Wednesday, February 07, 2007

The pilgrim has moved...go figure

But you can find her at this address:

http://jdpilgrim.wordpress.com/

My new place is still in disarray but I'm working on it.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Sufjan

To use the word "amazing" to describe the concert last night does not do Sufjan Stevens justice. Amazing is just a sad, sad little word compared to what I heard and experienced. I would freeze my keister off again in a heartbeat for another chance to listen to him live.

Monday, February 05, 2007

A long road back to remembering the good

I was reading the end of John this morning. Jesus tells Peter that he is going to die for him, but in a way that doesn't conjure up anything desirable or easy, like you know, dying in your sleep. Nothing quick and easy. Poor Peter, Jesus was always telling him the cold hard truth. Then Peter (like most people) points to John and says, "What about him?" And Jesus replies, "What is it to you? Follow Me." Nice Jesus, soften the blow for Peter.

It would be easy for Peter to become bitter, or be distracted with comparing his path to John's path in life. I keep coming back to this passage, and identify how Peter must have felt. In my own life, I think, "why is my path look so different than so many of my friends? Why did you choose this for me Jesus? Are you sure you know what you are doing? There is a disconnect here, I don't understand what You are doing!!!"

- "If I have X, Y, and Z for your friends, but something different for you right now, what is that to you? Follow Me."

My response at times is bitterness, but I find when I keep allowing myself, even a tinge of it, I lose sight of the vision, and I become cynical, and my trust is diminished significantly, in God, in the Church, in people. Better remember what it tastes like... to know that God is good. That He is forever faithful, forever just, forever loving. Because you keep taking in that bitter drink, you will forget what those good things taste like, look like, and it can be a long road back....

Friday, February 02, 2007

Josef Tson

A good friend of mine sent me this link:

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=516

Sermons by a man, Josef Tson, who suffered persecution in Communist Romania. The messages speak about how persecution and martyrdom ultimately prepares the way for the church to spread the gospel.