Merry Christmas, iRead Ladies!

It may be cold outside, but there is plenty of warmth in our circle of friends in iRead! Come  and bring a friend to join us at our next gathering on Wed., December 14th! We will be discussing Chapter 6, "The Speaking Voice" from A. W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God ! What a blessing to realize afresh that God's voice is not silent but in the continuous present...speaking. May we quiet ourselves enough to listen.

This will be the last meeting of 2011...next up will be chapter 7, "The Gaze of the Soul" on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012.

In Him,

Debbie

Nov. 30 Next gathering!

Chilly outside...warm and safe inside Common Ground to discuss Chapter 5 "The Universal Presence" of The Pursuit of God. I hope to see you there! Since November has 5 Wednesdays, we will break slightly from the 1st and 3rd Wednesday night schedule for the rest of this calendar year. We have 2 more meetings before Christmas...Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. Then we will skip the first Wednesday and pick back up on Jan. 18, 2012!

Please let me know if you are coming to the meetings but if you have not gotten the emails. (To the lady who spoke to me last Wednesday about not getting the emails, I am not sure what is wrong. Your address is on the list. I sent you a test email Thursday morning...please let me know if you got it.)

We had a good meeting on the 16th...although it was generally agreed that Chapter 4 was rather a challenge...it reminded me of last year's Mere Christianity journey. If you stayed away because you did not feel confident about the chapter...never fear...we are in this together. We can learn from and encourage each other. I am so blessed to sit with and learn from you ladies!

I pray you have a blessed THANKSGIVING!!

In Him,

Debbie

Next thankful gathering...Nov. 16

Warm Fall greetings to you all! What a lovely Fall we have had so far! The chill in the air reminds us of upcoming Thanksgiving ...such a warm celebration filled with family and tradition. So much to be thankful for... One thing is this lovely group of ladies who are by faith determining to pursue God together. What a blessing!

Our meeting on Nov. 2nd was animated and fun. Please join us next time if you had to miss. We will be meeting at Common Ground at 7pm Wednesday, November 16th to discuss chapter 4 of The Pursuit of God. If you are not on the mailing list, please contact Fairhaven Church with your email address and I will send it to you.

I would like to invite you ALL to post a comment/question/meditation on this blog as you read the book. Especially if you cannot make the meetings, I would dearly love to see you share your thoughts/responses so that we can all learn from you. I would very much like to encourage an online CONVERSATION... Be brave! You can do it!! :-)

I pray God's tender blessings on you as you continue reading!

In Him,

Debbie

CHANGE in iRead reading schedule!

The season is changing...it's getting cooler and crisper outside...Other things are changing as well. We are continuing our reading of The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer. (That has not changed!) What is different is that we will be slowing down the pace of our reading so that we cover only one chapter per meeting. The overwhelming feedback from participants is in favor of this. Instead of finishing the book in December, we will be stretching it out over the Winter/Spring. It is more important to go deeper than just quickly go on.

If you are looking for a new challenge (and blessing), I want you to know that anyone is WELCOME to come at any time! We are a diverse group of ladies who want to pursue God, read and discuss Christian classics, and build relationships with others on the journey.We would love for you to join us! We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday nights from 7-8 @ Common Ground at Fairhaven Church. Please bring your copy of the book (or purchase it @ Common Ground) and your Bible. If you are interested in joining us but are not currently on the email list, please contact the church so that I can send you the study guides.

For our next meeting on Nov. 2, we will be discussing Chapter 3, "Removing the Veil". If you have already read it (and done the study questions), take some time to delve further. Rev. 4:11. How do we glorify God? Hebrews 9:1-14 ; 10:19-23. What does it mean to enter the Holy Place? How do you see this in your own life? How would you like to see it?

Let's shift our gaze from our daily concerns...glance only at these and learn to ponder and gaze at God.

In Him,

Debbie

iRead next meeting...Wed, Oct. 5!

I would like to welcome any and all ladies to iRead on the first and third Wednesdays of the fall 2011 months.This is a time for us to get together and discuss what we have read and to learn from one another. We break into small groups...generally not a lecture format at all. FYI...it is perfectly okay for you to come to any sessions...even if you missed the week before. If you would like to be on the mailing list for updates and general information, please contact the church. I will get in touch with you from there! I can't wait to meet you and learn from you!

For next time, we are reading the Introduction/Preface and Chapter One of The Pursuit of God. Come to Fairhaven, get a coffee or tea from Common Ground, and prepare to join a group of like sojourners... regular ladies like you and me...who just want to pursue God.

Determined to gaze (not glance) at God...

Debbie

iRead begins Wednesday, September 21st !!

All women...come one, come all to iRead! You are invited to join with other ladies who love to read and learn from others! We will meet from 7-8pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday nights at Common Ground at Fairhaven Church. This fall we will be reading The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer. The book is available for purchase at the Common Ground if you have not yet gotten your copy. There is no reading assignment for our first meeting so you can get your book on the first night.

Come on to meet new friends and see how we can encourage one another as we walk together in our pursuit of God. Get a hot cup of coffee from Common Ground and get comfortable for our small group discussions (no lecture). We want readers to be able to free to share their perspectives and questions in a comfortable, safe group.

I am looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday night! Blessings!

Debbie Priest
iRead facilitator

Announcements!

Warm summer greetings, all! I would like to make TWO announcements...

The first is the fall study book for the Fairhaven Church Ladies book discussion group...

We will be reading the classic, The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer!!
Feel free to go ahead and get the book, or get it from Common Ground in the early fall.

The second is the official new name of our group: "iRead."  My husband had suggested it last spring and I keep coming back to it... 

We will begin on September 21st. See you there!

In Him,  Debbie

Please fill out the survey!! Thanks!

Greetings, Ladies! Come one, come all to our second to last meeting of the spring this Wednesday night, May 4th at 7pm at Common Ground at Fairhaven Church! We will be discussing Chapters 5-8 of Book 4 of C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. Also, if you have come to ANY of the meetings at all, please fill out this brief survey that will  help me serve you better!      http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LBXLDJQ

I would like for us to brainstorm to come up with a NAME for our group...Someone suggested the name, "iRead"  What do you think? Come Wednesday night with suggestions or just post them here and see what others think!

 

Have a great first part of the week...

 

In Him, Debbie

Next Meeting: Wednesday May 4!!

Two more meetings this Spring! May 4th is the CORRECT date (NOT the 5th!) We will be discussing the Chapters 5-8 of Book 4 of Mere Christianity. See you then!

Next meeting April 13!

Hi, all!!! Come one, come all to discuss the first 4 chapters of Book IV of Mere Christianity! This is covered by Study Guides 10 and 11 from Grace of God Evangelical Lutheran Church's website. The assignment (beyond reading the section and working through the study guides!) is to bring along your three favorite quotes from this section. I look forward to the discussion!  

Next meeting March 30!

Hi, ladies! Welcome back to the Book Club Discussion page! I hope you are all well and enjoying the promise of Spring on its way!

Last night's discussion was wonderful, though I realize that as the school year rolls on, more and more events and responsibilities will tug at our schedules. Please know that your presence is very much enjoyed, but I completely understand scheduling conflicts, family commitments, health circumstances...etc. For this reason, I thought I'd give a quick update here for all!

A few comments written down in each group from last night's discussion:

Concerning Forgiveness:

...is to pray for those that hurt you-punishment notwithstanding-but pray for their good.
Freedom of forgiveness- it frees us. Unforgiveness is like swallowing poison everyday and then expecting the other person to get sick.

Pride:
 ...not that "I'm so good" but rather "I'm better than you." It has emotional consequences.

Charity:

The little decisions in our life are the most important. We reap the benefits/consequences of those decisions because they lead us either toward the light or the darkness.
We don't begin to give enough-to where we have to do without. We give out of our excess.

It was a good discussion! Thanks, ladies!

Our remaining schedule for reading Mere Christianity is as follows:

March 30     Book 3, Chapters 10-12   Study Guide 10
April 13       Book 4, Chapters 1-4*      Study Guides 11/12
May 5         Book 4 Chapters 5-8*        Study Guides 12/13
May 18       Book 4 Chapters 9-11*      Study Guide 13
* For those of you who attended last night, I was mistaken in my comment that the Study Guides work out exactly through the end of our "semester". The last 3 sessions will share Study Guides 10 -13.

I mentioned last night that it is not too late to join our group that is going to see Max McLean perform The Screwtape Letters in Cincinnati on April 9 at 4 pm. There is one ticket available and we can get more at the group rate of $35.50. Please let me or Angela know if you can join us!

I'd like us to start thinking about what might come after we finish Mere Christianity. I would love to continue our group in the fall and would very much like your input concerning the choice of book, meeting day / time / place and any other thoughts you might have. I just want to put the thought in our minds for us to consider how we might proceed!

Please feel free as always to make a comment or ask a question here for all to consider!

See you soon!

Debbie

Next Meeting: March 2nd

On we read in Mere Christianity!! Next up are chapters 4-6 of Book 3 (Christian Behavior). Study Guide #7. I have just finished re-reading these chapters and seem to find and/or understand more each time! It seems like Book 3 is rather easier to grasp than some of the early sections. What do you ladies think?

I know that the groups did not have time to "get through" the 3 study guides we were supposed to be discussing last week. For the next meeting, I would like you to know that I will leave it up to the individual groups to determine how many of the questions you discuss from the Study Guide #7 or from any previous week. While I find the Study Guides extremely helpful, they are not to be approached with any pressure that "we have to get through all this". Each group is welcomed and encouraged to discuss a topic that is important to you - even if it is from the last meeting (we had so much ground to cover).

Hey, you brave souls...What have you come across in your reading since our last meeting that you have found interesting, curious, confusing, etc.? I know it's pretty random, but I really like the sentiment on pg. 100 in which C. S. Lewis says, "For any happiness, even in this world, quite a lot of restraint is going to be necessary." To what do you all think is he referring? (P.S. I do not have the "answer key"!!)

In closing, let me say again how much I appreciate your desire to read this landmark Christian literature. It is a blessing to be able to read it alongside others! Thank you for being willing to walk the journey together!
Have a great rest of the week and I'll see you on March 2nd!

Debbie

Welcome back!!! Wednesday Feb. 16 at 7 pm!!

Hi, ladies! We are meeting 7 pm on Wednesday February 16th in Common Ground at Fairhaven Church! Since we missed Feb. 2nd due to the ice cancellation, we have quite a bit to cover. We will be discussing the Study Guides 4, 5 and 6. Please highlight the sections that you especially want to discuss when in small groups.

Please feel free to come early if you would like to have a little bit more time to talk with others!

See you then!

Debbie

Cancelled for Feb. 2

Hi, ladies! We are cancelled due to the weather for tonight, Wed., Feb. 2.  Since we are not meeting in person, I thought I'd throw a few thoughts out...Comments are welcome!! What was your favorite quote from this section? What parts spoke to you in particular?

I was especially interested in Chapt. 2, "The Invasion", and the concept that Christianity is a "fighting" religion.  What did you think of that part? As a parent, I can appreciate the idea of fighting for the spiritual life of a child.

Also one of the simplest, and most basic encouragements for me in Book 2 was Lewis' statement in Chapt. 4, p. 59. "To what will you look for help if you will not look to that which is stronger than yourself?"

Go ahead and sign up to be a Follower of this page...jump into the blog! It'll be fun!!

Stay home tonight and keep warm while you read the next 3 chapters in Mere Christianity!! Go ahead and print off Study Guide #6 from  http://www.graceofgodlutheran.com/ 

See you all next time, Wed., Feb. 16th at 7pm!

Debbie

Welcome to the Conversation for Wednesday Feb. 2!!

I am delighted to welcome ladies' participation in our book discussion group that meets every other Wednesday at Common Ground at Fairhaven Church! We are discussing, Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.

For Wednesday, Feb. 2, we will have read "Book 2: What Christians Believe". You are WELCOME to come, even if you have not yet started the book! There is no need to register. We look forward to meet you and to bring you into the conversation!!

Please feel free to become a "Follower" of this page! I would be thrilled for ladies to use this as a way of connecting by making comments or asking questions about what you have read between meetings. If you cannot come, why not post a few thoughts or at least follow what others might write. Come on! Be brave!! It will be fun!

Happy reading!!  See you soon! 

Debbie

Assignment for Wed, Jan 19

Hi, Ladies! I'd like to pass along a little information concerning our book discussion for next week. First, we will meet in Common Ground as last time, but I will hopefully have reserved some tables over by the little stage. I will also have name tags!  We will start as a whole group and then break off into random groups so that everyone has a chance to participate. Talking is learning!!

A bit of business...in case of bad weather, if Centerville City Schools has called off school, generally the church cancels its events. If the weather has cleared by evening we MAY meet. Check the church's website in that case.

As I "assigned" last week, we will be looking at all of "Book One" of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. There are a few things I'd like you to do ahead of time. First, please thoughtfully consider someone specific in your life whom you know is skeptical about faith issues. Keep that person in mind when you read over Book One. I would like you to write out a few helpful or insightful points you have gleaned from Lewis that you might be able to say in a conversation with this person at some point. Please bring this to the next meeting. We will share them in our small groups. I hope that this will provide all of us with insights we might not be able to have on our own.

Book One is entitled, "Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe." Write out  how you might explain the following to a close friend...the Law of Human Nature, Moral Law, Right &Wrong, Goodness. You are not trying to win someone over...just trying to verbalize what these things mean.  Do they mean anything different to you having read CSLewis?

Next, do a little internet search on Mere Christianity. You may be blown away by the amazing  amount of material available covering this book. For next time, please bring at least 3 discussion questions based on Book One that are interesting to you.

Finally, highlight in your book (or write out separately) at least 2 paragraphs or passages from Book One. I would like you to identify the section(s) most interesting/helpful to you and then identify a part that either you did not understand or with which you are in disagreement. (I would like you to be prepared to talk in a small group about why you reacted this way about these passages.) 

Please feel free to post thoughts, questions, comments on this blog. Let's keep the conversation going!!

I look forward to seeing you next week, Jan. 19th!

Debbie

Fairhaven Book Conversation

Welcome to the conversation!!!...First up is a rather ambitious book for discussion...For the next 5 months, we will be reading and discussing C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. It may go without saying that there will not be an exhaustive analysis of the entire book. The intention is primarily to provide a springboard for spiritual challenge and growth in community. To do this, my  hope is to provide a safe and supportive environment for participants to share perspectives, to ask questions and to get to know and support one another in the process!

The "syllabus" will be dictated by the in-person meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month (7-8pm) in Common Ground at Fairhaven Church. Please make every effort to attend so that we can get to know one other and benefit from each other's perspective. If unable to attend, however, participants will have the ability to share remotely by accessing this blog. Anyone can post questions, thoughts or quotes to which I strongly welcome your COMMENTS to enrich the conversation. Check it every few days or so to keep in touch with between meeting comments.

For the first two meetings, we will be reading and discussing "Book One": "Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe". This section can actually be the most challenging to many people. It is particularly applicable to those who are questioning or for those who have had exposure to philosophy. It is also very helpful for us to read this section as we consider our friends and loved ones who may be skeptical in matters of faith.

A few quotes for you to consider concerning the Law of Human Nature...

This is the quality peculiar to man, wherein he differs from other animals, that he alone is endowed with perception to distinguish right from wrong, justice from injustice."  Aristotle

Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong, even if everyone is for it.  William Penn

Quote #1  These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the earth have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the Law of Nature; they break it. These two facts are the foundation of all clear thinking about ourselves and universe we live in. 
C. S. Lewis

COMMENTS?

Quote #2  For the trouble is that one part of you is on His side and really agrees with His disapproval of human greed and trickery and exploitation. You may want Him to make an exception in your own case, to let you off this one time; but you know at the bottom that unless the power behind the world really and unalterably detests that sort of behaviour, then He cannot be good. On the other hand, we know that if there does exist an absolute goodness it must hate most of what we do. This is the terrible fix we are in. If the universe is not governed by an absolute goodness, then all our efforts are in the long run hopeless. But if it is, then we are making ourselves enemies to that goodness every day, and are not in the least likely to do any better tomorrow, and so our case is hopeless again. We cannot do without it, and we cannot do with it. God is the only comfort; He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from.  C. S. Lewis

Reactions?  Comments?  Thoughts?