Faith & Life Inspirational Message

Regular readers of this inspirational reflection know that I have significant respect for what David Brooks writes.   His columns appear in the New York Times and sundry other venues.   Although I do not agree with all of Brooks’ political sensitivities, I find his thought to be trenchant and challenging.   Lately, he has been focusing more and more on the culture that we inhabit and the moral deficiencies that come with that culture.   I find this pursuit to be compelling.   So I look forward to new offerings as they come out.             Recently, his column carried the title, “The Moral Bucket.”   His opening line was inviting.   “ About once a month I run across a person who radiates an inner light.”   I resonated with this and wanted to affirm that I, too, occasionally meet that kind of person---the kind who radiates an inner light.   He continues, “These people can be in any walk...

I enjoy getting a new book and diving into the ideas contained in it.   Sometimes I have a fairly good idea of what I will get; other times I have little to no clue what I will read.   A recent read is a book suggested by one of my favorite columnists, David Brooks.   I read Brooks in the New York Times online.   One of his columns mentioned a book by an editor of a poetry journal.   It was a book that was intriguingly religious in Brooks’ estimation.   I became intrigued, too, and jumped into My Bright Abyss by Christian Wiman. I had never heard of Wiman, so I had no idea what to expect.   The book is very engaging, but not an easy read.   The are ample examples of poetry, which is fun for me, since I don’t know that much about poetry and probably don’t understand and appreciate it like I could.   I feel like I am growing.   I feel like I am learning and being challenged.           ...

I confess to liking the way columnist, David Brooks, thinks and writes.   I read almost every piece he writes in the New York Times.   I have never met him nor have I been to hear him speak.   I would enjoy doing both, but until then, I am left to read what appears in newspapers and other media.   He recently wrote a piece entitled, “The Devotion Leap.”   I had no clue what the title might mean.   I suspected it was something on politics or the global situation.   Even in these ponderings, I find what brings to bear philosophically and, even, religiously is fascinating.   But my guess was wrong.             The first line of the article immensely surprised me.   “The online dating site OkCupid asks its clients to rate each other’s attractiveness on a scale of 1 to 5.”   Wow, I did not see this one coming!   I was tempted not to read further.   I am at the age where datin...

There are some writers who speak to me in fairly predictable ways.   Some of them are contemporary people who write for newspapers, on the internet, and other social media.   Others who speak to me are long since dead: spiritual greats from centuries ago, i.e. people like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and a host of others.   I don’t really pay too much attention to their political or religious categorization---such as conservative or liberal, evangelical or modern.     One such writer I like is David Brooks.   He writes for the New York Times .   Some of the really great material he brings is nothing he invented.   It comes from something he reads or hears and, then, reflects on it.   Maybe I am attracted to this because it is much like I work.   Recently, I read something from Brooks.   I was lured by the headline of the article: “What Our Words Tell Us.”   Granted, I have a love of words....

Regular readers know that I appreciate the writings of columnist David Brooks.   He is an insightful thinker who shares ideas and conclusions, which make me think about my own ideas and conclusions.   Near the Christmas season Brooks wrote a trenchant piece on faith.   That piqued my attention for two reasons: I consider myself a person of faith and I teach religion, which often deals with faith issues.   So I eagerly jumped into his article.             The title of Brooks’ offering was intriguing: “The Subtle Sensations of Faith.”   I think I got the direction of his essay when I read the following sentence in the initial paragraph.   “ You’d think faith would be a simple holding of belief, or a confidence in things unseen, but, in real life, faith is unpredictable and ever-changing.”   I am sure he is correct that many folks assume faith means what they believe.   In fact, if you ask Chr...