Faith is Controversial

My Aunt Perky sent me this link.
http://www.andiesisle.com/ifidiebeforeyouwake.html

This song calls us to appreciation. Appreciation opens us to the "Transcendent Dynamic" of the "Foundational Formational Triad of Faith, Hope and Love." I understand protesting souls who are angry about war. My brother is in Iraq. He is not at war with Iraqi's. He is there to rebuild other human being's country. They are not our brothers in nationality, or faith, (though a few are). My brother is in a soldiers uniform building a country, for another man to live in. They are attempting to change hearts by helping them help themselves. How many "against the war", have family that they can talk to about it, with first hand experience?

During Advent, we were asked by our pastor to consider if we are able to allow others to be born into a world that we have to die in. In otherwords, to labor for the incarnation of Christ as we die to self for others to be born in Christ. The life, death and resurection cycle. Iraq. What a story.

Stained Glass Making

I have been practicing painting glass to look like stained glass in order that I may be able to one day very soon, paint several of my favorite people into four panels in my front door. The samples on the right are my practices St. Cecilia and St. Louise De Marillac. I have a ways to go. I may cave and paint some symbols but I am not discouraged just yet. My first panel will be of Mr. Rogers if I can get a good likeness in glass of him.

How hard it is not to have the ability right away to do something like this. "Just do it" is one of my inclinations. Not very prudent. I figure I will learn as I go. But this is something the whole family will have to suffer with if I don't do it well enough for them to enjoy it. I think I have a few more weeks of warm weather, then the window has to go back up. Plenty of time for practice and I have in my possession lots of little glass pieces. The window is actually one panel that I will divide into four parts with a 4 panel frame covering the reality of its oneness. I get to practice lots of firm gentleness with myself and others. David Jr. is NOT allowed to mess with any of the tools or paint stuff.

I am reading Fr. van Kaam's book Spirituality and the Gentle Life, as my meditation in the mornings. Every time I read one of his books, I want to buy a case and give them to my friends. But I have to gently accept my financial limitations as well as others patience with my enthusiasm for Formative Spirituality. Thanks Adrian for the gift you continue to be to me and others. Pray for us.