July 7, 2007
Fear Not the Night
There will be no more from Fear Not the Night.John Kirvan, the author, has written several books concerning Muslim, Jewish, and Christian Spirituality. Perhaps this is why he shuns the Incarnation.He mentions Christ once, as a side note in a long discourse on the devil, on Day 23. I believe St. John of the Cross mentioned the Reason for our being much earlier. So. On to the next study.
Posted by Lisa White at 2:03 PM | Comments (0)
July 4, 2007
Fear Not the Night Day 10
If we do not bring passion under control it will eat us alive and in the end be the only thing that lives in our souls. If we do not kill it first, it will kill us after making us spiritually sick.
The cure for this is to our lives single-mindedly to God; once agaain there will be peace.
Restore What is Mine.
When my steps are driven by passion, every attempt to practice virtue becomes a sad burden. I am dying. Renew my strength and energy.Restore my sight. Turn my life back to You with single-mindedness. Take away the subtle lure of the dark.
Amen.
Posted by Lisa White at 7:25 PM | Comments (0)
June 29, 2007
Fear Not the Night Day 9
Passion is blind, and it blinds our souls when we surrender to it. It's a light outshining all others, darkening our intellect. But the draw of passion's light makes us blind to the other Light around us.
We Stumble in the Dark When Light is All Around us.
I don't want to grope my way in the dark; please allow me to see the True Light of Your Love.
Posted by Lisa White at 6:26 AM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2007
Fear Not the Night Day 8`
I find myself tortured and afflicted at the hands of a powerful captor, my passions. Like Sampson, in the hands of my enemies I am weak, blind, tormented.The greater the number of my passions, the greater the torment. But God refreshes if we just go to Him. "Come to me all of you labor and are burdened. I will refresh you and you will find rest for your souls."
Come To ME
It is time for me to lay down the passions that torment and torture me. Refresh my spirit and give me rest, I pray.
Posted by Lisa White at 8:50 PM | Comments (0)
Fear Not the Night day 7
What does St. John of the Cross mean when he speaks of "passions"? As I read ahead I think his intention is to address worldly desires - they sap our energy, leaving us too tired to walk with God.
I understand small, unreasonable, demanding children; St. John compares my desires with these impossible to please children. They're never satisfied.
We get weary trying to fulfill our desires; we cannot find peace or rest or God.
Lest we Grow Too Weary...
I am so weary! From a quest to fill an empty heart and mind with things. More clutter. It means being surrounded by a cacophony of books and music, exploding drawers and toys on the floor. It means going to bed exhausted and waking tired.
"Come to me all you who are weary and heavy-laden; and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden light." He doesn't say we'll rest forever; but when we're refreshed by His Presence, there's work to be done. Thank you, dear Lord , for keeping me just busy enough to prevent the fear from forming.
Posted by Lisa White at 7:10 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2007
Fear Not the Night day6
The purpose of the journey upward (see:Moses) is to be alone with the Lord; no distractions or other passions. Until our passions are eliminated we will not arrive at the top, no matter how much virtue we practice.
Leave Everything Behind
If I am to make this journey to meet,talk, and join with You I must bring nothing with me. The purpose of the journey is to be alone with God with nothing but the desire to be with Him.
Posted by Lisa White at 6:48 AM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2007
Fear of the night Day 5
"The difference between what we desire and the total transformation in God that is offered to us is enormous. 'Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.' "
I want to be His disciple, but I'm frightened of renouncing everything; I'm comfortable here. But Jesus wants us to let go of all that separates us from the Father. Otherwise, we'll not see the Spirit, because our possessions are in the way of His transforming power.
Let Go Of What You Have.
I know it's foolish to think I can achieve union with You without first emptying my life of my trivial passions and possessions. You have offered me total transformation.
Descend on my soul like a river of peace to take away my uncertainties, my fear of the dark.
Posted by Lisa White at 9:27 PM | Comments (0)
Fear of the Night Day 4
The foolish ones are those who still cling to the things of this world. We are diminished by the trivial things we treasure. True riches are found only in Him. It's not easy to let go of things that cannot satisfy the soul.
I knew people could marginalize us - I didn't realize things could as well.
We Are What We Love
(Yeah, girlfriend Eve, I still want to be God. At least I want to love Him in His three Persons so well no one can tell us apart.) "I am...diminished by the trivial things I treasure. You alone can satisfy my soul."
I travel by night and see by the light of faith; descend on my soul like a river of peace to take away my fear of the dark.
Posted by Lisa White at 9:09 PM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2006
Fear Not the Night Day 3 part 2
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet.
"Hear the prayer of this fool who takes pride in what I mistake for wisdom. Help me to set aside my own knowledge and walk in your service like an untutored child. Let me become ignorant so as to be wise 'for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.'"
I will have trouble with this - becoming ignorant. Because I have the drive to know, to learn, to be an authority. Then again if I can be convinced that sort of wisdom is "foolishness with God"...if I can concentrate on knowing God in all His Persons I should stay on the right track, yes? Pray for me, my brothers and sisters.
Posted by Lisa White at 5:39 AM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2006
Fear Not the Night Day 3
Praying for more knowledge? "Only those who set aside their own knowledge and walk in God's service like unlearned children receive wisdom from God." "...If we are to enter into God's wisdom we will do it by unknowing, rather than by knowing.... It is the night of our own treasured wisdom."
I know if I had been in the Garden of Eden, the voice of Reason would not have been mine. I'd have been right there with my girlfriend Eve, shoveling that luscious fruit in my mouth. "Heck, yeah, I want to know what God knows. And the fruit is awfully pretty. I love God SO much - I DO want to be like Him. And how can I serve if I don't know anything?"
Then again, my girl Eve found that sweet fruit had a bitter, bitter aftertaste. And in order to know what God knows, St. John of the Cross tells us we have to become as unlearned children. However a good look at my children shows me they're not unlearned. They know love. They do as their father and I ask not out of fear of punishment or hope for reward, but because they LOVE us. Why can't I love God like that?
"Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear. Replace the lamp of my first love that burned in Holy Fear."
Let go of what you know.
Posted by Lisa White at 6:19 AM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2006
Fear Not the Night Day 2
Bill and I with the grace of God manage to do a few things that spiritually hit the mark. Suddenly I'm an "advisor" in the Kingdom of God. Well, maybe. But most of all a warrior like everyone else. I don't want to strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.
Beware the Beam in Your Own Eye.
"Living a good life should engender humility." Self-awareness is not pride - if one senses humility in oneself it is not to cease being humble. It may be a bad modern habit,but it's not pride.
"Do not become one of those complacent beginners who in their spiritual presumption publicly condemn others...."
I am guilty of this. I need to remember only God knows the heart. Only He is able to condemn or justify.And who knows where on that continuum I will be?! Lord, Have Mercy on me, a sinner!
Beware the Beam in Your Eye.
Posted by Lisa White at 4:45 AM | Comments (0)
August 12, 2006
Fear Not the Night Day 1
Our attachments are to what is less than nothing. They impede our reaching out to God and being transformed by Him.
Nothing compares with God. We're incapable of union with God until our attachments are God and all others are purged.
LOOK AGAIN
Is this an attachment? Is it between you and God? Look again at it, make it sub-serviant to God. Detach from it. Look again.
You're only a pilgrim, you're not an owner. Keep your watch set for Home. This is not our home, we're only passing through; we're just in a tent.
Do not lose your first Love. Don't limp into Heaven; accelerate into Eternity. Gratitude will set you free from yourself. A Hindu proverb says, "They who give have everything. Those who withhold have nothing." Look again at gratitude.
Posted by Lisa White at 6:33 AM | Comments (0)
August 6, 2006
Fear Not the Night
Prologue, part 2.
John of the Cross is accessible, for our common goal is final, complete union with God. "There is no other place to find God than where we find ourselves." (p 12-13) Matt 28:20b "And lo, I am with you always; even to the end of time."
I've always found it hard to read Carmelites in general, St. John of the Cross in particular, because I get discouraged, I think. I could never do that - I can't be that holy. Now this book tells me, "Understanding is not the point. Your heart's response is.....You're not reading these passages, you're praying them." That's been a huge problem for me as well. I often treat a book as something to get through, not something to savor. I must move slowly here.
Posted by Lisa White at 9:41 PM | Comments (0)
Fear Not the Night
Prologue
At this time in my life I'm incredibly fatigued; I have back pain, adhesion pain, and migraines. I endure horrible nightmares; and I've begun hearing voices. My psychiatrist assures me this is because of Rx interactions. They usually accur in my twilight states between wakefulness and sleep, so I am learning to fear the night.
Lately I've been interested in Carmelite spirituality as well, so this book with exerpts by St. John of the Cross seemed just what I needed. Holy Spirit, guide my study. May I keep the image of our Lord ever before me and may the three Persons of the One God give me strength to incorporate St. John's words and advice. Mother Seton, St. Dymphna and St. John of the Cross please pray for me. Mother Mary, Guardian Angel, please hold me close. Amen.
Posted by Lisa White at 5:23 AM | Comments (0)