Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson

When Anne Jackson posted the question, “What is one thing you feel you can’t say in church” on her blog, the results were surprising.  “Permission to Speak Freely” is the result.  An interwoven product of Anne’s own story, and the answers that were submitted to the question she’d posted on her blog, “Permission to Speak Freely” is a beautiful book (both in word, and layout and formatting), honest and bold in it’s call to confession and declaration that the sharing of secrets really can bring safety and freedom.

I’ve struggled for a number of days with what to say in a review of this book.  “Permission to Speak Freely” hit me in ways that I find hard to describe.  Anne Jackson talks about the “gift of going second” and in so many ways this book offered me that chance.  Reading this book was an experience that reminded me of reading Renee Altson’s “Stumbling Toward Faith” a number of years ago.  Both books assured me that I am not alone.  That others, other Christians in fact, struggle with mental illness and addiction and recovering from horrific things supposedly done in the name of Christ.  As a pastor’s kid who has struggled with mental illness, addiction, and wondering whether or not I even wanted to be a part of this thing called “the body of Christ”, I found much to relate to in Jackson’s words.  “Permission to Speak Freely” reminded me that speaking out about the ways Jesus is bringing healing, but also about the very real wrestles of life is a way to offer freedom and healing, not only to others, but to oneself.  I would highly recommend this book, and I'm sure I'll be talking about it further in the days to come.

Daily 5 - Year 2, Day 16

Today's Daily 5:

1. Having the first massage I've had since losing my job.  So good.
2. Cooking - lots and lots of cooking today.
3. This blog tour for Anne Jackson's new book "Permission to Speak Freely."  I'll be reviewing the book here next week, but in the meantime, I suggest you start from the link above, and work your way through the essays that are available on various blogs right now.
4. candles lit all over the room
5. nacho dip

Worth Reading...

I loved this post on Brian's blog, simply for the quote from Bill Hybel's "Holy Discontent".  The quote alone makes me think (though the whole Bill Hybel's megachurch thing kind of makes me cringe) that I might need to pick up this book.

And, I loved this post, full of goodness from Thomas Merton that was on Anne Jackson's blog last week.  Again, so worth reading.

This and That

A collection of stuff worth reading and watching this morning:

A video of Governor General Michaelle Jean's apology to Rwanda for Canada's indifference during their genocide.

An article about forced sterilizations and the impact of China's one child policy.

A blog post with a Christian perspective on stewardship of the environment.  I particularly liked the statement "Dominion should not equal destruction."

Anne Jackson on being exposed.

Donald Miller on telling the truth.

Dana linked to this very cool way of viewing the Sistine Chapel.  It brought back very fond memories of how profoundly that room touched me when I visited, and how I wished I could have spent hours simply taking it in, instead of the maybe 10 minutes that I was able to spend there.

This article on the fact that Jamie Oliver is putting his own funds behind his vocal campaigns for better food and eating.  I am so on board with this idea that if we stop eating processed crap and start eating more healthy, home-cooked meals, we can make a huge difference in some of the health crises that seem to be on the rise, and I love that Oliver is putting his money where his mouth is.

Must Read: The Sex Cafe

Anne Jackson is in Moldova right now, learning about sex trafficking.  A few days ago, she posted this "The Sex Cafe".  It's a must read.

Moldova is apparently a major centre for trafficking of women into Europe.  I can't say strongly enough how important it is to be aware of these issues.  Seriously, take just a few minutes and read the story Anne shared.  Let your heart be touched even a little by the exploitation of these women.

Check These Out

Another spate of daily links:

• Anne Jackson's post "Instead Of".  I think I'm going to print her list of statements.  They strike me as a list that I would like to see developed in my own life as well.
• In some strange way, Seth Godin's post "Not for Me" struck me in conjunction with Anne Jackson's.  And in conjunction with some of the messes of daily life that I deal with due to work at "The Soap Opera".  Plus, I found the differentiation in thought between "not for me" and "not for anyone" to be quite striking and helpful.
• And finally, Haiti remains heavily on my heart.  The Livesay's posted this article from CBS news this morning, and I found it powerful and important to read as well.

The Journey

 Both Renee and Anne Jackson have posted this poem in recent days.  I'd never read it before, but it struck me deeply both times it appeared, and I wanted to share it here as well.

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice -
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations -
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do -
determined to save
the only life you could save.
*(Mary Oliver – Dream Work)

Worth Reading

Both of the posts below are worth reading today:

Renee's latest.

And Anne Jackson's "I'd Rather Have Fewer Readers"

Worth Reading

A number of blog posts worth checking out today:

Donald Miller's latest post "Following God and Farming" is here.

Today's cartoon at the Naked Pastor hit close to home.  I've definitely felt like that at times.

Anne Jackson's last post from Haiti is here.

Daily 5 - Day 187

Today's Daily 5:

1. Mountains.  Lots of them.  And clean fresh air.  Without ever having to be the one behind the wheel on at times sketchy winter roads.
2. Sat in the hotsprings for a while.  My still aching muscles appreciated that greatly
3. Loved the British accent of the guy who made my Sri Lankan Chicken Satay pita for lunch today
4. Found a birthday gift for a dear friend.
5. Loved reading this post at Anne Jackson's blog.

Anne Jackson in Haiti

I've linked to Anne Jackson relatively often lately.

She's in Haiti at the moment, and blogging some incredibly moving stuff.

Check out the latest post here.

A few links

A few blog posts worth reading today:

Anne Jackson's latest post, as she prepares to join a team headed for Haiti later this week.

I also loved the latest story at Claudia Mair Burney's blog.