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getting away I journeyed on a solitude retreat thursday night through saturday morning at the Abbey of Gethsemane. So good to see the sun rise and set, to actually hear the birds, to be conscious of the coldness of the wind and to gaze at stars in the night sky for more than 30 seconds. The Spirit always speaks to me when I get away like this. The truth-- I think the Spirit is always speaking. I infrequently hear because of pace and distraction. I am praying to cultivate a life of hearing, marked not by episodic interludes but daily listening. LJCHMOMAS. posted by John David Walt | at 12/19/2004 09:45:00 PM | 1 comments
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
vs. perfectionism Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
Scott Adams, cartoonist (1957- )
Labels: quotes
posted by John David Walt | at 12/15/2004 10:16:00 PM | 2 comments
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
On the Freedom of Creativity For a long time now my friends and colleagues have encouraged me to write more. Finally, this past summer I launched into a book project and am now working on another. They should be published successively the next couple of summers. I regret, however, to say it has been one of the more disappointing experiences of my life. My editor, a nice and capable person, has all but convinced me that I have little to say and write even worse. I have become painfully aware of mechanics and am losing my sense of ease and flow with words. As I have tried to pull out of my ambivalent despair over it I have remembered an experience from my childhood.
When I was about ten my grandfather gave me a junior set of golf clubs. He took my cousin and I to a golf pro at a public "Jay Cees" golf course (i.e. goat ranch) to get us started. The pro dumped out what seemed like a thousand golf balls and said, "Go at it." The wise old instructor carefully observed us for a long time before ever saying a word. My swing fell into a really strong groove. I was gaining confidence by the shot it seemed, just by having him watch. Every ten shots or so, he would offer advice, make a slight correction but always with an affirming spirit. We returned three or four more times that summer for lessons. My junior golfing career was off and running. I won three tournaments that first summer and developed a deep love for the game.
Seeing my natural "potential," the next summer, my grandfather took me to a different pro. This guy was much younger, worked at a prestigious country club, and had a reputation for being on the cutting edge of the game. From the first shot, this pro began to systematically dismantle my golf swing, deconstructing my natural rhythms and micro-managing every square inch of my game. Whereas before there was an unconscious simplicity about my swing, I became painfully conscious of my every move. I went from hitting a natural draw to a cutting slice and nothing could correct it. It has taken me years to regain confidence in my golf swing in a measure restoring my joy and love of the game.
I am trying to learn. I do believe editorial instruction and correction are imperative-- no way to improve without it. But in an artistic process, encouragement and affirmation are also imperative. And at the end of the day, the clay is the clay. In other words, I am me and I bring what I bring to the potters wheel. Please pray for a restoration of my confidence and an ensuing humility that empowers me to create beauty with words again.
Labels: theology
posted by John David Walt | at 12/14/2004 07:07:00 AM | 5 comments
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
A New Song Several days ago Tiffani overheard our son David (4) singing a song by himself. As she got closer she didn't recognize the song. He was composing both lyrics and melody on the spot. She ran to grab a piece of paper to capture it. I wanted to share it here as a blessing.
When you don't obey God
He will get you in trouble
He is the Holy Father, Holy Spirit, Lord!
He is God Almighty.
He lives in your heart all day.
Yes I will obey God
He has made us
To the Lord our God
He loves us so much every day
I will obey God every day
Holy! Holy! Holy!
God is sooooo strong!
Some pretty good theology there-- any thoughts? It's obvious we work on obedience a lot around the house-- at least you can hear it in the song. Remniscient of Mary's song-- "Let it be with me according to your word." I am still trying to learn to sing that one with my heart.
Labels: quotes
posted by John David Walt | at 12/08/2004 09:33:00 AM | 3 comments
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Perfectionism One of the things I love about the Christmas Story is how imperfect it was. God just went for it-- poor teenaged virgin living in nowheresville, census taken at 8.9 months, motels all booked up, no baby clothes. . . . very very imperfect, but unbelievably good. The time was right and full and there it was. Should inspire us to do the same. I wrote a poetic musing on the idea-- called Perfectionism.
Intentions overwhelm actions
when sentiment substitutes for longing
and desire replaces doing
Intentions feel so satisfying
mirages of possibility
havens of imagined perfection
While action seems so ambling
distorting dreamed realities
Great becomes enemy of good as
perfect wields intentions sword against action
Taking protection behind the
Ironic impenetrable masking shield of . . . ???
any thoughts?
I once heard someone say, "If it's worth doing it's worth doing poorly." The more I think about it the more I agree.
Labels: poetry
posted by John David Walt | at 12/02/2004 09:55:00 PM | 1 comments
White Christmas Chili I got this recipe from my dear friend, Dena Alvarez, in Houston several years ago. It is incredible.
INGREDIENTS
3 shallots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
18 oz can tomatillos or clear salsa verde
14.5 oz can chopped/diced tomatoes
10.5 oz can chicken broth
7oz can chopped green chiles
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp cumin
(2) 15 oz cans Great Northern Beans
Good size Sunday Roaster Fryer Chicken baked, (or boiled) deboned and torn
STEPS
1. Bake the Chicken in a dutch oven for 1 to 1.5 hours until done. (don't overcook) If boiling then 30-40 minutes.
Debone the chicken while hot (easier) and set torn pieces aside
2. In a large deep sauce pan, saute shallots and garlic until soft. Add rest of ingredients (except chicken and beans). Bring to a boil and reduce immediately to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Add chicken along with beans.
4. As chili garnishments-- offer lime, cilantro, chopped red onion, avacado, sour cream and grated monterey jack cheese. Good served with cornbread.
Maybe a recipe is out of bounds for a blog-- it's a srap.
Labels: recipes
posted by John David Walt | at 12/02/2004 09:41:00 PM | 1 comments
Today...