An Uplifting & Affirming Book Suggestion
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| Mon, 03-21-2005 - 2:34pm |
I'd like to recommend "EMBRACING THE MYSTERY: The Sacred Unfolding in Ordinary People and Everyday Lives" by Maine author and psychotherapist Meredith Jordan. As a spiritual book it stands alone - I haven't come across anything else quite like it. It is a compilation of essays with each chapter ending with a set of questions for the reader. The book weaves stories of the natural world and our surroundings, our relationships with others, the bird outside our window -- the everyday, the simple -- revealing just how extraordinary our "everyday" lives really are. Compelling and at once comforting... Simply a great book! I got my copy off Amazon.com but I've also seen it in my local Borders. I'd love to hear what others who've read this thought of the book.

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Not a book or author I've heard off but definitely think I will be checking it out :-)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it with us.
Carol
LOL - since I pretty much have to get books on tape/cd because of my vision, I now just check to see if my library has it in a format I can use when I see a book recommendation.
They don't have your recommendation, but here's what came up - seems like it may be a little less than "uplifting" and "affirming" LOL.
Embracing the mysterious God : loving the God we don't understand / James Emery White.
Includes bibliographical references.
Contents The betrayal of God -- The exclusivity of God -- The distance of God -- The silence of God -- The foolishness of God -- The mystery of God -- The will of God -- The deception of God -- The dislike of people -- The danger of people -- Conclusion : living in tension.
Guess I'll wait a while and check back...
I am always looking for good reads! Thanks for the suggestion...I will call my local bookstore today to see if I can get it!
Thanks again!
I'm thrilled to find your recommendation of "Embracing the Mystery," which I too read and loved and passed on to many friends! I received it as a gift from a friend of my mother's who thought I would be interested. I'm 30 and am uncomfortable with some of the things I hear when I try "church." They are not a good fit for my beliefs, so I was happy to find that "Embracing the Mystery" helps me to imagine another way into a relationship with God that fits very well, and even helps me to look at the world with fresh eyes. I'm giving it as gifts, and it's rapidly making the rounds of friends my age. This is a spiritual book that should be in the library of every woman from 20-80+ (and every man, I also gave it to my partner, and he's devouring it).
Sometimes a really good book comes along that women who care about life, love, the place of reverence in our lives, the lessons we learn from children and from the natural world, our relationships with others...just "must read." I put this one at the top of the list!
Hi Carol,
I saw both the hardcover and softcover of "Embracing the Mystery" on Amazon.com but, as I said, I also saw it in Borders. One of the great things about this book is that I am able to actually complete my reading in a sitting since each chapter is a story within itself and offers meditations at the end. As a busy mom this feels really, really good and self-nurturing.
I got a real chuckle out of your comment about the other, "less uplifting," title you found! Thanks for sharing - humor is always good!!
After reading your post I did a Google search "Meredith Jordan Embracing the Mystery" and came up with a lot of fantastic reviews as well as the author's own website. When I went to that I looked under the "Books and CDs" section and noticed she also sells a CD of meditations. Anyway, that web address (for the author, Meredith Jordan) is http://www.rogersmckay.org/
Take care!
I agree. I've also given the book to friends, one of whom happens to be in a 12-Step program and it's making the rounds with her friends there. My own thoughts on this are that this book has such a wide-ranging appeal it would definitely help anyone in need of hope and/or having trouble with defining their idea of God or a Higher Power. And it's uplifting and affirming for those who are already on a path.
...and I just responded to another posting here. I did a Google search on the author and the book title and came up with a lot of reviews (very favorable) as well as the author's website which is www.rogersmckay.org
Does anybody on this board visit www.beliefnet.com? It's a terrific website. I originally discovered this book when I read an actual excerpt of "EMBRACING THE MYSTYERY: The Sacred Unfolding in Ordinary People and Everyday Lives" at www.beliefnet.com. If you go to Beliefnet and search the site by entering "Meredith Jordan" or "Embracing the Mystery" there is an article/excerpt titled "You Can't Draw a Bead on God."
Thanks for the book recommendation. :) Here's a couple of links about the book, for any interested:
http://www.tcpc.org/resources/reviews/embracing_the.htm
http://berkana.tomoye.com/ev_en.php?ID=3308_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
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