Silence, Conversation, and Reading More Books

Mercy Inn: A Christmas Novella is now available in print. I'm so happy to finally release it. The next two books in the series are written and I'm planning to release at least one of them next year at this time. Hope you enjoy the series.

If you decide to pick up or download a copy, would you consider leaving a review on Amazon? Reviews help new readers determine whether they want to give a book a shot. 

I've also just started the third book in my unnamed essay series that really does need a name. The first book was Common Grounds, the second was Sacred Grounds, and the third will be [insert drum roll sound effect here] ... Higher Grounds.

If you have a thought about titling the series, I'd love to hear from you. Obviously, "Grounds" will be in the series title somewhere.

Now, let's get to this week's thoughts about slowing down and living deeper:

• Food for thought this week from The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume II: "In silence and in meditation on the eternal truths, I hear the voice of God which excites our hearts to greater love."

 

• If you're thinking about reading more books in 2017 than you did in 2016, check out How to Read 100 Books in a Year and How I Read 65 Books in a Year without Speed Reading.

 

• Maria Sharapova won't return to the WTA tour until April, but this past week she donned boxing gloves with a trainer to work on her footwork. After her workout, she posted a video with the words "Every day counts!!" written across it. And she's right. What are you going to do today to make it count?

 

• Kathy Carlton Willis wrote an article this week titled Show Me Your Glory. It's the perfect read if you thinking about pulling away for awhile. Here's a gem from it: "The discipline of silence prepared me for the loudness of life ..."

 

• A few weeks ago, I told you I was gathering friends around my fire pit on Friday nights. One of the unexpected benefits has been getting to know my next door neighbors better. We've literally been having conversations over the backyard fence.

 

• Last weekend, I stopped in to a restaurant to pick up a to-go order for my family. While I waited, the other three customers never looked up from their phones one time. I'm just as guilty as the next person. But we cannot lose the opportunity to connect with people in the here and now.

 

• Alexander Chee wrote this recently, "Don't be the person that everyone believes could have done something. Be the person who tried."

If you like what you're reading here and want to support it, then forward this to a friend who might be interested in joining my list, or consider buying a book or becoming a patron.

Have a great weekend!