Irish Blessing

I've been reading some of the writings and poetry of John O'Donohue. He was an Irish Catholic priest who studied Celtic spirituality and has a unique perspective on spiritual life and thought. I do not always agree with what he has to say but I find that his words require listening and careful thought and as such I value his ideas and his words. All truth is God's truth, no matter where you find it! 

January Sunset

John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

John 16:24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." 

 

John 17:13 "These things I speak in the world, that they might hae my joy fulfilled in themselves."

I Peter 1:8 "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

New Year 2010

"A Morning Wish". .  . W.R. Hunt

"The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?

Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:

• A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.
• A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.
• A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.
• A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
• An understanding heart.
• A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.
• A sense of humor and the power to laugh.
• A little leisure with nothing to do.
• A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.
• And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come."

Ice Moving on the Blackfoot River

"Contemplating the lace-like fabric of streams outspread over the mountains, we are reminded that everything is flowing - going somewhere, animals and so-called lifeless rocks as well as water. Thus the snow flows fast or slow in grand beauty - making glaciers and avalanches; the air in majestic floods carrying minerals, plant leaves, seeds, spores, with streams of music and fragrance; water streams carrying rocks both in solution and in the form of mud particles, sand, pebbles, and boulders. Rocks flow from volcanoes like water from springs, and animals flock together and flow in currents modified by stepping, leaping, gliding, flying, swimming, etc. While stars go streaming through space pulsed on and on forever like blood globules in Nature's warm heart. . . Nature is a flood and we all are in it." John Muir

The Pursuit of God

"The Lord of all being is far more than the Lord of all beings. He is the Lord of all actual existence. He is the Lord of all kinds of beings - spiritual being, natural being, physical being. Therefore, when we rightly worship Him we we compass all being." A. W. Tozer

"When religion has said its last word, there is little that we need other than God Himself." A. W. Tozer

"The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our "following hard after" Him." A. W. Tozer

"All the time we are pursuing Him we are already in His hand, "Thy right hand upholdeth me." A. W. Tozer

Mountain Biking the Slickrock Trail near Moab, Utah

Rivers of Life

"Live like a river flows, surprised by its own unfolding." ~ John O'Donohue

"Rivers of living water." John 7:38

"A river touches places of which its source knows nothing, and Jesus says if we have received of His fullness, however small the visible measure of our lives, out of us will flow the rivers that will bless to the uttermost parts of the earth. We have nothing to do with the outflow - "This is the work of God that ye believe. . . ." God rarely allows a soul to see how great a blessing he is.

A river is victoriously persistent, it overcomes all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, then it comes to an obstacle and for a while it is balked, but it soon makes a pathway round the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, and presently emerge again broader and grander than ever. You can see God using some lives, but into your life an obstacle has come and you do not seem to be of any use. Keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you round the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on the obstacle or on the difficulty. The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source. Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.

Think of the healing and far-flung rivers nursing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up marvelous truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is an indication of the wider power of the river He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished in you mighty torrents of blessing for others." Oswald Chambers