As you can imagine, I woke up and entered the conference feeling thoroughly ashamed of myself for this acerbic post. Esp. when someone there who reads my blog whispered, “ANITA! Who was it?” I couldn't bear to do any identification, of course.

I have been running tired, and when I do, I see life in shades of grey, and perhaps should stop blogging until I see “la vie en rose” as the French say.

Thank you for your gentle reminder. Yes, turning to God for solace or wisdom or guidance now comes rather naturally to me, but I struggle with other things such as faithfulness with exercise, faithfulness to a healthy diet, faithfulness with keeping up with my housework which must seem inexplicable to “normal” Christians or non-Christians, and oh, what fun they could have satirising me.

I will probably come back and moderate my post. The peril of blogging is that one works out one's feelings and ideas online–and then presses “publish!” Blessings, A.

One of the things that troubles me sometimes is needing to meet people where they are, not where we expect or want them to be. The folks you describe here are products of their upbringing and circumstance and I think they should be commended for stepping out into your world where it is very scary and intimidating. It is very scary to be around folks for whom the gospel “makes sense” and is already a huge part of their lives. Dr. Houston and Mrs. Dallas sound as if they are a little defensive in the face of meeting people who are living the life their soul craves, whether they are aware of that craving or not.

For me, spirituality comes hard. I'm a geek where numbers and machines hold great fascination for me (including the amazing machine called the human body). Most of my collegues ridicule me for my faith. Being spiritual means I have to let go of my slide rule and hug people!! And I have seen your incredulous look when I struggle to even understand the simplest spiritual thing. And I am intimidated in the presence of people for whom spirituality comes naturally.

I have the same incredulous look when people give me case sensitive email addresses (“seriously? You believe that if I don't capitalize the first letter of your email, it won't work? “) and I am reminded that not everyone is comfortable nor 100% knowledgable about technology. I have to meet them where they are…try not to be intimidating…and gently tell them that email addresses are case insensitive and drop it if they argue.

For many, like the people you describe, the gospel is hard…it is hard to swim against the current of a) who you are and b) how you were raised and c) your peers. Have patience and celebrate that we are at least taking baby steps towards that which you have in abundance. And we might have to stop and merely tread water for a while, but it's awesome to be in the presence of folks who can guide us.

Sorry this got long…but I so identified with your characters, not because I'm rich, but because I find their confusion in myself and encounter reactions like yours often in my spiritual forays and wanted to share an insiders perspective.

Thank you for being a beacon to those of us who struggle…I really do crave what you have and am working to get there. Hold Dr. Houston's proverbial hand this week, he wants it to but just doesn't know he does or how to get there.

I think I was just recording a unusual conversation–and then, the blogger's temptation–pressed publish!

I am very tired today, which brings out my acerbic and cynical side.

I told myself that perhaps this blog was too bitchy to post, but then decided that it was honest, if bitchy–and pressed publish!!

Yes, I am convinced that happiness comes from our spiritual lives. Even close relationships cannot give us the same happiness!

Living in Oxford, I often muse on the differences between intelligence and wisdom. As you say, wisdom depends on what you build your life on–and what remains when old age or adversity shakes your life.

Oh yes, those in Christian ministry can be as ambitious and self-seeking as those in secular ministry. I have been tempted to blog about fiendishly ambitious Christians in full-time Christian work whom I know–but then reflect that I am not unambitious about my blog, and would probably also be ambitious for “success” were I in professional Christian work. So cannot throw the first or last stone!!