From my reading tonight...

O happy was that long lost age
Content with nature's faithful fruits
Which knew not slothful luxury.
They would not eat before due time
Their meal of acorns quickly found,
And did not know the subtlety
Of making honey sweeten wine,
Or how the power of Tyrian dyes
Could colour shining flocks of silk.
A grassy couch gave healthy sleep,
A gliding river healthy drink;
The tallest pine-tree gave them shade.
Men did not plunder all the world
And cut a path across the seas
With merchandise for foreign shores.
War horns were silent in those days
And blood unspilt in bitter hate
To horrify the reddening earth.
What reason then for enmity,
To seek the frenzied clash of arms,
When all men saw was gaping wounds
Without return for blood so spilt?
Would that our age could now return
To those pure ways of leading life.
But now the passion to possess
Burns fiercer than Mount Etna's fire.
Alas for the man, whoever he was,
Who first dug heaps of buried gold
And diamonds content to hide,
And gave us perils of such price!

Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II, Chapter V

Insight in the Skies

Tonight has been further proof that I haven't found my Community, or that my Community lies far away from me. If my intuition is correct, it has been established and I am unable to go there for now. I wish I could. I don't understand why I have to be so far away from those I love. I have the first steps of my path lit by God, but I cannot take steps yet. I'm held back, waiting for something. College is a drag. I want to learn, so why do I want out of the classes I have taken for no other reason than to further education for myself? It's so strenuous right now and weighs down upon my mind and neck like a dark cloud. Soon enough things will turn out alright, but I don't know how long I can keep this up. I feel discouraged tonight from everything. I can no longer talk to anyone about what I'm going through except those who already know. Am I creating this situation for myself? Am I bringing stress and confusion upon myself? I thank God that his grace and mercy is so freely given. I can't imagine where I would be without Jesus' guidance throughout this whole thing and His messengers placed so close to me, the encouragement and vitality I get from Lindsay and Justin and Mum and Dad. He's also been so good to begin placing me in a group of believers here in Baton Rouge. See, it's not all terrible right now. I guess I haven't listened to music today and it's dragging me down. I'm off to read of Saint Augustine's journey. Hope everyone reading this will take a moment to close your eyes, breathe deliberately, and smile. Love and peace be with you this week.

I Have Seen A Glimpse Of My Future...

...and it is hard, it is a struggle, it is exciting, it is deliberate, it is filled with heart, it is good.

Chicago had better be ready.