In harmony with the views of Albert Camus, a writer with whom he became more and more engrossed in the 1960s, Merton contended that political and military administrators had to learn to be less sane and more skeptical about the institutional ideologies that propelled them.

"A modern philosopher who has never once suspected himself of being a charlatan must be such a shallow mind that his work is probably not worth reading." (From Metaphysical Horror)
"In all the universe man cannot find a well so deep that, leaning over it, he does not discover at the bottom his own face." (From Marxism and Beyond)
"And thus Prometheus awakens from his dream of power, as ignominiously as Gregor Samsa in Kafka's Metamorphosis." (on the emergence of Stalinist dictatorship as an expression of Marxism, from Main Currents of Marxism)

How have we gotten away from citizens organizing to solve problems together and if so, why?

Since WW II our institutions have focused on the need of people to be fixed or filled. So much has gone to agencies to fix and fill rather than to mobilize people for problem solving and productivity that we have had much less progress in developing neighborhoods than we could have had.

Believe it or not, Christianity is expanding at a phenomenal rate, making it the world's fastest growing religion. It's a remarkable fact considering how, in the Western world, more and more denominations report declining membership, church closures and difficulty recruiting clergy to fill pulpits. The reality in North America and Europe is disturbing. For us, maintaining status quo too often feels like success. So why are we shrinking? Is it just that we live in an increasingly secular culture, or is it something more?

paul viera who wrote it and had a booming youth happening in winnipeg in the early 90's but left it bcse God told him to, is in surrey to talk and visit
March 31, 2007
SURREY CONFERENCE CENTRE, Building 400, Conference Room #3
#400 - 9260 140th St., Surrey
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You have to register for this event. For more information please contact Grace Wiebe at gracew@idmail.com or CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org. (The cost of the event is only $5.)

paul says it's abt friends.
love to you my friends

this is from stacey campbell

(and i second it. with love)

Changing Times, Changing Seasons
And when John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God,” all the structures-- they broke down. They came down...falling down...it literally fell down. First in his body, then in the natural in 70 AD.

Living Stones
Everything they knew came down. Because we’re living stones. Living stones! Living stones! The life is not in the form. The life is in the stone. The DNA is in the brick.

A City Made of Stones

am taking what i believe is the heart out of a paper i believe andy referred to.
this is for people who don't read long things.
realtionaltithe.com
embezzlement paper. ray mayhew

The wisdom literature of Israel unequivocally
asserted that “to give to the poor is to lend to the Lord” (Prov.19:17). It was upon this
foundation that later rabbinic scholars placed almsgiving even above prayer and fasting as
the primary act of devotion to God himself; “prayer with fasting is good, but better than

i eddittedd itt from elijah list prophetic words jan7/07, kathie walters...:

When I was in Ireland at the End of November, I had a Vision of a Town where very Strong Winds began to Blow through the Streets...

I saw a woman walking; she had on a red coat and head scarf. When I saw the red coat, I realized the woman represented the "Church" (covered by the blood). The head scarf though, I felt represented a "lifestyle." You are meant to have a crown.

The wind came behind this woman; a very strong wind. It blew her to the end of the street and AROUND A CORNER. The woman's head scarf came off, and then she began to laugh and enjoy the wind.

this is i think the heart of God re: leaders who stumble (and fall):
(it's long bcse the last half is part of ez: 37 written out)

Operation Prayer Watch- November 2006
Jeff and Kathi Pelton
Nov 8, 2006

This past week I was in the capital city of Canada, Ottawa. While I was there the sad news of the accusations against Ted Haggard were released in the media. I was in Ottawa with a group of intercessory leaders and the news deeply affected each of us, even those of us who had never been connected with him in any way. Our hearts were deeply grieved with both compassion for the Haggard family, his church family and for the body of Christ.

i will thank God with all my heart as i meet with his godly people

how amazing are the deeds of the lord!
all who delight in him should ponder them

everything he does reveals his glory and majesty
his righteousness never fails