I am reading a terrific biography of John Newton, who is best known for having written one of the most popular hymns ever penned, “Amazing Grace.”  In John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace, author Jonathan Aitken writes of a man who went from devout Christian to ferocious atheist to indifferent wastrel almost cyclically during his early years.  It seems that whatever he did, he did with fervor and passion.  From the book:  “As an antidote to his bouts of melancholy, Newton oscillated between feeding his appetite for sensual sin and satisfying his hunger for religious reading.”

Newton was the son of a prosperous, respected sea captain who was emotionally cold, but who also intervened to help his wayward son whenever he could.  John, however, had a penchant for ignoring and ridiculing authority and a gift for making enemies wherever he went.  (Having taken the opportunity to work for a slave trader in Africa, Newton so infuriated the man that Newton ended up in chains for over a year, “celebrating” his 21^st birthday laboring side by side with his African captives, who actually took care of him.) 

My point:  Partially that I am finding the book and the man fascinating; partially that I understand and appreciate people of unbridled passions.  Maybe the biggest sinners make the best saints, giving hope for all of us!  — jri 

For me, my ramblings are like a very minor ministry.  The idea is to use my small talent as a writer (I have no other skills) to try to do the work I believe God has called me to do. 

I also get a personal hoot out of it, especially when I hear that what I have written has made a difference to someone.  

I got such one of those hoots the other day when a friend who had just bought a copy of my newest booklet, “The Day My Father Died Was One of the Best Days of My Life,” told me he gave it to his wife.  

She read it (it’s a fairly painless 50-pager) and then later called her father.    Apparently, they had never had a very close relationship; in fact, I guess it was tenuous at best.  Right before she hung up, she told her Dad she loved him.  My friend, who overheard the close of the conversation, commented on it to her, because this was not a typical thing she would say to her father. 

She told my friend she was motivated by my book to call and, at the end of the phone visit, to tell him, “I love you.”

Made my day!  Made my week!  Might just make my month!

My point:  What we do matters.  It does make a difference.  When we take time for someone, when we bite our tongues rather than snap at an offense, when we smile a bit of encouragement, when we say, “I love you,” the impact may seem slight, but it can ripple.  It can change a situation or even a life.  Have a joyful, wondrous day, and know that every second and every encounter can make a difference.  — jri

John Ingrisano   

DailyConnections
209 Church Street
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722
November 10, 2010

This is a book plug.  My latest publication, a booklet called “The Day My Father Died Was One of the Best Days of My Life,” is now available. 

Though the title sounds a bit grim, it’s true.  However, actually, it’s a story about a decades’-long miracle about stubbornness, frustration, hope determination, and ultimate transformation.  Dedicated “To fathers, especially those of us who do not take naturally to the role,”  “The Day My Father Died” is the true story of the journey I took to build a relationship with my father … and how I dragged him along, like it or not.

If you’ve ever called your father and told him, “I love you,” only to hear the response, “Thanks for calling, “  I think you’ll appreciate “The Day My Father Died.” 

The book lists for $5.99 + S & H.  However, it is available now for $5.75, including S & H.  If you like, I’ll sign your copy.  And if you don’t like it, send it back and I’ll return your full payment.

No big reviews yet, but word is that it’s a booklet worth reading.  (I think so, but I’m a tad prejudiced.).  The big promo splash starts next week.  In the meantime, copies are available at “The Day My Father Died Was One of the Best Days of My Life” for $5.00 plus 75 cents S&H. Or send $5.75 to:

I hope you enjoy it.  God bless and thank you.  JRI

P.S.  Read below for info on the presentation available on “The Day My Father Died.”  I’d love the opportunity to talk to your church group, men’s group, etc. 

Why do we all tend to struggle with faith and understanding God?  I found what, to me at least, is one of the best explanations of the paradox of faith, from the Catholic mystic, Thomas Merton.  

So, I’m just going to shut up here and invite you to let the paradoxes of our faith flow over you.  God bless.  – jri

========== 

This matter of “salvation” is, when seen intuitively, a very simple thing.  But when we analyze it, it turns into a complex tangle of paradoxes.   

We become ourselves by dying to ourselves.  We gain only what we give up, and if we give up everything we gain everything. 

We cannot find ourselves within ourselves, but only in others, yet at the same time before we can go out to others we must first find ourselves.

We must forget ourselves in order to become truly conscious of who we are.  The best way to love ourselves is to love others, yet we cannot love others unless we love ourselves since it is written, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  But if we love ourselves in the wrong way, we become incapable of loving anybody else.  And indeed when we love ourselves wrongly we hate ourselves; it we hate ourselves we cannot help hating others….

As for this “finding” of God, we cannot even look for Him unless we have already found Him, and we cannot find Him unless he has first found us.

      — Thomas Merton  (No Man Is An Island)

This one is a bit of a rambler, so please be patient:  When younger, I was a man of letters who loved literature and books.  I’m reminded of that this week as I prepare to move to a new house and am packing up box after box of these old and pleasant friends.

This also reminded me that the Bible has also become one of those friends.  I try to read from it every morning.  I also take notes, underline and add margin scribbles.  My Bible is a working manual, dog-eared, with a binding that is threatening to separate any time now.  Actually, I have several Bibles, and the more weathered and worn they become, the closer my personal attachment to them.

This morning, I turned a page during my daily reading and found a verse that had become very special to me during some very tough times, when I was learning to put my trust in the Lord: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6)  It was like a warm reminder from an old friend, and it made me smile.

My point:  The Good Book is a pretty good book.  If you don’t spend some time with it every day (just 10 or 15 minutes), I suggest you give it a try. And don’t look for burning-bush revelations, but a growing awareness  – bit by bit over time – of an understanding and truth that goes far beyond other great works of literature.  God bless.  – jri

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 4/23/08:  How I lost 50 pounds of anger under the 8-day plan and taught my father to say I love you:  Though my father was a brilliant and caring doctor, he tended to be a melancholy, unpleasant person.  I didn’t like him much.  But when I was in my mid-30s, I decided that I didn’t want to have any remorse at his funeral (which didn’t happen until 25 years later, by the way), so I put him on the 8-day plan.  This simply meant that I’d call him every eight days.  (I think that’s the same one my kids have me on today. Hmmm.)
 
It worked out well, and I went from tolerating him to getting along with him to actually appreciating his many good points.  At the end of one call, almost on a whim, I concluded with, “Love ya, Pop.”  He grumbled and said, “Take care.  Thanks for calling.”  I started doing this every week.  Eventually, he mumbled, “I love you, too.”  On the day of his death, knowing he was about to die (though he didn’t tell me), he called me.  His last words were, “Remember that I love you.”  I got word an hour later that he had died.  Looking back on it, not only did I teach my father how to say I love you, but I also learned to love him in return — a very nice bonus. 
 
The point of this wordy rambling:  Even when our motives are a bit suspect, by doing the right thing, we can make a difference.  And in so doing, we not only can change the world, but we can transform ourselves as well.  So, if I were giving advice, I’d say: Call someone you love today and let him or her know.  God bless and enjoy.  — jri
 
“I don’t find it necessary to forgive my parents
for the mistakes they made.  It is no sin to be
human.  They were amateurs in a demanding
game where even experts can’t always get it
right.”
        –    Harold S. Kushner
               (How Good Do We Have to Be) 

The booklet is about to go into production and should be available by October 1st.   This 50-page publication tells the true story of my long journey to build a relationship with my father  … whether he liked it or not.  And it reflects — as I have learned over the years — the all-to-common story of the disconnect between fathers and their children.

“The Day My Father Died” is about healing, and it is dedicated to fathers, “especially those who do not take naturally to the role.”  In addition to a tool you may find of value for yourself and loved ones, it may be appropriate for book clubs and other discussion groups. 

A pre-publication special offer:  This booklet will retail for $4.99 for a single copy, including shipping & handling.  However, if you order prior to August 30th, you can receive an unlimited number of copies for $3.75 per copy, including S & H.  To order your pre-publication copies, send a check to:

Indicate the quantity desired and if you would like your copies signed.  If you find that “The Day My Father Died” is less than you had hoped, you can return it for a full refund. 

Thank you in advance, and may you enjoy all the peace and joy of the blessings God sends to you each day. — jri

 Here’s one totally unbiased pre-publication review:

Kind Words from Friends About

A Perfect Day

 “Real” is the word that comes to mind when describing John.  By his use of subtle humor, John captures your attention and gives you a glimpse into his life.  Though John’s angels and demons may differ from yours, you can certainly identify with them.  I have witnessed Christ working in John’s life by reading his “Thoughts of the Day.”  They have made me laugh, brought tears to my eyes, encouraged me when lonely, but most importantly, they have given me hope by reminding me of God’s unconditional love.  Thanks John for helping me on my spiritual journey.Louise Andreae

Fellow parishioner and dear friend

Sturgeon Bay, WI     

 If you get a chance, click on the link below and check out the book.  No obligation to buy. 

www.lulu.com/content/2269531.