All together in one place...
threaded together for discovery...
Death:
Joe, live like pain hurts and life matters.
Memory:
Life:“When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.
For as long as you remember me, I am never entirely lost. When I'm feeling most ghost-like, it is your remembering me that helps remind me that I actually exist. When I'm feeling sad, it's my consolation. When I'm feeling happy, it's part of why I feel that way.
If you forget me, one of the ways I remember who I am will be gone. If you forget, part of who I am will be gone. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." the good thief said from his cross (Luke 23:42). There are perhaps no more human words in all of Scripture, no prayer we can pray so well.
- Frederick Buechner
The absurdity of hope -- that God loves us despite ourselves
Hope is hearing the music of the future...
...and faith is dancing to it.
Baby's Eyes:
Sitting next to a rain coated window, drinking coffee, reading, holding Elizabeth in my arms...I stared into her deep blue eyes...and loved her. Breaking my gaze to look out of the window in between sips of Pike Place roast...enough time to get caught in a random thought.
Returned my eyes to meet Elizabeth. I saw this:
she never broke her gazeA plea:
Lord Jesus, build my character...cause pain hurts (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Lord Jesus, help me remember Jaime with gratitude...and remember him too, please (Luke 23:42-43)
Lord Jesus, help me rest in the absurdity of hope (Proverbs 23:18)
Lord Jesus, help me to look at you with an unbroken gaze (Hebrews 12:2)
9 comments:
Amen. :o)
Kathy. Amen and Amen!
Joe...
Didn't had a chance to talk to you on Sunday.. but THANK YOU! You touched me with your sermon, as you probably noticed..!
Thanks for being who you are and not being afraid of sharing your pain.
Heidi: It was such a pleasure to see you and chat with you... I owe you an evening!!! Plus I would love to have a chance to hold Elizabeth a bit longer.. ;)
Chantale
Chantale, Thanks for your good words....we love you!
I did NOT choose to follow your blog and am sick of seeing it pop up in my list of blogs I follow. What you are doing is SPAMMING. I have reported you to blogger and will do so every day until you go away!!!!
Dear Anonymous,
I am truly sorry about this. Is there anything I can do to help?
Is it popping up in a rss reader? or facebook? or through blogger?
There must be a way to remove me on your end....but to be clear, I'm not quite sure how this blog is sent to people other than to people who suscribe to it via email, rss, or facebook.
Help me understand what I can do on my end?
I'm sorry ur gettting spammed..that sucks...let's get this worked out.
warmly,
Joe
Dear Anonymous,
I did a little research on how this could be happening....and I'm still confused.
It's weird that you didn't choose to follow the blog but it pops up in the list of blogs you follow. I couldn't find any info on this.
Is there a way to block this blog on your list?...cuase I really have no idea as to how it's being sent to your reader (from my end) if you didn't choose to subscribe.
If you'd like, get in touch with me via personal message (email, FB, or whatever) and we can figure this out.
I really don't want you to be spammed. I hate that as much as you do.
Joe
Joe, I have followed your comments. How wonderful to have the means to express your grief, your thoughts and your joy with your Elizabeth at your fingertips.
I just finished rereading Jamie's book "An Uncommon Gift." This time I paid much closer attention. There is much we just can't understand. I suspect that when we have the opportunity to ask WHY it will no longer matter as we will be totally AWED by His holiness!
Joan,
These are wise wise words. Thanks. I'm going to go pick up that book right away.
Peace,
Joe
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