.This is why the monks put so much of Scripture -- the Psalms and Gospels -- to memory. Not only do they put us to shame when it comes to memorization, they point us to the power of a simple life lived in the rhythm of the biblical Story. Once Norris was visiting her husband in a hospital when she had to walk through some frigidly cold weather and her thoughts turned to cursing the temperature only to remember words from the liturgy from Daniel about blessing God in the cold and winter.
This is about learning to redirect our thoughts. If you think about this much you will think about the image of God and humans ... and two things: that we are made in God's image but that it takes time -- far too long at times -- to live up to our image.
The monks know this and that means that monasteries are not afraid of therapeutic help from both drugs and therapists. But Norris tells the story, I should say she warns us, of a college that released its chaplain because it had therapists on campus. Therapeutics and pastoring are not the same.
Norris learned what prayer was from the monks: "warfare to the last breath" (from Abba Agathon). She reflects on how she is both introvert and extrovert, liking both public crowds and the monastery. She's learned also to live with her ups and downs.
Here's a sane comment: "This up-and-down, unsteadfast person is who I am; this is the devil I know" (97). Depressed folks, she observes, have a more realistic view of the world. Depression is a teacher. The struggle is worth it, she claims.
In this chp she tells the story of her husband, David, and his health struggles.
The monks know this and that means that monasteries are not afraid of therapeutic help from both drugs and therapists. But Norris tells the story, I should say she warns us, of a college that released its chaplain because it had therapists on campus. Therapeutics and pastoring are not the same.
Norris learned what prayer was from the monks: "warfare to the last breath" (from Abba Agathon). She reflects on how she is both introvert and extrovert, liking both public crowds and the monastery. She's learned also to live with her ups and downs.
Here's a sane comment: "This up-and-down, unsteadfast person is who I am; this is the devil I know" (97). Depressed folks, she observes, have a more realistic view of the world. Depression is a teacher. The struggle is worth it, she claims.
In this chp she tells the story of her husband, David, and his health struggles.
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Great post. But I have question: we probably all agree that memorizing the Bible --or as much of it as we can--is a crucial activity and have memories of how the right verse has saved us in certain circumstances from great folly. However, I find that the many Bible translations that roll around all mixed up in my mind can get in the way of "grabbing" a verse I need, especially at a moment when I don't have the luxury of running to a Bible or engaging in a long, analytical thought process. Often it's the KJV verses, "sufficient for today are the evils of today," for example, that "stick." Peterson, much as I like his transalation, forget it. It runs through my brain like water. Is there a value to memorizing in archaic language to "set aside" verses? And I have often wondered if we as a body shouldn't settle on one standard translation for memorization? That wouldn't mean not using the others, but that one would be the standard. What do people think? Am I the only one with this issue?
I think, too, of many others beyond the monks have committed huge hunks of the Bible to memory. The early Quakers come to mind. It's said you could reconstruct the entire Bible from their writings. And they overtly used the Bible to keep them from the "snares and temptations" of the world. Other groups?
I have a psychologist friend who is a TEDS grad and he says depression is God's way of slamming us into reality. Tough, but, I think, true.
John,
"This up-and-down, unsteadfast person is who I am; this is the devil I know" -- I connected with that phrase, especially right now. And the up-and-down especially emerges during times of depression or turmoil. But is reality inherently depressing?
This brings to mind that verse from Psalms: "Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee." I love the direct connection between the deep dwelling of the word within us and not sinning.
Diane, I am a terrible para-phraser of scriptures. I figure that in everyday, casual use if the version of scriptures I recall (and sometimes it's my own mass) is faithful and useful in strengthening and teaching me, then it's more trouble than its worth for me to worry too much about exact accuracy. I could be wrong, of course. But that's what I think
Diane, I hear your concern -- I struggle with that same thing! You can tell how many of us memorized KJV as a kid, only to read more recent translations as adults!
Rebeccat, I'm with you! It's like I had to do when praying with the girls at the children's hostel I served in Thailand: I used to tell them that I do not know the high vocabulary in Thai used to address God, but I will pray with them like I talk with them ... God will understand, just as they will, and it will be okay.
It is not that the "exact words" of an English translation are the most important. It is the concepts that keep one hanging on in the dark night of the soul, eh?
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