I Believe ebook – Spiritual Response

I Believe – October Special

It’s not ready yet, but it turns out that’s not a big deal. What? I’ve enrolled I Believe: A Year of Reflecting on One’s Faith in the Kindle Matchbook program. However, just before preparing to release the news I found out that I was a month too soon. Not in enrolling, but in when you can see it.

So, beginning in October, if you’ve purchased the book from Amazon you can download the Kindle version – FOR FREE!

That’s right. And it doesn’t matter when you purchased it. So you don’t have to buy them together or think, ‘Rats! I bought the paperback last year.’ You’re still eligible.

I’ll mention it again when it actually goes live.

John

Ash Wednesday – Day 1

Day 1 and if you’re like me, you were thinking ahead of how you might spend this Lent, thinking you want to maximize the experience, as if you were limited to this time period. You’re not, are you?

So I read the first reflection and decided I had better slow down. I thought about how we so often want to toot our own horn, brag about our accomplishments, say something so someone will take notice of us. As I consider what I will shed this Lent, (my wife would say, “How about some pounds?”), I wonder if I could do so without telling anyone. I wonder if they would notice.

Is it even important that they do? God notices. Isn’t that enough?

p.s. – The 2 ebooks are available as free downloads today, 2/13: I Believe (the year long one) here and Irrational Joy (Lent only) here.

Again a thank you!

Once again I have to say thanks! The response to the 2 free download days was great, and I hope that those who can now read the ebook find it helpful in their quest for a deeper faith, a deeper understanding of what they believe in and why.

I think it’s scary to face something held dear and question its validity. It’s not easy. It can shake the very foundations of one’s world view. So I understand when someone gets vociferous in defense of what they believe. I think after so many years of listening to others and discussing with them – notice how these discussions are covert attempts to convince the other that what you believe is right? – I decided I no longer needed to defend my position, nor attack theirs.

We’re each on a journey through this life, and our paths may cross multiple times, or merge for short or long distances. There are multiple ways to reach the destination, but I believe we will all reach it. What guides you on your path may not guide me, though above our separate descriptions of what guides us one master, in my view.

May your journey be more fruitful and fulfilling in this year.

A New Year Beckons

We’re on the cusp of the new year, and as I listen to people’s resolutions and consider my own, I also think that these are things that should be part of our daily life, not something we attempt only at the beginning of a new year. However, knowing my own failings, it’s a good point in time to renew our resolve, to reconsider what we are doing, what we are living for, and give thanks for each moment in our lives – even the difficult ones.

Thank you to those who have downloaded my new ebook, I Believe. I hope it guides you to deepen your own faith, to consider what you believe in, and come closer to God. Our journeys can cover many miles, or we can choose to rest in a comfortable place, never reaching out to see what may await us. I prefer to continue walking, not knowing exactly where I’m going, but cherishing each step as it brings me to a new understanding of humanity and faith.

Search out one new source of inspiration this year. It might surprise you what you learn!

John

Thank you!

Thank you to all those who downloaded I Believe: A Year of Reflecting on One’s Faith. I hope you find it to be helpful in examining your own faith and beliefs and in facing the daily challenges in your life. I know it has helped me as I wrote it. I look forward to any feedback you might have.

I find inspiration in the most unlikely of places, though when I think about it, this may be the most likely place: a sales website. Because sales are all about motivating yourself to keep selling. However, Geoffrey James gives good advice for everyday living as well. Here’s one of his blog posts that you might like.

John