These, plus a couple others, are the loves of my life.
(Source: treasurecove)
John Chrysostom’s Words of Wisdom
“When we suffer anything for Christ’s sake, we should do so not only with courage, but even with joy. If we have to go hungry, let us be glad as if we were at a banquet. If we are insulted, let us be elated as though we had been showered with praises. If we lose all we possess, let us consider ourselves the gainers. If we provide for the poor, let us regard ourselves as the recipients. Do not think of the painful effort involved, but of the sweetness of the reward; and above all, remember that your struggles are for the sake of our Lord -Jesus.”
Prayer for the night
To the unpretty, the undesired, the undressed, the undone…
To my family…
Tonight, I pray that you find the Kingdom buried in your heart. Though you are made of dirt and your bones are broken, you are bathed in fragrant oil, precious blood. You are a precious bride, a (re)creation of love.
Tonight, I pray that the angel of protection remain near you. I pray that your tears will dry soon and you will awake to find the beauty of your bridegroom in you.
Sleep with no fear, anticipation, or uncertainty. It is in love you lie tonight. You are held in the hands of the One of who is greater and mightier. You are safe, my brother. You are held, my sister.
In Christ’s precious name,
Amen.
Lord God,
When the hungry are fed, the sick healed, the lonely made family, the outcast brought in, the sinner forgiven, the tyrant transformed, and the enemy reconciled, we know your work by the fruit it produces. May our lives bear fruit worthy of your name.
Amen.
There is much emphasis on notoriety and fame in our society. Our newspapers and television keep giving us the message: What counts is to be known, praised, and admired, whether you are a writer, an actor, a musician, or a politician.
Still, real greatness is often hidden, humble, simple, and unobtrusive. It is not easy to trust ourselves and our actions without public affirmation. We must have strong self-confidence combined with deep humility. Some of the greatest works of art and the most important works of peace were created by people who had no need for the limelight. They knew that what they were doing was their call, and they did it with great patience, perseverance, and love.
Henri Nouwen
Coffee Sessions and Life Lessons: MADLY passionate, no matter what
I forgot what it meant to be… passionate. MADLY passionate.
When I say madly passionate, I mean MADLY passionate. Not MADLY as in an adrenalized, wildly consuming emotion. But MADLY as in a characteristic of complete, utter insanity or deliriousness. The kind of MADLY passionate that drives you to over-stress, cry, break out, live in a bubble, sing funeral hymns to social life, not care about appearances, fight-fall-fix. The kind of MADLY passionate that makes you feel alive, like you just conquered a mountain with a lot of bruises and burns. The kind of MADLY passionate that makes me want to beat the crap out of any barriers because NOTHING will ever get in the way of my final destination. The kind of MADLY passionate that does not recognize nor understand the words “FAILURE”, “ABANDONMENT”, or “SURRENDER”.
Ashley is a gorgeous 40-year-old graphic designer with two daughters, a husband, a house, a classroom full of college students, and passion.
Yep, she’s the kind to be MADLY passionate.
“When I first got a job, I wasn’t good,” said Ashley with a chuckle as looked down at her americano, reminiscing . “I was pretty bad! I see students in the classroom who are so much better than I was when I was their age.
“But the one thing I did have was the determination to get better, to be amazing…no matter what. This included working hard on something, being told that it was ugly, crying for 5 minutes in the bathroom, then getting back out and trying again. I would refuse to leave the building till I got it right.”
I stared at her in amazement. Not because I had a “I WANT TO BE LIKE THIS GODDESS” moment, but because I saw a glimpse of my past in her.
There used to be a time when I used to be passionate. MADLY passionate. I used to work till the journey’s end, no matter what. I cried, I complained, I lamented, I listened to others cry and lament, I dreamed, I saw dreams die, I faced hurdles in the size out mountains, I went all karate-kid on the mountains and chopped it down, I cried more, I lamented more… but I always managed to complete and accomplish.
There was an age where I refused to quit. Somewhere along this new season of life, as I explored new territory and encountered new faces, I forgot that once upon a time, I used to be MADLY passionate.
I want to write, no matter what. I may not be an Oscar Wilde right now, but I don’t want to stop striving. I won’t let my insecurities stop me. Bring on the criticism. #comeatmebro
I want to try and experience, no matter what. Sure, I have never held a camera before, but I won’t let fear inhibit me from making movies (even in a film class with experienced, artistic filmmakers… YOU DON’T FAZE ME, MOVIE GEEKS!) My movies may be crappy, but I will have tried. That is good enough for me.
Hmm, I forgot how good this drive and enthusiasm tasted.
Ashley; MADLY passionate.
Ashley; inspiration at an unlikely time, unlikely place.
Ashley; someone Leah is extremely thankful for.
Leah; determined to reconcile with her MADLY passionate side.
Leah; trying. crying. sweating. bleeding. but still trying.
Leah; to be MADLY passionate, once more.
(Source: spiritualinspiration)
Justice
For some it means speaking.
For others it means singing.
For some it means going.
For others it means giving.
For all, it means living with mercy and love.
I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
Ezekiel 34: 15-16
Jesus, even in our waking, grant us dreams by which to guide our lives. Make us to dream of justice for the oppressed, reunions for those torn from loved ones, hospitality for immigrants, and the healing of all wounds.
Amen.
Coffee Sessions and Life Lessons: Break With The Broken
“What do you see yourself doing after college?”
Without hesitation, an answer slips from her mouth as if she had rehearsed it quite a bit: “I’m not sure where or how, but I want to live in poverty.”
Here is my girlfriend. Newly 18. Tall, lean, blonde, and beautiful. She hasn’t quite experienced life at its fullest and finest, but her heart radiates for people like it is on fire. When she smiles at you, you BELIEVE that you are all her dreams. Everyday she tells me that I’m beautiful or that I’m the best. On hard days, her words have healing powers. She is kindness and compassion in human form.
This wonderful girl recently had her heart broken by some of her close friends. It is hard for me to see her so hurt and limping along the way. But amidst all this pain and exhaustion, she still continues to love other people unconditionally.
At such a young age, she understands that she can’t solve the world’s problems. She doesn’t take it upon herself to do so. Rather, she recognizes that the act of being with the broken and the poor is enough.
To my dear friend,
You are simply beautiful. INSIDE AND OUT. God has crafted you in such a magnificent way. The way you treat other people blesses me in such rich ways. You teach me such God-filled lessons by your actions and your desires. Continue to live your life with a striving passion and a love-hungry spirit. I know you are hurting a lot. I wish I could take it away from you. But stay strong! Keep loving! One day, I know you will be able to spread your wings and fly to some exotic land to live in poverty and brokenness. Your journey is just beginning and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for you! Thank you for being such an uplifting friend. Thank you for teaching me such valuable lessons. Thank you for loving people around you unconditionally. I love you! Prayers will be hovering over you for a while. So sleep assured in good faith!
