So, I'm once again reading another great book--I am so grateful for how God seems to be directing me to just the right books--books that hit home now that may not have hit home a year ago, books that have challenged me, shaken me up a bit, comforted and strengthened me and more. Yay! :)

I want to type out an excerpt from Soul Revolution, by John Burke, pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas (where a dear friend of mine attends and works). I'm reading this book with my co-workers and discussing it on a weekly basis which has been so good!! It's encouraging to find that many of us struggle with similar things - I'm not alone! :) It's also been such a great way to grow together as friends and be "running partners" in this thing called life - priceless!

More about this book...it is based on an "experiment" that Gateway Church did. John Burke challenged his church to set their watches/cell phones/etc. to go off every 60 minutes for 60 days. Every time the beeper went off, they were to be mindful of God's presence and ask for His direction moment-by-moment. Many of the testimonies from their experiment are included in the book, but the book is so much more than just that. I'm lovin' it!

So, here's an excerpt that moved me because I so often expect to hear God in big, booming ways and then get so discouraged when I practically never experience Him in this way. John Burke offers another suggestion to how to hear God:

'We expect God to show up and communicate in big, dramatic ways, but God doesn't often speak through the obtrusive, commanding ways we expect. Rather, he speaks in unobtrusive ways -- in a gentle whisper that's barely discernible -- so quiet it can be mistaken for our own thoughts unless we listen closely. Why does he do this? Because he knows that people who don't seek his guidance won't listen anyway. What we need most is not more booming commands -- we've got those. We need humble, willing hearts, quiet and ready to listen and respond. "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT). When our hearts are in the right place, it's amazing how much clarity comes to mind.' --Soul Revolution, John Burke

Seriously, this is just one tiny way this book has been a blessing to me. I feel like I'm learning so much and most of all, am so excited about what God is doing in my heart and mind through it all. This 60-60 experiment has brought about a new found joy for the Lord and peace as I rest and trust in Him! Yay! :)

For more information about the book, click here.