Literalism to Judgementalism...

If we take the Bible over-literally we may miss the truth of the poetry, the stories, the myths. Literalism can all too easily become judgementalism, and Jesus warned us not to judge, that we might not be judged.

How difficult it is! When I worry about those who castigate me for not agreeing with them, am I in my turn falling into judgementalism? it's hard not to. But not all the way, I hope. I don't want to wipe out those who disagree with me, consigning them to hell for all eternity. We are still God's children, together. At One. Even if I am angry, upset, confused, I must still see Christ and Christ's love in those whose opinions are very different from mine, or I won't find it in those whose view fits more comfortably with mine.

-- Madeleine L'Engle; Glimpses of Grace; p. 144; June 7

The World as an Object

Where man meets the world, not with the tools he has made but with the soul with which he was born; not like a hunter who seeks his prey but like a love to reciprocate love; where man and matter meet as equals before the mystery, both made, maintained and destined to pass away, it is not an object, a thing that is given to his sense, but a state of fellowship that embraces him and all things; not a particular fact but the startling situation that there are facts at all; being; the presence of a universe; the unfolding of time. The sense of the ineffable does not stand between man and mystery; rather than shutting him out of it, it brings him together with it.

Man is Not Alone; Abraham Joshua Heschel; p. 38

Michael Spencer quote from Boarshead Tavern

“… the powerful changes that happen in the life of a disciple never come from the disciple working hard at doing anything. They come from arriving at a place where Jesus is everything, and we are simply overwhelmed with the gift. Sometimes it seems as if God loves us too much. His love goes far beyond our ability to stop being moral, religious, obedient, and victorious, and we just collapse in his arms.  -- Michael Spencer
Quoted on May 4th by Bob Myers from The Boarshead Tavern blog.

Rock Bottom

It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It give us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand. It stops us from taking anything for granted.
Glimpses of Grace: April 17 P. 104

The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting

1. What You Do Matters
2. You Cannot Be Too Loving
3. Be Involved in your Child's Life
4. Adapt Your Parenting to Fit Your Child
5. Establish Rules and Set Limits
6. Help Foster Your Child's Independence
7. Be Consistent
8. Avoid Harsh Discipline
9. Explain Your Rules and Decisions
10. Treat Your Child with Respect

from The 10 Basic Rules of Good Parenting by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D.

The All-Sufficient One

You are holy, Lord, the only God,
    and your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong.
    You are great.
    You are the Most High.
    You are almighty.
    You, holy Father, are
    King of heaven and earth.
You are Three and One,
    Lord God, all good.
    You are Good, all Good, supreme Good
    Lord God, living and true.
You are love,
    You are wisdom.
    You are humility,
    You are endurance.
    You are rest,
    You are peace.
    You are joy and gladness.
    You are justice and moderation.
    You are all our riches,
    And you suffice for us.
You are beauty.
    You are gentleness.
    You are our protector,
    You are our guardian and defender.
    You are courage.
    You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith,
    Our great consolation.
    You are our eternal life,
    Great and wonderful Lord,
    God almighty,
    Merciful Saviour.

--- St. Francis of Assisi

Promises to Keep; April 17, pp. 125-26

Brother Lawrence: Full of Mercy and Goodness ... 100th Post!

In short, I am assured beyond any doubt that my soul has been with God for nearly thirty years. I have not shared it all so as not to bore you, but I think it is proper that I tell you what manner I imagine myself before God whom I behold as king.

I imagine myself as the most wretched of all, full of sores and sins, and one who has committed all sorts of crimes against his king. Feeling a deep sorrow, I confess to him all of my sins, I ask his forgiveness, and I abandon myself into his hands so that he may do with me what he pleases.

This king, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastening me, embraces me with love, invites me to feast at his table, serves me with his own hands, and gives me the key to his treasures. He converses with me, and takes delight in me, and treats me as if I were his favorite. This is how I imagine myself from time to time in his holy presence.

Devotional Classics; p.84; Brother Lawrence