Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Almost Done

The workday ends in 3 minutes.

I'm going back out into the soggy weather.

My mom is feeding me dinner. My parents have company staying with them - a long-time friend who works as a missionary in West Africa. So, I'll eat and visit for a while.

Then home.

Sleep was nearly non-existent again last night. Another attempt is forthcoming.

These days I'm still surprised that the vivid intensity of my dreams can still surprise me.

1 minute to go.

another post later perhaps.

good night.

In the News

A few headlines catching my attention today...

US "Stuck" with Guantanamo Prison

Columbia Gunman takes Hostages

Israel hit by Bible Burning Row

"Witches" Burnt to Death in Kenya

Breath and Freedom - Henri Nouwen

More great thoughts from Henri Nouwen

The Breath of God Within Us

When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for "spirit" is pneuma, which means "breath." We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.

The Spirit of God is like our breath. God's spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a "spiritual life." It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: "Come, Holy Spirit, come."

Jesus' Freedom

Jesus was truly free. His freedom was rooted in his spiritual awareness that he was the Beloved Child of God. He knew in the depth of his being that he belonged to God before he was born, that he was sent into the world to proclaim God's love, and that he would return to God after his mission was fulfilled. This knowledge gave him the freedom to speak and act without having to please the world and the power to respond to people's pains with the healing love of God.

That's why the Gospels say: "Everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all" (Luke 6:19).