Something BIGGER Than Ourselves

God’s purpose in history is implicitly disclosed: to enter the arena of fallen humanity and effect the redemption of His creation—the mission in which his people are also to be totally engaged that invites us to be about something bigger than ourselves.

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world—Jesus (John 17:18) 

I still believe deeply that our few years on this earth are part of a much larger event that stretches out far beyond the boundaries of our birth and death.  I think of it as a mission into time, a mission that is very exhilarating and even exciting.  Mostly because the One who sent me on the mission is waiting for me to come home and tell the story of what I have learned.-Henri Nouwen   

November 30, 2007November 30, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, Encouragement, Inspiration, Missions, Photography, Quotations 1 Comment

Lost Enough To Let Myself Be Led

Somehow all I really need to know is if You who live in eternity hear the prayers of those of us who live in time.  We can’t see what’s ahead and we can not get free from what we’ve left behind, I’m reeling from these voices that keep screaming in my ears all the words of shame and doubt, blame and regret.  I can’t see how You’re leading me unless You’ve led me here where I’m lost enough to let myself be led.-Song lyrics from Rich Mullin’s ‘Hard to Get’ 

And if you leave My path and go astray, you will hear a Voice behind you say, “no this is the way, walk here”—Isaiah 30:21

November 29, 2007December 2, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Encouragement, God's Beauty, Inspiration, Life, Photography, Quotations, songs Leave a comment

The Fruit of Reconciliation

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.—2 Corinthians 5:18

Unity is a gift of God that we maintain through a life of speaking the truth, confessing when we are wrong, changing our ways of thinking and doing that are opposed to God and violate others, receive forgiveness and ask forgiveness of those we wrong.  When this is our practice we see the fruit of reconciliation which is healing and new life and becoming one   

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.—John 17:20,21

November 28, 2007November 30, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, Encouragement, Inspiration, Life, Photography Leave a comment

Busyness is the Enemy

Busyness is the enemy of spirituality.  It is essentially laziness.  It is doing the easy thing instead of the hard thing.  It is filling our time with our own actions instead of paying attention to God’s actions.  It is taking charge.–Eugene Peterson

Be still, and know that I am God-Psalm 46:10

In the middle of sentences loaded with action-healing suffering people, casting out devils, responding to impatient disciples, traveling from town to town and preaching from synagogue to synagogue-we find these quite words “in the morning long before dawn, Jesus got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there.”  In the center of the breathless activities we hear a restful breathing.  Surrounded by hours of moving we find a moment of quite stillness…the more I read this nearly silent sentence locked between the loud words of action, the more I have the sense that the secret place of Jesus’ ministry is hidden in that lonely place where he went to pray, early in the morning, long before dawn.–Henri Nouwen

November 27, 2007November 27, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, Inspiration, Life, People, Photography, Quotations Leave a comment

The Smile Of A Child

My heart is transformed by the smile of trust given by some people who are terribly fragile and weak.  They call forth new energies from me.  They seem to break down barriers and bring me a new freedom.

 

It is the same with the smile of a child: even the hardest heart can’t resist.  Contact with people who are weak and who are crying out…is one of the most important nourishments in our lives.  When we let ourselves be really touched by the gift of their presence, they leave something precious in our hearts.

 

As long as we remain at the level of “doing” things for people, we tend to stay behind our barriers of superiority.  We ought to welcome the gift of the poor with open hands.  Jesus says, “What you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.  -Jean Vanier

November 27, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, Encouragement, God's Beauty, Inspiration, People, Photography, Quotations Leave a comment

God’s Breath

The Spirit of God has made me;
the breath of the Almighty
gives me life.-Job 33:4

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.  

Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.  Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.  

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.  

Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.-Prayer of St. Augustine

November 25, 2007November 25, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, God's Beauty, Life, Photography, prayer, Quotations Leave a comment

I Can See Everything

I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun,
not just because I see it,
but because by it I can see everything else–C.S. Lewis  

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,
and I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.-Psalm 108

November 24, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, Encouragement, God's Beauty, Life, Photography Leave a comment

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever
By power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.
Of Whom all nature hath creation:
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.– St. Patrick

November 24, 2007November 24, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, God's Beauty, People, Photography, prayer, Quotations Leave a comment

Someone Greater to Thank

The countless hints of kindness that surround us in moments of beauty, glimpses of compassion, and felt provision are rumors that tell us we are not alone; we are not orphans left alone. A grateful soul is opened to wonder as it follows the sunbeam up to the sun. It is possible, with practice, to see only the beam of light and not the source that offers it. But a thankful heart, reminds us that there is, in all things, Someone greater to thank.

I meditate on all your works
 and consider what your hands have done.

I will enter into your presence with thanksgiving,
   and Your courts with praise!
 
 I will Give thanks to You; and bless Your name!   For the LORD is good;
   His steadfast love endures forever,
   and  His faithfulness to all generations.

November 22, 2007November 22, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, Encouragement, God's Beauty, People, Photography Leave a comment

Out of the Depths

 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
 O Lord, hear my voice!
 Let your ears be attentive
   to the voice of my pleas for mercy!  

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
   O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
   that you may be feared. 

 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
   and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
   more than watchmen for the morning,
   more than watchmen for the morning.

November 21, 2007November 21, 2007 by ryanmthurman Categories: Art Photography, Encouragement, God's Beauty, Life, Photography Leave a comment