Heaven, thing about it....

Kathleen Norris shares a Benedictine sister's concept of heaven. To reassure her dying mother she stated: "In heaven, everyone we love is there." The older woman replied: "No, in heaven I will love everyone who's there."

Let us sing alleluia here on earth, while we still live in anxiety, so that we may sing it one day in heaven in ful security...We shall have no enemies in heaven, we shall never lose a friend. God's praises are sung both there and here, but here they are sung in anxiety, ther in security; here they are sung by those destined to die, there, by those destined to live forever; here they are sung in hope, there in hope's fulfillment; here, they are sung by wayfarers, ther, by those living in their own country. So then...let us sing now, not in order to enjoy a life of leisure, but in order to lighten our labours. You should sing as wayfarers do - sing but continue your journey...Sing then, but keep going.

Augustine

On earth as it is in Heaven - a present, and future and eternal hope. THINK ABOUT IT.

A friend gives and receives wounds....

"For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." (Isaiah 54:7,8)

My holiday reading includes "The Cry of the Soul - How our Emotions reveal our deepest questions about God". The book talks about righteous anger - it warns, invites, and wounds for the greater work of redemption. The authors quote Frederick Buechner, a hero of mine: "a friend is one who gives and receives wounds".

Ah the fear of vulnerability - we so often fear people will not like us, if they know who we are. A friend knows, stays and encourages us on - can truthfully go to that place, acknowledge and work together for change. Truth-telling in relationships is a sensitive issue - it does bring life however if we would dare to build relationship.

Today is August 8 and I say happy birthday to my sister - Cathie Koehnen. Energetic, creative, seeking God full on. Happy Birthday Cathie - I thank God for you - who you are and who you are becoming.

Mystics anonymous

Mysticism - in its most ordinary manifestation, "a means for tapping into the capacity for holiness that exists in us all".

The danger is talking of such experiences according to Kathleen Norris is that you are suspected of boasting or losing your mind.

As we discipline ourselves, become attentive, and open our "eyes" we begin to see God in new ways.

The sea, the mountains, the tree, the girl with cystic-fibrosis and an amazing smile, and on and on.

Good to be in White Rock, walking the beach - tapping into holiness....

The Irony of Detachment...

The monastic interpretation of "detachment" means not allowing either worldly values or self-centredness to distract us from what is most essential in our relationship with God, and with each other.

Have been on the road - Lac L'achigan, Montreal, Old Orchard Beach, Quebec City. Eventful eight days. Time with family, old friends, new friends. Saw things which had been renewed, fruit of seeds sown, good and ill.

Bumped into a francophone from Trois Rivieres - still following Jesus, challenges with his young autistic son, but he is overcoming. Bumped into another franocophone in Quebec City - he's a busker now - had left his child and wife, making ends meet.....

The drive from two hours south of Quebec City was stunning - lakeside, moutains, plains, pastures - beautiful. Back at work today -ouch - but off to the other coast tomorrow evening.

6th century monk Doroteus of Gaza said detachment is "Being free from wanting certain things to happen, and remaining so trusting of God that what is happening will be the thing you want and you will be at peace with all."

This is not my home, I'm only passing throught - detached, eyes open, his spirit in my sails.