Two Worthy Books for Summer Reading

I am off and running with my summer reading list. Two books that have been surprises (that were not even on my summer reading list) are below. I highly recommend both books for those interested in Spiritual Formation and the 20-something age group.

Todd Hunter's book Christianity Beyond Belief simply makes sense. In his book he rethinks some of the concepts of what we call "discipleship" and into it breathes new life and meaning through a simple phrase - "following Jesus for the sake of others." Not only have I found myself agreeing with Hunter, he has helped me have a new perspective on what it means to be a Christian in our world today. For students of Spiritual Formation, Hunter is able to capture the essence of Mulholland, Foster and Willard through four very simple but profound concepts (1. Cooperative Friends of Jesus, 2. living in creative goodness, 3. for the sake of others, and 4. through the power of the Holy Spirit) for the average follower. I highly recommend this book for all people who are taking a second look or have genuine reservations about many of the discipleship and evangelism programs that are currently available. Hunter offers us a new philosophy to work from.

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Sharon Parks at a conference for Campus Ministers. Even though she was not talking about this book, I found her ideas about leadership and mentoring to be insightful and very helpful for those of us working with the "20 something" age bracket. Big Questions Worthy Answers gave new concepts and manageable ideas for helping my own students find the "meaning-making" or quest to find a center for their beliefs and ultimately a focus for their lives. If you work with those in their 20's or are wanting to know some of the struggles you have been through - this is a must read.

College Student's Spiritual Summertime Health

Here are some practices that go a long way toward building your spiritual summertime health:

1. Make sure you take some downtime/vacation. And when you have downtime, make sure its truly resting. Sabbath is a Biblical principle. It means to cease from our regular activities in order to have extra time with God.
2. Make sure it’s not ALL downtime. Work is God-given and worthwhile, so get a job. In the rare situation that you don’t need to get a job, make sure you fill your time with Kingdom-building stuff. God has bigger and better plans for you than playing Wii all summer.
3. See your workplace with missional eyes - not just to evangelize, but to build relationships, get to know different people, and begin understanding who you actually are or want to be.
   
4. Lead! Many college students feel disconnected in the summer months—gather them for cookouts, trips, house churches. Be the initiator!
5. Share what you’ve learned this year with your old friends and family. Don’t be afraid to let them see how you’ve grown spiritually.
6. Be proactive in your relationships with friends and family. Repair those that are broken. Strengthen those that are weakened. Be intentional in carving out quality time with parents, siblings, high school friends.
7. Read good books that will stretch, challenge, question, and strengthen your faith. (some of my suggestions: 1. The Sunflower - Simon Wiesenthal, 2. East of Eden - John Steinbeck, 3. Sabbath - Dan Allender, 4. The Sacred Echo - Margaret Feinberg)
   
8. Fast—summer can become a time of indulgence and distraction. Fasting helps reorient you to Who and What really matters.

This list is by nature not exhaustive. And none of these practices is ‘guaranteed’ to make you closer to God. The point is that they are designed to draw you into a closer, deeper relationship with the living God. Good spiritual practices don’t guarantee growth, but put you in the way of receiving God’s grace. Make the most of the summer and come back in August spiritually fed, strengthened, and ready for what God has for us!

Prayer for the End of the School Year

At the End of the School Year

O God of all beginnings and endings.
We praise and thank you for the gift of this school year.
It has been a time filled with grace and blessings,
With challenges and opportunities, joys and sorrows.
The days have passed quickly, O Lord.
The weeks, the months, the seasons, the holidays and holy days,
The exams, vacations, breaks, and chapels,
All have come forth from your hand.
While we trust that your purposes have always been at work each day,
Sometimes it has seemed difficult to understand
And appreciate just what you have been up to in our university/school.
Give us the rest and refreshment we need this summer.
Let our efforts of this past year bear fruit.
Bring all of our plans to a joyful conclusion,
And bless us, according to your will,
With the fulfillment of our summer hopes and dreams.
Watch over us in the weeks of rest ahead,
And guide each day as you have done this past year.
Help us return to school with a new spirit and a new energy.
May we continue to grow in age, wisdom, knowledge
And grace all the days of our lives.
Amen.
(anonymous)

A Meditation to Reflect Upon

Some have asked for the closing mediation from my "Reflection" chapel this week. The one I used is a variation of Cardinal Newman's meditation. I first came across it as a post on Margaret Fienberg's Facebook site. Margaret Fienberg is one of my favorite contemporary women writers. (Check out her newest book, "The Sacred Echo" - I highly recommend it.)

A Meditation

God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission -- I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for nothing. I shall do good, I shall do His work.

Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am. I cannot be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, even seem as if he is hiding my future from me -- still He knows what He is about.

Amen. And amen.