Lisa notes

4 Books I Recommend – July 2017

By LisaNotes July 25, 2017 Books I Recommend 31 Comments

Here are four non-fiction books I recommend and two fiction books that I half-heartedly recommend from what I read in July. Once a month we share our current reading lists at Jennifer’s.

Books I Recommend

1. Glory in the Ordinary
Why Your Work in the Home Matters to God
by Courtney Reissig

Do you ever wonder if your work at home matters? To your family? To society? To God? This book gives a thorough look at why your work DOES matter. I could have used this pep talk when I was in the thick of it, raising kids and homeschooling, but I find Courtney’s words still pertinent to me now in my empty nest.

My review here of Glory in the Ordinary

2. This Fight Is Our Fight
The Battle to Save America’s Middle Class
by Elizabeth Warren

I don’t know if I agree with all of Elizabeth Warren’s politics, but I do love her passion for people. This was a library book that caught my eye when I was perusing the shelves. Warren is a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who has a lot to say about how the American middle class can be helped.

3. Born to Run
A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
by Christopher McDougall

These are some crazy runners. Not just marathoners. Ultramarathoners. This book is an intriguing story about a tribe in Mexico (the Tarahumara Indians in the Copper Canyons), American distance runners, the mysterious runner Caballo Blanco, and a reporter’s journey in the middle of it all. It mostly reads like a novel, with a strong narrative thread throughout the whole book.

4. Fuel Your Faith
A Practical Guide to Igniting a Healthy Spirituality
by Jean Wise

I love reading Jean Wise’s spiritual blog at HealthySpirituality.org, so I knew her book would be good. She writes chapter after chapter on ways we can keep our faith on fire for God, including downloadable resources, prayers, and practical suggestions. I highlighted over 50 passages, including this one:

“Remember God is the fire. We cannot begin to contain him, to harness him, or to control the heat of his spirit. But we can nurture the sparks, awaken our conscious, and open the flue of our hearts to let his light inward to our souls.”

And right now you can get the Kindle ebook of Fuel Your Faith for free on Amazon!

Half-Heartedly Recommend

5. The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt

I liked it and I didn’t. This novel begins with a 13-year-old boy whose life is changed by a terrorist attack in NYC. The plot always moved along nicely. But I had trouble connecting with the main character and his decisions. In the end, I am glad I read it, but it is long and investment of time.

6. Me Before You
by Jojo Moyers

This novel was very engaging. Like The Goldfinch, part of me liked this one, too, but part of me didn’t like it at all. It’s about an out-of-luck common girl who becomes the caregiver for a rich quadriplegic man. I thought I’d predicted the ending early in the book, but I was wrong.

Reading Now

Reading People
How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything
by Anne Bogel
The Turquoise Table
Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard
by Kristen Schell
The Better Angels of Our Nature
Why Violence Has Declined
by Steven Pinker
Small Victories
Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace
by Anne Lamott

* * *

What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.

My books on Goodreads
Previous reading lists

Homeless and Us – Survivors Together

By LisaNotes July 19, 2017 Homeless 47 Comments

Buck (not his real name) and I are engaged in a conversation. It’s about the government. It’s getting heated, not because we disagree but because the subject gets him riled up.

I’m getting uncomfortable. Maybe I should change the subject to something less volatile.

But then Buck says something that shakes me.

If the world as we know it ever comes to a halt, whether it be by our own government (Buck’s presumption) or by outside forces, he says he knows who the survivors will be: his kind.

His people—the homeless—know how to survive.

I believe him. They prove it in my city every day.

They are survivors. How else could they live day after day with the substandard food they eat, the poor sanitation they have, the diabetes and cancer and alcoholism and drug addictions and mental illnesses that many endure?

Some do die, of course. And eventually all die. As do we.

But many of the homeless live long. They’re survivors.

Sometimes I’m not sure whose world is stranger: theirs or ours.

My world feels comfortably normal on my air-conditioned drive on the Parkway overpass, singing tunes bluetoothed in from my iPhone, bottled water in my cup holder, a full wallet by my side.

But underneath that same overpass is their world, a different world. It houses tents, a fire for cooking, and people with few possessions.

Their world feels brutally real as I stand among them that Saturday morning outside their garbage bags of belongings and chat with Buck as the loud train roars nearby.

But we return to our van and drive back to our home base. This is the world I know best. We close ranks, hold hands, and Norm words a prayer from all of us, for all of them—the survivors.

We’re thankful for the lessons those survivors teach us. If they can keep on going, so can we.

I want Buck and his friends—many are now my friends, too—on my side if the worlds we both know ever come to an end.

Because eventually, all our worlds get shaken up.

So for now, I’ll keep stepping into Buck’s world and hope it makes mine a little less plastic and a lot more authentic. That it makes his a little less lonely and a lot more loved.

Our previous separate worlds will improve and merge at the intersection. It becomes less about our differences and more about our similarities.

I’m glad Buck and I are in this same world.

And we are survivors together.

* * *

Please share in the comments.

revised from the archives

Celebrate This First

By LisaNotes July 17, 2017 Encouragement 40 Comments

“Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of GOD is your strength!”
Nehemiah 8:10 (The Message)

Is this an American thing or just a human thing?

A high school senior is about to graduate. The main question everyone asks her is, “So what are you going to do next?”
A young man and woman have been dating a year. Their friends want to know, “When are you going to get married?”
They get married. “When are you going to have a baby?”
They have a baby. “When are you going to have another baby?”

On and on.

When Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project, debuted at #2 on the best-seller’s list, the first reaction to her from a close friend was, “I bet next week you’ll be #1!”

But instead of being encouraged by that, Gretchen was deflated.

Why?

Because we want to celebrate our wins before we move on the next competition.

It’s discouraging to finally reach a goal, only to learn that the bar is still higher. That what you were reaching for is no longer enough. That there’s more to do.

And, yes, there is always more to do.

But we don’t have to do it right away.

Let’s celebrate this victory first. Linger here for a moment. Hit pause before you “encourage” someone to move on to the next goal, even if you intend it as motivation.

Practice contentment by enjoying today’s grace.

The fruit of victory is celebration and contentment. Take a break before you push forward again. Stop raising the bar prematurely.

Gretchen’s book did reach #1 the next week. But what if it hadn’t? Wasn’t it enough to be any number on the best seller’s list?

If the high school graduate doesn’t choose college, or the young couple breaks up, or the married couple delays babyhood, can’t we still celebrate with them their graduation, their courtship, their wedding—when each happens naturally?

Yes, keep standards high. Keep goals in sight.

But celebrate THIS win first.

* * *

Do you “raise the bar” too quickly? How do you celebrate a win in your family? Please share in the comments.

Listen to Grethen Rubin talk about “Raising the Bar” on her podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin. The segment begins around 18:35 and ends around 24:55.

People to Be Loved – Book Review

By LisaNotes July 12, 2017 Book reviews 15 Comments

“I believe that every single Christian needs to think deeply about this issue. And since it is not an issue, but people, every Christian needs to listen to the stories of LGBT people.”
– Preston Sprinkle

Why do we listen? Why do we read?

Sometimes we do it to affirm a position we already believe. We like being right; we enjoy hearing others agree with us.

But sometimes we need to listen to others to see if what we’re believing is wrong.

I picked up People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue because I appreciated the title. I didn’t know which way the book would lean.

So I read on. I hope you will, too.

Not an Issue

Christians often have a bad relationship with the LGBT community (unfortunately, often earned), for treating others as an issue instead of as a person.

Sprinkle says,

“Here’s the thing: most people who are attracted to the same sex don’t end up leaving the church because they were told that same-sex behavior is wrong. They leave because they were dehumanized, ridiculed, and treated like an ‘other.’”

If you’re straight, talk to your own friends, family members, coworkers, and fellow church-goers who are gay. Ask how they’ve been treated by Christians. Many gay people turn away from believers instead of toward them because they feel more hate than love.

“Teens who experience same-sex attraction are two to seven times more likely to attempt suicide than teens who don’t. And unfortunately, the teens who seek help from religious leaders are more likely to kill themselves than those who seek help from nonreligious counselors.”

We also hurt God’s reputation to outsiders because of our attitudes and even our own infighting when we can’t peacefully disagree. Sprinkle doesn’t say believers have to give up their convictions, but they need to work on their kindness.

“It’s not too much truth but too little love that’s driving gay and straight people away from the bride of Christ.”

But we can change this.

Learn Something New

First, Sprinkle wants to educate. He writes at length on six passages in the Bible about same-sex relationships, about origins of Hebrew and Greek words, and about sexual practices of early cultures.

On his section translating 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10, he values study to this degree (you may agree or disagree with him):

“If you’re not willing to perch up in your chair, roll up your sleeves, and turn your phone off for a couple hours to study these two words [malakoi and arsenokoites], then I’d say you should not form a strong opinion about homosexuality. When asked what you think, at least be honest and say, ‘I’m not too sure, since I don’t want to take the time to understand what the New Testament actually means.’”

While Sprinkle ultimately sides with the non-affirming position that homosexuality is wrong, he still lays out arguments for the affirming position, and often warns readers not to jump to conclusions on either side when they interpret scripture.

He’s careful not to say, “I’m right and you’re wrong,” but makes statements like this throughout the book:

“Like you, I am on a journey. Maybe in five, ten, or fifteen years, I will have a better answer, or maybe I will have changed my mind on the answers I give in this book.”

But Sprinkle did more than spend time researching books and words to write this book. He used the other half of his time in the lives of gay people.

“And my life will never be the same. I have made many unexpected friends whose stories have seeped down into my bones.”

What to Do

Sprinkle then offers multiple suggestions for how we can improve our relationships, regardless of how we interpret the Bible, including these three actions.

Practice humility.

Cultivate an inviting environment for others to talk.

“The Christian church needs to get past the ‘us’ (straight people) versus ‘them’ (gay people) mindset.”

Don’t assume you already know somebody’s story or their beliefs or motives. Also, don’t assume that your interpretation of scripture is totally correct and their interpretation is wrong. Keep an open mind.

“I still think there is room for dialogue and fellowship with those who hold different views on this topic.”

Listen to the stories.

Listen to people face-to-face. Listen to books on all sides of the issue (not just ones you agree with). Listen to stories online.

Listening doesn’t mean you have to agree (with anybody on anything), but it does show that you care.

“The fact is, most LGBT people I know didn’t leave the church because their behavior wasn’t affirmed—‘I want to sleep with people of the same sex, and if you don’t affirm this I’m gone.’ It was because their humanity wasn’t affirmed.”

Stop homophobia.

Speak out against gay jokes, belittling slang, incorrect information. You don’t have to be argumentative about it, but with compassion and respect help make the world a kinder place.

“Homophobia refers to the dislike of or prejudice against LGBT people. When an LGBT person grows up in the church, they usually encounter homophobia—feeling that they are disgusting in the eyes of the Christian God because they have been treated this way by his people. We need to put homophobia to death.”

Here to Love

If we can love people—all people—as Jesus did, we will be a truer representation of Christ in the world. We will have improved relationships with our friends who are gay. We will have a more compassionate reputation among non-believers.

And we will be more honoring to our Father, the one who made us to love each other, not to fight amongst ourselves.

In the end, I don’t agree with all of Sprinkle’s biblical interpretations. But I know I don’t have to fight him over it. He’s someone I could meet for lunch and have an invigorating discussion but still walk away as friends. His tone is gentle and grace-filled.

We all can agree on this: It is critically important to maintain an attitude of respect toward all people. We need to demonstrate loving behavior, whether we believe the same things or not.

We need to stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution.

As Sprinkle so beautifully states:

“We can put down our guns and care for the wounded.”

* * *

Who listens best to you when you need to talk? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Related Reading

My thanks to NetGalley
for the review copy of this book

Hear the Silence? The Deaf Movers

By LisaNotes July 10, 2017 Encouragement, One Word 2017: Story 43 Comments

Tiffany’s boxes were packed. Her beds were stripped. Her closets emptied.

Now we waited for the movers to arrive.

It was Friday morning. The two men finally drove up. But they didn’t say a word.

Instead, they showed us a pad of paper that said, “Good morning.”

They were both deaf.

[click here if you can’t see the video]

Without Your Senses

I don’t want to lose any of my senses. The one I’d miss the most (I think) is sight, but the second is hearing.

Without hearing, wouldn’t it be harder to do your job, whatever that job is?
Wouldn’t you miss out on ordinary conversations among friends?
Wouldn’t your life feel off, without bird whistles and worship music and baby gurgles?

Different, yes.

But poorer? Not necessarily.

Because aren’t we all deaf in some ways?

There are things you hear that I don’t, and things I hear that you don’t. Either through cultural backgrounds or selective listening or innate deficiencies—or because God knows we just can’t bear it yet—we all hear some things but not others. (Example: Where do you get your news? Fox? CNN? Facebook?)

But we all survive with our hearing deficiencies.

Like the deaf movers, we learn work-arounds when we can’t hear. They used their hands for sign language with each other and gestures and facial expressions with us. We made it fine communicating without having to use words.

By sharpening our other senses, we discover that deaf doesn’t mean dead. Even with hearing impairments, we can still listen to each other through the silence.

Can’t Hear God?

And when we can’t hear God?

We can pay closer attention to the things we see God doing.
We can believe his presence is with us even when we’re not talking.
We can grow more courageous as we walk by faith.

Ultimately, our joy isn’t dependent on having all our senses at top notch ability every day.

God is alive and present, in and around us, all the time, whether we hear him or not. (See “3 Spiritual Practices for Paying Closer Attention to God.”)

He is still good.
Our relationship is still strong.
And hope remains present.

Silence Speaks

We discovered last Friday that the deaf movers were very capable of doing their jobs despite not being able to hear. They were joyful men, hard workers, and excellent movers.

Not only did they get the job done quickly and efficiently, their ability to do so with what we might label a deficiency inspired us even more.

Our time with them wasn’t lessened by their lack; it actually was enriched. Not because they were deaf per se, but because they showed us a spirit of resiliency and possibility in the midst of silence.

Their silence spoke loudly.

* * *

Have you experienced a loss of your senses? How did you adapt? Please share in the comments.

“God Bless My School” – Book Review

By LisaNotes July 5, 2017 Book reviews 14 Comments

Nobody wants to think about it in July. But in less than a month, on August 2, children in my area will be back in school.

While my own children are now grown and out of school, I keep my ties to the local school year because my youngest daughter Jenna teaches elementary school.

She’s switching schools and grades this year. Instead of teaching Kindergarten in a public Title 1 school, she’ll be teaching 1^st grade in a private school for students zoned to public Title I schools, each the recipient of a scholarship based on need.

While the children’s backgrounds will be much the same as her previous school, this year she’ll be able to mention aloud the name of Jesus to the children, pray with them, and have conversations together about God.

One book I’m donating to her class is God Bless My School by Hannah C. Hall, beautifully illustrated by Steve Whitlow.

It’s a padded board book with four rhyming lines to a page about young animals preparing for exciting new adventures at school, knowing God goes with them.

The book ends with this rhyme:

We’ve learned so much and made good friends.
We’ve worked hard and we’ve played.
The day is done—it’s been such fun!
“God bless my school,” we say!

So in this month when teachers are working hard to prepare for school—and parents are working hard to prepare their children—now is the time we all can pray, whether we have students or not, for:

students everywhere,
their families,
and the adults who will be with them many of their waking hours in the upcoming 9 months.

Whether public, private, or homeschool, may God bless everyone’s school.

* * *

Do you have children who will be returning to school soon? How do you prepare for it? Please share in the comments.

My thanks to BookLook Bloggers
for the review copy of this book