the pilgrimage

The holiday's were fantastic. We spent Christmas at home with our housemates JD and Callie, our friend Ryan and Callie's parents Kim and Duncan. It was a lovely few days of lounging around the house and enjoying each others company.
Then mid week a freak ice/snow storm hit Portland HARD and although I left work early, it still took me four hours to reach my home, when it usually takes me one. However, to my surprise I was very patient and not at all stressed during the drive. My car is quite reliable in the snow/ice, I was just more concerned about other slipping and sliding into my car. But I made it home safe, and was able to enjoy the time I had to myself. My thoughts wandered to my spiritual journey I'm currently on. We have been trying different churches in our area, nothing has really peaked our interest as of yet, but we have a few more on our list we are eager to try. We both want a grounded theological based teacher, who keeps our interest. Seeker churches are necessary, however, they just aren't for us.
Anyway, my thoughts wandered to a favorite author of mine, J.D. Salinger and his book Franny and Zooey. In this book he writes of another book The Way of a Pilgrim,
"The Way of a Pilgrim is the English title of a 19th century anonymous Russian work, detailing the narrator's journey across the country while discovering practicing the Jesus Prayer devoutly, with the help of a prayer rope, and studying the Philokalia. " taken from Wikipedia

I've wanted to read it for years but would always forget to actually pick it up at the bookstore. So I made a point to run to this amazing book store near my work called Powell's http://www.powells.com/ They of course had 4 different editions to choose from, and I couldn't wait to start reading it.

The topic of prayer has been brought up quite a few times in my life the last few weeks. The podcast I listen to every week from Mars Hill Bible Church has been going through the sermon on the mount since the beginning of September, and the last two weeks they've talked about the Lord's Prayer. I encourage you to go take a listen!
http://www.marshill.org/teaching/index.php

I will let you know how this journey goes.... I'm rather excited. Already it has allowed me to free myself of burdens I thought I'd never let go of and find unbelievable forgiveness. I don't by any means think it's the book, I think it's my openness to the journey. That's what it's all about. Being open.