I feel like I should write something. It's been a couple days since any of my own words were up here. I don't think I actually have anything to say.
Today was one of those days where every time you pause to reflect on the way the day is going, all you can think is, "I'm so glad it's Friday."
I wore jeans - that made for a better day.
I had my weekly Subway date with a coworker - that made for a better day.
My mom cooked dinner for me - that made for a better day.
I bought a pair of walking shoes/hiking boots - I think that'll make for a better day.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Quote for the Day
I came across the following quote (prayer) this morning, and liked it enough to pass it on.
“O Lord, forgive what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be.”
— Thomas Wilson
“O Lord, forgive what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be.”
— Thomas Wilson
Thursday, September 20, 2007
More Great Thoughts from Henri Nouwen
I got a couple more great emails from the Henri Nouwen society in the past few days, and I'm sticking them here for your consumption.
Living in a State of Preparedness
Everything that comes from God asks for an open and faithful heart. We cannot live with hope and joy in the end-time unless we are living in a state of preparedness. We have to be careful because, as the Apostle Peter says: "Your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5.8). Therefore Jesus says: "Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life. ... Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36). That's what living in the Spirit of Jesus calls us to.
Keeping Close to the Word of Jesus
The words of Jesus can keep us erect and confident in the midst of the turmoil of the end-time. They can support us, encourage us, and give us life even when everything around us speaks of death. Jesus' words are food for eternal life. They do much more than give us ideas and inspiration. They lead us into the eternal life while we are still being clothed in mortal flesh.
When we keep close to the word of Jesus, reflecting on it, "chewing" on it, eating it as food for the soul, we will enter even more deeply into the everlasting love of God.
Living in a State of Preparedness
Everything that comes from God asks for an open and faithful heart. We cannot live with hope and joy in the end-time unless we are living in a state of preparedness. We have to be careful because, as the Apostle Peter says: "Your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5.8). Therefore Jesus says: "Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life. ... Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36). That's what living in the Spirit of Jesus calls us to.
Keeping Close to the Word of Jesus
The words of Jesus can keep us erect and confident in the midst of the turmoil of the end-time. They can support us, encourage us, and give us life even when everything around us speaks of death. Jesus' words are food for eternal life. They do much more than give us ideas and inspiration. They lead us into the eternal life while we are still being clothed in mortal flesh.
When we keep close to the word of Jesus, reflecting on it, "chewing" on it, eating it as food for the soul, we will enter even more deeply into the everlasting love of God.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Blanketed
I'm exhausted this morning. I slept very little last night, waking often.
I'm holding onto the truths I've so successfully rested in for the last couple of weeks by the very tips of my fingers, and even that feels like it's slipping.
I feel like a bit of black cloud has dropped over me in the last couple of days - blanketing me in darkness, freezing me in place, adding fear and sleeplessness.
I'm needing a hug, and to chat with a couple people on the phone.
I know myself well enough to know that this happens once a month or so, and that this too, will pass, but it still stinks in the midst of it.
It's hard to fight, hard to find motivation, hard to just keep pushing forward when it requires such effort.
I'm going to a concert tonight with Megs and my brothers. Keith Urban, with The Wreckers opening. Yes, I just publicly admitted to enjoying country music. Always have, probably always will. I'm looking forward to the time with my bros, and with Megs, and even to the music. I know I'll have a great time once I get there, but, to be honest, from the vantage point of the morning, sitting at my desk, sipping passion tea from Starbucks, it seems like far too great an effort to get there and be around people.
I've hit that space in the month where I just want to hole up and be alone for hours on end. My roommate, J. was watching Grey's Anatomy on dvd last night. I love Grey's. I watched for an hour or so before she got home, but not too long after she got home, I headed for the shower and then holed up in my bedroom to read and pray. There are very few people I want to be around when I feel like this, and right now, almost none of those people live in the same city as me. So, for the rest of the evenings this week? Time alone - reading, surfing the net, maybe watching a movie, praying.
I'm holding onto the truths I've so successfully rested in for the last couple of weeks by the very tips of my fingers, and even that feels like it's slipping.
I feel like a bit of black cloud has dropped over me in the last couple of days - blanketing me in darkness, freezing me in place, adding fear and sleeplessness.
I'm needing a hug, and to chat with a couple people on the phone.
I know myself well enough to know that this happens once a month or so, and that this too, will pass, but it still stinks in the midst of it.
It's hard to fight, hard to find motivation, hard to just keep pushing forward when it requires such effort.
I'm going to a concert tonight with Megs and my brothers. Keith Urban, with The Wreckers opening. Yes, I just publicly admitted to enjoying country music. Always have, probably always will. I'm looking forward to the time with my bros, and with Megs, and even to the music. I know I'll have a great time once I get there, but, to be honest, from the vantage point of the morning, sitting at my desk, sipping passion tea from Starbucks, it seems like far too great an effort to get there and be around people.
I've hit that space in the month where I just want to hole up and be alone for hours on end. My roommate, J. was watching Grey's Anatomy on dvd last night. I love Grey's. I watched for an hour or so before she got home, but not too long after she got home, I headed for the shower and then holed up in my bedroom to read and pray. There are very few people I want to be around when I feel like this, and right now, almost none of those people live in the same city as me. So, for the rest of the evenings this week? Time alone - reading, surfing the net, maybe watching a movie, praying.
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