The enthusiasm of a friend of mine from the St. Louis area for the writings of John O’Donohue has gotten me to read some of his stuff of late. O’Donohue was an Irishman, a poet, and a deep-thinker in living beyond the excesses and anxieties of our age to find simplicity of heart and life before God and the world. He passed away two years ago leaving a treasure trove of his thoughts, insights and observations.
I’m reading To Bless The Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings as a devotional of sorts and thought some of his thoughts particularly applicable as a new year approaches. He certainly captures some of the deepest cries of my heart:
May I live this day compassionate in heart, clear in Word, gracious in awareness,
generous in love.
Wow! Me too! And this:
May I have the courage today to live the life that I would love, to postpone my dream no longer but do at last what I came her for and waste my heart on fear no more.
That’s my prayer for you as this new year unfolds, as long as the dream was first Father’s dream. Chasing our own only leads to frustration. Following his is as much a joy in the going, painful though it be at times, as it is in the having! Happy New Year to all our brothers and sisters across the world!
Speaking of the dream being the one Father has for us, I love how John says it in this statement
“And if you can enter into the dream that brought you here and awaken its beauty in you, then the beauty will gradually awaken all around you.”
Speaking of the dream being the one Father has for us, I love how John says it in this statement
“And if you can enter into the dream that brought you here and awaken its beauty in you, then the beauty will gradually awaken all around you.”
Happy New Year Lifestream people!!! I love the quotes and Kent’s quote too. It puts language to the experience of living more loved in 2010 than 2009 and so on. The beauty that is all around me now and I am more aware of each day is quite breath taking and has changed my life more profoundly than anything in my 53 years of living in a fallen world. This beauty in me and all around me is attractive to others and is a reflection of Jesus taking shape in me. The thanksgiving for the transformation that wells up within me is overwhelming at times. Part of that Thanksgiving is for the ministry that Lifestreams is. I am so grateful that following Jesus birthed this little part of the web. Do not grow weary in what you are doing. Thanks for all the podcasts, blogs, books and visits of 2010 and looking to 2011 with great “expectancy” and hope. God Bless.
That’s exciting to hear Joni 🙂
Happy New Year Lifestream people!!! I love the quotes and Kent’s quote too. It puts language to the experience of living more loved in 2010 than 2009 and so on. The beauty that is all around me now and I am more aware of each day is quite breath taking and has changed my life more profoundly than anything in my 53 years of living in a fallen world. This beauty in me and all around me is attractive to others and is a reflection of Jesus taking shape in me. The thanksgiving for the transformation that wells up within me is overwhelming at times. Part of that Thanksgiving is for the ministry that Lifestreams is. I am so grateful that following Jesus birthed this little part of the web. Do not grow weary in what you are doing. Thanks for all the podcasts, blogs, books and visits of 2010 and looking to 2011 with great “expectancy” and hope. God Bless.
That’s exciting to hear Joni 🙂
Joni!!! That’s exactly what I have been saying about this adventure I have been taking with John O’Donohue’s writings. “Putting a language to the experience…..” The timing has been perfect as well, as some “issues of life” that are kinda hard…. could easily have done me in…. but I am distracted from those issues by the beauty, and living loved.
Joni!!! That’s exactly what I have been saying about this adventure I have been taking with John O’Donohue’s writings. “Putting a language to the experience…..” The timing has been perfect as well, as some “issues of life” that are kinda hard…. could easily have done me in…. but I am distracted from those issues by the beauty, and living loved.
Wayne- I’ve been on an Amazon diet but hearing more of these quotes pushed me over the edge to order. 😉 (As you know, Kent’s been feeding us a steady diet of this rich fare for some time on Facebook.)
Also, I’ve been combing through my favorite poems and Psalms looking for something to put up on our wall with those cool vinyl letters. You’ve made my choice easy! ODonohue’s words will be splash on our dining room wall and in our work out area.
Ditto to what Joni said too. Jay and I are so blessed by all you do. May 2011 find you awash in unexpected joys.
Wayne- I’ve been on an Amazon diet but hearing more of these quotes pushed me over the edge to order. 😉 (As you know, Kent’s been feeding us a steady diet of this rich fare for some time on Facebook.)
Also, I’ve been combing through my favorite poems and Psalms looking for something to put up on our wall with those cool vinyl letters. You’ve made my choice easy! ODonohue’s words will be splash on our dining room wall and in our work out area.
Ditto to what Joni said too. Jay and I are so blessed by all you do. May 2011 find you awash in unexpected joys.
I love the quote ”May I have the courage today to live the life that I would love, to postpone my dream no longer but do at last what I came here for and waste my heart on fear no more”
Other than wanting to know Papa’s love for me more and growing in my love for others, I don’t know that I have a dream. I love this site and all the people involved. May others on this journey find what they are looking for here in 2011.
I love the quote ”May I have the courage today to live the life that I would love, to postpone my dream no longer but do at last what I came here for and waste my heart on fear no more”
Other than wanting to know Papa’s love for me more and growing in my love for others, I don’t know that I have a dream. I love this site and all the people involved. May others on this journey find what they are looking for here in 2011.