Appreciating Libraries with Libraries Rock

I have been away from my blog this year thus far due to many things in the stuff of life. This past week I stopped by the New Braunfels library and was glad to see a packed parking lot so I thought I would do a post on the Library Summer reading program. I had gone to the library to turn in an activity log for the reading program. Passing by the children’s section I saw a poster “Libraries Rock”. This was the same theme that I found on my hometown, Barberton Public Library homepage, so it must be a national theme. Each Summer I usually check out the homepage of the Barberton library to savor memories of Summers spent there when I was younger.

The reading logs that are to be turned in look like bingo cards and there are a variety of library related items on the card: “read 30 minutes” (most frequently listed), “attend a library event”, “check out a CD”, “read a magazine”, “recommend a book to a friend” are some of the items to check off. I dropped off a log form and received another. The forms are turned in for a raffle drawing at the end of the Summer in all the age levels. I was encouraged to see the involvement in the library program that day. Having difficulty in finding a parking spot was actually a joy to me as it meant many townspeople were making use of the library services.

As I went home I thought of the theme, “Libraries Rock”. In the past most of the themes focused in on reading, which I fully promote myself, especially to college students in my courses I teach and to clients in my counseling practice. The theme this year helps us to appreciate what a library is to a community. The services a library provides to a community are plentiful activities for all the various age groups. I noticed this Summer for adults they have at the New Braunfels library for example -- Coloring therapy classes, opportunities to learn yoga and book clubs. I look forward to a future point in life where I can be involved in some activities in the library. Right now my primary appreciation for the library is to find new books to read.

My hope with the “Libraries Rock” theme that it will help young people to capture an inner energy for what libraries can offer. Rock music is high energy so with all that libraries offer, the theme provides a positive connotation to capture the hearts and minds of young people. For teens the New Braunfels library offers art classes and an Anime club. Then for children they have story times and various events such as a Zoofari.

An appreciation for libraries and books has always been a big part of my life. Growing up in Barberton, Ohio my mother always encouraged reading and library involvement. In our high tech world it is easy to be trapped within the four walls of a house. The local library provides a place for booklovers to gather and meet likeminded people with book clubs and a variety of activities that are relevant to a fulfilling life. The Summer is not over so take some time to stop by your local library and gain an appreciation for what the library can offer you.

Reflection- Take a look at your local library webpage and look over the various services your library offers. The Reading programs go through August so be involved with it.

Reflecting on 2017 and Favorite 2017 Worship

Before progressing into 2018 I believe it is important to reflect on 2017. My highlights of the year most importantly was in October going in for an angioplasty to find after my first 99% closed arteries 14 years ago I had another 99 % closed one and one heart artery in the 80% range closed. God helped me to get help twice in my life for my heart without having a heart attack. Some may call it luck but my worldview points to God. That was the primary blessing of the year. I find myself again asking why am I alive when I know others die with such blockages. All I can think of is my time is not up yet and God still has things planned for me on this earth.

Other highlights of the year were continued teaching of college students in my college success course I teach and also in my work as a therapist seeing positive growth in clients. Professionally a highlight was to attend and do a presentation at the International Positive Psychology World Congress in Montreal, Canada. It was a great learning experience and a wonderful vacation trip for the family.

Music wise we ended off on a high note of attending a Mannheim Steamroller concert at the Majestic Theater in our nearby San Antonio. It is a beautiful old theater and Mannheim’s Christmas show was amazingly spectacular. We have enjoyed good music this year but the highlight was in the Fall to hear John Michael Talbot in concert at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Antonio. I had always enjoyed his music over the years and had not heard him in concert since my time in Chicago over 20 years ago.

John’s music and voice just carried my heart and mind into worship. I loved hearing his songs that I have continued to listen to over the years. The evening was an opportunity to hear his thoughts behind some of the songs. He is also a deep thinking teacher and some of his thoughts challenged my thoughts on living of a life of knowing myself as a sinner but also understanding God’s mercy through Jesus Christ. I also needed his thoughts on daring to believe God in prayer from his sharing on Mark 11: 22 “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” He encouraged us if we can learn to let go and let God amazing things can happen in our lives. We limit God in our lack of faith. So the John Michael Talbot concert was a spiritual worship highlight of 2017 for me. If you ever have the chance to hear him do not miss it. Check out his website for tour information -- https://johnmichaeltalbot.com
Like the last post about Christmas I am including another John Michael Talbot song for you to reflect on. Growing up in my high school years I would play many of his songs at church and this one was one of my mom’s favorites. Listen to the Youtube video and reflect on the lyrics.


Would You Crucify Him by John Michael Talbot (Click on the title to hear the video of the song.)

Sometimes, in the cool of the evenin'
Truth comes like a Lover in the wind
Sometimes, when my thoughts have gone misleadin'
She'll ask that same old question once again...
Chorus:
Would you crucify Him
Would you crucify Him..., my religious friend?
Would you crucify Him..., talking 'bout the sweet Lord Jesus
If He'd walk right here among you once again?

She's askin', How many times have you looked down to the harlot
Lookin' through her tears, pretendin' you don't know?
For once you were just like her, how can you be now so self righteous
When in the name of the Lord you throw the first stone

So now I turn to you through your years of your robes and stained-glass windows
Do you vainly echo your prayers "to please the Lord?"
Profess the Marriage with your tongue, but your mind dreams like the harlot
But if the Judge looks to your thoughts can't you guess your reward?

Yet how many times have you quoted from your Bible
To justify your eye for your eye and your tooth for your tooth?
You say that He didn't mean what He was plainly sayin'
But like the Pharisee, my friend, you're an educated fool!

Reflection: What were the highlights of your 2017 year? What do you think of the lyrics and meaning of the song “Would You Crucify Him”? Books are a great way to start off the New Year. Check out my book Living More Than OK on line (click on the title for the hyperlink to purchasing it at B & N)