ContemplativeJourney

  I remember a song that was popular about 15 or 20 years ago. It was about falling down and getting up again. I think it was about a Priest, or something.  I was looking for an image tonight of that idea...fall down 7 times, get up 8.  Turns out, it's a Japanese Proverb. Then I came across this picture. Powerful, isn't it? I cannot get up. Cannot get up. Get up. Up. When I look at this fighter, I see "spent," "done."  Exhausted. Dejected. I feel kind of like this guy tonight.  Mental and emotional battles are often more exhausting than the physical battles. Do you remember the movie "Parenthood," with Steve Martin? There's a scene at the end where he's talking to his mother, and she is comparing life to a roller coaster. He's thinking about all of the worst aspects of the roller coaster ride, and she's thinking about all of the fun and exciting aspects of the ride.  Life is a wild ride. I call it my 'wild toa

“Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.” ― Rick Warren , The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for   Interesting isn't it? This internal battle to convince ourselves of our own significance...   You were created by God for a specific purpose, so don't dismiss your significance. As much as you may doubt it, there is no one else alive today who can fulfill your  purpose.  And you will remain here on this earth until the very moment God has ordained to bring you home to Himself.  And what exactly does that mean?   It means, whether you're 5 years old, or 105 years old...if you are still here, there is still a unique purpose for your life.  In the story of mankind and God's involvement with us, we learn a few things of vital importance: We are broken, imperfect people.  At our core, each one of us craves to be known and valued...and we have an