The Rev. Dr. John Toles
Please comment below. When I return, we’ll combine some of your journal entries with mine and produce a printed journal of our adventure.
WEEK EIGHT PROMPT
St. Irenaeus writes, “For the glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God.” The glory you have isGod and is of God. Without Him, you are……. nothing. You may claim worldly glory, but that is less than dirty rags. (cf. Isaiah 64.6) How will you reflect God’s glory.
Dear Parents – If possible, please share with your children and post their answers.
Please comment below. When I return, we’ll combine some of your journal entries with mine and produce a printed journal of our adventure.
WEEK SEVEN PROMPT
The Sabbath is considered a day of rest so that one may draw nearer to God. I am on sabbatical and that is pretty much the same thing—the extended version. You all are also now on sabbatical from school and other school year activities. How will you spend part of your time drawing nearer to God? How will you rest in God?
Please comment below. When I return, we’ll combine some of your journal entries with mine and produce a printed journal of our adventure.
WEEK SIX PROMPT
Reflecting on your week, where did you witness God in action? Where was He silent (in your opinion?)
St. Olav Domkirke
I was very disappointed when I arrived, because I couldn’t find a door that was open. Then I followed some people around who knew the way and found a backdoor where you were allowed entry.
The Roman Catholic community is very small in this primarily protestant country.
There was even a relic of Saint Olav.
Please comment below. When I return, we’ll combine some of your journal entries with mine and produce a printed journal of our adventure.
WEEK FIVE PROMPT
If I say, “Blue,” each person will have their own understanding of what color of blue I’m referring to.
In the same way, language is an interpretation of God and, therefore, each person’s understanding is different. If I say, “God,” everyone will have a nuanced understanding of what I am saying (don’t believe me, try it amongst your friends.) However, there is a TRUTH to God that is beyond the limits of language. Beyond the words, how and where do you experience God?
I had in mind the service in Norwegian today. I did not understand a word, but I walked away smiling and feeling blessed.
Please comment below. When I return, we’ll combine some of your journal entries with mine and produce a printed journal of our adventure.
WEEK THREE PROMPT
The curve ball in life is inevitable. There are many options to deal with them—whine, cry, wine, scream, rest, think, pray, give up, roll with it, etc., all of the above. What is your preferred method? How do you deal? Is there always a silver lining or just the pit of despair?
It is no longer the Camino de Santiago, but it is the way I am going now.
The foot is doing better, although I would not set out on an 18 mile walk. It is going to take a bit more time to get back to that. For now, I am mostly content to rest it, though I feel like I’m “wasting” my sabbatical. We will see what the days ahead bring.
The sun is rising on a new day here in Ireland. Keep you posted.
Today has been a day of travel. I went from Los Arcos to Logroño. My bus was late so I missed my second bus to Madrid. There was another one at 12:45 PM and I got that one. Four hours later I arrived in Madrid. I went and found a new suitcase because I had been carrying my possessions in a bag that I found in the back room of the hotel. I gave away my hiking shoes in Los Arcos because the hikers I had were murder on my foot. The walking I did in my sandals hurt like the dickens at the beginning, but settled in after a bit. I somehow suspect that a little bit later tonight I will regret that walking. I have found some new shoes! Skechers. There were several other brands, but these are recognized. Soft on the bottom, and more importantly, soft on the top.
I have stayed in some very nice places the last several nights. However, the hotel I’m staying at in Madrid is a paradise. I’m sitting down, waiting on my octopus to be delivered for my supper. I’m thinking it’s going to be delicious although you who have issues with my mackrel during the week may not find it so appetizing.
I continue to think about many things. We really don’t change. We are who we are and we fight the battles. It doesn’t matter where you are, your demons will follow you. If you pray that those demons might release you and they remain, does that mean that you are a complete loss and destined for level nine? Or does that mean that Saint Paul heard correctly, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Do we continue to fight against the demons? I look at the person that I am, and I wonder, is this really who God wants me to be? I can’t imagine the person that I am is satisfying to Him. We desire to be more but… all that remains is who we are…. hold that thought, supper has arrived…
I absolutely complained to the management. It was a terrible supper. The baby octopus was two days too old. Horrible. I ate it so that I would not embarrass the chef. For those of you who know that I eat mackerel out of a can, please know that this was even better, and if I could get it in a can, I would be eating it every day! Just for the record.
I see that I have mentioned this earlier, so I am just rambling now… Before I arrived at my hotel, I purchased a new suitcase and a new pair of sneakers. My foot is very appreciative of the new sneakers. The suitcase actually contains everything after the great purge. I got rid of my backpack and many of the items that I needed for the long walk. However, I was left with a small day pack, and it was bursting at the seams. It made it this far, but I think it had just about met its maker.
When I walked into the luggage store and the shoe store, they both looked at me as though I did not belong. That is something worth preaching on. However, when they realized that I could actually pay… do you remember that scene from Pretty Woman, apparently they did… they helped me out.
I have been rambling all day long. My apologies. Not great writing. However, I’ve been struggling from one place to the next and I’m just about to the place where I can stop. I need a haircut. I need a shower. I need somebody to trim my eyebrows (I can’t be that shaggy English guy!) I need about a 12 hour nap. Who doesn’t? We go too hard. We must learn to find peace and rest…………
I do not believe that we know how to breathe. I think we try so hard to prove to the world and to ourselves… What?… Something.… That we are… Important? Have relevance? Deserve to be heard?…
… Maybe we just want the world to know that we exist or existed? Maybe we are all the good thief who cries out in all desperation, “Remember me.” …… I’m talking to myself now…..
Wait! I forgot about my white crane this morning. She/he was sitting on their nest at the top of the bell tower in Los Arcos. A beautiful bird, and so very peaceful to watch. So high up that she/he did not care that we were down below observing them.
If you do not hear from me in the next six months, start searching for my body in this area of Ireland. I’ll be headed there tomorrow.
Sleep well. know that God loves you.
My scars hurt. 
It only looks like I need to wash my feet, but it is actually a bruise on my right foot brought on by a stress fracture. The swelling was enough this morning that I could barely get my sandal on. I did not try my shoes.
And, yes, I am aware that I have finger toes, and that there is a massive gap where another toe could fit in.
What does this all mean? I am seeking further advice from a podiatrist. I have to be out of this hotel by noon tomorrow so things could happen quickly.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller.
Stick with me my blog reading friends, we have a change of plans. Two to four weeks of little walking or it will be a couple of months in a boot. I choose to rest, and what better place to rest than the Irish countryside. I’ll be there for three to four weeks, then we’ll see what’s next. Heck, I already have an invitation from friends to meet them in Vienna and I’m definitely still planning on Norway. Regardless of the aches and pains, life is very good. Love living it.
Tomorrow is mostly travel: hotel to bus stop (car), Los Arcos to Logroño (bus), Logroño to Madrid (bus… about 4.5 hours), and Uber to hotel. The flight to Dublin leaves Saturday morning.
Dora sent me this one…
I do believe that I will. Can’t wait!
Candle in a Cave 