The fruit of Silence is prayer. The fruit of Prayer is faith. The fruit of Faith is love. The fruit of Love is service. The fruit of Service is peace.
-- Mother Teresa
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Obstacles
Most of our obstacles would melt away
if, instead of cowering before them,
we should make up our minds
to walk boldly through them.
-- Orison Swett Marden
I think this is true particularly in the context of our fears. Not favoring this as a form of self-determinism, but as a renewing of our minds, since it is often our fear that disables us.
if, instead of cowering before them,
we should make up our minds
to walk boldly through them.
-- Orison Swett Marden
I think this is true particularly in the context of our fears. Not favoring this as a form of self-determinism, but as a renewing of our minds, since it is often our fear that disables us.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Char-cool
Last night's dark punctured, with the sky's pin-prick leakings of light. The air chilled now with October's anticipation and the nose welcomed the smokey of still charring wood.
I have come to so love this conspiratorial deluge of the senses, what they arouse so deep within me. Welcome Char-cool!
...camping this weekend. I anticipate. The life of direct conversation with others, the escape from the dominance of our flat-screens, the surprise of the blend of the 3-dimensional world of nature and the unique interaction of souls it prompts.
I have come to so love this conspiratorial deluge of the senses, what they arouse so deep within me. Welcome Char-cool!
...camping this weekend. I anticipate. The life of direct conversation with others, the escape from the dominance of our flat-screens, the surprise of the blend of the 3-dimensional world of nature and the unique interaction of souls it prompts.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Parenthood - Everything Is Not OK
I have plugged for this show before. This week's episode was another really good one - very family, very human. I was prompted to confess a bit of me I saw in Adam (one of the characters) to Tami.
Worth your while. Click pic to watch....
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Spend on It
There's a very positive relationship
between people's ability to
accomplish any task and the time
they're willing to spend on it.
-- Joyce Brothers
Get that tongue out of your cheek, Joyce. Not many people (any?) can get good at what they do without really working at it.
But really, with the self-evident humor, why wouldn't this be a very natural response to Emerson's thought?
between people's ability to
accomplish any task and the time
they're willing to spend on it.
-- Joyce Brothers
Get that tongue out of your cheek, Joyce. Not many people (any?) can get good at what they do without really working at it.
But really, with the self-evident humor, why wouldn't this be a very natural response to Emerson's thought?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Partial Redemption
There is no such thing as partial redemption.
While it may be true at any given moment that it isn't complete yet, there is nothing 'barely' about redemption. God isn't just 'doing the best he can' with what He's been left to work with. No, His redemptive work is full, complete, and total.
That is the beauty of redemption, in the first place.
While it may be true at any given moment that it isn't complete yet, there is nothing 'barely' about redemption. God isn't just 'doing the best he can' with what He's been left to work with. No, His redemptive work is full, complete, and total.
That is the beauty of redemption, in the first place.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Forgiveness
The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness.
-- William Blake
An odd juxtaposition of images -- glory, conquering, forgiveness -- but a not so subtle irony none-the-less. I remember a rather stunning thought from Blue Like Jazz that such 'conquering' is even more by asking for forgiveness than simply granting it.
Forgiveness carries a lot of assumptions. Things like the need to be honest, the willingness to seek out another person with my vulnerability, the reality that I need it as badly as any one else. And, of course, these are among nearly impossible tasks without having realized that I, myself, have been forgiven in very specific and personal ways. The act is a profound one, a deeply human one, a powerful one. One that truly dismantles (conquers) so many of the false constructs we have built in our lives.
When is the last time I forgave someone...or asked for forgiveness?
-- William Blake
An odd juxtaposition of images -- glory, conquering, forgiveness -- but a not so subtle irony none-the-less. I remember a rather stunning thought from Blue Like Jazz that such 'conquering' is even more by asking for forgiveness than simply granting it.
Forgiveness carries a lot of assumptions. Things like the need to be honest, the willingness to seek out another person with my vulnerability, the reality that I need it as badly as any one else. And, of course, these are among nearly impossible tasks without having realized that I, myself, have been forgiven in very specific and personal ways. The act is a profound one, a deeply human one, a powerful one. One that truly dismantles (conquers) so many of the false constructs we have built in our lives.
When is the last time I forgave someone...or asked for forgiveness?
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Your Story
We can't change the present or the future. We can only change the past, and we do it all the time.
-- Bob Dylan, Rolling Stone
We all know the line that says something to the effect that if we don't remember the past, we are condemned to repeat it. Donald Miller's latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, is all about living our story now because the past has sure shaped it.
I really like these thoughts about story as well:
Grace is the backbone of every woman still standing.
-- Ann Voskamp's blog
God’s writing your story and He never leaves you alone in your story....
-- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
That is a lot be thankful for. Continue reading Ann's thoughts about your story....
-- Bob Dylan, Rolling Stone
We all know the line that says something to the effect that if we don't remember the past, we are condemned to repeat it. Donald Miller's latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, is all about living our story now because the past has sure shaped it.
I really like these thoughts about story as well:
Grace is the backbone of every woman still standing.
-- Ann Voskamp's blog
God’s writing your story and He never leaves you alone in your story....
-- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
That is a lot be thankful for. Continue reading Ann's thoughts about your story....
Friday, September 21, 2012
Two for the Road: Stolen & One
Two for the road today...
...much of our lives are spent trying to avoid conflict. Half the commercials on television are selling us something that will make life easier. Part of me wonders if our stories aren't being stolen by the easy life.
-- Donald Miller, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years
It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for … the masses.
-- Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary-General of the United Nations
...much of our lives are spent trying to avoid conflict. Half the commercials on television are selling us something that will make life easier. Part of me wonders if our stories aren't being stolen by the easy life.
-- Donald Miller, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years
It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for … the masses.
-- Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Change
...we were designed to live through something rather than to attain something, and the thing we were meant to live through was designed to change us.
-- Donald Miller, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years
-- Donald Miller, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Nature Speaks
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
-- Psalm 19:1-2, 4
Is God silent or is He talking? What is His language? Psalms 19 seems to answer this question.
His language of love is Nature. He has spoken and continues to speak...day after day after day. The glory of His Nature 'pours out speech'. Undeniably. Irretrievably. Unquenchingly. Overwhelmingly. If we listen, we are star-struck by it, stream-struck by it, mountain-struck by it, season-struck by it. Its order, chaos, and timelessness all pronounce the transcendence of his love throughout our experience of tHIS life, in this world.
...and so many still seem able to hardly notice.
Blake and I were talking about his recently; what do you think? What is God 'saying'?
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
-- Psalm 19:1-2, 4
Is God silent or is He talking? What is His language? Psalms 19 seems to answer this question.
His language of love is Nature. He has spoken and continues to speak...day after day after day. The glory of His Nature 'pours out speech'. Undeniably. Irretrievably. Unquenchingly. Overwhelmingly. If we listen, we are star-struck by it, stream-struck by it, mountain-struck by it, season-struck by it. Its order, chaos, and timelessness all pronounce the transcendence of his love throughout our experience of tHIS life, in this world.
...and so many still seem able to hardly notice.
Blake and I were talking about his recently; what do you think? What is God 'saying'?
Monday, September 17, 2012
Priesthood of All Believers
Anthropologists tell us that "religion" is a universal cultural reality. Every culture creates a religion. We find religion all around the world, in every culture.
The religions they create have at least two characteristics:
The religions they create have at least two characteristics:
- people create religious rituals to ceremonialize their devotion
- people create a religious hierarchy to outsource their religious obligations
We don't want a priesthood and ministry of all believers. Instead, we want people to go to God for us and leaders to do the ministry to us...
Sunday, September 16, 2012
By Us & For Us
Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.
-- John Stott
-- John Stott
Saturday, September 15, 2012
CT: What Kind of Wife
Picture this: a bride and groom dashing out of the church, through the showers of birdseed and into the limo, all aglow with the light of love from the vows they've just taken. In the backseat of the car, en route to the reception, they embrace and kiss. Then the groom announces that he has something to say:
"Now you realize, my dear," he begins, "that, as far as I'm concerned, we can't really say we're married, because I don't know yet what kind of wife you'll turn out to be...."
This CT article is one of those 'must read' kind of things about grace and faith -- really worth your time:
Continue Reading!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Mistakes
The greatest mistake you can make in life
is to be continually fearing
you will make one.
-- Elbert Hubbard
...so, we can 'go for it' and give it our all and be thankful for any good that comes out of it and seek forgiveness for anything bad we've caused.
is to be continually fearing
you will make one.
-- Elbert Hubbard
...so, we can 'go for it' and give it our all and be thankful for any good that comes out of it and seek forgiveness for anything bad we've caused.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
To Reveal
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.
-- Benjamin Disraeli
I'm not a huge fan of superlatives...like when people say things like, "I've always believed that..." or the 'est' in statements like the above. But, generally at least, they are used to emphasize a point and the one above is a good one, in my estimation. Especially when one thinks about what our true riches are.
-- Benjamin Disraeli
I'm not a huge fan of superlatives...like when people say things like, "I've always believed that..." or the 'est' in statements like the above. But, generally at least, they are used to emphasize a point and the one above is a good one, in my estimation. Especially when one thinks about what our true riches are.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Grateful Participants
We get robbed of the glory of life because we aren't capable of remembering how we got here.
...stunningly true, no?
When you are born, you wake slowly to everything. Your brain doesn't stop growing until you turn twenty-six, so from birth to twenty-six, God is slowly turning the light on, and you're groggy and pointing at things saying circle and blue and car and then sex and job and health care. The experience is so slow you could easily come to believe life isn't that big of a deal, that life isn't staggering. What I'm saying is I think life is staggering and we're just used to it. We all are like spoiled children no longer impressed with the gifts we're given -- it's just another sunset, just another rainstorm moving over the mountain, just another child being born, just another funeral.
We are awakening to God, as we live, if we are willing.
I've wondered, though, if one of the reasons we fail to acknowledge the brilliance of life is because we don't want the responsibility inherent in the acknowledgement. We don't want to be characters in a story because characters have to move and breathe and face conflict with courage. And if life isn't remarkable, then we don't have to do any of that; we can be unwilling victims rather than grateful participants.
-- Donald Miller, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years
Gratitude goes a lot farther than the other reaction: busyness.
...by the way, I'm thoroughly enjoying this Donald Miller book.
...stunningly true, no?
When you are born, you wake slowly to everything. Your brain doesn't stop growing until you turn twenty-six, so from birth to twenty-six, God is slowly turning the light on, and you're groggy and pointing at things saying circle and blue and car and then sex and job and health care. The experience is so slow you could easily come to believe life isn't that big of a deal, that life isn't staggering. What I'm saying is I think life is staggering and we're just used to it. We all are like spoiled children no longer impressed with the gifts we're given -- it's just another sunset, just another rainstorm moving over the mountain, just another child being born, just another funeral.
We are awakening to God, as we live, if we are willing.
I've wondered, though, if one of the reasons we fail to acknowledge the brilliance of life is because we don't want the responsibility inherent in the acknowledgement. We don't want to be characters in a story because characters have to move and breathe and face conflict with courage. And if life isn't remarkable, then we don't have to do any of that; we can be unwilling victims rather than grateful participants.
-- Donald Miller, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years
Gratitude goes a lot farther than the other reaction: busyness.
...by the way, I'm thoroughly enjoying this Donald Miller book.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Meant to be Given
It is interesting how we gauge what we keep for ourselves. It seems that we often base this on what everyone else is keeping...I shouldn't have any less than everyone else, right?
But, when does that thinking take us somewhere that simply isn't right? See Ann Voskamp's thoughts on our problem with this here.
We don't own anything - everything we have is given to us.
Nothing given to us is meant to be kept. Everything given is meant to be given (to others).
But, when does that thinking take us somewhere that simply isn't right? See Ann Voskamp's thoughts on our problem with this here.
We don't own anything - everything we have is given to us.
Nothing given to us is meant to be kept. Everything given is meant to be given (to others).
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Oh God, Our Help
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.
Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home.
-- Isaac Watts
I attended a wedding recently where this song was sung. My how I've missed it over the years. What a vision to sing such a thing like this at a wedding. Pure vision.
And, perhaps, I recognized more of its sweep because of two other recent events, one another kind of beginning and another hinting at a possible ending. The former I referenced in yesterday's post regarding my son. The latter regarding the open-heart surgery of my 71 year-old mother. The juxtaposition of the two and all their possibilities laid right next to something like a wedding that wants to be built on this kind of God. What a wonder. What a mystery. What a stopping. What a worshiping.
Saturday, September 08, 2012
Shadow of Me
Like that created by the setting sun, the older I get, the longer my shadow gets. It takes up more space.
I arrived at this thought one day as I contemplated the leaving of my son for the first time at college (which we did last weekend). It occurred to me that he needs to be out of my shadow. I don't know of anything particularly wrong with my shadow (well, sure, there is plenty wrong with it....), it's just the order of Dad-ness. He needs to be free of me, the shade of my shadow, for a while. In order for him to grow, to identify the size and shape of his own shadow, he must move out away from mine. He needs sunlight to grow...all things do, to develop fully, to mature, to become what they are intended to be.
You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.
-- OLD IRISH PROVERB
I can ascent to this intellectually. But I must admit, something else is at work, too. I wish I knew what he was up to, how he is doing. Not too long ago, our lives were quite integrated. Now they're not...or so it feels. At least, they're not integrated by proximity. And this, though bearing a sense of loss, is how it should be now, for his sake. It is time for him to find himself, on his terms...and without my direct supervision, without the shadow of me directly over him. This is healthy...for both of us.
...and, it forces something else good in me; to pray for him, to entrust him to God. To trust God for him. To trust that God is for Him and taking him more fully from here (not that He didn't have him fully until now). This process of entrusting him to God frees him to grow up into the shape God has for him. And, really, what more could I really want for him. I don't want to over-shadow him.
I want him to find his own shadow, so that he can see what he really looks like...who he really is.
...and, if his experience is like mine and that of all sons, the Shadow of Me will likely be quite a part of his anyway.
I arrived at this thought one day as I contemplated the leaving of my son for the first time at college (which we did last weekend). It occurred to me that he needs to be out of my shadow. I don't know of anything particularly wrong with my shadow (well, sure, there is plenty wrong with it....), it's just the order of Dad-ness. He needs to be free of me, the shade of my shadow, for a while. In order for him to grow, to identify the size and shape of his own shadow, he must move out away from mine. He needs sunlight to grow...all things do, to develop fully, to mature, to become what they are intended to be.
You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.
-- OLD IRISH PROVERB
I can ascent to this intellectually. But I must admit, something else is at work, too. I wish I knew what he was up to, how he is doing. Not too long ago, our lives were quite integrated. Now they're not...or so it feels. At least, they're not integrated by proximity. And this, though bearing a sense of loss, is how it should be now, for his sake. It is time for him to find himself, on his terms...and without my direct supervision, without the shadow of me directly over him. This is healthy...for both of us.
...and, it forces something else good in me; to pray for him, to entrust him to God. To trust God for him. To trust that God is for Him and taking him more fully from here (not that He didn't have him fully until now). This process of entrusting him to God frees him to grow up into the shape God has for him. And, really, what more could I really want for him. I don't want to over-shadow him.
I want him to find his own shadow, so that he can see what he really looks like...who he really is.
...and, if his experience is like mine and that of all sons, the Shadow of Me will likely be quite a part of his anyway.
Friday, September 07, 2012
Don't Worry About Size
Don't worry about the size of your platform or whether you'll have one -- you will. Instead, pay attention to the people around you and the opportunities in front of you, knowing that your chances to make a positive difference will come along in due time. Focus on the impact you have with the platform God gives you.
-- Tony Dungy, The Mentor Leader
-- Tony Dungy, The Mentor Leader
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Truth and Beauty
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Beauty Simply Is
Beauty requires no justification, no explanation; it simply is and transcends.
I pay tribute to God by paying attention.
All beauty is only reflection.
-- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
I pay tribute to God by paying attention.
All beauty is only reflection.
-- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Something Else
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Monday, September 03, 2012
How Well Do We See
Once upon a time there were two small boys who asked their fathers to take them to see the great parade that passed through the village every ten years. The fathers, remembering the parade from when they were boys, quickly agreed, and the next morning the four of them set out together.
Continue Reading, some good stuff, especially at the end.
Continue Reading, some good stuff, especially at the end.
Sunday, September 02, 2012
I Will Instruct You
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
-- Psalm 32:8
In the end, leaders lead...by example.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
-- 2 Corinthians 8:9
God’s not out to get you — He’s out to give to you.
And God’s blessings don’t pursue temporarily — but relentlessly. It’s right there in His Word: His goodness and mercy pursue me not just some days — but all the days of my life. When I’m in a wilderness, His mercy and goodness run after me. When I’m hurting, His grace hunts for me. When I’m plagued by problems, His goodness pursues me.
Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life…
-- Psalm 23:6
Your beauty and love chase after me …
-- Psalm 23:6
-- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
-- Psalm 32:8
In the end, leaders lead...by example.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
-- 2 Corinthians 8:9
God’s not out to get you — He’s out to give to you.
And God’s blessings don’t pursue temporarily — but relentlessly. It’s right there in His Word: His goodness and mercy pursue me not just some days — but all the days of my life. When I’m in a wilderness, His mercy and goodness run after me. When I’m hurting, His grace hunts for me. When I’m plagued by problems, His goodness pursues me.
Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life…
-- Psalm 23:6
Your beauty and love chase after me …
-- Psalm 23:6
-- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Gateway into Fall
Must say I like this thought from OtRs latest newsletter regarding the season of Fall. Joe Henry always thinks of September 1 as New Year’s Day:
The gateway into fall; marking the time to set aside distractions and truly engage in the soul's real work; to rededicate yourself to love and service, forgiveness and mystery.
-- Joe Henry
It is a most wonderful time of year, a welcomed rhythm of life.
The gateway into fall; marking the time to set aside distractions and truly engage in the soul's real work; to rededicate yourself to love and service, forgiveness and mystery.
-- Joe Henry
It is a most wonderful time of year, a welcomed rhythm of life.
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