Inspirations and Observations on The Spiritual Journey

arrdvarks is an author, artist and carpenter. He is married and lives with his wife
and cats. He eats a lot of candy. He’s a Christian with over twenty years of sobriety.
This book is a collection of thoughts throughout these years.
**The Spirit of Jesus
The spirit of Jesus is not locked in a book.
The spirit of Jesus is not locked in a building with a temple.
The spirit of Jesus is not in rote memorized bible passages.
The spirit of Jesus is in the care given to the homeless man.
The spirit of Jesus is in fighting for care of the poor and destitute.
The spirit of Jesus is the sandwich given to those living on the street.
The spirit of Jesus is the kind ear given to the suffering veteran.
The spirit of Jesus is in the helping of those that shake from withdrawal.
The spirit of Jesus is in the visit paid to the prisoner inside.
The spirit of Jesus is in working on Sunday for the elderly.
The spirit of Jesus is in guiding the lost back to a loving God.
The spirit of Jesus is in loving all, forgiving all, and walking hand in hand with him into the light of God.
arrdvarks
December 21, 2013

**My wife died
I never thought with my mental illness I would ever get married. But I did. I took care of her for years and she got sicker. I miss her. I pray to god to help carry me through. I am just happy I am not like my sister.

Her husband has been dead for 10 years and she is miserable. She never goes out or has friends. She is still unhappy.

Don't get me wrong it has been painful. My wife wouldn't want me to be like that. I put up a Christmas tree for the first time in years since before she got sick. The first ornament I hung was her wedding rings on a hook. I have leaned on my friends. They invited me to dinners and to be with their families. I am so grateful for my friends and God to help carry me through.
arrdvarks,
January 12, 2014

**You get the message that so and so died
As I left I saw the tall fellow.
Gapped earlobes, spike hair, and vest on.
I asked him about his little friend I had met him with during the summer.
He is using in Pittsburgh.
I asked how he was doing.
He said the last 60 days have been tough.
He of the spiked hair has thought of using.
"I would rather be dead then go back to living that life I lived before though."
I am just happy your here tonight friend.
You mentioned earlier there have been more deaths in the last 60 days.
Who died?
None of the main cast.
Mostly peripheral players.
You know how it is.
You get the message that so and so died.
Running with the cast I did for as long as I did.
It happens.
I will not go back to that life."

My friend of the spiked hair now has 18 months.
My prayers tonight go to all who suffer pain from wounds that no one can see. My prayers tonight go to all I have helped and will help in the future. My prayers go to God to allow me to shine his light of hope and peace on all who approach and need the help.
arrdvarks,
December 3, 2013