Tough way to get a beer

Birthday Greetings!

Happy 18th birthday, Caroline!

Declare

I finished reading Declare by Tim Powers a couple of days ago.  It is a meaty novel, long, a slow read for me, but one I could not walk away from.  At first it seems to be simply a novel of intrigue, and this it is, quite well.  But it adds an element of the supernatural, and does it so well that it does not feel like a fantasy novel, or anything of the sort.  It becomes believable.  I found myself thinking, Maybe that could really be what happened.  It could even be considered a Catholic novel.  I recommend it  highly.

Just do it...

Writing is not a performance, but a generosity.
                                        ---Brenda Uehland, If You Want to Write

Bearing with the faults of others...

From Book One of the Imitation of Christ, the 16th Chapter, Bearing with the Faults of Others:

Until God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and others. Consider it better thus—perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly. …


If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God’s sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another’s burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough. Hence we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity—adversity does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.

I was touched by how compassionate this advice is, and by the admonition to be patient with yourself as well as others.

Words of Wisdom

From Riparians at the Gate (courtesy of Happy Catholic, of course!)

Girls, even if you aren’t super gorgeous, guys are THAT interested in you, just because you are a girl. You! Yes, you! You don’t need to “sell” yourself. You don’t need to put your every asset on display. Be a kind, friendly person who cares about others. That’s what real men are looking for in a wife.

As a former single guy, I can vouch for this

And, just so you know:
ri·par·i·an   /rɪˈpɛəriən, raɪ-/ Show Spelled[ri-pair-ee-uhn, rahy-]
adjective

1. of, pertaining to, or situated or dwelling on the bank of a river or other body of water: riparian villas.

Warfare to the last breath...

"The brethren also asked [Abba Agathon], 'Amongst all good works, which is the virtue that requires the greatest effort?' He answered, 'Forgive me, but I think there is no labour greater than that of prayer to God. For every time a [person] wants to pray, his enemies, the demons, want to prevent him, for they know that it is only by turning him from prayer that they can hinder his journey. Whatever good work a [person] undertakes, if [she] perseveres in it, [she] will attain rest. But prayer is warfare to the last breath.'" The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection (Cistercian Publications, 1975), pp. 21-22.

True dat!

Today's Comic

The Imitation of Christ

I have a new resolution:  I am going to read The Imitation of Christ, a chapter a day.  Ihave made several attempts to read this classic but have never succeeded in getting very far.  I am too, impatient, I think.  It isn't meant to be read like C. S. Lewis or Frank Sheed, chapters at a time.  I believe it is meant to be read slowly, a little at a time, to give our souls time to marinate in its wisdom.  Or so I hope!  Here are two quotes I like from Chapter One, "Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth":

I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God?

It is vanity to wish for long-life and care little for a well-spent life.

Happy Monday, y'all!

Another good quote from Happy Catholic

Well Said: Do you worry or do you watch for God?


From my quote journal.

When you find yourself facing an issue in your life, the purpose or reason or good thing that might come out of it being completely hidden from you -- what do you do? Do you worry and fret, become preoccupied with the problem? Do you ignore it or avoid it? Do you complain about it, do you want to run away from it? Or do you see it as a situation in which you might be able to experience the power and grace of God at work? Do you watch for the work of God that is to be done in this situation?                                                          ...Father John Yates

Jule at Happy Catholic has a real knack for finding great quotes, and luckily for us she shares them.  This one struck me because I've often thought that our job, so to speak, no matter what situation we are in, is to be an instance of God's love, compassion, caring, and mercy.  So if we are in a place of suffering, show compassion to those around us.  If we are in a place of joy, enjoy and give thanks.  If we are in a place of struggle, pray for guidance and the grace to endure faithfully.  And if we are in a place of tedium, especially, remember to do our duty as if we are doing it for the Lord.  Because we are.

Faithfully

For all you Journey fans out there!

Lyrics

Journey lyrics - Faithfully lyrics

"The Lord is my strength and my shield"

Julie over at Happy Catholic posted one of my favorite quotes last Saturday. I had it on my cubby wall for years until the recent move:

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations,

That's where the card I had on my wall ended.  Julie's version is better.  It continues:

and say continually; "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him."

St. Francis de Sales

Comel Thou Font of Every Blessing

This gets better every time I watch it.

Another quote (I hope you don't mind)

For some reason, this quote speaks to my better self:

Be pleas­ing to Him for Whom you are sol­diers, Him from Whom you will receive your reward. None of you must be a deserter.

Let your bap­tism serve as a shield, faith as a hel­met, love as a spear, endurance as full armor. Your works are your deposits so that you may receive the full sum due you.

–- St. Igna­tius of Antioch

I found this at a blog by an Orthodox woman entitled This Side of Glory. You can also check out her The good Orthodox girl’s guide to getting rid of ants.

Enjoy!

Today's quote:

"If you are what you ought to be,
you will set the whole world on fire."

--St. Catherine of Siena

The Inner Life of my Daughters

I have found it quite enlightening to discover that two of my daughters are putting their thoughts on blogs these days. As my daughters have gotten older, it seems like I know less and less what goes on in their hearts. I think this is natural, but still unfortunate. I miss the days when they were like open books. So I am happy to have a chance to read Amanda's and Emily's blogs. Good stuff! Keep up the good work, girls! I hope you don't mind my reading over your shoulders...

Favorite Quote Friday

I have some quotes for you today:

Jesus did not come to do away with suffering or to remove it. He came to fill it with His presence

- Paul Claudel

Man has places in his heart which do ot yet exist, and into them enters suffering, in order that ehy may have existence

- Leon Bloy

Trust the past entirely to the mercy of God,
the present to His tender love,
and the future to His providence and care over you.

- St. Augustine

My Blog

Hi, all!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I now have a blog of my own.  Here's the link:

amkopff.blogspot.com

If I had all day

I could spend it just following a daisy-chain of links. I end up places and it becomes a real challenge to figure out how I got there. Here, for example, is an interesting blog called, simply, Betty Duffy. I think I got here from Happy Catholic, but I'm not positive. Well, best get back to work even though it is Friday...

Change is...

Change is that mysterious wedding between my willingness and God's grace.
I really believe that even my willingness is a grace, too.

From the blog A Song not Scored for Breathing

Lines and Colors

This looks like a website Caroline would like. It describes itself as "a blog about drawing, sketching, painting, comics, cartoons, webcomics, illustration, digital art, concept art, gallery art, artist tools and techniques, motion graphics, animation, sci-fi and fantasy illustration, paleo art, storyboards, matte painting, 3d graphics and anything else I find visually interesting. "