Interesting Quiz For You

I came across this quiz (click on that) and thought it was kind of interesting. It's 20 questions about faith and then they tell you who your answers line up with. Take it and share your results with me, then I'll post mine...

New Seeds of Contemplation

So I got a new book...
It's called New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton. I'm very excited about reading it. So far I have only read the preface and author's note. In the author's note he says something I found to be noteworthy (hence making a note about it), at least to myself (and, apparently, the author) . He said that the book is not a work of art, that anyone else with the same interests could have written it, perhaps better. But, "If you can bring yourself, somehow, to read it in communion with the God in Whose Presence it was written, it will interest you and you will probably draw some fruit from it, more by His grace than by the author's efforts. But if you cannot read it under these conditions, no doubt the book will at least be a novelty."

I thought this statement is true about a lot of things, especially those of the arts, like writing, music, art, etc. If the author created their work in the presence of God, (to which I might add and through His inspiration), then if the reader/listener/viewer can also allow themselves to take in the work while under the inspiration of God, they will probably draw some fruit from it. If the reader/listener/viewer does not come in this manner, what some might say "full of the Spirit," then the chances of them drawing fruit from their encounter with the work becomes slim. Yes, I believe God can step in and cause a person to receive from Him much to their surprise, but I think it usually takes an effort on our part to be receptive to what God has for us.

Maybe, this is just "Duh!" to some, but it struck me today. The responsibility lies not only with the author, but also with the viewer. God must be central.

Hmm. I have found God and His truth in the "secular" numerous times. But maybe it's not an issue of the author not being inspired, but more of them not realizing where their inspiration is actually coming from. After all, they are in the presence of God whether they know it or not. So maybe the question is whether fruit comes out of it or not, and that comes at the effort of the reader/listener/viewer and their "communion with the God in Whose Presence" it was created, not by the author and their intentions. That means we must always be looking for God in everything. Perhaps this is part of being contemplative. I hope to learn more about that as I read this book...

Blah, Blah, Blah

That's how I'm feeling.
Very Blah.
I'm sure it's mostly because I can't do many things due to back pain. (I had 3 herniated discs, but I'm doing much better now. It's just a constant ache now.) I'm trying to take it easy, but I'm going stir crazy. I actually want to do yard work. That's how bad it is. I don't like sitting around all day. I really don't. But it's not just that. I feel a spiritual blah-ness that I can't quite put a finger on. I know God is with me and at work, but I am only seeing darkness right now. It's a very dark night without even a moon for light. God will see me through. I'll emerge triumphant in Him. But I just feel like the air is thick around me and I can hardly get a complete breath these days.
I'm ready for something new.
I'm praying for something new.
I need something new.
I just need some light for my path.

That darn mantra

So when I first posted those words about God always being faithful, I had no idea to what extent I would have to lean on them.  Alas, a trying time has now been majorly compounded and I feel like a little grape underfoot, being pressed until something new is made.  I guess that's a good thing.

 But I still believe the words of my mantra and I proclaim them loudly so the enemy, (whether that be Satan or just my own fleshly thoughts), will flee from me like dust in the wind.

You have always been faithful, Lord!

You have always been faithful!

Advent

Somehow today I ended up at the blog of a guy who lives in Florida (about as far from here as possible in the mainland U.S. I thought was interesting).  Anyway, he's an oblate, something I'm learning a little more about lately.  (See - http://www.osb.org/obl/intro.html for more info.)

He was writing about Advent and he said something I found to be very interesting.  It was this: "In my study times, I have been learning more about Advent. The most interesting thought I came across today is that we might see our whole lives on earth as an Advent to eternal life with Christ. The passing from our darkness into his light."  (If you want to check out his blog it's: www.oblatespring.blogspot.com)

That is so true.  This time of Advent we are in preparing for Christmas is but a tiny piece of the greater Advent that is our lives.  What an awesome thought.  Let us not forget to always be mindful of the coming of Christ and how we are to live in preparation for meeting Him face to face.  But not only that, but He is here with us even now.  This is too much for my human brain to truly understand.  I am trying to ponder all this amidst the noise of my sons playing noisily.  It's difficult, but I know God is here with us.  I am thankful for that.

Sorry if this ruins your dessert...

I have been made aware this year that my 65 cent chocolate bar is enjoyed at the expense of the lives of thousands of children around the world.  Here is one article of many that inform us of this tragedy.  I thought I should pass it on in hopes of one day abolishing slavery worldwide.  If we take a stand against companies that exploit children, we can help produce change.  Knowledge is power.  Tell a friend.
Thanks.

Chocolate...by Slave Labour

"It is very likely the chocolate you are about to eat has been produced by slave labour, primarily, child slave labour. Slavery exists in Africa. It exists where people can be exploited. The growing of cocoa beans offers one of the best opportunities to use child slaves. The Ivory Coast, (Cote d'Ivoire) produces about forty three (43%) percent of the world's cocoa beans, which being cultivated by slave labour are far cheaper than that produced in nations which have strict labour laws and careful monitoring.

The beans produced in the Ivory Coast are purchased by the major chocolate producers such as Hershey, M&M Mars, Cadbury, Nestle and other famous names. That chocolate you are about to eat is probably made from beans grown in the Ivory Coast. That chocolate was probably produced by boys who have been taken from countries, such as Mali, and sold to farmers in the Ivory Coast. There are about six hundred thousand chocolate farmers in Cote d'Ivoire and most use child slave labour. Most sell to Hershey and M&M Mars which control two thirds (2/3rds) of the world's chocolate market. Those chocolate bars on the supermarket shelves have been produced by slave labour. There are companies, however, which only use cocoa that has not been produced with slave labour; among them are, Cloud Nine, Dagoba, Green and Blacks, Newman's own.

The cocoa beans used by these companies comes from other nations where the farms are monitored and there are labour laws. Some companies buy only Fair Trade Chocolate, and some, like Rapunzel, initiated fair trade and ecology strict guidelines. Rapunzel's chocolate comes from Bolivia and the Dominican Republic. During the past few years, many organisations have effectively informed the public of the true cost of chocolate. Most people, once aware, refuse to buy chocolate produced by slave labour. Chocolate is not the only commodity produced by slave labour, and a visit to www.antislavery.org will reveal others. However, you can make a difference by simply not buying chocolate produced by slave labour."

Blessings to You!

 Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness.  It is a time to ponder the coming of our Lord.  Not only how he came long ago, but how he will come again.  I desire for this to be a season of focus on Immanuel, God with us.  I want to be especially aware of his presence, (rather than presents), this season.  I know that there are many out there this year who are looking at this Christmas season with new lenses.  God has given many people a new perspective.  He has, in his own sovereign way, turned tragedy into a wake-up call for much of America.  Let us not fail to allow God to continue to grow us in his holiness and righteousness in the coming days.  I feel especially blessed this year.  I pray that you will all feel blessed as well.

Shalom.