Two monk’s quotes from study this week, which i liked. I learn so much from studying other’s spiritualities, especially those who have matured into good and useful wine:

“To think of another person, genuinely at least, as more important and majestic in meaning, as and than yourself. That’s daily practice. People are poetry. Treat one another as creations of God, and live as one.

(A father-abbot- monk to his student: his last advice)

Live your lives constantly before God.

Stay in Father God. Remain in Him. Do everything before Him. Live in front of God, as if He were your only audience. You will then live a meaningful life and become who you are. As the hills surround Jerusalem, be constantly surrounded by God. Let God dwell inside of you and around you. That will alter the atmosphere and bless others. Concentrate on nothing else—fix your Gaze on God, as the prophet Daniel did, and you will gain true understanding. Even when studying scriptures look only for God—meet Him in study. Meet His Spirit through the words. That is how to read the book devotionally. Don’t read just for ideas, read to meet God! Do everything to meet God. Garden to meet Him, talk with others to meet Him, do your chores to meet God. Do these things in His Peace and kindness towards creation. Then you will live well.  Jesus only did what He constantly saw His Father doing. Live like that. A life of love and service will follow.”

My other favorite quote this week, my mom reminded my wife today, that my grandfather used to say, before travel: “Don’t accept any wooden nickels.” In other words don’t settle for the lesser version of things, wait for His best. And discern the difference. Sort of like not going after “fool’s gold”. Or doing the soul version of what is meant to be led by The Spirit-picking a Saul, when God wants to give you a David! Got to love southern wisdom idioms. So much life wisdom packed into a small phrase. Portable wisdom!