Through days and nights of L.L. Barkat's year of daily outdoor solitude comes an irresistible voice calling you to spiritual practice. This 12-week course tells a unique story, but it will also invite you to personal growth. You'll find various options for discovery and participation: free writing, writing response, physical and mental play, and blogging (or alternatives).
God in the Yard: Spiritual Practice for the Rest of Us
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Editorial Reviews
Review
L.L. Barkat invites us to chase spirituality in much the same way a child chases the tail of a kite...by finding the beautiful balance between what's just beyond reach and what's entirely ours for the taking. Her words are full of hope, joy, wonder. --Holley Gerth, Senior Writer and Editorial Director, Dayspring, and Co-Founder InCourage
This brilliant work is one part inspirational, one part practical. I've not read a more groundbreaking book about spiritual discipline since Richard Foster, and I'll never think about communion again in quite the same way. --Marcus Goodyear, Senior Editor, TheHighCalling and Christianity Today's FaithInTheWorkplace
Mix Richard Foster and Annie Dillard in a blender, and you'll pour out God In the Yard, a cool smoothie of hope on the topic of spiritual practice. --Ginger Kolbaba, Editor, Christianity Today's 'Kyria'
This wonderful book causes us to pause, that we might discover and recover ourselves, God, others, and aspects of this amazing world in which we live. L.L. Barkat's wise words move us more deeply into matters of consequence. --David Naugle, professor of philosophy, Dallas Baptist University, and author of Reordered Love, Reordered Lives: Learning the Deep Meaning of Happiness
This is a book of meeting. A thoughtful, intentional exploration of what it means to live out spiritual disciplines in a modern context, by a writer with a poet's eye, arresting language and keen mind. --Ann Voskamp, of Holy Experience
This brilliant work is one part inspirational, one part practical. I've not read a more groundbreaking book about spiritual discipline since Richard Foster, and I'll never think about communion again in quite the same way. --Marcus Goodyear, Senior Editor, TheHighCalling and Christianity Today's FaithInTheWorkplace
Mix Richard Foster and Annie Dillard in a blender, and you'll pour out God In the Yard, a cool smoothie of hope on the topic of spiritual practice. --Ginger Kolbaba, Editor, Christianity Today's 'Kyria'
This wonderful book causes us to pause, that we might discover and recover ourselves, God, others, and aspects of this amazing world in which we live. L.L. Barkat's wise words move us more deeply into matters of consequence. --David Naugle, professor of philosophy, Dallas Baptist University, and author of Reordered Love, Reordered Lives: Learning the Deep Meaning of Happiness
This is a book of meeting. A thoughtful, intentional exploration of what it means to live out spiritual disciplines in a modern context, by a writer with a poet's eye, arresting language and keen mind. --Ann Voskamp, of Holy Experience
About the Author
L.L. Barkat is Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry, where writers and poets can find everything from basic inspiration to full-fledged writing workshops. The author of six books, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, Barkat understands the writing process from all angles and gently, skillfully mentors both up-and-coming and established writers.
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More About the Author
L. L. Barkat is the author of Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing, as well as two spiritual memoirs and a book of poetry. She is a Staff Writer for International Arts Movement's 'The Curator.'
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've gone through all 12 weeks of the course detailed in L.L. Barkat's God in the Yard. At first I was surprised that I made it through all 12 - but then I realized it had less to do with me and more to do with how easy Barkat makes it for you to finish.
As she explains, for a year Barkat undertook a purposeful journey in "discovery and playing toward God." She didn't travel to a remote spiritual location or retreat house; instead, she spent time in her back yard. She didn't start with huge expectations; instead, she aimed at "gentle" results. She used a variety of tools - meditation, contemplation, writing and blogging.
In addition to her own journey and what she learned and found, the result was this book. It is like a little gem whose value is more like a pearl of great price.
Each of the 12 weeks centers on a topic and specific practice, with assignments and exercises. The topics range from invitation and celebration to silence and hospitality. She discusses what she learned, and invites the reader to learn as well. While it is a disciplined approach, it's not an onerous discipline but more of a gentle one.
What I particularly liked was how I slowed down and actually thought, for this book is as much if not more about thinking as doing. The exercises took me to places I didn't expect to go, reminding me of things I had long forgotten or simply needed to be reminded of. I thought, I wrote journal entries including several poems, and used blogging as a means to keep me on track.
And it worked. The whole book works, in fact, as a spiritual exercise, an exercise for the soul.
As she explains, for a year Barkat undertook a purposeful journey in "discovery and playing toward God." She didn't travel to a remote spiritual location or retreat house; instead, she spent time in her back yard. She didn't start with huge expectations; instead, she aimed at "gentle" results. She used a variety of tools - meditation, contemplation, writing and blogging.
In addition to her own journey and what she learned and found, the result was this book. It is like a little gem whose value is more like a pearl of great price.
Each of the 12 weeks centers on a topic and specific practice, with assignments and exercises. The topics range from invitation and celebration to silence and hospitality. She discusses what she learned, and invites the reader to learn as well. While it is a disciplined approach, it's not an onerous discipline but more of a gentle one.
What I particularly liked was how I slowed down and actually thought, for this book is as much if not more about thinking as doing. The exercises took me to places I didn't expect to go, reminding me of things I had long forgotten or simply needed to be reminded of. I thought, I wrote journal entries including several poems, and used blogging as a means to keep me on track.
And it worked. The whole book works, in fact, as a spiritual exercise, an exercise for the soul.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By KMS
Format:Paperback
A year of wonder, of solitude and awareness and spiritual awakening, can be a most difficult thing to share with strangers. But, as L.L. Barkat proves once again, the best prose writers are those graced with the voice of a poet. As she shares her story, she invites readers to join in and walk along beside her--to contemplate in silence, to explore the glories of gratitute and prayer, and so much more. I especially appreciate the "And You?" section after each of the chapters. Whatever their voice, readers will surely be eager to contribute their own wonder.
Oh, for the soul of a poet!
Oh, for the soul of a poet!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By L. Wallenius
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've just started this book (into chapter two), but already I'm very excited about it. It's simple. Spend time with God. Doesn't have to be a LONG time, doesn't have to be anything huge, just spend some time. My natural inclination is to read a book through and then I never get back to answering the questions the author poses along the way. Not this one. There's something about the simplicity of author's questions in chapter one that urged me to actually stop reading and DO.
I've been on a quest for quite some time about spiritual disciplines. I want so much to hear God in a fresh way and I've been drawn to many books about spiritual disciplines in the last 10 years. Most books speak in generalities. This one gives you something to do, to actually help you in your quest to spend time with God and learn to hear His voice in your life.
I love this little book, because it's simple. I don't have the money nor the time to go off on a spiritual retreat or a silence retreat, although I'd love to. So, "God in the Yard" is a wonderful invitation to come aside in your own yard/corner/closet and spend a bit of time with God. I love to write, so this plays right into my hand, these exercises she suggests. But I think what really grabbed me was the pure simplicity of the questions in chapter one. Wanting to get to the end of the book was put aside as I read because I found I really WANTED to answer the questions. It's a first...
I'm looking forward to strolling through this book with God. Thank you L.L. for a sweet invitation to spend time with my Lord!
I've been on a quest for quite some time about spiritual disciplines. I want so much to hear God in a fresh way and I've been drawn to many books about spiritual disciplines in the last 10 years. Most books speak in generalities. This one gives you something to do, to actually help you in your quest to spend time with God and learn to hear His voice in your life.
I love this little book, because it's simple. I don't have the money nor the time to go off on a spiritual retreat or a silence retreat, although I'd love to. So, "God in the Yard" is a wonderful invitation to come aside in your own yard/corner/closet and spend a bit of time with God. I love to write, so this plays right into my hand, these exercises she suggests. But I think what really grabbed me was the pure simplicity of the questions in chapter one. Wanting to get to the end of the book was put aside as I read because I found I really WANTED to answer the questions. It's a first...
I'm looking forward to strolling through this book with God. Thank you L.L. for a sweet invitation to spend time with my Lord!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
disappointed
Not at all a book that held my interest, I quit reading it after 20 pages or so. Would not reccomend to a friend.
Published 16 months ago by EZasUgo
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new kind of spiritual discipline
Pause a little each day for 12 weeks. Sound too easy? Then do it. Take the challenge to spend time outside with God and see what happens. Read more
Published on April 21, 2011 by Lisa notes...
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