What Are Your Best Summertime Reads? by Sandi Somers

 

Image by learningscientists.org on Pixabay

There Is Power in Reading!

What a better way to spend a summer afternoon relaxing and reading. Especially these days when Alberta and Western Canada have been sweltering in an unprecedented heat wave. As I finish this post, it’s 36 outside at 4:30 in the afternoon; this week we almost reached Calgary’s all-time high of 36.5 C.

This summer I’ve been grateful for a time away from responsibilities of volunteer activities of this past year. Instead, I’m relaxing as I putter in my garden and house. And I’m reading!

I begin reading in the early morning, spending long leisurely times in God’s Word, meditating more thoughtfully on the Triune God and on what God is saying to me. Currently I’m reading through the Book of Acts, a post-Gospel narrative I’ve read many times and could reread almost continuously. Add a praise Psalm and a devotional by David Wilkerson, God Is Faithful, or Lloyd John Ogilvie’s Lord of the Impossible, and a time of prayer, and the hours can fly by.

In my other reading, I’ve always been a non-fiction aficionado—biography, personal essay, prayer, creativity, and more. Our church library has been closed due to Covid and remodelling, and so I'm missing out on my usual faith-building books. However, I'm borrowing books out of my normal range from the public library. 

With Covid restrictions, I've missed my own travels to exotic places, and so I’m reading The Best Women’s Travel Writing series. These books are ideal for me to pick up now and again, choosing a shorter or longer essay depending on my time and attention span. In my imagination I revisit countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and Haiti, absorbing their stunning landscapes, bright colours, and wonderful people. Or other countries I’ve only read about: Mongolia, or Cambodia, or Bangladesh. Then I copy some of the essayists’ word nuggets in my “Quotes Journal”, to sharpen my own writing.

But not all my reading is nonfiction. This summer I rediscovered two novels with stunning detail, metaphors, and word images that are nourishing my senses: Fugitive Pieces by our Canadian Anne Michaels, and All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. These two books on different aspects of World War II have challenged my intellect as well as my spirits. They had the power to grab and hold my interest until I finished—but I declined to read until 3 o’clock in the morning!  

I do take my reading seriously. As I absorb other author’s writings and plan ahead to impact my readers, I think of Annie Dillard’s words: "The writer studies literature...He is careful of what he reads, for that is what he will write....Only after the writer lets literature shape her can she perhaps shape literature."

I also respond with the words from the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 10:31): Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

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Now over to you.

What genre(s) do you enjoy most? What books are you are reading this summer? What books are meeting your need of release and renewal? How has God used books and their genres to touch your heart and change your life? What has been the impact on your writing and purpose for your readers?

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Thanks to Lynn Dove for inspiring this month's theme, as she described her love of reading. "I was an avid reader from a very young age, disappearing whole-heartedly into a book, where I lived, breathed and took on the persona of the main character."  

Toward a Bountiful Season by Sharon Espeseth

Inspired by this beautiful butterfly artistically designed and built
by my friend, Glenice Wilson, I look forward to 
a bountiful season.

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6-15*) 

Paul is talking about a monetary gift from the Corinthians to the Christians in Jerusalem who were less well off. Writing to assure the congregation at Corinth that God loves a cheerful giver, he also wanted to avoid the embarrassment of a promise unfulfilled. To avoid any misunderstand, Apostle Paul also sent “brothers” to Corinth to make arrangements for “the bountiful gift" they had promised.

Could Paul’s statement about sowing and reaping apply to my writing? I wondered as I read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15*. Writing is a gift that’s meant to be shared. Why, otherwise would God give us this particular gift. I know personally that life’s circumstances can alter the time and focus needed for writing.

Although this may be the “late fall” of my life and circumstances have shifted, health wise for Hank and me, I still have the call to write. Can I adapt this quieter stage of my life to work on my writing? I don’t want to write as a drudgery or duty. I pray, rather that my writing will be a joyful experience, an opportunity to grow my relationship with God, and to serve him in sharing the Gospel and the Christian view of life with others.

Speaking to the Corinthians and to rest of us, Paul says, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind,” he continues, "not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The call is still there. Check out these words of wisdom from David Wilkerson, well-known writer and speaker.

Paul, in his pep talk, continues, “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”* I’m thinking, Wow! Enough ideas, enough time, enough dedication, enough energy, enough meals at the ready, enough enthusiasm, support. . .

I now pray that the Good Lord, will give me a sincere respect for my gift of writing. I pray I will be able to surrender my life, with all its ups and downs, and manage my time more efficiently for God’s honour and glory. Blessed Pier Giorgio says, “. . . by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the centre of all your action, then you will reach the goal. . . . When God is with us, we don’t have to be afraid of anything.

Debbie Hudson on Unsplash

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that, guided by your Holy Spirit, we may learn to number our days.

          “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
          and prosper for us the work of our hands--
          O prosper the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17*) 
       

May we reap bountifully for you, O Lord. Amen 



Addendum (optional read): Going Deeper--How This Might Look 

1. I know that when I, as routinely as possible, begin my days with devotional time--when the house is quiet and I’ve had a good sleep, I am more successful in my writing.

2. I find it remarkable how my readings in the Bible, in my Living with Christ (Novalis) and other readings over a given period of time point in the same direction, a “theme” emerges.

3. From time to time and over the years, I’ve been reading "My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. I have not yet read it from front to back as a daily reading, but I’ll start on a certain date; read, underline, pray and digest, maybe reread the next day. Soon I’m behind the calendar date, but getting a lot out of his meditations.

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

4. Although I haven’t quoted Chambers in my blog above, I got a lot out of his June 6 message, “'Work Out' What God ‘Works In’ You.” He quotes Paul in Philippians 2:12b-13*, saying “. . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both too will and to work for his good pleasure.” We are not working “to accomplish or earn ‘(our) own salvation.” Instead, Chamber emphasizes that we “work it out.” By “working it out,” “ . . . (we) will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord."

Chambers reminds us that for born-again Christians, "the source of the will is Almighty God.” Because our will is God’s will, we wouldn’t bring an opposing will against God’s will. Chambers says, “. . . Living this life will be as natural as breathing.”  But what could happen, he explains is that stubbornness can enter into the picture.

Chambers defines, “Stubborness” as “an unintelligent barrier, refusing enlightenment and blocking its flow.” How do you deal with this stubbornness? You “blow it up with ‘dynamite,' and the ‘dynamite’ is obedience to the Holy Spirit.”

Free Image Pinterest

Therefore, “God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it.” (Oswald Chambers)

Dear Lord, I claim this power in my life and in my writing. May I sow bountifully what you would have me sow and reap bountifully to your honour and glory. Amen.

* Bible References are from New Revised Standard Version.

Epiphany and Aha Moments by Sharon Espeseth

Epiphany on the Liturgical Calendar

Three Magi--2011
at Journey to Bethlehem
in Fort Assiniboine, AB
Photo by
Tracey Pandachuk

The church celebration of Epiphany has come and gone. This past Sunday with the traditional carol, "We Three Kings," we celebrated the arrival of the Magi. These gentlemen were not really kings, but knowledgeable and important astrologers from the East.

They arrived on camels and came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Although the Magi's
gifts seemed impractical, they were significant. Gold recognized the arrival of a Baby King. Frankincense honoured the presence of a Deity, or God with us. Myrrh, that "bitter perfume," foretold the death of Jesus, who would one day be "sealed in the stone-cold tomb."

Through Epiphany, a Christian feast day, we are celebrating God's manifestation of the divinity of Jesus as Lord and Saviour to all mankind--not just the Hebrews.








Epiphany in Fiction and Real Life

Grandsons--Caleb and Logan
Photo by Jenny Espeseth Bayes

In a more secular vein, the word "epiphany" is also defined as a literary device. In fiction, it is that moment when the character realizes the truth of a situation. As in literature, so it is in real life. We could call an epiphany "an aha moment." Most of us have experienced one or more of these in our lifetimes.


The New Year is a good time to look for discoveries as we examine the past and look toward the future. On a personal note, 2016 has been an uphill climb, but I'm not going to drown you in details.

Giving Thanks

Instead I am giving thanks for the presence of God in my life. I have sensed the frankincense of God watching over our family, guiding and supporting us, and answering our prayers. Thanks to InScribe friends and our spiritual advisor Connie Inglis for prayers on our behalf. Praise and thanks to God for prayers answered. We have been blessed.

Thanks to my Women Word Weaver friends in Barrhead for caring about me when I missed meetings. This past Monday we celebrated our successes of 2016 and our being together as a group again.

God Loves Us So Much. . .

Sandi Somers, who introduces our blog theme each month, sent me a quote by David Wilkerson that was timely for me. In one of his devotionals, Wilkerson says, "It is absolutely imperative that we believe God delights in us. Then we will be able to accept that every circumstance in our lives will eventually prove to be our Father's loving will for us, and He will bring joy out of our struggles." I can show my love and devotion to God by spending more time with him, reading God's word, and listening to him.

I would love to bring gold to Jesus, our Lord and King. The Magi brought gold "to crown him as "King forever, Ceasing never, Over us all to reign."

Loved so greatly by our Lord and King, What can I bring him? Love. Thanksgiving. Myself. My gifts? What gifts do I have but those given to me by our loving God?

Personal Epiphany

By using my gifts, I am giving back, but I must give my gift without hesitation or excuses. I must use what gifts I have courageously to praise his name.

This week I received a passage of scripture from someone was praying for me--Isaiah 43:16-21, which is too long to quote completely here. If you are curious, read this section on your own.

See I am Doing a New Thing!

Isaiah quotes God as saying,                      

". . . Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See I am doing a new thing!"

I have been thinking for some time of starting my own blog. I've been afraid of the commitment, because of what the past few years have been like for us, but here in Isaiah I read that I should not dwell on these former things. Although other encouragements and signs have come to me, it was these verses in Isaiah that helped me decide..

My technical skills have improved, but I still have much to learn. You won't see me on my blog for a while, but I will start the process and get some blogs written ahead. I will continue to pray about this.

The above reading continues,

"I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland."

God willing, I will "provide water in the wilderness." Perhaps spring is coming after my winter season in writing. Thanks be to God.

Freelance Writer: Sharon Espeseth

* Mom to three adult children and two sons-in-law
* Nana to six grandchildren
* Freelance writer of creative non-fiction, essays, NF and articles on Christian faith, devotionals, short fiction, memoir
* Workshop presenter
* Active in music at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Barrhead, AB
* Member of InScribe Christian Writer's Fellowship
* Member of Women Word Weavers in Barrhead
* Retired teacher, if teachers do retire, in K-Gr. 6