Losing Your Faith, Finding Your Soul- A Book Review

Most evangelical Christians I know won't read this book...but they should. Sadly, we so often throw out the wisdom of others who have gone before us, simply because we do not agree with them 100%.

But I learned much from David Robert Anderson and his beautifully written depiction of the path toward spiritual maturity entitled Losing Your Faith, Finding Your Soul: The Passage to New Life When Old Beliefs Die First, I discovered that my path is one that is shared by many. The knowledge that my journey which has brought me to this place, while unique to me, is a shared human experience. Shared, that is, if we open up our lives and our souls to becoming the people God created us to be...wholly His, surrendered and set apart for His good purposes.

Throughout the book, I kept asking myself, "When is the time for reading this book? Early in a person's faith or when they are suffering or perhaps when they are doubting or even when they have come through it all and just need to be assured that they are not the only ones to have survived conventional religion, legalism and unattainable perfection?" I'm not certain I ever learned the answer. I think it depends upon the soul about whom you are speaking. For myself, I kept wishing I'd read this book 20 years ago so I could have saved myself a lot of agony. But wisely, Anderson consoles us that we must go through each step of the Journey. I believe to skip a step is to make the passage through grace less purposeful and the arrival less beautifully sweet.

When your victory is hard-fought and the battles wearying, Anderson acknowledges that the dying to self and letting go of our egos will bring the joy, the peace, the grace and the Love that we are all seeking. To attempt to travel around the battle does not produce the same results.

Which brings me back to my first statement for this post. In our efforts to hem ourselves in and guard our hearts against the evils of this world, too many of us have blinded ourselves to the beauty that only God can bring out of the ashes. I wish the self-righteous prig of my 20's had never existed so that the regret of harsh words spoken would never need to be assuaged. But, thankfully...and by God's grace alone...the memory of that self-righteous prig helps keep my pride in check, my mind open to God's wisdom, and my heart ready to love the other self-righteous ones I meet along the way.

The passage from student to mentor/guide is one fraught with pitfalls, blunders and pain but here's one thing I know from my path and reinforced by the wisdom of Anderson's book: As a young, immature student I thought I had all the answers and should shout them out to any who passed by...as the older, more mature mentor/guide, I need to humbly admit that sometimes I not only don't know the answers...I don't even know which questions to ask.

But I finally know the One who does!

Catching Fire

I'll just say up front, this one was good...really good. Overall, a much better adaptation of the book than the first one. Also, compared to the preview of what looks like more young adult drivel (ala Twilight), this movie raises the bar for what young adult movies based on literature should be.

It's difficult to adapt a well-loved book to the screen, but even when the movie can't possibly cover everything in the book (i.e. The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter), it should still live up to the essence of the theme. This movie does...and well.

Maybe having two Oscar winners (Jennifer Lawrence and Philip Seymour Hoffman) and another former nominee (Woody Harrelson) helped to promote a caliber of movie of what a best-selling and beloved book should be. Regardless of how it happened or why, our family was thrilled at the result and now we can't wait for the final adaptation. But wait...as is becoming the norm...the final book will be broken into two movies. Drawing out the book...and the box office, seems to be the standard now for bestsellers. As long as they're the quality of Catching Fire and not the final two installments of Twilight, I'm okay with that.

I'm a Junkie

I've come to realize that there is something I'm quite addicted to:  conversations about God...what He's doing, how He's healing and growing, and how we search for Him in our everyday lives.

I have been blessed to have several conversations with some ladies I know and also in my own family over the last month that have absolutely left me astonished by a God that cares about the details of our ordinary lives, yet calls us to join Him in the magnificence and amazing wonder of the hugeness of His work. Sometimes I leave these conversations almost breathless and usually always teary-eyed.

One lady called this thing a "God-chat"...and I love that phrase. Is there really anything else worthy of chatting about? If my entire life is supposed to be focused on Him, loving people in His Name and seeking His will for my own life, isn't He naturally going to be the focus of a great many of my conversations?

Whether you agree or not, I think this is one addiction I'll hang on to. I'm beginning to believe that the day when I feel like I've had enough "God-chat" is the day I'll close my eyes here and open them to see Him sitting across the table ready to hear the stories of His goodness all over again.

Amen!

Harvest Sunday

Chioggia Beets

In this part of the U.S., it's gotten very cold...at least for me and my plants. Sunday's daylight hours were cold enough that it necessitated bringing in most of the harvest. I was disappointed in my fall harvest...not in my seeds...everything sprouted and grew. In fact, I will continue to plug Seeds Now without reservation. No, the problem was most definitely going from temperatures in the 90s in September to much less sunshine and far cooler temps (50s-60s) by late October. November brought nights in the 20s and 30s and not nearly enough daylight hours for the peas to bloom. I know next year to start earlier, but with a patio in direct sun for more than 10 hours a day in 90 degree temps, starting cool weather plants in August is almost impossible.

I need not sound too gloomy, it has been fun to experiment with new crops like the chioggia beets pictured above. I am a huge fan of plants that are edible from top to bottom. So although only two beets grew to any size of significance, those two plants also produced two bags of greens for juicing. Sunday's harvest meant I got to experiment making homemade beet chips for the first time! I also chopped of a leaf of beet greens to eat on my homemade fish tacos for lunch. It was just as good (and healthier!) than leaf lettuce or romaine.

Italian flat-leaf parsley

I had a good sized amount of parsley and chocolate mint to harvest as well. But my favorite harvest of the day was my celery plant.

Okay, it was looking very pitiful. But there's two great things about this celery: I grew it from organic celery I purchased back in the spring and it's yet another plant you can eat from top to bottom! Check out this website for how to grow celery. This is precisely how I did it, with the exception of growing it outdoors. I still have a lot to learning to do about blanching celery to make it look and taste like the store bought. But I also discovered that by not blanching it, it has a deeper green color and is actually healthier! I also never had to harvest the entire stalk and could cut off from the two plants I started from June to November. That's right, I've not purchased any celery since April or May.

Now, are you ready for the other three amazing features of celery?? 

1. I could feed the leaves to my son's bearded dragon for the last six months.
2. The leaves can be harvested and dried to use for celery salt (just add sea salt to it, to taste).
3. The root ball is even edible

I wasn't even aware of this last benefit and threw one big celery root away about a month ago. Just a few days later, during a grocery shopping trip, lo and behold there were celery roots right next to the horseradish, jicama and ginger roots. Who knew? Well, apparently Gourmande in the Kitchen did. While searching through a blog for holiday gluten free recipes, I came across her recipe for Celery root and cauliflower puree with greens. Yes, this will be one dish on our Thanksgiving table this week.

I have to confess my sadness at closing down the outdoor patio gardening for the season. It's been a great learning experience and it's only about three months until I start my seedlings indoors. My kids are beginning to sense my obsession as the indoor growing is taking over our dining and family rooms. I keep pointing out that walking over to the window to harvest your chard is much more preferable than going out in the cold to the store. I'm not sure they get it yet. They will.

Snicker Doodle "Larabars"

Several months ago, I shared a recipe for our homemade Chocolate Mint "Larabar" Recipe. We make Larabars about once a month and have experimented with many different flavors. My daughter, Abbey, I think hit upon the best one yet. Last week she purchased some of the authentic Larabar holiday flavors and we couldn't believe how much the snicker doodle one tasted exactly like a cookie.

She set upon the task of making her own version...and she nailed it!

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 2 cups pitted dates
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (preferable Fair Trade)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons organic cinnamon (this can be adjusted to taste)

Grind the cashews and almonds in your food processor or blender until a coarse meal is achieved. Place a scant amount of these crumbs in the bottom of your dish to prevent sticking. Put the rest of the nuts in a large bowl. Next process the dates until they are broken down and begin to form a ball. It's difficult to describe this. They don't really chop, grind or liquefy. They basically mash down and then begin to stick together. Place the dates in the bowl with nuts. (Now this is the messy part!) Add your vanilla, sea salt and cinnamon and mix all together by hand until a soft ball forms. Spread the mixture in any pan, cover and refrigerate. A small bread loaf pan can give you the approximate thickness of a real Larabar. Using a larger pan, means thinner bars...but it is not a runny mixture so you can shape it in the pan to be smaller, as Abbey did in the photo above. I have also read blogs where people shape them and wrap in wax paper. No need to refrigerate for a long time before eating.

These are absolutely delicious. No need for baked cookies filled with white, sugary badness this holiday season. Instead, make some raw, vegan "Larabars" that will satisfy that sweet tooth just as easily.

Learning to Pray Boldly

Pictured above are several index cards with biblical scriptures printed upon them. This is not a concept that is new to me, I've been doing it for about four years now. Beth Moore, in one of her studies, was the first to "turn me on" to this way of learning Scripture and claiming it personally. What is new to me is an idea presented in her Believing God study: Speak the Scripture out loud and claim them with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit whom resides in me.

Obviously, she can explain this much more eloquently and dynamically than I ever could...but here's what I know:  this has absolutely transformed my prayer life and outlook on my relationship with God. Do not tune me out because you think I've bought into some type of "prosperity gospel". I am not claiming a boat or a car or a mansion or a fancy trip or any other number of things that many televangelists and preachers have wrongly taught that you can "name it and claim it".

But if I am praying from a heart that is wholly surrendered to the will of God, asking Jesus to speak His Word into my life and prayerfully expecting the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver on the promises He has claimed that He can, then I can with unfettered boldness declare: God, as Your eyes move to and fro throughout the earth, I know that You will strongly support me (sustain me; make me bold; encourage me; repair me; help me to withstand) because You find my heart (my soul; my inner part; my inclination; my resolution) is completely (wholly, perfectly) Yours. (see II Chronicles 16:9)

By simply taking His Word, inserting personal pronouns and sometimes even my name, (and even looking up alternate definitions for some significant words) I have claimed a biblical promise for my own life. Again, this concept isn't new to me. What is different is speaking it out loud! 

Moore explains the reason for this: We can pray without ceasing and should...but when we speak God's, Holy Spirit inspired Word...we are speaking the very words of God. We've been told in Scripture that our enemies tremble in God's Presence (see James 2:19 for one reference). We've also been told that the Holy Spirit has unsurpassed power and that He is the energy in the spoken word of God (see Genesis 1:2). Thus, when we speak the very Words of God, demons flee and the Holy Spirit is unleashed to work, battle, encourage or discipline just as He has promised He will.

Since I began doing this a few weeks ago, having tailored some specific Scriptures to specific people and situations, I have seen God's Spirit moving and working. Long-buried issues that have needed addressed; old habits that just need to be put away so we, as Christians, can enjoy Kingdom-living (see Proverbs 14:26-27); awareness that we don't fight against flesh and blood but against powers and forces we cannot see so I don't take little slights as personally as in the past (see Ephesians 6:12); a very real knowledge of the closeness of the Presence of the Holy Spirit (see Proverbs 2:3-5); and that His hope for reconciliation, restoration, abiding joy and comfort and beautiful life is always available and no one can take that hope away from me (see Ephesians 1:12 and Romans 5:5 and (I Corinthians 13:13)!!!

Because of all I have seen, heard and felt over the last six weeks, I may be annoying those who know me. I cannot help but be 'bubbling over with the memory of His abundant goodness and shouting joyfully of His righteousness.' (see Psalm 145:7) I have had some amazing conversations the last few weeks and I just know He is only getting started! I have to be honest and say that there has been a lot of activity on my Enemy's part too and I have not been surprised. But 95% of the battle has been in my head and declaring God's Word out loud makes the baddie flee the premises much faster than he used to. Bottom line...I am supposed to be about my Father's business (see Joshua 24:15) so no enemy that comes between that objective should get free rent in my head any more.

God never said this would be easy (see John 16:33), but He promised He would never leave nor forsake me (see Deuteronomy 31:6). So as I "fight the good fight" (see I Timothy 6:12) I am thankful to be learning just how powerful my Sword is (see Ephesians 6:17)!

***Okay, funny side note for anyone that ever grew up in an evangelical, protestant church. Did you ever have Bible drills? Did your Sunday school teacher ever have everyone start with their Bibles extended in the air? Did your teacher ever say, "Put your swords in the air."?? Really? Why did it take almost 40 years for me to get this: It really is a sword!

Chai Tea Smoothie

This morning, I had a simple, yet tasty smoothie, that I thought I'd share with you.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup, full strength Chai Tea, cooled (preferably Fair Trade)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk, (I prefer organic So Delicious)
• Whatever extras you want ( vegan protein powder, maca, etc)
• 2 Tablespoons sweetener of choice (I used local, raw honey but agave, maple syrup and stevia would work as well)
• 2 frozen, ripe bananas
• 1 cup ice (small cubes work best)

Place the cooled tea, milk, "extras", and sweetener in the blender. If you have a very tight fitting lid, give it a few pulses. Otherwise, wait until you add the frozen bananas and ice to give it some thickness too.

Some of my "extras"

With all ingredients in blender, pulse or blend until combined. Enjoy!

Just WOW!

Today, I completed the Believing God Bible Study and all I can say is WOW! Beth Moore concludes the study by expressing her belief that it wasn't the end, but only the beginning of women choosing to live a life where they Believe God...Believe who He says, what He says He can do, whom He says I am, what I can do through Him and that His Word is alive, active and living in me.

That sounds like a tall order to fill, but the video segments were filmed in 2004 and almost 10 years later, the transforming power of God's teaching and the Holy Spirit's promptings were still evident in myself and many women in my small group. I pray that I am forever changed. I've already witnessed how He is working out my self-deprecating mindset...He has revolutionized my expectant prayer life...has taught me a life-changing lesson about believing the fulfillment of His vision for my life has already happened...and how to handle conflict, even in the midst of a spiritual high like none other I have experienced. Of course my Enemy has attempted to trip me up...but my God is enormously bigger than anything that could ever try to derail my Journey with Him.

The hiatus from blogging, while not intentionally timed to coincide with this study, was perfectly suited to it. Most of what I've learned the last two months has been more precious, more joyous, more redemptive and more treasured than words could ever convey. My prayer is that as I blog, you'll sense God's work in me as well. I truly believe He has rocked my world, yet again, and as I practice believing faith and prayer...I know He is just getting started!

Amen and Amen!

Thor: The Dark World

I have taken a much needed sabbatical from the blogging world and am ready to resume posting about the things I love. There will be a few changes and an announcement is coming soon, but for now, I wanted to catch up on a movie review I missed during my time away:  Thor: The Dark World 

Okay, if you realize up front that I am a Superhero Geek you'll understand that I have greatly enjoyed each of these Marvel movies over the recent years. We even own quite a few on DVD and the ones we don't, we watch often on Netflix or on our Amazon Prime (One Year Membership) . However, other than a few performances, I can readily admit that this was not one of the best Marvel epics to date.

I'm uncertain as to how Tom Hiddleston was cast as Loki, but to whomever the credit goes it is high praise indeed. Strangely enough, most of the people I know watch the Thor movies mostly due to Loki. I even know a few teens who are pulling for a Loki movie in the future. A bad good guy (or is that a good bad guy?) that could pull off a multi-million dollar franchise movie on his own? I don't know, but this one would probably have the best chance.

Stellan Skarsgard as the mentally unstable Erik Selvig was the exact comic relief needed in an otherwise "dark" film (yes, that was a play on the title) and as always, gave a wonderful performance.

It remains to be seen if dropping the number 2 in the title is because this off-shoot of the Marvel empire would like to continue without too high of a number (ala Rocky) or if it was a more artistic nod to the superhero that happens to be a bit classier than Iron Man. Regardless of how many there are, my family will continue to see them because we just can't get enough of the good vs. evil (with minimal bloodshed) genre. When the superhero always wins, all just seems right with the world and we walk away believing we will see the day when everything is set right. 

Kneading Paradise, Indianapolis, Indiana

My friend, Allison Paradise, started her own bread baking enterprise in 2010. In my attempt to live out and promote a Buy Local and/or Fair Trade Christmas this year, I wanted to advertise her business a little. She is local to the Westside Indianapolis area, but she ships too. Last Friday afternoon, we received, via USPS Priority mail, two of the tastiest loaves of bread I have ever had.

Allison uses only unbleached flour and local eggs. I'm not certain if that's the difference or if she has some other secret, but even though the bread had been shipped a few days prior, they were still soft and very yummy. My Leah agreed that the bread was delicious.

Now, I like Allison...but I wouldn't lie for her. Please keep that in mind when I share that her Italian Onion Herb Loaf is, I believe, is the best bread I have ever tasted. The Artisan Loaf was pretty wonderful too.

Allison takes orders year round, but her holiday schedule fills up quickly, so don't delay in scheduling your holiday meal rolls, breads and even some football tailgating pretzels (pictured above). You can follow Kneading Paradise on Facebook and stay current on her specials and last minute deals.

She also has a popular baking mix that sells for $5.00 and can be used "for everything from dinner rolls to pancakes".  There are healthy wheat and vegan options, as well. I'm personally hoping to pick up some Nutella Croissants or Challah Bread next time I'm in Indy...or both!

   

If you're a Westside Indy local, you simply have to check out Kneading Paradise. If you're not a local, still consider supporting a tasty entrepreneur. Shipping is high because of the necessity to ship Priority Mail, but by ordering several loaves, you spread out the cost of shipping per loaf. The bread can be eaten fresh for up to four days, refrigerated to extend the shelf life a few days more or frozen for up to six months.

Click this link to be taken to Scribd.com so you can access a pdf file with the complete menu for Kneading Paradise. Shipping rates are not listed but you can inquire from Allison about where she can ship. Her contact information can be found on the Kneading Paradise Facebook Page or in the pdf file linked above.