Monday, February 10, 2014

Best Books are Gifts

Recommended Reading
by Dr. James R. Brooks


Some of the best books are gifts.  I thank my friends, Amy and Cathleen, for this treasure.  Guardians of Being with words by Eckhart Tolle and art by Patrick McDonnell is far too quick a read for the deep joy it brings.  McDonnell is the creator of the comic strip "Mutts" and Tolle is renown for writing “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth.”  Turning the pages of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation between the text and the art.  At a slim 120 pages, approximately, it is a book that ends too quickly.  In addition to inspiring me to spend more time with my dog, this book provided a compelling argument for me to spend more time being me.  By far, my favorite aspect of the book was the quiet nudge to enjoy a profound experience of God.  I recommend this book as a great gift, especially for the pet lover.

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Indelible Prints...


Blisters do not erase the identity provided by fingerprints!  Fear not that hard service will erase your identity.

The eternal identity found in our soul is not erased by the bruising received when we risk relationship.

If your BFF has that title because they pump sunshine all day, do you wonder why you have that title?

Who pushes you to be all you can be / were built to be?  What do they do?

Our service to neighbor is one way we build the callouses that are strong souls.  

A more risky, vulnerable path is that of BFF.   Who is served well by the BFF that only pumps sunshine?  How risky to be the BFF that provides accountability?  Critique?  

Many in our lives know our buttons and how to speak a word that brings us to our knees.

Who in our life loves us enough to speak a word that inspires us to kneel in the true light of the Son?

The church I serve with just launched 5 small groups.  I’m praying that in those small groups, such relationships will evolve. 


peace brothers and sister!