"Prayer that runs its course till the last day of life needs a strong and tranquil soul."

- Clement of Alexandria
How God works

He works through people like Kumar (as reported on the excellent Letters from Kamp Krusty):

Kumar was on a crowded bus in Chennai, India. He heard God's voice. "Unmistakably," he says. I heard God say, twice, 'Seek Me.' That was it. Twice."

Just "Seek Me"?

"Just 'Seek Me'. And I knew it was God, but which God? I was Hindu. Was it Vishnu? Calli...? No idea. I just knew it was God. Somehow, I knew it. Unmistakable."

And Kumar isn't the gullible type. He has multiple advanced degrees in Aero Engineering and Physics, for starters, from the M.I.T.-equivalent in India.

He studied and researched, but just wasn't satisfied that it was one of his familiar gods, and eventually found a friend with a Bible -- a "good luck charm" -- and traded a textbook for it. He started reading, got confused, but eventually was pointed to Jesus.

He became a Jesus-follower. Costly decision.
You should go read the rest. And then come sit with me in speechless silence.

[Hat tip: Jared]

Overheard at church today

"Our faithfulness must be greater than our fame."

The iMonk eats some crow

Willingly.

I found this very inspiring. And not so much because of the controversy that is the subject matter of the post, though I'm pretty sure I agree, limited as my understanding is on the subject, with every word Michael says here.

It's more than that. I am consistently inspired by people who are willing to publicly admit they may have said or written something unfair in the past, and who are publicly willing to affirm ones that others are trashing, and who write with such generosity and grace (and skill).

Overheard today in the GAP class

"When in doubt, serve someone."