An Altar in the World

I had reserved this book at the library after reading favourable reviews on Ginger and Jayne's blogs earlier this year. There were many holds on it and I finally picked up my copy a couple of weeks ago. I started reading it and realized this was not a book to be skimmed, but with all that has been going on this month, I did not get back to it. But God has ways of slowing us down. I spent several hours in the ER at the hospital yesterday and while I am not seriously ill, I do require intravenous medication for a few days. I took the book along and finished it while receiving treatment and was thoroughly moved by the words shared by the gifted author, Barbara Brown Taylor. The tears in my eyes were not from physical pain, but from words which described the beauty and intimacy of a true spiritual relationship with God and the world. We are quick to separate the spiritual from the secular in our lives but the author challenges the reader to see that every aspect of our lives should be meaningful and reverent. I dislike the fact that the music and singing segment in the church service is called "praise and worship", as if the rest of our week is not dedicated to the same principle.

The twelve chapters of the book are as follows;

• The Practice of Waking up to God
• The Practice of Paying Attention
• The Practice of Wearing Skin
• The Practice of Walking on the Earth
• The Practice of Getting Lost
• The Practice of Encountering Others
• The Practice of Living with Purpose
• The Practice of Saying No
• The Practice of Carrying Water
• The Practice of Feeling Pain
• The Practice of Being Present to God
• The Practice of Pronouncing Blessings

I remember reading Brother Andrew's book The Practice of the Presence of God a few years ago and Taylor's book makes reference to this classic work as she expands on the theme.

I noticed several people standing in busy areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles last month holding placards which admonished people to repent and turn to God. The crowds veered away from them even though they were well intentioned with their message. How much better it is to build relationships and share God's love in the places we live, work and play. The next time I read my own copy of this book, I will be using a highlighter.