Sit with Me
Got a minute? Or three? Come sit with me over ice cream or tea, and see what I've been up to in the last week...
I had to write a talk on Psalm 139. Somehow, this came together with a week of sand and palms, a grove of orangequat trees, and a delayed flight out of Miami, to produce a rather personal reflection on disillusionment, vision, calling, and hope, in A Walk in the Park
Also, I missed going out to my secret place one day, so I went out at night. I put my sled under the pine and lay down in the dark. I could see the stars and the fringes of the fir tree. This is what drifted into my mind... Matriarch
And, as if I didn't have enough to write, I got the thought to interview Scot McKnight, author of The Real Mary. We had an enjoyable chat, out of which came Writing the Natural Way
How nice to sit with you now, over orangequats, a pine tree, and a few thoughts on writing. (Btw, did you order vanilla or chocolate chip? I got the green tea.)
Eatery Photo by Gail Nadeau. Used with permission.
NOTE TO E: Recently, you contacted me about writing advice. I responded, though your email address was incomplete (I tried putting in "yahoo.com" as an ending, but I don't know if that worked). Anyhow, if you did not get my response, please contact me again with your full email address. Thanks! I'm glad you thought to write.
posted by L.L. Barkat at 10:38 PM
17 Comments:
LL
Psalm 139 is very special to our family. When my wife was diagnosed with cancer almost 6 years ago, it was a source of comfort to us. There were many dark nights but these verses from Psalm 139 helped us:
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me",
even the darkness will not be dark to you the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Those just aren't beautiful words, they are holy words of a Sovereign God. God healed my wife through the common grace of surgery but the words of Psalm 139 are etched in our lives
What a wonderful interlude! I dropped by your blog and found three wonderful pieces to read, a welcome break in my busy day. Thank you for sharing them.
I am drinking Good Earth organic Peppermint tea....
I loved your talk, L.L.
Been mulling a lot of it over today. A post brewing....?
Thanks.
L.L., What a wonderful gift and opportunity you have to creatively express truth! Awesome.
And I found the part on Scot McKnight especially interesting to me. He just writes on what he's moved to write. Fascinating. He's quite a reader.
I look forward to getting more time to get into your other website and read more.
Andre... I had no idea. Yes, that would be cause for a dark night, and I feel honored that you shared this special expression here.
Katrina... an interlude... well, that is a nice way to think about it. Thank you!
Andrea... ohh... I like peppermint too. So, is it your post brewing? I will link to it if you come up with one.
Ted... you have read what I love writing most... biblical material is endlessly fascinating to me. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And, yes, on Scot. In fact, he moved me to just start writing a few major works, without worrying if they'll ever be bought or even fully developed.
LL - just read your talk. It was just what I needed to hear. Thank you!
A Walk in the Park was perfect. It exactly captures some of the sentiments of my own heart of late. It was so deep and made my heart so full, I couldn't read the others yet! But thank you for sharing this, friend.
Only had time today to read your Psalm 139 talk. It was well worth it. I memorized that Psalm last year but have let it drift away. You've brought new meaning to it and inspired me to review it again.
As for Vinita Hampton Wright's book - I bought it last year but only skimmed it. It's moving up my list of reading immediately
I didn't have a chance to comment until just now, though I read your piece on Scot McKnight this morning before work. It was just what I need right now -- a writer who writes from the thoughts he's already mulling over. I write this way a lot, yet I stop before I get too far because it doesn't fit in my "strategy." I am inspired to begin some new things as well!
Very encouraging stuff. I agree with Charity about your essay on Scot. He has been a big encouragement to me.
This reminds me of the predicament I've gotten myself into over on my blog. Since I've committed to focusing on editing and publishing, it isn't quite as much fun. Over all, I think the content is more useful, but sometimes I find myself just wanting to post a long response to Al Hsu or Craver or Jesus Creed or Ted or Charity or Andre.
I guess I'm just still trying to figure myself out over there.
Kirsten... I'm glad it touched something of importance for you.
Christianne... that is wonderful to have a full heart... from this comes great overflow...
Charity... yes, wasn't that refreshing? I worked on the beginning of a piece tonight that is coming directly out of where I currently am, yet it promises to take me places I don't yet know. Btw, I think this is another interesting aspect of The Soul Tells a Story (which I look at in A Walk in the Park). She discusses that our creative work often is related to soul work that needs to happen. So, I imagine that too much strategy could squelch that wonderful, life-enhancing process.
Mark... trying to figure yourself out... a challenge, yes? I know I still haven't figured myself out either, but more in life than on the blog. Can I say that I liked your persona on Hill Country? It was less focused, but very vibrant. I would not be too afraid of that, even if it means interrupting some sentence advice to make a heartfelt statement. Just a thought.
Amusing... oops! Sorry I missed you. You were ducked behind Charity. Anyway, yes that Hampton book is worth reading (well, and rereading, as it seems, according to what happened to me)
Talking of psalms, our house is called Crimond and it was named by the church organist who used to live here many years ago
Psalm 23?
L.L.
You are a very good writer. Always enjoy your posts. I look forward to reading your Psalm 139 piece as well as your reflections on the essay with Scot McKnight.
"He who created you to begin with can create you again."
What a refreshing truth this is to me, LL, as I am still trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be "doing with my life"
Thanks for posting these great thoughts.
Martin... tell me what Crimond means, if anything... and does your home remind you of Psalm 23? That is one of my favorite Psalms, no matter that I've heard it all my life.
Jim... that is very kind of you to say. I had a great time interviewing Scot, and I hope you enjoy the fruit.
I'm trying to figure out how I missed your other site. . but rather than dwell on that I will just continue to go back to it. I had a cup of tea with extra lemon and browsed quietly.
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