{No pun intended.}
My friend Adam McHugh emailed me a few days ago with an offer to send a free signed copy of his book The Listening Life to one of my readers.
That could be YOU!
All you have to do is:
1. Leave a book review of The Listening Life at Amazon.com.
2. Say 'hi' to Adam in the comment section of one of The Listening Life posts and let him know you left a review.
Our esteemed author will select the giveaway winner on Wednesday, May 30th.
I couldn't be happier with his offer.
Because I'm pretty confident that each and every one of us knows at least one person who really needs to read this book.
Chapter 4 - Listening to Scripture
' ... Our goal is more than intellectual understanding. We work, pray and wait for understanding, but we do not treat it as the ultimate prize. If we seek more of the Bible, then we must bring more of ourselves to it. The "tools" that we use in interpretation are expanded: we do not require just a concordance and a Bible dictionary but humility, surrender, trust, hope. Along with our minds and our reasoning abilities, we bring our hearts, dreams and imaginations, and all the light and dark parts of our personalities. If we submit the deepest parts of ourselves to our listening, we have reason to believe that God will reveal deep parts of himself to us.'
Chapter 5 - Listening to Creation
'Something else drove me out into the wilderness: exhaustion. If you think you get tired of hearing your pastor preach, then imagine how tired your pastor gets of hearing himself preach. Being a pastor is a noble calling, yes, but it can also be a soul-draining one. On some days the bride of Christ seems more like the bride of Frankenstein. I know that human beings are the pinnacle of creation and that our fullest experiences with creation involve community. Feeling closer to God in nature than in church is an authentic feeling but not ultimately full biblical spirituality. Yet there is something healing about retreating into nature when the church has worn you out.'
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Click here to leave your book review to get in the running for the giveaway! Scroll down to Customer Reviews to add your two cents. {You need to have either purchased the book at Amazon.com or spent $50 at Amazon.com in the last three months.}
And be sure to say 'hi' to Adam in the comment section and let him know that your review is up and running!
Book Open House #2
The Listening Life *
Book Open House #3
The Listening Life #5 *
The Giveaway Continues!
The Listening Life *
Grand Finale
The Listening Life *
Book Open House #3
The Listening Life #5 *
The Giveaway Continues!
The Listening Life *
Grand Finale
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visiting with Holley
every week
Hello friend.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know I've tried leaving a couple of comments on your posts but have been met with issues again. At least on my end. They may have showed up anyway. Funny how it's such a random thing. No worries on this end.
I'm thankful for the words of encouragement I always find on your blog.
{via email}
Arrgh ... I hate when that happens!
DeleteIf you're hitting some glitches and wondering why your comment isn't showing up {and others are!}, simply email me what's on your heart.
I long to receive it. And will post it right away.
lindastoll @ juno . com
This was one of my favorite quotes from Chapter 4, Linda - "If we submit the deepest parts of ourselves to our listening, we have reason to believe that God will reveal deep parts of himself to us." It gives me such a longing that I will submit those deepest parts more readily to listening to what God has to say to me. In Chapter 5, I identified so with there being "something healing about retreating into nature when the church has worn you out." Not in the same way as Adam, but I still don't feel as comfortable and safe in a church as I do in God's creation. Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteThank God that He doesn't simply dwell in buildings crafted by human hands but also in the sanctuary of his awesome creation. I have often experienced sweet restful worship best when away from bricks and mortar, politicking and power plays.
DeletePraise God He meets us right where we are and is always and ever safe and welcoming. His only agenda is to love us deeply.
Trudy, thanks. I hear you ...
My favorite part of Chapter 5 is Adam's thoughts on the "deciduous life." I can always tell if I'm running headlong and heedless if I'm failing to note the lovely little indicators that things are changing. Now, granted, here in New England there are certain seasons (which will go unnamed, having just departed and there's no need to bring up painful memories here), that gobsmack us with their arrival, but I want to lean into the cues God is sending in His creation with different pace, different ways of responding to God.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Linda!
Thanks for this big conference room table!
Oh I like that, Michele ... 'I want to lean into the cues God is sending in His creation with different pace, different ways of responding to God.'
DeleteTalking about being still and listening well, huh?!
I liked Chapter 4 which talks about how we come to listen. Am I ready to hear or am I already closed off with my mind already made up about what I want to take away? Do I trust and really believe that God will speak to me if I listen - or do I have to be still and allow Him to work through my doubts that He can handle everything? Lots of think about.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there is lots to think about here. I think you're right that as much as we'd like to think our minds and hearts are open, they're often closed.
DeleteMaybe by cynicism? Doubt? Fear?
Sounds like you're getting brave.
;-}
Sorry to think off at a tangent ... I once picked up a sea shell like the one on the book cover and listened for the sound of the sea. I got the Number Engaged tone instead!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Ah, that British humor, Victor ...
Delete;-}
Having just returned from a glorious retreat in the mountains, I could so identify with Adam's point about finding God in creation, and what finally propelled him there. Yes, we were pretty darned exhausted, too! True confession: I DO feel closer to God when in nature than in a church service - the latter offers too many distractions, or would-be distractions, while the former offers a peace and palpable silence where I can hear God speak.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Linda!
Church can be a place of distraction, yes. Too many people, too much hubbub and activity and expectations.
DeleteSometimes it's hard to be still and know that He is God in the midst of it all.
Yes, I'm hearing what you're saying, Martha.
I am having trouble reading non-fiction because it is driving me into that morbid introspection mode lately. I have not been able to read The Listening Life but these excerpts make me question “what is bringing more of ourselves into Bible listening?” And am I doing this or not? I feel on overload with all I should be and feel totally incapable of hearing God (my biggest struggle). While praying yesterday, I sensed that I am trying to do the Lone Ranger thing but not fully sure I know the solution.
ReplyDeletePardon my ranting but you should see my journal...ahhhhhh
Listening to God in nature is TRULY something we all can find peace in cause we have no obligations to nature. It’s beauty is self-sustainable.
Well, I'm glad you're here, morbid or not!
DeleteBeing on overload is a drag, a drain. Like a perpetual spin cycle. I hope you'll find that place of peace and connection again. You've often modeled for me what that looks like. You know I am forever grateful.
That Lone Ranger thing is definitely a discouraging, isolating place to be.
I miss you, friend.
Well that's exciting at Adam! You've really connected with him, Linda. I've gone a bit further in the book now to Chapter 7, and liking this part especially. No worries..no spoilers here!
ReplyDeleteYep, my favorite part of the book is coming up next! So practical, so hands-on, so needed ... and served up with a healthy sense of irony and humor.
DeleteLooking forward to that discussion!
Music has been a significant part of my life (it's how Steve and I met!) so maybe that is why I connected with Adam's musical metaphor of God's creation. I especially liked "True freedom comes not from trying to control life's rhythms but from moving in harmony with them." When we were in the marching band we made such interesting patterns and flowing movements by working together and following the director's instructions. Another portion I highlighted was on a similar theme: "When you are in the ocean you quickly realize you cannot conquer it. It's too powerful. If you fight it, you will lose. But, if you are skilled enough, what you can do is move in rhythm with it. It's just like God. You will never overpower God, no matter how hard you fight, but can learn how to move in harmony with him." I want to move in harmony with Him!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear from a musician's heart ... it's where I often encounter God most deeply. I'm thinking He designed it to be so.
DeleteInteresting, your keen notice of rhythm and harmony, Stace ...