dreaming about our future, we can learn lessons from those who lived before us. This is the crux of the new book by John Michael Talbot titled “The Ancient Path – Old Lessons from the Church Fathers from a New Life Today.” This book describes Talbot’s journey in establishing the monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. He writes about his life and how the early church fathers taught him how to live. What I liked about the book: I love seeing how the author dug deeply into our church history to find and then apply lessons to his life from those early wise leaders. As I read the book I recognized some names, discovered new ones and always learned more about the early church. Talbot’s determined drive to explore intensely and intentionally the wisdom from the past for patterns to live in our world today inspired me – why can’t we apply their insight to our lives too? Quote I liked: “There is a theme that runs through the writings of the … [Read more...]
Searching for Sunday – Book Review
Every once in awhile a book comes along that nourishes both the mind and the heart. Searching for Sunday – Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church – by Rachel Held Evans is one of those books. What I liked: I love reading material that makes me think. Words that haunt my thoughts throughout the day and help me clarify their meaning. Yet I don’t want to live just in my head – I also need fuel for my spirit and my heart – to grow in my passion and love of God. This book fits both needs. Searching for Sunday is a book about Rachel’s brave and vulnerable quest and exploration on what church means. She is honest with her doubts and difficulties and invites us to walk along with her. I love how she shares her stories. We have a God who loves to be with us – even in our struggling times and wants to hear from us. Shouldn’t the church be the same way? This book may challenge you, stretch you, but at the same time inspire you to articulate and clarify what church means to you. Be … [Read more...]
The Art of Work – Book Review
Last week I wrote about the connection, the two sides of the same coin, of wishing and working. Part of my thinking more about this topic arose from reading Jeff Goins’ new book, The Art of Work – a Proven Path to Discovering What You were Meant to Do. This is a book I have enjoyed slowly reading, picking different chapters, gaining new insights and leaving more encouraged and inspired. Jeff’s words stir inside of me a courage to state my dreams and take the risk to go after them. This is a book about discovering your life’s work and the task you were born to do. The Art of Work is packed with personal stories, case studies and current research on the topics of what motivates us and if talent is that all important. Each page will lift your spirit and make you think more about your life’s vocation, not just making it to the next pay check or to when you finally retire, but to do what you really want to do. “The process of finding and claiming your calling is a journey, one that … [Read more...]
Worry Less So You Can Live More
What? Me worry? Never. Not me. Not I. Well, maybe just a little. I do fret more about the kids now as adults then when they were younger. But that’s all. But again, I do watch the weather forecasts like a maniac visualizing the cancellation of events and spending useless time and energy thinking of Plan B and Plan C just in case…maybe even Plan D and F, too. But that’s all. Ok, I have starred out the window in the middle of night and paced the porch floor as multiple imagined far-fetched scenarios attack my sleep-deprived soul. Sigh. I guess I do worry. I crave more ways to find peace, joy and energy in life. Maybe that is why Jane Rubietta’s new book, Worry Less So You Can Live More, appealed to me when it appeared on the list from Bethany House as a choice for bloggers to review. I was thrilled to get this book, which hasn’t disappointed me. I want you to know I would have given it a good review even if I purchased it. This book will inspire and encourage … [Read more...]
Being Open to God
I was on retreat last year when I shared with the spiritual director my ongoing frustration of the divide between my head and my heart. I think too much. I deeply want to trust. I step out into life before seeking God first. I think I run the world, not the One who really does. Off with her head – I wanted to scream! My director calmly asked what image comes to mind when I ponder my head and heart. Immediately I knew – an hour glass. Open on top and bottom but constricted in the middle. She suggested I pray for a new image and see where God leads me. Odd prayer, isn’t it? Dear Lord, how do you want me to see my head and heart? How can I better visualize them working together not tearing my soul apart? Please show me, Lord. Over the next few days of the retreat God slowly showed me a new image – a tree. My heart is the roots, growing deep in his love. My head are the branches – intentionally reaching out to him in his light and love. In between where the restricted narrow … [Read more...]