Every now and then, I come across a great quote that I want to share. They aren’t always from famous people, but this one is:

“When people come to you for help, do not turn them off with pious words, saying, ‘Have faith and take your troubles to God’. Act instead as though there were no God, as though there were only one person in the world who could help – only yourself.”

-Martin Buber

Great quote, Steve. Saturday I was speaking with some students about Buber’s concept of I and Thou.

Here is one of my favorites: “If there is anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown to me. But this was shown: that in falling and rising again we are always kept in that same precious love.” – Julian of Norwich

Agape,
Chuck

I think there’s a great deal to learn in the philosophical/theological works of people like Martin Buber, Chuck. I’m reminded of Paul Tillich when I think of Buber’s I/Thou. I think the subject/object dichotomy we create between ourselves and God has been very detrimental to Chrisitanity. These men have much to say to contemplatives/mystics, and Christians in general as to the nature of our relationship with God.

Julian of Norwich has been largely overlooked by the Christian Church. But, she ties in nicely with your reflections on the “Masculinization of God”. I do believe she was well ahead of her time!

Steve

“Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.” – Hafiz

Great topic Steve! I’m a fan of Hafiz too…

“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” -Friedrich Nietzsche

“And being but one, she can do all things; and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets.” – Book of Wisdom 7:27

http://poemhunter.com/poem/ad-somniator/

A Diamond in the ground
Digging deep to find the truth,
But nothing was returned.
Just a pile of dirt begotten,
Another turnip earned.

Digging deeper to find the truth,
But nothing was returned.
Just a lump of coal begotten,
Another hard lesson learned.

Digging deepest to find the truth,
Something lovely was found.
Within my soul begotten.
A Diamond in the ground.

“A dragon tamed for Christ is a powerful ally.”
-?
I’m not sure who said the above. At first I thought it might have been C.S. Lewis but a search did not come up with any author let alone Lewis. Any one have a clue?

I’ve never heard that expression, David, but I like it. I live by the proposition that anything I come up with that can’t be claimed by another, belongs to the world at large!
Steve