Things Not to Say Out Loud When You Work for Mennonites

I passed a few uncomfortable moments at coffee break this morning. The topic of Catholicism and mass came up, and we talked a bit about some of the traditions. I love the beauty of liturgy and mass, and without thinking about what I was saying before I said it, made the first comment that came to mind. I said that I felt it was quite likely that I would one day convert to Catholicism.

The looks on the faces of the three co-workers with whom I was chatting were rather priceless. Shock, followed quickly by horror and disgust.

I forget that others see the Catholic church differently than I do.

Another coworker who had been listening as the four of us talked stopped by my desk on his way out for lunch. “Big ‘C’ Catholic or small ‘c’ catholic?” he asked before going on to inform me that if we throw out anything that’s been added to church tradition by papal edict since 1060 AD we’d be okay, because then we’d essentially have the “new testament church.”

Sigh.

Another lesson in things not to say out loud when you work for a tiny Mennonite insurance company.

The Oldest Bible and Earthquakes

Some headlines catching my attention today...

World's Oldest Bible Goes Online

Strong Quake Jolts North Japan, 107 Hurt

Powerful Aftershocks Hit China Quake Area, 1 Dead

What We Feel is Not Who We Are - Henri Nouwen

What We Feel Is Not Who We Are

Our emotional lives move up and down constantly. Sometimes we experience great mood: swings from excitement to depression, from joy to sorrow, from inner harmony to inner chaos. A little event, a word from someone, a disappointment in work, many things can trigger such mood swings. Mostly we have little control over these changes. It seems that they happen to us rather than being created by us.

Thus it is important to know that our emotional life is not the same as our spiritual life. Our spiritual life is the life of the Spirit of God within us. As we feel our emotions shift we must connect our spirits with the Spirit of God and remind ourselves that what we feel is not who we are. We are and remain, whatever our moods, God's beloved children.

Home

I'm home, showered, and resting.

The need for sleep is great.

I'm praying the intensity will fade, and deep rest will come.

Almost Done

I'm 2.5 hours from finishing work until next Wednesday.

From tomorrow through Tuesday I'll be out of town, spending time in the mountains, and with friends.

I'm ready to be done work for the day. (Though there's much left to be accomplished before I can leave.)

A dear friend arrives from out of town today. She'll meet me here at the office at the end of the workday.

We'll enjoy an evening together in my new home, visit the farmer's market tomorrow morning, and then head for the mountains.

Blogging will be minimal or non-existent. Have a great weekend!