Emotionally Healthy Spirituality - Pete Scazzero

Loved this book.  I suppose I say that about all of the books I read...I guess because each one is kind of like a new friend:  you can learn something from all of them, even if they have some faults.  (Maybe that is why I don't like to give my 'friends' away...and my library grows too large!  haha)

I appreciate Pete's vulnerability - his willingness to lay before the public eye his weaknesses and even failures as a father, husband and pastor.  I don't look upon him harshly - I see only the path that we are all walking as believers:  believing the Word, praying, etc - but still noting that our struggles don't disappear.  The struggles of our world are intense and we feel as though we lack the tools to fight well.  We find our humanity is all too apparent and wonder where victory is.

The basic cry of this book is to SLOW DOWN and GROW UP and live the life God has designed for you only.  He repeatedly emphasizes that you cannot be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time. They are integrated.  Knowledge alone does little to transform us unless we slow down, and allow the Spirit to reveal hidden strongholds and emotional 'allergies' that have followed us through life.

I could quote and list MANY things that impacted me but I will share just this one that list that hit me square in the heart:  a list from St. John of the Cross: "the seven deadly spiritual imperfections of beginners that must be purified."  And yes, I'm a beginner - I've been a believer for 32 years, have 6 years of Bible training and countless hours of conferences and sermons, and I am still a beginner:

1. Pride: they have a tendency to condemn others and become impatient with their faults.  They are very selective in who can teach them.
2. Avarice: they are discontent with the spirituality God has given them.  They never have enough learning, are always reading many books rather than growing in poverty of spirit and their interior life.
3. Luxury: they take more pleasure in the spiritual blessings of God than God Himself.
4. Wrath: they are easily irritated, lacking sweetness, and have little patience to wait on God.
5. Spiritual Gluttony: they resist the cross and choose pleasures like children do.
6. Spiritual envy: they feel unhappy when others do well spiritually.  They are always comparing.
7. Sloth: they run from that which is hard.  Their aim is spiritual sweetness and good feelings.

Ouch.  'Nuff said.

One final application from this book - He recommends praying the "prayer of examen" by St. Ignatius Loyola at the end of each day.  This discipline asks us to stop in prayer before sleep each night and look over the events of the day with Jesus - and to stop and ask where we were walking in the Spirit or not.  I often drop in bed exhausted and 'save my praying' for the morning - but i would like to change that habit to a more mindful watching of my heart throughout the day. 

Sorry this is so long and quick - as someone once said, "I don't have enough time to write less."  So this will do for now...perhaps more thoughts will follow.

Grace Through the Ages - by Dr. Bill Smith

Grit & Grace: One New Yorker’s Thoughts on this newly released daily devotional...

I consider myself a New Yorker now...six years in this city will change a person.  One tends to find themselves more defensive, more on-edge, and less trusting than perhaps previous lifestyles have led them to be.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I want to mirror Him to others but find myself struggling against the grain.  To be gracious and kind when the world around you is rough and rude - how is that possible?

Bill Smith, in his poignant, kind and sometimes ironic tone, identifies the only real transforming ingredient of our lives: the grace of God. While I read this devotional, I see glimpses of the character of a God Who blows me away with His gracious response to rude, disrespectful, and demeaning human beings: i.e., ME.  The only way I can live as a daughter of Him in this messed up world is to know the transforming power of an unimaginable grace that has been levied on me.  Just like the parable of the forgiven but ungrateful servant, I face a choice to pass that grace onto others OR show the world that I have not yet really and deeply understood just how much I have been forgiven.

The next time someone pushes me on the subway I'm going to try and remember that.

The Tipping Point - by Malcolm Gladwell

The basic idea of this book is that epidemics spread based on ingredients that are often different than what we'd expect.  And no, not medical epidemics per se, but whenever anything 'goes viral' and suddenly moves from a small, cloistered few to a large, sweeping point of interest.  One illustration in the book is how hush puppies made a comeback, from a small group of eccentric fashion-forward people in the East Village of NY to a country-wide fashion phenomena. 

Gladwell's points were few, but heavily illustrated.  I have to admit that I'm of the temperament that would prefer less illustration and more direct writing...however...the illustrations did help me understand his points more deeply.  Still, I think I could have skipped a few illustrations and still come away with the basics of author's ideas.

The Three Rules of Epidemics - The Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context.

The Law of the Few - Social epidemics are "driven by the efforts of a handful of exceptional people."  ...how "sociable they are, or how energetic or knowledgable or influential among their peers."   These few can have a powerful, far-reaching effect when the idea or product they are promoting engages with the two other rules of epidemics.  Three kinds of people help move ideas to epidemics:  connectors, mavens, and salesmen.  A  connector is someone who is well networked, and seems to 'know everyone' and continually be introducing one person into another network or world.  Connectors spread ideas through the simple fact of being linked with a wide variety of people.  Mavens are those who are the watch-dogs of quality, and will research and correct those who miss the mark.  Mavens are rare, but they delight in correctness for its own sake and will insure that a company knows about his/her presence.  Mavens promote products they believe in and speak loudly both about those they like and those they dislike.  The concept of  the salesman is a bit self-explanatory.  True salesmen can sell 'ice to an eskimo,' and in so doing, be part of the spread of an epidemic. 

The Stickiness Factor - this is Gladwell's attempt to describe that illusive something that forms the difference between a commercial that is entertaining, and a commercial that not only makes us remember the specific product but also want to buy it.  Stickiness is what makes something more enduring, memorable, and effective.  "Stickiness means that a message makes an impact.  You can't get it out of your head.  It sticks in your memory."

The Power of Context - "The power of context says that human beings are a lot more sensitive to their environment than they may seem."  Gladwell uses the 1984 NYC subway system as an example.  Dirty, ridden with crime, and full of graffiti, it wasn't exactly the kind of system that promoted public pride.  Fare-jumpers were common, and police didn't even bother with them.  The whole system was broken, and the public knew it.  But when the system came under new management, things changed.  One of the very first actions of the new manager was to clean every subway car, scrub off the graffiti, and keep it that way.  What?!?!  When crime and broken trains and fire were rampant every day, why the focus on cosmetics?  Because - the CONTEXT that patrons were in every day bred a lack of responsibility and ownership.  The system was abused because the graffiti sent the message that nobody was minding the store.  As soon as someone began to mind the store, things began to change.  This idea suggests that for an idea to stick - we are extremely susceptible to our environment and the messages it sends.  Epidemics can be fueled by context.

I agree with Gladwell that the power of context is enormous, while I do think that the author went a bit TOO far in his application of the idea.  While context influences us all more than we realize, we are still responsible for our own actions and must therefore have an outside source to help us know what is right and wrong.  Gladwell describes a murder that takes place on the subway in that time frame and why, in his thinking, some of the 'blame' went to the context that the gunman was in every single day.  Again, context IS powerful and I cannot deny that - but BECAUSE it is powerful, as a Christian, I believe that is why we must have an even more powerful 'context' in which to think, act and live.  For me, that is the Word of God and the Holiness of the God I serve that dictates my actions.  We are all susceptable to decline based on context, but we still make personal choices. 

As a Christian, there are plenty of things that I would like to see become an 'epidemic.'  Church-planting and missional lifestyles.  Gospel-based thinking and actions of mercy.  Scripture-memory and engaging prayer.  Justice for the down-trodden and food for the hungry. 

From a Christian perspective, I think that what Gladwell is describing captures some of the ways that God uses His own people to move ideas from small pockets into large networks.  As a leader, I want to think intentionally about these three 'rules' and where they might apply in my own context.  What is my role?  Who else do I need on my team in order to move big dreams into reality?  Where can I find a Maven, a Salesperson, and more Connectors?  What makes my vision 'sticky' for the Body of Christ in NYC?  And what context do I need to either 'create' or act in defiance of in order to see movement happen? 

Good to Great - by Jim Collins

I have always liked the idea that "good is the enemy of great."  I have always been drawn to things that challenge the status quo, and this is one of those things. 

Jim Collins is one of my favorite authors (and we need to pray that he comes to faith!).  He identifies key concepts in leadership and management that, not surprisingly, often mirror Scriptural principles. 

This book captures the elements of what moves companies from "good," to "great."  With strict standards and much research, his team interviewed leaders and developed these key concepts.  There is a lot of great material in this book - but let me share what impacted me the most. 

Level 5 Leadership: - in summary, someone who has leadership ability, vision, competence and talent, but MINUS the ego.  The ego, in a sense, is subservient to the cause or purpose/vision of the organization.  It was certainly a challenge to me to look at my own ego and evaluate where it falls.  To be human is to desire growth and accomplishment, but we can't allow this desire to overrun the real reason we exist and serve.  C.S. Lewis said something to the effect that he could not work too hard to avoid thinking of his own success and fame. 

What We Can Be Best At:  Jim Collins describes the three circles:  "What you are deeply passionate about," "what you can be the best in the world at," and "what drives your economic engion."  Where these three circles overlap: this is your sweet spot, what your company should pursue to the exclusion of all other distractions.  He calls this the "hedgehog concept."  I love this simply because our tendency, especially in Christian ministry, is to do too many things...and to do them all half-way.  I have heard the phrase, "if something is worth doing, it is worth doing poorly."  While I intuitively don't like that expression, there is truth in it at the beginning...UNTIL you figure out what you should focus on, and then pursue it with all excellence and exclude the things that distract you. 

Start a 'Stop Doing' List:  In order to apply the hedgehog concept well, we must STOP doing a number of things that distract us.  Time wasters, time drainers, or even worthy things that take us away from our main goal.  Once your core purpose is identified, everyone should keep a "stop doing" list in a promonent place!

Create a Culture of Discipline/Get the Right People on the Bus and in the Right Seats:  While the 'bus' concept may already be familiar to you, I appreciated Collins' challenge to create a culture of corporate discipline that keeps standards high.  One issue that clogs up an organization is someone in the wrong seat on the bus who has no passion for what they are doing, and thus no inward drive that can push them into excellence.  If you've ever been in a position that doesn't fit for a long season of life (I have), you know the intense drain emotionally and even physically that results.  However, in contrast, getting the right person into the right position naturally will release their passion and interest and drive - which will naturally build into your culture of discipline.  This reduces the amount of time that management needs to spend in making sure that there people are working hard enough or producing results.  Instead, your people will be motivated internally to produce results that lead to excellence.

In conclusion, a worthy read!!  I think the "level 5 leadership" was the biggest take home for me and the "one thing" from this book that I will remember well and attempt to apply.  May God transform ME into a level-five leader someday!

How Successful People Think - by John Maxwell

How you think is how you live.  Our thought life is not some hidden, personal area of our lives.  It 'leaks' into our actions and behaviors and interactions with others. 

John Maxwell, in his usual direct and succinct way, discusses 11 areas of "thinking" that influence our lives.  In this small book, he is trying to identify the key areas of thought that determine if a person will be successful or not in any area of their lives.  His theory?  Change your thinking = change your life. 

His list of "thinking" areas is as follows:  (1) Big-Picture Thinking, (2) Focused Thinking, (3) Creative Thinking, (4) Realistic Thinking, (5) Strategic Thinking, (6) Possibility Thinking, (7) Reflective Thinking, (8) Question Popular Thinking, (9) Benefit from Shared Thinking, (10) Unselfish Thinking, and (11) Bottom-line Thinking. 

'Successful' people tend to think in those ways.  They engage the big picture and are not limited by narrow views.  They focus their thoughts on what is most important.  They are not dry and static, but engage in creative problem solving.  They blend positive thinking about what is possible with realistic thinking in order to plan for the worst-case scenario.  They plan ahead with strategic thinking, learn from past mistakes with reflective thinking, and never automatically follow popular-thinking without first questioning its foundation and truth.  Successful people include others in their brainstorming and projects so as to benefit from shared thinking because the wealth of the whole is greater than one part.  They engage in unselfish thinking and behavior, which is always a 'win' in the long run for their organization's purpose and health. And, finally, successful people never lose sight of the bottom-line: why they do what they do. 

As with all of John Maxwell's books, I often finish a book feeling inspired to grow and lead in a better way...and I feel overwhelmed with the sheer number of ideals and new actions he suggests putting into practice.  John states things to simply and practically that it sounds as if it is the easiest thing in the world is to put these new actions into place.  Well, that may take some time!  I feel that the best way to read John's books is to select 2 or 3 key action areas to put into practice, and consider it success if you do!

Summary - a good read...but not my favorite...too many ideas packed into one little booklet makes it hard to know which one to focus on!

Complete Works on Prayer - EM Bounds - 1

Wow, this is a big book!  Each page contains a great deal of depth...so I cannot adequately summarize this book, and I'm only on page 69 of a 562-page work! 

Here are a few nuggets from my recent readings and how they impacted me...there may be more posts in the future on this book.

(1)  "The praying which influences God is declared to be that of the fervent, effectual outpouring of a righteous man.  That is to say, it is prayer on fire, having no feeble flickering flame, no momentary flash, but shining with a vigorous and steady glow." 

How many times have I tried to go through my devotional time in the morning - just trying to stay awake and focus, let alone have fervor?  Yet - I know what he is saying.  The times when I take myself "by the scruff of the neck" and push to engage my deep desire for God to work in my prayer - something changes both in me and in my communication with God. 

(2) "Obedience follows love, and prayer follows obedience.  The business of real observance of God's commandments inseparably accompanies the business of real praying."

Our sin is covered by the CROSS, however, unconfessed sin does hinder our functional (not positional) relationship with God.  I do believe that sometimes when our prayers are not answered, it is due to unconfessed sin in our lives. The other day I was struggling with temptation - and for a brief time allowed myself to be drawn in.  Within 5-10 minutes, the Spirit was too 'loud' to ignore and I had to stop.  I cringed at the idea that my prayer life might suffer in its fervency and effectiveness because I entered into willful sin.  There is too much at stake - too much of a great war around us - to fool around with sin when we have the serious business of prayer to use in this great spiritual battle.

(3)  "The Word of God is the fulcrum upon which the lever of prayer is placed and by which things are mightily moved.  ...The Word of God is made effectual and operative by the process and practice of prayer. ...If [the Word of God] be lodged and written in our hearts, it will form an outflowing current of prayer, full and irresistible." 

For about two years now, I have used the Word of God to fuel my prayer life by writing verses on a 3x5 card, then using those verses to pray for myself and for others.  I have been amazed at the answers to prayer that come.  The Word comes alive in my life and others' lives as I call upon God to act out His will according to His Word. 

More to come later...

Handle With Prayer - Charles Stanley

Handle With Prayer:  Unwrap the Source of God's Power for Living

I really enjoyed reading this book.  For some reason - right now - God seems to be putting prayer "in my face" more than ever before!  This book was part of that.  I didn't agree with everything Charles Stanley wrote, but most of the book was helpful to me.

Four key areas of impact for me were...

(1) God desires to make known to us what is unknown.

Jeremiah 33:1-3  While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: ² “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ³ ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Stanley states, "We read books, attend seminars, and talk with others, trying to find out what God has to say to us.  Usually, after we've exhausted all over possibilities, we turn back to the Lord and wait on Him..." 

ouch!  So true! There are some things that only God can reveal to us in prayer.  We are a very resourceful people, but sometimes God desires to reveal His mysteries to us in the deep and intimate communication of prayer.

"How many times have we just said or heard others say, 'I just don't know what I'm feeling.  I can't seem to figure it out.'?  Fasting prunes and peels off layer after layer of feelings, attitudes, and experiences until we get to the hard core of what God desires to say to us." 

This idea relieves my heart.  Like many, I tend to be analytical and try to "figure it all out."  Sometimes, that is not my job - I simply need to go to my Father.

(2)  Prayer is powerful in the battle, more powerful than anything else

"The only time Satan worries about us is when we enter into this battle.  Nothing else we do is much of a threat.  Satan knows that real spiritual battle is fought on our knees.  Prayer is the weapon he fears most; therefore, it is prayer against which he makes his greatest attack... it is on our knees that we will face our greatest assaults." 

"[Satan] does not feel threatened by our organizations or our cutting-edge technologoies.  But when God's people fall on their knees and claim Christ's power and authority, everything in heaven will begin to move, and everything in hell will begin to shake."

We often don't need better strategies - we simply need more prayer.
I've also been warned that the stronger one's prayer life grows, we need to be prepared for greater attack - and thus pray more for protection from it!

(3) God sometimes gives us 'prayer burdens'

Sometimes there is something on our heart that we just can't shake - a person, conflict, situation, or need.  Sometimes it is for our own lives, but often it is for others' lives.  God means for us to get on our knees and stand in the gap for that person or issue.

Stanley shares these ideas:

"Be careful not to mistake a burden for some physical or emotional problem.  Sometimes a burden will drag a person down to where he thinks it is a case of depression.  But instead of getting down in the dumps, we are to get down on our knees." 

"..whenever God burdens our hearts about a particular situation, the burden is evidence that He is already working."

"If God requires a drastic change in my life, the burden will stay with me until the change is made.  He will keep the pressure on until I focus on Him and seek His guidance.  ...When a burden comes, a time of cleansing always follows.  Perhaps this is one reason we run from burdens - we don't like to be cleansed.  But God knows that the cleaner and more Spirit-filled we are, the more effectively we can pray." 

"We stand in the gap between the need and the satisfaction of that need.  When we see ourselves in that position, we will understand the need for consistent, unwavering prayer.  We will begin to pray without ceasing." 

(4) Prayer and Conflict

"Through prayer, God closes the gaps created by conflict.  He then manifests His Spirit of godliness and reverence." 

"In our spiritual conflicts, the outcome is not determined by what is seen in the field of battle, but rather by what happens in the place of prayer." 

"Our faith soars as we see that those who war against us must also war against the Christ Who is within us." 

If our confict is with another person, we have spiritual authority to come against the strongholds of sin that we may observe in their lives - and ask God to convict and release them to greater effectiveness in the Kingdom.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...

Other Thoughts:

One question I had after reading this book was this - in one section of the book he states that we don't need to keep asking God for the same thing over and over and over again.  If we ask in faith, and if we believe God has promised to answer, then it is done and we just need to wait.  But in another section of the book, he discusses the parable of the man who came and pleaded with his neighbor for bread and would not leave until he got what he needed.  This was a parable that Jesus used for prayer. So which is it?  I suppose the key difference is when you believe God has promised you an answer, in faith, you do not need to continue to ask.  But sometimes I just don't know - so I choose to keep knocking on the door as Jesus instructed. 

Closing Musings...

The content of this book was helpful to me, but perhaps even more so was the example that Charles Stanley has set as a man of prayer.  When one can write with experience and authority in this area, it is born from countless hours of unseen time on his knees before the Throne of God.  That speaks more powerfully than anything else.