Return to Innocence

I have recently been allured by a new community, a new movement.  They smoke, drink, cuss, and let their attractions lead them to Jesus Christ.


Which is, of course, new for me.  But what allures me is the very tangible experience of companionship and freedom.  Of acceptance and belonging, already.  The first time I show up.

Beauty

There was a gentleman who's eye I hoped to catch.  No, more than that.  Though not yet enough to merit so much thought and attention (Dietrich von Hildebrand would disagree!), our few recent interactions caused me to desire his attention and awe.

Dear Christian, Why Art?

Because God is beauty.

Quite simply.


During the early years of my conversion, I was able to order, at least in my understanding, every aspect of my life toward God.   Except my other biggest love, that is: music.

To Muslims: Why There Must Be a Trinity

An apologetic.

God is love.

This is not just something he does, or one trait about him.  This is his nature, his most essential identity.  It is who He is.

Classroom Management

I have found only one prayer that helps my classroom management: "Lord, make me smaller."

The Natural Order

When did love become unmoving?
When did love become un-consuming?

The words from Sidewalk Prophets are ringing in my mind after a conversation with a best friend and other recent thoughts . . . but more on that another time.

I took a personal day Friday, at the cost of my three teammates who had to field 33 third graders each, instead of the usual 25, when no sub picked up my position.  I felt too guilty, but I just couldn't do it anymore.  So that night, my loving Father and I had a talk.

My yoke is easy and my burden is light

As I went to turn my light off, I saw Jesus looking at me from his crucifix, and his mother as well, with a soft smile, from a pastel portrait detail of an image known as Guadalupe.  I keep them by my light switch for a reason.
I gave a second glance this evening.  They were telling me something, so I stopped to listen briefly and kiss them goodnight.  "Be at peace.  Do not worry," she, and her son, said with smile more generous than her usual.

About sleep, she meant.  I have been going to bed late for a couple weeks now, and getting used to that pre-6am rise, and I am the most inglorious unrested person I have ever met.  I am working on it.  But, and I don't know if you can relate, when I get more and more behind on sleep, especially if I have significant responsibilities that require my being well-rested for adequate performance, such as teaching, my stress increases, my concentration decreases, and, in anxiety, nothing happens in the end about the sleep while my professional life seems to fall into a heap.