Thrifting today...

My girls and I spent the morning thrifting at Goodwill's in Louisville.  I walked away with four new books - success!.

 One Writer's Beginnings

by Eudora Welty

Eudora Welty is one of my favorite authors.  She was an accomplished and published photographer. But it is for her fiction, usually set in the rural South, that she's known as the First Lady of Southern Literature. I've written about her here and here.

She was a 6-time winner of the O. Henry Award for Short Stories, and her many awards include the National Medal for Literature, the American Book Award, and, in 1969, a Pulitzer Prize.

Too Deep For Words -

Rediscovering Lectio Divinia

w/ 500 Scripture Texts for Prayer

 by Thelma Hall

We have been taught as Christians, and presumably have believed, that "we are created for union with God" - but in practice we seem not to dare to accept the full implications of this on a subjective level, to really embrace it as the central truth of our lives.  I believe lectio divinia is a proven path to this deeper life of prayer.

Through prayer, lectio divinia becomes a consent to the love of God and a surrender of ourselves.  It is not 'pie in the sky-by-and-by when you die,' but part of a lifetime process - often costly and painful - of self-emptying and reoreintation to selfess love, i.e. a serious following of Jesus.  

 Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God

by J. David Muyskens



This book teaches a method of prayer that goes deeper than verbal conversations with God.  It teaches

• silent communion with God
• a method of being open to the gift of God's presence
• a way of receiving a deep and intimate relationship with God

Each day offers a scripture reading as a basis for the meditation that follows.  Muyskens includes stories from his personal experience and draws from a diverse collection of contemplative prayer practioners.

The Uncommon Woman ~ Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary

by Susie Larson

Out of all the books I purchased today - this one is definately 'out of the box' for me.  It's published by Moody and Susie Larson is a freelance writer for Focus on the Family.  On the back cover it said -  'Take a chance.  Dare to be uncommon,'  - so I have.

In her book, Larson explains the distinction between a common and uncommon woman is often tied to their reactions to circumstances.  I'll keep you posted.