A few posts of mine from earlier in the year that are catching at me today, and in some ways bringing me hope...
Lessons in the Midst of Darkness
Reasons to Keep Going
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Suicide...
I received an email today reminding me that it is "National Survivors of Suicide Day" in the US. Now, before you start laughing at that ridiculous title, they're referring to those who have survived the loss of a loved one to suicide.
Various suicide related headlines have been catching my attention the last few days. I linked yesterday to a headline about a Florida teen who killed himself while broadcasting live on the internet, and just a few minutes ago I came across a similar headline from Argentina.
You can find the Argentinian story here: Argentine Man Kills Himself on TV
and you can find a few links with more information about National Survivors of Suicide Day here:
Community Connects Suicide-Minded, Survivors
10th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day
Various suicide related headlines have been catching my attention the last few days. I linked yesterday to a headline about a Florida teen who killed himself while broadcasting live on the internet, and just a few minutes ago I came across a similar headline from Argentina.
You can find the Argentinian story here: Argentine Man Kills Himself on TV
and you can find a few links with more information about National Survivors of Suicide Day here:
Community Connects Suicide-Minded, Survivors
10th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day
Saturday Morning Frustrations
I woke from a dream again this morning. This one was more of a working out of ongoing frustrations with my current living situation, and was thankfully in some ways less intense than many of the crazy spiritual dreams I've been having on such a regular basis lately.
However, it was still very real, and left me frustrated and angry and working to separate actual reality from that which I'd dreamt.
So, I decided to take out the frustrations in the most positive way I could think of, and I've spent the morning cooking and cleaning. Our kitchen floor (which had been, to use one of my roommate's words, very "grubby") is now immaculate. The kitchen counters have been scrubbed and tidied. The clean dishes have been put away, and the dirty dishes are in the dishwasher, which is now running. I baked scones (or maybe they're biscuits - my terminology for baking has become hopelessly confused after months of living with two New Zealanders who have a different word for every sort of baking.) The living room has been tidied, and so has my bedroom. The bathroom has been cleaned, and I've done a load of laundry.
This afternoon I'm going to visit my parents for a bit, get gas for George, and probably settle in for a while with a Bible, book and journal and just read. I'm attending a church service tonight, and then possibly going out afterwards for a bit to spend some time with my youngest brother. The plan for tomorrow is rest, and maybe a few errands.
But, all that cleaning has at least resulted in a somewhat improved mood from that which I woke in, and the ability to laugh a bit at life again. Plus, my house looks greatly improved.
However, it was still very real, and left me frustrated and angry and working to separate actual reality from that which I'd dreamt.
So, I decided to take out the frustrations in the most positive way I could think of, and I've spent the morning cooking and cleaning. Our kitchen floor (which had been, to use one of my roommate's words, very "grubby") is now immaculate. The kitchen counters have been scrubbed and tidied. The clean dishes have been put away, and the dirty dishes are in the dishwasher, which is now running. I baked scones (or maybe they're biscuits - my terminology for baking has become hopelessly confused after months of living with two New Zealanders who have a different word for every sort of baking.) The living room has been tidied, and so has my bedroom. The bathroom has been cleaned, and I've done a load of laundry.
This afternoon I'm going to visit my parents for a bit, get gas for George, and probably settle in for a while with a Bible, book and journal and just read. I'm attending a church service tonight, and then possibly going out afterwards for a bit to spend some time with my youngest brother. The plan for tomorrow is rest, and maybe a few errands.
But, all that cleaning has at least resulted in a somewhat improved mood from that which I woke in, and the ability to laugh a bit at life again. Plus, my house looks greatly improved.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Voices Heard - Friday Night Edition
Some thoughts that have been catching at my heart the last little while...
When it is genuine, when it is born of the need to speak, no one can stop the human voice. When denied a mouth, it speaks with the hands or the eyes, or the pores, or anything at all. Because every single one of us has something to say to the others, something that deserves to be celebrated or forgiven by others.
- Eduardo Galeano,
The Book of Embraces
Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent result of violent repression.
Peace is the generous,
tranquil contribution of all
to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism.
Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero
The November 20, Daily Text from the Moravians:
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
Lamentations 3:24
Through Christ you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the
dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 1
Peter 1:21
We turn our eyes on you, Christ. By faith we look into your face and
receive blessings found nowhere else. But we are sometimes distracted by
the waves around us as Peter was. When we look away, take us by the hand
and lift us. Amen.
Today's Daily Text from the Moravians:
Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10
Jesus prayed, "Righteous Father, these know that you have sent me. I
made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love
with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." John
17:25,26
Heavenly Father, we long to know you fully, but we will never understand
all that you are. We rejoice that there will never be an end to our
discoveries about your glory and power. In this moment, we wait before
you - touch us, we pray. Amen.
When it is genuine, when it is born of the need to speak, no one can stop the human voice. When denied a mouth, it speaks with the hands or the eyes, or the pores, or anything at all. Because every single one of us has something to say to the others, something that deserves to be celebrated or forgiven by others.
- Eduardo Galeano,
The Book of Embraces
Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent result of violent repression.
Peace is the generous,
tranquil contribution of all
to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism.
Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero
The November 20, Daily Text from the Moravians:
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
Lamentations 3:24
Through Christ you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the
dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 1
Peter 1:21
We turn our eyes on you, Christ. By faith we look into your face and
receive blessings found nowhere else. But we are sometimes distracted by
the waves around us as Peter was. When we look away, take us by the hand
and lift us. Amen.
Today's Daily Text from the Moravians:
Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10
Jesus prayed, "Righteous Father, these know that you have sent me. I
made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love
with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." John
17:25,26
Heavenly Father, we long to know you fully, but we will never understand
all that you are. We rejoice that there will never be an end to our
discoveries about your glory and power. In this moment, we wait before
you - touch us, we pray. Amen.
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