Blessed

How are you? Well, I'm blessed. Thats what I hear over and over again at this hospital. And that is about all I can say today. I just returned from saying good-bye to the staff on my floor, and thanking them for the incredible hospitality they have shown me. With all our difficulties in CPE this summer - which were real and serious - I have been touched and moved by these people I have spent my time with. Being surounded by fellow Christians is truly a blessing. Saying goodbye to fellow Christians - friends, associates - is incredibly difficult, even when you know that it is time for the change. I'm not sure I will ever learn to do this well. But I have been and will continue to be blessed by each encounter, and each friend that I must say good-bye to.
Hey Now, I will be praying for you
Hey now, you're gonna pray for me
'Cause what we have been through together
Is changing us now, can change us forever
Hey Now, I'm gonna pray for you
Hey now, you're gonna pray for me
And its gonna be different, yeah
Its gonna be better yeah
Its gonna be Jesus, and all of us, in this together
Hey Now
-Amy Grant, Songs From the Loft

Hours and Hours

I'm up past my bedtime, but it is for time well spent. I have a quote for my day:
You cannot find peace by running away from life.
Its from The Hours, which I still haven't seen. I'll have to get around to that. I just liked the quote, and wanted to share it. Thats all. Good night!

With or Without You

WAHOOO!! I'm posting from my apartment, and if I could, I would do flips cuz I'm so happy to have my internet back. We'll see how long it lasts (you never can tell) but for now, Mark, my new next door neighbor, is my hero. There goes my good excuse for not posting very often. Regarding that, I realize that I have been utterly silent on the election of Gene Robinson to the episcopate. Those of you who know me probably know that I am happy with the decision, and in support of this move. However, I have simply not had the energy to articulate my opinions in "real life" and online, so online lost. My current thought, though, is this: I am tired of hearing the general statement that "the other side" (whichever side that may be) is obviously motivated by something other than their understanding of God in Christ. Clearly, my understanding of the message of Scripture is not the same as some other folks - but my beliefs that openly gay people should continue in ministry is not motivated by being "PC" or a desire to somehow radically overthrow the entire church. Similarly, I'm fairly sure that those who are currently opposed to the decision to elect Gene Robinson aren't opposed simply because are afraid of change. I'm also sure that there are people on both sides who are motivated by those things. But if you don't want your side labeled that way, then stop making assumptions about the "other side". hopefully, then and only then can we actually have discussion.
On the way home from work today, Andrew and I saw a bumper sticker. It had a picture of a church on it, and said "A Gift from God. Assembly Required." I liked it.

Happy Song

There is a praise song called the Happy Song. I was introduced to it last week. This is completely irrelevant, except that I'm very happy tonight for two reasons. First, Luke is back from his conference in DC, and that is a good thing. Five days apart is the longest we've been apart since we got married. Second reason - Monday Night Football is on tonight!! Yay pre-season. I'm just so very excited about the whole thing... although I'm not particularly excited about the Packers or the Chiefs. I'm a Raiders/Broncos/Bears/Patriots/Lions fan. What do these teams have in common? Well, I'll let you all figure that out. You're smart people. Yay football!!

Inspired by a Patient

Dear God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself...and the fact that I think that I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe this:
I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.
I hope I have that desire in everything I do.
I hope I never persist in anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it at the time.
Therefore I will trust You always, for though I may be lost - and in the shadow of death - I will not be afraid, because I know You will never leave me to face my troubles all alone.
Thomas Merton