January 31, 2012

I really can't believe that it is going to be February tomorrow. Time has flown by this past month. I am currently reading through St. Benedict's Rule for my next class session. It has been hard to get engaged in. The gist of the book is dealing with Monastic life and what that should look like from the times of prayer to sleeping arrangements to dealing with somebody who doesn't follow the rules. I am looking for the things that transcend just the Monastic lifestyle, but so far those have been few and far between. I took a walk with Audrey this evening and saw God in the beauty and creation of the sky, clouds, and sunset. It was so gorgeous outside. I really can't believe how warm it has been lately. I will totally take it!

January 29, 2012

I have really been enjoying every aspect of my Masters this semester. The reading that I have done has been stirring within me. The times that I have met with my mentor/partner to discuss the good and beautiful God. And even finishing up my first paper have all been life giving and God inspired in my life. God has been using all of these different ways to grow and stretch me, and I believe, prepare me for the future. I am seeing this time in my life as very formative for the rest of my life. I feel that through my Masters course work I am learning more and more about myself, my passions, my giftings, other people, and God.

January 15, 2012

I have started my next semester of my Masters Course Work. I am excited about all that this semester has to offer, especially how God is going to show up in all of the reading and conversations between classmates and professors. The book that I am currently reading is, "Streams Of Living Water" by Richard Foster.
There have been quite a few things that have struck me in this book, but maybe one of the biggest is the draw that God seems to have placed in my heart for the Charismatic Stream. When I was reading about St. Francis of Assisi, I was utterly struck by his faith in God, and by some of the amazing things that God did through his life. I think that the draw is that I haven't really experienced it very much. The Contemplative Stream is something that I am very famaliar with, and I think that I can grow a lot through looking more at the Charismatic Stream.
That is something that I want to go deeper into.