Deep Breathing for the Soul

She was just a scared teenager, conscripted as a concubine for the king. But she changed history. What happened?

A challenge from a spiritual mentor led her to fast and pray.

This week, our on-line book club is looking at the first chapter of Simple Compassion, entitled “Position.”

Just to fill you in: Each member should read the chapter before joining in the discussion each week, as well as the Scriptures listed in the leader’s guide at the back of the book.

Each week, as you read the chapter, pay attention to your soul’s response as you read. Often, God speaks to us not just through things we read, but our response to what we read. Where do you notice in yourself what one mentor of mine called “resonance, or resistance”? In other words, where do you find yourself strongly agreeing, or strongly disagreeing? Share one of these with the group.

Then, take a look at the compassion step at the end of the chapter. Share your response to the questions there: Is there a situation you’re facing that you don’t know how to handle? Are others looking to you to step up in a situation where you feel inadequate? How is your situation similar to Esther’s? Have you prayed about it?

This chapter focused on the story of Esther in the Bible. What can you learn from Esther? What do you have in common with her? What situation do you need to fast and pray about, and then speak truth in?

One of the suggested group activities is to watch the Veggie Tales movie “Esther.” It’s a very well-done, but kid-friendly, re-telling of the story. (Click here to watch a YouTube of the trailer for the movie) If you are part of a virtual group, this is something you can do with your family, rather than your group.

This month, we’re asking readers to perform one act of Simple compassion each week, and to tell us about it. You can watch my YouTube video explaining the challenge here. Each week, you pray, asking God to lead. Then pick one act of simple compassion, and go do it. Then, tell us about it.

The publicity folks thought it would be great to do this via video. Yes. Well. Seems to me that “vlogging” is not nearly as popular as blogging. But if you want to do that, you can go to a video posting site called Say It Face to Face by clicking here.  I finally figured out how to post a video there, so go check it out. If you have a webcam or even a digital camera you can post your thoughts!

Or if you’d rather, you can look at the video (click here ) on YouTube). We took this 30 second clip this morning as my friend Sharon and I made breakfast at the homeless shelter. We leave at 6:30 a.m. to get down there. WE cook, serve the meal, visit with some of the ladies who live at the shelter. The women who live there have “chores” including cleanup, so once we put things away, we leave. It’s a great serving opp for busy moms who often have Saturday morning sports events to attend–we get home by about 9:15 or 9:30 a.m. We go on the second Saturday of each month, various neighbors go each time. We have a great time. Here’s some photos:

While I think it’s great to do “random” acts of kindness and compassion, I think we are called to make a habit of compassion. I did not want to get up out of my warm bed when it was 7 degrees outside and still dark out. But I have made a commitment to do just that, one Saturday a month. Random acts are great, but living intentionally is what will transform us.

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.

If you have a blog, I’d love to come “visit” it next week during our blog tour for Simple Compassion. To participate, just leave a comment here or get in touch via my website. Let me know that you’d like to review Simple Compassion, or post an “interview” with me. You can send your own questions or use ones I’ve written. You can post a review or open it up to reader questions, whatever you like. But you have to hurry as the tour starts next week. And we’re making this a highly participatory tour, asking readers to post videos or comments about how they are putting this book into action. I’m excited about the possibilites!

Blog tour participants get a free copy of the book to review! Just send me your name, e-mail, mailing address and blog URL and you can be a part of the tour.

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.

What a week. I love to cook, so this holiday, for me, is all about the food, not the shopping. So I cooked all day Wednesday and half of Thursday, and then we ate leftovers Friday through Sunday. I still have some pretty good turkey soup left! And of course, this weekend is about gratitude, even in the face of some challenges.  

It bugged me a bit that there was so much emphasis, even on the news, this holiday weekend, about shopping. Somehow Thanksgiving has morphed from a day of thankfulness to a day to spend money on stuff we really don’t need. I’m not trying to be grumpy. I appreciate that rather than buying stuff for themselves, people are at least buying things for others—they are giving gifts. And while I refuse to get up early to shop on “black Friday,” I did do some shopping late Friday afternoon and on Saturday. But even as I am buying sweaters for people I love, I know they really don’t need another sweater. My friends know I am gift-giving challenged, and hopefully they will give me a bit of credit for at least trying.

Now that my kids are teenagers, I can pretty much avoid the toy aisle at Target. But I ventured into that section anyway, as I wanted to get some toys for the Breakthrough Urban Ministries Christmas Store. The annual Christmas Store is is a great way to help inner-city under-resourced families. Rather than just receiving a handout or gifts, families living in Breakthrough’s neighborhood (East Garfield Park in Chicago) can come to the center where the “store” will be set up on Dec. 19. They can buy items for a reduced price using regular money or “Breakthrough Bucks” they’ve earned through ministry activities throughout the year. 

What an empowering way to help those less fortunate!

In addition to collecting donations from neighbors and doing some shopping myself, I’m taking a group of neighbors down to Breakthrough’s ministry center on Dec. 19 to volunteer at the store.

If you live in the Chicago area, you might consider donating gifts or even offering your time to this very cool Christmas event. Or, pick another charity—Samaritan’s Purse is an international organization whose Operation Christmas Child provides gift boxes for children across the globe. Project Angel Tree collects gifts for children of people in prison.

As the holiday shopping season begins, consider buying a gift for someone who’s not on your list, but could use a bit of hope this Christmas season.

Oh, and with all the holiday cooking etc. I didn’t get a chance to blog about the winners of the book drawing.

So our winners are Erika S., Sherri D., Sheri, Kelly J. and Susan M. Congratulations! If you didn’t win this time, keep checking this blog for other book giveaways!

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!!

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.

Most of us love to shop, especially when we find unique or unusual items. But sometimes, purusing the clearance rack at Target, I have to wonder–who made these pants? Did this t-shirt come from a sweat shop? Am I living justly when I shop?

The holidays are coming–the fall displays in stores will soon give way to Christmas decor, and it’s not even Halloween yet. And with those seasonal displays come a pressure to buy. But we can make choices about what we buy. We can choose what some people call “sanctified shopping” by purchasing Fair Trade certified items.

What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade items are those that are produced by workers who are paid a fair wage. Items can’t be certified as “fair trade” if they are made by child labor or slaves (and unfortunately, that happens with more items than we would believe).

Why not feel great about shopping, knowing you’re getting cool stuff and helping someone on the other side of the planet?  Click here to watch a great and encouraging video about Trade As One, an excellent organization that helps lift people out of poverty.

This year, my goal is to buy Fair Trade items for everyone on my list. That does NOT mean they will be getting cheezy presents–I’m talking really cool stuff.  Jewelry, chocolate, coffee, clothes, bags, purses. (You can find some great stuff, including the items pictured below, at Bead for Life’s website.

What if you could change the world by shopping? If we all buy just one Fair Trade item this year, we can help families all across the globe to lift themselves out of poverty. What a great way to have a compassionate Christmas.

Interesting front page article in the Chicago Tribune today about a woman who was evicted after she called the police to report that her live-in boyfriend had threatened her with a gun.

The woman was trying to protect herself and her child. She did the right thing by calling police, getting an order of protection, and so on. But her landlord evicted her because of the threat of violence in the apartment complex–even though she’d gotten an order of protection, and kicked the boyfriend and his gun out of her apartment.

This did not happen in an inner-city neighborhood, but in a nice suburb where the median house price is $422,500. I used to work in Elmhurst, so I’m –it has some very affluent areas and some firmly middle-class areas. This apartment complex was not subsidized or government housing–which means it is exempt from federal laws protecting victims of domestic violence from eviction.

 My question is, how do we as Christians respond to victims of domestic violence? Are we doing anything to help? Unfortunately, abuse happens in Christian families, too, and often, the church looks the other way or even says that the woman should submit. They punish the victim, too.

What do you think of this situation? How can we extend compassion? What role, if any, do you think should the church play in confronting this kind of injustice?