This Week

Has been a week of focused prayer and time with the Lord.

I think the thing that stands out for me in these "set apart" times is the clarity that comes in just settling the heart posture to the still small inner voice who calls us to come. A time to remove distractions, the pulls which call to each of us constantly. Perhaps a time of 'self-cleaning' and re-focusing to the essentials - a de-cluttering of sorts.

I also love to see how in these times of the uniqueness in the ways which the Lord speaks. Not always in the familiar/usual ways yet the timeliness of His Word and life which come alive in depth and simplicity, touching the core of who we are.

This has been a good week so far. A much needed time for so many reasons. Yesterday in my inbox came this reading from the Henri Nouwen Society which again I found timely (see below) -one of the things that I have felt similar sentiment to and passion about. Again a timely message to my heart.

I want to encourage all of you who read this entry ...to take even moments today to settle those busy, anxious places into a time of focus on the one who really does bring life, peace, love and freedom.

And then say that those times of contemplation, meditation and focus are not just for 'self' gratification but to then cause us to look outward to those who are in our life, being a clearer reflection of Whom we center our life towards. In my life that is - JESUS.


On the Journey to Becoming Friends
written by DOUG WEIBE

Friendships are mysterious. They often begin and end when we least them expect them to. We sometimes become friends with people we are not initially drawn to. Sometimes we don't develop the kind of friendship we desire with someone we are attracted to. Some friendships take a lot of work, while others are as natural as breathing.

Friendship is a gift waiting to be revealed with every person I meet. With just a few people, the gift of covenant relationship will be revealed. With very many people, the gift of friendly waves and weather conversations will unfold. In between are the gifts of healthy working friendships, close lifelong friendships, friendships born in crisis, celebration, a shared passion for coffee, golf, children, faith, travel, et cetera.

Friendships are life-giving when we accept, nurture, and celebrate the particular gift that is present in each. Friendships are draining and difficult when we reject the gift by either not accepting the intimacy offered or trying to make the gift more intimate than it was ever meant to be.

These gifts of friendship are scattered like ripe fruit in the gardens of our lives, waiting to be tasted and enjoyed. Each gift is given by a loving God, who knows what we need and who desires a friendship with every one of us. Therefore, while we may choose our friendships, we do not create the gift of friendship. We can work on our friendships, but we cannot change them into something they are not gifted to be. This is the pain and the joy, the poverty and the incredible freedom we experience on the journey to becoming friends.