Interesting Article

Fascinating article from TIME magazine today...

The Vatican and the Knights Templar

thankful, take 2

Okay... still fighting through this day. Don't exactly know what it is about Wednesdays, but I've begun to feel about them the way some people about Mondays.

So, here's a few more things I'm thankful for:

I'm thankful for the leftover pasta from Chianti's yesterday that I had for lunch.

I'm thankful for chocolate. I'm eating several pieces today.

I'm thankful for the moments when someone stops to thank me for doing my job well.

I'm thankful that the day is more than half-way over.

I'm thankful for all the people who update their blogs regularly. I start my day by catching up on blogs.

I'm thankful for the internet, and news sources from around the world at my fingertips.

I'm thankful for Psalm 91, and Ephesians 6, both of which I've been leaning on lately.

I'm thankful that it's Wednesday, and that that means there are only two work days left after today, then a weekend, then three workdays, then a mini-four day holiday.

(Okay, so I'm not exactly thankful it's Wednesday, but I'm reaching for it!)

Combatting with thanks

Wednesdays have been really difficult days for me the last several weeks for a variety of reasons, and, one hour into the work day, this one is already feeling too long.

So, on the train this morning, I decided I’d better make a decision about how I was going to approach the day. I’m going for gratefulness and joy – not sure I’ll make it quite that far, but aiming high!

I find myself in need of a “things I’m thankful for/things that are making me smile” list this morning, so, in no particular order, here goes…

I’m thankful for the tendons I pulled in my right wrist on the weekend. The pain has reminded me to pray for my brother, a guitar player who hasn’t been able to play for a year because of a wrist injury, and is facing surgery next week to hopefully correct the problem.

I’m thankful for a beautiful sunrise that I watched the whole way to work on the train this morning.

I’m thankful that I kept a copy of a mix cd I made and mailed to a dear friend. The music on it has been ministering to my heart all week.

I’m thankful for the energy to be around people – even though right now it feels like too much.

I’m thankful for the energy to say “hi” to the same lady that I pass each morning as I walk to the train – I look forward to the smile and greeting we exchange. There have been so many moments where I’ve been so burnt out from interaction with people that I’ve avoided the eyes and greetings of strangers while I was walking. I see restoration in a simple smile and greeting spilling from my lips each day.

I’m thankful for Tazo Passion Tea from Starbucks.

I’m thankful that I can buy boxes of Passion Tea and make it myself instead of having to stop at Starbucks to get it each morning.

I’m thankful for a job that I don’t hate – even though I don’t love it, it’s way better than the ones I’ve hated.

I’m thankful for a boss that I actually really enjoy working with.

I’m thankful that we’re going to change recycling companies at the office, so I won’t have to place complaint calls in order to get service every time service is due anymore.

I’m thankful for mandarin oranges.

I’m thankful for the crepes I had for supper last night.

I’m thankful for dinner plans with a friend tonight.

I’m thankful that my roommate has offered me the use of her car to drive to and from work while she’s out of town the next few days.

I’m thankful for casual Fridays.

I’m thankful for photos of friends on my desk and on my computer desktop – reminding me of people I love, and people who love me.

I’m thankful for Facebook – it’s revolutionized my ability to manage a social life with minimal telephone use – brilliant for someone who hates the telephone!

I’m thankful for the telephone too, though, especially for long, beautiful conversations with the friends who live too far away to see in person.

I’m thankful for a good deal on bottled water the last time I grocery shopped.

I’m thankful for plans to travel for a month to six weeks, in mid-January, with dear friends.

I’m thankful for the community of people who pray with and for me.

I’m thankful for candles, and incense, and Jason Upton on dvd.

I’m thankful for moments of rest, stolen in the midst of incredibly busy days.

I’m thankful for some favorite television shows, that let me unwind at the end of the day a few nights a week.

I’m thankful for art, and for the artists who make it.

I’m thankful for a line from a Jason Upton song, sung to Jesus, “You live…”

I’m thankful that the books I ordered have finally arrived, and that I can pick them up at my parent’s house tonight.

I’m thankful that I live near the mountains.

I’m thankful for unseasonably warm fall weather.

I’m thankful for cozy sweaters for when the weather stops being quite so warm.

I’m thankful that my schedule on Friday night is completely empty.

I’m thankful for Lauren Winner, and her deep words about Christianity, thanks to her Jewish roots.

I’m thankful for “The Silver Chair” by C.S. Lewis

I’m thankful for the book of Psalms

I’m thankful for a very special upcoming anniversary in my life (more on that next week)

I’m thankful for a planned retreat day next week.

I’m thankful for plans to spend next weekend with dear friends, enjoying a conference featuring Jason Upton.

I’m thankful for hot pink crocs from my brothers that I wear as slippers

I’m thankful for a heavy duvet cover.

I’m thankful for whoever invented magic bags.

I’m thankful for the yoga mat my aunt gave me for my birthday – makes it so much nicer to do my stretching exercises for my back and neck in the privacy of my bedroom instead of in front of my roommate in our living room.

I’m thankful for all the people who stop by my blog to keep up on my life!

Here’s to a Wednesday full of thankfulness!

On the Journey Toward Becoming Friends

The Henri Nouwen society also sends out a weekly email, written by someone who has been involved with the society, or L'Arche communities. This is the email I received this week...

On the Journey Toward Becoming Friends

written by DOUG WEIBE


Friendships are mysterious. They often begin and end when we least them expect them to. We sometimes become friends with people we are not initially drawn to. Sometimes we don't develop the kind of friendship we desire with someone we are attracted to. Some friendships take a lot of work, while others are as natural as breathing.

Friendship is a gift waiting to be revealed with every person I meet. With just a few people, the gift of covenant relationship will be revealed. With very many people, the gift of friendly waves and weather conversations will unfold. In between are the gifts of healthy working friendships, close lifelong friendships, friendships born in crisis, celebration, a shared passion for coffee, golf, children, faith, travel, et cetera.

Friendships are life-giving when we accept, nurture, and celebrate the particular gift that is present in each. Friendships are draining and difficult when we reject the gift by either not accepting the intimacy offered or trying to make the gift more intimate than it was ever meant to be.

These gifts of friendship are scattered like ripe fruit in the gardens of our lives, waiting to be tasted and enjoyed. Each gift is given by a loving God, who knows what we need and who desires a friendship with every one of us. Therefore, while we may choose our friendships, we do not create the gift of friendship. We can work on our friendships, but we cannot change them into something they are not gifted to be. This is the pain and the joy, the poverty and the incredible freedom we experience on the journey to becoming friends.

Loving the Church - Henri Nouwen

Loving the Church

Loving the Church often seems close to impossible. Still, we must keep reminding ourselves that all people in the Church - whether powerful or powerless, conservative or progressive, tolerant or fanatic - belong to that long line of witnesses moving through this valley of tears, singing songs of praise and thanksgiving, listening to the voice of their Lord, and eating together from the bread that keeps multiplying as it is shared. When we remember that, we may be able to say, "I love the Church, and I am glad to belong to it."

Loving the Church is our sacred duty. Without a true love for the Church, we cannot live in it in joy and peace. And without a true love for the Church, we cannot call people to it.