tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59502196771810220722024-03-13T04:06:01.890+00:00Mongrel ChristianThe thoughts of a believer of mixed origins.
Like the many individual strands in a rope bound together to form a whole, my spirituality has been formed from many streams, ancient to modern, of Christian ideas and practices. Charismatic, evangelical, contemplative paths have all left their mark. I am truly a Mongrel Christian. Welcome...I don't bite...well hardly ever.Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-84995070455714686442014-08-03T19:36:00.002+01:002014-08-03T19:36:47.329+01:00The Blog has movedHi<br />
I have moved the blog to my new website www.prayercoach.ie<br />
There is more space there for tips and tools to help with your prayer life.<br />
Check it out!<br />
PaulPaul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-34192231298834781072014-05-15T09:16:00.000+01:002014-05-24T17:29:34.337+01:00An Argument for the Spiritual <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Consider how old the universe is. Consider how big it is. Consider how long things were going on in this universe before life began on the earth, before human beings came a long, before consciousness arrived. It’s a long, long time and a very big universe. It really messes with our sense of scale. It’s like dealing with natural logarithms or probability, we don’t have a feel for these time periods and expanses of space. We have never needed to have a touch for these ideas until the last 200 years.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So we tell the story of origins and meaning of life with the wrong lenses on. We tell a story…That’s what we do. Our minds need stories, they are how we organise reality, put it on our plate chop it up and consume it. But our way of processing truth should not change the actual truth we are processing, like kids thinking that fish have fingers or that milk comes from supermarkets. Like Schrödinger’s cat.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There is a universe out there. It began 14 billion years ago. If a 24 hour day, represented the beginning to now, we come in less than the last second.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We look out and try to figure it out with our limits of intelligence and need to break everything down into bite size, intelligible morsels. But this story cannot be like the ones we know from our normal lives, can it? Does it have to be understandable and logical like everything else we know? Is it not possible that we cannot understand it but won’t admit it?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We have 5 senses that evolved to enable our ancestors to survive and pass on their genes. The senses did their jobs allowing us to perceive enough of the reality of the universe to survive. We apply these senses -useful for surviving – to the universe and try to figure out where it came from and what it means. Is it not possible that there are other parts of the universe that exist that we don’t know about (and that we would need senses different to the ones we have evolved to survive with) and that we need new senses to experience and to inform our search. To use an analogy, we would not expect a soldier who has developed the skills needed to survive in the jungle to be able to play a complicated piece of piano music only based on his experience in the jungle.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Why are we sure that there is nothing beyond what we can experience with our 5 senses? Surely, by definition we must admit that a new undiscovered sense would seem supernatural to anyone who didn’t have it. What must it be like for a person born blind to see colours for the first time? How could you describe the colour red to a blind person and how it is different to the colour green? We don’t have the language.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Of course it is possible that we have all the senses we need to eventually fully understand the universe. But wouldn’t it be a fluke that our evolution gave us all the senses we need for everything, even things that we didn’t meet along the way.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There are dimensions around us all the time that we simply cannot experience. Because our senses never needed to experience them to get us here. Similar to the 2D people living on flatland thinking it inconceivable that there is a 3D world, we might think that the idea of other dimensions of reality is madness. But why? So is the colour red to a blind person and yet we know that the colour red exists. It would seem supernatural, i.e. beyond what we know and have experienced. Couldn’t there exist spiritual realm within the universe? One which with our laws of physics, expanded, could describe, new equations etc. A realm, that once we were used to it, would seem continuous with what we know. Where a child could understand that a resurrected Jesus can appear in the upper room and then disappear. Where miracles make as much sense as putting on the kettle. A world where there is no difference at all between the physical and spiritual worlds, because there isn’t any difference, really. NT Wright continually reminds us that ‘our world’ is wrapped up, intermeshed with what we call ‘the spiritual world’. Like sugar in hot tea, we are diluted in the the spiritual world and yet rarely sense or realize it. Isn’t this what the final new creation is all about? If we open our eyes we can see glimpses and perhaps ‘see in part.’</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So let’s realize that this is the reality we live in and ask God to enhance our spidey senses.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #001320; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” </span><span class="reftext" style="border: 0px; color: #0092f2; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_kings/6-17.htm" style="border: 0px; color: #0092f2; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">17</a></span><span class="highl" style="border: 0px; color: #001320; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #001320; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Kings 6:17</strong></div>
</div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-92079462546998386982014-05-12T20:08:00.002+01:002014-05-12T20:08:11.948+01:00The Place I Want To Get Back To by Mary Oliver<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>The Place I Want To Get Back To</strong></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
by Mary Oliver</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
is where<br />in the pinewoods<br />in the moments between<br />the darkness</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
and first light<br />two deer<br />came walking down the hill<br />and when they saw me</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
they said to each other, okay,<br />this one is okay,<br />let’s see who she is<br />and why she is sitting</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
on the ground like that,<br />so quiet, as if<br />asleep, or in a dream,<br />but, anyway, harmless;</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
and so they came<br />on their slender legs<br />and gazed upon me<br />not unlike the way</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
I go out to the dunes and look<br />and look and look<br />into the faces of the flowers;<br />and then one of them leaned forward</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
and nuzzled my hand, and what can my life<br />bring to me that could exceed<br />that brief moment?<br />For twenty years</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
I have gone every day to the same woods,<br />not waiting, exactly, just lingering.<br />Such gifts, bestowed,<br />can’t be repeated.</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
If you want to talk about this<br />come to visit. I live in the house<br />near the corner, which I have named<br />Gratitude.</div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
“The Place I Want To Get Back To” by Mary Oliver, from Thirst. © Beacon Press, 2006.</div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-11003856679245447202014-05-08T23:31:00.002+01:002014-05-09T14:16:12.268+01:00If I Should Die<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>Okay I've only one minute left to live...</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
This is what I want you to know. All I've learnt - worth passing on. You are my child and this is what I want you to know, to increase the odds of your happiness. Not long now, it's all going fuzzy.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>Jesus</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
Learn about Jesus. I studied the arse out of the New Testament and I still don't understand a lot of the theology, but He is real. There is noone like Him. Read what he says about life. It is safe to open your heart to Him. He often does surprising things. The trick to open yourself up to Him, let Him know your need, trust Him and then stop looking for the answer. It will come when you are distracted and in a way you didn't expect. He loves surprises and to be unorthodox. That's been the way with me anyway.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>Mindfulness</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
The secret of life is to learn (it must be learned) how to live moment by moment. Harder than it looks. You must learn to not be controlled by your butterfly mind. Whatever effort it takes to become an observer of your mind is worth it. Live in the crow's nest watching the thoughts sail by.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>Religion</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
Being sure of THE truth is not the point of religion. Learning to be sure of God is. Religions attract people who are looking for security and there's usually a system that promises security. There is no security except in God. No matter what brand of faith you go in for, no matter what the claims for having found the true interpretation of the bible, in the end, it's you and God. On your deathbed, your theology will not be your hope. You will be holding on to God. Any religion that tells you that God's unconditional love is conditional upon some interpreted truth is wrong.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>Compassion</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
The secret to peace, joy and healing is compassion. Firstly compassion for yourself and then for others. Without the first it's hard to have the other. When you feel critical of yourself and perhaps a little self loathing, learn to be kind to yourself and talk to yourself as you would a lost child at the funfair.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>What Other People Think</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
Don't worry about others think about you. As much as you can ,let it wash over you. Honestly the ones you fear don't care that much about you and what you do. The only opinion about you that matters could not be more supportive or positively disposed to you. Learn (it must be learned) how to tune in this frequency every day. Learn to pray. Let it imbue your moments.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>Circumstances</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
Most people get this one wrong. They go through hard times and think that this means that God's love is wavering. They get into a reward and punishment mindset about God. The trick is to see that there is no such connection. Is God involved in the circumstances of our lives. Yes, why else would we ask Him for things? However the links are not understandable ,most of the time. The miscarriage, the argument, the lost job, misunderstanding friend, do not have anything to say about God's love for you. This does not change. You are loved extravagantly always, mindblowingly. It is His nature to love. It is this love that helps us to endure the harder times and to turn the broken world around.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>Trust</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
There are no sweeter words to God's ears than the words, "I trust you God". Especially when the circumstances in which they are said are difficult. Try this when you are in a tricky spot (or indeed when it's all sunshine and roses) "Lord I don't know how this will play out, for good or ill, but right here, right now, for the record ,I want you to know that I trust you because I know that you are good and all your plans and intentions for me are good". It's not a trick to get what you want. It a stance in life. It's a way of looking at the world. It's called faith, relationship. Trust.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<strong>That's it. Time's up. See you!</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
Don't forget to check out www.prayercoach.ie</div>
</div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-52195590377792755532014-04-26T08:32:00.004+01:002014-04-26T09:16:25.643+01:00Those Orphan Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714;">You know this.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
I am confident of that.</div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
I know this.</div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
But I need to be reminded every day. Actually more frequently than that. I'd say about 4 or 5 times a day. Paul, r<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;">emind me, what do I need to be reminded of?</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
I need to be reminded that as long as I am thinking that I won't be happy until...you fill the gaps (the weekend comes, that meeting is behind me, I see her/him again, that awkward chat has been completed, I've bought that book/dress/chocolate cake) I am predicting correctly. I have committed myself to unhappiness until then. But what about all the moments in between? </div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;">I may feel uncomfortable, now, sitting in the present looking at the boring, waiting room moments between now and happiness. I don't want the </span>unpleasant, trudging,<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;"> un</span>fulfilling,<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;"> now moments to seep into me, so, I resist them. Recoil away from them like from a bad smell. Holding my breath til a good bit can come along. I distract myself, buy some chocolate, feck about on amazon or facebook ...take your pick.</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;">Here's the bit that surprises me ...every time. There's magic here. It's so not-intuitive that each time I try it, I don't believe it will work.</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
If I accept the boredom, frustration, angst feelings and welcome them, inhale them and agree with them. "Yes, this is not how I want this moment ...but I accept it, welcome it. I will sit here in the hospital waiting room with it. I will not look out the window to the future-hoped happiness, but will sit here, in this moment. " To the degree that I can embrace this (varies quite a bit - to be honest) to that degree, the tensions, boredom, frustration are relieved. And I find some measure of peace and presence in the moment. Sometimes, the new groundedness brings with it a new energy, a kind of simple fullness.</div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
The initial decision feels like deciding to drown, your natural faculties will resist it. Breathe, relax, do it anyway. There are a lot of moments between here and there.</div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;">And if you see me, remind me, will you? </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.714285714;">BTW you might like my new site www.prayercoach.ie</span></div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-33417934918242283372014-01-01T17:30:00.000+00:002014-01-01T17:31:17.845+00:00Finding God in All Things - A Guest Post<div class="headline_area" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin: 0px 0px 2.2em; padding: 0px;">
<h1 class="entry-title" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.364em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This week a post from IgnatinSpirituality.com on one of St Ignatius' pillars -Finding God in all things. The original post (with comments) is here:</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/15139/5-ways-to-find-god-in-all-things/">http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/15139/5-ways-to-find-god-in-all-things/</a></div>
<h1 class="entry-title" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.364em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.364em;">Five Ways to Find God in All Things</span></h1>
<div class="headline_meta" style="color: #888888; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.8em; padding: 0px;">
by <span class="author vcard" style="font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><a class="url fn" href="http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/author/otto/" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">ANDY OTTO</a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="format_text entry-content" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 1.571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="hurried man" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-15144" height="200" src="http://isblog.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/hurried-man.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 1.571em 1.571em 0px; padding: 0px;" width="142" /><a href="http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/what-is-ignatian-spirituality/the-ignatian-way/finding-god-in-all-things/" style="color: #993300; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Finding God in all things</a> is a big part of Ignatian spirituality. But finding God in the boring parts of life is easier said than done. Here are five ways (aside from the Examen) to find God in all things.</div>
<ol style="margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Micro-Awareness</strong>—This is not just trying to be aware of the present moment, but rather letting each small action you take become your <a href="http://godinallthings.com/2012/12/31/a-new-years-resolution-purpose/" style="color: #993300; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">primary purpose</a> in the moment. If you let something as simple as pushing the power button on your computer or walking up the stairs be done with intention and awareness (rather than letting routine get the best of you), you’ll find a new holiness in those mundane tasks.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Journal</strong>—Writing down the experiences of your day as well as your thoughts and feelings is a kind of Examen, but oftentimes the act of writing uncovers unseen moments of God’s presence you initially missed.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do something the “old fashioned way”</strong>—Technology and fast expectations can often close the door on our awareness of God. For a change, walk to someone’s desk instead of calling, handwrite a letter instead of e-mailing, walk to the store instead of driving, or take the train instead of flying. The change of pace may give you a more meaningful interaction or experience. And slowing down lets you acknowledge God’s presence more easily.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Listen</strong>—When was the last time you <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">really</em> listened to someone without trying to think of what to say next? You’ll be surprised what you hear if you actually listen—to a friend, to the natural sounds around you (try turning off the radio when you drive), or to your own conscience. God speaks when we pause long enough to listen.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Say “God is here”</strong>—This idea comes from UCC pastor Jane E. Vennard. She <a href="http://daily.upperroom.org/?p=2429" style="color: #993300; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">says</a>:<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; color: #666666; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 0.786em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.786em;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
Practice saying “God is here” the next time you are assaulted by your neighbors’ quarrelling, see someone carelessly toss trash from a car, get drenched in an unexpected rainstorm, or bite into a mealy and tasteless apple.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
From his own experience, Saint Francis of Assisi learned that the deeper lessons of God came when one embraced all things, even that which isn’t beautiful.</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
Sometimes saying “God is here” is the best way to snap into an awareness that God dwells not just within you but alongside you in every moment, mundane or grand.</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px;">- See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/15139/5-ways-to-find-god-in-all-things/#sthash.A3sOrNRZ.dpuf</span>Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-89851897142112760982013-12-22T08:31:00.003+00:002013-12-22T23:26:22.017+00:00Christmas Presence<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div>
<br />
<br />
From Sacred Space last week.<br />
<br />
"What is present to me is what has a hold on my becoming."<br />
<br />
These words are so mild that the enormous impact they carry is not obvious.<br />
<br />
What is present to me? What is Actually present to me... now. What is on my mind, on the wallpaper of my mind. Concerns, dreams, hopes, worries, obsessions. Things can be present to us and yet invisible to our conscious minds. Affecting us deeply but we are unaware of their effect.<br />
<br />
Take a moment, what is present to you? If you talk about how you feel, even in a clumsy way (even to yourself - or a diary) you can follow the vine down to its root. How you are feeling and what is present (visible or invisible) -they are connected.<br />
<br />
"What is present to me is what has a hold on my becoming."<br />
<br />
What hold does this thing have on you? Is it holding you? Pulling at you. Limiting your freedom. Are you tethered to something that is restricting your movement. Is it affecting who you are becoming?<br />
<br />
The rest of the piece.<br />
<br />
"I reflect on the presence of God always there in love, amidst the many things that have a hold on me.<br />
I pause and pray that I may let God affect my becoming in this precise moment".<br />
<br />
Dallas Willard used to translate the first line of the Our Father<br />
Abba Father, always near.<br />
<br />
Where can I go from your presence Lord, if I run to the...YOU are there. (Psalm 139)<br />
<br />
May you get all the Christmas presence you need!<br />
<br />Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-35813497153173174472013-12-14T08:35:00.003+00:002013-12-22T08:34:08.428+00:00Where Do You Feel Powerful?Eric Liddell (I think a chain of supermarkets were named after him) was the subject of the wonderful movie Chariots of Fire. An Olympic runner, the movie was about Liddell's struggle to pursue his passion for running and remain faithful to his passion for God.<br />
<br />
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /><br />
<br />
There is a moment in the movie when Eric is getting "gev out to" by his sister for focusing too much on his running and neglecting his responsibility to God. I love his response.<br />
<br />
"I believe that God made me for a purpose.<br />
He also made me fast,<br />
and when I run I feel his pleasure"<br />
<br />
Isn't that the most wonderful thing ever? As we practice the gift God has given us "we will feel his pleasure".<br />
<br />
Where do you feel God's pleasure? Arising up from inside of you, from your belly, strength, ability competence, joy. A few years ago I was on the horns of a difficult decision regarding how to pursue my own giftedness. Over coffee, a very wise friend asked me "Where do you feel powerful"? It was such an empowering question. Becoming a prayer guide and even this blog have been parts of that answer.<br />
<br />
So Charlie...<br />
Where do you feel powerful?<br />
What activity makes you feel God's pleasure?<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-16250131521644382842013-10-06T15:59:00.001+01:002013-10-06T15:59:05.170+01:00<div style="border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.984375px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 20px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<h1 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: garamond; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">
A word from Henri Nouwen on so called "useless prayer".</h1>
<h1 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: garamond; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></h1>
<h1 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: garamond; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">
“Useless Prayer” by Henri Nouwen</h1>
<br /><span style="clear: both; display: table; line-height: 1.428571em;"></span></div>
<span style="clear: both; display: table; line-height: 1.428571em;"></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: garamond; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px 20px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="display: table; line-height: 1.6;"></span><a href="" id="" shape="rect" style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #4d8b97; float: left; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"></a><div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;">
<a href="http://www.jrbriggs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/nouwen.jpg" id="" shape="rect" style="border: 0px; color: #4d8b97; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><br clear="none" style="word-wrap: break-word;" /><img class="en-media" height="300" name="e4acf95d-7661-4acd-8f9d-1e8392e4f77e" src="https://www.evernote.com/shard/s5/res/e4acf95d-7661-4acd-8f9d-1e8392e4f77e.jpg?resizeSmall&width=700" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.25s ease-in-out; border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0.857412em 0px 1.286em; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.25s ease-in-out; vertical-align: middle; word-wrap: break-word;" width="264" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
“WHY should I spend an hour in prayer when I do nothing during that time but think about people I am angry with, people who are angry with me, books I should read and books I should write, and thousands of other silly things that happen to grab my mind for a moment?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
The answer is: because God is greater than my mind and my heart, and what is really happening in the house of prayer is not measurable in terms of human success and failure.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
What I must do first of all is be faithful. If I believe that the first commandment is to love God with my whole heart, mind, and soul, then I should at least be able to spend one hour a day with nobody else but God. the question as to whether it is helpful, useful, practical, or fruitful is completely irrelevant, since the only reason to love is love itself. Everything else is secondary.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
The remarkable thing, however, is that sitting in the presence of God for one hour each morning — day after day, week after week, month after month — in total confusion and with myriad distractions radically changes my life. God, who loves me so much that He sent His only son not to condemn me but to save me, does not leave me waiting in the dark too long.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
I might think that each hour is useless, but after thirty or sixty or ninety such useless hours, I gradually realize that I was not as alone as I thought; a very small gentle voice has been speaking to me far beyond my noisy place.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
So: Be confident and trust in the Lord.”</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
From <i style="line-height: 1.428571em; word-wrap: break-word;">The Road to Daybreak</i>, by Henri Nouwen (New York: Image Books, 1989).</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-53543534120575401292013-09-21T08:06:00.002+01:002013-09-21T08:06:56.284+01:00I Love to Watch You PlayIt's been a mental month! Lots of good things happening. Too many good things happening! There are a number posts in the oven but none ready to serve just yet. In the meantime, please read this post from Rachel Held Evans. When (if) I grow up, I want to write like her. I've copied the blog from her site which is at:<br />
<a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/six-words-you-need-to-hear-today">http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/six-words-you-need-to-hear-today</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 class="entry-title" data-content-field="title" style="color: #444444; font-family: Bitter, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">
<a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/six-words-you-need-to-hear-today" style="color: #45577d; text-decoration: none;">Six Words You Should Hear Today</a></h1>
<div class="entry-content" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 27.296875px;">
<div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12" data-type="item" id="item-5239d390e4b0cb4c8169c41d">
<div class="row sqs-row" style="margin-left: -17px; margin-right: -17px; width: auto !important;">
<div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12" style="float: left; padding-right: 0px; width: 526px;">
<div class="sqs-block code-block" data-block-json="{"wysiwyg":{"source":"","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","engine":"source"},"html":"<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.wylio.com/credits/flickr/3748723352\" title=\"license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ - click to view more info about 'my sweet freedom' or find free pictures via Wylio\"><img style=\"float:none; margin:10px auto\" alt=\"'my sweet freedom' photo (c) 2009, Victor Bezrukov - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/\" src=\"http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EuFtLyJT3iM/UjnWFj5ZsVI/AAAAAAAAD7A/_SHFNhziUF4/Flickr-3748723352.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"344\"/></a></div>"}" data-block-type="23" id="block-f5998206953cc226bfb7" style="clear: both; padding: 0px 17px 17px; position: relative; z-index: 1;">
<div class="sqs-block-content">
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wylio.com/credits/flickr/3748723352" style="color: #45577d;" title="license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ - click to view more info about 'my sweet freedom' or find free pictures via Wylio"><img alt="'my sweet freedom' photo (c) 2009, Victor Bezrukov - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" height="344" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EuFtLyJT3iM/UjnWFj5ZsVI/AAAAAAAAD7A/_SHFNhziUF4/Flickr-3748723352.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: none; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="500" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block html-block" data-block-json="{"html":"<p><em><strong>\u201CI love to watch you play.'\"</strong></em></p><p></p><p>According to Rachel Macy Stafford, an author and special education teacher,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-macy-stafford/six-words-you-should-say-today_b_3863643.html\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">those six words changed the way she related to her children.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Rather than praising or critiquing their performances at swim meets, recitals, and soccer games, she began pulling her children close, and simply whispering,&nbsp;</span><em style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">\u201CI love to watch you swim,\u201D \u201CI love to hear you sing,\u201D \u201CI love to hear your read,\u201D \u201CI love to watch you play.\u201D&nbsp;</em></p><p></p><p>Their reaction to these words, she said, was telling:&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>My child's face broke into her most glorious smile -- the one that causes her eyes to scrunch up and become little slices of joy. And then she did something I didn't expect. She threw herself against me, wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, and whispered, \u2018Thank you, Mama.\u2019 And in doing so, I swear I could read her mind:&nbsp;<em style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">The pressure's off. She loves to hear me play; that is all.</em></p></blockquote><p><strong><em>\"The pressure\u2019s off. She loves to hear me play; that is all.\"&nbsp;</em></strong></p><p></p><p>Even as someone who is not yet a mother, I see the wisdom of this approach.&nbsp;<strong style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">And as my eyes scanned the article, I thought of how desperately we adults need to hear these words too, perhaps most especially from the God who identifies as our Father and who is often compared to a Mother.&nbsp;</strong></p><p></p><p>What a relief it would be to know the pressure\u2019s off. God delights in our living and breathing and working and praying and that delight is not something we have to earn by doing everything right.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>God just loves to watch us play.&nbsp;</strong></p><p></p><p>Too many corners of the Church have been infected with a legalistic, performance-based view of God in which God stands over our lives with crossed arms and a disappointed scowl, applauding only when we get everything just right and rendering judgment on everything we do wrong. &nbsp;Some pastors seem to thrive in lording this disapproving God over their parishioners.&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.christianpost.com/news/mark-driscoll-sermons-tells-mars-hill-congregation-god-hates-some-of-you-video-61361/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">As one pastor put it:</a>&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">\u201CSome of you, God hates you. Some of you, God is sick of you. God is frustrated with you. God is wearied by you. God has suffered long enough with you. He doesn\u2019t think you\u2019re cute. He doesn\u2019t think it\u2019s funny.\u201D &nbsp;He then proceeds to explain how to win back God's favor.&nbsp;</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>For too many Christians, God\u2019s unmerited favor is a one-time gift that applies exclusively to eternal security. In the meantime, God\u2019s favor has to be earned. &nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.6em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\">It has to be fought for with one flawless performance after another. The Family of God is a competitive, disciplined, performance-based family that runs on the economy of gold stars, rules and shame. God is rendered into the </span><span style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">&nbsp;</span></strong><a href=\"http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/more-family-fun/201202/what-makes-nightmare-sports-parent\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">classic nightmare sports parent</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">whose favor has to be earned, who is always, always, always disappointed in us. &nbsp;</span></p><p></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>But this is not the God we encounter in Scripture or in Christ or in the Eucharist. &nbsp;The God we encounter there is the God in whom we live and move and have our being, the God who rejoices over His children with signing, the God who spreads Her wings over Her children like an eagle over her chicks, the God who loved the world enough to experience all of its pain alongside of us, the God who\u2014as Nadia Bolz-Weber puts it\u2014\u201Cwould rather die than be in the sin accounting business anymore,\u201D&nbsp;<strong style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">the God who loves to watch us play.&nbsp;</strong></strong></p><p></p><p><strong><em>God doesn\u2019t love us because we\u2019ve earn it. &nbsp;God loves us because we are God\u2019s children.&nbsp;</em></strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">God created this world and everything in it\u2014</span><em style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">don\u2019t you think God delights in it?&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Don\u2019t you think God loves us at least as much as a good parent who delights in the activities of her children, regardless of whether they get everything right?&nbsp;</span></em></p><p></p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\"></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>This isn\u2019t a performance-based relationship; it\u2019s a relationship based on unconditional love and endless delight. We can breathe a deep and long sigh of relief because the pressure\u2019s off.&nbsp;</strong><strong style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\">We\u2019re not here to impress or perform; we\u2019re here to revel in God\u2019s delight.&nbsp;</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>So hear these six words from God today:&nbsp;</p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you play.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\"></em></p><p></p><p>Or perhaps:&nbsp;</p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you write.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you bake.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you nurse.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you read to your kids at night.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you care for the sick.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you take pictures.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you study.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you laugh.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you seek the truth even when it\u2019s hard.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you be the church together, even when it\u2019s imperfect.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you love one another, even when it seems impossible.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love to watch you eat and drink and dance and explore and worship and pray and get out of your car to move that poor little turtle out of the road\u2026<em style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\"><strong>not because you do any of these things perfectly, but because you do them as my children.&nbsp;</strong></em></em></p><p></p><p></p><p>Now sink into that sigh of relief and believe this today:<em style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\"></em></p><p style=\"display: inline !important;\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><em style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;\"><strong>The pressure's off. God loves to watch me play. That is all.</strong></em><p>&nbsp;</p>","wysiwyg":{"source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-cff324a9150a5df31181" style="clear: none; padding: 17px 17px 0px; position: relative; word-wrap: break-word; z-index: 1;">
<div class="sqs-block-content">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em><strong>“I love to watch you play.'"</strong></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
According to Rachel Macy Stafford, an author and special education teacher, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-macy-stafford/six-words-you-should-say-today_b_3863643.html" style="color: #45577d; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;" target="_blank">those six words changed the way she related to her children.</a> <span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">Rather than praising or critiquing their performances at swim meets, recitals, and soccer games, she began pulling her children close, and simply whispering, </span><em style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">“I love to watch you swim,” “I love to hear you sing,” “I love to hear your read,” “I love to watch you play.” </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Their reaction to these words, she said, was telling: </div>
<blockquote style="font-family: Bitter, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.9em; margin: 1em 40px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
My child's face broke into her most glorious smile -- the one that causes her eyes to scrunch up and become little slices of joy. And then she did something I didn't expect. She threw herself against me, wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, and whispered, ‘Thank you, Mama.’ And in doing so, I swear I could read her mind: <em style="line-height: 1.6em;">The pressure's off. She loves to hear me play; that is all.</em></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<strong><em>"The pressure’s off. She loves to hear me play; that is all." </em></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Even as someone who is not yet a mother, I see the wisdom of this approach. <strong style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">And as my eyes scanned the article, I thought of how desperately we adults need to hear these words too, perhaps most especially from the God who identifies as our Father and who is often compared to a Mother. </strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
What a relief it would be to know the pressure’s off. God delights in our living and breathing and working and praying and that delight is not something we have to earn by doing everything right. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<strong>God just loves to watch us play. </strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Too many corners of the Church have been infected with a legalistic, performance-based view of God in which God stands over our lives with crossed arms and a disappointed scowl, applauding only when we get everything just right and rendering judgment on everything we do wrong. Some pastors seem to thrive in lording this disapproving God over their parishioners. <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/mark-driscoll-sermons-tells-mars-hill-congregation-god-hates-some-of-you-video-61361/" style="color: #45577d; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;" target="_blank">As one pastor put it:</a> <span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">“Some of you, God hates you. Some of you, God is sick of you. God is frustrated with you. God is wearied by you. God has suffered long enough with you. He doesn’t think you’re cute. He doesn’t think it’s funny.” He then proceeds to explain how to win back God's favor. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<strong>For too many Christians, God’s unmerited favor is a one-time gift that applies exclusively to eternal security. In the meantime, God’s favor has to be earned. <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.6em;">It has to be fought for with one flawless performance after another. The Family of God is a competitive, disciplined, performance-based family that runs on the economy of gold stars, rules and shame. God is rendered into the </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;"> </span></strong><a href="http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/more-family-fun/201202/what-makes-nightmare-sports-parent" style="color: #45577d; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;" target="_blank">classic nightmare sports parent</a> <span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">whose favor has to be earned, who is always, always, always disappointed in us. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<strong>But this is not the God we encounter in Scripture or in Christ or in the Eucharist. The God we encounter there is the God in whom we live and move and have our being, the God who rejoices over His children with signing, the God who spreads Her wings over Her children like an eagle over her chicks, the God who loved the world enough to experience all of its pain alongside of us, the God who—as Nadia Bolz-Weber puts it—“would rather die than be in the sin accounting business anymore,” <strong style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">the God who loves to watch us play. </strong></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<strong><em>God doesn’t love us because we’ve earn it. God loves us because we are God’s children. </em></strong><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">God created this world and everything in it—</span><em style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">don’t you think God delights in it? <span style="line-height: 1.6em;">Don’t you think God loves us at least as much as a good parent who delights in the activities of her children, regardless of whether they get everything right? </span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<strong>This isn’t a performance-based relationship; it’s a relationship based on unconditional love and endless delight. We can breathe a deep and long sigh of relief because the pressure’s off. </strong><strong style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;">We’re not here to impress or perform; we’re here to revel in God’s delight. </strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
So hear these six words from God today: </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you play. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;"></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Or perhaps: </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you write. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you bake. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you nurse. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you read to your kids at night. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you care for the sick. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you take pictures. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you study. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you laugh. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you seek the truth even when it’s hard. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you be the church together, even when it’s imperfect. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you love one another, even when it seems impossible. </em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
<em> I love to watch you eat and drink and dance and explore and worship and pray and get out of your car to move that poor little turtle out of the road…<em style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;"><strong>not because you do any of these things perfectly, but because you do them as my children. </strong></em></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Now sink into that sigh of relief and believe this today:<em style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;"></em></div>
<div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em;">
</div>
<em style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em;"><strong>The pressure's off. God loves to watch me play. That is all.</strong></em></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-87912403820559830532013-08-22T13:59:00.001+01:002013-08-24T08:39:00.899+01:00Thomas Merton on When We are a Little Lost<span style="font-size: large;">A quote that takes the pressure off, a little...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
Thomas Merton Thoughts in SolitudePaul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-89462380232295376102013-08-18T12:12:00.000+01:002013-08-29T21:53:32.333+01:00Pray Fat Boy Pray<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd9L8JNLq9SotCUZxNT0-8rEtEBzkmuPGairHU4vg1LXgU0T5YQ_WQnUhsHM1IoRppdM9dGZjqZd1ZAG61tJge5F2mT8prlEHfqsqG79vMUA0FdQX9NMXOHTLPgyAv89Z1YOGECjqGhM/s1600/ID-100132826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd9L8JNLq9SotCUZxNT0-8rEtEBzkmuPGairHU4vg1LXgU0T5YQ_WQnUhsHM1IoRppdM9dGZjqZd1ZAG61tJge5F2mT8prlEHfqsqG79vMUA0FdQX9NMXOHTLPgyAv89Z1YOGECjqGhM/s320/ID-100132826.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em id="yui_3_7_2_1_1376811622803_4297" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I'm a Runner</span></b></h2>
Okay, I'm gonna come clean. I've started running. Actually I started last year - twisted my ankle (turning it 50 shades of purple!), gave up for 5 months and started again in February this year. I'm not a natural runner, you understand. When I think of a runner, I can see in my mind a slim bouncy gazelle like creature who barely touches the ground. Me, more of a 'we'll get there in the end kind of plodder'. Thing is, I've been doing it now for almost six months, on average 3 times per week. I did a 10km race in May (thrilled to do it under the hour) and loads of 5km races (every Saturday morning in Marley Park-all shapes and sizes). I never thought I could be a runner. Tried to start about 5 times over the years but always gave up after a few weeks thinking 'I just can't do it. I'm not like those runner people. Different animal. I'm a non-runner in the running game.' You know what? I've felt like that about prayer for years too and I am seeing now that there are a lot of parallels. So here goes. Puts your runners on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">You Have to Warm Up</span></b></h2>
All my failed attempts at running were down to trying to run too fast at the beginning and then getting exhausted and then saying 'I'm useless at this.' It's so important to take the time to transition. My mind and my body need time to settle in. When I sit down to pray, my mind is like an airport with 17 planes circling waiting to land.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRn_9AUqrK77PCInYuA4WjmoDht2wXABi7Na2U609MNZ4Bepn7VtdR-a92qmT8-L5DHbvCtcEXDRe4Wb4MBsl78h_WwbPovlq-TGbCh8d0mZ8qQdOb3d25xCJm1455aw3_-c_SzL569Q/s1600/ID-100141953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRn_9AUqrK77PCInYuA4WjmoDht2wXABi7Na2U609MNZ4Bepn7VtdR-a92qmT8-L5DHbvCtcEXDRe4Wb4MBsl78h_WwbPovlq-TGbCh8d0mZ8qQdOb3d25xCJm1455aw3_-c_SzL569Q/s320/ID-100141953.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em id="yui_3_7_2_1_1376811622803_3861" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of potowizard</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As soon as I sit down, they start coming in. Some of them are things I have to do, some are things I am worried about or afraid of, some are hurts- 'she said, he said' type things. Also, my body isn't necessarily in the mood to sit and relax. It can be tense, carrying some of my stresses. For this I do a few spiritual stretches -mindfulness exercises. I find focusing on my breathing calms my mind and my body. I focus on breathing out my fears and worries and breathing in God's calm and peace. It takes a little patience but after about 5 minutes of imagining the air entering (bringing peace) and leaving (taking away unease) my body I'm not so antsy. I'm feeling more in my body, more present to<br />
myself and to God.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Hardest Part is Putting your Shorts On</b></span></h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKToAywR6jqT43lmXj_DPJyloLPPKvK16Wisx1FQfPbRBGmMnxSIV7W4o4yXyu3Swu-xAayQhygh6jk_eeSwF5k09FC9PXdUNo-T5r47kEp88Cz9MCKStJAOy6Utp6hecdgLcngj8e3k/s1600/Run+Fat+Boy+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKToAywR6jqT43lmXj_DPJyloLPPKvK16Wisx1FQfPbRBGmMnxSIV7W4o4yXyu3Swu-xAayQhygh6jk_eeSwF5k09FC9PXdUNo-T5r47kEp88Cz9MCKStJAOy6Utp6hecdgLcngj8e3k/s1600/Run+Fat+Boy+Run.jpg" /></a>Making the decision to go for a run is the hardest part of the exercise. Even though I imagine pain and boredom before a lot of runs, I have never, ever gone out and been sorry I did it when I finished (okay, once when I got drenched.) Once the shorts are on, the battle is over and I am GAME ON. Choosing to sit down to pray can be so difficult. So many other important things come into your head. 'The grass needs to be cut. I need to ring my mother. It was rubbish last time. I can't face God now after doing/saying that!' The answer? 'Just put the bloody shorts on. I'm doing it, I don't care how I feel.' These days I run pretty much every second day. I'm getting to the stage, having done it since February, if the gap slips to 3 days, I miss it. It's almost like the running is carrying me. My prayer has been similar. It has its own momentum. As CS Lewis says "<b> </b><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It </span>doesn't</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> change God- it changes me."</b> So there are some days when my desire pulls me in, but there are still the days when I have to say I am running/praying today </span>because<span style="font-family: inherit;"> this is what I do. Pray Fat Boy Pray!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Every Now and Then you Glide</span></span></h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpvaFBDD7ISINiSjADxD7OfRiJQwFwUZuvOWStca5MEjHc4G6Oqo1yEvsmyshMU5qKqFwjPAxndHg98vSkSUVGyoSQRcKwHEY7T87zD_2FBEOKMXRTptbxbhFuGU0ydICHxgsEQ0GUmU/s1600/Mother+Teresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpvaFBDD7ISINiSjADxD7OfRiJQwFwUZuvOWStca5MEjHc4G6Oqo1yEvsmyshMU5qKqFwjPAxndHg98vSkSUVGyoSQRcKwHEY7T87zD_2FBEOKMXRTptbxbhFuGU0ydICHxgsEQ0GUmU/s320/Mother+Teresa.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/3546062991/"><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #434240; font-family: Arial; padding: 0cm;">United Nations
Photo</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #888888; font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #888888; font-family: Arial;">/<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://foter.com/" style="outline: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #434240; font-family: Arial; padding: 0cm;">Foter</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #888888; font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #888888; font-family: Arial;">/<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" style="outline: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #b31212; font-family: Arial; padding: 0cm;">CC BY-NC-ND</span></a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Every run is different because I'm different every time. Sometimes it takes 15 minutes to feel comfortable, sometimes the whole run seems like hard work. But then every now and again, maybe 3 times out of every 10, I enter into a what I call a glide. It feels like I am sitting in the carriage of my hips and the rest of me is being carried. The running is light and free. I'm in a flow. It's such a wonderful feeling. I am being carried. Sometimes I experience this in prayer too. I can "lean in" to Jesus and feel him bearing my weight. I put 20 cent into the prayer slot and receive 20 euro out. I think the equivalent of the glide in prayer is the gaze, where, as Mother Teresa put it so well. <b>"I look at him and He looks at me."</b> Like the glide I can't make this happen. I just present as much of me as I can, do the warm up and begin, one foot in front of the other. I don't know why sometimes I experience a deep sense of presence and others not. I know that He is always completely present. How much of me is present is another matter, however. My challenge is turn up with as much of me as I can muster. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are other similarities, like having a good coach, not comparing yourself to others, learning from other runners/prayers what has helped them, running with others etc but lets leave the last word to Hebrews 12:1-3.</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> will shoot adrenaline into your souls!</span></div>
<div>
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Message-MSG-Bible/" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none;">The Message</a> (MSG)</strong></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;">
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=65" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none;">Eugene H. Peterson</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">AMDG</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfgkdzrgwCfUVsICL6NzC9cD4BAKYt2DEQ9z8zvZK93v7k9jSjCvkwtK4P-6EN3yCMFm6qXQrAuUJO2tBCeESqnu3VI4pcWkWenmkDgzhzmpz_wOn2wlZhKcEg7opvaaVJen4iQ0NM40/s1600/ID-10094542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfgkdzrgwCfUVsICL6NzC9cD4BAKYt2DEQ9z8zvZK93v7k9jSjCvkwtK4P-6EN3yCMFm6qXQrAuUJO2tBCeESqnu3VI4pcWkWenmkDgzhzmpz_wOn2wlZhKcEg7opvaaVJen4iQ0NM40/s320/ID-10094542.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em id="yui_3_7_2_1_1376817904216_2375" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-21311845134656739372013-08-10T17:13:00.000+01:002013-08-10T17:14:03.052+01:00If you like Breaking Bad ...Rachel Held Evans has a terrific blog. Her most recent blog is on Breaking Bad. It's excellent, as is Breaking Bad if you get a chance. (It's on Netflix).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/">http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/</a>Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-80471369716615723662013-08-08T09:12:00.003+01:002013-08-08T18:48:43.030+01:00I'm in Bits!..<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">A poem today. This one, by Rumi, has helped me a lot when I am tempted to 'should' on myself. When I am running from parts of me that embarrass me, frighten me, or shame me. When I am becoming dis-int-grat-ed. In bits. The poem encourages us to welcome these parts of ourselves, to embrace them. They hold within them a message...More on that in a future post.</span><br />
<h1 itemprop="itemreviewed" style="color: #3c3a35; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 21px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
The Guest House</h1>
<div class="poem_body" style="color: #3c3a35; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 35px;">
This being human is a guest house.<br />
Every morning a new arrival.<br />
<br />
A joy, a depression, a meanness,<br />
some momentary awareness comes<br />
As an unexpected visitor.<br />
<br />
Welcome and entertain them all!<br />
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,<br />
who violently sweep your house<br />
empty of its furniture,<br />
still treat each guest honorably.<br />
He may be clearing you out<br />
for some new delight.<br />
<br />
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,<br />
meet them at the door laughing,<br />
and invite them in.<br />
<br />
Be grateful for whoever comes,<br />
because each has been sent<br />
as a guide from beyond.</div>
<div class="poem_body" style="color: #3c3a35; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, serif; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 35px;">
<h2 class="notop" style="font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px !important; margin: 18px 0px 6px; padding-top: 0px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rumi</span></h2>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
Translated by Coleman Barks</div>
</div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-41315306693552272712013-08-03T15:55:00.002+01:002013-08-21T00:23:26.593+01:00Me, Monty Don and Gardening Rage<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V91at3jgn7A1lbklJGODtyawncm2lDIkNg9-k5Doyo-74JcAtQtbydRz4pRQFFu_07CEdb7tIoGJ84cDHySpJy272qwv6Q4GPa6F4Ff2sZijWlDFJ-crv-l_II4qY_vlm2cOjKwXVmg/s1600/551289258_b43bca2d04_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V91at3jgn7A1lbklJGODtyawncm2lDIkNg9-k5Doyo-74JcAtQtbydRz4pRQFFu_07CEdb7tIoGJ84cDHySpJy272qwv6Q4GPa6F4Ff2sZijWlDFJ-crv-l_II4qY_vlm2cOjKwXVmg/s1600/551289258_b43bca2d04_m.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Monty, my hero-a man who knows where his trowel is!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Photo Jo Marshall</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are three things that bring out the worst in me, bring out my inner incredible hulk; putting up coving (don't ask), finding a parking spot in the rain and... gardening. All three bring out my inner 3 year old. Let's talk about the gardening one.<br />
<br />
This year has been a phenomenally fruitful one in the garden. The raspberry canes we got in LIDL two years ago have fulfilled all their promise. Ella and I dug our potatoes up yesterday. There is nothing better.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw7je3nTvgdGlJBNRCgmk71jzr4pxnNDy_-4RxEAUlq8ih6AtDrk0q0viSBCd2Ppiv28-0fywj-2prnEsUEmaZvFolnpKt0g8nzdTPNMHW1FFGCMA8Jsy9yjOIWUumBchBbL3PjuKu4g/s1600/20130801_145328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw7je3nTvgdGlJBNRCgmk71jzr4pxnNDy_-4RxEAUlq8ih6AtDrk0q0viSBCd2Ppiv28-0fywj-2prnEsUEmaZvFolnpKt0g8nzdTPNMHW1FFGCMA8Jsy9yjOIWUumBchBbL3PjuKu4g/s320/20130801_145328.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Ella of the Spuds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1UO_EsMBnInv93fgy6pPNjx_vzftj19mI43ZLGeJ7uNp4iiomEjzOqRrw1P8roLaHHbzG5uAmRaDIAJTJXKA8Qjjp4zqZNk1EHlbw6Czl57Xxv5oJz00zXi80yWjfqc26MHOa3s5IlA/s1600/20130801_151819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1UO_EsMBnInv93fgy6pPNjx_vzftj19mI43ZLGeJ7uNp4iiomEjzOqRrw1P8roLaHHbzG5uAmRaDIAJTJXKA8Qjjp4zqZNk1EHlbw6Czl57Xxv5oJz00zXi80yWjfqc26MHOa3s5IlA/s200/20130801_151819.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberries Galore!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
We have carrots, parsnips and turnips on the go and will be ready in maybe a month. What's the problem? Well, you see, I find it so hard to remember forwards to these fruitful times when in March and April I am digging the soil and planting the seeds. It seems like nothing happens. Nothing at all. Forever winter and never Christmas. It's all input, all graft, cold Saturday digging, sore back and no payback. I am so, so impatient. I can be heard, teeth gritted, anger-whispering (you parents will know what I mean) to the seedlings " Grow will you, bloody grow!" It seems to take forever for anything to get out of the ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I plant the seeds I feel my frustration, my addiction to immediate gratification is growing within me. My impatience feels like a rage. I feel it surging through me. I needs results and now dammit!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This Spring I really got a sense of the Holy Spirit gently pointing this out to me. "It's hard living in the moment when there is no payoff, isn't it. You want the future, juicy bits now don't you, to compensate for the effort you are putting in right now". </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojghgRQAu1xxYvi6T5ZuEnOkHaP33yuH_RlBtdyB4cva0h-DZGjQNLEy5cYG5BhhBDmahWgzzP2T6OJv0gLmuAaaubJlvTcaECF8b-7ohMbJH8NJCr-3SCceSKof8GBp9mgSu-zoNAKQ/s1600/20130801_145212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojghgRQAu1xxYvi6T5ZuEnOkHaP33yuH_RlBtdyB4cva0h-DZGjQNLEy5cYG5BhhBDmahWgzzP2T6OJv0gLmuAaaubJlvTcaECF8b-7ohMbJH8NJCr-3SCceSKof8GBp9mgSu-zoNAKQ/s320/20130801_145212.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our thriving caterpillar colony.<br />
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't want to live in the moment when it's dull and tedious. Moment...Schmoment! So I have been trying to accept these moments, to see them as reminders that I have more to learn about living mindfully, right now, in the 'whatever is happening now'.<br />
<br />
It is such a useful reminder. The feelings of impatience and frustration tell me that I have vacated my own building and am trying to live somewhere else- some future happiness or glory. If I can't be at peace and content in this moment, why do I think I'll be able to do it in the imagined future?<br />
<br />
I remind myself to breathe, to wake up to what is around me, to walk slowly, to see God in this time. Slow... down, like a river, slow and deep.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
The Father is so patient with me as he gently prises my tight white knuckled fingers, one by one, from the steering wheel of immediate gratification.What a wonderful Gardener He is. Taking his time with me. Seeing the long game, but present with me now, to what needs tending, nourishing, trimming. Always present, in the present, right now..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F0UonsRt9Ekzwme-jISVma8H9Yy95ueWdkNh6W-LA-upcG67XMD832_vbbudPREXgCcECTZjgloaRTxO4g9OJkyTcS_KJwACvCBMxqWQnbPN7m5Nz0n1X3KZQldhsoxiT8mPdfEglgo/s1600/20130801_162336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F0UonsRt9Ekzwme-jISVma8H9Yy95ueWdkNh6W-LA-upcG67XMD832_vbbudPREXgCcECTZjgloaRTxO4g9OJkyTcS_KJwACvCBMxqWQnbPN7m5Nz0n1X3KZQldhsoxiT8mPdfEglgo/s320/20130801_162336.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eh...Bottum!<br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-20279505664028548152013-07-30T20:44:00.005+01:002013-08-04T12:16:27.701+01:00The Labyrinth of the Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5950219677181022072" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnza45G16XcA-2yRgdZvJ9VfIQVehYcWElqKT6el-tf_6KnLZclI_lc7sqvoWsSlGssheaWRHq_Dwbq81JyY0nItB9_J0Lv9aOEpKfJo2K7LAaJUYQ8k1ZGAva_gi03CHRBi2Fdp-SaA/s1600/Labyrinth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnza45G16XcA-2yRgdZvJ9VfIQVehYcWElqKT6el-tf_6KnLZclI_lc7sqvoWsSlGssheaWRHq_Dwbq81JyY0nItB9_J0Lv9aOEpKfJo2K7LAaJUYQ8k1ZGAva_gi03CHRBi2Fdp-SaA/s1600/Labyrinth.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5950219677181022072" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Dr D invited me to spend the morning with him in Glendalough, one
of my favourite places, - a "thin" place for me. He wanted to help me to have a morning with God. The
morning was to be divided in three parts the first of which was the labyrinth.<br />
<br />
The idea was to start at the outside-symbolising where I felt in relation to
myself i.e. resident in the outer courts of myself. From there I would journey
to my centre via the various paths the labyrinth would present. I live in
my head a lot -going inwards- heartwards- I don't always do instinctively. So,
starting at the outside, facing inwards I begin to speak to God and myself, saying aloud (!)I
feel this... I feel that...making a stab at how I feel. It might be...I feel
frustrated... I feel bunged up inside...I feel annoyed that I don't know how I
feel. As I get closer to the (my) centre, I get closer to how I am really
feeling." I am feeling frustrated" might develop into I am so angry
at Tom for not getting back to me with his decision. "I feel numb about that argument" might morph into "I am so hurt by what she said, I
feel so pathetic, will I ever feel like a grown up".<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofLJjFKR5mwCQyZ14bUkaD2m0zUMARHADlJ7mr4EWpugaypbGmuySywaWAI5XVdTq6ro9Gam6phaHjNa24szMluxJfR61LPbZ94MhGNLLcjPubl0igRWusPUC79eRqYvoo5RHBiuFWfU/s1600/glendalough+labyrinth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofLJjFKR5mwCQyZ14bUkaD2m0zUMARHADlJ7mr4EWpugaypbGmuySywaWAI5XVdTq6ro9Gam6phaHjNa24szMluxJfR61LPbZ94MhGNLLcjPubl0igRWusPUC79eRqYvoo5RHBiuFWfU/s1600/glendalough+labyrinth.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The labyrinth at Glendalough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Each effort peals
some of the numbness away, leads to a more real picture of how I am doing. Often we can, out of habit, (maybe a need
to protect ourselves), ignore the feelings we have - especially the
uncomfortable ones. Unfortunately, this desire to keep us sane pushes us out
from our centre to the outskirts. Ignoring uncomfortable feelings numbs us to
all feelings, even the life giving ones.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Being pushed out of our centre impacts
our relationship with God too. We meet him in our deepest place- the bible
calls it the heart. If we've left home, it's so much harder to sense Him, to feel
his presence, live out of His energy. So the journey from the outskirts of the
labyrinth to the centre is the journey to our own hearts where God lives. And that's
why Dr D taught me to begin my morning with God with the journey inwards.
Answering the question, "How do I feel?" as I took each step.
To meet God both of us have to be present. Funny how I often think it’s Him who
hasn’t turned up!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAxRMUtt1pc7YBBRNleGRn_Ed55qEgTYSl3hO00nMLJrBqBgYfqv7FW7RsSyBPfuiw4D3b5GZ_wBTnOv_bESHhdQfD0xifg6e9_-_YTEqoi8x8sOmnByP8OA20e5gvAvTrXXZH8hutbw/s1600/P4180114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAxRMUtt1pc7YBBRNleGRn_Ed55qEgTYSl3hO00nMLJrBqBgYfqv7FW7RsSyBPfuiw4D3b5GZ_wBTnOv_bESHhdQfD0xifg6e9_-_YTEqoi8x8sOmnByP8OA20e5gvAvTrXXZH8hutbw/s320/P4180114.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Kevin's Chapel Glendalough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-31097487338736224942013-07-29T08:02:00.000+01:002013-07-30T20:52:44.378+01:00On this everything depends...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5950219677181022072" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5950219677181022072" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAVvDoFKvVN2kdvKGivDv-He2VJL5sA424zSuUcdLBf6S75pWg0haj46atto57c2sTAF20-lY3ivO-fSM7n1g7_NTrgWZE6iNB9Fvpz0r-8OljC8yhyi4LD3awWj6WFuE923XYy-XDU0/s1600/yoda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAVvDoFKvVN2kdvKGivDv-He2VJL5sA424zSuUcdLBf6S75pWg0haj46atto57c2sTAF20-lY3ivO-fSM7n1g7_NTrgWZE6iNB9Fvpz0r-8OljC8yhyi4LD3awWj6WFuE923XYy-XDU0/s1600/yoda.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLVqNYR-h4E3A-Hf6GqcwsuSyyGzaMDfXMnb0I4_4SGZ0IuJnOtAnr7Z9atdgi_SUcnN7ldaF5UjeYgsrqTClgf9Bg2XjYZK9ksn2R0e1JRf3W0q8lvk-0S9Jen5UZAN0Zh6asOeXsDY/s1600/Spiritual+Direction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLVqNYR-h4E3A-Hf6GqcwsuSyyGzaMDfXMnb0I4_4SGZ0IuJnOtAnr7Z9atdgi_SUcnN7ldaF5UjeYgsrqTClgf9Bg2XjYZK9ksn2R0e1JRf3W0q8lvk-0S9Jen5UZAN0Zh6asOeXsDY/s320/Spiritual+Direction.jpg" width="212" /></a>I want to tell you about my first experience of spiritual direction. My Director was a big bear of a man we will call Dr D. He looked quite a bit like Santa Claus actually. It was the beginning of my own journey to exploring contemplative spirituality. I just felt salty to experience Jesus in my life. Dr D took me under his wing. He was so encouraging and accepting of me that he gave me a safe place to explore my heart and to make room for God in there. I remember he wore a ring with the word "Beloved" on it. We didn't talk much theology -a natural temptation and roadblock in my prayer life. I remember he told me "Paul, God didn't give you your brain to figure him out!" Slowly tentatively, I began to trust that I was God's Beloved too, that he sangs songs over me, that His banner over me was love. That took a while and truthfully, the warmth and acceptance of Dr D were the fertile soil in which this seed was planted. Of all my reasons to be a Spiritual Director myself, helping to awaken an appreciation of their Belovedness in somebody else was easily the most significant one. It's amazing how much convincing we need, how much resistance we have to that idea- as we nod or heads (not our hearts) when we are told it. It's the nod of the heart that makes all the difference. As you nod your head and say "Oh Yes of course... I am God's Beloved..of course" what are we really thinking? If you can verbalise it you are half way there. Can you chat the one who calls you Beloved about the answers? Because knowing in you bones, in your deepest places, that God sees you as His Beloved Child is the foundation for everything. As my other Spiritual Director would say..."On this everything depends."<br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-68486416355051298452013-07-29T07:18:00.002+01:002013-08-24T08:37:54.326+01:00Experiencing God - for Brianiacs OnlyThis a post from a blog I follow. I gave my own response and it is included below. Peter Enns is an academic and expert in the Old Testament. He has helped me enormously in trying to figure out what the Old Testament is. In conservative evangelical circles he is a controversial figure because he doesn't toe the line in some areas (e.g inerrancy). He makes sense though and has a great sense of humour.<br />
<br />
This post with all the responses is here<br />
<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/2013/07/where-do-you-experience-god-well-answer-me/">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/2013/07/where-do-you-experience-god-well-answer-me/</a><br />
<br />
<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
Where do you experience God? Well, answer me.</h1>
<div class="post-info" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 5px 0px 15px;">
<span class="date published time" style="background-image: url(http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/wp-content/themes/Patheos%20TwentyTen/images/icon-time.png); background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding: 2px 0px 2px 21px;" title="2013-07-28T18:06:57+00:00">July 28, 2013</span> By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a class="fn n" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/author/peteenns/" rel="author" style="color: #666666;" title="Peter Enns">Peter Enns</a></span></span> <span class="post-comments" style="background-image: url(http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/wp-content/themes/Patheos%20TwentyTen/images/icon-comments.png); background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px 2px 22px;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/2013/07/where-do-you-experience-god-well-answer-me/#comments" style="color: #666666;"><span class="dsq-postid" rel="4060 http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/?p=4060">Leave a Comment</span></a></span></div>
<div class="entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 16px;">
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_4061" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; text-align: center; width: 394px;">
<a href="http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/peterenns/files/2013/07/0428131739.jpg" style="color: #0066cc;"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-4061 " height="288" src="http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/peterenns/files/2013/07/0428131739.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: none; padding: 4px;" title="0428131739" width="384" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I actually did this. All by myself. Quartered and stacked. Three rows deep. I did this.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I had lunch a while back with two friends visiting the area, home for a few weeks from their normal lives in Kenya.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
In the course of conversation, one of them asked me, “Where do you experience God?”</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
My inner recovering Calvinist quickly surfaces and I think to myself,</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
“Mind your own business. And another thing, we don’t ‘experience’ God. We read about him and formulate thoughts about him. When we do experience God, it may be in a harshly worded book review, perhaps a knock-down-drag-out doctrinal debate in a session meeting, or, as in the good old days, some form of physical punishment.”</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
All partial kidding aside, my own experience in various expressions of conservative Christianity has not set me up to answer easily my friend’s question. The theology of immediate retribution on Chronicles, sure. Got that one covered. But not this one.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Which is a shame. I actually had trouble saying where I experience God. That bothers me.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I was taught–implicitly and explicitly–that the experience of God is something that…well…it’s good if you can get it, but don’t go looking for it. After all, experience is subjective and potentially misleading. Best to get your theology in order and leave subjective experience to the Charismatics.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I’ve been thinking a lot of about this over the last few years, and my friend’s question pushed me further along:</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<em>Experiencing God is the point.</em></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I know some of you may wonder why I even need to write this, but:</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Without the experience of God, what use is all our cogitating? What good does it to to reduce God to having either the right thoughts neatly arranged, or busying ourselves with the “work of the Gospel” when immediacy with God is not part of the package?</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
A life dominated by worry, fear, anger, etc.,–which commonly accompany the life of the mind–is a life where the experience of God is a theory, not a reality.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
So, back to my friend’s intrusive question. I wanted to say–just to get her off my back–”in church” but (1) that’s not true, and (2) she knows I know it’s not true.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
So, I think I said, “I don’t know. Give me a hint.”</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_4062" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center; width: 193px;">
<a href="http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/peterenns/files/2013/07/painting-trim.jpg" style="color: #0066cc;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-4062" height="275" src="http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/peterenns/files/2013/07/painting-trim.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: none; padding: 4px;" title="painting trim" width="183" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Here the part of Pete is being played by an actor. Also, my trim is barn red.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
She encouraged me to sense God’s presence by being open to God while doing those things that jazz me. I mentioned that I sometimes get very antsy while writing, and I feel I just <em>have</em> to go outside and stack firewood or paint trim for a couple of hours.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
She suggested that was a clue about the kind of person I am and how I actually already <em>do</em> experience God along paths I don’t normally think about. I need to learn to keep my eyes and ears open.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I was taught from early on to experience God in reading the Bible, prayer, evangelism, and church. Maybe an occasional feed the hungry weekend.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Or a miracle in your life. Miracles are good.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
My friend, however, was reminding me that God is bigger and more pervasive in his creation than these formulas. Is this too radical to consider–that perhaps God may be present in our lives in all sorts of “unconventional” ways; and what jazzes me may be telling me when those experiences are happening?</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I am a “physical” person. I used to be an active athlete; I do a lot of work on our house; I still exercise; and I am <em>fidgety–</em>boy, am I fidgety. My friend pointed out that I even tend to express myself using “physical” vocabulary–”no need to jump off a cliff about it” is preferred to “no need to be so concerned.”</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
So, as I’m stacking wood or painting trim (or rebuilding rotted trim so I can paint it), I should learn to be mindful of what is going on inside of me those moments and ask God, “Where are you right here and now?”</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Or maybe better, “<em>How are you here right now?</em>”</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
No bright lights of God’s brilliant presence–at least I hope not as I’m 20′ up a ladder–but perhaps deeper and more…soothing, peaceful. I don’t know. I’m new at this. Give me a break.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I am so used to accessing a far-off God through my mind, through words. Rather than me calling the shots, maybe I can cultivate a patient discipline of seeing other, less controllable, ways in which God is already part of my experience.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I’m sure I’m doing a rotten job explaining all this, but I’m fine with that. I do wish, though, that I would have been taught some of these things during my formative Christian years–especially in seminary.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
On the other hand, it’s not like I can’t learn some new things and keep moving along on the journey.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I’m fine with that, too. And I believe, so is God.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<header style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #777777; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; position: relative; top: -1px;"><span class="publisher-anchor-color" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a data-action="profile" data-user="64715713" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/2013/07/where-do-you-experience-god-well-answer-me/#" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.1s linear; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 102, 204) !important; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s linear;">paulbuggy</a></span> <div class="post-meta" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block;">
<span aria-hidden="true" class="bullet time-ago-bullet" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #cccccc; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.4; padding: 0px 4px;">•</span> <a class="time-ago" data-role="relative-time" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/2013/07/where-do-you-experience-god-well-answer-me/#comment-979745220" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.1s linear; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(30, 55, 70, 0.4); font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s linear;" title="Monday, July 29 2013 7:10 AM">4 minutes ago</a></div>
<ul class="post-menu" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s linear; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: right; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -2px; transition: 0.2s linear; visibility: visible !important;">
<li class="collapse" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px;"><a data-action="collapse" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/2013/07/where-do-you-experience-god-well-answer-me/#" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.1s linear; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.6; padding: 10px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; top: -7px; transition: color 0.1s linear;" title="Collapse">−</a></li>
<li class="dropdown" data-role="menu" role="menu" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peterenns/2013/07/where-do-you-experience-god-well-answer-me/#" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.1s linear; border-left-color: rgba(75, 83, 94, 0.0980392); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) !important; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s linear;"><b class="caret" style="border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 4px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 4px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 4px; box-sizing: border-box; content: ↓; display: inline-block; height: 0px; margin-left: 2px; margin-top: 4px; opacity: 0.3; text-indent: -99999px; vertical-align: top; width: 0px;"></b></a></li>
</ul>
</header><br />
<div class="post-message-container" data-role="message-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #42474a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 15px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 550px; zoom: 1;">
<div data-role="message-content" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div class="post-message publisher-anchor-color " data-role="message" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Thanks Peter, for your honesty and willingness to talk about an area you are not an expert in. Ignatius tells us to look inwards for our deepest desires and there we will find God waiting for us. Just takes a little time to carve through what we think we want and get to what we really want.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
He hides in plain sight, so close to us that we miss Him a lot of the time. I find I experience Him often when I am caught off guard and my usual lens is out of focus for a second. Of course, the consequence of this is that I am wearing a lens that actually blinds me to Him most of the time. If I gave the lens a bumper sticker name, it would be "I shouldn't feel that". I'd been thinking that for 35 years before I actually heard it in my head for the first time. Boy, that was a moment!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
So I'm finding that Ignatius' encouragement to focus on my inner experience- no matter how infantile my head tells me it is, really helps me to experience what God is doing. In this, his examen of consciousness is invaluable. It opens up a layer of God enriched experience happening everyday that otherwise will disappear like tears in rain (forgive the Blade runner reference please!)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px;">
Paul</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-55270513188940083592013-05-18T23:01:00.002+01:002013-07-30T20:45:52.819+01:00God Does the Work in Prayer<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5950219677181022072" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A quote from Ruth Burrows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prayer has far more to do with what God wants to do in us than with our trying to “reach” or “realize,” still less “entertain,” God in prayer. This truth eliminates anxiety and concern as to the success or non-success of our prayer, for we can be quite certain that, if we want to pray and give the time to prayer, God is always successful and that is what matters. . . . What we think of as our search for God is, in reality, a response to the divine Lover drawing us to himself. There is never a moment when divine Love is not at work. . . . This work is nothing other than a giving of the divine Self in love. The logical consequence for us must surely be that our part is to let ourselves be loved, let ourselves be given to, let ourselves be worked upon by this great God and made capable of total union with Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ruth Burrows</span>Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-86014162875514724442013-05-17T13:56:00.001+01:002013-06-22T08:58:13.661+01:00Jesus and Peter<br />
<span class="text John-21-15"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></sup></span></span>
<span class="text John-21-15"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></sup></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nf5av4O36MVziLRT9rqHV0BleA3V4dW3q0IDnpKA-kgVHx23cv8YV2Eq4l5JAsPys0M3kpFHCe9a86YZkQKIkBkSmRHn9GaPDIWnD6JAU9mWIWLXRounPQqQDHrsQjpdYqml05xt6nU/s1600/Breakfast-with-Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nf5av4O36MVziLRT9rqHV0BleA3V4dW3q0IDnpKA-kgVHx23cv8YV2Eq4l5JAsPys0M3kpFHCe9a86YZkQKIkBkSmRHn9GaPDIWnD6JAU9mWIWLXRounPQqQDHrsQjpdYqml05xt6nU/s320/Breakfast-with-Jesus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast on the Beach</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-21-15"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></sup></span>
I've been listening to the Jesuits' devotional podcast this week at<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="text John-21-15" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/">http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's meditation was from John's gospel (Jn 21:15-19). The part where Peter and six of the disciples have returned to Galilee after the resurrection and have spent the night fishing, not even catching a tyre or an old boot. Jesus calls to them from the shore, tells them where the fish are (surely reminding Peter of the miraculous catch when Jesus invited him to start catching men and women and to follow him) and then invites the group for breakfast. The passage is wonderfully inviting.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What strikes me though is how personally Jesus seeks Peter out. He knows how Peter must be feeling having denied Jesus three times. He invites Peter and his friends to a breakfast he has made. He serves them. And then he deals intimately with the core of Peter's concerns. Peter has denied Jesus three times. Jesus gives him the chance to proclaim his love three times. This isn't sappy pink sentiment. Jesus knows how Peter operates - Jesus is wonderfully weaving in the challenge Peter needs to show his love for Jesus. Not one word of blame or recrimination. No soppy empty sentiment. Peter, a man of action, needs affirmation and and a call to action. How wonderfully specific to Peter is Jesus' restoration. He accepts Peter for where he is (gone back to fishing-the old way of life for he has so obviously failed at his called life), comes and meets him there in that failure and accepts that part of him and then affirms and challenges him as the man who will lead and feed Jesus' flock. Jesus trusts Peter when Peter doesn't even trust Peter...just what Peter needs to hear.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at how Jesus deals with Thomas. Jesus is not in the room when Thomas declares that he won't believe Jesus rose from the dead until he can put his hand in Jesus side and put his fingers where the nails where. Despite Jesus' absence, (He is now everywhere!) Jesus knows what Thomas needs and appears to provide the specific evidence that his doubting heart needs. Again as with Peter, no blame; Jesus accepts Thomas for where his heart is and comes and meets him there. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it is Jesus' way to meet us in the mess of our hearts right here and now. Not where we feel we should be, where we think everyone else is, but here in this messy, confused, doubting, perhaps broken or shamed heart. He accepts us, he affirms us and will provide what we need to move forward in him. You are invited to have breakfast with the King. Come as you are.</span></div>
<h3>
<span class="text John-21-15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;"><br /></sup></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="text John-21-15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;"><br /></sup></span></span></h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950219677181022072.post-22608303689287932762010-08-30T13:49:00.001+01:002010-08-30T14:19:27.460+01:00Here's to New Beginnings (again)My father says that if Christmas came around every 11 months instead of 12 we would cancel it. It seems that 12 months is the threshold for forgetting the bad things and antiipating only the good. The kids all went back to school today. I think the amazing blue sky day with hint of chill in the shade served as a metaphor for the day. Each child was going to a different school and this amplified the experience for me as I dropped them off. Lots of hellos, screeches and hugs from the kids as they greeted their friends; parents greeting with awkward smiles. Enthusiasm, nervous excitement. The smell of new books. We just love new beginnings. Surely every day in eternity will be like this.Paul Buggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04688714459427334419noreply@blogger.com0