Just a photo and a song

I have no idea when and where I learned this song, but every so often it comes to mind and this time, I felt like recording it.  Enjoy.

Giving thanks

As I was reminded of yesterday, it is good to give thanks.  To take time at the end (or in the middle if possible) of chaos to look for the blessings.  The little things, the big things.  To speak them out, to share the thanksgiving with others whose hearts are also filled with gratitude; to speak the gratitude in faith for those whose hearts are empty in the middle of their chaos.

Today, as I continue to reflect on my crazy week then lovely weekend and now realize that I have not blogged in almost 6 months, I know there are a lot of blessings, some small some big, to publicly share:

• for the reality that when I am empty, there is One who is stronger
• for a summer full of sensational sunsets
• for chances to see a sky full of stars
• for friends who are like family
• for colleagues who are friends
• for good music at every turn
• for prayers, received and given
• for rental cars, hotel rooms and great meals I can expense
• for my own beater car, my own apartment and sandwiches
• for nights sleeping outside
• for massages afterward
• for beaches and bicycles
• for coffee and consignment shops
• for new places to discover and favourite places to introduce to others
• for a completed degree, a timely new job and an upcoming new season of education
• for continued perks of travelling and taking in the beauty of Canada
• for the cuddles of nieces and the high-fives of nephews
• for resolution
• for hope
• for love
• for the reality that it's good to not always be strong and it's good to surrender control

Just a song

Once again, certain songs I'm hearing keep speaking to me.  I thought I'd do my own version of one of them.  Enjoy.

So, about Jesus...

This evening I was trying to explain to myself what it is about living life with Jesus.  I was thinking a little about the various people I used to meet while working with Global Youth Network, who would call themselves "spiritually open" and who wanted to be involved with the organization because we didn't shy away from talking openly about faith.  People always loved hearing one another's "Life Story" while living on a boat in the Amazon, or sitting around campfires in Thailand and I've never had any trouble sharing the parts of mine that include God speaking to me and me choosing to follow His guidance in my life.  But tonight I was thinking about just how does a committed Jesus-follower really present what it's about and why it's so much more than just being "spiritually open". 

I happened to pick up a book I bought well over a year ago that I'd only read a few chapters in and tried to figure out where I was and decided to read the next chapter, titled "Union".  The book is Brennan Manning's The Furious Longing of God.  Perfect chapter for my mullings and here is a quote he included from John McKenzie about Jesus:

We recognize that the person whom we have encountered speaks to our innermost being, supplies our needs, satisfies our desires.  We recognize that this person gives life meaning.  I do not say a new meaning simply, for we realize that before we encountered this person life had no real meaning.  We recognize that this person has revealed to us not only himself, but our own true self as well.  We recognize that we cannot be our own true self except by union with this person.  In him, the obscure is illuminated, the uncertain yields to the certain, insecurity is replaced by a deep sense of security.  In him we find we have achieved an understanding of many things which baffled us.  We recognize in his person strength and power which we can sense passing from him to us.  Most certainly, if most obscurely, we recognize that in this person we have encountered God, and that we shall not encounter God in any other way.

I like this.