"You have forgiven and covered up my past sins, blessing me in you and changing my soul by faith and by your sacrament; yet when the confessions of these past sins are read and heard, they rouse up the heart and prevent it from sinking into the sleep of despair and saying, “I cannot.” Instead they encourage it to be wakeful in the love of your mercy and the sweetness of your grace..." (The Confessions of St. Augustine, Book X, 3)
I've been on a blogging break for a while now. Taking the time to explore my faith outside of the influence and self-imposed expectation to continually seek after something meaty to post at this blog. I've been de-cluttering and simplifying. It's been good.
During this time I have been reading The Confessions of St. Augustine written by the legendary theologian and early church father. Can I just tell you that I am blown away? With raw honesty and incredible depth of introspection, Augustine recounts his sinful youth, the tug of war between good and evil within his soul, his empty pursuits of knowledge, false religion and worldly gain and his eventual conversion to Christianity. Above all else, his “confessions” scream out about the miracle that is God's mercy and grace.
Augustine's walk, though different in events and circumstances from our own, is not, at its core, all that different from any other Christ follower's. We all must make the journey from sinner to saint. We all must learn to set aside worldly ambition and selfish pride. We all must come face to face with our inner selves and REALLY see just how ugly and wretched we are – apart from Christ. I don't think anyone can come away from this book without having seen a glimpse into their own soul and without having received a boost for the journey forward. I have been incredibly blessed by his writings.
Today, for TSMSS, I just want to simmer in the sweetness of God's mercy and grace... I pray you are having a blessed day. And if you're feeling a bit bold – I encourage you to take on Augustine's confessions.
In His precious name,
8 comments:
Beautiful post. I had read St Augustine's Confessions many years back, and you stirred in me a deep desire to go there again. Good food for the soul. Thank you.
Love this song. I've been struck lately with His kindness and love. And no one sings it like Chris Tomlin!
Hi Cristine,
That song just goes so deep within and all our pent-up emotion just overflows--and yes, that whole story behind it just wrenches..yet there is that sweetness of release and seeing God's love in all the details...
I visited your blog before and had forgotten your story--God has certainly made you special--equipped for the trials you went through--simply amazing, Cristine--what courage it must take to share so openly...
May God's grace fall ever so gently in healing power in the deepest recesses of your heart...
I love the classics--but for some reason I had only started that book and then kids came inot my life and reading with reflection went out the door for a while..but now as they are older, I can read again, YAY!
So thanks for the reminder--and the song--love Chris Tomlin...
be blessed,
love, Sita
by the way, that first part of my previous comment was in response to your response on my blog song...
Hi Cristine! I read St Augustine's Confessions a number of years ago. I was facinated by his thought process.
Beautiful post and song.
I'm so grateful for His mercy. And I'm blessed to hear this song as a reminder of His kindness.
Blessings to you.
Blessings Cristine...Great to see you back!!! Great song that reminds me of HIS Precious Kindness & how I should be with others...may that fruit of His Spirit shine more in me! Thanks for sharing Chris Tomlin! How great that the skies are full & open with His mercy!
Happy New Year! May 2009 be DIVINE!
Post a Comment