Deep Breathing for the Soul

A few readers have written to me, asking about tips for reading my new book Simple Compassion with a group or book club. I really designed this book to be experienced in community, so I’m glad to offer some help, especially if you are leading a group. I spent years at Willow Creek coaching small group leaders, so if you need a coach as you go through this book with a group, I’m glad to help.

Because Simple Compassion is a 52-week devotional, it is great for a weekly discussion group. So what I will do is to have a “virtual book club” right here on my blog. Each Friday, I’ll post a question about the chapter, and we can chat about it here at Deep Breathing for the Soul (and on Facebook, as these posts show up there as well.

We’ll start today with the introduction, and do “Week 1: Position” next week. You can read the introduction for free by clicking here. (there’s also a link to an audio book sample on that page if you want to listen to the book). The book also contains a leader’s guide, with verses and information to help you. That guide also has a suggested structure for group time.

Every Friday, I’ll post something about the chapter, and ask for your comments. If you are reading the book with a group in your neighborhood or church, you can share your insights, questions or comments here on the blog. I hope it will be very interactive.

So let’s dive in. Read the introduction, then let’s talk about a few simple questions:

When you were growing up, how did you view God? What did you think he wanted from you?

What do you think our lives should be about if we are following God?

Where have you noticed God at work in your life lately?

After we have some comments (on Facebook or the blog) I’ll jump in with comments of my own. And feel free to respond with questions.

It’s 2 degrees here, with howling winds that drive the windchill well below zero.

I am inconvenienced by such weather–car doors freeze shut, roads are a bit slick. But I slept in a warm bed. I had hot tea and breakfast this morning. I can shower with hot water in my own home, or at the health club after my workout. I can look out at the snow and see its beauty from a warm chair by the window.

I am deeply aware this winter, however, of the plight of those for whom this weather is much more than an inconvenience. But what can I do? How can I help the homeless, or kids who are living in poor neighborhoods within a few minutes drive of my house? I’m not trying to make anyone feel guilty–including myself! I just am wondering.

The truth is, you can’t solve all the world’s problems. But you can change the world for one person. And because every person matters to God, that’s a worthwhile goal. And when you reach out in compassion, you grow spiritually. God becomes more real and more present in your life when you align yourself with his purposes.

If you are wondering how to do that, or at least begin to think about that, I’d like to invite you to a seminar for women that I will lead next month, in cooperation with Breakthrough Urban Ministries. The seminar will be held at Breakthrough’s Ministry Center in Chicago on Saturday Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you’re wondering what you can do to help those less fortunate than yourself, this is a very practical first step.

I’ve been a donor and volunteer with Breakthrough for several years. This ministry, which serves the homeless and the community of East Garfield Park in Chicago, really wants to help people like me to grow in compassion.

Do you feel God stirring in your soul, asking you to start really connecting your faith with your action? Do you wonder how your life can reflect God’s heart of justice and mercy, his concern for the poor?

This one-day seminar will jump start your justice journey. We will look very practically at how we can become women who make a difference: women who act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. It will provide a safe, guilt-free environment for discussing, asking questions, reflecting and strategizing.

I’ll do four teaching sessions based on my newest book, Simple Compassion. But even better, you’ll have some time to process and pray. We’ll also have group discussion, individual reflection time, and plenty of practical, hands-on learning. Every registrant will receive a free copy of the book for further study.

The four main sessions are:

1.       Compassion Begins with You. every woman matters to God, whether she’s in Sierra Leone or San Diego, in a slum or a suburb. We’ll look at some biblical women who stepped up to be difference makers, and how we can follow their lead. God has a unique calling for each of us—how do we discern that? It starts by letting go of our “little old me” syndrome and believing that God actually is calling us to be his hands and feet in the world. Even small acts of justice and compassion matter, because even if you only help one person, that person matters!

2.       Compassion Grows in Community. The Christian life was never meant to be lived on our own. We were made for community—and sometimes, the people in our closest circles are the ones who are challenging to love.  How can we extend compassion to the people closest to us—whether they are family, church members or next-door neighbors? This session focuses on making a difference right where you are, and why you need others to come on the journey with you.

3.       Compassion Extends Beyond Our Comfort Zones.  Although we can make a difference no matter where we are, God calls us to truly see injustice around us, and not insulate ourselves from it. There are people who need God’s love and tangible help—things like food, clothing and shelter—within an hour of your door. This session will look at women who are making a difference in the Chicago area, and offer some next steps for getting involved with ministries here in the area.

4.       Compassion Offers God’s Love to the World. It is impossible to talk about God’s heart for the poor without looking at the situation in the developing world. We will look at some big issues like human trafficking, poverty, lack of clean water and others. The goal is to see these issues and see how we can take very small steps to make a difference by both what we do, and what we decide to stop doing. We’ll look at some women who have focused their energy on one global issue and are making a difference in that area.

Those of you who heard me on Midday Connection yesterday (Moody Radio) and wrote in asking about the free books:  you’ve been entered in our drawing to win a copy of Simple Compassion.

I always love visting with Anita and Melinda, the amazing women behind the Midday Connection show. They are wise and kind, and always make me feel welcome at the studio.

I also mentioned briefly on the show that I will be partnering with Breakthrough Urban Ministries to put on a one-day Simple Compassion workshop on February 20. Mark your calendars now! this practical, hands on workshop will include teaching from me, group discussion (facilitated by amazing women) and some time for thought-provoking reflection. We will discuss simple next steps that you can take right away to live out God’s directive in Micah 6:8: to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

If you have been wondering how to implement compassion and justice in your life, I think you’ll really enjoy this workshop. Registration details will be available soon–and each person who attends will receive a free copy of Simple Compassion, compliments of Zondervan Publishing.

We’ll announce  the winners of the free books on Friday of this week. But meanwhile, have a joyful Thanksgiving!!

Are you feeling thankful yet? Or just busy?

I’m juggling work, deadlines, and planning dinner for 12 people (five of whom are new to the country, strangers to us, and may not speak much English). I’m an over-planner, trying to figure out exact timetables to get the turkey, potatoes, veggies and stuffing all on the table at the same time, since I”m doing the shopping and cooking for this meal by myself! I’ve actually written out a schedule for the day!

I do love to plan, but I find that if I over-plan, I tend to lose my joy. I never want to forget that holidays are holy days, and this holy day is about gratitude! If you need some perspective on that idea, click here to read my latest “For Your Soul” column at christianitytoday.com

Also, I just wanted to let you know that I will be a guest on Midday Connection, a great radio program on Moody Radio, tomorrow. The show airs on 90.1 FM in Chicago from noon to 1 p.m. You can also tune in on-line at  http://www.moodyradio.org/middayconnection.aspx

I’m going to be talking about making a difference right where you are, as host Anita Lustrea and I talk about my new book, Simple Compassion. I’m bringing a couple of copies of Simple Compassion to give away on the show. And check back at this blog on Wednesday. If you listen to the show I’ll tell you how to get another chance to win a free book here on the blog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A big thank you to all of your who responded to the free book offer in my Connecting newsletter. Zondervan is generously sending out review copies to the first 25 responders, and they should be receiving their books soon.
For those of you who missed out on that give-away, you can read the introduction and first three chapters for FREE online by clicking here. I’d love to have you take a look and tell me what you think. And please forward the link to the free chapters to your friends.

“I was hungry and your gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” (Jesus, in Matthew 25:35)

My neighbor Bobbie and I drove to the west side of Chicago this morning to serve breakfast at the homeless shelter, as we do on the second Saturday of each month. We bring food, cook it, then serve it buffet style in the large common area of the shelter.

After cooking three dozen jumbo eggs with plenty of cheese mixed in, hash browns, bacon and countless bagels (which we toast by putting them facedown on the griddle) and serving them to about 20 women, I took a bagel (kindly donated by the Palatine Great American Bagel–thanks!) and sat and talked to one of the guests, who told me excitedly that she was on the list to get a CHA apartment within the next two weeks, and how God had just been blessing her over and over lately.

We had a lovely conversation and she asked me how long we’d been volunteering there. I told her about two years, and she asked, “Why do you do it? What’s in it for you?”

I pondered that one. I told her because the Bible says we should care for those in need, and that when we do, it’s as if we did it to him. “So for me, to be here serving breakfast, it’s worship,” I told her. She nodded knowingly.

We talked about the value of living simply, whether you are in a shelter, a CHA apartment, or a suburban tract house. She told me about losing her job and her apartment, and ending up on the street. She told me about how God had led her to Breakthrough, which runs this shelter.

I admitted that sometimes my neighbors are busy, and it’s hard to gather a group to go even one Saturday a month, and I wonder if it’s worth it. But then I’m there, and I’m always glad I came. Because I realize, for me, cooking breakfast for these women is a spiritual practice. It opens up space for God to make his presence felt in my heart. When I carry a plate to the table for a woman who walks slowly with a cane, I feel God smile. When I see the smiles or even the scowls of these women, I’m reminded that God is mindful of them and their plight.

It’s a small, simple act of compassion, to get up early one Saturday a month, to have a conversation with women I would not otherwise cross paths with, and be surprisingly blessed by that conversation. I feel so lucky I get to do this, that I get to experience God’s presence in this way.

Thank you to all of you who left a comment. The generous folks at Zondervan are going to send all 13 of you who left a comment by today a free review copy of Simple Compassion. Look for an e-mail from me asking for your mailing address!

As I said, I hope each of you will take a look at the book and post a review on amazon. A number of readers are planning to lead a group through the book this year–it’s a great resource for small groups.

Again, thanks to all. And check back here frequently–we’ll be giving away other books and goodies each week.

My new book Simple Compassion is arriving in stores now! To celebrate, I’m giving away ten review copies here on the Deep Breathing for the Soul blog.

Simple Compassion is a weekly devotional that will help you take practical steps toward living a life of compassion, toward understanding social justice, toward living as Jesus would.

But don’t take my word for it. You can read the latest review of the book on the Book Bargains & Previews website.

To win a free book, all you have to do is agree to post a review on amazon.com (and on your blog or Facebook page, if you have that). Leave a comment by midnight this Monday, (Oct. 5) and we’ll draw 10 names. If you’re reading this on Facebook, click on the link to the actual blog, register and leave a comment.

I’ve had a couple of questions today about my blog tour. Just to clarify, in case you are wondering what a blog tour is, or where it is, here’s the scoop:

A blog tour means that various bloggers are “hosting” me as a guest on their site. They run an interview, photos, and/or reviews. To participate as a blogger, you let me know if you want to, and I’d send you stuff to post on your blog.
If you are not a blogger, you can just vist the blogs that are on the “tour” and leave a comment about how much you loved the book. Each blog is giving away a free copy of the book to one lucky reader who leaves a comment.
It’s a different blog, sometimes two, each day. The links to the blogs will be on my facebook page, and on my blog. tomorrow, Jan. 6, the tour takes us to blogger Karen Robbins. visit her site and leave a comment or question. 

I hope that makes sense! Also, if you want to listen to a radio interview about REST, you can go for the next few days to www.kneo.org, and click on “author’s corner” —then find my name and click on the earphones to listen. It’s actually a download, so I had to open my iTunes program to listen to it. Or, tomorrow, I will be on live at 9 a.m. CST, on radio station WDJC in Birmingham, AL. You can listen online at their website.

During the next three months, Deep Breathing for the Soul is going to be giving away books every week, both here and through our Connecting e-newsletter. So invite your friends to visit the blog, and to subscribe to Connecting.

This week, we had four winners. Linn Woodard and Karin Haubold got copies of Rob Bell’s newest book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians. (Amber Olsen also qualified, and I’m waiting to hear from you, Amber, so I can send you the book!)

Connecting subscribers got another chance to win. Linda Wager and Linda Evans each got a copy of The Circle of the Seasons by Kimberlee Conway Ireton. Kimberlee is a writer to keep your eye on, she has a lovely voice and a lot of depth.

Once you win, you have to wait three months before you can win again–just to share the fun as much as possible. This is a great way to get some of your Christmas shopping done, for free.

And get ready, because in January, a bunch of other blogs are going to be participating in the REST: LiVING IN SABBATH SIMPLICITY blog tour, and each will be giving away a copy of Rest.

Happy reading!