Several years ago, the internet crossed my paths with a woman living in Louisiana, who has since become a dear friend. She introduced me to another lovely woman, also from Louisiana, as she thought I would enjoy both her humor, her recipes, and her love of Jesus.
My friend was right and now, almost 16 years later, her emails still show up now and then in my inbox.
In her latest book, Finding Deep and Wide, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, encourages us not to settle for less than the life Jesus died for and intends for each of us.
My heart was drawn into the book as I read these words from the introduction:
“While agreeing that living with God in our midst””in our very bodies, at that””should work us up into the type of daily celebration the prophet Isaiah spoke about … we accept a sub- standard experience of what it means to carry the Hope of Glory around in these all-too-human vessels. We settle for only acting like having new life in Christ is something to shout about.”
She calls this “less-than” living and we all do it at some point in our walk with God. At times, we don’t even realize it.
Finding Deep and Wide is a gentle wake-up call, a reminder we have been called to more. Shellie shares:
“My not-so-secret goal is to make you crazy hungry for the way of life God wants for you, planned for you, and paid the ultimate cost to provide for you.”
Shellie shares her personal stories weaving them with the stories found in Scripture to deliver truth for us to unfold for ourselves. Her words are a dare not to settle, to keep digging until we find our souls satisfied in Him.
Shellie writes with a sense of humor while sharing the truth found in God’s Word. As she writes about God’s invitation to us all, she stirs a longing in our own souls to accept His invitation again and again.
“He longs for us to see holy moments. Every moment spent with God is holy because God is holy, and wherever we are, He is.”
She breaks through the great divide between secular and divine, opening our eyes to see all of life as divine moments where God at work. She repeatedly brings the invitation to leave behind our preconceived ideas of religion and journey side by side with Jesus leading the way into a full life.
Each chapter closes with “Questions for Group Study or Private Reflection” making this a wonderful book for both individual and group study use.
As part of the launch team, I was provided a pdf copy to read. After only a few chapters in, I purchased a copy for myself. The book is a meaningful and faith challenging read.
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Today I am joining … Heart Encouragement and Let’s Have Coffee and Booknificent Thursday .
Thank you for sharing these thoughts from Shellie. I also have a tendency to picture cramped quarters in this life, when God is offering me a wide open door into his freedom and love.
I think that is so true of many of us, Michele. The book was a refreshing reminder of the simplest truths we so need to hear again and again.