To walk in the presence of the Lord means to move forward in life in such a way that all our desires, thoughts, and actions are constantly guided by him. When we walk in the Lord’s presence, everything we see, hear, touch, or taste reminds us of him. This is what is meant by a prayerful life. It is not a life in which we say many prayers, but a life in which nothing, absolutely nothing, is done, said, or understood independently of him who is the origin and purpose of our existence. — Henri Nouwen
Words of humble and gentle wisdom from one of my early spiritual mentors. It was an incredible experience to hear Henri speak at the USAF Chaplains School in 1991. It was a three day course “Spirituality in Demanding Times.” Henri also shared his initial discomfort being asked to teach on a military base because of his anti-war stance.
An important book of his for me is The Wounded Healer. Henri helped me to embrace my own woundedness as a way of walking with so many through their own life experiences through the years.
Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it to our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say that it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect. In either case, we learn nothing. — Wisdom from the Teacher (Thay) and friend of Jim Forest and Thomas Merton. I can imagine them all enjoying each other’s company over a cup of tea ♥️
Verse of the day
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
– Colossians 4:6
Voice of the day
Grace shows up in all of us asking the hard questions to break new ground. Grace is generous and, when we lean into it, we can’t help but extend it to others.
– Candice Marie Benbow, Red Lip Theology (2022)
Prayer of the day
May my questions be generous and seasoned with grace.
When I opened up my email, this gift from Abbess Christine spoke to my heart and Denise’s heart. We were talking about our upcoming Sabbath rest and Denise had just said that we need to find our way home as we walk the Sabbath journey together. I love it when Godde does that ♥️☘️
“Returning home means remembering that there is a source of eternal love and compassion within each of us always available to us.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, The Online Self-Study Retreat ~ A Midwinter God: Making a Conscious Underworld Journey
What might it mean for you to find your way back home? How might that feel?
“The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life flow no longer into our souls.”—Elizabeth Cady Stanton
I came across this quote from Jim Forest’s book Praying with Icons and it touched my heart. He is missed by so many friends and by folks like me who got to know him through his books. It speaks volumes to a great need in this world today.
Prayer is love-centered. It is not so much belief in God that matters, but love of God, and similarly love of others, including love of enemies.
Thank you, Jim for your gift of love, laughter, and friendship to so many.
Here’s to the friends I/we have known for years
Friends with whom I/we have shared meals and laughter together (and maybe a pint or two)
Friends whom I/we have met through the blogging world or on Social Media
Friends whom I/we look forward to meeting face to face one day
O Godde, I/we thank you for our sacred relationships
For the ways in which each friendship draws us closer to one another and to you
Verse of the day
If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
– 1 Corinthians 12:26
Voice of the day
Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.
– Pema Chödrön, The Places That Scare You (2001)
Prayer of the day
Show us the ways of solidarity and honor. May we rejoice for each of our community members.
King’s vision of beloved community is not simply a churchy way to call for liberal democracy — fair voting, a free press, the right to assemble and protest, or a generous welfare state to supplant the fiscal austerity that emerged following his assassination. What King called for was a radical revolution of values that confronts the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and poverty which are built into the economic foundations of the United States’ liberal democracy.
— Read on sojo.net/articles/mlk-rooted-his-anti-capitalism-his-christian-ministry
