Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comWe often confuse unconditional love with unconditional approval. God loves us without conditions but does not approve of every human behavior. God doesn't approve of betrayal, violence, hatred, suspicion, and all other expressions of evil, because they all contradict the love God wants to instill in the human heart. Evil is the absence of God's love. Evil does not belong to God.
God's unconditional love means that God continues to love us even when we say or think evil things. God continues to wait for us as a loving parent waits for the return of a lost child. It is important for us to hold on to the truth that God never gives up loving us even when God is saddened by what we do. That truth will help us to return to God's ever-present love.
For further reflection...
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."[Luke 15: 20]
Your response...
I do not at all understand the mystery of grace only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us."[Anne Lamott?]
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Home Tonight".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
United Kingdom
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
95 Saint Joseph Street, Room 214
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
---------------------
The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "God's Unconditional Love" for Tuesday, 5 February 2015
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comWhat can we say about God's love? We can say that God's love is unconditional. God does not say, "I love you, if ..." There are no ifs in God's heart. God's love for us does not depend on what we do or say, on our looks or intelligence, on our success or popularity. God's love for us existed before we were born and will exist after we have died. God's love is from eternity to eternity and is not bound to any time-related events or circumstances. Does that mean that God does not care what we do or say? No, because God's love wouldn't be real if God didn't care. To love without condition does not mean to love without concern. God desires to enter into relationship with us and wants us to love God in return.
Let's dare to enter into an intimate relationship with God without fear, trusting that we will receive love and always more love.
For further reflection...
"Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.[Isaiah 54:10]
Your response...
What feelings come up when you read that "God's love has no ifs"?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Return of the Prodigal Son".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "God's Unconditional Love" for Tuesday, 5 February 2015
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comWhat can we say about God's love? We can say that God's love is unconditional. God does not say, "I love you, if ..." There are no ifs in God's heart. God's love for us does not depend on what we do or say, on our looks or intelligence, on our success or popularity. God's love for us existed before we were born and will exist after we have died. God's love is from eternity to eternity and is not bound to any time-related events or circumstances. Does that mean that God does not care what we do or say? No, because God's love wouldn't be real if God didn't care. To love without condition does not mean to love without concern. God desires to enter into relationship with us and wants us to love God in return.
Let's dare to enter into an intimate relationship with God without fear, trusting that we will receive love and always more love.
For further reflection...
"Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.[Isaiah 54:10]
Your response...
What feelings come up when you read that "God's love has no ifs"?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Return of the Prodigal Son".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
CanadaUnited Kingdom
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Forward This Email to a Friend
This email was sent to garyleeparker60@gmail.com by email_lists@henrinouwen.org |
Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | About our service provider.
Henri Nouwen Society
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Forward This Email to a Friend
This email was sent to garyleeparker60@gmail.com by email_lists@henrinouwen.org |
Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | About our service provider.
Henri Nouwen Society
95 Saint Joseph Street, Room 214
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
---------------------
The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "Becoming Kind" Thursday, 4 February 2014
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comKindness is a beautiful human attribute. When we say, "She is a kind person" or "He surely was kind to me," we express a very warm feeling. In our competitive and often violent world, kindness is not the most frequent response. But when we encounter it we know that we are blessed. Is it possible to grow in kindness, to become a kind person? Yes, but it requires discipline. To be kind means to treat another person as your "kin," your intimate relative. We say, "We are kin" or "He is next of kin." To be kind is to reach out to someone as being of "kindred" spirit.
Here is the great challenge: All people, whatever their color, religion, or sex, belong to humankind and are called to be kind to one another, treating one another as brothers and sisters. There is hardly a day in our lives in which we are not called to this.
For further reflection...
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."[1 Thessalonians 5: 15]
Your response...
Rule 1 for Mortals: Love the Lord your God (with every bit of you).
Rule 2 for Mortals: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Tip 1 for Mortals: Ask God to call your bluffs."[N .D. Wilson, Death by Living: Life Is Meant to Be Spent]
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "A Spirituality of Living".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comKindness is a beautiful human attribute. When we say, "She is a kind person" or "He surely was kind to me," we express a very warm feeling. In our competitive and often violent world, kindness is not the most frequent response. But when we encounter it we know that we are blessed. Is it possible to grow in kindness, to become a kind person? Yes, but it requires discipline. To be kind means to treat another person as your "kin," your intimate relative. We say, "We are kin" or "He is next of kin." To be kind is to reach out to someone as being of "kindred" spirit.
Here is the great challenge: All people, whatever their color, religion, or sex, belong to humankind and are called to be kind to one another, treating one another as brothers and sisters. There is hardly a day in our lives in which we are not called to this.
For further reflection...
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."[1 Thessalonians 5: 15]
Your response...
Rule 1 for Mortals: Love the Lord your God (with every bit of you).
Rule 2 for Mortals: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Tip 1 for Mortals: Ask God to call your bluffs."[N .D. Wilson, Death by Living: Life Is Meant to Be Spent]
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "A Spirituality of Living".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
United Kingdom
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
95 Saint Joseph Street, Room 214
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
---------------------
The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "Being Merciful with Ourselves" for Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comWe need silence in our lives. We even desire it. But when we enter into silence we encounter a lot of inner noises, often so disturbing that a busy and distracting life seems preferable to a time of silence. Two disturbing "noises" present themselves quickly in our silence: the noise of lust and the noise of anger. Lust reveals our many unsatisfied needs, anger or many unresolved relationships. But lust and anger are very hard to face.
What are we to do? Jesus says, "Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). Sacrifice here means "offering up," "cutting out," "burning away," or "killing." We shouldn't do that with our lust and anger. It simply won't work. But we can be merciful toward our own noisy selves and turn these enemies into friends.
For further reflection...
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."[Proverbs 24: 3,4]
Your response...
What kinds of noises do you experience in your times of silence, and how easy or difficult is it to have mercy on yourself?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Way of the Heart".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "Being Merciful with Ourselves" for Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comWe need silence in our lives. We even desire it. But when we enter into silence we encounter a lot of inner noises, often so disturbing that a busy and distracting life seems preferable to a time of silence. Two disturbing "noises" present themselves quickly in our silence: the noise of lust and the noise of anger. Lust reveals our many unsatisfied needs, anger or many unresolved relationships. But lust and anger are very hard to face.
What are we to do? Jesus says, "Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). Sacrifice here means "offering up," "cutting out," "burning away," or "killing." We shouldn't do that with our lust and anger. It simply won't work. But we can be merciful toward our own noisy selves and turn these enemies into friends.
For further reflection...
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."[Proverbs 24: 3,4]
Your response...
What kinds of noises do you experience in your times of silence, and how easy or difficult is it to have mercy on yourself?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Way of the Heart".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
United Kingdom
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
95 Saint Joseph Street, Room 214
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada---------------------
The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "Solidarity in Weakness" for Monday, February 2016
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means "to suffer with." It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty ... such experiences can bring us deep joy. Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction, but the quiet joy of being there for someone else and living in deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this human family. Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness, but it leads us to the center of joy, which is sharing our humanity with others.
For further reflection...
"For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn -- conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus... he told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever."[2 Corinthians 7: 5-7]
Your response...
What is it like for you to be present to someone who is suffering?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Wounded Healer".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means "to suffer with." It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty ... such experiences can bring us deep joy. Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction, but the quiet joy of being there for someone else and living in deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this human family. Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness, but it leads us to the center of joy, which is sharing our humanity with others.
For further reflection...
"For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn -- conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus... he told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever."[2 Corinthians 7: 5-7]
Your response...
What is it like for you to be present to someone who is suffering?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Wounded Healer".
Visit our Bookstore:
United States
United Kingdom
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
95 Saint Joseph Street, Room 214
oronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment