fear(3/11)
Head east into the darkness
Gerald Sittser, in his book A Grace Disguised, reflects on the loss of his mother, wife, and young daughter from a horrific car accident. He chose not to run from his loss but to walk directly into the darkness, letting the experience of that overwhelming tragedy transform his life. Le learned that the quickest way to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run west chasing after it, but to head east into the darkness until you finally reach the sunrise.…
What I must say
There’s a fear which keeps surfacing in my psyche. It’s the fear that I will be taken away from my children by a society increasingly free to exercise violence towards nonconformity. This fear arises most often when I read articles about the narrow edge our society balances upon with the upcoming presidential election. On a political level, I do not care whether one votes for a Republican or a Democratic candidate.…
Wickedness is more noticable than goodness
[Reynie said] “I see things differently now, and it’s… bothering me, I suppose.” Mr. Benedict gazed at Reynie, stroking a bristly patch on his chin that he’d missed with his razor. He exhaled through his lumpy nose. “Since your mission, you mean?” Reynie nodded. “You mean to say,” said Mr. Benedict after reflecting a moment, “That you’re disturbed by the wickedness of which so many people seem capable. My brother, for example, but also his Executives, his henchmen, the other students at the Institute–”…
Evil seems fair and feels foul
You have frightened me several times tonight, but never in the way that servants of the Enemy would, or so I imagine. I think of of his spies would–well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand. (Frodo speaking with Strider about trusting him, though they’ve only just met.)
Conspiracies are products of the loss of curiosity and ability to cope with change
More than ever, I’ve come to see conspiracy theories as the refuge of those who have lost their natural curiosity and ability to cope with change. Is it any wonder that the world seems full of strange and implacable forces to someone who doesn’t know how to look up a Zip Code, use a computerized card catalog, or even make a long-distance phone call?
The verge of new parenthood
I’ve enjoyed reading Ben’s work for more than a year now, and his recent thoughts on the verge of parenthood have particularly resonated with me since it was only five years ago that I searched for answer to similar questions. As a means to reflect on my own experience and to give Ben another perspective, here are my responses to his ten questions. Do go read his own answers here, they’re enlightening.…
We find our true selves via death
Merton speaks of a true self that only God knows, a self formed by the person and God in union together. But (every one of us is shadowed by a false self), masks we wear that can’t be real for God does not recognize them. That’s why Merton claims that if i am true to the thought of him i shall find him everywhere in myself. However, the presence of God is fearful to us because, as a consuming fire, he burns up false selves and leaves only what’s true.…
Humans wish to escape loneliness
What was becoming clear to me was the extent to which humans, in their wish to escape loneliness, made maneuvers that were very complex and hard to fathom, and I saw it was possible that the consequences of Morgan’s Falls had at no stage been within my control. Klara the AF ponders how accepting an invitation from Josie’s mother to visit a beautiful place put coldness between her and Josie, the sick girl she sought to befriend.…
Asking for help is refusing to give up
Asking for help is the bravest thing
Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid
Planters who embark with wisdom are afraid and unsure
A failure to learn from the expertise of a builder like Paul will most likely result in building an unhealthy church to the detriment of all, including the planter. Arrogant planters (and there are many) start out with a refusal to learn from anyone, convinced that they have much to teach. They learn in the end, but they learn the hard way. In contrast, most successful planters who embark on their first voyage with wisdom are afraid, unsure, and doubt they are up to the task.…
Lack of trust is a wound as grievous as whatever caused it
Creative scientists and saints expect revelation and do not fear it. Neither do children. But as we grow up and we are hurt, we learn not to trust, and that lack of trust is a wound as grievous as whatever caused it.
We have to be braver than we think we can be
We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are, to see through plastic sham to living, breathing reality, and to break down our defenses of self-protection in order to be free to receive and give love.