Thoughtful, Encouraging, and Spiritual Writing

About Assertion, a Both/And America, and God Active in Science

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by Rosemary B. Althoff

Three topics come together in Rosemary B. Althoff’s Soul’s Warfare series, They are all taught in the Bible by the Lord of Words, that is, Jesus. And, as far as my limited education and experience goes, the concepts are the theme of all my endeavors.

Here are the conflicts in the stories:

  • Assertive communication.     In Book 1, The Hot Marble, of the Soul’s Warfare series, lack of assertion gets characters in trouble. The main character, young physicist Lewis’s best friend Fred betrays him because of jealousy and low self-esteem.
  • A unified, both/and America.      In Book 3, The Horned Edge, and the in-progress Book 4 (From Silence to Singing), a sinister political and spiritual movement that fosters divisive thinking threatens to conquer two worlds—including Earth and Lanthra.
  • God active in the physical universe.      In Book 2, Lewis learns the hard way that human endeavor alone cannot conquer the enemy.

How can people interact without fighting? Through respectful assertion. How can a nation in conflict heal? With confirming communication, which is dropping the all-or-nothing thinking and replacing it with (informed) both/and thinking. How can people who love God bring Him into the world’s conversation? By realizing that the omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient loving One who made all universes (if there are more than one!) is active in our physical reality—in the past, in the future, and right now.

Making peace

with healthy communication

What 2024 Resolution Are You Leaning Toward?

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Earlier today I wrote that I plan to rest—even while being active. How can I make that goal specific? I know (because the Bible tells me so) that rest is attainable. Is rest measurable?

S.A.M.: Specific, Attainable. Measurable.

Rest means to me that I am physically alert and active, mentally at peace, and spiritually trusting God.

I know that my perception of being rested changes by the moment, but the state of being rested is long-term. With the help of God, I can enter a state of rest.

How to measure rest? (1) One physical way is to keep track of sleep and eating. When I’m stressed, both get ragged. I overeat and under-sleep. I’ll keep records of those living essentials. (2) A way to measure mental rest is to keep track of my moods. (3) But spiritual rest? How can I measure that? Here is how I will do that: I can monitor my anxiety level. When I trust God, I get less anxious. Although occasional anxiety may hit me, I don’t plan ti live in it.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS … IN DECEMBER

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My theme for the end of 2023 going into 2024 is Rest.

Rest means choosing to take care of myself while loving others. So, I have challenged myself to moderate eating, increase exercise by inches rather than miles, and schedule days off. I love my work of writing, and I choose to reward myself for getting writing done with things that help me rest. I may be active when I’m resting—for instance, riding my bike in the park and then going out for ice cream. I may sit and read. I may hang out with friends and family.

A book I heartily recommend to help people make their New Year’s decisions is The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman.

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Talk to people … and listen

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Today I worshipped at a new-to-me church. I got there early, and thought I’d just find a corner to burrow into and wait for the service to begin.

But something inside suggested that I approach people, introduce myself, and just chat if they were open. And they were open!

One interpersonal barrier I encountered was to think of my responses to people while they were talking instead of listening and THEN responding. Today I made an effort to listen so I could really get to know the folks. I wasn’t successful at overcoming my habit with every conversation, but I made an effort and met some lovely new friends!

Point of story: I, the introvert, stepped out in faith and met people. And the new relationships were a very pleasant takeaway.

Setting a goal for setting a goal

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It’s the close of Thanksgiving Day, and I’m full, sleepy, and happy after a good time with family and friends. I’m in no shape to think through prewriting Book 4, From Silence to Singing.

But I have just enough energy left tonight to set a goal for setting a goal.

On Saturday, November 25, I’ll set THE goal for completing the prewriting phase of Book 4.

There, I did it!