“The Mercy Prayer” By Robert Gelinas- A book to read and reread….(Not a review so much as my experience- with this book;)

I pray. a lot. (Let’s face it… not much else I can do at the moment.) I ask for wisdom., I ask for forgiveness, I plead for healing, for myself, for my husband. I pray that God will make up through love the things I can’t do with and for my kids right now. I pray for others. I pray for the impoverished, the entrapped, the persecuted, the addicted, the hurting. Like I said: I pray.

The truth is….lately- I’ve felt like God isn’t answering. (Or, rather, I’m not liking the answers.) I pray for wisdom, and discover more questions. I pray for forgiveness and discover more sin. I plead for healing and find more pain, more disease. More tests to be run, more waiting to be waited.

We currently face: Cancer, chronic illness and pain. I’m in the middle of a difficult surgical recovery. There has been loss. I have questions without clear answers but with potential eternal consequences. I recently told a friend ” I feel like every time I come up for air another wave crashes on my head. ” (Heart?) I feel: Frustrated. Overwhelmed. I’m afraid that the reason God hasn’t answered me (The way I want him to) is because of my lack of faith…. Maybe, it’s my own fault.

Still, I pray. lately? Without bothering to tell God what I need or want him to do . Sometimes, words are barely involved. Sometimes, just breathing, has been a prayer. I’ve started to doubt my sanity. (not new and still unconfirmed.) But also, whether I’m a heretic…. Breathing as prayer? Am I cheating God, by not trying hard enough? (Yes. I over think EVERYTHING.)

As I read “The Mercy Prayer” what resonated most wasn’t the words….it was their truth. Truth that changed my perspective. God hasn’t been ignoring or denying my requests. He’s been answering them with mercy.

Mercy to bear pain. Mercy to stand up under temptation. Mercy in kindness. Mercy in meals made with love to sustain us through recoveries. Mercy in provision. Mercy in lack. Mercy to find joy in the tragedy and pain that threatens to engulf. Mercy to sit with unanswered questions. (And not lose my mind. (Mostly.) Mercy in nested reminders of His love….from friends, and in places where I’ve least expected to find them.

The truth is- a million mercies line the mess of my nest. Even here. God has already been answering my Mercy Prayer…. even when I didn’t know that’s what I was really asking for. (If you’re new to the blog- click “Even Here” for the tender mercies God has been feathering my nest with..)

Reading these words, my hope is renewed. I’m not a heretic. I’m not (that) crazy. My focus is changed. I will endeavor to quit telling God what he should do….and ask him to do what he always does. Lord, have mercy.

The Mercy prayer cuts through the frustration of trying to figure out what I need, so I can pray “right.” . Or the right things to pray…So God will answer “right.”

The heart of the matter.. is always: My need for Mercy. Of all kinds.

“His grace (truly) is sufficient” and it begins with mercy.

Read this book. Let it speak to your heart. Let our hearts beat to the rhythm of the mercy prayer…..I have a feeling that if we do….. they will be beating in time with the very heart of God. What a different world that would be.

Again: Lord, have mercy, Even here.

“The Mercy Prayer” Available on Amazon- or at your local bookstore.

By Pastor Robert Gelinas

Confession: When I saw the title– I was a little worried… “Oh No.. Please don’t try to give me another formulaic- magical harry potter approach to God……They never work. God is far above our puny manipulations and does not owe us his obedience to our magic words or incantations…..God is not a genie released by rubbing a lamp or saying a word… They leave me feeling irritated with the author for trying to profit from manipulating people in desperate need.”

This Book? NOT THAT. No worries. No formula… just an affirmation of our greatest need-for grace through mercy- always being met. By a God who delights to show mercy and grant grace.

 

 

The Noticer, By Andy Andrews

The Noticer Project website

I’ve been  bombarded with busyness and bad news lately.  Everywhere I turn, there seems to be another sad announcement or another friend in trouble or hurting.  It’s overwhelming.

In Michigan, and in so many other places- the automotive struggles, shut downs and lay-offs are not just todays news and statistics- it’s people, people I know and care about.  Here, it’s about family and friends and as my husband specializes in the application of software in the automotive and manufacturing industry, it affects us, as well.   When you add the normal life crisis’ we all face and combine it with the constant Swine Flu outbreak updates, it’s been hard to maintain perspective.  I keep getting caught up in fear and missing what I already have.. like the people who have and do make such a difference in my life, including each of you.

 In “The Noticer,” Andy Andrews uses his incredible storytelling skill to draw us into the story of “Jones,” a self described “Noticer.”  Someone who helps people notice things others miss, to gain new perspective.  It arrived was just in time and contained just what I needed, PERSPECTIVE.

I hope you’ll pick up a copy,  it just might be what you need right now, too!  The Noticer is available at Andy Andrews website, on Amazon  as audio, Kindle and hardcover editions.  It’s also available via ITunes as an audio book. The audio is well produced and well read.

 I recieved my copy as a review copy from the publisher- I enjoyed it so much I’ve already purchased the audio version as well!  Be a Noticer! Today!

 

News and reviews: “A Body of Work”, “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything”

I just finished Body of Work, by Christine Montross. 

The writing is fluent, full of both emotion and fact.  (Something usually hard to balance.) It details a med-student’s experience with her “assigned donor cadaver”  in the anatomy lab.  I found it offered great insight into the “making of a doctor.”

The book delves into the history of scientific exploration of the body, as well as into our cultures experiences and perspectives on death, and the body, in general.   It is quite descriptive, so the squeamish may struggle through this one.. However- as I admit I pass out over injections and need to be medicated for dental visits…the writing style keep me from losing it.  A wonderful, insightful read that was intriguing and well done.   

I look forward to reading more of Christine Montross’ writing.  

– the small print disclaimer:  this book is not written from a Christian perspective… but that doesn’t mean it didn’t have some spiritual meaning to me;)

Now-for something entirely different- another review:  (we go from one extreme to another here…)

Veggie Tales new movie:  The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything

 I will preface this by saying:

 We love Veggie Tales.

Noah and Dad set out to see this movie on a “daddy date”.  Noah left the theater 3 times during the movie- “cause he was scared.”  He came back in because he ” loves Veggie Tales and wanted to see the new movie”.

Noah’s review of the new movie was this:  “I never thought Id be scared of a Veggie Tales Movie.” Shaking his head in disbelief.  There were scenes in the movie that may not bother some little guys- but bothered mine.  (The cheeto’s that turned into toothy worms, and sword stabbing’s in particular, did him in) My DH didn’t find anything objectionable about the movie- but found it a little more “intense” than what we’ve come to expect from Veggie Tales. (I replied it was a Pirate Movie…. so some pirating was to be expected…) I suppose my guys just assumed Veggie Tales could do Pirates without scariness.

I’d still recommend this one- as it may not bother other kiddo’s- but if your’s are very sensitive this one may not be for you.  (Although, my guy watches the generally accepted age- appropriate cartoons and likes fighting and bad guys getting busted as much as the next guy- so I was surprised by his strong reaction to this.)   There is so little decent media content ,that I want every movie that’s appropriate for young ones to be well attended.  and make the $ that will assure future clean movies… but- as a Mom- I also want to offer you a caution:

Where Pirates abound, some fear, could be found;) Arrrg. 

Knitting:

 Working on:

Mittens but currently madly finishing a pair of my hubby’s favorite slippers  (his do not have fun fur trim:) for Valentines day… better get back to work….. can’t give them to him soggy wet from felting… (well- I CAN and I may if I have too!  and he’ll love them and me, anyways!… or rue the day he asked for more slippies!)