Thank you so much for your post today! George Herbert is one of my favorite poets and you have inspired me to read some of the works of Simone Weil. Do you think Waiting for God is the best book of hers to start with? I particularly appreciated McGinn's definition of mysticism: “The essence of mysticism is a deep inner sense of God’s transforming presence in your life that increases your love of God and your love of neighbor.” As I get older, it seems to me that those who truly experience God in their lives are people who keenly see their own deficiencies and brokenness, which leads to a dependence on God and a humility and love for others.
Yes! I recommend starting with Waiting for God. I agree with what you say about how we understand experiencing God as get older and witness more brokenness.
It’s about 4:30 am, and your post is exactly what I needed as this quiet time with the Lord prepares me for the day ahead. Your book arrived yesterday, both through the mail (thank you) and via Logos. We’ll spend the next few weeks together conversing with the Lord as I read it and pray. Later today, I’ll be with many members of my church and community, some of whom are near the end of life. Most of them are just in the thick of it. In these precious pre-dawn hours, my soul is fed and nourished for the day ahead. God bless you, sweet friend. I’m praying for you as well.
I read this yesterday morning, Rick, and it blessed me to know this blessed you. I am praying for you now as you minister to your flock. I know you are a good shepherd.
Beautiful, Karen. That is likely my favorite Herbert poem, though I also love “Denial” for the lines, “My heart was in my knee,/ but no hearing.” Your thoughts on and Weil’s response to the poem enriched my experience of it.
Have you heard Skye Peterson’s gentle song “Love Still Bids You Welcome?” If not, here is a link to the song on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LY3gNL8t26c
Love to Ruby and Eva the Diva and to you and your human family too ♥️
"But Christianity without mystery isn’t Christianity at all. " How true, Karen!. Even in Christian spheres, the word mystery has been seen by many as a synonym for "cop out," I think. For a long time, certainly all my life time, it has been thought that every area of life, including the spiritual, the unknowable must have an explanation - and a scientific one at that. I am grateful for people like Simone Weil whose very life has lent integrity and credibility to the words mystery and mystical. And congratulations on the release of your latest book, "The Evangelical Imagination. " Huzzah!
Beautiful post. I believe I first encountered Love (III) in your books and have loved it ever since. Your writing met me today in a way that I know is divine, and therefore mystical.
See, I found the opposite to be true: I always take other people's mystical experiences dead seriously, while I tend to second-guess any of my own. Maybe I was just being sentimental or over-thinking or having "main-character syndrome" lol. Anyway, loved your first post and so excited to be here!
Are you familiar with the music of the Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus? Their album Beauty Will Save the World features a photo of Simone Weil on the cover.
Thank you so much for your post today! George Herbert is one of my favorite poets and you have inspired me to read some of the works of Simone Weil. Do you think Waiting for God is the best book of hers to start with? I particularly appreciated McGinn's definition of mysticism: “The essence of mysticism is a deep inner sense of God’s transforming presence in your life that increases your love of God and your love of neighbor.” As I get older, it seems to me that those who truly experience God in their lives are people who keenly see their own deficiencies and brokenness, which leads to a dependence on God and a humility and love for others.
Yes! I recommend starting with Waiting for God. I agree with what you say about how we understand experiencing God as get older and witness more brokenness.
It’s about 4:30 am, and your post is exactly what I needed as this quiet time with the Lord prepares me for the day ahead. Your book arrived yesterday, both through the mail (thank you) and via Logos. We’ll spend the next few weeks together conversing with the Lord as I read it and pray. Later today, I’ll be with many members of my church and community, some of whom are near the end of life. Most of them are just in the thick of it. In these precious pre-dawn hours, my soul is fed and nourished for the day ahead. God bless you, sweet friend. I’m praying for you as well.
I read this yesterday morning, Rick, and it blessed me to know this blessed you. I am praying for you now as you minister to your flock. I know you are a good shepherd.
I love this so much. And this really stood out to me: >>>Through poetry, the philosopher encountered Christ. Through pain, she found love.<<<
Makes me so happy that you love that line. Thank you.
Beautiful, Karen. That is likely my favorite Herbert poem, though I also love “Denial” for the lines, “My heart was in my knee,/ but no hearing.” Your thoughts on and Weil’s response to the poem enriched my experience of it.
Have you heard Skye Peterson’s gentle song “Love Still Bids You Welcome?” If not, here is a link to the song on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LY3gNL8t26c
Love to Ruby and Eva the Diva and to you and your human family too ♥️
Not familiar with any of these but will check them out! Thanks for offering them here!
“Denial” by George Herbert: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50696/denial
"But Christianity without mystery isn’t Christianity at all. " How true, Karen!. Even in Christian spheres, the word mystery has been seen by many as a synonym for "cop out," I think. For a long time, certainly all my life time, it has been thought that every area of life, including the spiritual, the unknowable must have an explanation - and a scientific one at that. I am grateful for people like Simone Weil whose very life has lent integrity and credibility to the words mystery and mystical. And congratulations on the release of your latest book, "The Evangelical Imagination. " Huzzah!
Thank you, Teri, for the congrats and for sharing your wise thoughts on mystery.
Beautiful post. I believe I first encountered Love (III) in your books and have loved it ever since. Your writing met me today in a way that I know is divine, and therefore mystical.
I just love this. Thank you, Jesus.
Apparently, I was so excited to pre-order your book I ordered it in January and again in April as B&N delivered TWO of them to me today!! 😆 #superfan
Ooops! :)
Thanks, Karen! A beautiful reminder and encouragement today.
Thank you, Larien.
See, I found the opposite to be true: I always take other people's mystical experiences dead seriously, while I tend to second-guess any of my own. Maybe I was just being sentimental or over-thinking or having "main-character syndrome" lol. Anyway, loved your first post and so excited to be here!
That is so interesting! Thank you for offering that, for being here, and for loving this post. :)
Same! Too in my own head.
DM, me too.
Excellent photo too. Thanks.
Thank you!
Are you familiar with the music of the Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus? Their album Beauty Will Save the World features a photo of Simone Weil on the cover.
https://www.npr.org/2015/12/07/458485196/songs-we-love-the-revolutionary-army-of-the-infant-jesus
I have not heard of them! Thank you for the link and I will check this out!
Well, this made me cry. God’s love is so relentless, yet so tender. Thank you!
Thank you! His love truly is tender. 😊
#sorrynotsorry to make you cry.
Maybe my favorite Herbert poem! Except for Love(II). My training was very anti-mystic, but I open myself to it more all the time.
Same, Beth. So much, I’m learning, is both/and, not either/or. Thank you for reading, commenting, and being part of this community.