My poor wife.  She’s got to be tired of having paragraph after paragraph read aloud to her.  Either I’m getting better at picking what to read or I’ve been on a streak.  Some paradigm shifting stuff.  Mind-blowing.  (And no, I’m not talking about the book I’m working on.)  Here’s a quick update on the strange trips in my head.

• The book is being edited by friends.  Woo hoo.  Already getting some great feedback.  That means, “Wow Chris this is important work” and “This is poorly communicated.  Change this part.”
• I’ve found a whole new playground theologically.  I did some sniffing around to find the friends/authors of the guy who wrote The Shack.  This new playground is messing me up.  I fell down a rabbit hole of psychology, counseling, and God’s grace in the midst of our pain a little over a year ago.  And now I’m finding myself taking a turn even deeper into this path.  These new authors/writers/speakers are a strand of thought that isn’t mainstream but thoroughly orthodox and biblically whole while at the same time deep/practical.  These folks are presenting some teachings that are similar but still different to some ideas I argue in the book.  That’s very affirming because I feel like I’m on a path that is making some unique contributions but is also being blazed in other parts of the jungle.
• I’ve gained a lot of insight as I’ve reflected on my own developing psychology/manifesto.  I started a process over a year ago where I attempted to classify my approach to life and greatest places for growth in 10 statements.  I reflected over journal entries and my own past thoroughly.  Recent reading I’ve done into the psychology of performance gave my thoughts some finishing touches and thee result is that I’ve developed 12 power virtues for each month of the year.  If you’re trying to find your own approach to life mine may be of help.  Let me know if you’d like to dialogue about it.  And consider developing your own.

Ah, now I feel better

“We only feel as good about ourselves as our last moment of obedience.”  I heard the author of The Shack say this as a description of what’s broken in our relationship with God.

I have felt and lived this way for too long.  God has been taking me through deconstruction and now reconstruction to experience an identity that understands we are always in the Holy of Holies or God’s presence.

I’ve tried to record this growth and understanding for my benefit and others.  In the process I’ve come to see a principle or pattern of God’s working in my life.  When I cooperate with that pattern I receive rest.  When I fight the pattern I strive and wear myself out.

13,580 words later I’ve finished a rough draft of a small book that explains this process.  I’m looking for 5 people that would like to help critique a rough version of this work.  If you’re interested I’ll give more details.  Don’t disqualify yourself.  It won’t be a huge time investment and I’m looking for a mix of grammatical, stylistic, and theological critiques.  You may bring all 3 or predominantly 1.  Email me at chris@chrismcalister.com with “I’ll edit” in the subject line.

(UPDATE    Thanks everybody.  If you got an email back you know you’re on the team.  I’ve got more than enough offers so I won’t be taking on anymore.)

Thanks!