Psalm 84

Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.[c]

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield,[e] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

12 LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.


Praying the Psalms has added a whole new dimension to my prayer life. I'm sure many of you have discovered this for yourself...but it's new to me. He asks us to glorify His Name and has given us the words!

God is Love

"To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name.

If therefore, I do anything or think anything or say anything or know anything that is not purely for the love of God, it cannot give me peace, or rest, or fulfillment, or joy.

To find love I must enter into the sanctuary where it is hidden, which is the mystery of God."

Thomas Merton

Positive / Negative

Suppose, during the course of the day, you received 25 compliments. Suppose, during that same day, you received 1 insult. Which would you listen to? If you're like me, it would be the 1 insult. I know, I know...I have the unbelievable ability to drown out all the positives with one negative. I allow it to take over my thoughts.

Someone once told me that it's just easier to believe the bad stuff...and it is...but why? Why would we feel that the one person who insulted us knows so much more than the 25? Do we believe they're smarter? Do they know me better? Probably not...

I have the innate ability (it truly is built into my genes) to totally forget the opinions of those who know me, love me, appreciate me. I manage to convince myself that even if the positive speakers are experts, everyone makes mistakes. Or maybe they're just saying these things to be nice.

I buy into the lie. The person who gives the negative opinion is not infallible. They're human. Their opinion isn't more grounded or well thought out that the other 25...it's just what it is...an opinion. But because it's so easy for me to believe the negative, I give them the power to wound me.

What if I choose to listen to the positive instead? What if I listened to the 25 good opinions as if they were messages from God? What if I allowed these words to wash over me and surround me with love...edify me...strengthen me? I can only believe that this would have a positive effect and so that is my quest. Take each opinion for what it is and go forward. I vow not to allow the negative to rule my life any longer. How about you?

The Road

As always, Asbo Jesus says so much with so few words...

My time in Retreat....

I had the great good fortune to spend last weekend on retreat at the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky.



The weather was fabulous and the trees and flowers are in full bloom. Needless to say, the outdoors called to me at first light and I spent much of the day roaming the farm. The pond in front of the Academy Building is home to many turtles who poked their heads up to watch me walk by and also to what must have been extremely large bull frogs (if the depth of their croaks is any indication) who sang to me in the early morning as well as at dusk each day. I managed to rise before daylight each morning in order to open my window so I could hear them greet the day!



The beautifully manicured cemetery gives testament to the reverence in which the current residents hold those who have gone ahead to be with God. The markers date back to the early days of the Motherhouse (which has been in the current location since 1824). Never having been one to spend much time amongst graves, this was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been.



Along with the other paths in the vicinity of the main campus, I walked (more than once) down the gravel lane to the “Cedars of Peace” cabins located in the woods. They are wonderfully made and I can imagine the perfect place to spend solitary time in reflection and meditation. Imagine my surprise when I found there were 2 lakes on the property...ahh, heaven!

I have always loved to spend time walking a labyrinth as a way of pilgrimage and there is an esthetically perfect one next to a wonderful little chapel right in the middle of the woods. It is obvious that much prayer has gone into each aspect of the property.



The buildings that comprise the main campus have the beauty and intrigue that comes with age...high ceilings, tall windows with shutters, hardwood floors that creak. All of which served to make me feel that I was in the arms of a well loved friend. You could feel peace and serenity in the very air. The Sisters and staff were amazing. They were attentive without being intrusive and every touch or word was a gentle as a spring rain. It was pure enchantment to hear their voices raised in song during Morning Mass.



I haven't even mentioned the Art Gallery (this sculpture is called "Fiat) or the Derby party I attended Saturday night but suffice it to say that my time in Kentucky was truly blessed and I pray this is not my only visit there.

Devotion...

but not in the way you think!



What is the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Fibonacci Numbers...

Couldn't resist posting this...