Lisa notes

7 Books I Recommend – July 2019

By LisaNotes July 25, 2019 Books I Recommend, Video Book Reviews 45 Comments

When we come out of a book, we’re different.
– Jacqueline Woodson

Every month I share the best of the books I just finished. Here are seven books that I recommend from July’s readings.

Books I Recommend

NONFICTION

1. The Myth of a Christian Nation
How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church
by Gregory A. Boyd

Was this really published back in 2005? It feels very 2019. This book still serves as a current wake-up call, urging us to rein in our hunger for political power and instead go about doing the things Christ would do. I find it very thought-provoking.

Is it the church’s mission to overpower the world, or rather to serve those in the world?

“Only what looks like Jesus qualifies as a kingdom-of-God activity. Slaughtering, enslaving, cheating, conquering, and dominating are not the sort of activities Jesus engaged in.”

[click here if you can’t see 1-Minute Book Review]

2. The Enchanted Hour
The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction
by Meghan Gurdon

I loved reading aloud with my two daughters as they were growing up, even long after they could read for themselves. And now I love reading with my granddaughter. So I don’t need to be sold on the virtues of reading-aloud; I’m already a believer.

Yet I am still inspired by this book about the importance of reading aloud at ALL stages of life, including reading to those who may be bed-ridden and/or dying. Filled with research, beautiful excerpts, and practical tips, this is a relevant book for all of us.

3. Glorious Weakness
Discovering God in All We Lack
by Alia Joy

This book is grace for our tender spots. Alia Joy writes with humility and rawness about her own hurts and weaknesses in a way that we all can relate to. Sometimes the book felt a little too dark for me, but if you hang in there, she always lets the light of Jesus shine back through again.

“His words served as a reminder of the Christian response to suffering—we enter into it together, share in it together, lament with each other.”

My book review of Glorious Weakness is here

4. Thriving as an Empath
365 Days of Self-Care for Sensitive People
by Judith Orloff

This is a daily devotional for sensitive people. It focuses on gratitude, on small daily practices, and on self-care. I started reading a review copy this spring. I have benefited from the short reflections each day on how to protect our time and energy in balanced ways while staying engaged with the world.

“Finding this balance is the art of healing. Inwardly you can say, ‘This is not my burden to carry.’ It is impossible to fix someone. Everybody deserves the dignity of their own path.”

My book review of Thriving as an Empath is here

5. Just Show Up
And Other Enduring Values from Baseball’s Iron Man
by Cal Ripken Jr.

I remember in 1995 when baseball’s “Iron Man” Cal Ripken broke the MLB record for playing in the most consecutive baseball games: 2,131 games. Then he kept playing, eventually reaching 2,632 consecutive games.

So when I saw his book title was the mantra I’ve been using for years—Just Show Up—I had to check it out from my library. I’m glad I did. It’s about his life, but it’s also for our lives. It’s about integrity and determination and character.

And some baseball thrown in, too.

“We do our best, we hope we’ve done the right thing, and then the next day, we show up again, ready to hit a baseball, or make a ruling, or raise a kid, or be kind to the person serving us in a store.
We only get a few innings on this planet, after all. May as well show up, ready to play, for every one.”

(He also made me feel better about streaks that I like to keep; maybe I’m not so weird after all? “A streak is not an end in itself. It’s a way of doing things.”)

Fiction

6. Before We Were Yours
by Lisa Wingate

A beautifully-told story that goes back and forth in time, this novel tells about five siblings living in a shanty boat in Memphis in 1939, and then a present-day family with a yet-to-be discovered past. Even though this is fiction, it revolves around a real-life scandal of a Memphis adoption agency.

“It’s funny how what you’re used to seems like it’s right even if it’s bad.”

7. I Let You Go
by Clare Mackintosh

I’ve never been caught off guard at a plot twist as much as I was with this novel. The story begins with a horrible accident: five-year-old Jacob is killed in a hit-and-run accident. The novel then keeps you engaged, switching narration back and forth between involved parties, including the police investigators. I’d read this one again.

READING NOW

Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
The Weather Machine
A Journey Inside the Forecast
by Andrew Blum
Stop Being Reasonable
How We Really Change Our Minds
by Eleanor Gordon-Smith
Crossing to Safety
by Wallace Stegner
What If God Wrote Your Shopping List?
52 Ways to Find Freedom from “Stuff”
by Jay Payleitner
The Art of Mindful Reading
Embracing the Wisdom of Words
by Ella Berthoud
While the World Watched
A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age During the Civil Rights Movement
by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

* * *

What good book are you reading this month? Please share in the comments.

My books on Goodreads
More books I recommend

sharing with The Modern Mrs Darcy

Run from First to Second

By LisaNotes July 18, 2019 Guest posts, Jesus No Comments

Rickey Henderson is considered one of the most exciting players in baseball (he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009).

And it’s not because he played it safe.

What did Rickey do that we can learn from?

How can we learn to leave first base behind and run to second?

And why should we?

Read it all here

* * *

Will you join me at Do Not Depart for our #OnceforAll series? We’re walking our way through Hebrews 10.

Click through to today’s post: Run to Second—You’re Safe.

Poor in Spirit, Rich in Grace

By LisaNotes July 16, 2019 Book reviews 15 Comments

“Weakness is a holy invitation to allow grace to do its work.”
– Alia Joy

Poor in Spirit

My eye was hurting. This was day three. If something was wrong, I needed to fix it. Today. Before I went out of town again.

A quick call to my eye doctor proved successful. Come in now.

I changed out of my shorts and t-shirt and put on my good jeans and a blouse.

I’ve learned to dress a little nicer when I go to the doctor. Or anywhere that I’ll need something from someone else.

Because I want to be treated nicer.

And like it or not, that’s often the way our world works. People see the outside first, the spirit second.

Being poor in spirit might have been something Jesus valued. But do we?

At least not at first. And not until we take a deeper look.

Glorious Weakness

Alia Joy takes a deeper look. I understand when she says this in her new book Glorious Weakness:

“When I have errands like returning something to a store, or asking for a discount, or knowing I will be dealing with someone and their perceptions of me, I dress up. Over time, I have learned it’s easier to get help if you look like you don’t really need it.”

We all need help. Some of us are just more aware of it than others. And we need more help at some times more than at other times.

But our need for help isn’t supposed to indicate failure. In fact, Alia reminds us that,

“Being poor in spirit is the richest place of all. That’s where the treasure is buried.”

Grace Through the Ordinary

I don’t know exactly what Jesus meant by “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). But at my weakest, I feel a certain poverty of spirit.

Where is the treasure in this? How can our lack lead to God’s abundance?

“Sometimes the holiest ground is the emptiest.”

When we realize our need for grace, we’re most open to receiving it.

And sometimes our greatest need for grace comes not just in big, broken moments, but in the moments of ordinary life.

Alia says,

“Ordinary life has been the hardest calling I’ve ever answered, the hardest thing to bear witness to, because who could possibly care about the mundane and ordinary life?

“I had no idea the depths of my own selfishness until asked to share myself with my family. To lay my will down day after day and seek God’s.”

In these ordinary moments, God’s goodness may be on full display.

“Maybe this is the beginning. Letting ourselves be hungry in the most natural ways. Letting ourselves be fed. And when it’s time, letting ourselves be poured out again and again in serving each other.

“Maybe this ordinary life isn’t a secondhand one, a consolation prize. Maybe our ordinary is not just good enough. Maybe it’s good.”

When I Am Weak…

My visit to the doctor’s office was quick. Dr. Small quickly diagnosed the problem, told me what to do, and I was on my way.

The clothes I wore probably hadn’t mattered at all. The doctor likely would have treated me kindly either way. Because that’s how she is. A kind person.

Same with God. God isn’t good to us because we are worthy of his goodness. He is good to us because that’s who he is. Good.

“So often when we are hurting in church, we put our masks on and pretend everything is fine because we think our testimony is supposed to be our faithfulness.

“But our testimony is only ever how God is faithful to us, not the other way around.”

Perhaps this line from Glorious Weakness sums it up best:

“My deficiency was the strongest thing about me because God was fully present in my lack.”

Weakness isn’t the goal. But when we are weak (and we always are weak somewhere), maybe it really can work in our favor.

And maybe the apostle Paul had it right when he quoted Jesus as saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

For when we are weak, then we are strong.

* * *

There are so many great lines and insights in Glorious Weakness. Read it if you get a chance. Alia is brutally honest, weak, and delightful. “God was never interested in my strength; he’s most pleased with my surrender.”

My thanks to Net Galley
for the review copy of this book

Are You Available?

By LisaNotes July 8, 2019 Encouragement 11 Comments

How available are you to God’s unexpected encounters? Do you intentionally leave extra space around the edges of your life for spontaneous assignments?

Or do you stay so scheduled, each day carefully planned out, that when the unplanned happens, you have nowhere to put it?

“Margin is not a spiritual necessity. But availability is.

“God expects us to be available for the needs of others.

“And without margin, each of us would have great difficulty guaranteeing availability. Instead, when God calls, He gets the busy signal.”
– Richard Swenson, Margin

I tend to live very scheduled.

Because I accomplish more when I stick to a schedule, I like to stick to a schedule.

But that means God can get a busy signal when he calls me (if you’re old enough to remember what a busy signal is on a landline phone!). It’s a consistent battle I fight.

My to-do list often exceeds my available time.

I want to clean out my laundry room,
I want to convert my home VHS videos to digital formats, and
I want to schedule lunch dates with friends to catch up.

But I don’t have enough time. My schedule is already full.

I’m trying to break free of rigidity.
To be free for flexibility.
To be available for God’s use.

I want to continue using the love of organization that God planted in me—it can be used for his glory—but I don’t want to turn a strength into a weakness.

I don’t want to out-schedule God.

So I keep looking for ways to build more margin in my life. For now, that means letting go of other things.

The file cabinets can stay disorganized a little longer,
The flower beds can continue growing more grass than flowers, and
Cleaning the closets can be postponed another few months.

Because when God calls, I want to be free to pick up.

I want to be available.

* * *

How do you create space for the unexpected? Please share in the comments.

Maybe I need to reread Margin. Here are my notes from the first reading.

revised from the archives

Are You Too Sensitive?

By LisaNotes July 5, 2019 Book reviews, Encouragement 18 Comments

Do You Feel Too Much?

An empath is a highly sensitive person, aware not only of their emotions but often absorbed in other people’s emotions and exhausted by sensory overload.

It can be draining.

[See if you’re an empath here with Dr. Orloff’s list: Top 10 Traits of an Empath]

Thriving as an Empath

In 2017 Dr. Judith Orloff published The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People.

But in October of this year she is publishing a daily self-care guide for empaths, Thriving as an Empath: 365 Days of Self-Care for Sensitive People. (I’m reading an advanced reader copy.)

The book is divided into four parts:

Winter: Going Inward, Sensing Truth
Spring: Rebirth, Growth, and Rejuvenation
Summer: Passion, Play, and Abundance
Autumn: Harvest, Change, and Letting Go

It’s not dated so you can start anytime, but obviously it is sequential. I started last month, lining up the days so I’d read the summer solstice devo on the right day (the longest day of the year is one of my favorites AND I got to spend it at the beach this year!).

The theme for summer solstice was “Pinnacle of Light” and included this:

“Focus on emanating your inner light too. Be yourself to the fullest. Speak your needs. Say no to energy vampires. Express your creativity. Tell your partner how crazy you are about them. Laugh. Meditate. Open your heart.”

(Note: Although this not a Christian book per se, it is a spiritual book. You can adapt it to enhance your own faith practice.)

The daily tips work with the seasons, with solstices and equinoxes (“The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is a perfect point to be quiet and ignite your inner flame. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, is your opportunity to take in this abundance of light”), with new and full moons (“The new moon represents fresh starts. The full moon signifies the peak of a pattern in your life”), as well as with the primary elements of fire, air, water, and earth.

Each day provides short thematic commentary, then a couple of sentences to help you “Set Your Intention” for the day.

For example, July 4’s theme was “Celebrate Freedom,” typically a day of social interactions. Orloff’s advice was to delight in enjoying family, friends, and good food, but also give yourself permission to limit the time you socialize. Make wise decisions about your energy.

Sensitivity As a Strength

Instead of viewing sensitivity as a weakness, Orloff reminds us of its strength.

“Sensitive people are meant to bring light into the world. Empathy is a strength, not a weakness. I applaud everyone who looks different, feels different, or thinks different. The world needs the difference you will make.”

Sometimes I am too sensitive. But by learning to stay balanced by “breaking the momentum of sensory overload, setting boundaries, and protecting your energy,” maybe I won’t be too sensitive too often.

Our sensitivity could just be our gift to the world.

* * *

Have you ever been told you’re too sensitive? Or felt like you were? Please share in the comments.

My thanks to Net Galley
for the review copy of this book

5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – July 2019

By LisaNotes July 1, 2019 Life updates, Links I like 32 Comments

Every month I share my list of favorite 5’s.

5 interesting things online
5 articles about words, books, or podcasts
5 pictures of things I love
5 blog posts from the month

What are you enjoying this month?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things Around the Web

• Stop Praying “Be With” Prayers

I need this one. I know Jesus is already with us, so why do I ask for it again anyway? “It’s a bit of a waste to make my prayer that Jesus would do what he already said he’d do, and has already started doing.”

• The Simple Thing That Makes the Happiest People in the World So Happy

I have a hunch this may be foundational for my One Word choice for 2020.

• 4 Tips for Introverts to Make Phone Calls Less Painful

My latest favorite tip (wear earbuds to talk on the phone!) isn’t in this article, but these four tips also seem helpful for people like me who hate to talk on the phone. (Seriously? Just now I’m getting this text, “Lisa, can you please call me.” Ugh.)

• How Many Photos Have Ever Been Taken?

More pictures are taken every two minutes than in all the 1800s. No wonder I have trouble organizing my digital photos.

• How Accurate Are TV Medical Scenes?

I love knowing what’s realistic and what’s not.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things with Words and Books

• As Long as I Have a Book . . .

• Why Doesn’t My Library Have More Ebooks?

Now I understand. It’s expensive! This article breaks down the publisher costs to libraries.

• 8 Ways to Read More Books

I rely on #5 more and more. What helps you read more books?

• Cool Tools Podcast

I’ve recently started listening to this podcast about cool tools. “A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful.”

• 8 Books I Recommend
Here are 8 books I recommend from what I finished reading in June.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Pictures of Things I Love

• Fun, Family Workouts

My niece Amanda has become a Revelation Wellness instructor, a blend of faith and fitness. She’s teaching a Friday morning workout class that we attend when we can, as do other family members. Makes it fun when we work out together!

Jenna, Lisa, Amber

~ * ~

• Flowers in Pots

I still haven’t returned to keeping up my flowerbeds. But I am enjoying the flowers I put in pots in the front and back. More manageable yet still pretty!

~ * ~

• First Beach Trip with the Granddaughter!

We went to Panama City Beach, Florida, last week with the family and had a fantastic time! Watching first steps into the ocean waves and toes in the sand was such a thrill.

~ * ~

• Grandbaby #2 Also at the Beach

Jenna took maternity pictures of Morgan on the beach. I love watching my two daughters and my two granddaughters together (well, seeing one granddaughter on the outside and imagining the other sweet girl still safe inside).

~ * ~

• 4 Corners Spend-the-Night Party

We finally had our “Christmas” sleepover Friday night (only 6 months late). It’s been a sad year with Kathy losing Stan, but we’re thankful to have each other to walk through it together.

Julie, Alicia, Lisa, Kathy

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 Things on the Blog

• When Transformation Seems Slow, Don’t Eat the Change

“I ate the money.” He swallowed 89 cents. Eating change won’t make us richer. Just as forcing spiritual change won’t make us holier. Don’t eat the change.

• Is the Church Living Up to Its Name?

Does the church live up to its name of Christian?

• Don’t Just Read the Story – Keep the Conversation Going

The Bible story is an invitation. Don’t just read it. Take it personally. Keep the conversation going.

• Where’s the Book Inside You?

Cowboy has a book in him. But will he have time to get it out? My own story is enriched by his. We see a different side of God in each life.

• 5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – June 2019

Links and pictures of articles, books, and things I love – June 2019

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What was a highlight from your June? What do you have planned for July? Please share in the comments.

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