
“To attempt to make spirituality a private affair is to reject part of our very nature and walk inside of a lonliness that God himself has damned.” ~Ronald Rolheiser
I’ve been struggling for a while now with a feeling that I can only describe as “restlessness, irritability, and discontentment.” I had been feeling great, perhaps better than I have felt in years. Then, one day, it just kind of hit me and, in spite of my efforts and prayers, I can’t seem to…

Jesus help me to loveeven when that loveis not returnedwhen I am mockedscorned and betrayedhelp me to lovemy enemiesno matter how nearthey are to memake me a vesselof your gracethat through methey may see you ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

“We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.” ~St. Thomas Aquinas
Earlier today, I overheard something that I’m pretty sure was intended to hurt my feelings. It was one of those things that went in one ear and out the other at first. Later, however, it came back around in my mind and started bouncing around like a fly stuck in a jar. Then I…

Temptations arisein the desert of silencethe devil attackswith all of his toolsand weaponsbut no matterhow real they feelthese are mere distractionsfor there is nothing realapart from GodI need onlyreturn to Himagain and again ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

“Why, words, did I let you get out? I have often been sorry that I have spoken, never that I have been silent.” ~Arsenius The Roman

Practice silencein your inner roomso that when the worldspeaks out against youand the devilantagonizes you to respondthe stillness of the Lordmay fill your spiritlike a font of peaceprotecting youfrom prideand the temptationto return evil for evil ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. ~John 14:1

Looking for GodI gaze out at the forestit is stilland yet it is notit is quietand yet it is notthe forest movesand breathesit singswhispersand criesI am in itand yet we are apartjust as He is in meand yet we are apartmovingbreathingsingingwhisperingand cryingtogether and apart ~Robert Van Valkenburgh