Today was a bit surreal at work.
The fallout from yesterday, and the settling out.
At this point everyone is still employed. No one has been fired. No one has quit.
There's still lots of potential for problems and explosions.
And tomorrow we officially enter into our busiest season of the year.
Nothing like over busy stress to keep things calm.
But hey, I survived another day. And right now, I'm grateful to have a job. Even this job.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
More Henri
A few more thoughts on various topics from Henri Nouwen...
Unity in the Heart of God
Love unites all, whether created or uncreated. The heart of God, the heart of all creation, and our own hearts become one in love. That's what all the great mystics have been trying to tell us through the ages. Benedict, Francis, Hildegard of Bingen, Hadewijch of Brabant, Meister Eckhart, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Dag Hammarskjˆld, Thomas Merton, and many others, all in their own ways and their own languages, have witnessed to the unifying power of the divine love. All of them, however, spoke with a knowledge that came to them not through intellectual arguments but through contemplative prayer. The Spirit of Jesus allowed them to see the heart of God, the heart of the universe, and their own hearts as one. It is in the heart of God that we can come to the full realisation of the unity of all that is, created and uncreated.
Acting in the Name of Jesus
Ministry is acting in the Name of Jesus. When all our actions are in the Name, they will bear fruit for eternal life. To act in the Name of Jesus, however, doesn't mean to act as a representative of Jesus or his spokesperson. It means to act in an intimate communion with him. The Name is like a house, a tent, a dwelling. To act in the Name of Jesus, therefore, means to act from the place where we are united with Jesus in love. To the question "Where are you?" we should be able to answer, "I am in the Name." Then, whatever we do cannot be other than ministry because it will always be Jesus himself who acts in and through us. The final question for all who minister is "Are you in the Name of Jesus?"" When we can say yes to that, all of our lives will be ministry.
Active Waiting
Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for. We wait during Advent for the birth of Jesus. We wait after Easter for the coming of the Spirit, and after the ascension of Jesus we wait for his coming again in glory. We are always waiting, but it is a waiting in the conviction that we have already seen God's footsteps.
Waiting for God is an active, alert - yes, joyful - waiting. As we wait we remember him for whom we are waiting, and as we remember him we create a community ready to welcome him when he comes.
Unity in the Heart of God
Love unites all, whether created or uncreated. The heart of God, the heart of all creation, and our own hearts become one in love. That's what all the great mystics have been trying to tell us through the ages. Benedict, Francis, Hildegard of Bingen, Hadewijch of Brabant, Meister Eckhart, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Dag Hammarskjˆld, Thomas Merton, and many others, all in their own ways and their own languages, have witnessed to the unifying power of the divine love. All of them, however, spoke with a knowledge that came to them not through intellectual arguments but through contemplative prayer. The Spirit of Jesus allowed them to see the heart of God, the heart of the universe, and their own hearts as one. It is in the heart of God that we can come to the full realisation of the unity of all that is, created and uncreated.
Acting in the Name of Jesus
Ministry is acting in the Name of Jesus. When all our actions are in the Name, they will bear fruit for eternal life. To act in the Name of Jesus, however, doesn't mean to act as a representative of Jesus or his spokesperson. It means to act in an intimate communion with him. The Name is like a house, a tent, a dwelling. To act in the Name of Jesus, therefore, means to act from the place where we are united with Jesus in love. To the question "Where are you?" we should be able to answer, "I am in the Name." Then, whatever we do cannot be other than ministry because it will always be Jesus himself who acts in and through us. The final question for all who minister is "Are you in the Name of Jesus?"" When we can say yes to that, all of our lives will be ministry.
Active Waiting
Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for. We wait during Advent for the birth of Jesus. We wait after Easter for the coming of the Spirit, and after the ascension of Jesus we wait for his coming again in glory. We are always waiting, but it is a waiting in the conviction that we have already seen God's footsteps.
Waiting for God is an active, alert - yes, joyful - waiting. As we wait we remember him for whom we are waiting, and as we remember him we create a community ready to welcome him when he comes.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Feisty!
I had an absolutely insane day today.
I can't even begin to explain everything that went on today.
Office politics that usually simmer semi-calmly beneath the surface became entirely explosive. Explosive is always unique to be caught in the midst of when you're talking about pacifists like Mennonites.
No less than three people were in tears today.
Someone actually stomped out of a meeting, slammed a door, and left for the day.
And despite my incredible sensitivity to the atmosphere of a place and the emotions of others, I somehow managed to walk away from this day feeling feisty!
It's actually kind of a miracle. I started today feeling incredibly ill, and in a fair amount of pain, and fully expected, given the low energy levels that I've had for months, to barely survive the day, then come home, and collapse into bed. Instead, I walked away with the need to blow off a bit of steam (I ranted to a few friends), but feeling upbeat, and able to focus and concentrate and enter and enjoy the evening rather than collapsing into bed in exhaustion.
Of course, I did engage in "shoe therapy" on the way home and buy myself a pair of winter boots. But still, in the midst of the crazy storms of my day, I feel deeply shielded, and peaceful, and for that I'm so incredibly grateful.
Tomorrow will likely be wild as well. There will be repercussions from today, and the possibility for more fireworks. But I'll figure that out tomorrow. For tonight, I'm going to curl up with my Bible, journal, and a book and hang out with Jesus. (and maybe play a computer game for a bit too...)
I can't even begin to explain everything that went on today.
Office politics that usually simmer semi-calmly beneath the surface became entirely explosive. Explosive is always unique to be caught in the midst of when you're talking about pacifists like Mennonites.
No less than three people were in tears today.
Someone actually stomped out of a meeting, slammed a door, and left for the day.
And despite my incredible sensitivity to the atmosphere of a place and the emotions of others, I somehow managed to walk away from this day feeling feisty!
It's actually kind of a miracle. I started today feeling incredibly ill, and in a fair amount of pain, and fully expected, given the low energy levels that I've had for months, to barely survive the day, then come home, and collapse into bed. Instead, I walked away with the need to blow off a bit of steam (I ranted to a few friends), but feeling upbeat, and able to focus and concentrate and enter and enjoy the evening rather than collapsing into bed in exhaustion.
Of course, I did engage in "shoe therapy" on the way home and buy myself a pair of winter boots. But still, in the midst of the crazy storms of my day, I feel deeply shielded, and peaceful, and for that I'm so incredibly grateful.
Tomorrow will likely be wild as well. There will be repercussions from today, and the possibility for more fireworks. But I'll figure that out tomorrow. For tonight, I'm going to curl up with my Bible, journal, and a book and hang out with Jesus. (and maybe play a computer game for a bit too...)
Monday, November 17, 2008
I Liked This
I've written often about Renee Altson's book, "Stumbling Toward Faith" and the profound and encouraging impact that it's had on me at various points in my journey these last few years. It still ranks as one of my all-time top books to recommend.
Renee has a great blog, which I also link to, and I was deeply moved by the post she put up today.
You can find the post here.
Renee has a great blog, which I also link to, and I was deeply moved by the post she put up today.
You can find the post here.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Curled up...
I am curled up in a chair in the corner of my bedroom, trying to be cozy, and ignore the snow and cold outside my window.
I'm munching on honey roasted peanuts, and mandarin oranges.
I'm wrapped in a favorite blanket.
I'm falling in love with children's movies again. (They seem to be some of the few that I can watch safely these days, without worrying about nightmares, dreams, or other odd effects.) I've watched two in the last day or so. "Kung Fu Panda," which made me laugh and laugh (I do love Jack Black!), and "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" which reawakens a child-like delight and sense of joy and wonder in me each and every time I watch it.
I'm wearing a favorite sweater. An over-sized, chunky, cable knit wool sweater, roughly the color of oatmeal, stolen years ago from my dad's wardrobe. A purchase straight from Ireland, a souvenir of a summer he spent back packing around Europe in the late seventies. It's a comfort item really, and always the sweater I reach for first on chilly weekend days, to pair with jeans, a blanket, my favorite chair, and a good book.
There are hymns playing in the background, solo piano arrangements of long-time favorites. No voices, just the piano, bringing life to the words that resonate in my heart from early childhood.
I've scattered lit candles around my bedroom. Something like 11 of them. My bedroom is in the back corner of our house, and has two outside walls, and as such can be a bit drafty at times. The candles cut the chill, and add light and and atmosphere to my space.
There is a hint of lavender in the air (from one of the candles), and a scent of incense (I've burnt a bit of one of my favorites at intervals through the afternoon.
I've spent the afternoon with the book of Jeremiah, captured at moments by the words of the "weeping prophet." Words that are stirring my heart, and causing my fingers to move a pen across the pages of my journal.
My heart, for the moment at least, is quiet. And so, I leave you with these words from Jeremiah...
This is what the Lord says:
"Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!"
(Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT)
I'm munching on honey roasted peanuts, and mandarin oranges.
I'm wrapped in a favorite blanket.
I'm falling in love with children's movies again. (They seem to be some of the few that I can watch safely these days, without worrying about nightmares, dreams, or other odd effects.) I've watched two in the last day or so. "Kung Fu Panda," which made me laugh and laugh (I do love Jack Black!), and "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" which reawakens a child-like delight and sense of joy and wonder in me each and every time I watch it.
I'm wearing a favorite sweater. An over-sized, chunky, cable knit wool sweater, roughly the color of oatmeal, stolen years ago from my dad's wardrobe. A purchase straight from Ireland, a souvenir of a summer he spent back packing around Europe in the late seventies. It's a comfort item really, and always the sweater I reach for first on chilly weekend days, to pair with jeans, a blanket, my favorite chair, and a good book.
There are hymns playing in the background, solo piano arrangements of long-time favorites. No voices, just the piano, bringing life to the words that resonate in my heart from early childhood.
I've scattered lit candles around my bedroom. Something like 11 of them. My bedroom is in the back corner of our house, and has two outside walls, and as such can be a bit drafty at times. The candles cut the chill, and add light and and atmosphere to my space.
There is a hint of lavender in the air (from one of the candles), and a scent of incense (I've burnt a bit of one of my favorites at intervals through the afternoon.
I've spent the afternoon with the book of Jeremiah, captured at moments by the words of the "weeping prophet." Words that are stirring my heart, and causing my fingers to move a pen across the pages of my journal.
My heart, for the moment at least, is quiet. And so, I leave you with these words from Jeremiah...
This is what the Lord says:
"Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!"
(Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT)
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