Two Posts in One Day? Yep...Here We Go....

My post this morning, Throwing Caution to the Wind, did something in me. As soon as I hit "publish" and walked into kitchen, my Friend, my Comforter, my Encourager, the Holy Spirit said, "Okay. That's just the beginning."

"The beginning of what, exactly?"

He continued, "Starting today, you are going to write a blog post each day for a year, just like you did today. With that infernal, internal editor-girl turned off."

Okay, so as a person who reads something pretty much every single day about how to be a better writer (and yes, I know that the first rule is, "writers write" :)) this is a scary proposition. Every word has to count. Every word should be the "right" word. What if I'm misunderstood? What if I say something offensive without meaning to? What if I sound *gasp* irrelevant or arrogant or just plain stupid?

And again, my dear Friend reminds me, "It doesn't matter. It's not up to you. All you have to do is put your fingers on the keyboard and type out what's on your heart."

"And keep my hand over the editor's mouth, no matter how much she struggles to free herself?"

Very gently, He says, "Exactly."

So, here we go. Tomorrow is day 1 -- November 16, 2011.

I'm not waiting until January to start, I'm doing it now. Today.

(And in the interest of full disclosure, I do re-read and "edit" the post while I'm typing and right before I hit "publish." I'm just committing to doing it all in one sitting and leaving behind (at least for 365 days) that "process" that keeps me from publishing anything.)



So what could you start today, that you may be mentally putting of until January 1, 2012?

Throwing Caution to the Wind and Turning off the Editor...for today anyway...

Why is it so difficult? I so easily and readily take my own thoughts for granted that I end up doing nothing. Putting nothing out there. I'm like the "wicked, lazy servant" who thought the master was "a hard man"!Why? Why would I imagine for a second that my Loving Heavenly Father "reaps where he doesn't sow"?

(I love the way The Message says it, "It's criminal to live cautiously like that!" http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025&version=MSG

Why would a loving Father give me this burning desire to put words on paper that will help those who read them know who He is (in a simple way) then leave me to twist in the wind? I am not responsible for the results, just the action, the decision, to put it out there.

Why does Resistance constantly get the best of me? (I need to re-read The War of Art !)

If all I ever accomplish is pleasing my Father God -- That. Is. Enough. That is all. That is everything.

So today, instead of my usual "process" of writing, putting it aside for a couple of days, editing and putting it aside for a couple of days, editing again, and then maybe hitting "publish," I've put my hand over the mouth of the editor who lives in my brain, and she is struggling and straining and trying to bite her way out, but for today, I'm holding her back.

What holds you back? What keeps you from investing your "talent"?

Relevant Questions and Answers and Great Words on Writing!

Review of: Max on Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions by Max Lucado

            I'm naturally leery of any person who claims to have all the answers. And sometimes I steer clear of the “big Christian authors” simply because they're “big Christian authors” – I know, I'm repenting for being prejudiced and judgmental. But I also “pride” myself on being open-minded and open-hearted and hearing God's Truth from wherever and whomever it comes. That said I enjoyed this book more than I expected I would.

            As I read, where I expected pat “theologically sound” answers, the author pointed the questioner back to the Bible again and again, giving scriptural answers without dogma. He's not afraid to say things like: “our suffering can be a small assignment when compared with the reward.” (p. 39)

            The questions feel like real questions asked by real people, not questions the author or editors came up with because they were the ones they wanted to answer. Questions like, “Why pray if God is in control?” (p. 77) and “Why did God heal my friend from cancer but not me?” (p. 81) This book addresses some very personal questions, like: How to forgive someone who has abused you sexually (p. 50); How to deal with anger issues (p. 45); How to treat an employee as a Christian and correct bad behavior but still be loving (p. 52). The questions and answers are divided into seven topics: Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Haves/Have-Nots, and Hereafter.

Believers at all stages of their walk will find relevant questions and answers. Lucado’s answers are full of godly wisdom and practical, biblically-based advice with examples and stories to make it all understandable and relatable. I love that he doesn't make excuses for God but admits that sometimes we just don't know why. God can see the big picture, we can't.

            Max on Life would be a beneficial addition to anyone's library – parents, pastors, small group leaders, and teachers – all seekers of Truth.

            But all that aside, I would highly recommend this book just for the gem of an afterthought, the Addendum, “The Write Stuff.” In just four-and-a-half pages, Lucado gives us some of the most encouraging, practical, challenging words on writing I've ever read.   He talks about the power of well-written words, “Words go where we never go.” But he also encourages us to hit the delete key when needed: “Make every word earn its place on the page. Not just once or twice, but many times. Sentences can be like just-caught fish – spunky today and stinky tomorrow.”

Max on Life could easily be retitled, Max on Life and Writing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster

First, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed Foster's writing style. I am pleased to have discovered him and will read more of his books. Second, it is evident that he is passionate about and experienced with the subject matter of this book – Pilgrimage.

Foster says that we are built to wander. I'm not completely convinced that's true for all humans. However, I can definitely see the appeal and feel the urge for pilgrimage myself and I can agree that sometimes “settling” or “sitting still” is very detrimental to mankind. I just can't quite imagine what a world full of nomads would look like. And at times, it seems like that's what Foster is purporting, that the “ideal” way to live would be as a nomad. He says that God is a mover. “He can't keep still. And he has an alarmingly clear preference for people who can't keep still.” So of course, the scripture that immediately came to my mind was, “Be still and know that I am God,” from the 46^th psalm (which isn't the only place in scripture we are commanded to “be still.”) Then shortly after reading this, I came across this quote by Lao Tsu, “Stillness in stillness is not real stillness. Stillness in activity – that is real stillness.” Selah.

I think, and Foster alludes to the possibility, that we can live our lives with an attitude of wandering, especially when an actual, physical pilgrimage just isn't possible for a variety of reasons. After all, we are called to be in the world, but not of it. We are travelers here. (Anyone else remember the old Petra song, “Not of This World”?) We can experience the benefits – the adventure, the hardship, the suffering, the joy, the camaraderie – of pilgrimage without ever leaving home.

If an actual pilgrimage is possible – go for it! But if not, don't feel limited or lesser than in your faith. God is in control. He holds your life in His hands. If He feels you need to “hit the road,” then He will make a way. Not necessarily an “easy” way, but a way nonetheless.

Foster has lived it. He has taken the journeys and it's very apparent from his writing. I have to admit, reading this book temporarily created some discontent in me. I longed for the opportunity to experience pilgrimage the way he describes. It's just not in the cards for me at this point in my life. And that's okay. I gleaned some of the benefits of a pilgrimage just from reading the book. I especially enjoyed the chapter on “Thin Places.” He says, “The early Christian Celts spoke about 'thin places' – places where worlds (I would prefer to say dimensions') were particular close to each other. Places where, if you were quiet enough, you could hear the murmurings of God.” And he goes on to talk about some specific places like Jerusalem, a chamber in France, Santiago, etc. I've never been to any of those places, but I have been to “thin places.” Maybe those “thin places” are different for each of us. Being outside in nature is almost always a thin place for me, and especially in Telluride, Colorado where I visit my brother and his family. (Yes, you could also say that it's a “thin place” because it's over 8,000 ft. in elevation!)

In Chapter 2, he talks about some of the “junk” that the Church needs to throw out. He quotes Phyllis Tickle (who happens to be the editor for this series and wrote the forward) who, “...noted that every few centuries the church needs to hold a rummage sale to clear out the accumulated rubbish...” One of the things he says we should “chuck out” is the name “Christian.” He says, “'Christian' has to go. We've wrecked the word.” I couldn't agree more.

If you're just curious about pilgrimage, or believe, as some do, that it's just not a necessary part of the Christian life in our day The Sacred Journey is a great read. If you are hungry for something different, something real, something gritty you will love this book. It's not just a philosophical or theological discussion of pilgrimage, (although Foster is well-qualified to write something dry and boring, fortunately, that's just not his style) it also contains practical advice and cautionary anecdotes from stories of pilgrimages, both Foster's and others.

I think the final sentence of the book sums it up perfectly. He says, “Jesus said some other things, too, but as a summary of the four Gospels, 'Let's go for a walk together' is not bad.”

I enthusiastically agree.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

The moment I finished reading this book, I was composing a review in my head -- 200, 300, 400 words...so much to say!

By the time I made it to the keyboard to type this, my review was boiled down to two words:

It. Is.

Now...off to find a copy of You Shall Know Our Velocity! or How We Are Hungry: Stories or The Wild Things or Zeitoun....whatever I can get my hands on!

Book Review: The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

Chapter One begins with one of my favorite quotes by Gandhi,

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

I often say I'm not ashamed of Christ, but I am sometimes hesitant to label myself as "Christian" because people can have such a negative reaction to that word. The Gospel According to Jesus does a great job of pointing out why that is the case -- Why so many Christians misunderstand and misapply the Gospel.

In the book of Romans, Paul writes:

"I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. ¹⁵ Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me ¹⁶ to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." -- Romans 15:14-16 NIV

Throughout Paul's epistles, he reminds the churches over and over again of the most important points of the Gospel. I loved Chris' explanations of righteousness and sin and what it really means that we're created in the image of God so much that I'm going through the book a chapter at a time with the youth group of my house church. These are basic foundational truths of our faith that shape everything we do and say in the world.

I have to admit, I thought that reading a book that "takes a in-depth look at" a research study would be a bit boring. I was wrong. I found it a thought-provoking, deep, but easy-to-read primer on the most essential aspects of our salvation and redemption, such as righteousness, sin, and shalom.

At the end of each chapter, Chris includes a sample of dinner table discussion with his friends. Those conversations alone are worth the price of the book. And I love how that demonstrates our need for relationship. You can't live the Christian life in a solitary bubble. We were created to live in relationship with others. It's through those relationships that we get a clearer and clearer picture of who God is.

I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thoughts on Snowpocalypse 2011

I started to just post this as a facebook status and realized it may just be too long a thought for that.

I love the snow. It's beautiful. It's refreshing. It makes the starkness of winter soft again. It reminds me of Isaiah 1:18, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow." It's a beautiful reminder of our redemption.

That said, I know this unusual winter storm has shut down most of Oklahoma and is causing difficulties for a lot of people. For some people, not leaving home means no work and no work means no money. Believe me, I know. My husband is a self-employed faux painter...nobody wants to have their kitchen redone while they're stuck at home! :) BUT...maybe while they're stuck at home they're noticing some things they'll want to change!

I'm sitting here watching the snow fall again and it just makes me grateful. It's so beautiful. And here's what I know, God is faithful. When we put our trust in Him, His grace is sufficient for whatever we're struggling with in this season. All it takes is a shift in perspective. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul tells us that,

"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it" (The Message)

So whatever you may be faced with during this "Snowpocalypse," remember God is faithful, He will give you the grace to deal with whatever it may be -- financial difficulties, illness, loss, "too much" family time, and even cabin fever! Your loving Father God will show you a way of escape (even if you can't leave the house)! 

So enjoy the snow. Watching it fall is quieting and meditative. 

And a P.S. to those who live in the mountains or in the north and deal with this kind of snow all winter and are making fun of us: You deal with this kind of snow all winter! We rarely have to deal with this much snow here, so yes, it IS a big deal to us!!!:)