A Book in Review

I was introduced to Margaret Feinberg at Catalyst. She was promoting her new book Scouting the Divine. My Search for God in Wine, Wool and Wild Honey. As she was talking about it, I mentally made a note to figure out where I could get a copy of the book. Then the interviewer said my new favorite phrase "and we are giving everyone a copy". I came home, finished the book I was in the midst of and immediately moved this book to the top of my "to read" pile.

In this book, Margaret discusses the time she spent with a shepherdess in Oregon, a farmer in Nebraska, a bee keeper in Colorado and a vintner in California. Why was she doing this? Because Scripture speaks these professions in a very profound way.

I was half way through reading about her time in Oregon when I text'd a friend and said "Is it ok that I weep through this entire book?" The answers shepherdess Lynne was giving about insights into who God is, without even knowing it, has been priceless. I found myself wanting to be like the sheep named Iris.

As you read Scouting the Divine...you feel as though you are actually in Oregon, Nebraska, Colorado and California. Maybe it was because I always read this book with coffee and/or tea in hand, but reading it felt cozy. I finished this book a few weeks ago and I still smile as I remember the stories, or more importantly, the truth she wrote.

When God is Silent...

I've been frustrated lately. There's a specific prayer I've been praying for the last three months and God continues to stay silent on the issue. Yet, He is moving and doing and answering prayers in almost every other arena of my life and the lives of those around me. This made me wonder...when we are frustrated that God is silent, is He really being silent? Or is He being silent about one particular subject in our lives?

Recovering...

Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him [Jesus]. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."--Luke 15:1-2

I'm a recovering Pharisee. Meaning--I am recovering from thinking I'm am the religious elite and that following Jesus Christ is all about rules, getting things right, making sure everyone knows you have all the right answers and "look good on paper". I'm recovering from being known for what I am against, and working towards being known for what I am for.

Being in recovery, I often find myself slipping back into this Pharisee mentality. I still struggle with wanting to be perfect, with wanting to get everything right and with looking foolish. But more than wanting all of those things, I want to hear Jesus.

The tax collectors and "sinners" wanted to hear Jesus more than the church goers. The outsiders wanted to hear what he was saying more than the insiders.

I'll let go of me being "right" and having all the answers. I'll let go of looking like I have it all together and I'll let go of anything else that's in my way---so I can hear Jesus.

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Luke 18:13