The Divine Center (Steven R Covey)

 

I received this book as part of a Christmas gift exchange....something someone had on their shelf that they didn't want anymore but couldn't just throw out. It appeared to be unread. It took me a while to get around to reading it, but I'm glad I did. It gave me a  lot to think about. It felt like the author got a little deeper into why the things the church teaches matter.

Notes

p. 21 Power is the faculty or the capacity to act.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agenda unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward (D&C 58:27-28)

...the capacity to change one's nature and to become, as Peter puts it, a partake of the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-8).

p. 109 The family is central in Heavenly Father's plan....the scaffolding is all other Church programs and activities.......The scaffolding is the extension of home life, so we should always be recommitting ourselves to the principles of gospel-centered living as well as to the outreach effort to take the scaffolding to all of our Heavenly Father's children so that they too can have the blessings

p. 114 Inactive or Active?
I was once home teaching a family whose son had strayed from "the Church," and the parents were beside themselves with grief over what to do. At one point, I said, "I notice that your son frequently visits with you, and this shows a lot of love and loyalty ot the family." The parents responded, "Yes, he's a very good person in that way. We only wish he would be more active in the Church."

I then taught the concept discussed above and explained that their son was active in certain aspects of the fundamental unit of the Church but was not at this point engaged in the scaffolding work. I told them that they should not condemn or label their son, because these labels tend to become self-fulfilling and they frequently are inaccurate anyway. By loving the son unconditionally and setting a good example themselves and trying to be understanding, I suggested, they would be modeling gospel values; then, little by little, with patience and prayer, they would probably see the son become increasingly active in the Gospel and on the scaffolding. And this did come to pass. 

Goodreads says:

A classic book available for the first time in paperback All of us at some point search for an organizing principle in life, one that is simple without being simplistic, that offers enduring direction. The book introduces, explains, and illuminates such a principle – centering one’s life on Christ. It examines twelve other "centers" and their effect on key dimensions of our our security, guidance, wisdom, and power. Although those other perspectives offer some value, only the "divine center" meets all the tests. This powerful principle is given life by an inspiring presentation of "how-tos" –imaginative, thought-provoking explanations of the divine-centering process and steps necessary to achieve the goal.

The Magician's Nephew (C.S. Lewis)

 

Since I claim to be a reader, I probably should have read this before now. Alas, this was my first time. I plan to read the entire series. I have read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe before but not the ones that follow. This book explains how the wardrobe became magical. There are a number of interesting connections and symbolism connected to Biblical stories.

I gave it a 5 on GoodReads because who am I to give CS Lewis anything less? I am not sure many of my students would ever enjoy it. It would be a stretch for them and that is usually the reason I read most Children's Lit books. Maybe I need to expand my purpose in reading though.

Narrator, explaining what happened to the uncle when all the animals started surrounding them: For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are. (p. 136....chapter 10)  

Digory and the Witch (who represents evil):

"Foolish boy," said the Witch.  "Why do you run from me? I mean you no harm. If you do not stop and listen to me now, you will some some knowledge that would have made you happy all your life." (p. 175 ...chapter 13)

"What has the Lion ever done for you that you should be his slave?" said the Witch. "What can he do to you once you are back in your own world? And what would your Mother think if he knew that you could have taken her pain away and given her back her life and saved your Father's heart from being broken, and that you wouldn't - that you'd rather run messages for a wild animal in a strange world that is no business of yours?" (p. 176 ...chapter 13)

Why friends matter: The meanness of the suggestions that he should leave Polly behind suddenly made all the other things the Witch had been saying to him sound false and hollow. And even in the midst of all his misery, his head suddenly cleared, and he said (in a different and much louder voice): 
"Look here; where do you come into all this? Why are you so precious and fond of my Mother all of a sudden? What's it got to do with you? What's your game? (Digory to the Witch)

later, she continues to try to create a sense of urgency to follow her:
"Go then, Fools," called the Witch. "Think of me, Boy, when you lie old and weak and dying, and remember how you threw away the chance of endless youth! It won't be offered you again." (p. 178 ...chapter 13)

On seeing people's beauty on the inside:
All the sharpness and cunning and quarrelsomeness which he had picked up as a London cabby seemed to have been washed away, and the courage and kindness which he had always had were easier to see. Perhaps it was the air of the young world that had done it, or talking with Aslan, or both. (p. 181 chapter 14 the cabby and his wife once they're made King and Queen of Narnia)

On the fruit from the tree:

Aslan: That is what happens to those who pluck and eat fruits at the wrong time and in the wrong way. The fruit is good, but they loathe it ever after.
"Oh I see," said Polly. "And I suppose because she took it in the wrong way it won't work for her. I mean it won't make her always young and all that?"
"Alas, said Aslan, shaking his head. "It will. Things always work according to their nature. She has won her heart's desire; she has un-wearying strength and endless days like a goddess. But length of days with an evil heart is only length of misery and already she begins to know it. All get what they want; they do not always like it."  (p. 190 ...chapter 14)

Goodreads says:

When Digory and Polly are tricked by Digory's peculiar Uncle Andrew into becoming part of an experiment, they set off on the adventure of a lifetime. What happens to the children when they touch Uncle Andrew's magic rings is far beyond anything even the old magician could have imagined.

Hurtled into the Wood between the Worlds, the children soon find that they can enter many worlds through the mysterious pools there. In one world they encounter the evil Queen Jadis, who wreaks havoc in the streets of London when she is accidentally brought back with them. When they finally manage to pull her out of London, unintentionally taking along Uncle Andrew and a coachman with his horse, they find themselves in what will come to be known as the land of Narnia. 

Power From On High (Caldwell)

The title of this book was a draw for me. The more I read the more 'meh' I felt about it. I don't feel obligated to finish books I don't like, and I did end up finishing it, so that says something. However, it wasn't any different than anything I have heard at a long and dull stake conference or sacrament meeting where people rehash a talk that has already been given by someone else.

Goodreads says:

When the Lord's church was organized in this dispensation, the Savior . . . gave Joseph Smith power from on high that he might fulfill the Lord's purposes and accomplish His marvelous work. Just as Joseph Smith needed power from heavenly sources, so also are we dependent upon that same power in order to fulfill the Lord's expectations of us, be accepted of Him, and be welcomed back into His presence. In the pages of this inspiring text, Elder C. Max Caldwell, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, explains that we don't have the power to personally overcome and transcend our mortal limitations. However, the redeeming power of the Savior not only saves us from permanent physical disabilities through the resurrection, but also repairs internal spiritual damages incurred when we fail to follow the narrow path leading home. Elder Caldwell then points us toward principles and practices that will connect us to the Lord's power plant—simple guidelines that will give us the power to overcome temptation and keep our lives focused on the Savior and the saving principles of His gospel. Filled with scriptural affirmations, powerful examples, meaningful quotes from General Authorities, and the author's tender and insightful personal experiences, this is truly a book to be savored, treasured, and referenced often.

Experiential Storytelling (Mark Miller)

I think the author makes a lot of really good points in this book when it comes to being familiar with scriptures. I was especially interested in using the ideas in here for teaching LDS seminary. I want to be a good story teller! There is great power that comes from a story that can relate to scripture.

Goodreads says:

The 'Been there, done that' culture is starving for reality. Hardly satisfied with the modern conventions of citing facts and figures and pushing propositions, emerging churches are jumping into the narrative form of communication with both feet. But not all emerging church leaders have an inherent handle on the craft and skill of using narrative as a sermon form. Experiential Storytelling zeros in on the hows and whys of narrative, as well as the importance of sharing personal experience to double your storytelling ammunition. In addition, author Mark Miller goes several steps further, giving examples of real-time, hands-on experiences for church members as innovative extensions of traditional teaching and preaching that offer them greater scriptural understanding and ownership of the gospel story.Chapters include: * The Dawning of the Age of Experience* Once Upon a Story* Awakening the Sleeping Giant in the Church---C*R*E*A*T*I*V*T*Y* Reimagining the 'Sermon'* Elements of Experiential Storytelling* Killer Apps