Reviews

E. Heather Bewley

(Churchtown Meeting)

It is said that 'you should not judge a book by its cover', but for me, this book is as good inside as out. Published in 2023 by Larry, this 228 page hardback book is written in an easy to read style and clear print. There are two main sections, 'The Advices' and 'The Queries', followed by many explanatory appendices, notes and references – both Biblical and from many other sources .

Larry presents the idea of God as a verb, not a noun, with Jesus showing us The Way. Led by a sentence from the website of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Quakers – If you truly want to be led, you must put yourself in a position that allows following – Larry explores Jesus' life and aims, and Jesus' clear advice as to how we should 'Let our lives speak.' Larry questions whether Jesus  intended to set up a new religion. Jesus remained a Jew to the end.

The author hopes this book may initiate discussion and be an encouragement for its readers to experience Divine Guidance, Divine Leading and Divine Connectedness along with other Divine Influences in our lives.

Wayfaring is not a matter of believing in the Way, but of perceiving and participating....Wayfaring is exceedingly practical. To follow The Way is to participate in Divine Order. Your priorities become clearer. You will be where you need to be, doing what you need to do, and everything will get done.

To me, that sounds very appealing!

*****

Marjorie Lamb

(Roscrea Recognised Meeting)

Wayfaring : A Guide to Guidance ... Does that title sound daunting? Never fear; this is truly a journey worth taking.

As with all books, I would suggest you begin at the beginning. Having done that, I am taking the liberty to quote from the "Foreword" Author, John MacKenna:  (Larry)… challenges us "not just to look around us but to look inside ourselves and to examine the things we imagine we hold dear".

Larry grew up in Bible belt USA – was steeped in scripture and gained the worthy status of having 16 consecutive years without missing a Sunday (school). (You need to read about this experience!)

As the title suggests, this book is about guidance. Larry desires to be "Spirit-led; not sort-of led" and he shares ways and means to this end for any of us who are hungry. The "bread" and "fish" from this "Southard" offering will be multiplied a plenty and you will be amazed to find there are left-overs for many days and years to come.

Larry speaks often of the Way. We recognize the Way as we avail of this assistance in the realignment of our lives with the same "power and richness that animated the life of Jesus".

There are Advices – There are Queries – We decide whether either is applicable to ourselves bearing in mind our own desires and our readiness to accept that it takes practice (plenty of it) to learn to walk in and with The Way.

From time to time, Wayfaring emits Larry's sense of humour; his choice of words sometimes leaves a simple soul like me with the need to have a dictionary at hand, yet we take this journey not with a view to absorbing with our heads, but with our hearts – one dose at a time.

This is a call:

• To recognition;

• To following;

• To the dance of life.

Some Southard Quotes:

"In the beginning was the Word. It is still speaking…learn its language and the conversation gets extremely enjoyable."

"By being faithful to the Way, you shall be rightly led."

We're advised to "live adventurously by finding occasions to experience the wisdom of the Ways paradoxes". – "Overcoming a hindrance by non-striving".

"The Way prefers things a bit plain and a tad unrefined." (Says he who headed one section, "The Whatchamacallit"!!! You're allowed to laugh now).

• Wayfaring is an easy read

• Wayfaring is a hard read

• Wayfaring is a journey worth taking.

*****

Sharlee DiMenichi

(Friends Journal Staff Writer)

In this thought-provoking book, Irish Friend Larry Lynn Southard describes God as a verb. Southard identifies as a Quaker but specifies in the front matter that the book does not necessarily represent the views of the Religious Society of Friends. The author is guided by the belief that Jesus aligned himself with the Way and that he is the Way. Thus, the title word Wayfaring is revealed to mean "the act of following . . . God in verb form." Parallels are also drawn between Jesus's teachings in the liberal Christian tradition and Taoist concepts.

The volume offers advices and queries to help readers simplify their lives by resisting consumerism and reducing mental clutter. Advices include the suggestion to make oneself inconspicuous in social interactions and to love others without judgment. Queries ask readers to consider how following the Way has impacted their priorities, whether they sufficiently revere nature, and whether they consider themselves conscientious objectors.

The author argues that following the Way quells anxiety and imbues life with meaning and direction:

The Way is known by experiencing reality as an interactive guiding path or road or course—and we travel the path by "Wayfaring." If you allow the Way to steer you, and you refrain from backseat driving, the Way will take you where you need to go; show you what you need to see; point out what needs to be done.

(For more information about Friends Journal click here)