movement, movement

This weekend I felt a need to move on in reading from the Cahill book on 1st century Judean context I’ve been working through for the last several weeks and dive into something with a little more healing power. I’m typically not one to stop reading a book half way through, but found myself at a good stopping point between the portrayals of Jesus by Paul and by Luke.

I’ve been needing something with a little more of a real-life-here-and-now kick to it, something with an ability to bring to the front of my mind the beauty and mystery of life and encouragement in the journey that we all find ourselves in.

I’ve had my eye on a book on the shelf that came a month or two ago from a source I don’t remember. Sorry, whichever friend it was, I can’t remember. I started reading Soul Craving while sitting on the Hood River Library lawn (made famous by this post) and quickly fell in love via the multiple quotes underlined in my copy of the book. One of the first which caught my attention was “We are all sojourners on a common quest,” thrown out by author Erwin McManus in the introduction.

The premise of the book is to explore the ideas that our soul most definitely is aware of. Those parts deep within us that we know are there but can’t put words to let alone arrive at.

I don’t want to write too much beyond mentioning that the book starts with chapters written in the format of small journal entries and the first grouping is on the subject of intimacy. (the other two are meaning and destiny) This is big for me. Anybody seen the tattoo on my right hand? Let me remind you curious minds that intimacy isn’t only about romantic relationship.

McManus spends the first seven or eight entries (after which I found a stopping point and went home to eat dinner) talking about many of the effects that love (and its pursuit) has on the heart and soul of humans. That includes me. Certain things he said struck me that normally wouldn’t (because of where I’m at in life) and he also added plenty to the list of authors who put into words the thoughts in my head. (Something I suck at doing). I mainly wanted to list some quotes on this post, even though it has ended up with a bit of length. Either way, here goes:

We have a better chance of finding God in the universe within us than in the one that surrounds us.

(Introduction)

To give up on love is to choose a life that is less than human. To give up on love is to give up on life.

(Intimacy -> Entry #2, I’m Living In The World’s Most Dangerous Place)

It is as if we are searching for a love we have lost. Or perhaps more strangely we are searching for a love we have never known but somehow sense it awaits us.

(Intimacy -> Entry #3, Love Is A Thin Red Line)

Fanaticism justifies and defines who you hate. Love embraces and leaves no room for violence.

Humanity has no natural predators except each other.

(Intimacy -> Entry #5, The Danger Of Loving Nothing)

Though disconnected, I hope these quotes do something for the life within you. Hope and faith. Thats what it does for me.