“…Christian spirituality, the contemplative life, is not about us. It is about God. The great weakness of American spirituality is that it is all about us: fulfilling our potential, getting the blessings of God, expanding our influence, finding our gifts, getting a handle on principles by which we can get an edge over the competition.… Continue reading Quotation of the Week
Category: Culture
Preach for America
Everyone is familiar with “Teach for America”, where individuals are placed in underserved urban public school settings to live and teach for two years. This program attracts a variety of folks but holds an especially strong appeal to new and recent college grads, often from prestigious schools, who sincerely desire to use their gifts and… Continue reading Preach for America
Lights, camera, action…
I was just out on a long walk with my kids, and as we crossed Adams onto LaSalle I began noticing fliers stuck onto every gate and door with the letters ER in bold font across the top. Curious, I stopped to see what they were and found out that Warner Bros. will be filming… Continue reading Lights, camera, action…
Help?
My friend, Michelle, in Portland writes: I just got off of the phone with the shelter, it’s packed. The rain has brought a ton more kids in off of the streets and they’ll likely wait out the storm before they head back out onto the streets again. Harry’s Mother is a voluntary program for kids… Continue reading Help?
Removal
In a recent conversation with people involved in overseas mission, we broached the topic of those “in the field” who seek out therapy at some point for a range of issues. The comment was made that every therapist advises people to leave the field so that they can pursue their healing. The question was raised:… Continue reading Removal
A new motivation to clean my house
You know how people say that you should always make sure you are wearing clean underwear in case you end up in an accident and are taken to the hospital? I have a new one: always make sure your house is tidy in case you have to call the police to come and do a… Continue reading A new motivation to clean my house
Quotation of the Week
“Charity is nice. Justice is better.” From a bumper sticker in South Beach, Florida.
Traveling mercies
It turned out to be no big deal to pass Mercy’s milk through the security at LAX. No questions even asked! I am pretty sure that the spectacle we were (at least eight buckets of things to pass through the X-Ray machine, in addition to two carseats and a very large double stroller and of… Continue reading Traveling mercies
To lie or defy?
I have to travel by plane tomorrow with my little ones. Mercy has a milk allergy and drinks only soy milk, and we will be on the plane long enough where I will need to provide that for her. Everything I am reading online is fairly clear: the only two things permitted for those traveling… Continue reading To lie or defy?
Mystery
I have always regretted the impact that gambling and the lottery have had on poor communities. It seems, in my experience, that suffering, disappointment and hopelessness breed a susceptibility to “get rich quick” dreams and schemes, and I want to slash the tires on the big casino buses that park in front of the Food… Continue reading Mystery