The Splendor Of A Human Heart That

Grace Abounds In Contemporary Movies, Books, Novels, Films And Music. If God Is Not In The Whirlwind, He May Be In A Woody Allen Film, Or A Bruce Springsteen Concert. Most People Understand Imagery And Symbol Better Than Doctrine And Dogma. Images Touch Hearts And Awaken Imaginations. One Theologian Suggested That Springsteen's 'tunnel Of Love' Album, In Which He Symbolically Sings Of Sin, Death, Despair And Redemption, Is More Important For Catholics Than The Pope's Last Visit When He Spoke Of Morality Only In Doctrinal Propositions.

The Way Of Trust Is A Movement Into Obscurity, Into The Undefined, Into Ambiguity, Not Into Some Predetermined, Clearly Delineated Plan For The Future. The Next Step Discloses Itself Only Out Of A Discernment Of God Acting In The Desert Of The Present Moment. The Reality Of Naked Trust Is The Life Of The Pilgrim Who Leaves What Is Nailed Down, Obvious, And Secure, And Walks Into The Unknown Without Any Rational Explanation To Justify The Decision Or Guarantee The Future. Why? Because God Has Signaled The Movement And Offered It His Presence And His Promise.

Choose A Single, Sacred Word Or Phrase That Captures Something Of The Flavor Of Your Intimate Relationship With God. A Word Such As Jesus, Abba, Peace, God Or A Phrase Such As "abba, I Belong To You." . . . Without Moving Your Lips, Repeat The Sacred Word Inwardly, Slowly, And Often.

Hope Knows That If Great Trials Are Avoided Great Deeds Remain Undone And The Possibility Of Growth Into Greatness Of Soul Is Aborted.

I Am Deeply Distressed By What I Only Can Call In Our Christian Culture The Idolatry Of The Scriptures. For Many Christians, The Bible Is Not A Pointer To God But God Himself... God Cannot Be Confined Within The Covers Of A Leather-bound Book. I Develop A Nasty Rash Around People Who Speak As If Mere Scrutiny Of Its Pages Will Reveal Precisely How God Thinks And Precisely What God Wants.