JJ
JJ

I Have Not Yet Made a Beginning

Reflections on the Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

October 10, 2017

Silvrback blog image
We live with the revolving internet outrage of the week. You know what I mean: a celebrity says something or does something, and everyone has an outraged opinion about it. We take sides; we have the story or video clip supporting our outrage. The President tweets something foolish, and we all line up in outrage or support, and we shout . . .

Read More

Go to Your Cell

Reflections on the Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

September 21, 2017

Silvrback blog image Many years ago I was either brave enough or foolish enough to try solo backpacking, hiking and camping in the woods alone. On one hike I didn’t bring anything to read, and this was before the age of cellphones, so I was alone by the campfire at night. I remember reading the manual in my first-aid kit, but after I’d thoroughly gone through it . . .

Read More

Sorry for the Delay

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

April 17, 2017

Silvrback blog image Sorry for the little sabbatical from posting here. I’m always humbled when people say they read my writing and miss it when it’s gone. A couple of things happened. First, Brother Lawrence’s reflections stopped inspiring me. Many refer to The Practice of the Presence of God as one of the great spiritual classics, and I believe that’s true. I . . .

Read More

Never-Ending Prayer

Reflections on the Practice of the Presence of God

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

January 05, 2017

Silvrback blog image
My morning prayer is one of the best parts of the day. The house is quiet.I set my cell phone to the side. The television, radio, and music are all off. I read the bible and pray, and I do my best to focus on God. I look forward to this time. I enjoy it. I miss it if I can’t do it.

If that time is all it is, though, that’s not . . .

Read More

Be Gentle With Yourself

Reflections on the Practice of the Presence of God

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

December 22, 2016

Silvrback blog image
The Practice of the Presence of God contains not only conversations but letters from Brother Lawrence. He mentions he shares the letters (to whomever he was writing) on the terms that the recipient shares them with no one else (somebody dropped the ball on that one). Lawrence is asked about his methods for arriving at a “habitual sense . . .

Read More

Advent Silence

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

December 19, 2016

Silvrback blog image
Imagine the lights dimmed in a monastery church. One light is kept on for those who need to find their way out. The rest of the room is dark.The spoken prayers are over, and those who stay in the room sit. No one takes out a phone. No one talks. No one moves from seat to seat. For a half an hour those who are there sit in silence. . . .

Read More

Teaching By Example

Reflections on The Practice of the Presence of God

Jason Jones

"In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome." - Rule of St. Benedict

November 21, 2016

Silvrback blog image
I had a professor in college whose class I loved. I looked forward to it; I never missed it; I was on the edge of my chair in our discussions. I just knew I loved the material and the professor’s teaching style, but I didn’t really know much about his life, though, other than he mentioned he was married and had kids. Late in the . . .

Read More

Archive
   Subscribe by email and never miss a post.

This update link alerts you to new Silvrback admin blog posts. A green bubble beside the link indicates a new post. Click the link to the admin blog and the bubble disappears.

Got It!