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Monday, April 26

hans urs von balthasar:

"i say to you, blessed is he who
exposes himself to an existence never
brought under mastery.

who does not transcend, but rather
abandons himself to God's ever-transcending
grace. blessed are not the enlightened whose
every question has been answered and are de-
lighted with their own sublime insight.

blessed, rather, are the harassed who must
daily stand before enigmas and cannot
solve them. woe to the rich. although nothing
is impossible with God, it is difficult for the
Spirit to move their fat hearts.

the poor are willing and easy to direct.
they do not take their eyes off their
Master's hand to see if He may throw
them a morsel from His plate. so careful
do the poor follow His promptings.

God's grace is unpretentious, but
the poor are satisfied with little gifts."

i've been spending
much time among the poor
since will died. i love this
quote from someone i don't know:

we have walked together
in the shadow of a
rainbow.

it's been hard,
and i can tell you
only a few have stood by
my children and me.
BUT HOW BLESSED ARE THOSE FEW!!!

those who have helped us
have taught me things i never
could have learned any other way.
i kiss every check. and my children
have learned to love giving because
we know the thrill of receiving.

wave your flags.
paint the sky red.
dance in the street.
grab a hand and squeeze it.
smile in every face God 's beautifully
created.

Jesus makes a way.
did you hear me?
HE MAKES A WAY.
give, and you will receive.
God promises.

if you are afraid today.
cannot see any way through.
keep your eyes on the Master's hand.
and sing! yes, SING!''

music is bursting through every
fresh, new flower. listen. and
join the choir. and feel the warmth
of my hand in yours. you have written
love all over the walls of my life. oh,
how i love you all!

" Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives;
he who seeks finds;
and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if his son asks for bread,
will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish
will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven
give good gifts to those who ask Him!
So in everything, do to others
what you would have them do to you,
for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

~Matthew 7:7-12 (NIV)

"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your would will delight in the richest of fare."

~Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV)


2 comments:

  1. Hi Ann,
    I am on a mission to reread all the books on my shelves and then give them away. I have read them all at least once. I have been collecting books for over 40 years. Many are my seminary books, most of them are inspirational books. Very few fiction.

    All of that to say that I am in the midst of rereading your book "and with the gift came laughter". I collected many of your books several years ago as you were my favorite speaker and author back in the 1980's. I loved your simple, honest, heart/soul-bearing style...your spontaneous songs...your life stories.

    Tonight I was curious as to what you are doing in life now. So I went to Google and put in your name. The search brought me to your web site and your blog. I have marked you as a favorite, and hope to read through your blog as time goes by.

    Meanwhile, I just want to say I am so sorry that Will was taken home while you still had children to raise. One more sorrow to add to your long list. And I read that your last son has now left home. The empty nest sadness (we got a dog, and now we have two...but it's not the same as being "mother").

    So, Ann, in the midst of those things that could bring sorrow and sadness, my heart goes out to you. However, I believe without a doubt that Ann Kiemel Anderson hangs on to the hand of Jesus all the more tightly, and trusts Him to guide her through each day and each challenge before her. Only in heaven, Ann, will you realize how many of us you have impacted with your faith across the years and journeys of our lives.

    I will add you to my prayer journal, Ann, and as the Holy Spirit brings your face, your name, to my mind, I will seek the Father on your behalf.
    Simply His...Carol Casarez

    ReplyDelete
  2. "God's grace is unpretentious, but
    the poor are satisfied with little gifts."

    "woe to the rich. although nothing
    is impossible with God, it is difficult for the
    Spirit to move their fat hearts."

    WOW!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete