more Henri Nouwen…
I ran across this on a friend’s blog via another guys blog, so i can take no credit, though I thought, a provocative quote…
More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.
- henri nouwen
St. Theresa’s Prayer…
had this passed on to me earlier today, thought it was very good…
St. Theresa’s Prayer:
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.
what happened in the desert…
so it’s taken me some time to get some time to actually be able to get down some thoughts related to what God taught me in the desert, but first some background info…
i’ll have been on staff with Great Commission Ministries 10 years this summer. not a bad stretch, all things considered. married 10 years next summer, also something to be celebrated, and we will!! but over those past 10 years in ministry with gcm, probably every 2 we’ve asked the serious question? can we do this long term [Ministry, full-time, support-based]? dynamics of marriage, life, and our own struggles have made it a challenge for us. so in the past we’ve had our week or two of crisis, decided to gut it out and moved forward.
Continue reading ‘what happened in the desert…’
a good quote…
“A church which pitches its tents without constantly looking out for new horizons, which does not continually strike camp, is being untrue to its calling… [we must] play down our longing for certainty, accept what is risky, live by improvisation and experiment.”
- Hans Kung
