One writer whose novels have often stirred?me is George MacDonald. Listen to this little dialogue between two people about holy loneliness or solitude: “What I want to ask you,” said Ian, “is, did you ever feel alone? Did loneliness ever press itself so upon you that you felt that if you called nobody would hear? […]
Hopes vs. Expectations
??we hope in Someone and not merely for something. We expect things to happen, but we hope in the one who makes them happen. Our expectations can get in the way of our hope: The more specific expectations I have on my checklist (I expect you to think of my needs?to take care of me?to […]
Lead With Your Ears
Perhaps you can help me out of a conundrum? You see, I?m really interested in leadership development; it?s a passion of mine. I?ve read nearly every book one can read on leadership from Peter Drucker to Dr. Seuss (yes, Dr. Seuss gave us many wonderful thoughts that can be applied to leadership). But, when I […]
An Unhurried Life: TV Interview
Alan Fadling was recently interviewed by April Hernandez on the television program 100 Huntley Street. From their website: “In the modern society now, people are constantly on the go, rushing to go from place to place both physically and mentally. Yet, living an unhurried life is not a lazy life. It is actually the opposite. […]
Honesty: Put Off the False Self
One of my favorite things to do is to lead groups in times of solitude and silence. In The Journey we call this time “EPC” which stands for Extended Personal Communion with God. Once, while?introducing?a time of EPC, I shared this quote by Jacques-Benign Bossuet.?How does it strike you? ?When shall I begin to be […]
Search for the Lord
I was reading Psalm 105 in the Book of Common Prayer (one of my favorite translations of the psalms, by the way). I was drawn to three phrases of invitation in the first few verses: Search for the Lord (v. 4a) call upon his Name (v. 1a) continually seek his face. (v. 4b) What would […]
Do You Really Want a Cure?
Recently, I was struck by this excerpt from Joan Chittister?s comments on the section of the Rule of Benedict that speaks about discipline within the community. ?The ancients tell the story of the distressed person who came to the Holy One for help. ?Do you really want a cure?? the Holy One asked. ?If I […]
