Also. I just realized at this very moment that Samuel’s Here I Am is a direct contrast to Adam’s hiding from God. It underscores that relational notion to God that Martin Buber keeps on about in his work I and Thou.
It is probably too late now, but can’t you paint over wall paper? If you use spackling, sandpaper and a good primer, I think you can prep it for paint. Good luck with the project!!
Easy (haha) book idea: gather up all your Substack posts and have them printed and bound. I say this only because I'm considering making a notebook of same but if I do, it won't look as trim on a bookshelf as a bound volume would look. This is me, being lazy! (Not for the first time, I have already delegated sifting the NYT to you, a woman younger than me, who still has children growing up at home! Guilt trip departing now...)
I often enjoy your writing because you take on the false prophets and wolves of the day, but with a piece like this the beam is focused on me. I feel like I need to read it again and really reflect on it for a while. Good stuff.
You wrote:
"I don’t want God to look at me because I can’t bear it. I prefer for you to make me feel better even though I will continue to be fairly dysfunctional through the whole course of my life."
This called to mind the lyrics to a song by the band Vigilantes of Love, from a few decades back:
She said it's days like today that make me know God is near
"Of course, with God, all things are possible, but almost nothing is comfortable." Our modern addiction to comfort has further lamed our human resistance to things that are difficult. Your statement brought to mind some of my favorite verses in The Message translation: Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Ah, unforced rhythms of grace. If one could just get past the discomfort of dying to one's flesh!
Also. I just realized at this very moment that Samuel’s Here I Am is a direct contrast to Adam’s hiding from God. It underscores that relational notion to God that Martin Buber keeps on about in his work I and Thou.
Isaiah's similar statement as well.
Chef’s kiss on today’s writing! Especially loved this sentence:
He would bear the responsibility of his existence, independently from the One who made him.
It is probably too late now, but can’t you paint over wall paper? If you use spackling, sandpaper and a good primer, I think you can prep it for paint. Good luck with the project!!
Easy (haha) book idea: gather up all your Substack posts and have them printed and bound. I say this only because I'm considering making a notebook of same but if I do, it won't look as trim on a bookshelf as a bound volume would look. This is me, being lazy! (Not for the first time, I have already delegated sifting the NYT to you, a woman younger than me, who still has children growing up at home! Guilt trip departing now...)
I often enjoy your writing because you take on the false prophets and wolves of the day, but with a piece like this the beam is focused on me. I feel like I need to read it again and really reflect on it for a while. Good stuff.
You wrote:
"I don’t want God to look at me because I can’t bear it. I prefer for you to make me feel better even though I will continue to be fairly dysfunctional through the whole course of my life."
This called to mind the lyrics to a song by the band Vigilantes of Love, from a few decades back:
She said it's days like today that make me know God is near
Said it matter of fact said it so sincere
Well he's got your eyes and he's got my ears
Hope he sees what you see
Hope he hears what i hear
"Of course, with God, all things are possible, but almost nothing is comfortable." Our modern addiction to comfort has further lamed our human resistance to things that are difficult. Your statement brought to mind some of my favorite verses in The Message translation: Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Ah, unforced rhythms of grace. If one could just get past the discomfort of dying to one's flesh!
I haven’t even read this yet but had to give it a heart for the title alone!