Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 10, 2012, 2:29 pm
This month we are talking about love over on the Spirtual Formation and Leadership blog.
Love is a many splendored thing, so the crooners tell us. We are familiar with the Greek thoughts on the subject, three classifications: Eros, Phileo and Agape. Agape is the unconditiona... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 4, 2012, 4:29 pm
Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a collection of letters between a poor civil servant and a ruined ill young woman with an unfortunate past. The charm of the story lies in what is not said. What happens when the two are together? How do the emotions,... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Sep 7, 2011, 2:39 pm
While on sabbatical, I made it a point to sample all the
espresso at as many shops as I could.
My many trips to Metropolis Coffee earned me the moniker
Coffee Spy by the staff there. Here are my findings
In the many shops I tried in Chicago,... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Aug 13, 2011, 10:55 am
During the three weeks we spent in Chicago, our sabbatical was restful. We focused on enjoying community life and learning how it works. Now that we are staying with my parents, it seems that the weight of our responsibility for the church is upon me again. I feel like now is the time for us to ... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Jul 22, 2011, 1:30 am
I am starting to get a sense of the joys of living in community as well as the work involved. My favorite feature of community so far is evening prayer, especially when followed by a community meal. This is where living together for the sake growing in Christ really shines.
Today I made porcu... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Jul 19, 2011, 5:54 pm
The Union and Communion by J. Hudson Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a surprisingly mystical work from the founder of the China Inland Mission. I found it passionately written. Taylor takes a look at the Song of Solomon through the eyes of a Christian Mystic. He identifies with th... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Apr 23, 2011, 12:24 am
There are three Sundays in particular that cause me consternation: Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. These celebrations are so meaningful to me and the christian faith, that I struggle to communicate them with creativity and pathos appropriate to their inherent specialness.
Easter is coming in ... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Apr 11, 2011, 4:37 pm
I have come to see an aesthetic thread running through my life. It is there in my tastes in music, art, literature, food, and drink. The spectacular thing is that this thread resonates with my passion for God like the string on a violin.
Holy Longing marks my relationship with God. I have a... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 4, 2011, 4:05 pm
What accounts for this hopeful feeling that fills me today? Crazy consolation. I feel as though dreams might really come true. What a wonderful God-feeling.
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Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 27, 2011, 8:30 pm
My Confession, Psalm 131
1 My heart is not
proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself
with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
Praying this Psalm this morning was a mirror showing me the condition of my heart. Passions hav... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 3, 2011, 11:15 am
Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do
not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven b... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Sep 5, 2010, 11:41 pm
This is the time of night, it seems, that I make resolutions and have grand plans of action. It is too bad that my mind picks the time my body needs to sleep to be most active. A couple nights ago it was a desire to get Foster's room in order. Tonight I am making plans to be productive: praying the ... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Aug 26, 2010, 5:22 pm
Three weeks was a long time to be away. It was so good for me. I come back to the house, not with a depressed listlessness, but a restless contentment and an expectation of what is to come. I feel alive again.
Elaine and I have called this Summer a time of transition. We have no idea what th... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Aug 12, 2010, 6:19 pm
Lately I have felt listless and depressed. Without the challenge of my Masters program to occupy my time, I have become acutely aware of the tedium and slow death inherent with just hanging on. My feelings over the last couple months are spoken eloquently by this quote via Jamie:
"...it is always ... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Jun 17, 2010, 1:43 am
Tonight I enter into the Paschal Mystery as I once again mourn the death of a dream, as the steampunk incarnation of Live Wired Coffeehouse which was to be at The Whistle Stop appears to be laid to rest. Jesus Christ, draw me close to you in the fellowship of our sufferings and give me the strengt... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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May 12, 2010, 11:10 pm
Called convention and District Council took me away from my studies and consumed my attention. Needless to say, coming back I felt the stress of the final paper in my masters studies hanging over me. Sunday night my family graciously helped me transform my basement church office into a study cave ... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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May 7, 2010, 7:46 pm
I've spent much of this last week in Lansing. Last weekend was Called Convention, as usual I set up the reflection room. It was neat to see the teenagers worshiping with such zeal. The irony was not lost on me, that as I struggled with restlessness and searched for direction for my ministry, I was... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Apr 28, 2010, 5:03 pm
Habits of a Child's Heart: Raising Your Kids With the Spiritual Discipline by Valerie E. Hess
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In Habits of a Child’s Heart, Valerie Hess and Marti Garlett present a very accessible retelling of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. They take each discipl... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Apr 15, 2010, 10:56 pm
Definition
I define spiritual formation as the process of being formed by God into the very image of Christ as we are immersed in the streams of a wide orthodoxy, diving into intimacy with others and the Trinity. Or as Robert Mulholland succinctly expresses it, Spiritual formation is the “p... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Apr 9, 2010, 5:20 pm
This week Elaine and I went on a much needed retreat together. We dropped the kids off at Grandma Carmack's and made our way to Mendon Country Inn. The first year we were married we spent a Christmas Eve there on our way to Elaine's family get together. Our heating core was plugged and half way th... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 27, 2010, 4:30 pm
I value deep relationships. I desire to know and be known in the secret places. Nouwen insists that everyone needs a place that remains hidden and we are often too quick to reveal the inner workings of our lives. I find that difficult to understand. Transparency is a downright discipline for me, a... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 24, 2010, 2:56 pm
My heart is raw again today. Kip distributed an email from M— about the lease for our coffeehouse. She talks about feeling taken advantage of. Father John said, “I’m only half way through and I’m steaming.” That is how I felt too. We didn’t ask for any of the generous things she ... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 23, 2010, 4:22 pm
Have you been there, where you don’t feel the emotions? I think that is where we live most of our relationships. It’s not like I go through every moment of every day overcome with love for my wife, but I love her all the same. So the feeling is a consolation. It is wonderful when it is there... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 23, 2010, 2:01 pm
My feelings today are a little raw. The Health Care Reform bill made a big advancement yesterday and was signed into law today. I am happy about that. If I had my way the politicians would have worked harder on a synthesis. I think the democrats acted high handedly and the republicans were o... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 23, 2010, 11:30 am
It strikes me today that I used to wonder how any one could be a Christian and a democrat. Today I wonder how anyone could be a Christian and oppose health coverage for 32 million uninsured. Lord, save me from my self-righteousness.
(Now I am afraid to allow comments on this post, given th... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 22, 2010, 5:26 pm
Rublev's icon, The Trinity has been a favorite of mine for a few years. Just as I was beginning to hunger after the mystery revealed by icons, along comes Professor MoJo to introduce this icon with a meditation at our first residency.
What has stuck with me most is the attitude of adoration be... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 22, 2010, 3:25 pm
I visited Father John today to touch base with him about what we are doing at the community lenten service on Wednesday. He make me happy. John is an original soul. He has this way of weaving the psalms into his meditations. I imagine it comes from praying the hours.
This year we are... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 17, 2010, 3:03 pm
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.
The Russian pilgrim prayed this thousands of times a day walking his way across the steppes. It descended from his mind and lips to his heart, until he sensed his very heartbeat praying it over and over (Reaching Out, 102).
I have spent this last we... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 17, 2010, 2:42 pm
My attitude toward academia has always been odd and somewhat counter productive to outward success. Nouwen talks about the competitive atmosphere at the seminaries he knew. People saw their theological training as mastery of the material for good grades and preparation for some future ministry. T... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 17, 2010, 2:28 pm
I like the significance Nouwen finds in the fact that “theologia” was first used in reference to prayer. I was first struck by the personal and practical power of theology when reading The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer. As he explored attribute after attribute of the Divine Nature, I se... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 16, 2010, 2:14 pm
I look at Henri Nouwen's huge body of work and compulsion to write and I think "Now here is a writer. Perhaps I am not built to be a writer after all. After all I often feel a reluctance to write, and lack ideas." Today I read these words from Henri, and am encouraged:
Writing, however, is often... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 11, 2010, 4:05 pm
Nouwen cites a quote by Brother Lawrence that was familiar to me. In fact I have oft quoted it.
It is not necessary for being with God to be always at church. We may make an oratory of our heart wherein to retire from time to time to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is c... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Mar 11, 2010, 12:54 pm
In his Genesee Diary, Henri Nouwen relates the story of a man who was a prisoner of war and was tortured.
“He was a very simple, down-to-earth man with little political or ideological sophistication. But no pressure was able to force him to any kind of confession. John Eudes explained this by ... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 27, 2010, 3:12 pm
Reflecting on hospitality, I recall the year I spent with Darren Daugherty at Summit Church in St. Paul between resigning my first position and returning to school. I asked him if he would mentor me. He told me that he didn’t feel ready to mentor someone but we began to meet weekly anyway. I do... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 25, 2010, 11:53 pm
The experience of God's presence is not void of pain. But the pain is so deep that you do not want to miss it since it is in this pain that the joy of God's presence can be tasted.
- Genesee Diary Sept 19
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Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 25, 2010, 4:15 pm
I was telling my Spiritual Director about my love for Communion one day. She responded in a very affirming way. “It is a special grace,” she said, “that you receive so much meaning from communion. Embrace that.”
Nouwen has such deep love for the Eucharist, even from childhood. I love... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 25, 2010, 3:41 pm
I met with my Spiritual Director today, and I told her the story of my time in solitude. I told her that I started spending about an hour with Rublev's Trinity, then attempting some centering. She perceptively called me out.
"Why do you start your time with Icons when you have an elep... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 20, 2010, 1:18 am
In Joseph Conrad’s story The Secret Sharer, a new ship captain tells how he took on board and concealed a murderer. The man, a mate on another ship, had swum to escape, and the captain found him, naked, clinging to the rope ladder. The captain was so affected by the picture of this man dressed... Comment - Like
Chris H. posted an article on
The Lord, The Blues, and the Art of Being Smooth
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Feb 19, 2010, 2:59 pm
I have always been pretty introspective. Yet I have been surprised the last year how reluctant I have been to look into myself. My spiritual journey has asked that I dredge up the wounds of the past and expose them to the healing touch of Christ. Times of silence and solitude bring my fears, motive... Comment - Like
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