Dad to three amazing boys, other half of @Krystle_Bowen, Worship Pastor. I'm partial to Disneyland, Hitchcock, Packards and any chocolate peanut butter combo.
The most persistent advice in his spiritual direction is to explore the wounds, to pay attention to the feelings, which are often embarrassing and shameful, and follow them to their roots.
- Henri Nouwen, speaking of John Eudes, a Trappist monk
"Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space...not to change people but to offer them space [to] discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own songs, dance their own dances; free also to leave and follow their own vocations." @HenriNouwen
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the first day of Lent. May this be a season of drawing closer to God through prayer, reflection, and fasting as we remember the redemption we have only through Jesus Christ. #AshWednesday#Nazarene
We needed a day like today. That’s all. Except, I’m also incredibly proud of this lady_ krystle_bowen (guys: shhhh...i’m married to Pastor Wonder Woman) #krystlekickincancer#rundisney… https://t.co/fBwD75NiUi
| gratitude |
Who does not thank for little will not thank for much. — Estonian proverb
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“Acts of gratitude make one grateful because, step by step, they reveal that all is grace.” @HenriNouwen
| friendship |
"The friend who can be silent w/us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay w/us through grief & bereavement, who can tolerate not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing, & face w/us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares." @HenriNouwen
"When we think about the people who've given us hope & increased the strength of our soul, we might discover that they were not advice givers, but the few able to articulate in words & actions our SHARED human condition [and then] encouraged us to face our reality." @HenriNouwen
| hope |
"The pains & struggles we encounter [bringing solitude] thus become the way to hope, because our hope is not based on something that will happen after our sufferings are over, but on the real presence of God’s healing Spirit in the midst of these sufferings" @HenriNouwen
| S T I L L N E S S |
"To pray means to open your hands before God. It means slowly relaxing the tension. Prayer is a way of life that allows you to find stillness and hope. Prayer leads you to see new paths and gives you freedom. Praying is living." @HenriNouwen