Our Gift to You

“Remember? I told you about that yesterday” is a remark that Diane says to me in variations over and over again.  But in fairness, I say virtually the same thing to her just as often. In fact, if we were to keep count of the number of times we say it to each other every month, I think it would be something like an NBA score…with me ahead about 128 – 117.  I’m sure that some of it is because we just forget.  But mostly, I am convinced it is because there is so much competition for our attention, all the time, that we often barely hear what the other has said.  At least we have not listened intently enough for our brains to record the words that were spoken.  ( Honestly, I think that sometimes she thinks she has told me something that, in fact, she forgot to tell me…but don’t repeat that, please.) 

We live in a noisy world. 

Sometimes the noise is pleasant, uplifting.

But mostly we are bombarded

With confusing, sometimes deafening sounds

part ambient and part directed,

from people, groups, organizations, and crusades.

The din, created by known and unknown entities;

inspired by visible and invisible forces;

battling for our time, our attention, our minds,

and our following. 

I am nearing seventy years of age.  What seemed a distant, unimaginable milepost is now clearly visible through my windshield.  I am ashamed and sad to say that for most of my life, I feel I have let the noise drown out much of the meaningful communication that I could have been receiving from my creator.

About a year ago, I was introduced to a book by a suggestion from our Pastor, Mike Glenn.  It is a little devotional book written by a retired Methodist Bishop named Rueben P. Job. The book is titled “LISTEN; Praying in a Noisy World”. I don’t know that the book itself changed my life, but I do know that USING that book as a base for concentrated study and prayer has resulted in real change in my life.

After telling the story from Mark 9:2-7, which ends with God instructing Peter, James and John to listen, Bishop Job makes the following observation in the introduction to this book: “We, like the disciples before us, sometimes forget that our relationship with God begins and ends in listening. In our noisy and busy world, it is not surprising that we forget this elementary truth.  The remedy is not to deny this truth or to scold ourselves or to take on unnecessary guilt. Rather, the remedy lies in learning again the habit of listening to God in all things and at all times.  Each day of our lives can become an exquisite communication system of listening to, learning from, and responding to God in every moment of every day in which we are given the gift of life.  Everyone who reads these works has been created by God not only to listen for God but also to hear and understand God’s communication with us.  Prayer and discernment, which is the ability to sense or hear God’s guidance and communication, are not gifts for special people only. They are the gifts for all people.”

The times I have spent alone this year, with this book and my bible, in communication with our Living God, have been life changing.  Sometimes on the beach; sometimes at home; sometimes behind my desk or on the sofa in my office; but always in a conscious listening state.  I wish so much to share that experience with others.  The best way I know how is to give this book away…to virtually anyone.  At least to anyone willing to take the time to read and listen.  To you.

So here are the stipulations:

• Commit to use the book for structure of devotional times for a minimum of 6 weeks. (The book is set up for six weeks. Break it up if you must.)
• Send me your mailing address so I can mail you a hard copy of the book. (It is only 117 pages plus some blank journal pages.)

That’s it. No money required. No sales pitch for anything, ever.  I will use your email address to let you know of my new blog postings.

Just commit to the journey. Oh…and afterward, send me your thoughts and comments, please. Let me know if this has been meaningful.

Exchange after Diane proofed this last night:

Her: “I really like the idea, but you do know this could cost us a lot of money?”  Me: “Yes, I hope it does… but remember? I told you about this several days ago!”  I’m up 129-117  

OK…just submit the form below…so I know that you want this gift.  Or you can just email your commitment and your mailing address to me at skip@sourcingdept.com

Grace and Peace from our Lord Jesus Christ to you and your family this Christmas season!

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