Jan, We do indeed create every email in mind with the idea of giving a retreat, respite, consolation, for the reader. It is in this safe space that we can hear and respond to the callings we have to universal love. Peace to you.
Bless you, Jan, and yes, you can quote and share our texts using or names and the internet link leading to the quoted text. You can also use the quote function this platform offers. Usually when marking a piece of text it automatically shows buttons to quote and share e.g. via social media.
Thank you Almut and Chuck for so generously sharing a glimpse of your trip home to Germany with us. Your photographs make me feel as if I am traveling alongside you. However, it is your blessing and the comments of the other pilgrims that cause me to pause and tell myself that I need to always remember “love carries me first.”
The blessed thing about this space that Almut has created is that those you call "other pilgrims" can not only receive, but also give. And it is in this giving that the heart is healed.
Sara, Thanks for noticing the careful balance we keep here. We are indeed rooted in the Christian story and tradition. An important part of that tradition is the call to universal love. And so we write in a way that is welcoming to all and that can connect across boundaries of belief. All religious belief should make bridges, not walls.
Chris, thanks for this. The stories in Mark 2 are often about Jesus reaching across borders in love. It is hard to grasp, and equally hard to see the borders around us that seem to our eyes natural.
Thank you for such a gentle midweek blessing. "The heart of the universe is not cold stardust but the blazing compassion of love." It made me sit up and breathe a deep sigh of warmth.
Kathleen, Thanks for grasping this sentence. Too often we respond with awe to the vastness of the universe. But, thanks to my philosopher-partner, I have now inhaled enough second-hand Hildegard of Bingen to have this alternative view of the heart of the universe. The love is also awesome.
Somewhere as a child, I heard or read an exchange, "What are we made of"? (referring to humankind) "We are made of stardust." So I've always had the image that we are wonderous bits of stardust in the universe being battered about as we travel through our life. Now the image of wee bits of stardust being battered about, but wrapped in a blanket of eternal love. Thank you for enlarging that image to include love, safety and support.
Thanks, Henry for this quote from Spurgeon, a preacher ever-ready with a well turned phrase. It is like Spurgeon to use such colorful language. And difficult to be grateful after being "slammed." But I like the quote nonetheless. Indeed , most spiritual progress is in response to trials and to wish for the first is to invite the latter.
Wow. I came across this post randomly, but it was so completely what I needed to hear in this moment. Thank you.
Mischa, How lovely to hear that something we wrote connected with you. Love does carry us all first.
Thank you Mischa. It is good to hear that this letter made it to you when you needed it 😇 and Blessings on your journey!
Such beautiful photographic essays--a retreat in every email. Is there a way to quote with attribution?
Jan, We do indeed create every email in mind with the idea of giving a retreat, respite, consolation, for the reader. It is in this safe space that we can hear and respond to the callings we have to universal love. Peace to you.
Bless you, Jan, and yes, you can quote and share our texts using or names and the internet link leading to the quoted text. You can also use the quote function this platform offers. Usually when marking a piece of text it automatically shows buttons to quote and share e.g. via social media.
Thank you Almut and Chuck for so generously sharing a glimpse of your trip home to Germany with us. Your photographs make me feel as if I am traveling alongside you. However, it is your blessing and the comments of the other pilgrims that cause me to pause and tell myself that I need to always remember “love carries me first.”
The blessed thing about this space that Almut has created is that those you call "other pilgrims" can not only receive, but also give. And it is in this giving that the heart is healed.
So lovely said. Thank you, Valerie.
Oh, I love this! To think I an constantly wrapped in love; wonderful!
Kathleen, yes, constantly wrapped in love, even when we do not see, hear, or feel it. May that love surprise you constantly.
Oh I hope the three of you are having a lovely time in the German countryside. It looks invitingly bucolic.
From the blessing, I was intrigued by the word immer and looked up the translation. What a lovely way to end the blessing.
❤️
Enjoy your thoughtful approach but always keeping it Christ centred
Sara, Thanks for noticing the careful balance we keep here. We are indeed rooted in the Christian story and tradition. An important part of that tradition is the call to universal love. And so we write in a way that is welcoming to all and that can connect across boundaries of belief. All religious belief should make bridges, not walls.
Amen! Just right. Thank you! See the Gospel According to Mark, Chapter 2. Love carries us forward, even through barriers of all kinds. Chris
Chris, thanks for this. The stories in Mark 2 are often about Jesus reaching across borders in love. It is hard to grasp, and equally hard to see the borders around us that seem to our eyes natural.
Amen to this, Chris.
This particularly touched me today:
"Know this: you are held always in the warm embrace of love eternal
Whatever it is you are carrying, she carries it first."
Thank you for your sharing.
Vicki, It is indeed comforting to hear, and we often need to be reminded.
Thank you for such a gentle midweek blessing. "The heart of the universe is not cold stardust but the blazing compassion of love." It made me sit up and breathe a deep sigh of warmth.
Kathleen, Thanks for grasping this sentence. Too often we respond with awe to the vastness of the universe. But, thanks to my philosopher-partner, I have now inhaled enough second-hand Hildegard of Bingen to have this alternative view of the heart of the universe. The love is also awesome.
You are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful philosopher-partner!
Somewhere as a child, I heard or read an exchange, "What are we made of"? (referring to humankind) "We are made of stardust." So I've always had the image that we are wonderous bits of stardust in the universe being battered about as we travel through our life. Now the image of wee bits of stardust being battered about, but wrapped in a blanket of eternal love. Thank you for enlarging that image to include love, safety and support.
Tht sounds like a good deep breath, Kathleen 😇
Beautiful and comforting and wise. Thank you.
Maj-Britt, thanks for this summary. The three often go together, though it is not necessary.
Thank you, Maj-Britt and bless you for sharing :-)
A good word for us all. I am reminded of Charles Spurgeon who said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the Rock of Ages."
Thanks, Henry for this quote from Spurgeon, a preacher ever-ready with a well turned phrase. It is like Spurgeon to use such colorful language. And difficult to be grateful after being "slammed." But I like the quote nonetheless. Indeed , most spiritual progress is in response to trials and to wish for the first is to invite the latter.
I agree completely. I tried to address this in one of my essays. You may enjoy it. https://henrylewiswriter.substack.com/p/out-on-the-great-deep