Deepening our Christianity

the Monday Newsletter of Paul Prins

Edition #7 · 12 June 2023

Blessings Reader,

Let us treasure the sparse rain that falls upon the driest parts of our souls. That something of grace and life knows where we are hardest and most in need. There is an idea that we can know ourselves. But what of the vast, impassable deserts of ourselves that we have carefully crafted paths to avoid. Are they known? Can they be known? Can they be survived?

There are strong currents in our western context to focus on our strengths. This can pull the final lingering moments of our gaze away from these parts of ourselves. These parts do not go away if we ignore them. No part of ourselves is placated through neglect. The hard, parched places do not cease existing because another luscious part of us knows heights and tenderness.

No part of you shall pass away.
No part of you is unworthy of the rains.
No part of you is out of reach.

Let us make plans, prepare, and venture away from celebration into the quiet silence of ourselves. To go away from the emotional safety of the known trails and places of our souls. To places no one will ever ask us about. Go to the places no one else can ever know or reach.

Find in yourself the quiet, dry, hardness of places within seldom seen. Sit, rest, and wait there. For no part of you is unloved by God. No part beyond restoration. No part incapable of softening. For the softening of our souls comes not with heavy hands or heavy tools.

Our God awaits you there. Wait there, watch, and witness a miracle happen away from all eyes. To see stone turn to pastures, with the tears you will share there with our Lord.

Until Next Week

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Unpublished Photo for this Edition

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Curated Goods just for You

Sharing what I've come across from around the internet that may encourage or help you.

• ​Sample Gathering of Urban Monastics ~60 Minutes​
  Pray vespers, share in the Eucharist, and enjoy a conversation with me! We have been working towards the future iterations of our Gatherings for Urban Monasticism. This sample let us kick the tired and figure out issues before the offical restart on July 2nd. The video will be removed sometime later this week. This has been a lot of work to build towards and prepare.
• ​CMA Denomination Votes to Ordain Women ~5 Minutes
  ​The Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination has finally voted to ordain women. This is an acknowledgement of the pastoral role many women have held in many of their churches. They are still forbidden from being elders, or lead pastors. This is still progress worth celebrating.
• ​Whitsun Week ~7 Minutes​
  A week late, but since I there was no edition last week, I'll share it here. Living so close to the UK, we often see names for their holidays. Whit Monday is one of those. I knew it was about Pentecost, but didn't know where the term or day after came from. Turns out in the medieval ages there was a week-long celebration following Pentecost. Eleanor Parker shares historical descriptions of those long-lost church celebrations. It's a fun read and window into a time gone by.
• ​Perfect Days by Wim Winders wins Ecumenical Jury Prize ~5 Minutes​
  This is one of the seven films I was able to see during this year's festival. It is a deserving film. Philippe's review is really well-spoken. I recommend seeing the film when you are able too. It is beautiful, subtle, and celebrates much that modern cinema overlooks.

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A Prayer for the Week to Come

May you find courage waiting for you this week. Courage wrapped around an invitation to venture away from the known ways you have come to navigate your own soul. Let that courage sustain you as you rest on the uncomfortable hardness of part of you. Sustain you as you discover how our Lord has been there, waiting for you. Courage to see yourself clearly, and to accept love for the neglected parts of your essence - your soul.

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