Book Review: THE PROMISE, OR THE PROS AND CONS OF TALKING WITH GOD by Sean Paul Murphy

The Memoir is transparent, captivating, tender, and profoundly human. 

THE PROMISE, OR THE PROS AND CONS OF TALKING WITH GOD, by Sean Paul Murphy

A story of first faith and first love and how the two became almost fatally intertwined. The Promise, or the Pros and Cons of Talking with God is Sean’s inspirational, coming-of-age tale of first faith and first love and how the two became almost fatally intertwined in his life. It is a poignant and insightful meditation on surviving in the gray area between God’s sovereignty and our individual free will.

MY PERSONAL REVIEW:

THE PROMISE, OR THE PROS AND CONS OF TALKING WITH GOD by Sean Paul Murphy takes a candid stroll through the very heart and soul of this widely acclaimed screenplay writer and author’s life.  The memoir is transparent, captivating, tender and profoundly human.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  The fact that the author, Sean Paul Murphy is a product of the 1960’s was just one of the alluring features.  The narration is so descriptive that I found myself drifting back into those youthful days gone by.  The drive-in movies, stretched phone cords in an unsuccessful attempt at privacy, and warm summer nights swinging on the porch under the stars conjured up all sorts of wonderful memories for me. 

However, the most endearing quality of this book is simply the author’s voice.  Murphy’s attention to detail and humorous delivery are exceptional.  He exposes a depth of emotion and permeability that is unique.  As the author unveils years of life experiences, some glorious and others tragic, the reader is forced to ponder their own life in a way that requires a studious look at the issue of mortality.  Further still, the relationship between God and man is brought to the forefront of our minds as we read of the author’s interactions with the Lord throughout the pages of the book.  Sean Paul Murphy’s description of his time with God and his interpretations of those meetings are priceless.  Murphy manages to integrate Biblical truths throughout the course of the reading and seamlessly maintains a reverent posture towards the Son of God and the reality of our “spiritual immortality.”

Like a large ball of yarn that has been unraveled and shuffled from one end of the room to the other, so to this book: The Promise, or the Pros and Cons of Talking With God by Sean Paul Murphy.  The winding words twist and turn through the years of Murphy’s life and lead the reader down a gentle path towards self actualization.  This book is a catalyst into some serious soul searching. 

One of my favorite conclusions drawn by the author is that there is no value of enduring and surviving pain and heartache if we are not willing to share our experiences to help others.  This concept is just one of several empowering and equipping revelations that Murphy shares.  Imagine the change in our world on a global scale if we all had this perspective on life and love. 

This book touched me in the 1970's.

Throughout the reading of this book, Sean Paul Murphy's communication of a persistent love and hope reminded me of the writings of  Leo Buscaglia.  Dr. Buscaglia was a world renown author and speaker who delivered a strong message of gracious love that profoundly impacted my own life after reading his work in the 1970's.  In this same way, Murphy's intention to live his life on a “love note" and to clearly communicate the source of that love in a nonthreatening manner is infectious.  It is an interesting side note, that the two have an uncanny similar physical appearance as well.  Perhaps in the long lineage of Italian heritage there lies some genetic connection between the two, but without a shadow of a doubt, their passion for reaching out to a hurting world is very similar.    

I appreciated, especially after learning of his normally guarded personality, Murphy’s candor throughout this work.  Not only is The Promise, The Pros and Cons of Talking with God, entertaining and insightful, but it more importantly provides fuel for a great deal of thoughtful reflection and, if you dare, conversations with God.   

Be Good To Your Servant

Psalm 119:65(MSG) Be good to your servant, God;  be as good as Your Word.

Good-bye summer....

Well, something happened to the summer!  It's gone and I'm left with a school supply list.  I have no idea where the weeks went, but apparently it is almost time for academics to get back into full swing!  Oh my....that does not seem remotely possible.

I love this scripture.  It is the ultimate succinct prayer.  It clearly requests for the Lord to be good to us; for God to be as good as His word.  There are two things that I treasure about this verse.  First, I cherish that it calls to mind that I am a servant.  I am a servant to the living God.  The labor that I perform here on earth is for Him....to bring Him glory.  Secondly, I hold fast to the fact that God's word never changes and that He always keeps it...His word that is.  So, for Him to be "as good to us as His word" helps me to comprehend that when He says that He will not leave me or forsake me...He means it.  When He says that His love endures forever...it most certainly will.  When He promises a room in His house after this life on earth is done...it will be there.  It is written...and so it shall be.
That is as good as it gets.

Father,
Bless Your servants tonight.  Fill us to overflowing with the love and promises that You have written in Your word for us, because You are as good as Your word says that You are!
In Your Holy Name,
Amen 

Insatiable Appetite

Psalm 119:20(MSG)
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous-insatiable for Your nourishing commands.

Today in the Voice Bible, I am reading about Jesus as He was directed by the Spirit into the desert after His baptism.  (Matthew chapter 4.)  The Lord must have been "starved and hungry" as today's verse describes, because he had been fasting for forty days and forty nights before three huge temptations were presented to Him by Satan~the "tempter".  

When I think about fasting, the Bible is very clear that some things will only happen when we pray and fast.  I figure if Jesus needed to fast to be prepared for what the devil would attempt to tease Him with...how much more do I need it?!  I also can attest to the fact that as I have approached great obstacles in my life,  and I have committed a period of time to fasting and prayer for said trials, the results have always strengthened my walk with God. 

My daughter's love for animals is infinite.

The following are some of the things that I have learned during periods of fasting.  First of all, I have learned that I enjoy food!  Seriously, though, I do enjoy food and when I fast, I realize what a gift it is to have food available whenever I want it.  It gives me a grateful and appreciative heart.  Secondly, fasting gives me a peace and confidence to know that I am being obedient to what the Lord wants for me.  I can have a steadfast assurance in my mind and heart that I have presented my request to the Lord and He sees and hears my request.  At that point, a trust wells up within my heart that convinces me that I have done my part and He will work out His good and perfect will in my situation.  (Even if it means that things don't work out the way that I thought they should.) 

Thirdly, fasting has a way of clearing the clutter out of my head.  It helps me to sharpen my focus on, as this verse says, His "nourishing commands."  Put more succinctly, I literally have a higher awareness and sensitivity to the spiritual world as I deny myself some of the physical comforts that I have grown accustomed to.  Finally, fasting allows me to recognize God's sovereign hand upon my life and it increases my ability to recognize His active presence in my home.  As I reflect upon those times in the past when I have fasted, I can always see a clear picture of how He provided for some very specific needs.

Father,
It is my desire to have a constant hunger and insatiable appetite for Your Word.  It is my prayer that Your words will live richly within the fortress of my heart and within the hearts of those reading these words today.  May You be glorified in all that we do...including fasting. 
Amen

On My Knees

Psalm 119:9(MSG)
How can a young person live a clean life?  By carefully reading the map of Your Word. 

I'm listening to the cold rain fall here on this dark November night.  The wind is whipping up the trees outside of the window and it feels a little heavy in my heart.  I think it is because whenever I hear the words "young person", I think of teenagers.  Whenever I think of teenagers, I am jolted into a marginal panic for all that this generation has to deal with.  I remember back to the complicated feelings that I had at this age and then I multiply that times at least one thousand and I come up with about the number of trials these kids must face in our present age.  Phew!  It's enough to drive you to your knees for sure.

That's what I need to be doing for my kiddos.  I need to be on my knees...begging for His mercy and grace to be poured over each of them.  I am also asking that the Lord would open their eyes to His Word for direction and give them a blinding love for the things that matter to Him.  While I'm at it, I'm going to request that He give them a passion for pleasing Him. 

Yeap....I'm heading down to the floor....will you join me?

Every Tear Counted

Psalm 56:8(MSG)

You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights,  each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.

Walking the halls of the Joplin Middle School brought the reality of the destructive forces of the tornado occurring on  May 22nd, '11 up close and personal.  From the shards of glass scattered throughout my feet to the thick layer of a muddy grass mixture that was plastered on the lockers and walls up and down the halls, there was no escaping the realization of the force of this beast.  When I rounded a corner and found myself front and center staring at the remains of what used to be the gym of this well constructed brick building, I breathed out a praise to God that this had not happened when school was in session.  To go there in my mind brought tears to my eyes.  Visualizing the gym full of children during a normal school day, took what little breath I had in my lungs completely away. 

Slowly proceeding to the next room....the gathering room and cafeteria.... I saw more of the same...and one step further took me to the kitchen....or so that is what I was told used to be there.  There was nothing there now, not even a roof!  We continued down each hall, respectfully envisioning the order of yesterday and thoughtfully trying to process what was left now.  The library, the science lab, the administrative offices, the choir room, the locker rooms, and the classrooms had all been invaded by the horrific intruder.  Again, I fought back the tears of joy at the realization that these halls and rooms could have been full of children on a normal afternoon, but they were empty on that particular day.

Our job for today was to work with the Principal and Vice Principal to remove anything that was still in reasonable shape and load it on the truck to move to an awaiting warehouse, where we would unload, clean and store the items.  The school itself was a total loss, as was the Joplin High School, which appeared to have taken an even greater hit.  One by one, we found items that were salvageable and one by one...through dark halls filled with the smell of wet insulation, we carried them out.  Arriving at the truck with a treasure, we would carefully lift and place each item in the awaiting line of moving vans.  The sun beat down and the task went on, but we were not deterred from our mission. 

What's the mission?  Simply stated, it is to lessen the burden for the people of Joplin.  To come alongside them and lift them up through prayer, financial assistance, and physical presence until they have their feet solidly planted on the ground again.

Sitting in the "cafeteria" drinking my water and eating my sandwich on our quick lunch break, I listened to the school leadership courageously tell us that they would start school on time in a mere 68 days!  What tenacity!  What incredible resilience being displayed in this small community!  I believe they will do it too...because they are determined. 

At one point, I heard a noise above and glanced up during the talk to see a bird flying lost throughout the school.  It was at that instant, that my eye fell on the open sky light that had once adorned the beautiful Student Center.  Quickly, my mind raced back once again to the blessing of the nightmare....that there were no children in the school when the tornado hit!  I stared in disbelief looking at a huge board that had been drilled into the opening that used to be the glassed in sky light.      

Sky Light in the Cafeteria/Student Center.

Yes!!  Yes, I thought these are a tough and determined people.  They are standing at the very pit of despair and looking up.  When they look up...this is what they see...but they are choosing to look beyond it to a brighter tomorrow....a "clear sky" so to speak.  Have they experienced great loss?  Yes, they most certainly have!  Does the Lord see?  Yes.  He most assuredly sees....in fact today's verse tells me that God has recorded every one of their tears!  That is a great comfort to me.  

Meanwhile, we can help.  First and foremost, we can continue to pray for restoration and healing.  I am understanding that we should no longer be sending random items to them, but instead, donating monetarily to organizations for the relief work.  (ie....Convoy of Hope, Red Cross, local Churches etc.)  We can also help by going there, not on an individual basis, but with an organization, so that order is kept and thereby projects completed by the direction of those that are in authority. 

I'm thanking God today for the lives that were spared on the night of May 22, 2011.  I am asking Him to continue to bring comfort to the families of those who lost loved ones.  I am also praying that God will bring miraculous healing to the injured that continue to battle with each passing day for their very life.  Finally, I am praying for the new foundations to be laid and the walls to be raised on every one of the homes, schools, and businesses that were destroyed.

Wonderful Works

Psalm 139:14(NIV)


Beauty in the mountains!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Nothing like a good nature walk to remind me of the creativity of the Creator!  His works are incomparable to anything that we could come up with on our own, that is for sure.  Strolling through the woods and marshes this past week allowed me to take it all in.  The smells, sounds, the feel of the warm gentle breeze, and sights were a real treat to experience.  

I'm going to keep my eyes open this week for more of His works.  I will be traveling to Joplin tomorrow to work in the clean up effort there.  The goal is to prayerfully deliver hope through action to those who most certainly must feel overwhelmed and exhausted.  I know that it will be challenging to see the destruction and loss that these people are experiencing, but I believe that through the power of Christ and the perseverance of each one of us doing what we can to help, they will overcome!

Praying for the people of Joplin and once again praising God for the miracles that have taken place there.  

My Mother's Example

Proverbs 6:22(MSG)
Wherever you walk, they'll guide you; whenever you rest, they'll guard you; when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next.

I remember when I was a little girl, after getting ready for bed, I would be all warm and snuggly in my footed PJs.  They were so soft and cuddly that just the thought of them, even now, makes me want to curl up under the blankets and close my eyes for a long winter's sleep.  Awe.....

Connected to that memory though, is one that is even more important.  It is the beautiful picture that remains vividly in my mind of my mother.  Nearly every night she would come into our rooms and kneel with us beside the bed to pray to the Lord.  I still remember this precious time with her next to me.  It was a comfort and an incredible gift that she gave to her children.  I believe that the actual prayers were powerful, of course, but the consistency of her actions provided a stability that all young children starve for, whether they recognize it at the time or not. 

Tonight's verse is still referring back to Proverbs 6:20 that tells us to follow our father's good advice and keep close to our mother's teachings.  My mother taught me so much by closing out our day in this humble posture of reverence and submission to the Lord.  She also showed me her dependence on Him, through her constant reliance on His Word as evidenced by the tattered and dog eared Bible  that could always be found lying on the kitchen table in the early mornings......left behind from her bright and early morning conversations with her God. 

These are the kinds of teachings that I yearn to impress upon my children.  The advice that will guide them, guard them, and prepare them for what comes next.  Praying tonight for this kind of life....a life that is lived out steadily and consistently by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

No Regrets

Proverbs 4:8 (MSG)
Throw your arms around her--believe me, you won't regret it; never let her go--she'll make your life glorious.

"Make room in your heart for a miracle!!"

A Prayer For My Children

Proverbs 4:3 (MSG)
When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

I remember the first time I held both of my precious children as though it were yesterday....talk about "pride and joy"!

Book Review: The Ultimate Guide To the Daniel Fast by Kristen Feola

The Ultimate Guide To the Daniel Fast by Kristen Feola is a wonderful book to help you prepare for participation in a Daniel Fast.