Quotable Friday, Vol. 4 July 27, 2007

 

“Remember Atlas, who carries the whole world? We have Christian Atlases who mistakenly carry the burden of trying to deserve God’s love. Even the mere watching of this lifestyle is depressing. I’d like to say to Atlas: ‘Put that globe down and dance on it. That’s why God made it.’ And to the weary Christian Atlases: ‘Lay down your load and build your life on God’s love.’ We don’t have to earn this love; neither do we have to support it. It is a free gift. Jesus calls out: “Come to me, all you Atlases who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.”

–Brennan Manning

Show Me Shia! July 24, 2007

 

I have a confession to make:  I watched the movie Disturbia twice in the past few weeks.  Once on the plane from New York to Tel Aviv and once on the flight home.  Usually I can’t watch even slightly scary movies. 

Quotable Friday Vol. 3 July 20, 2007

“Out of nowhere I remembered something one of my priest friends had said once, that grace is having a commitment to– or a least an acceptance of– being ineffective and foolish.  That our bottled charm is the main roadblock to drinking that clear cool glass of love.  [...]  I do not at all understand the mystery of grace–only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.  It an be received gladly or grudgingly, in big gulps or in tiny tastes, like a deer at the salt.  I gobbled it, licked it, held it down between my little hooves.”

Anne Lamott

Traveling Mercies

I am going to try REALLY hard to not use quotes solely from Anne Lamott from now on.  But I feel like almost every line I read by her is worth underlining, writing in my journal, sharing with others.  I started reading her book, Traveling Mercies, as I traveled halfway around the world to Israel.  I’m almost done with it, and I think everyone who reads it would be moved by her honesty and beautiful writing as I was.  Plus, it’s really funny.

Take It from Me July 18, 2007

Don’t ever go on a trip to Israel and go to work the next day after 30 straight hours of being in planes, cars, and airports.  You will feel like you are underwater for the better part of the day, and will want to wear a sign saying “I’m jetlagged” so your students won’t mistakenly think you are hungover.  Although, the symptoms are virtually identical.

Happy Birthday to Me! July 3, 2007

 

It’s my birthday today. 

 How old am I?  Well, I’m old enough to have to work on my birthday.  I’m also old enough to keep my birthday a secret so my coworkers won’t be awkward and feel obligated to do anything for me.