little red dots

We were talking about dogs and cats. Laughing at the different things they do. I commented on having made cats run in circles with a laser pointer, and Becca laughed and began to tell me about the way her parents dogs would follow the little red dot, too. She said sometimes you have to let the dogs think they have caught whatever it is they are chasing, so you let them tackle the dot and then turn off the laser.

And, I wonder if sometimes God does the same thing. If sometimes we are so intent upon the little red dot and so distracted by it that God watches us chase nothing and then lets us think we caught it. But, really we have captured nothing. And, soon enough we get bored with our nothing and start searching for that darn red dot again. And all the while, His heart breaks for those of us who keep chasing after nothing.

this crazy journey

"At each step of the crazy journey God has had us on, we have made mistakes that should have killed us. But God has continually saved us from ourselves and, like the perfect Father that he is, has taught us important lessons." - Mark Driscoll

good news

"When the healing tenderness [of Jesus] lays hold of our hearts, the false self, ever vigilant in protecting itself against pain and seeking only approval and admiration, dissolves in the tender presence of mystery." - more Brennan Manning, The Wisdom of Tenderness

bollixed is a good word

"Jesus knows that we will experience fatigue along the Way and get bollixed, beat up, and burned out by church, relationships, parenting, ministry, career, appetites, addictions, and our recurring neuroses." - good ol' Brennan Manning

humor helps

"So, how's your kazoo playing?" - Griff

simplicity has its perks

It's much easier to decide what to wear when all but two of your sweaters are in storage.

the retreat house revisited

"i think there's a difference between interest & suffocation; i want to be pursued...just not stalked" - a member of swic