Links and inspiration
Recently I’ve come across a few links I wanted to share.
- The first is a Yale University English class lecture on Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping, a book I recently read and reviewed. There are two lectures on this novel, actually, along with a number of others on American literature. Here is the first one on Housekeeping.
- Here is a video of an eagle owl flying directly at the camera. Fascinating — my daughters and I were amazed.
- And here is Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts, speaking at Wheaton College. Thanks to Magistra Mater for the link — I found this very inspiring.
Ann Voskamp tells the story of Maximilian Kolbe as part of her speech. Kolbe was a Jewish man who had converted to Christianity; he offered to die in place of another prisoner at Auschwitz. I had recently heard Nicky Gumbel tell the same story as part of our church’s running of the Alpha program, but I picked up a few new details from Ann’s telling. One of the most moving details was that a month before his death, Kolbe had written to his mother that he was at Auschwitz, saying, “Everything is well in my regard. Be tranquil about my health; the good God is everywhere, providing for everything with love.”
Imagine writing that upon arrival at Auschwitz.
Kolbe was clearly someone who understood that the blessing of God was not just for the hereafter, but for the here and now. He understood who he was in Christ — blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, equipped with everything he needed for life and godliness, safe in the arms of a loving God. Whatever might happen in his bodily life, he lived out of the resources of that eternal kingdom.
“Be tranquil… The good God is everywhere, providing for everything with love.” Good words for this week.
8 Comments
Lisa notes
Yes, Janet, those are excellent words for this week. I pray I can live them out–be tranquil and trust that God is good, everywhere I go.
And I so agree with you that the blessings of God aren’t just for later; they’re also for now. Thanks for sharing this and the links.
Carrie, Reading to Know
Good words, indeed!
Amy @ Hope Is the Word
Thanks for sharing this today, Janet. I needed it.
e-Mom
So nice to meet you today, Janet!
Blessings, e-Mom @ Chrysalis
bekahcubed
Wow–what faith, to see God’s provision amidst the trials of Auschwitz. May God give us the grace to see Him and bless Him in all our lesser trials.
Rebecca
Remarkable words! It is apparent that Kolbe was able to find contentment and peace in prison just like Paul did.
Senkyoushi
“Be tranquil… The good God is everywhere, providing for everything with love.” Good words for this week.
I really needed that right now. God is good and everything He does is good! Thank you for this powerful quote to take with me today.
Barbara H.
I’ve seen that eagle owl video before — so neat! I’ll have to come back and listen to Ann.
It’s hard to fathom that kind of tranquil faith in those kinds of circumstances. I wonder why we fail to see God’s goodness when we have so much more evidence of it.