You Are What You...

The saying, 'you are what you eat', is something I've heard for as long as I can remember. I suppose there is truth to it, but what our souls consume has a much larger impact on who we are. Inevitably, our bodies will someday fail us, no matter how well we eat. Our souls however, are eternal, so it is a pretty worthwhile effort to nourish them.

This is the Friday of Earth Week 2015, and I am tired. I'm in need of a walk around the neighborhood to see what is blooming. I noticed the most amazing pink dogwood on my drive home this afternoon, and I want to go see more. So, this is going to be short. I love the topic of taking inventory of what our ears and eyes are consuming, and how much influence it has on us. Often, we don't even notice how damaging exposure to certain media is until we remove it, and then experience it again after some period of absence. There is a book called Soul Detox, by Craig Groeschel, that was helpful to me. I'll be honest though, I didn't love the book. It was useful, but borrowing it from the library instead of purchasing would have been sufficient.

The point of using this theme to wrap up Earth Week is to share the influences that have led me to

care more deeply for all of creation and grow in my faith. All of these have in some way been a stepping stone to where I am now. I will likely revisit all of them, and I look forward to new ones. Two that are not in the photo are Almost Amish, by Nancy Sleeth and A Continous Harmony, a collection of essays by Wendell Berry. The opposite of Soul Detox, I wish I had bought these instead of borrowing them.

Serve God Save the Planet, by Matthew Sleeth

-Excellent for biblical relevance of environmental stewardship

Folks, this ain't normal, by Joel Salatin

-I'm only on the second chapter, but loving it so far. Super practical, common

sense stuff related to food production and culture that our society is missing.

(thank you John Stewart for this one)

24/6, by Matthew Sleeth

-This one focuses on the Sabbath. Not that I regularly observe Sabbath, it

is a good one. I'd like to, I better understand the importance of it, but still

haven't made it a priority. The important part is to slow down at some points

at least, to hear yourself think and open up to hearing from God.

One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp

-Very much helped me embrace seeing the hidden beauties, feeling gratitude for

them, and seeing God in them.

The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning

-Excellent for thinking deeply about God's grace. Specifically chapter 2,

Magnificent Monotony, and how amazing creation is.

John Muir, In His Own Words, compiled by Peter Browning

-I love this collection of quotes, because it brings together many of his

experiences into one little book. I love his insight and perspective, but his

boldness is probably the most inspiring aspect. He didn't care who he

offended. He just spoke his mind of what was true.

My Bible, NIV I have a study bible, and I love it.

-To develop a Christian world view you have to know God's word. I don't know

all of them, but I know some of them ;)

The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein

-It's so sweet

Open Spaces Sacred Places

-As a designer of spaces and places, it really helped me connect my faith with

my vocation. The importance of providing outdoor spaces for reflection,

renewal, and connection to the natural world became more clear to me on a

spiritual level.

As far as what I have watched that is relevant, there are two links to the side. One is a documentary of the Shannon River in Ireland, and the other is a documentary of the National Parks. AMAZING!! youtube bird murmurations at any time, and you will be amazed.

Please visit my facebook page and tell me what has inspired you. What should be next on my list?