Two Book Reviews

I recently read two amazing books from my church library. Both were written by Don Richardson, a missionary and writer. Though the books are old, he has updated them and they are still available on his website and on Amazon —or from your church library, perhaps.

Peace Child is the story of Don and Carol Richardson’s experience living among the headhunting tribes of the western half of New Guinea. In sharing the gospel with them Richardson discovered they admired Judas and his betrayal rather then Jesus and his sacrificial love. They viewed deceitfulness and betrayal as qualities to be emulated. They befriended their victims before taking their heads!

Peace Child is a spellbinding account of how Don and Carol Richardson and their young children lived through a number of intense and dangerous events and succeeded in their mission. Their story is a testimony to their strong faith and to God’s provision of a way to reach the tribe with the good news. I won’t give it away. This is a must read book for Christians.

Eternity in Their Hearts, the second book by Don Richardson, is a fascinating account of the widespread belief in one God among primitive peoples. Anthropologists, attempting to prove primitive people were not monotheistic, were shocked to find they were wrong. Richardson tells one story after another of tribes in which belief in a supreme God existed for centuries.

One example (abbreviated here) describes the Gedeo people in Ethiopia who believed in a benevolent god called Magano but didn’t pray to him, focusing instead on appeasing an evil god. One man, Warrasa Wange, prayed to Magano asking him to reveal himself. Wange had visions of two white-skinned strangers erecting shelters under a sycamore tree near his town. He continued to pray and eight years later two white missionaries arrived in an old truck and did just as he had envisioned. Three decades later there were 200 churches among the Gedeo people with more than 200 members each.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Blessings, Dottie

How Can I Achieve My Dreams?

Most of us dream of achieving all sorts of goals. We want to find a better job, lose weight, keep our home clean and our possessions organized, read the Bible, spend more time in prayer, join the Y and keep fit, take piano lessons or art lessons or golf lessons. We have many plans in our head that never happen. Our dreams won’t happen unless we set clear, specific goals and then—just do it. The Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland said: "If you don't know where you're going, then any road will get you there.” Below are the steps that apply to most goals.

1. You must set a goal. Decide what road you will follow.  Write down each specific goal. Writing it down commits you to a clear decision. For example, say your goal is to get your house or apartment cleaned up and rid of clutter. 

2. Decide when you will do this. For example, you might decide to clean for four hours every Saturday. Or you might decide to spend an hour every day at 4 pm putting things away and getting organized.

 3. Tackle one thing at a time. This may be one room at a time or even one drawer at a time. Throw out junk. Put away items, arranging things so you can find them. For example all socks in one drawer or things filed alphabetically.

4. Take difficult steps by recognizing the benefits. For example, say you have trouble letting go of things. Think of the savings of not having to store, clean or take care of the items you get rid of.  In addition, someone else can use your castoffs. Most of us have stuff we rarely or never use.

5. Take charge of your childish side. If you have a history of procrastinating or not finishing projects you may be at war with yourself. One part of you wants to accomplish things but the other side is lazy or tired or rebellious. You will be more content if you take charge and complete projects. Decide to over rule the childish side of yourself. Set realistic goals about this, being kind to the kid side of you. Work for an hour – then take a break and rest, for example.

I hope these ideas help you set and accomplish your goals.

“No one can serve two masters.” Matthew 6:24

Blessings, Dottie

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Changing Habits

We are captive to our habits. We want to change our ways and accomplish more—whether it’s pursuing a hobby, getting in better shape physically or finishing a to-do list.  You may be disorganized and a good procrastinator.  If you really want to change you can, but you must set clear goals and change your habits.

       Habits rule us whether they are bad or good.  We develop a variety of habits or routines throughout our life time.  Habits help us in many ways.  Good habits, firmly established take little thought.  We do them almost automatically.  We drive to work taking the same route each day.  We pay our bills at the same time each month.  We go to church every Sunday.  These are all habits or routines we’ve established.

       Habits begin with one thought.  That’s right ONE THOUGHT!  We think about doing something and we decide to do it. If we’re changing a negative habit, for example in our diet, we now have an attitude of caution and awareness about what we eat.  We also have an “I can” attitude and feel optimistic about accomplishing our goal. The attitude change leads to an action which leads to a repeated action and eventually we have a habit. The key is to keep doing the new behavior for six or eight weeks. It will take this long to establish a new habit.

       A negative habit is overcome one day at a time, the same way it began.  A new habit is established one day at a time.  Here are a few tips to help you:

       1.  Focus on your successes and congratulate yourself for these. 

       2.  Expect to relapse and learn from them.  Not many can change a habit instantly.  When you learned to ride a bike you fell down a few times before you could balance.  The same is true for creating a new habit.  The relapses can teach you things.  What thoughts or feelings triggered your return to old habits?

       3.  You do have will power. Our will is a powerful part of us, capable of choosing to control our actions.  Say to yourself, “I will.”  And don’t say, “I won’t” or “I can’t” or “I’ll try.”  Be positive and be determined to succeed.

       4.  Align your will with God’s will; ask his help in overcoming your weaknesses. This is helpful in all circumstances but essential to breaking an addiction.

       5.  Take every thought captive. A habit starts with one thought and is maintained or broken by our thoughts.  For example, to break the worry habit stop every worry thought as soon as you notice it and replace it with a positive thought or image.

       I hope these ideas help you change your habits and accomplish your goals. I’ll write more on goal setting in a couple of weeks.

       “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

       Blessings, Dottie

Retirement: What do I want to be when I grow up?

Retirement may look like the Promised Land until you get there. After a few weeks of catching up on sleep and chores, the freedom may morph into too much time alone with nothing to do. You miss the daily connections you had at work. You miss your familiar routines. You may even miss the work. You picture the days and weeks ahead with little or nothing planned and wonder “What do I want to be in retirement?”

Retirement has no structure. We’re free to choose how we use our time. At first there’s delight in having the time for projects long postponed or neglected and time to begin new ventures or hobbies. However, with no pressure or structure from outside the impetus to be disciplined or to go in new directions may evaporate. To have the kind of retirement you want will take courage and discipline.

Here are my suggestions for how to plan and enjoy retirement:

1. Think of retirement as a wonderful new beginning. It’s a time to be more relaxed and a time to pursue other interests.

2. Think of the first year as a time of transition. Be upbeat when possible but give yourself grace when you are at loose ends. Remind your self you’re adjusting to a whole new way of life.

3. Discipline your life. Make a flexible schedule of chores so you will accomplish the things you’ve always wanted to do. Let’s face it. Most of us are lazy and don’t get around to doing the things we should do. List the chores to be done. For example, you will do laundry on Monday, pay bills on Tuesday, shop on Thursday, and clean your home on Friday. Then stick with the schedule.

4. Schedule daily exercise. Take walks or join the Y for exercise classes. This is one of the best preventive medicines for aging there is. And you now have the time to really get in shape.

5. Revitalize your life! Pursue a new interest or learn more about an old one. Plan it, schedule it and follow your plan.

6. Give to others. We forget our own problems when we help those in greater need. Look for neighbors in need or offer to help your favorite charity.

7. Pay attention to your spiritual health and growth. Find a church that inspires and challenges you and be active there.

Grey hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16: 31

Blessings, Dottie

STEPS TO HELP YOU CATCH YOUR ZZZZZS

Insomnia is a common problem and a distressing one. A lack of sleep can have a negative effect on how we feel, and how we function the next day. If this becomes a chronic problem it is exhausting. Sleep is necessary to rest the body and the mind. Most adults need between seven and eight hours per night. However, many get along on six hours or less and many also seem to require nine or ten hours sleep. Sleep needs change with age. An infant may sleep up to 18 hours a day. Children often require 12 hours each night. Older people find they need less sleep than they once did. The amount of sleep doesn't matter if you feel rested and well.

There are several things you can do to regulate your sleep patterns.

1. Plan your bedtime as carefully as you would a gourmet meal. Go to bed at the same time every evening to establish a pattern. Visualize, ahead of time, the comfort of being in bed sleeping. Spend the last hour before bedtime relaxing and unwinding. If you watch TV make sure you watch a calming or funny program rather than an exciting or scary show.


2. When you get in bed enjoy the comfort of lying down. Stretch your arms and legs and then let go to relax your body more. Do this several times. Take deep breaths and enjoy further relaxation of your body.


3. Think of a Bible verse or a prayer that is comforting to you and repeat it over and over in your mind. For example, say “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.” Repeat this over and over and picture a pastoral scene, resting in God. You can vary the scripture or think of the attributes of God alphabetically or the names of God. Keep going until you fall asleep.


“Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16


Blessings, Dottie

Insomnia Continued

A number of my friends have trouble with insomnia so here is more information about the importance of sleep and ways to overcome insomnia. A good night’s sleep refreshes us and helps us meet the day with energy and alertness. Lack of sleep over time can have a serious affect on our physical and mental health. Dr. William Dement, head of the Stanford University Sleep Research Center says that sleep is as important as exercise and diet in preventing major health problems such has heart attacks and stroke.

A healthy person needs seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Many people in today’s fast paced world sacrifice sleep not realizing this can impact their health. Loss of sleep or “sleep debt” is a factor in a third of all accidents. It affects productivity on the job, our frustration levels, and lowers our immune system. There are significant sleep disorders such as sleep apnea that interrupt sleep. Anyone with extreme fatigue or chronic insomnia should see their doctor to rule out physical causes.
To overcome insomnia do the following.

1. Go to bed at the same time every evening. Spend the last hour before bedtime relaxing. If you watch TV, watch calming or funny programs rather than exciting or scary ones.

2. Gradually eliminate caffeine from your diet. Do it gradually or you may get a headache from withdrawing too fast.

3. Cut out alcoholic beverages after 6 or 7 p.m. Alcohol initially relaxes a person but one or two hours later it acts as a stimulant.

4. Exercise during the day so your body is tired. A 20 minute walk will do wonders.

5. A glass of milk or a calcium pill at bed time will relax you.

6. Don't go to bed angry. Talk out the problem if you can. If not, write about your anger and let go of it.

7. If you're keyed up about tomorrow's activities talk or write about it before you go to bed.

8. Anger, hurt or sadness accumulated through the day often wake us at night. Use awake times to express your feelings in tears, in prayer or in journaling.

9. Change the way you think about awake times. Think of insomnia as an opportunity! Learn to enjoy the silence and quiet in the middle of the night. This can be a peaceful time to meditate and to commune with God.

10. Give yourself permission to sleep late. Sleeping late does not mean you’re lazy. You may have trained yourself to ignore your sleep debt.
To learn more about handling insomnia read The Promise of Sleep by William Dement, MD and Insomnia: God’s Night School by Connie Soth.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
Blessings, Dottie

Insomnia

Insomnia affects most of us at some time or other in life. When it is chronic, our anxiety about getting to sleep may be keeping us from it. Once a worry cycle begins it can cause the very behavior we are trying to avoid. When we worry about getting to sleep our negative thinking contributes to keeping us awake. Keep your thoughts positive even when unable to sleep.

One way to do that is to change the way you think about sleep and rest. Researchers tell us that rest, lying relaxed in bed, does as much good for us as sleep. Losing a few hours of sleep is not life threatening. Even those who participate in sleep deprivation experiments are back to normal after one night’s sleep.

Think of insomnia as an opportunity! Learn to enjoy the silence and quiet available in the middle of the night. Make this a peaceful, time to be with yourself and to commune with God. Get out of bed and find a comfortable spot away from other family members. Use this time to meditate, think or pray about whatever comes to mind. Allow feelings to emerge about your life and about events of the previous day. Accept your feelings and thoughts and learn from them. We are usually restless for reasons. Begin noticing minor irritations each day. Talk about them to someone or write about them in a journal.

Examine your life thoroughly. What losses do you need to grieve about? Who has hurt you? Who do you need to forgive? In what ways are you unhappy with your self or with your life? We often compromise our ideals without realizing how troubling this is to us inside. We settle for less than we want in life out of fear of taking risks or because we don’t want to do what we know is right. All of these issues can stir inside us when we relax our day time defenses to go to sleep.

To learn more about approaching wakefulness as a time to enjoy and as an opportunity to grow read Insomnia: Insomnia: God's Night School by Connie Soth.

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Blessings, Dottie