My Obsession · Mi Obsesión

Here are a few more photos of my recent Long Walk in Ireland. I also wanted to share the words to the following song with all of you, because it so perfectly defines what last weekend's walk with God was all about.

Knowing Him more deeply, being transformed into the image of Jesus Himself through Relationship with the Living Christ: this is my (magnificent) obsession!

I listened to the following song many times as I walked with Him through the poignantly beautiful Irish landscape...

Obsession

Jesus Culture

Composición: Martyn Smith

What can I do with my obsession?
With the things I cannot see
Is there madness in my being?
Is it wind that blows the trees?
Sometimes You're further than the moon
Sometimes You're closer than my skin
And You surround me like a winter fog
You've come and burned me with a kiss.

And my heart burns for You.
And my heart burns.

And I'm so filthy with my sin
I carry pride like a disease
You know I'm stubborn God and I'm longing
to be close.
You burn me deeper than I know,
I feel lonely without hope.
I feel desperate without vision,
You wrap around me like a winter coat.
You come and free me like a bird.

And my heart burns for You.
And my heart burns for You.

(¡Que disfrutéis de los subtítulos en portugués, jajaja!)

The Rock · La Roca

I'm back in Barcelona from this year's Long Walk with God, after a memorable weekend in Donegal, Ireland.

While walking along the shores of Lough Eske last Saturday, I shot this photo. I reminds me of Jesus' words about the wisdom of building our lives on the Rock which is He Himself.

They are words especially relevant for the times in which we live.

In the days to come, I hope to have time to share more photos and thoughts from the retreat here on the Blog.

And now, for my Spanish friends:

Por tanto, cualquiera que oye estas palabras Mías y las pone en práctica,

será semejante a un hombre sabio que edificó su casa sobre la Roca;
y cayó la lluvia, vinieron los torrentes, soplaron los vientos y azotaron

aquella casa; pero no se cayó, porque había sido fundada sobre la Roca.

Y todo el que oye estas palabras Mías y no las pone en práctica,

será semejante a un hombre insensato que edificó su casa sobre la arena;
y cayó la lluvia, vinieron los torrentes, soplaron los vientos y azotaron

aquella casa; y cayó, y grande fue su destrucción.

El Libro Mágico de mi Maestro
"El Cuento del Embustero", capítulo 7

Long Walk 2010, Ireland

The bags are packed (raingear included!) for this weekend's "Long Walk"
in Donegal, Ireland (my ancestral home).

What is the "Long Walk"? It is a yearly tradition of the Daily Audio Bible, one of the online communities I belong to. Simply said, we all set aside one, intimate day to walk and talk with God.

Last year was the first time I walked the Long Walk, and it was an experience I will never forget (click here for posts and photos).

I've packed my walking stick... and my heart,
with great expectations for this coming weekend.

Loch agus Coill · Lake and Wood

Click to enlarge · Haz click para aumentar


Welcome to the second path on the Long Walk.
Please first pass by the Lake...

Bienvenid@ al segundo sendero de mi retiro espiritual.
Por favor, pasa primero al borde del Lago...

...until we reach the entry to the Woods.

... hasta que lleguemos a la entrada del Bosque.

Walk reverently... we are going to talk with God.

Camina con reverencia... vamos a hablar con Dios.

Laying aside our walking stick,
we sit a moment among the clover.
And God sweetly, gently, speaks.

Dejando al lado el palo,
nos sentamos un momento entre los tréboles.
Y Dios, de forma dulce y suave, habla.

Souls refreshed,
we leave Narnia and return
to This Present World.

Los almas refrescados,
salimos de Narnia,
volviendo a Este Presente Mundo.

* * * * * * *

And the Wind whispers behind you...
Y el viento susurra detrás tuyo...

And you shall seek Me, and you shall find Me,
if you search for Me with all of your heart.

Me buscarás y me encontrarás,
cuando me busques de todo corazón.

Maidin agus Báisteach · Morning and Rain

Go raibh maith agat, Leitir Ceanainn!

Thank You, Letterkenny! ¡Gracias, Letterkenny*!

Today's walk with my Master took me to the town of Letterkenny,
where I met the family of Dave and Daphne, shown here
with Grandma Primrose and Jamie, one of their 3 sons.
We were instantly united by the common love we feel for You, Lord Jesus.
Thank you all again for your wonderful hospitality!


Mi caminata hoy, junto a mi Maestro, me llevó al pueblo de Letterkenny, donde conocí la familia de Dave y Daphne, a quienes vemos aquí
con la abuelita Primrose y Jamie, uno de sus 3 hijos.
Nos sentimos unidos al instante por el amor que sentimos todos
por Ti, Señor Jesús.
¡Os agradezco a todos una vez más vuestra gran hospitalidad!




* Letterkenny in Irish/en irlandés = Leitir Ceanainn ;-)

Tip: Click on the photos to see them better / Haz click
para aumentar las fotos

Hoy, en la iglesia · Today, at church

English translation below...

Hoy, en la iglesia, hablé con mi Dios

Y no necesité que ningún hombre

vestido de negro, se interpusiera

para controlar la Conversación.

Hoy, en la iglesia, caminé con mi Papá:

el coro: los pájaros en los árboles...

un ángel: el granjero que me saludó,

los textos sagrados: el susurro
de Su gran Amor por mi,

en el viento.

Hoy, en la iglesia, sabía que era sábado,
no domingo; ni era hora de ninguna misa.

Cogí la Mano de mi Maestro,

y caminamos juntos, Jesús y yo,

charlando, riéndonos, y... lloré,

por la alegría, el puro gozo
de compartir Su compañía.

Hoy, en la iglesia, las paredes: los prados verdes

y el techo: la inmensidad del cielo irlandés.

Hablé con Dios y me respondió.

Siento el calor de ese Beso,

todavía.

Donegal, Lough Eske, Irlanda

Today, at church, I talked to my God
And I didn't need any Men
in Black, to get between us,
to control the Conversation.

Today, at church, I walked with my Papá:
the choir: the birds in the trees...
an angel: the farmer who waved at me,
the sacred texts: the whisper of His great Love for me,
in the wind.

Today, at church, I knew it was Saturday,
not Sunday, nor was it time for any Mass.
I took the Hand of my Master
and we walked together, Jesus and I,
chatting, laughing, and.. I cried,
for the happiness, the sheer joy
of sharing His Company.

Today, at church, the walls: green pastures,
and the ceiling: the immensity of the Irish sky.
I talked with God, and He answered me.
I feel the heat of that Kiss,
still.

Donegal, Lough Eske, Ireland

Saludos desde Irlanda

Saludos desde Donegal (Irlanda)
donde estaré un par de días, caminando con Dios
en un retiro espiritual personal.

Ya os contaré ;-)