An Aside: For Wendell Berry and My Friends

When you praise the Father remember all the greatness of nature and how it has been praising God from creation.

The farmer brings forth praise from the harvest and his wife from her cooking and feeding.

There are few who can see the glory of the Father from a cubicle or from sixty-four stories in the sky. But even there Gods endless glory is shown in a very complete and perfect way.

Let us no longer toil in the trouble of quick coffee or the quick fix. Fall face first and cry more often. This will help you to bear open your bleeding heart more frequently and easily to the Father.

Desire the fresh fruit of the land, the produce of the field and the meat of the fallen cow. For these are the great provisions of our heavenly papa whom cares for us.

Read good books, eat rich foods - sometimes. Take naps when you have something to do. Kiss her more than you think you ought to. Take fewer showers. Watch the wind blow more often.

When you praise the Father, remember all the simplicities that bless our lives.

Fall in love without hesitation and when you do fall, do it with intensity. Wear your wedding ring as if you were shouting that persons name all day. Smoke a cigarette if you're stressed. Drink good wine. Have a favorite quote. Memorize scripture.

This is how we should live. A life with wind blown hair and sunburnt shoulders.

Take in the gracefulness of a beautiful women. Smell the hair of the one you lie down with and know that she is yours.

Drive with windows down and with the music too loud. Stare at the moon, trace your shadow. Remember peoples names. Live in random cities. Drink black coffee even though you know you won't like it.

Think of him more frequently and when you see him, jump into his arms. Whisper sweet things more often and remember her favorite things.

Follow the path you do not know. Talk to people and love people you don't care for. Skin your knees. Walk bare foot. Drink beer. Be very intentional. Be so intentional that if that person fails you or leaves you that it hurts, that way you know you were giving it your all.

Trust God deeply. Know the Spirit. Hold hands with Jesus. Speak frequently about Christ and his life. Pray often, in many ways and without need. Remember the cross. Get messy with the gospel. Wash your brothers feet and let him wash yours if he so pleases.

All of these things might not change your life or anything like that, but they may help you live it out.