Life of Lana

Can your opus swim?: Borrowed "Water bottle"

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:20:00 +0000

Can your opus swim?: Borrowed "Water bottle": I did not write this BUT I did receive permission to re-post it. It moved me to tears and wanted to share; "My water bottle.......and ho...

Life...May Cause Side Effects: I think I forgot, but I can't remember

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:18:00 +0000

Life...May Cause Side Effects: I think I forgot, but I can't remember

Life...May Cause Side Effects: Conflict, Social Media, and Decluttering

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Life...May Cause Side Effects: Conflict, Social Media, and Decluttering

YES and NO

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:42:00 +0000

  “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of an evil." 

Everyday we make hundreds if not thousands of decisions. Sometimes we choose "yes" and sometimes we choose "no". Most decisions are small but they add up.

Short example. If I say "yes" to buying a pallet of Godiva chocolate at Costco I will be faced with a couple of thousand opportunities to say either yes or no to a piece of smooth creamy delicious chocolate one at a time. But if I say one firm "no".  I have just saved myself hundreds of thousands of calories and the decisions of if I'm going  to go to the gym to burn them off or not.

Another example. I have a favorite person in the whole wide world. When he asked me to be his wife I said "YES!" In saying yes to him I have said no to every other man walking the face of this earth. Decision made.

Make the big decisions firmly and the small ones fall in line. You may be tired of me telling you to make a life plan but if you have already done it you can attest to the freedom it gives you.

Eve Didn't Do Laundry

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:51:00 +0000

Eve Didn't Do Laundry

A Place and A Time

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:11:00 +0000

Sitting at Starbucks there is so much material to write about it's hard to know where to begin. The cast of characters is rich and diverse. The conversations floating in the air are kept at a level that the challenge isn't to hear them but to shut them out long enough to form your own thoughts. Without leaving my seat I can tune into a Bible study, a grief therapy session, a website design consultation and a pre-school playdate. A little extra effort is required to hone in on the retired couple in the corner or the four cell phone calls going on.

It never ceases to amaze me the personal conversations that people hold in public places. I can't help but wonder if the pre-schoolers wouldn't be happier at the park. I can't help wondering if the Bible study group is talking so loudly to be able to hear each other or to make sure other's hear them. The grief group has moved out to the parking lot still comparing processing notes on the passing of parents.

There is a common thread that ties them all together. For what ever reason they all decided that this was the place to be this morning. They met other people here to talk and drink various beverages. They aren't focused on the others around them and for the most part are pretty oblivious to the impact they might be having on each other.

With the departure of the grief group other conversations are easier to make out. The pre-schoolers are spreading out and new customers are trying to backfill the void. It's fascinating.

And here I sit at the table in the corner watching but not impacting, part of it all but not. For this time at this place our lives have intersected. Have I impacted them? Not really. Have they impacted me? A little. They have made me more aware of what's around me today.

Thank you people of Starbucks. You have been so totally yourselves today that I am reminded it's ok to be myself, too.

The Art of Inventory

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:44:00 +0000

A few months ago I went to an informational opportunity at Fastpencil in Palo Alto. The one thing that stood out for me the most was the concept that books generally fall into three categories: collateral, souvenirs, or inventory. I had never considered books in that light before but the more I rolled the idea around in my head and looked at the massive amounts of books that cover the wall of my office and are stacked around me the more they started to sort themselves into those very groups.

Taking the thought further I considered the work of some of the great artists I personally know. Most of them are totally unknown outside of a very small circle of their family and friends. Most of them look at their art as a very personal expression or extension of themselves. Both are true. But both relegate their work to the second category,souvenirs, if they are not willing to part with them. Gifting them will move the pieces to the first category of collateral in that it gives testimony of their creativity. However, for artists of any kind to move into the third category they have to be able to create with heart and passion and then detach from the the very creation and sell it. My absolute favorite personal artist has great talent but no distribution.

So, looking at the projects I currently am developing, I have to ask myself are they collateral, souvenirs, or inventory? Do I want to self publish 1000 books to give away in hopes that the recipients will book me to speak? Do I want to create 100 really good copies and use them for Christmas gifts? or do I want to start the task of getting serious about writing, submit proposals and start creating inventory?

Ransomed Heart Boot Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:43:00 +0000

Following the call of God on their hearts men from around the country and around the world are heading to Colorado to spend time with Him. Using broken, wounded, restored men to share messages of encouragement and truth God shows His heart for the image bearers, for the ones He created to fellowship with Him.

Ignatius understood that the glory of God is man fully alive. This weekend His glory will shine brighter as more hearts are set free, as old wounds are healed and loose their power, as agreements as shattered and covenant takes their place.

Hearts are being fought for. Battles are fierce. There is nothing short of eternity in the balance for some.

And in that mix, walk men of integrity, of honor, of courage. Men after God's heart. The Cowboys. The Kings. The Sages.

God is on the mountain and He's meeting with His men.... sword

Behold I Make All Things New

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:32:00 +0000

Do you remember the feeling of something brand new and exciting? I remember when we bought my very first brand new mini-van. It had 6 miles on it. 6! Can you believe it? I was so careful. No one was ever going to eat or drink in my new mini-van. The cup holders were an unnecessary feature. We were simply never going to have a use for them. Fast forward 8 years. Nuff said....

This morning I have been stirred by the offering of a new day. A brand new day with the fresh morning smell still clinging to it like the dew on the grass and the dried up clump of goo that keeps my eye from opening fully until it's washed away with warm water. I love that new day feeling. I haven't done anything I regret. I haven't blown my "eating plan". I have so much potential and endless possibilities to consider after that first cup of coffee.

But what I really want today is to cling to the promise God offers to make all things new. I want to see with fresh eyes this morning. I want Him to wash away all the goo and let me see with His perspective and His loving gaze on all the people who come into this precious gift of a new day. I want to embrace the good in life and in the newness God has placed in me. When He said He would make all things new that included me. I'm going to delight in my new day. It's early. I have many good miles ahead of me and with my cup of coffee firmly in my cup holder, I'm ready to hit the road for adventure.

God only knows where my journey will take me this brand new day....

Have you sent your R.S.V.P.?

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:19:00 +0000

The table is set. The invitations have been sent. Only the guests are missing....

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24 (Matthew 22:1-14)

15 When one of those who sat at table with him heard this, he said to him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; 17 and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for all is now ready.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, `I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' 19 And another said, `I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' 20 And another said, `I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, `Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' 22 And the servant said, `Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 And the master said to the servant, `Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

I can so relate to this scripture right now. Go Deeper Still is just over 30 days away. After personally inviting more that 300 women, an advertisement in Conversations Journal, a beautiful website, Facebook page, and even running a commercial on KFAX radio there are still so many open places at the table.

So if you haven't yet made your plans the time is growing short. March 16th at 7pm I will open Go Deeper Still Women's Conference with prayer. Will you be in your seat at the banquet? Will you answer the invitation to Go Deeper Still?

www.GoDeeperStill.com

5 Cities that Ruled the World

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:26:00 +0000

5 Cities That Ruled The World by Douglas Wilson
“The gripping and illuminative story of how five cities—Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and New York—shaped the course of global history.
History unfolds in a wide tapestry, but some patterns and threads stand out from the others for their brilliance and importance in the bigger picture. Five Cities that Ruled the World examines how and why a handful of cities—Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and New York—emerged in their respective times of influence to dominate the world stage, directing wealth and power, influencing faith and belief, commanding fear and allegiance, provoking wars and conquests, and shaping the world we live in today. Profiling their leaders, exploring their philosophies, following their armies into war, riding their merchant ships to ports of commerce, and watching as one eclipses the others, Douglas Wilson broadens our understanding and appreciation of these cities with piercing insights, curious details, and entertaining stories.” Book Sneeze
I chose to review this book from Thomas Nelson because I have traveled to 3 of the 5 cities and wanted to see how the history and impact of these cities was expanded in a historical and spiritual treatment. I enjoyed the first four cities but found my interest wasn’t held by the fifth long enough for me to finish the book within the first two months of starting it. I have only recently picked up where I left off and had to push myself to pay attention and plow through to the end. Based on the premise that each city ruled for approximately 250 years the first four cities era of dominance has wrapped up. New York still being a work in progress the final section didn’t have the same sense of closure and conclusion.
I’m glad I read 5 Cities but not high on my list of books to recommend. It’s a nice read and I enjoyed the perspective of Wilson. I would have liked to see a chapter on where the center of world power is moving next as New York’s time draws to an end. Maybe the next book….

Passionate Love

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:02:00 +0000

Our pastor is teaching a series through the book of the Revelation. This morning's passage was on the church at Laodicea. I've read this passage before and sat through many series on the letter to the seven churches. This morning God showed me something new and it nearly broke my heart.

This group of believers has often been held up as the lukewarm church. Some have gone as far as to say they weren't a church but more of a social club or even a cult. But the Amen addressed them as a church and calling them anything less than what He calls them seems like dangerous ground to stand on. He goes on to say He knows their deeds. Sounds familiar. He is intimately knowledgeable about all the deeds of His churches but what shouted out to me from the pages this morning wasn't the transgression of a church that had cooled but not frozen. All I could see in that passage this morning was the incredible passion Christ had for that church.

Those four little words at the beginning of verse 19 "Those whom I love!" The letter to Laodicea wasn't so much about them as it was and is still about Him. All of the letters to the churches say the same thing. "You have fallen short but I love you!" "You have problems but I love you!" "You are My churches and I love you!"

Before anything else He was going to show John He wanted the churches in the condition they were in to know His heart. They were His and He loved them.

The only hope the fallen, failing, lukewarm, broken have is that He loves us. No matter where we started our journey, no matter where we are today, the message is still the same. See His heart for His people. Don't let the failure of the church be the focus. It wasn't His focus. His focus was still on loving them and reaching them. Why would He stand at the door and knock if He didn't want to come in? He wouldn't He doesn't. He stands and knocks because He loves.

"To the angel of the church write....I love you!"

3D Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:35:00 +0000

I've been having a little trouble getting into the "Christmas Spirit" this year. Couldn't put my finger on the problem until this morning when I drove past a Nativity on the lawn of a local church. They put up the same display every year. It's cut out painted plywood.

In the time it took to drive past the shepherd with his sheep, the three wise men and the little family in the center I realized what was missing. So far my Christmas has been very much like the nativity made of plywood. Very two dimensional.

It has length.I mean this is my 48th Christmas. I have a nice long history, some really good solid traditions and enough happy memories to consider Christmas a positive part of my life story.

It has height. There's a very tall tree on the front porch soaking up water and waiting to push the boundary of my living room ceiling like those ambitious pines and firs of the past. I have 14 storage boxes of decorations stacked up in the living room to deal with before the tree can make it's grand entrance.

But what I've been missing, what the plywood nativity so clearly reminded me, is depth. The deep eternal mystery of Christmas is what my heart was longing for. The richness of the Gift given freely but at a cost incalculable and immeasurable. So this afternoon with a fire in the fireplace and all those boxes of decorations my heart is remembering the meaning each represents. The love and thankfulness of Christmas through the years. The tall list of blessings and friends and joy this past year but all made real by the depth of the One who's depth I will spend eternity celebrating.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May you have a 3 dimensional Christmas this year.

Only the names have been changed...

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:42:00 +0000

In 1970 cartoonist Walt Kelly famously paraphrased a famous quote for an Earth Day poster that featured characters from his long-running strip Pogo and mourned the sad state of the environment."We have met the enemy, and he is us" it read. This came to mind last night during a discussion over dinner. I made the following statement "If your message and the message of your enemy are the same with only the names reversed you are the same as your enemy." Matt asked me who said that. I said "I did, just now."

It got me to thinking which usually gets me to writing. If the names were changed would I say some of the things I say? Would you? Our words are a reflection of our heart toward others but shout most loudly about our own heart first. Does the kindness in me see the kindness in you? Or does my insecurity about my fashion choices cause me to question yours? Does my mercy received reflect in my mercy extended? Does my quiet reserve look like your unfriendly coldness or does my unfriendly coldness look like your quiet reserve? Does my fear of your rejection cause you to reject me first? Or does my open acceptance make way for your own?

There is a line from a movie that says "People do not see the world as it is but as they are".

Today I am considering the message...only the names have been changed.

What I Want For Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Miracles.
In one word that sums up what I truly want for Christmas.
I want to spend time with people I love and who love me.
I don’t want anyone to think they have to spend time with me for any other reason.
I want to know those I love are safe and healthy and happy.
I want to be forgiven for every mistake I’ve ever made or wrong word I’ve ever spoke.
I want people to take responsibility for their own lives and stuff.
I want one real family not a bunch of fragmented blended legally related people.
I want traditions that have deep roots and long reaching branches.
I want Christmas to mean something.
I want miracles.

Soup for Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:20:00 +0000

Tomorrow my little girl turns 11. It's hard to believe how fast time is passing. Tonight is her "family" birthday party. Since she has four brothers, a sister, two sister-in-loves, three nephews and a niece not to mention wonderful extended "family" it can be a real event to get everyone together. Each year it gets harder and harder as the older ones move away and travel makes it necessary to leave early.

One of the things I love most about my daughter is her deep sense of tradition. She loves knowing what we're going to do for each holiday and why it is special to our family. It gives her a feeling of security and continuity even when someone we love is missing. For her birthday she has decided on the traditions. Her family party is the Sunday night of Thanksgiving weekend. She says she loves it that when everyone is being thankful they come together to celebrate her life. Her cake is traditional,too. It's a strawberry cake baked in a rose bundt pan filled with chocolate frosting and dusted with "snow". But her favorite part, as she reminds me each year, are the soups. Every year it's the same menu...Chicken noodle soup, split pea with Corrolitos ham, and white clam chowder, heavy on the clams. All made from scratch. She calls it "home made love".

Before she was born I decided to name her Grace because I just felt the world needed more grace. So, tonight we carry on the family tradition of celebrating Grace with home made love.

Soups on....

Redefining Beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:54:00 +0000

"Not feeling very beautiful? Learn what beauty is from God's perspective.

Revolve speaker Jenna Lucado has teamed up with her dad, Max Lucado, to bring girls a fresh perspective on what they need to live a life of peace, joy, and confidence. What does God see when He looks at them? And how does a girl catch that vision?

Jenna reveals life accessories that are essential, and which single accessory is a real must-have to give teens a look they love—a look that says they are comfortable with who they are and secure and confident. What’s the all-important accessory? Love from a father. But what happens when there is no loving father in sight, no daddy to tell them they are beautiful?

Through conversational “girl time” Jenna reveals that when we look to God as our Father, He can change our focus, our look, and our lives. With affirmation from Max, Redefining Beautiful will change the way girls look at God, themselves, and the people around them." Thomas Nelson Publishers

Well, this was fun. I haven't heard Jenna Lucado in person yet and this was the first book I've seen from her. She does come from a very prolific literary family so I figured it would probably be decent at least. It was very good. It's straight forward and easy reading without being overly simplistic. She writes in a very conversational style and after reading for a few pages she feels like a good friend or more importantly like someone you'd want your pre-teen/teen daughter to be good friends with. Covering a wide range from how you look physically to how you see yourself and ultimately how you believe God see you, Jenna moves from her experience to asking the reader for her perspective. It’s very much a guided journal with Jenna along for company.
Jenna shows girls that even though they may not be in the best circumstances they still have a beauty to offer the world that is real and authentic and comes from the security of their relationship with the One who created them just the way they are. She draws attention to the uniqueness of the journey each girl is on and encourages them to celebrate the special aspects of their personality and beauty. Beautifully done!

A Hit and a Miss

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:31:00 +0000

I have developed a new hobby, reviewing books. I love to read. I didn’t always love to read. There was a time when just the thought of reading would bring me to tears. Then I was introduced to arguably the most influential writer of the last century. His writing has inspired and motivated, enlightened and challenged readers to think not only for themselves but to consider possibilities for our society and world that stretch the imagination. I think for me it all began with “Hop On Pop”. Dr. Theodore Gisele, better known as Dr. Seuss, encouraged me and gave me a love of reading that developed into a love of writing and now combines them in book reviews. So here are my next two reviews.
There have been few books that I eagerly anticipated like Donald Miller’s “A Million Miles In A Thousand Years”. Partially because of the incredible buzz it was getting on Twitter and partially because I have read several of his previous books, I tried every avenue to get my hands on this book early. I devoured it the same day I received it from Thomas Nelson publishers. I will be re-reading it for years to come. Not for the story but for the wisdom and the perspective it offers. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read that when I’m finished I am unchanged in my thinking or my beliefs. This is not one of those books. After reading this book I am challenged and motivated. While discussing the formulas for good story and movie writing Miller doesn’t translate those formulas into “how to” steps for life but lives out the formulas by re-writing his life one step at a time. Getting up and getting moving in his own life he takes the reader along for his journey and by example challenges the reader to consider the story of their life. I’m really glad he didn’t include questions for small groups in the back. The questions this book brings up are going to be just as unique and personal as the questions Miller found himself answering in his own life. Trying to write the questions for others to answer denies them the process of finding the questions their heart needs to ask and answer. Miller takes something very complex and simplifies it.
On the other hand Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs book “Love and Respect” takes a single sentence and stretches it into 303 pages. I wish I could say this one held my attention and was a real page turner but the truth is it took me 8 sittings to push through it. Dr. Eggerichs has done a lot of work in the field of respect and love and it shows. He has more ways of saying the same thing than I can count. The synopsis on the back of the book sums it up perfectly. “A wife has one driving need – to feel loved. When that need is met, she is happy. A husband has one driving need – to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy. When either of these needs isn’t met, things get crazy. Love and respect reveals why spouses react negatively to each other, and how they can deal with such conflict quickly, easily and biblically.” Honestly, this is beyond the basics of relationships. Be nice to each other, speak kindly, appreciate what the other has to offer and to paraphrase a great writer consider one another with esteem is pretty much the advice offered. I can see the value of teaching love and respect. I’m just concerned that these values aren’t being taught to children long before they are in a marital relationship and in counseling. I’d have to say this is too basic for those who are in real trouble and not necessary for those who are in good relationships.

And now I am off to re-read Green Eggs and Ham. Sometimes you just have to stick with the classics.

Fearless by Max Lucado

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:47:00 +0000

"Imagine Your Life Without Fear

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.
They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out?
Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.
Can you imagine your life without fear?"

There are very few books I read at a single sitting but Max Lucado's new book Fearless was one I couldn't put down. I was actually disappointed when I got to the final chapter. Stating the amazingly obvious in such a clear direct way Lucado not only addresses the prevalence of fear dominating our lives individually but corporately as well by reminding us that the recurring message Jesus left us was "Fear Not".
Lucado doesn't pull any punches when describing our fears, the root of our insecurities and the source of relief. Moving from significance to safety to worry to dread to hope and ultimately to trust the progression is familiar yet with new perspective the truth replaces the doubts.
This is not only a must read book but one to re-read, to have handy to give someone at the Spirit’s prompting, to keep on the end table or night stand instead of on the bookcase. This is a “In Case of Emergency Read This” book. In case of fear in the dark of night, in case of the phone call at 3 am, in case of “the boss wants to see you” , in case of life….
(Christmas spoiler…many of you will be getting a copy of this from me this year)

New Way of getting published and selling books.

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:05:00 +0000

I think I'm going to give this a try.

Waiting For my copy to arrive...

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:30:00 +0000

A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller

"Buried Treasure" unearthed in my living room this morning

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Matt is giving my just what I want for Christmas this year. New laminate flooring for most of our house. The house we bought 6 years ago came with white wall to wall carpeting. It looked new and I just couldn't see tearing up newish carpeting to replace it with something more practical when we bought the house. Long story short, 6 years later it's time. All that to say, I have to pack up everything in the living room and dining room so they can move all the furniture out. I started with the small stuff, pictures off the end table and walls. Then moved to a small bookcase that will not be going back in the living room after the floor is done.

Behind a set of classics I found a letter dated October 1, 1995. It had been opened so I'm sure I've read it before. It is from my father. It was in response to a letter I had written that I don't remember. I won't go into the details of the letter because they are personal and incredibly healing to my heart but I want to share the second page that was folded with the letter. It is a poem by that great sage Anonymous. Thank you, dad, for this gift of wisdom, twice.

For those of you who listen well and for those who I haven't listened to nearly as well as I want to....

LISTEN!

When I ask you to listen to me
And you start giving me advice
You have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me
And you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
You are trampling on my feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me
And you feel you have to do something to solve my problem,
You have failed me, strange as that may seem.

Listen! All I asked was that you listen,
Not talk or do - just hear me,.
And I can do for myself; I'm not helpless;
Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.

When you do something for me that I can and need to do
For myself, you contribute to my fear and weakness.

But, when you accept as a simple fact that I do feel what I feel,
No matter how irrational, then I can stop trying to convince
You and get on with understanding what's
Behind this irrational feeling.
And when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I don't need advice;
Irrational feelings make sense when we understand what's behind them.

Perhaps that's why prayer works sometimes, for some people,
Because God is silent, and He doesn't give advice or try to fix things.
He just listens and lets you work it out for yourself.

So, please listen and just hear me. And, if you want to talk,
Wait a minute for your turn, and I'll listen to you.

Donald Miller: Million Miles Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Let Go

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Let Go
Live Free of the Burdens All Women Know
By Sheila Walsh
Book Description
“Burdened. The word alone makes shoulders sink. It slows down our lives. It clouds our vision. It is the result of so many memories, grudges, fears, uncertainty, and stress. It is heavy.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28)
Overworked? Overcommitted? Overtired? Underappreciated? Let go and live free.
Sound impossible? Sheila Walsh thought so – until God proved himself again and again through his Word, his people, and her life.
In Let Go, the bestselling author and speaker walks readers through the journey to freedom in Christ. Along the way, she tackles some of the toughest struggles that weigh women down, answering them with overwhelming truth, promise, and hope.
You can lay down your burdens. You can rest. You can find peace. You can live free. Start here. Let Go. And see what God can do.” (From the back of Let Go.)

I must confess I didn’t like Sheila Walsh when I first heard her speak. It took me about 5 years to like her. Now I really enjoy hearing her speak and reading her latest book. This is not a quick fix in 10 steps kind of book. Sheila does offer guidance but it is not a formula or clear cut pattern. One of the clearest messages she offers it that God is very personal in teaching us to trust, forgive and believe Him. Cindy James has done an amazing job of capturing Sheila for the front cover. This is probably the most personable photo I’ve seen of Sheila. She comes across as strong but vulnerable, tested but peaceful. The contrast of the words Let Go next to clasped hands subtly point the reader to the conflict they will find between the covers. Flipping the book open to the back the photo shows a whole different side. Sheila is lighter, freer, and there is joy in her eyes. These two photos not only bookend this writing but this chapter of Shelia’s journey. I found great wisdom hard learned offered humbly. I found a story of mercy received from above and offered to those she loves. I found someone I would be honored to add to my circle of friends and a book I can wholeheartedly recommend to them.

One to read, One to skip

noreply@blogger.com (Lana Vaughan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:38:00 +0000

Inspiring stories and practical insights challenge readers to live a life of everyday greatness.

Best-selling author Stephen Covey and Reader’s Digest have joined forces to produce an extraordinary volume of inspiration, insight, and motivation to live a life of character and contribution. The timeless principles and practical wisdom along with a "Go-Forward Plan" challenge readers to make three important choices every day:

1. The Choice to Act - your energy
2. The Choice of Purpose - your destination
3. The Choice for Principles - the means for attaining your goals

With stories from some of the world's best known and loved writers and celebrities, such as Maya Angelou, Jack Benny, and Henry David Thoreau, and insights and commentary from Stephen Covey, the Wrap Up and Reflections at the end of each chapter help create a project that can be used for group or personal study.

Predictable, familiar, nice. I have just finished reading "Everyday Greatness" compiled by David Hatch and unless I was reading it for Thomas Nelson I would not have plodded through it. It's a good reference book to keep on the shelf for short motivational examples or quick reference quotes but other than that it just felt like reading through someone's file of newspaper feature stories grouped by character trait. The thing that stuck out the most to me was that the chapter on perseverance didn't start until page 350. I really wanted to be able to recommend this book but in all truthfulness there isn't anything in it that can't be easily found for free with a Google search.

On the other hand, The Unseen War by David Kortje is definitely worth the read. Kortje shares part of his journey using Bible passages, movie scenes and solid reference material. None of us grown spiritually in a vacuum and Kortje shows clearly the guidance he has received as he has traveled some dark and lonely roads. At the end his story points toward hope and the glory yet to come. Read it. Travel with him for a while. Your journey will be enriched by crossing paths with David Kortje.