Tag: Henri Nouwen

  • A time to mourn and a time to dance in the time of coronavirus

    This time being isolated is an opportunity. In the major cultural shifts we are experiencing, I have a deep sense in my spirit this is a time to mourn and be ready to move to what is next. I elaborate more HERE.

  • Thoughts on mourning and loss in the time of coronavirus

    Grief shows up in many ways. One way it may tend to show up is anger or rage. Since that is not easily recognized as “grief” in our culture, we tend to combat the rage or anger instead of stepping back to ask a few more questions. Grief over loss isn’t easily processed in our culture because we don’t have…

  • What have I offered today?

    Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. — Henri Nouwen

  • The seed has to die

    For this seed to bear fruit, it must die.

  • Thoughts on Prayer — Henri Nouwen

    Praying means to stop expecting from God that same small-mindedness which you discover in yourself. To pray is to walk in the full light of God, and to say simply without holding back, “I am a man [or a woman] and you are God.” At that moment, conversion occurs, the restoration of the true relationship. Man is not the one…

  • Irrelevant leadership

    Henri Nouwen in his wonderful little book titled In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership shows just how “out of touch” he was in his day. Irrelevant leadership? Puh-leeeaaze!  The temptation is to be relevant. To show power, ability, or rightness. “Words like right-wing, reactionary, conservative, liberal, and left wing are used to describe people’s opinions and many discussions then seem…

  • The place of silence

    I am headed out on Monday to three days of silence. It is a rhythm I work to put into my life every year now. Henri Nouwen helps explain why: “Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen