Life can be exhausting. Think of what takes so much energy: Tasks to be done. (And, dealing with situations where the task was not done or was not done well.) Maintenance and stewardship of finances. (And, dealing with finances when you have overspent and lived beyond your means.) Care and feeding of relationships. (And, dealing… Continue reading When You Feel Exhausted
Category: Starting the Day
The Value of the Ordinary (Kathleen Norris)
Kathleen Norris, in her book The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and "Women’s Work," writes about the importance of the daily tasks as "life supporting work." These tasks do not define who we are as human beings but they do have an important place in shaping us spiritually. The following is an excerpt: The often heard… Continue reading The Value of the Ordinary (Kathleen Norris)
Leaving the Past
I’m back at the Murfreesboro Panera Bread this morning. I came here to spend an hour or so working on the message for Sunday. (I’ve learned that when I am on a trip like this, it is much more enjoyable if I can spend a few early mornings during the week thinking about Sunday’s message. … Continue reading Leaving the Past
Life is Happening Right Now
Last night, we drove to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to be with Christine (our older daughter) and Phillip. We plan to spend a few days with them. Christmas happened, and it was great! Family. Friends. Lots of food. The football game — the uncles versus the nieces and nephews. Well, we did borrow a niece and nephew… Continue reading Life is Happening Right Now
Henri Nouwen: The Way of the Heart
When I first read Henri Nouwen’s The Way of the Heart, I remember feeling very uncomfortable. Nouwen has a way of being very honest in his writing. He is incredibly honest about himself. He is also very honest as he talks about the human condition as he sees it. He is perceptive in his read… Continue reading Henri Nouwen: The Way of the Heart
The One You Can Count On
During this time of the year, Thanksgiving and then Christmas, many of us get together with family. We are with people we love. Sometimes the relationships are uncomplicated. Very little stress. Yet, sometimes the relationships are complex. And for many people, there is some pain involved. Often, there is some sign of brokenness. We are… Continue reading The One You Can Count On
Are You Really a Work in Progress?
A lot of us say we are. We say, "I am a work in progress." Sometimes I will post something on this blog that has a beginning, a middle, and an ending. At times, what I write has some resolution. It ends with a period. It’s over. Nothing else said. That is the end… Continue reading Are You Really a Work in Progress?
On Learning to Pay Attention
Ministry is service in the name of the Lord. It is bringing the good news to the poor, proclaiming liberty to captives and new sight to the blind, setting the downtrodden free and announcing the Lord’s year of favor (Luke 4:18). Spirituality is paying attention to the life of the spirit in us; it is… Continue reading On Learning to Pay Attention
One Last Look in the Mirror
"Telling the truth is to paint an accurate view of reality." I am not sure where that line came from. I am not even sure who said it. I do believe these words. Maybe it is like the passage in James that speaks of a person looking into the Word of God. One could… Continue reading One Last Look in the Mirror
The One Thing I Desperately Need
Michael Quoist in one of his prayer books wrote: I don’t like old people unless they are still children. I want only children in my kingdom … Youngsters – twisted, humped, wrinkled, white-bearded – all kinds of youngsters, but youngsters … I like children because my… Continue reading The One Thing I Desperately Need