Let's keep the discussion going!!!

Melissa already beat me to the punch in telling you about our next book! And I'm glad she did, because I think she introduced the book so well!

Let me tell you how this book was presented to me because I think the story is worth noting...

During the part of our study on 'healing', it happened to be that a dear friend of mine, Lisa, was visiting from Pensacola, Florida. So, since she was here, I invited her to come join us that Tuesday night. She was amazed at our 'community' of women and told of how lucky we are to have each other. Lisa was the person who suggested we read the book, Left To Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza as a beaming example of the power of forgiveness, healing and transformation. She had just read the book herself! Talk about God's timing!!!!!

And so, I picked up the book and had the opportunity to make so many parallels of Immaculee's life story during our discussion! It changed the way I see the process of forgiveness, healing and transformation.

This brings me to our next focus/study...

We are going to read this book during the rest of the summer break and try to continue the dialogue via the blog! This way we can still 'see' each other! I have posted the link to the book on the right side of the page and below you can watch a short video with background about the Rwandan genocide and Immaculee Ilibagazia. Kathy also suggested that we may want to take some time to watch Hotel Rwanda, which is another very good movie about the genocide.

I will give you some time to get your hands on the book and begin reading. Some of us are passing the book around, Jennifer got it from the library, or you can just purchase one. The paperback is not too expensive. I will begin the discussion in mid-July, which gives you time to at least begin reading the first sections of the book. Or, if someone else feels compelled...feel free to begin the discussion!

A background video about the Immaculee Ilibagiza:

"Night" by Elie Wiesel

Ok...I know it's been an AGE since I posted on here. It helps that I've been in AZ for a month and have been able to reconnect with all of you. I've DEEPLY missed our time together. It is a treasure that none of you should ever take for granted. Trust me on that one...

Anyway, I wanted to share with you something that has touched me. We are all supposed to be reading "Left To Tell" right now. I hope you will...it will leave you changed. I believe that God brought this book to our group right when we needed it. It fits so well with the 'forgiveness, healing, and transformation' that we have been studying.

So, I've been in Flagstaff this week and needed to do some reading. I found myself browsing at Barnes and Noble this week and stumbled upon a book that I have long wanted to read, but often found myself procrastinating on because of the subject. It is called "Night" by Elie Wiesel. In it, he recounts his experience surviving the Holocaust in Auschwitz...not an easy thing to read about. However, while reading it something happened to me. I found myself comparing it to Immaculee's "Left To Tell". And God pierced my heart.

Before Auschwitz, Wiesel was a devout and zealous Jew...and after Auschwitz, he doubted and hated God for His perceived indifference to the suffering going on there. Contrast that to the 'transformation' that took place in Immaculee during her months in that bathroom. She was drawn closer to the heart of God during her experience and was able to FORGIVE her tormentors.

I would highly recommend you all read "Night" following your read of "Left To Tell". It will open your eyes to the POWER that forgiveness, healing and transformation offers.

I love you all.

Email from Henri Nouwen Society

Words That Create Community

The word is always a word for others. Words need to be heard. When we give words to what we are living, these words need to be received and responded to. A speaker needs a listener. A writer needs a reader.

When the flesh - the lived human experience - becomes word, community can develop. When we say, "Let me tell you what we saw. Come and listen to what we did. Sit down and let me explain to you what happened to us. Wait until you hear whom we met," we call people together and make our lives into lives for others. The word brings us together and calls us into community. When the flesh becomes word, our bodies become part of a body of people.

Prayers please

I just got news my sister has passed away- she was older than me but not the oldest sister. Please hold her and my family in your prayers- I will be back in Jersey till Sunday. Thanks for all of you !

Prayer / Suffering / Transformation

Dear ones: The last couple of posts lead us directly and perfectly into what we will be talking about come tomorrow night: transformation. We started this segment with forgiveness, then moved into healing -- and now will move into transformation. So chew on what you read, and come with your questions and thoughts.

"After transformation, you seldom have the feeling you have found anything. It feels much more like Someone found you! You find yourself having been grabbed, held, and being Someone's beloved. . ."

"Two paths to transformation are great love and great suffering. . ."

"A simple definition of suffering = whenever you are not in control."

And a question to think about: What is faith? How do YOU define it? What does it mean to you?

Love you all so much --
Kathy

June Prayer Requests/Praise Reports

From Henri Nouwem

This really spoke to me this morning.....full honor goes with full pain.

Joint Heirs with Christ

We continue to put ourselves down as less than Christ. Thus, we avoid the full honour as well as the full pain of the Christian life. But the Spirit that guided Jesus guides us. Paul says: "The Spirit himself joins with our spirit to bear witness that we are children of God. And if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17).

When we start living according to this truth, our lives will be radically transformed. We will not only come to know the full freedom of the children of God but also the full rejection of the world. It is understandable that we hesitate to claim the honor so as to avoid the pain. But, provided we are willing to share in Christ's suffering, we also will share in his glory (see Romans 8:17).

From a Friend of Mine

A great friend of mine wrote this today and I wanted to share it with you:
Topic was Unanswered Prayers

I just read something that said "Jesus NEVER mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the boundless certainty that prayer is always answered. 'Everyone that asks...receives.' God answers prayer in the best way, not sometimes, but every time, although the immediate manifestation of the answer in the domain in which we want it may not always... See More follow.

If we think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly. God wants us to be as intimately acquainted with Himself as Jesus was. Prayer is not in order to get answers from God, it is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. Prayer is to get greater understanding of who He is.

Was the last thing you prayed about devoted to your desire or to God? Determined to get some gift or to get God? He knows what we need before we ask. The point of asking is that you may get to know God better.

Am I always in contact with Him or do I only pray when things have gone wrong, when there is a disturbance in the moments of my life? Too often we hurl our own petitions at God's throne and dictate to Him as to what we wish Him to do. We do not worship God, nor do we seek to form the mind of Christ." Therefore we have what we deem to be "unanswered prayer".

Sanera's Arriving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Ladies,

I am BEYOND excited that Melissa and the kids will be here tonight. As I was thinking and praying for them I wanted to extend a pray request. Please pray that all three of them stay healthy while they are here. I know it can be difficult to be in a "new" environment and the travel alone can wear one out.

I am so excited to see you ALL again next Tuesday evening.

Much Love,
D'Amato