Happiness

It's so terribly alluring to look at life negatively--that is, from the perspective of what's missing, what you lack, what you think you need in order to be happy. And there's an unfortunate religious viewpoint that reinforces this pessimism. Somehow we assume that since we're sinners we ought to be miserable people, awaiting the happiness that will come to us in the next life. But Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly" (John 10.10)--that means he intends us to embrace the abundance of goodness coming to us now.

It takes very little faith to view life negatively, to lament all that you don't have but think you need. But it takes great faith to embrace the good news that GOD desires, really desires, for each of us to be happy.

Intention: Today, I'll frequently re-adjust my viewpoint and recall that I'm the happy recipient of the goodness of GOD.

Tickled

Often I get the impression that people think the spiritual life is a struggle, something serious. Clergy bear a lot of the blame for this. I think we clergy make it serious so we can stay in control. That's not just silly, it's harmful. Here's a little poem to help you enjoy God today. It's from St Teresa of Avila, the sixteenth century Spanish nun, who knew more than her share of serious clerics.

How did those priests ever get so serious and preach all that gloom? I don't think God tickled them yet.

Beloved--hurry!*

Intention: Today I'll open myself to playfulness and sense in it the tickle of the Beloved.

*from Daniel Ladinsky's "Love Poems from God"

Announcing a new start for my blog

I'm preparing for a new launch of content on this site. Starting February 1, 2013 I'll begin posting short reflections intended to provide you will brief and regular guidance for living a robust and meaningful spiritual life.

You can subscribe by clicking on the Subscribe button a little below my picture on the left side of the page.  You can choose from a few different options.

And let me know what's on your mind and heart.  Collaboration will make for richer content that helps you and probably a lot of others.

Grace and peace,

Chris

What's Advent? Take 2 minutes and find out

The people who will help you most, aren't the ones you'd choose

The seventh in a series of posts on companionship and the spiritual journey.   Please pass along to those you consider companions on your journey into the fullness of God. As you journey forward, you’ll most likely want to choose your own companions. Who doesn’t? There are scoundrels out there, and who wants to spend a long journey side by side with someone whose personality’s as annoying as a garbage truck slamming dumpsters around outside your window at five in the morning?

I’ve come to learn that those who’ll help you most aren’t the ones you’d choose for yourself. So don’t go looking for your companions. Instead, keep focused on what you seek. Walk in the light that’s given you and remain open to God’s mischief along the way. The Holy Spirit will orchestrate surprise meetings with remarkable people traveling in the same direction. Some of them are already part of your life; you’ve just not yet recognized their gifts for your journey and yours for theirs. If you focus on trying to find the friends you think you need, you’ll miss those God’s already put right under your nose, as well as those God will bring you.

And don’t be fooled by the sometimes strange folk God brings your way; these companions might not fit in well at a dinner party back home, but in the mischief of God, they’re the ones who’ll bring you the comfort, humor, wisdom, safety, and challenge you’ll need along the road to God.