Disturbed by God: A Journey of Spiritual Discovery by June Maffin
Disturbed by God: A Journey of Spiritual Discovery by June Maffin
Anglican Book Centre,600 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 2J6
This deceptively simple book charms us with vignettes from the author's life, significant moments when God intruded upon her and her response. The intrusions were no fun: serious illnesses, personal tragedies. The sort of things that makes us cry out "Where was God when...?" Unlike some books, this one tells us exactly where God was when, He was right there in the midst of the situation. Despite some pretty horrible stuff, Ms. Maffin does find God right there in the nitty gritty down and dirty of life.
The book would be worth reading just for that, but the author doesn't stop there. Each vignette is followed by "reflection starters", suitable for personal journal work or a group study. One of m,y seminary professors told me once that "There is no authority like that of a holy life" and this book reeks with that authority. June has lived the events. Unlike some sentimentally maudlin stuff about living with trauma, we know this author has grappled with the worst life can offer. So we can know that the proposed 'reflection starters' are the very issues with which she herself had to contend.
The last sections of the book are practical suggestions for a personal journal, group study, prayer, etc. I can assure you that if you read this book carefully and thoughtfully engage with the "reflection starters", you will know yourself much better. If used as a group study, the group will certainly bond intimately.
I confess that I was so intrigued by the "story line" that I did read right through that with only a brief glance at the 'reflection starters'. I don't recommend racing through it to find out what happens next, but that the reader do the homework. which i am going to return to the book and do myself.
Anglican Book Centre,600 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 2J6
This deceptively simple book charms us with vignettes from the author's life, significant moments when God intruded upon her and her response. The intrusions were no fun: serious illnesses, personal tragedies. The sort of things that makes us cry out "Where was God when...?" Unlike some books, this one tells us exactly where God was when, He was right there in the midst of the situation. Despite some pretty horrible stuff, Ms. Maffin does find God right there in the nitty gritty down and dirty of life.
The book would be worth reading just for that, but the author doesn't stop there. Each vignette is followed by "reflection starters", suitable for personal journal work or a group study. One of m,y seminary professors told me once that "There is no authority like that of a holy life" and this book reeks with that authority. June has lived the events. Unlike some sentimentally maudlin stuff about living with trauma, we know this author has grappled with the worst life can offer. So we can know that the proposed 'reflection starters' are the very issues with which she herself had to contend.
The last sections of the book are practical suggestions for a personal journal, group study, prayer, etc. I can assure you that if you read this book carefully and thoughtfully engage with the "reflection starters", you will know yourself much better. If used as a group study, the group will certainly bond intimately.
I confess that I was so intrigued by the "story line" that I did read right through that with only a brief glance at the 'reflection starters'. I don't recommend racing through it to find out what happens next, but that the reader do the homework. which i am going to return to the book and do myself.
posted by Gloriamarie Amalfitano @ 11:28 AM
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