Post
96
SUMMER
READING … AND LISTENING: a collection
of thoughts
Lightyears ago, when I was in elementary school, one
of my favorite activities during those almost-three-months-long, summer
vacations was to join the children’s reading program at the local library. As soon as school was out, my brothers and I
would sign up. The librarian gave each
of us an attractive, handmade, little notebook to keep track of the books we
read. At the end of the summer, there
would be a large poster on display with the participants’ names and how many
books each person read – most read were at the top of the page, of course! How I read and read to be one of the top
readers!
This summer, I decided to create my own reading
program – and stick to it despite many other goals and responsibilities. Purposefully – knowing the kind of schedule
ahead of me – the materials chosen were ones that could be interrupt-able and
somewhat lighter in nature. The categories
are diverse, providing mental shifts from one to the next. I designated four areas of reading in which
to regularly indulge: (1) historical
fiction, (2) inspirational, (3) information on addiction, and (4) devotional. Gladly, I can share that it’s been a
consistent read since early-June ... a rewarding and thought-provoking one.
For the July edition of the GRM Blog, I will share several of these thoughts associated with
each piece of material.
The
Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
by
Ernest J. Gaines
·
American Slavery was an intricate system
affecting/creating/perpetuating multiple impacts upon the culture: economic, social, psychological, theological,
an overall sense of fear/insecurity, and a general outlook of ongoing sameness
with no reason/opportunity to change.
It’s a story of traveling through time (and eras) for a former young slave
girl to a 100+ year old woman. In many
ways, the old-slavery-system impacts continued strongly throughout the book
affecting a host of characters on both ends of slavery’s spectrum.
Reading intimate
details of being bound thus reminded me, over and over, of the limited
existence that is captured and held by addiction. Whether the personal situation is substance
or behavior driven, the addict and loved ones/associates are bound to the
ruling effects of the addiction cycle. Then
too, the above mentioned, pervasive impacts are found repeatedly within
individual true-life stories of addiction.
The
Upside of Down by Christine Ostertag Timmins
·
By the title, you can tell this is of
the inspirational category. Written in first person, Chris Timmons
chronicles the events of her life following a tragic accident leaving her
quadriplegic. She shares the
frustrations and fears one can only experience with such tragedy in addition to
unexpected divorce and Stage IV breast cancer later. Her story is not Pollyanna … nor is it buried in deep depression. Throughout are the bare bone basics of severe
limits set free by a spirit of responses to God’s affirmations for her.
Quotations from scripture and many others punctuate the challenges-turned-victories that portray
Timmons’ post-accident life. This is a
book about recovery – not as one
would expect or initially hope for - but one upheld and surrounded by the grace
and beauty of God.
If
You Can’t / Won’t Stop Smoking by James Scala, Ph.D.
·
Dr. Scala begins by urging his readers
to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco.
The title, however, goes beyond this point. Acknowledging that there are folks who won’t
quit using, Scala directs his studies to how nicotine and other harmful
aspects of smoking/chewing/dipping affect the body - and what persons can do to
try and strengthen their bodies bearing the effects of cigarettes, etc. It’s a fascinating read (keep in mind that
the copyright is1993) … and if the book is thoroughly read, whether
one continues to use or not, the information is clear … there are areas of
destruction throughout the body from tobacco/nicotine use. Page after page, Scala’s recommendations
spell out multiple (and I mean multiple) ways to try and lessen the resulting
harm. In fact, the exhaustive extent of information
underscores his very first recommendation: quit!
Essentially, this is a
book about the effects of addiction.
Regardless of the source of addiction, the mind and the body are pervasively affected. This is not a no, no message … rather once finished with this book, the reader
will be able to see how much needs to be done to repair (and keep repairing)
the body. Perhaps then, the question
will come to mind: is my addiction worth this high maintenance regime?
The
Upper Room and Gamblers
Anonymous A Day at a Time
·
Both publications are daily meditations
filled with one page per day messages to encourage the reader’s spiritual
growth. The Upper Room is written by both lay and clergy from all over the
world. Additionally, there are weekly
discussion questions for individual or group use.
·
GA
A Day at a Time is definitely meat-y! Whether the person is a problem gambler,
otherwise addiction-prone, or just wants to dig deeply for a personal
examination of conscience, this devotional is a great aid in helping to peel
back the layers of denial and/or self-reveal.
The questions are probing; and at the same time, there’s a message of a silver lining for each day.
This book is, also, a
great resource for therapy groups, discussion classes, and even sermon series!
Throughout the past two
months, summer reading has not only opened my mind to think more deeply … but
to listen more carefully. What are
others saying? What am I hearing from God? Thoughts have been provoked and revoked. There has been much reflection – and I’m
still digging!
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs,
CCGSO
Founding DirectorGambling Recovery Ministries
www.grmumc.org
For
more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:
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