myopic pilgrim

…and I just want to wrap myself around her and hold her.

I have to include praying along with fasting otherwise I start thinking fasting is merely to “discipline” myself or to purge my body of toxins. And when I say with a spouse, I don’t mean fasting together. I mean, fasting when you have a spouse. How does one fast from food when your spouse isn’t? I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to eat in front of someone who’s not eating (for whatever reason).

The trouble really only comes if you go on a complete food fast. Then you’ll have to figure out how you both sit there while one is eating pasta and the other merely watches.

Personally, I don’t fast when I’m with my wife. In the same way people don’t fast on Sunday because it’s the day of the Resurrection and we should be Read the rest of this entry »

I had said in the past that the Church exists for the benefit of the world. Sure, we’re proclaimers to the world about the means of salvation, but even more, we are to love and to serve them. And I’ve got it into my head that if we love and serve the world in the same kinds of ways Jesus did (ease pain, carry loads, give generously to those in need, save lives, etc.), we would draw others to join us in following Christ. So, if the Church’s job is to benefit the world, what am I doing trying to fit more audio equipment into my ministry’s budget?

the more I know, the less I act
the more I take, the less I have

I meet with some guys to talk about life and issues from the perspective of a disciple of Jesus. And usually that’s all we do—talk. One night we decide we want to actually do something besides eat at Jack-in-the-Box, so last night we brew some coffee and head down to a park where homeless people hang out during the day. We figure it’s cold; someone’s going to want coffee. And I’m sure they would have if there was anyone actually there.

I don’t know about you, but when I try to do some good deed and it doesn’t pan out, I’m deflated and I just want to go home. But not last night, man. I purposed not to give up too quickly and the guys and I went downtown by the river. We walked the streets like a gang of do-gooders. All we needed were matching jackets. Downtown ended up being a bust too. Eventually we triumphed when we saw some guys in front of the bus station. We drank some coffee with them, made small talk and then we went home.

Not exactly the rewarding experience we were hoping for. Maybe next time we’ll just give blood.