Book Review--Gray Matter by David Levy, MD, with Joel Kilpatrick

In Gray Matter:A Neurosurgeon Discovers the Power of Prayer . . . One Patient at a Time, Dr. David Levy, a respected neurosurgeon, narrates how his journey of faith ultimately leads him to initiate praying with his patients prior to surgery.  The decision to introduce spirituality into his medical practice was not an easy one for Levy, and his book allows readers to witness his struggles with incorporating prayer with his patients into his medical practice.  Dr. Levy acknowledges with candor the concerns he faced about praying out loud with patients:  How would prayer affect his medical reputation?  How would he handle the possibility that patients could be offended by his offer of prayer?  

Ultimately Dr. Levy was unable and unwilling to resist the Lord's prompting to offer prayer to his patients, and the results are amazing.  Not only did patients and colleagues experience a greater sense of peace, but through prayer, Levy was able to lead patients and family members to experience forgiveness and salvation.  Not every case Levy describes has a fairytale ending; life isn't like that, but Levy describes how prayer reshapes the messiness of real life by introducing forgiveness and hope.

This book is a great read on several levels.  First, the medical situations that Levy describes are fascinating and the outcomes are dramatic.  Second, the power of prayer shines through this book.  Dr. Levy is not  heavy-handed with his religious beliefs, and yet, the impact of his simple prayers is unmistakable.  This book encouraged me to consider what seemingly simple act of faith I might take that might have a profound impact on my world.    

Thanks to Tyndale for a review copy of this book.  The opinions are my own.



 

Menu Planning Monday

Spring is here in name only!  Sigh.  I miss the sun.  A string of dreary cold days makes uncovering my homemaking motivation a bit more of a challenge: such days find me inclined to grab a book, a cup of coffee and a cozy chair.  But, in an effort to jump start the week and be slightly organized, here's the menu: 

Monday--Tortellini, Bean and Pesto Soup with Grilled Cheese

Tuesday--Chicken Potpie

Wednesday--Fish

Thursday--Baked Ziti (from the freezer)

Friday--Eating out

Saturday--Easy Baked Greek Chicken

This quotation summarizes my thoughts exactly:

"Let the sun shine." 

--(Henry David Thoreau) 

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 6

I'm still working through Psalm 121, and I love the intimacy and tenderness of these verses.  The Lord is right by my side.  He protects me.  What powerful prayers these are for my children as well.  So much of life is out of my control, but the Lord, with His eternal perspective, walks right beside us, protecting and sheltering us.  Amen!  

Psalm 121:5-6

The LORD protects you;
the LORD is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day,
or the moon by night.

Book Review: Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris is an inspiring and challenging book.  The premise of the book revolves around the idea that our culture has virtually no expectations for teenagers beyond the pursuit of pleasure.  While culture at large views adolescence as the time to revel in gratifying childish desires, Alex and Brett Harris counter that adolescence is  the very time when people should begin to put childishness behind them.  The Harris brothers argue that the teenage years are the perfect time to step up, to take challenges, to do mighty things for God's glory, and they back up their assertion with inspiring examples of teenagers who have done just that: taken a risk for God and watched as He has used them to make a difference in the world.

I loved this book.  Its message is timely and caused me to consider afresh what hard things I can do for God.  Part of the beauty of the message of this book is that Alex and Brett define "hard" not just as "huge," though hard things may be that for some people, but they also define "hard" as being disciplined in doing the right thing, such as practicing Godly disciplines in a consistent manner.  We all are called to do hard things for God, and, regardless of our ages, we need to step up and then watch God work.          

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 5

Several times this week I have had posting these verses on my mind, and one thing or another always managed to get in the way;  I am so glad that nothing gets in the way of God's care and provision for me.  Nothing manages to interrupt His schedule and push me to the back burner.  Thankfully, He never says, "I really should have done this sooner, but I guess I'll go ahead . . . ."   This Psalm is a great reminder of God's attention to our individual lives.

I'm memorizing verses 3-4 of Psalm 121:

3.  He will not allow your foot to slip;
Your Protector will not slumber.
4.  Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.

Psalm 121:3-4  (HCSB)