Pure Scum..The Left-out,Right-brained,and the Grace of God

 Sorry I haven't posted in a long while...very busy with family  this past year.

Well I just finished reading a book called "PURE SCUM: The Left-out, Right -brained, and the Grace of God"(IVP books Inter Varsity Press). It was written by my daughter's pastor in Denver, Mike Sares .

It is a  very  transparent  personal, readable story about a faith journey through vocations,
 trials , family, finances and people , both supportive and not along the way.

It is a reminder that God takes us on a journey... on HIS  timeline, and what we gain along this path is valuable and essential to where it is God wants us to be. We grow up along the way, adding to our skills, friendship and faith understanding. The road can break us down to build us up. This is about the human journey and the choices WE make as well.  It also talks of the role of the church and its sense of community and how we need to keep re-examining this to best meet the needs of the people we serve in and out of our church doors.

Scum of the Earth Church in downtown Denver has made a commitment to open its doors to all people  and to keep shaping and changing to meet the needs of those who enter there. It is a refreshing and important way to view the role of the church and to introduce  Jesus to all and support people along the way in their life and faith journeys. Scum's mission statement is:
"We strive to be a church that recognizes  its need for a savior".

I feel it is blessing for Katie ,our daughter, to be part of such a vibrant breathing church community. where she has a place to continue to grow in her life/faith journey and with an abundance of faith based friendships that add much joy  and support to her life.

I would recommend this book to anybody at any age and at any level of faith ,as it talks about all those ages and stages of faith, and most of all it talks about the joy of letting yourself experience all the life and faith roads along the way to growing up to be who  God  wants us  to be.

As a person who really values Jesus in her life, I must say it is always a pleasure to read about another's faith journey as well as hearing  deep thoughts about the faith life  and what the bible says to support it,  for myself  as I continue my  faith walk at age 60.

My favorite quote from the book comes toward the end in the chapter called "Carried":
"Often  we meander through life or think we know which way to go, but is valuable only for a season, the force of God's Spirit lifts and carries us in HIS own direction. It is his great LOVE for us that accomplishes this."

I have felt this in my own life in  a number of surreal experiences I have had and opportunities that God has created for me... like  teaching in Africa...it was a great great, life changing  experience and blessing. Now when  I  look back  , I see and know that it was perfect timing  and that I needed all the skills along the way and Gods Grace to do this....a great blessing indeed!!

The Time Keeper

On my 13 hr drive back from working on the Rosebud Reservation for three weeks, I picked up this four hour  "book on tape"/audio book, at Cracker Barrel restaurant( do you know you can purchase a book on tape from CB for rent of $3.94 per wk- you pay full purchase price when renting but get it refunded with return-  and return it to ANY  CB in ANY state?! I rented mine in Sioux Falls SD and will return it to Gurnee IL when i get home). I usually do this for the middle of my trip home as it makes the hours of driving fly by!

The book The Time Keeper by one of my favorite authors Mitch Albom is another keeper!! I love his writing , so rich in character and story development, Once you start at Mitch Albom book you cannot put it down, and in this case cannot turn it off your CD player!!

The  story revolves around three sets of characters...an ongoing saga of a snippet into their lives...all struggling with time.The characters are: a rich man dying of cancer, a young high school girl struggling with acceptance and identity and a historic man who invents time keepers but is vanished to a cave for not trusting in Gods timing.

It is a rare glimpse into how we all view time and how we choose to use each precious day we are given or how we can fritter it away with little thought.

The older and the deeper my faith grows in my daily walk i have come to trust fully in Gods timing in life and death so this book was especially great for me to read. Its funny how even my prayer life has changed about this full trust in Gods timing. I no longer pray for specifics but rather for peace and patience for those in need as God knows best and I  believe everything happens in HIS timing. I don't choose to second guess him by asking for what I want for myself or others but rather that HE be with us in times of trial or worry. It is such a comfort to know God is in control and I will not second guess that.

Anyway....if you love a good story that reflects on real life and faith  with imaginary characters you will love this book. I think I will look into giving this as a gift book to friends and family!! Stop reading...go get it thru Cracker Barrel for an audio book for your holiday travels  or  betterworldbooks.com for a hard copy for a great read!! ENJOY!!

Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

I recommend ANY of  author Max Lucado's books for anyone looking to read nonfiction Christian books of inspiration. He writes for the common man...so readable.....so inspirational!!

I just started this book but did not want to wait to recommend it to delay your finding it!!
After reading just one chapter i was enthused, impressed and energized, amazing!!( I read books out of order...that's how i read nonfiction..by interest and passion...so often reading numerous books at the same time....works for my bipolar personality...he he).

I chose the chapter that's called, "Don't Write off Anyone"(thinking of a friend i made while working on the Rosebud Reservation, as i go back in November this year). It is difficult befriending someone who struggles with alcohol addiction...it tests my faith and endurance and i must admit i had to pull back a bit as overwhelmed...but want to stay supportive of this person, so i read on!!

This book is written to inspire ALL of us to live our faith in real ways and with loving real people.
It is about walking our faith into the real world not just worshiping and reading the bible for ourselves. The whole point of this is to inspire us to be the real Christians IN THE WORLD outside ourselves to love others!! He uses biblical  characters and stories to set the stage for these chapters of inspiration.

This book is such a fast read...Max writes in short chapters that help engage us and allows for short pauses in life when we can pick up one of his books to read a chapter, digest it and use it in life, even before finishing the book!!He is so understandable and practical that you almost feel foolish not to be encouraged to act out our faith with real people beyond our families, and our church family.

Its a great book to get re-energized in our faith, can be re-read and re-read,  and to eventually  passed on to others when done. It would make a great  birthday or Christmas book to give as a gift.

Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy this quick read to uplift you and bring out your energy and creativity for loving the others Jesus puts in your path!!

ps all author royalties from the sale of this book go to World Vision and other faith based compassion ministries....so your purchase of this book is also a donation to those in need...a good start in living this mentality!!

Embracing the Heart, Engaging the Mind

The full title of this book is:


Embracing the Heart, Embracing the Mind
-Universal Stories of Resilience/65 Stories with Commentary by Joseph R Dunn, PH.D.


The author is a PHD in Psychology with masters degrees in Psychology AND Theology!! This is a book with both the human and faith responses. They are stories of wisdom. They are also stories of discovery, solutions and survival for the "ups and downs" of life. These stories are from around the Globe and have been passed down from generation to generation and told in many cultures. I collect multi-cultural story collections and will add this one to my library!


I have only just read a handful of the 50 stories offered but was so impressed with it that i re-ordered multiple copies to give as gifts. I just gave one for a high school graduation gift. It is the type of book you do not want to read through fast...rather savor the wisdom each story offers. I look forward to reading through it this summer. Another great summer read!! The stories are short and have commentary after each so real "food for thought". The eight story chapters have the following titles: Assessing Treasure, Touching and Transforming Relationships, Accepting Reality and Serenity, Choices: Changing what you can, Judicious  Decisions, Stories of Folly, Addressing Anger, and Resourceful Solutions. Its Great!! I think i found it by browsing a catalogue from Alibris( cat #9780578011561), they also have a website of course .The publisher is Psychology Etcetera Press (PsychEtc.com)
Enjoy!!

Daughters by Design by Paula Jarot

We met this mission couple that live and teach in Thialand and vacation in Wisconsin each summer and we have become friends. This book was written Paula, the mom of two Cambodian orphans that are now fully adopted and American cirtizens. This book is a great read...short readable chapters about the difficult path of adopting older children from Cambodia. I especially loved following how the girls personalities developed with the transition to a real family from an orphanage and to western living.The paper trail was extreme and only a woman of faith could endure it!! It is a story of fierce love and trust in the Lord!!


You can order it through Wine Press Publishing 2011 and comes quickly in the mail( disreagrd the warning on USA delivery). Enjoy!!

FIT FOR LIFE by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond 1985

This is not a new book but if you care about health and nutrition you will want to read this!!
It has great basic info about "how food works in your body" and the order in which you should consume certain foods each day. It is not a diet, a gimmick or a book selling gig. It is about real facts about foods and how your body uses them to serve you best.The first half of the book has nutrition info and the second has meal plans and possible recipes to implement the principles shared. Although,you do NOT have to use all the recipes to get the general benefit of the knowledge about how best to eat foods that this book will give you!!

The most important piece of information in the book is "The Energy Ladder". It is am a.m. to p.m. guide of which foods to eat and when during your day. It goes like this:
A.M.
Fresh fruit AND Fruit Juices
Fresh Vegetable juices and Salads
Fresh vegetables, Raw nuts and seeds
Grains, breads, potatoes,Legumes
Meat, Chicken,Fish, Dairy
P.M.
You start each day at the top and eat downward during the day- eating as many fruits and veggies early and saving grains, dairy and meat for later in the day.

THE AUTHORS SHARE THE THREE CYCLES OF YOUR BODY AND THE TIME THEY SHOULD OCCUR if you are eating properly:
1.ELIMINATION (4a.m. to noon) for cleansing and detoxifying
2.APPROPRIATION( noon to 8pm)
3.ASSIMILATION (8pm to 4 am)

Some other facts that caught my eye and were new to me were : never cook fruits as it makes them acidic and hard to digest( like for apple sauce or pie- they have a great recipe for no- cooking blended applesauce) and to make your own juice as concentrated juice is also very acidic. It also had a chart of how long to wait before or after eating fruit ,as the body easily digests fruit but when added with other foods it rots in our bodies rather that serving up the nutrients we are promised. In other words eat fruit early in the day and by itself or as snacks later in the day if using the times below for best nutritional and body benefits:

CHART FOR FRUIT EATING
2hrs after salad or raw veggies
3 hrs after combined meal without meat
4hrs after combined meal with meat
8 hrs after any poorly combined meal

Our usual version of a "hearty breakfast" first thing in the morning like cereal and milk or eggs and toast breaks all the rules and will sit in our bodies for up to three hours before giving us any energy at all..in fact it will make you tired!! It is all about getting energy from our foods , losing weight and having maximum nutrition benefits from our food ...I am all for that..who isn't??
It just makes sense!!

They also say tpo consume NUTS "raw" not "roasted" as roasting makes them acidic. ALSO MOSTLY CONSUME FOODS WITH "HIGH WATER CONTENT" SUCH AS FRUITS AND VEGGIES.VS OTHER "CONCENTRATED FOODS".

A typical meal plan looks like this:
Breakfast: fruit or smoothie
Lunch veggies or veggie juice, salad without meat or nuts
Supper: veggie soup, cooked veggies or starch, meat, salad or just a meat/ salad*
All of their salads are half lettuce and half spinach plus other ingredients.And most fiber comes from nuts and fruits and veggies vs flour based products.

I am amazed with all the reading on nutrition over the years i have done that i have never heard any of this??I don't think i will ever tire of reading about nutrition and how best to eat food for energy!

Death by Rubber Duck by Rick Smith&Bruce Lourie

There are so many toxic chemicals we get exposed to and our body absorbs in our daily lives. This book talks about the 7 worst chemicals and where we get exposure to them. Most are easily avoided if we just know there is risk. The links to many illnesses is unnerving as we all use some of these things. You know I have always read food labels and cleaning supplies for additives but seldom do I do so in personal care products like: shampoo,lotion,and cosmetics. The list will surprise you and everybody should know about these things. This book is a must read is you care about the quality of your health and that of your family members.


The damaging effects of "hormone-disrupting chemicals" in toxic plastics is now linked to diseases such as: Parkinson's ,Alzheimer's, Breast and Prostrate Cancer,Asthma,Autism,ADHD,Obesity and Reproductive Disorders/Infertility, Learning Disabilities, and Diabetes. Think about how many of these diseases have really increased in our lifetimes!!

We need to re-examine everything we touch and put on our bodies and try our best to avoid what we can to make healthier choices.We probably can't eliminate all of them, but we can surely improve out "consumer smarts" about them and make our own decisions about which ones we will try to stop using or change to make better choices. I have come to the conclusion in the full range of additives in our lives that the fewer and more natural the ingredients in things the safer they are..that is one simple rule we can all remember when shopping.

The average woman uses 17 personal care products everyday they shower, apply lotions, use make up and do their nails!! I counted up mine just for fun and it was over 20!!


The book lists 7 chemicals that are frequently used in products that we should avoid as they use toxic plastics in the packaging or actual ingredients.They are:

1.Phthalates- often listed as "fragrance","parfum", in items that have strong smells-such items as cosmetics,lotions,shampoos,soaps, also in shower curtains, raincoats,air fresheners,plastic food containers, and brands like Pantene,Tresseme,RightGuard,Jergens,Dawn,Glade,Gillette,Rubbermaid

2.PFC- nonstick cooking containers and utensils (ieTeflon/Dupont/3M),Gortex,Scotchguard,Stainmaster, newspaper ink- thus any recycled paper,boxes,ie pizza boxes,microwave popcorn bags,fast food wrappers, store cash register receipts

3.PBDE- flame retardants in children's clothing, bed linens,some mattresses, electronics

4. Mercury- tuna( esp While Albacore canned tuna), batteries,fluorescent light bulbs,thermostats(last two esp for disposal).

5.Triclosan(also called Microban,Nanosilver,dichchlorophenoxy phenol)-antibacterial items,cleaning products and tools,cosmetics,cutting boards, knives, i.e (Reach toothbrush, Colgate Toothpaste,Clean and Clean Facial Cleanser,Dial hand soap,Gillette Shaving gel,Dawn dish det.,Right Guard deodorant)

6.Pesticides/herbicides-lawn chemicals, fresh produce, 2-4-D,DDT,DDE,DEET

7.Bisphenol A(BPA)- plastic food containers(don't microwave these!),canned food and soda,
baby bottles and 'sippy' cups,children's toys, plastic water bottles,plastic drinking
glasses/cups,hockey visors,faces of laptops/ and cell phones like Blackberry,
headlights,eyeglass lenses,kitchen appliances, Cd's DVDs, #7 plastics


These pollutants are not only found in personal care and cleaning products, food containers and household items, but also in our environment as they make their way into our water and air.The book lists that over one billion pounds of pesticides alone are used every year in the USA! And more than five thousand ingredients are allowed to be used in our personal care products in North America.

Some of the tips I took away from this book to avoid these chemicals were: avoid canned foods(esp acidic ones),avoid heating plastic containers in the microwave(use glass), buy Organic if possible- esp for fruit, veggies and meats (ie for grapes,peaches,strawberries,apples,spinach,nectarines,celery,pears,cherries,potatoes,peppers, and raspberries, chicken and beef ), stop accepting plastic bags and plastic food containers,and Styrofoam to go containers, read the labels of personal care and cleaning products and avoid these 7 toxic plastics by reading the ingredients of the items we buy and in general just buy less plastic everything-toys,dishes,etc..., eat fewer big fish and more smaller fish, eat hormone free meat, avoid buying "slippery clothes-use clothing with natural fibers(non synthetics) like wool, cotton and hemp that are chemical free and naturally fire resistant, use natural products for insect repellent and for cleaning products like baking soda and vinegar or bar soap and water,, stop buying bottled water and use the microwave less.


This is a real challenge and not easy to read all of this, but if we care about our health we need to be informed.The FDA obviously is not doing a good job of really testing the safety of many items on store shelves.


Some good brands to buy and stores to shop who have made a commitment to reducing the use of these chemicals in their products they make or sell are :IKEA furniture,Greener Lifestyles(Seattle),Essential(Montreal based),Sony, Philips, Panasonic/Matsushita,Samsung.The good plastics that are safe to use are #1,2,4& 5("4, 5, 1 and 2 all the rest are bad for you").

Some websites to get more information and become an advocate for unsafe chemicals removal in our lives are: safemama.com,momsrising.org/NoToxicToys,healthytoys.org,www.safecosmetics.org,
www.foodnews/walletguide.php, seafoodselectionpocketguide at edf.org , , stoptoxicimports.org, National Geographic Green Guide


This information can surely change the way we live!! Here's to more informed shopping and healthy living for us all!!