46. Letters by a Modern Mystic by Frank C. Laubach

I have not read this book since 2009! I thought I had read it since then, but NO. I have read The Game with Minutes three times because it is part of our ministry curriculum, but this is one of my top ten favorite books that deserves a reread! 

I have never written a review of it, other than having referred to it when I have reviewed other Laubach books, but I found a very old post from this blog entitled, "In His Presence" from July 30, 2009 that gets to the heart of why I love this book: 

I do not know what is happening with me. There is this amazing connection that I am having with God right now.

My dream has always been to see a 24/7/365 kind of relationship with God (You - for I write this blog to You and for You). I remember reading The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence in the early 80's and felt like I had a new role-model. I specifically remember leaving Gill Coliseum on the OSU Campus one night, being tilted over by some strange encounter with Diane's guy friend, Chris. I cried out to You with the desire to not let strange encounters with others derail me from Your precious presence. It became my passion and something in which to strive because "In Your presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forever" (Psalm 16:11). Yet, being the emotional self that I am, it has always been difficult. Those bi-monthly extended times of prayer helped to recalibrate me, but by the end of the sixty days, I was undone again. Oh, to be undone only by God because of His overwhelming presence. That is what I yearned for more than anything. 

Later in my journey, I read excerpts from Frank Laubach's (1884-1970) Letters by a Modern Mystic where he resolved: "I would succeed better this year with my experiment of filling every minute full of the thought of God than I succeeded last year. And I added another resolve -- to be as wide open toward people and their need as I am toward God. Window open outward as well as upward." 

Somehow, Frank's effort seemed so realistic with little increments of growth year by year. He also did not live a monastic existence as Brother Lawrence did. His inward and outward growth were simultaneous. I wanted that moment by moment experience of God in the midst of the daily grind of life with "tilting people."

Then a couple of months later, in the fall of 2009, I read The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg and The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard, and they BOTH quoted Laubach! I realized that I had only read a chapter with longer excerpts (referred to above) from Laubach called "Opening Windows to God" in the Devotional Classics by Foster and Smith. This was in the early 90's and back when it was a loose leaf notebook and only available through Renovaré!

Why had I never read him? If people like Willard and Ortberg and Foster (and countless others) were quoting him, why have I never read him directly? So I Googled and found this book. Part of the reason I had never read him in the 90's was that this book was out of print, and there were not opportunities on the internet to search out copies of it. Thankfully, by 2009, this 2007 edition had been made available, and I ate it up! I never knew that he was a worker among the Moro people in Southeast Asia too! My kind of guy!

The Introduction by Ken Smitherman, President of the Association of Christian Schools International puts it well, when he says that, "Although these letters were written nearly eighty years ago they speak forcefully to anyone who desires the highest level of the pursuit of God and effective discipleship and discipling." I recommend it to all the women I disciple. It is that important of a book, and paired with The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, it is that much more powerful! 

There is an online version, but I really like this little pocket book that includes The Game with Minutes too.

Here is the online version though: Letters by a Modern Mystic 

45. The Game with Minutes by Frank C. Laubach

This was the first book I read for 2014, and it is going to be one of the last ones. It is such an important concept. :) 

Here is a PDF Download of it: The Game with Minutes

Here is my previous review of the book.

Don't stop at this book by the author. Read Letters by a Modern Mystic too! I make a practice of reading it regularly! 

Saturday Morning Freewrite

I am trying to do more freewrites, but it does mean sitting longer, but I can always stand up. I think maybe I should ask for a "sit to stand" desk for Christmas and make my desk in the guest room downstairs. Or maybe I could do it in my office so I don't have to go to the cold downstairs room in the winter. It is also my guest room, and I suspect that I might have some guests in the winter and spring.

Went for a wonderful walk with Kellie to the Jackson-Frazier Wetland yesterday. It started to sprinkle as we crested over the hill on Maxine, but we kept walking (she is not intimidated by rain as she grew up in Seattle), and we were rewarded by blue sky and the sun streaming low across the fields. Beautiful afternoon.

I am trying to go to the wetland every season, and I don't think that I had been there since the late summer. I wish I had gone at the peak of fall to see how it looked with leaves turning, but I am not sure that it has trees like that. It seems like it would, but I saw no signs of leaves matted on the ground. So maybe not. 

It was beautiful and the longest walk I have taken since my back wig out on November 19th. We walked over four miles.

Then I stretched at home and prayed with Kellie. Then I went out to dinner with Kellie and Teala (they have become friends because of the listening prayer class they were both in together). It was very pleasant, and Corvallis looked so lovely with all of its Christmas lights downtown. The Winter Celebration was going on too. This is a celebration where they set up a white tent on one of the main downtown streets. It is expensive, but I think it raises money for charity, and there are nice treats from local restaurants and such. It is so quintessential Corvallis, and I want to go someday when our life slows down a bit (HAHAHAAHAHA).

I woke up in a night sweat at about three this morning. When that happens, it is often difficult for me to fall back asleep. I slept in on Thursday and Friday morning. So I knew that I would be having a very early morning to make my average six hours of sleep. That always happens. If I am sick and sleep more hours, it always evens out to six over the course of time. Just how my body clock works as a "Sleepless Elite" (and now I have the research program that I participated in last summer to prove it). 

Well, I am doing the Messiah Meditations, and Kim is doing it with me this year. She wrote me and said she was really enjoying it. I am listening to it once again, and I NEVER tire of that music. I did not listen to it all this year so that I would just listen to it at Christmas, but I bet I could listen to it year round and never tire of it! It has been great to go along with my "Game with Minutes" challenge for the Kingdom Community! 

I also liked that I was writing out Scriptures all week. I am having our people skip from Abraham to the Christmas story since their friends will probably ask them what it is about, but I did not want my journal writings to be all out of order (I want ONE journal to have all of the Discovering God stories in it. Last year, my stories were spread over TWO journals, and I wish I had planned better for that!) so I wrote all the stories from Abraham to Christ, and I cannot believe how wonderful that was for my soul! I wrote and wrote and wrote every opportunity I had! It was so great!

So, now I am at Christ. But it was so nice to write through David and see those Messianic Psalms and write from Isaiah, and of course, it all goes with my time in the Messiah which I am going to right now because my time is almost out! 

44. God is in the Manger by Bonhoeffer

This is an Advent devotional book that I will complete before the end of the year (even though it goes until January 6 - Epiphany), but I wanted to review it now in case anyone wanted to get it for their Advent readings. It is precious. I forgot it was on my iPhone until walking this morning and decided to listen to it again this season after having done it in 2012 prior. I got it from christianaudio.com, and is 2 hours and 19 minutes. SO GOOD! It is a perfect thing for preparing yourself for the coming of Jesus!

It starts on the first Sunday of Advent which this year was November 30, but it would only take you about thirty minutes of reading to catch up to today.  

If you have never read his writings, this is an excellent place to start! It definitely has the editor's writings in there though. So some people do not like that it is not just Bonhoeffer. It is a collection of his writings with a devotional attached to that theme written by someone else. 

The four weeks of Advent have these title:

Waiting
Mystery
Redemption
Incarnation

It continues to . . . 
The Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany

Here is a review of the book and a brief biography of Bonhoeffer from amazon.com:

"These Advent and Christmas reflections of Bonhoeffer flew from his prison cell, flung open the doors of hope, and sailed heavenward as heart-wrenching prayers, prayers from a condemned man, prayers from a hopeful man, prayers from a man who embodied what it means to pray 'May your kingdom come.' This will be my Advent and Christmas book." Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University, and author of The Jesus Creed and The Blue Parakeet --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-45) was a Christian minister, seminary professor, and theologian who became one of the leading voices of opposition against Nazism during World War II. He was a founding member of Germany's Confessing Church and was executed for participating in a plot to assassinate Hitler. His theological views have become highly influential in the years since his death.

Here is the review from Christian Audio:

"There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ." 

"No priest, no theologian stood at the cradle of Bethlehem. And yet, all Christian theology finds its beginnings in the miracle of miracles, that God became human."

These stirring words are among forty devotions that guide and inspire readers as they move thematically through the weeks of Advent and Christmas, from waiting and mystery to redemption, incarnation, and joy. Supplemented by an informative introduction, short excerpts from Bonhoeffer's letters, and passages from his Christmas sermons, these daily devotions are timeless and moving reminders of the true gift of Christmas. 

Thursday Thirteen Freewrite

I have already gotten distracted once on my way to writing this freewrite. I went to put my timer on for 13 minutes, and I saw a nice email that I read. Then I picked up the project that I was working on (checking to make sure the Jesus Stories in my journal are in chronological order) a while ago, and I totally forgot to set the timer. So I set it. What is thirteen minutes to write a bit as day gives way to dusk? Can there be dusk when it has been a dreary, dark, rainy, cold day? Anyway, I got the alarm for Mahgrib. So, it really is dusk.

I am in no pain or tightness, and maybe that is why I was laying here feeling such absolute calm. There is always a bit of guarding that goes on, and while I have experienced more and more days that have turned into even weeks of this no pain or tightness, I have had a horrendous time since November 19 when my Quadratus Lumborum (QL) wigged out on me while on a morning walk. I think it was a combination of sitting too long writing, working on our ministry schedule Excel spread sheet, and doing counseling combined with a very cold week where i did not go out and do my regular routine of warming up by walking and then stretching. (Not to mention that i often go walking with the person I am counseling, but it was either too cold or too wet to do that during that week.)

Anywho, four osteopathic appointments (Hannah, Dr. Myers, my brother in law on Thanksgiving, and Dr. Myers again today), one acupuncture session, and a massage couple with lots of rest later, I am finally free of any pain or tightness. I have been pretty good since Thanksgiving last week, but I am truly free today (maybe a slight neck hot spot on the left side, but I will take that over a tight QL any day). I am still hedging my bets and have been resting since my OMT appointment that ended at 12:30. I think I will watch Peter Pan tonight and continue to rest. (I do hope it is better than The Sound of Music last year!)

Paul is working on a paper that he will not tell me the length of. He seems to be fine with it and got an "A" on the last one.

I have been loving listening once again to Messiah. I thought I might finally be tired of it, but NOTHING focuses me more on the true meaning of this season than this BRILLIANT masterpiece of music (perhaps the best ever written). 

It is cool because I have been writing Scripture furiously in my Obedience-Based Study (personal Discovery Bible Study) journal because we are skipping from Abraham to the birth of Jesus next week because of the holiday, but there is Moses, Sinai, David, prophecy in Isaiah, and Jonah between Abraham and Jesus, BUT many of the things that I have been writing out are prophecies that are in Messiah and the Jesse Tree so, it is all integrated! I have loved writing them, and it has been pages and pages because I decided to write out all of Jonah! That was really fun. I am at the Birth of Jesus now and will start on that when I get to those verse in Luke in my Messiah Meditations and finish practicing the story of Abraham for our meeting on Sunday! 

Well, that was a very fast thirteen minutes. I am sending this with five seconds to spare! BYE! 

43. Dealing with the CrazyMakers in Your Life by Dr. David Hawkins

I seriously thought I made up this term when talking to my girlfriend years ago (2004) about the people she worked with at the time. They were just making her go crazy, and she was acting in ways she does not usually act. So, I said you would not be crazy if you did not have CrazyMakers in your life. I have used this term with many people over the years including a woman I am working with right now. So I was surprised to find that it has been a term around for a while. :) 

I liked this book. It was really helpful for me to deal with a person who is a Crazy Maker that is distantly in my life. I was finishing up this book when that person called, and I was able to not let that person "set the hook" and set appropriate boundaries. This author uses the analogy of fishing to communicate what the different kind of Crazy Makers (Aggressors, Egoists, Borderline Personality Disorder, Sufferers, and Control Freaks) do to "lure" you in and "set the hook". He teaches effective ways to "flinging back the hook." It was helpful to have a refresher course on what I learned 25 years ago when I went to see a counselor and she recommended reading Codependent, No More.  I am so much healthier, but since I am a recovering codependent/rescuer type, it was great to have the refresher course!

I am so grateful that all of my relationships are no longer toxic! YAY! I feel such compassion for people who are not in healthy relationships, especially with their spouses. This book would help anyone move toward health. 

42. Finding God by Larry Crabb

 I read Effective Biblical Counseling in the 80's, and it was helpful in many ways with identifying the problem underlying much of my problems. I have read most of Larry Crabb's books, attended the Institute of Biblical Counseling (ten days after the death of my dad in 1985), went through a biblical counseling class (PEOPLE Class - People Encouraging Other People to Live Effectively) where we practiced group interaction and "telling our stories" over the course of a year, and led a discussion group from the book Encouragement by the same author. 

This book is really more of the same. I thank Dr. Crabb for giving me a Biblical basis for looking at issues. I think counseling, in general, is very good at helping one understand why we do what we do. I do not necessarily think it completes the process of healing to finding Him. Only God can do that:"No one comes to the Me unless the Father draws Him...And they will be taught of God" (John 6:44,45). I think Dr. Crabb puts far too much importance on his method than on the power of God to draw us to Himself and to speak to our souls which gets to the core of what he says is the core problem: Doubting God and His goodness because "He who comes to God, must believe that He is and is a rewarded of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

It reminds me of a time I was really struggling, and I went to pray, and I said to my husband that I would not leave until I heard from God. So I was there four days, and God spoke to me. I believed Him. I found Him in that carved out time. I did not doubt His goodness in the thing that had happened to me. I forgave the people who wronged me (and have not struggled with anger or unforgiveness since then). It was all through meditating deeply in the story of Joseph with the Holy Spirit. I was released.

I went up to the church, and there was a woman there who asked me what I had been doing, and I told her. She said, "You know I struggled with depression for years, and I started going and just doing extended days of prayer just like you, and I no longer struggle with depression. He is the Wonderful Counselor, isn't He?"  AMEN. 

Larry Crabb is not the Wonderful Counselor, and I feel like he almost knocks any kind of supernatural experience one might have with our Wonderful Counselor where He might truly speak to us.

I think this is Crabb's attempt at helping people go past just looking at problems to finding God. He says at the beginning that it is not about spiritual disciplines, but his solution at the end is to tell your story (more of what he has said before in his other books, but he has gone from a one-on-one counseling approach to being in community to tell our stories, which is good) and read your Bible by the fireplace with the Holy Spirit. So I do not feel he really contributes much to truly finding God that has not already been said before. He almost contradicts himself by saying that it is not about spiritual disciplines but yet saying to read your Bible. 

I have found that it helps for people to tell their stories and be validated and then create space for God to speak to the person. Crabb doesn't really deal with the whole idea of that intimate encounter where we hear the voice of God who speaks truth to us in our innermost being. I feel when we create space to hear in the midst of our pain (like I did on that prayer retreat), we find Him and learn to trust Him (because he says that doubting God and His goodness is at the core of our issues). 

This can be a facilitated sort of thing with a prayer counselor where that space is created and encouraged with a loving person (or group of people which is even better but some people are not always able to open up to a group, and we must respect how God made them) who helps the person to listen to and find God. 

I think Crabb makes it far too complicated with his charts and diagrams. 

I feel like he is on a journey and decided to write a book. He wrote this book several years ago, and I hope he has gained more intimacy with Him. It seems like he really intellectualizes the whole process FAR too much! 

Hard to articulate what I really feel about this book. I had some quotes I thought were great, a few I disagreed with. 

Monday Morning Fifteen Freewrite

The fifteen minute timer was beckoning this morning. It is a beautiful day for a walk, but it is still pretty cold outside (25 degree F) so I will wait for it to warm up a bit more before I venture out. 

I also have a couple of listening prayer appointments today so I need to sit a ton today so I will definitely need to walk before the first one and between the first and second one.

My back is doing great. I found this YouTube video about how to break up the fascia in your feet (because she says that runners have gnarly feet), and it miraculously releases tight hamstrings, which is a big part of why I have the tight back (not out or in pain anymore just tight if I sit too long or forget to stretch or sit too long and then go running). It really does work which is so weird. But BOY does it every hurt my feet! I have my massage therapist start at my feet now because that is the source of much of my issue. 

So I am on the mend. I am probably at 90% now, and I need to constantly be mindful of keeping myself limber and not sit too long. That is the rest of my life if I want to be free of pain.

My eating has been great! I gave myself grace for Sunday because we had snacks at our Kingdom Community meeting. So I tend to eat more when I am in community, and the stats prove that. I found this really cool article with all this data about weight gain. Nothing was surprising but it was nice to have it backed up with FACTS versus FALLACY which is so much of "diets" today!

I should put a link to that article while I am thinking about it. But I will do it after the freewrite so I can keep on typing as I am supposed to do with a freewrite. 

Speaking of writing, I wrote out the WHOLE story of Noah for the first time. In the past, I have just done "key verses" for the Discovery Bible Study, but it was good to do the whole thing, but it was 9 1/2 pages in my journal. Then I wrote it again in MY WORDS for another 9 1/2 pages. So last week was a lot of writing! ACK!!!

Back to the eating, I wanted to get down to a lower weight before the holidays, and I was too afraid to weigh myself because I thought I had gained a ton of weight over the last month, but I had not! YAY! I felt God said to weigh myself and "Do not fear," and I was so encouraged that I have not gotten out of control. It was just a little bit, and I am very close to my medium frame weight (my goal is to always be within single digits of it and then course correct as it creeps up). So, YAY! I am still in single digits! 

So, I have been counting calories and posting them to Rachel and Katrina and told them I would owe them 100 dollars if I did not do it last week. So, money talks for me, and I did it! 

YAY! I just overeat a BIT when I am not counting. My goal is to not overeat at all AND not count calories, but I am not there yet. I have a hard time knowing where the line is, but when you are only overeating maybe 100 calories a day, that is a very FINE LINE that is hard to know because 100 calories could be an extra orange! Not much at all. So, I continue to count if I inch up.

BUT I am so much better than two years ago when I was almost 25 pounds heavier! I have not gained it all back and have kept most of it off for 1 year and 7 months! YAY! I am going to keep it off forever, but I need to keep on learning little by little. 

Had a sweet time in Kingdom Community praying for each other. It was very nice.

Well, my time is almost gone, and I want to find that article to put a link here. I have to go to Facebook to do it. I need to get up and not sit any longer. Maybe I will go to SNAP Fitness so that I do not have to be out in the FREEZING COLD weather! LOL!  Bye!


12 Graphs that Show Why People Get Fat

Here is the graph about social environment affecting overeating. So TRUE!:

41. Miraculous Movements by Jerry Trousdale

I read this again this year for the group we lead. I LOVE this book. It is always so encouraging as this is my third time reading through it!

I am really excited because I get to meet the author in January!!! YAY! 

Here is my first review of the book from 2012:

http://carolhomeschool2.blogspot.com/2012/05/52-in-52-week-22-miraculous-movements.html

Sunday Morning Freewrite

I was going to try to do more freewrites last week, but here it is Sunday morning, and I only did one last Monday.  Oh well.

I had felt very tired on Wednesday night and could barely make it through watching Survivor and fell asleep at 9 pm. I woke up sick and canceled my 10 am counseling appointment. 

Then I felt OK on Friday and Saturday, but I fell asleep at 9 pm last night and woke up at 12:25 am feeling that cold finally erupting. I had a very fitful night of sleep last night and am finally up now at 6:33 am with a cold. So, I sort of wish that I had rested on Friday and Saturday instead. I am not sure if it would have staved off the inevitable cold that has now arrived, but I knew something was lurking, but Friday was too wonderful for words.

I got up and went for a walk with one of the girls I meet with, and she is doing really well. We did some listening prayer that got to the root of some things, and she has gone home to processing it. I talked with another woman I have counseled with since last November as I drove up the 99 corridor. Then, I had a wonderful lunch, talk, and prayer with my wonderful mentor, Lorraine. We had not gotten together since August (maybe September?). Then, George picked me up there, and we went out to a deliciously quaint French restaurant in McMinnville! It was not even a special occasion other than we knew that I had to go to a wedding on Saturday, and he was meeting with Josh. We ended our evening by watching some Gilmore Girls together.

We got up, and I took a beautiful sunrise walk. Then when George got up, we took another one. Then, I found out that I did not have to go to the wedding after all! YAY! So I was able to get some work done for the Kingdom Community. Josh came over, and I tried to stay away from talking, but I ended up sitting with them toward the end. I feel bad that Josh did not feel really comfortable with our group last year, but he stuck it out and made some good friends! He is a great guy, but he was new to the area, and he did not know anyone. He wants to take our group over again because he did not really know what was going on and too busy with school to really put a lot of time into the homework. But he made it through.

Now, I am enjoying a cup of Perfect Peach tea with honey to feel better. I already took some cold medicine, and I really do feel better, but I know that is not what I am really like, so I am going to stay home from church and really rest! :)

I have to see if I can get together with Mandana on Thursday instead of Wednesday because I would like to go up to work with George on Monday through Wednesday. I hope Mandana can do that with me. :)

Boy this Perfect Peach tastes really good on my throat. Now on to "The Fall" practice. I think I love freewrites. 

Thank you, Julie, for introducing me to them. :) This is not a very interesting one, but it has prepared me for the day. I love early, quiet mornings before everyone is up.

Monday Morning Fifteen Freewrite

Ok, here we go. I am letting my fingers do the walking through the keyboard, and I will not let up for the next fifteen minutes.

I really like our Sunday afternoon group. The single men do not know what they are missing with all these wonderful single women! They are amazing in every way. They have great relationships and are sharing what they are learning about God with others. That is so great. 

They are also learning to abide which is a lifelong wonderful process of growth and maturity. One that I still continue to learn at every turn in my road. I sent them the "Soothing Worship" this morning because many of them had the application of being in God's presence after they meditated on Genesis 3, and the whole concept that Adam and Eve hid from God's presence, and all He wants is for us to stay in His presence which is abiding.  The words are, "I so want to be with you. Just look my way." The problem is that we hide behind the trees instead of walking with Him in the garden.

So I am looking Your way this morning God, and I am in Your full light as the morning light first hits my window. So much to be thankful for.

First, I am just really thankful for this wonderful group that we have on Sunday afternoons. I love that it is only six of us. I think I want to limit the size of our group to eight people every year. It just is a better size for everything: intimacy, accountability, relating, etc. I love it.

Second, I am so thankful for no back pain for the longest time. I am even more thankful that I do not even have tightness most of time, and I am thankful that when I do get the slightest bit of tightness, I adjust my posture, even while running and the pain goes away. So much of it is stretching those pecs by doing a shoulder role where I am squeezing my shoulder blades more together and using those muscles there (what are they called?) to do the work rather than rolling my shoulders forward. This so relieves the stress on my back. So weird how that all works together. Stretching vigorously has also really helped. The Gokhale Method has been that missing puzzle in my back being ten times better in the tightness department. I am addicted to my "stretch sit" pillow! YAY!

Third, I am so thankful that both of the boys have made their transition to a four year university with grace. I would love for Paul to be more involved in the social aspect of things, but I am glad he has adjusted to Michael being gone so well and is doing well in his classes.

Fourth, I am so thankful for the job that George has. I am strangely thankful that he IS up in Newberg for much of the week. Not because I want him to be gone, but I feel very confident that he is to be up in Newberg to be of help with his mom and aunt. It is really quite a small sacrifice for me to not have him during the week, and I can always orient my week to go up and see him too. I really need to reserve Thursdays and Fridays to do that, but this Thursday, that is not possible since I have the prayer summit on Tuesday morning.

Fifth, I am really thankful for prayer. What would I do without a way to communicate with You. You are not a God far off but is near to me, in my heart. Thank You God for this. You are very near.

Sixth, I am thankful for Your Word. What can I say? It always seems to be appropriate for what is happening in my life. That is the way of Your Spirit to speak to me through it.

I am praying for opportunity to do a little three-minute study with two friends this week. I really would love to tell Creation through the Fall to someone in my network of relationships. Would you bring that about, God? 

Well, I have about three more minutes on the Freewrite, but I am ready to get to Jeremiah since Karen is coming at 9 am, and I have not made much headway in the last few days. I would also go for my walk, and now that daylight savings time has occurred, it is lighter earlier in the day. So I hope to at least take a walk around the block.

OK, now it is only two minutes to go. I am off to Jeremiah, and I am sending this without a proofread. :) 

40. The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person by E. Stanley Jones

 I started this book on my trip to Europe in May. I thought for sure I would read it on the 10 hour plane flight, cruising down European rivers, and on the flight back; but NO! There were too many great movies on the plane that I really wanted to see, and I had too much fun touring European cities and talking to interesting people on the boat to read. I wish I had not taken it with me and just stuck with shorter books on my Kindle if I were desperate (and I never was!).  So, it sat in my "TBR" (too be read) pile for too long until I had a stack of seven books to read, and this is the last of the seven! 

This is a GREAT book! It is one that needs to be read in small chunks and savored. I believe that concepts of the Kingdom of God in Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy come from E. Stanley Jones' excellent writings! Prepare to have your spiritual brain stretched!

I also recommend his book, The Christ of the Indian Road. Of the two books, The Christ of the Indian Road is a much easier (and shorter) read. But both are excellent! 

I wish I could have met E. Stanley Jones. He was a contemporary of Ghandi. How cool is that? This will probably not be the last book I read by this great and godly man! 

Friday Free Fifteen

I popped out of bed at 6:15 am, and I thought, "I want to immerse myself in Bible Book Club this morning!" I am still going to do that, but I wanted to do a book review (I am within 70 pages of the end so I always allow myself to write the review when I am within 100 pages of the end as it motivates me to FINISH!). Then I got intrigued that I could not write a comment on the 52 books in 52 weeks blog page. So, I am now "clearing cookies," and we will see if that helps. All that to say is that I have not gotten to the Bible Book Club, but I have . . . 

1. Fully loaded the dishwasher and started it (Paul and I only have 1 1/2 loads during the five days that George is gone, and sometimes the dishes get really smelly! I guess I can maybe just run "half loads" some dishwashers have that capacity, and I need to read up on that. To have our dishes reduced by at least half has just changed everything!)
2. Made a double recipe of Chai tea! (It is a "Friday Fast" day, but I drink tea before the sun rises)
3. Checked Facebook and am praying for the Kurds in Iraq and Syria as my two Kurd friends posted how they felt about the US involvement
4. Listened to 24 minutes of Jon Thurlow "Soothing Worship" which is so free flow, and it is not a published recording but a nice girl sent it to me because she recorded it while in the iHOP prayer room in Kansas City
5. Posted my review of my book and tried to post a comment on that website about four times and NO GO. What gives?

So here I sit doing a Friday Freewrite. I do not know how I got out of the habit of doing these things, but I miss them! I want to become a better writer, but I have not put much effort into it as I am just editing the Bible Book Club these days rather than writing fresh things. 

How I have loved this Bible Book Club project! I started writing on since December of 2007! That is almost seven years of this wonder odyssey. It really is not a "project" because it is part of my time with God! I have made it an abiding time rather than a work time, but it is also work time, but I am always amazed at how no matter where I am in the Bible that it speaks to me for that day! It is uncanny, but we serve an UNCANNY God!

Jon Thurlow is saying, "When you are by yourself, when you are in your car, when you are waking up in the morning light, I am waiting for you to dial down and talk to Me."  God wants us to talk to Him. 

It is interesting because I met with one of the TOAG girls, and she was saying how it was hard for her to have abiding time when she had homework, but we talked about abiding 24/7/365. It was really good. It is hard to believe that your work time and your abiding time can be integrated at her age. I remember when I was her age and crying out to God to have a 24/7/365 kind of life, but it was SO HARD back then.

It is not hard now. But how many years have I been putting abiding into practice. I don't even think about "putting it into practice" because it is like breathing now. When did the change occur? I am not really sure. It just happened. 

I think The Game of Minutes and Letters of a Modern Mystic and The Practice of the Presence of God were all really valuable in this process. Thank You Lord for the example of those who have gone before me!

Well, that was an easy fifteen minutes. Now I am off to explore Zephaniah! I am so looking forward to getting to Jesus! :) I always have "judgment fatigue" when I get to this point in my Bible reading! I still have to get through Jeremiah and Ezekiel first (I am reading chronologically, by the way), but I am up for the challenge! 

Bye!

39. From the Straight Path to the Narrow Way: Journeys of Faith

The beginning of this was somewhat dry because it had to explain the research methodology, but once I plowed through that part (after over a year), the stories of faith were very encouraging! I loved reading about the journeys of faith of people from throughout the world (as I love hearing anyone's journey - please tell me yours!).

38. Freedom Tools:For Overcoming Life's Tough Problems

I have always been curious about SOZO so this book was helpful for me to see the similarities and differences between it and the methods of listening and inner healing prayer I have been exposed to over the last thirteen years. It is very similar with slight variations. It is helpful for an initial exposure to this very important tool in being a "first-responder" of first aid for people with hurts from their past. 

Sunday Morning Freewrite Fifteen

I am setting the timer . . . 

I have not done this in forever. In fact, I have not been doing a lot of writing these days. I am editing my Bible Book Club posts, and that has been so fulfilling and fun. I get to read what I wrote as far back as five years ago (I am editing posts, and the majority of those were written in 2009). It is fun to see that I have GROWN! YAY! I really have. It is so fun to think that this life is so fluid. 

I am listening to "Soothing Worship" by Jon Thurlow. He is singing, "No fruit's gonna' come through you unless you remain in me."  He sings this over and over. This is SO my philosophy of life. Ever since my breakdown in 1983 and Pearl Tadema (I am sure she has passed away since she was retirement age when she counseled with me) told me something to the effect, "You are bearing fruit simply by your abiding. Jesus Christ is the end of self-effort." This was the result of reading my journals and seeing how hard I would try. 

I am looking at my Strengthsfinder strengths, and it is the double edge of llllllll;;; (to the left is me trying to get the chai tea/whipped cream I tried to get off the keys of my keyboard. Maybe I better go and wash my hands - stop timer. HAHAHAHAH). 

Now what was I saying? Oh, the double edge of the strength of "achiever"!  I think I am so much less of an achiever than I used to be.  I love abiding. I would not be able to do what I do without the Lord. I have been with a lot of people who do not rely on the Lord in the last week; and strangely, my heart is so enlarged in love for them. Is it possible to be past the "feeling alienated" stage and feel like I can offer something so real and tangible by being the hands and feet of Jesus? I do not feel like it is me in a sea of liberalism. OK, now I am crying in overwhelming love for all those people. It is not a "me against them" kind of mentality. Frankly, I am not so sure it has ever been like that for me. I just want to be Jesus who lives inside of me and offers hope and healing to others.  Crossing the liberal/conservative chasm is not that hard to do when you do not look at the world through that lens. 

So many lives. So many hearts that need filling. I do not need to defend Him with doctrinal point. I do not need to "sell" Him but just "smell" like Him. The only way I know how to do that is to abide (now we are back to what I was just saying). My eyes are continually on You, Jesus. THANK YOU for grabbing my heart. It really had nothing to do with me. It was all about You.  

"Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on You.
Through it all, through it all, it is well with me.
Let it go my soul and trust in Him.
The waves and wind still know His name."   

Simple steps. "No one comes to the Me, unless the Father draws him." 

(Since it has been a long time since I have written a freewrite, I want to remind my readers that you are to send these things without proofreading or corrections. I write like I talk. So, there will be mistakes.) 

Love you.  

37. Coffee and Orange Bossoms: 7 Years & 15 Days in Tyre, Lebanon

This is a fascinating memoir. I do not know that much about the people of Lebanon so I found it very interesting. The book is very personal and page turning. In the interest of full disclosure, I know the author, and I also know the person who edited his book (I connected them, and she is the author of two previous books I reviewed: The Fifth Season and Through the Veil). I heartily recommend this book! I read it waiting for and on a plane from Chicago to Portland, and I could not put it down. You really want to know how it ends. 

36. Funny in Farsi

 This book was given to me as a gift from my Iranian friend. It is delightful! It is humorous and heart-warming. Dumas (her married name is French) is a great writer! 

Matthew 4:1-11 (Luke 4:1-13): Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11 (Creation to Christ - Discovering God)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Luke 4:1-13 (Commands of Christ - Discovering Discipleship)

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ” And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

Jon Thurlow Soothing Worship

Jon Thurlow Soothing Worship



Really enjoying this these days. Twenty-four minutes of pure worship.

Jane Austen vs Emily Brontë: The Queens of English Literature Debate

This is so interesting! I love both the authors, but I think that Austen would have the edge for me!

7: Birth of Jesus (Christmas)

Another storyteller's version: 

https://vimeo.com/groups/240885/videos/27896621

HIS WORDS: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20

MY WORDS: Coming Soon!


I WILL: Coming Soon!

Wednesday Afternoon Freewrite

Today ended up being a free day other than cleaning up for the house cleaners to come at 8:30 am. 

I had kept it relatively clear so that we could do any last minute shopping for Michael, who goes away for his junior year of college tomorrow. He still needs office supplies, but I thought we could do it in Ashland, but maybe we can do it today and have some one on one time together. 

It is a sad day. :( I might cry the whole time.

I have had a good week though, but for this weird miscommunication with one person. I sent a clarifying email to four people. The other three totally got what I was trying to say. ONE of the four thought I was angry and hurt when I wrote the letter. I had my husband read it and explained what it said to two of my closest friends, and they did not pick up on anger or hurt. I asked God if I was angry or hurt. Nope. 

Sigh. I hate to be misunderstood. 

But here is the deal, just ONE person out of seven thought I felt those emotions, just ONE. But here I sit, I wrote a well-crafted letter explaining my position privately to her, and another one to the whole group of four. 

Then, I sit and wait for that ONE person who misunderstood me to write me back. She had not. Even though I wrote hers yesterday. 

The clock ticks. I stew. I fret. 

It has become an idol in my life. 

I cannot make her see the truth. Only God can do that. So, it does not matter how she responds or if she responds to my well-crafted letter. She may still continue to believe the lie. 

And that is her choice. I REFUSE to make her response an idol in my life. I will pray she sees what was in my heart in writing the original letter. I will quit stewing on it and enjoy this last FULL DAY home with my precious young man!

I like the idea of crying in the midst of Staples office supplies today over stewing over a return email from a person who misunderstood me. 

Maybe I just need to go and DO THE NEXT THING (see below). 

Do the Next Thing

My favorite poem that I learned many years ago from Elizabeth Elliot

Do The Next Thing

From an old English parsonage,
Down by the sea,
There came in the twilight,
A message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend,
Deeply engraven,
Hath, as it seems to me,
Teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours
The quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration-
DO THE NEXT THING

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment,
Let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity,
Guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows,
Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus,
DO THE NEXT THING

Do it immediately;
Do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence,
Tracing His Hand,
Who placed it before thee with
Earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence,
Safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all resultings,
DO THE NEXT THING

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
(Working or suffering)
Be thy demeanor,
In His dear presence,
The rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance
Be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness,
Praise and sing,
Then, as He beckons thee,
DO THE NEXT THING

-Author unknown

Lightness of Being

The last month has been very full, but I have come into a wide place of abundance in my walk with You that has been very good. I am not taking responsibility for some things that are not mine to carry. I do not let other people's drama become my drama. I do not let crazy-makers make me crazy as they twist the truth and never take responsibility, and I flee from evil. I trust my discernment, and I run to You. 

Last weekend was busy, but there was a joy and lightness of soul that was so good. I am not responsible for how people respond to anything. I can only be responsible for how I respond, and my response is in partnership with You. 

I better go deliver bread to my neighbor. It is getting dark!

TTFN!

Perfectly Timed Words

Do not be afraid or dismayed (shattered) because of this great army for the battle is not yours but God's . . . You need not fight . . . take up your positions, stand and see the salvation (deliverance) of the LORD on your behalf . . . do not fear or be dismayed (shattered) . . . face them, the LORD is with you. 

(2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

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Popularity versus Truth

   “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.” 

(Luke 6:26, The Message)  

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All goals achieved!