Redemption is not the fixing of neglect; it's the overwhelming of need.

The Larger Context

The meaning of the moment depends on a larger context over time, which is yet another reason that stories of religious conversion can be tricky. I like to hear people tell stories about the moment they fell in love, but the real meaning of such stories depends on the rest of the story that follows.

[via slacktivist]

Top 'o The Day...

About an hour later I heard a little, excited voice say, "We brought donuts!" I looked over and there down the hallway at the office was my little, happy, blonde, curly-haired Madeline with a box of Timbits in her hand. I had to fight back the tears—I could have started sobbing right then and there. Moments later Dixie rounded the corner holding Luke, wearing little shorts and a little fisherman’s hat.

My family was exactly who I needed at that moment, though I didn’t realize it until I saw them. I love them so much and it’s in my down-and-out moments that I realize it the most.

[via The Eagle and Child]

A Jerk for Jesus in 12 Easy Steps
[via The Bush League Theologian]

Poor Them...Too Tame

[via Al at The Wittenburg Door's Chat Closet. Thanks Al!]

Strength through Universality. Universality through Grace.

On All Sides

I don’t know that I am walking through these days of farewell in a good way. I mean I really don’t know how to do this. As a son I feel I’m missing it, as a father I feel like I’m not able to help my kids through these things either.

Then I realize that there’s just Randy grieving over the loss of a Dad, A dad who’s going away for a time, who I’ll see again, but who I must say good bye to for now.

And the Reverend part of me sees the stages of grief at work within me, like anger and sadness, deal makin, depression and acceptance. And I know what is happening in me.

But I’m still just a boy trying to learn to say goodbye to his dad.

[via Randall Friesen]

Rock...or Flower?

The natural world around us becomes a means of expressing who we are. For example, a child picks up a hard, cold, stone. He feels its strength; it seems unbreakable. He throws the stone, it bounces. The thing seems immutable. Later, during a fight with his older brother or sister, he imagines himself, a stone. He exclaims, "I am a rock! You can't hurt me!" The rock has become a metaphor to express who he is. At the same time, it expresses who he is not. He is not like the fragile rose petal that so easily tears. His elder sibling yells, "You are a pansy!" The child wonders, "Am I a rock, or a flower?"

[via Thoughts on Thinking]

Grace ignites faith, so that faith can ignite grace.

Simply Intricate

There's a reason I like endurance sports like running or cycling - the simplicity and purity of the aim. I can momentarily leave the complications of my life and pour all of myself into this one thing. Its tiring, there's times when you want to quit - but there's unfettered freedom in willing one thing.

Danish philosopher/theologian Søren Kierkegaard wrote a book called "Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing."

[via allan tan's blog]