This book is disturbing on so many levels! I find it to be heretical and contradictory. I doubt my opinion will change as I continue reading because it leaves me completely frustrated every time I pick it up. The one redeeming thing is that reading it has forced me to search biblical references to dispute Tolle's claims. But, there are far better books that strengthen faith and provide guidance. If you are looking for life's purpose, please don't look for it in this book.
I give this book more than five stars! Don't let the title fool you. There is more to this book than physical health tips. There are spiritual health tips throughout. I began reading this book simply to review it and found myself using it for my personal Bible study. Many of the truths Susie Larson states I have heard before, but that only affirmed my beliefs and confirmed some areas that require more diligence on my part. This book has truly blessed my life. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to balance physical and spiritual health within this very hectic culture surrounding us.
After reading Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis and a few ranting and raving reviews, I’m not going to comment on the fine points of Bell’s theology. Some are fine, and some are brittle. But, I would like to comment on the spiritual trampoline metaphor from my own experience.
I had a friend who owned a trampoline. We neighbor kids spent many hours at his house. It was amazing to watch him do flips. He could go forward and backward as high or as low as he wanted. He tried to teach me. I could only manage to do a low, forward roll (is that a somersault?). I’m 6’2,” and I’m just not that flexible. So, I knew when to sit on the edge and watch him flip. I knew when to jump with him, the two of us feeding off a unified rhythm. It was great fun.
Until, one of our friends fell off and broke her leg. She healed, but the trampoline wasn’t as thrilling anymore. It was still fun, but not as fun. I didn’t turn into a complete coward and never jump again. But, I was certainly more careful when I did.
I also learned trampolines aren’t for everyone. I have three boys. My oldest—who is naturally cautious—and my youngest—who jumps with or without a trampoline—would probably be just fine. But, if my middle son—who has balance issues even when walking—got on one, we might as well file an insurance claim in advance!
So, I think this metaphor is a good one for this book. I’m thankful to Rob Bell for the opportunity to jump with him on his spiritual trampoline awhile. He certainly knows how to flip forward and backward better than I ever could. So, I’ll remember those moments of unified rhythm, but I also know I’m not as flexible as he is. And spiritual trampolines aren’t for everyone. For those cautious and more experienced jumpers? Maybe. For those who struggle with simply walking? No. My recommendation is just choose carefully when inviting someone to this spiritual trampoline.
I just read this collection to my boys at bedtime. I can relate to each of these stories. I've had those horrible, terrible, no good, very bad days that made me want to move to Australia. We are studying the value of money right now, so my youngest is learning that he used to be rich. I've stomped my feet about a few moves myself. But, best of all Alexander with his mussed hair and grouchy expression about life always makes me laugh. And somehow that makes the horrible days, empty pockets, and moves in life seem not so bad.
I just finished reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It is not my favorite Lewis book. That would be Till We Have Faces, which I first read in college and then within the last year, loving it both times for its mythological and allegorical themes. As for this book, I found myself reading rather absently. Perhaps that is the ploy of demons, which is the theme of the book. They never really want you to know what they are up to, and distraction is one of their greatest means of keeping humans off their scent. However, they did not succeed entirely. Certain passages caught my attention. Most likely because they were immediately applicable. Sounded too familiar. Sounded all too true. Yet Lewis warns, "Readers be advised to remember that the devil is a liar. Not everything that Screwtape says should be assumed to be true even from his own angle." (Lewis 1976, Preface) In other words, don't believe everything you read. But, do read it!
The kids and I have been reading some Easter books over the last three weeks. It has been a wonderful time of reflecting on Christ's sacrifice, learning more about Easter traditions, and thinking about the season in new ways.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: Of course, many are more familiar with this book after the Narnia movie and the upcoming Prince Caspian movie. But, I believe reading the book is always effective even if one has seen or is planning to see the movie version. If three boys can stay riveted during its reading, you know it's a good book! But, why during Easter? This story is an allegory about Christ's sacrifice. Younger children simply enjoy the fantasy side of this story, but there are greater truths for older children and adults to study that are spiritually fantastic!
Lilies, Rabbits, and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols by Edna Barth: I found this book to be incredibly helpful to me in understanding why we have certain Easter traditions. It was also a great opportunity to talk about how different cultures and religions celebrate spring. Some parental discretion may be needed if children are very young, but because of the balanced approach of the book it lends itself to providing wise interjections and valuable discussion.
At Jerusalem's Gate: Poems of Easter by Nikki Grimes: As a poet, I love incorporating poetry into my reading with the boys whenever I can. This book is very beautifully written and helps the reader see Christ's crucifixion from various perspectives. I highly recommend it.
Vinegar Boy by Alberta Hawse: We are still reading this book, but so far I recommend it. It is a fictional account of the Easter story told from the perspective of the Vinegar Boy who brought the bitter wine to the crucifixion. The book is very well-written and provides a new way of looking at this significant event in Christian history.
Happy reading and Happy Easter!
To those who have read The Last Time We Were Children, I would greatly appreciate reviews posted on Amazon and GoodReads. I know your positive feedback will encourage others to read my book and inspire me as I work on my current manuscript. Thank you in advance for your comments and support!
I have been reading Astonishments by Anna Kamienska at the suggestion of my mentor Jim Moore (author of Lightning at Dinner). A few of these poems touched specific parts of my life this week. "Small Things" so resonates with my biggest struggle this week: too many things. As she lists all the small things like laundry, sewing, slicing bread, she says "It comes out of toil out of care/out of immense fatigue in the evening/out of a tear wiped away/out of a prayer broken off in mid-word by sleep//It's not from the grand/but from every tiny thing/that grows enormous/as if Someone was building Eternity/as a swallow its nest/out of clumps of moments" Those spoke to the mother's heart within me. As did this line from "Mothers": "Mothers are the light above each head/If they suddenly departed/only empty chairs would be left" In case there are any other mothers out there who feel unappreciated as I do at times, hopefully those words will encourage us otherwise!
There are several more poems, like "A Prayer That Will Be Answered," "Emmaus," "The Empty Places, and "Annunciation," that I love as well. Although I haven't finished the book, I already count it as a favorite!
One of my book club's met last night to discuss The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway. This is the true story of a man who suffered years of imprisonment in China for his Christian beliefs. It's a stunningly intense, detailed account, one I had to digest over several weeks. What shocks me most is that this man went through all this within the last three decades, and that he is still alive! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has become complacent in their faith or who needs to understand what Chinese Christians endure on a daily basis for their faith.
One of the accounts struck a personal chord with me. While preaching in Canada, Brother Yun received word that a Christian American journalist had printed an article claiming, basically, that all the events of Yun's life were fabrications. It also revealed the whereabouts of his family who were seeking refuge outside China. All this hurt Brother Yun terribly, and he didn't understand why the journalist didn't seek the truth about him by contacting him or reading documents from his organization. His translator told him, "'Brother Yun, these people don't want to know the truth. That's why they're not calling you or wanting to meet you. In China, Christians are persecuted with beatings and imprisonment. In the West, Christians are persecuted by the words of other Christians.'" (See pages 306-309) In other words, Chinese Christians are persecuted by their government who does not believe in Christ as Savior. American Christians are persecuted by the words of those who claim the same faith, who if asked would say they strive to be more Christ-like. What message are we sending to believers of other countries, visitors that walk into our own churches, members we sit next to and shakes hands with every week when we do not seek to know the truth about each other, spread vicious lies, and then claim piety and devotion to the cross? I have experienced both sides of this. The pain of hurting a fellow believer by speaking out of turn is no less painful than being verbally chastised by someone claiming to be my brother or sister in Christ. So for myself and those who love Christ I hope we will "encourage one another, as long as it is called Today, so that none of [us] may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13 NIV). "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24 NIV) Lord, make it so!
One of my favorite poems is Kyrie by Tomas Transtromer. The beginning line, "Sometimes my life opened its eyes in the dark," became a spin-off line for my own poem Adjusting the Darkness from my book The Last Time We Were Children. I also titled one of my own "life" poems Kyrie and followed Transtromer's form. This entire poem, translated by Robin Fulton, stood out starkly to me as a college student. That first line spoke to my mood at the time, and the shortness of the poem (eight lines) succeeds at the art of speaking universal truth in brevity. (Something I have not quite learned, but continue trying.) But, what makes this poem one of my top ten is the way it moves me at different times of my life. I had no idea when I read this poem at 21, that at the age of 30 it would help me relate to another dark time of my life, when my eyes snapped wide open to a new challenge. In the wake of learning one of my sons has autism, I understood the "feeling as if crowds drew through streets/in blindness and anxiety on the way towards a miracle,/while I invisibly remain standing." Anyone who has a child with autism will tell you there are too many of us, yet we feel awfully alone. Oh for the day, when "the doors of darkness open" completely! Yet, all is not bleak, and there is the lure of Transtromer again. In many of his poems, there is a melancholy tone along with some unreachable, tangible hope. I wish I knew what moved Transtromer to write this poem. But, I am grateful to him for writing it and what it means to me.
I finished reading Astrid and Veronika by Lisa Olsson this afternoon. While most will enjoy this book for its theme about female friendships that transcend age and tragic circumstances, I began reading this book for very different reasons. Not only did my mother recommend it by giving me a copy, but I am lately drawn to Swedish authors. My own book of poetry is influenced by Tomas Transtromer, Kjell Espmark, and Lars Gustafsson. I have never been to Sweden, though I hope to visit one day, yet as I read Swedish authors I find natural kinship with them. As well I should I suppose being half-Swedish. There is no exception after completing Olsson's novel. But, I found another connection to this author because she uses poetry within her novel. Not only does she begin each chapter with a poetic heading, but her own style of writing contains the rhythm and imagery of a hidden poet, not just a translator. While her book has received mixed reviews and I see the point of those who see its shortcomings, as the author of a first book and an avid reader, I say "well done" to Ms. Olsson. I hope she will continue to write with the same lyric, compelling style and incorporate poetry in her future stories. For me, the linking of these two genres made the book that much more inviting and intriguing.
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