A Rainy Day Saturday is Therapy
I’m spending this rainy Saturday on sermon preparation, wrestling with the laptop/LCD projector combo, and listening to Santo Domingo De Silos Coro De Los Monjes Benedictinos: Requiem Aeternam. Between all of that wonderful activity, I’m entertaining my children and being entertained by them. There is not much to report, but there is a lot going on! Carry on, good readers.
The Stubbornness and The Journey
We are a stubborn lot. Let’s not fool ourselves with grandiose visions of our spiritual selves. We are a notoriously stubborn bunch of people, especially as it concerns matters of faith. Very, very few of us will break from the early patterns we set - or that were set for us - in our spiritual journey. Why do you suppose that is? Why do you suppose we think we have arrived, when in actuality God only extended to us an invitation to begin a life-long journey? We are invited, by God, to join him in a journey that only begins when we humble ourselves and say, “Yes!” The journey begins when we say yes to God! We are all invited to this “Yes!” I wonder, however, why and how so many of us confuse or mistake the invitation for the party? Read More »
James Fowler’s Six Stages of Faith Development
I have long been interested in developmental psychologist James Fowler’s Stages of Faith. The Stages offer readers a socio-scientific sort of glimpse into developmental aspects of faith that may - or may not - personally resonate. More often than not, people introduced to the list can in fact place themselves in one stage or another. Sometimes personal experiences reveal a broad span across a few stages too.
Fowler’s Stages, if nothing else, can serve as one tool with which those who are dedicated to critical self-examination and self-awareness can semi-accurately gauge their faith journey. Read More »
A Prayer for Those of Us Who Miss The Point
“Jesus save us from missing the point. Save us from our self-absorbed commodified version of you and your good news. Let our songs to and about you inspire us to act in the way you acted while here on earth. After all isn’t that what a follower of Christ is supposed to do?”
Chris Flinchbaugh
I’m Done with Labels and Alternative Expressions
“Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” - Gilbert K. Chesterton
So, I’ve done my fair share of investigating a variety of different expressions within my overarching Christian context. It was an interesting journey, to say the least. I’m not sorry I explored, questioned, and tried on a variety of hats. I have learned a lot. I pray God will now use all I have learned for his glory. I pray the kingdom Jesus preached is benefited by all I have collected, cognitively and experientially. It’s been edifying. God is faithful. Read More »
Back from the MCC
I just got back from Mennonite Central Committee. I love that place! The people were fantastic too! I also got the grand tour of the facilities. Awesome place. I am so thankful that the opportunity to spend the morning there was offered to me. What a great, great work they are doing there. I hope they enjoyed my chapel talk about my personal faith journey and IMG!
MCC Chapel CliffsNotes on Personal Faith Journey
I’m putting some thoughts together for tomorrow’s chapel conversation at Mennonite Central Committee. I was invited by the MCC’s International Program Department’s Executive Assistant to come and speak about my personal faith journey and Inner Metro Green. So, I’m reflecting a bit tonight about my journey. It’s constantly interesting to reflect upon where you’ve been, as far as faith journeys are concerned. It’s a good practice. Believers would do well to reflect on their journey regularly. I think looking back helps us all to keep moving forward. Read More »
Morning Chapel at Mennonite Central Committee
I will be speaking during the 8:00 AM chapel at Mennonite Central Committee on Thursday, Sept. 6th. I’ll be discussing my personal journey and the emerging vision of Inner Metro Green. FYI: Mennonite Central Committee is a relief, development, and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches.
Our Journey’s Primordial Silence is Genesis
Main Entry (Merriam-Webster): Pri•mor•di•al » Pronunciation: prI-’mor-dE-&l » Function: adjective » Etymology » Middle English, from Late Latin primordialis, from Latin primordium origin, from primus first + ordiri to begin — more at PRIME, ORDER 1 a : first created or developed : PRIMEVAL 1 b : existing in or persisting from the beginning (as of a solar system or universe) <a primordial gas cloud> c : earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ : PRIMITIVE <primordial cells> 2 : FUNDAMENTAL, PRIMARY <primordial human joys — Sir Winston Churchill> - pri·mor·di·al·ly /-dE-&-lE/ adverb. Read More »
Those Who Don’t Believe in The Fall Never Moved!
We are still in the process of moving all of our earthly belongings into our new nest. I sincerely detest - no I hate - moving. I’ll hire a moving company next time; I’m too old for this ridiculousness. I’ll be fairly quiet on the blog until we are settled into our new house. Why didn’t I hire a moving company? Eh.
