Friday, September 01, 2006
It is so hot and dry...
This was sent to me by my clergy friend, Mike Brinkman who serves McCoy UMC in Anniston, AL. Enjoy. You are free to use this.
It is so hot and dry that:
The Baptists have started sprinkling,
The Methodists are using a wet wash cloth,
The Presbyterians are giving rain checks and,
The Catholics are turning wine back in to water.
(And the Episcopalians are drinking it.)
Now friends, that is DRY.
It is so hot and dry that:
The Baptists have started sprinkling,
The Methodists are using a wet wash cloth,
The Presbyterians are giving rain checks and,
The Catholics are turning wine back in to water.
(And the Episcopalians are drinking it.)
Now friends, that is DRY.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Quotation from Albert Einstein
My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind. by Albert Einstein He also said; Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish. His most famous quote was this; 'I want to know God's thoughts ... the rest are details.' Einstein did once comment that "God does not play dice [with the universe]."
He was a US (German-born) physicist; discovered special relativity 1905 & general relativity 1915-1916; explained photoelectric effect & Brownian motion; Nobel Prize in Physics 1921.
This page has some of Einstein's thoughts on Science and Religion. This site clarifies some of his thoughts on Religion as well. This also addresses his thoughts on Religion and Science.This page has links to some of his other writings. This page lists his books he has written that you can by at Amazon.com
You can also buy a Albert Einstein Action Figure.
He was a US (German-born) physicist; discovered special relativity 1905 & general relativity 1915-1916; explained photoelectric effect & Brownian motion; Nobel Prize in Physics 1921.
This page has some of Einstein's thoughts on Science and Religion. This site clarifies some of his thoughts on Religion as well. This also addresses his thoughts on Religion and Science.This page has links to some of his other writings. This page lists his books he has written that you can by at Amazon.com
You can also buy a Albert Einstein Action Figure.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Pascagoula and Gulfport areas after Katrina
This is still the week we were staying in Gulfport and working in Pascagoula. We worked on a Day care Center owned by a private owner, but was where a lot of Exxon employees left their kids. It was closer to the Gulf and so had more damage. The owner and her family lived across the street from the center and the home was ruined on the inside and out as well. We had a big discussion as to whether it could be saved or needed to be torn down and build a new one. It was decided to save it, that is what was left and rebuild from there. We weren't sure if could be done, but guess what it was. Why am I wearing a mask, you may ask? Not because I was the masked cleaner or anything like that. No the Black Mold which is very dangerous was already showing and growing. That's why we had to be very careful, and use clorox to clean with. This owner was so grateful, she thought she was going to have fix the day care and their home. God is good and so was Exxon.
I've been reading articles about the problem of PTSD among the survivors of the hurricane. There was a study done by Harvard and is being reported in the news. Here it is from the Washington Post; In the six months after Hurricane Katrina, the rate of serious mental illness among the storm's survivors doubled, an unusual study has found, but the number of people contemplating suicide did not budge. Most survivors, in fact, said they had found a new sense of purpose, strength and community through coping with the disaster.
Overall, the researchers found a "pervasive optimism" among hurricane survivors on the question of whether they expected to be able to rebuild their lives. Emotional resilience was as high -- and by some measures, higher -- among low-income blacks, a group that suffered some of the worst deprivations, as in the survivor population as a whole.
Nevertheless, six months after the storm, many people were still short of money, housing, security and employment. The researchers are not certain the generally encouraging psychological state of Katrina survivors will endure.
"Optimism only lasts so long," said Ronald C. Kessler, the psychologist at Harvard Medical School who heads the study. "How long? We know from survivors of other hurricanes that after about 18 months people start to wear out."
The finding seems to conflict with reports that New Orleans' suicide rate tripled. But in an event such as Katrina, the vast majority of those who may have contemplated suicide may be less likely to act on it because they realize they are part of something bigger. Conversely, those with suicidal thoughts who don't have others with whom to share the disaster experience may be more inclined to kill themselves. So the findings are not inherently inconsistent, Kessler says.
Kessler says the absence of suicidal thinking reflects a newfound faith in the ability to start over. But he added that "optimism only goes on for so long" after a devastating event.
Psychiatrist Eugenio Rothe of the University of Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, who wasn't involved in the study, says there's reason to worry. "We did a study in Miami after Hurricane Andrew," he says. "The first year, people were busy getting through the day, rebuilding, getting their lives back in order.
"Then it hits them how much they've lost. They start mourning their losses."
The people who have these terrible experiences — they're often the ones who have these epiphanies," said Ronald Kessler, a Harvard University researcher who led the survey.
This capacity to grow from catastrophe may be an ancient survival mechanism that evolved to help humans live through frequent disasters, researchers suspect. It is sometimes called post-traumatic growth: External disasters may shake us, but also make us unwilling to give up — as in the resolve people feel in wartime.
It's also unclear if the apparent protective effect against suicide will be permanent. If survivors eventually lose hope in the recovery, they might become more susceptible to giving up, researchers suspect.
"There may be a crash-and-burn experience ... months down the road," cautioned Alan Green, a Johns Hopkins University counselor who treated survivors and knew of the survey findings.
But Kessler, a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, said the number of people reporting a desire to kill themselves declined, in part because many survivors had forged stronger ties with loved ones and their community.
"We found an extraordinarily high proportion of our sample who said that despite the understandable sadness with all they lost and the understandable anxieties about the future ... that they felt closer to their loved ones, they felt connected to the community in a way they didn't before," he said.
"They felt much more religious, they felt that they had a purpose in their life and a meaning," he said, noting that 88.5 percent of the survivors in the survey said Katrina had helped them develop a deeper sense of meaning or purpose in life.
"Those are the people where these suicidal tendencies decreased," he said.
This is a message hope for all people. I like what the last paragraph has to say that they had forged stronger ties with loved ones and their community. They felt closer to their loved ones. They felt more religious and had a purpose and meaning in their life. I pray this continues for them, that they don't crash and burn and lose hope and faith. I pray that we keep praying for them lifting them up, supporting them with our time and talents and money. I pray they experience the presence of God in their lives, their marriages, families and communities. But it may be that they become a witness to us, and we learn from them.
More thoughts on Katrina and the Gulf Coast
This was the first trip I made with a team from the Roanoke district to Gulfport. We were there the second week after Katrina hit. We were sent to a Baptist Church in Pascagoula to work in its Child Care Facility. The Exxon company was doing everything they could to make it possible for their workers to come back and be able to come with their families. So one of the things they were doing was cleaning up, repairing, rebuilding the Child Care Facilities their workers used so they would have a place for the kids to go to while they worked. They spared no expense, if we said we needed something to do a job they got it.
The church had been flooded, the Sanctuary, class rooms, and parsonage was ruined. We cloroxed the walls, ceilings, floors, windows, nooks and crannies, and yes, even ourselves. We scraped up whatever needed to be scraped up, tore out whatever we had to be torn out, built some things for them, and then we cloroxed everything again. We worked with a team of Exxon employees who they themselves had lost their homes and were living with relatives. We prayed with each other, cried with each other and laughed together. At the time all the focus was on New Orleans, and what was going on there. The people we met and worked with felt forgotten, but also felt like they would make it. I had made a vacation trip to the Gulfport area of Miss, a couple of years before. It was hard to see the places we had gone to and torued, just wiped away or badly damaged. But it was so rewarding, and inspiring to go and help. After this trip, more members of my church who had hardly done anything like that before made several trips themselves on disaster relief teams. There is still much work to do, but it is possible to do it. And it is a long period of recovery. If you have not gone, pray about it, and go. There were volunteers from ages 12 on up to 85. Don't let your age stop you. There were volunteers with disabilities and some health problems but they found a way to be helpful and work.
Monday, August 28, 2006
prayers for the Gulf Coasts areas
These are the group of clergywomen, and laity that went and worked on First UMC in Pass Christian. This church was also destroyed by hurricane Camille and rebuilt. The whole area was just about all flattened. It was a sobering sight. I am choosing not to post the pictures of the area, because well they are all over the internet. I wanted to show you that people cared then and they still care.
Yesterday in church we prayed for the areas affected by hurricane Katrina, and the areas in the path of Hurricane Ernesto. It seems such a small gesture to an area so deeply traumatized.
In honor of them, I wanted to show pictures of the work teams I have gone with down to Miss.
God we want to pray for our brothers and sisters who are living in Post Traumatic Stress, living in trailers, living somewhere else than the home they knew. We pray as they come up on this time of rememberance, and as hurricane season has begun, the fears and tensions begin to rise. We pray for the rebuilding of not just buildings but of lives that were effected by Katrina. We pray for the churches that were just wiped out, and shells of empty buildings, but not empty of you God. They have been so willing to welcome and host those coming to work, and help. God you comforted your people in their time of exile, we pray you do so now. Strengthen the Pastors, counselors, and the helping persons. God be with those who not only lost possessions but lost friends and family. God helps us who can be your hands and feet and to do your work as needed.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Clergywomen Find Hard Path to Bigger Pulpit
Hat Tip to A. Linn at Longing for Home for finding this article from the New York Times
The article has this to say:
I search for my words to add this article or comment on it, and they do not come. I think I have said so much that I don't know what else to say. In my own Denomination, and Conference I would say the numbers that Duke reports would be more like this 95% of the men are leading medium or large congregations, and 5% of the women are leading small churches. (This is not fact, just an estimate and would need to be researched.) It can be discouraging for someone and at times has led some of the female clergy leaving the Pastorate and going into other fields of ministry, ie Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counseling, or Seminary Professorships. It intrigues me that if a woman has helped turn around a dying or stagnant church to where there is growth, why wouldn't that track record then lead to a larger congregation? I do not think in my tenure as a Pastor we will see women leading medium or large churches, I think it will come later after I retire. I think we are still pioneering the way for those coming behind us to lead in the larger churches. I think it takes education for the laity, and the denominational leaders. I think it takes experiencing women preaching, teaching, leading, and Pastoring. And I think it takes the work of the Holy Spirit.
The article has this to say:
"Whether they come from theologically liberal denominations or conservative ones, black churches or white, women in the clergy still bump against what many call the stained-glass ceiling — longstanding limits, preferences and prejudices within their denominations that keep them from leading bigger congregations and having the opportunity to shape the faith of more people."
"Women now make up 51 percent of the students in divinity school. But in the mainline Protestant churches that have been ordaining women for decades, women account for only a small percentage — about 3 percent, according to one survey by a professor at Duke University — of pastors who lead large congregations, those with average Sunday attendance over 350. In evangelical churches, most of which do not ordain women, some women opt to leave for other denominations that will accept them as ministers. Women from historically black churches who want to ascend to the pulpit often start their own congregations.
This year, women were elected to lead the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. But such success has not filtered down to the congregational level, said the Rev. Dr. Catherine Stonehouse, dean of the school of practical theology at the Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.
It is often easier for women in the mainline churches — historic Protestant denominations like Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal and the United Church of Christ — to get elected as bishops and as other leaders than to head large congregations, Dr. Stonehouse said.
People in the pews often do not accept women in the pulpit, clergy members said.
In the first decade after ordination, men and women usually hold similar positions, said Jackson W. Carroll, professor emeritus of religion and society at Duke University Divinity School and author of “God’s Potters: Pastoral Leadership and The Shaping of Congregations,” published this year.
In their second decade in ordained ministry, however, 70 percent of men had moved on to medium-sized and large congregations, Mr. Carroll said, based on a 2001 survey of 870 senior and solo pastors. By comparison, only 37 percent of women led medium and large larger congregations.
In interviews with 15 women ministers, most said they had worked or were working at small congregations, often those that were dwindling. In all cases, the ministers had built up Sunday attendance. But such a track record is often not enough to win a post at a larger, more affluent congregation.
Experts on women in the clergy said that while the leaders of mainline denominations support women in the ministry, not enough is done to back their rise.
One small but important step male pastors can take, these experts said, is to get congregations to hear women preach. For example, those pastors can ask women to be guest preachers or have them fill in when they go on vacation."
It further quotes from Clergywomen about their experiences.
It also has a Video: The Stained Glass Ceiling it is worth watching.
I search for my words to add this article or comment on it, and they do not come. I think I have said so much that I don't know what else to say. In my own Denomination, and Conference I would say the numbers that Duke reports would be more like this 95% of the men are leading medium or large congregations, and 5% of the women are leading small churches. (This is not fact, just an estimate and would need to be researched.) It can be discouraging for someone and at times has led some of the female clergy leaving the Pastorate and going into other fields of ministry, ie Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counseling, or Seminary Professorships. It intrigues me that if a woman has helped turn around a dying or stagnant church to where there is growth, why wouldn't that track record then lead to a larger congregation? I do not think in my tenure as a Pastor we will see women leading medium or large churches, I think it will come later after I retire. I think we are still pioneering the way for those coming behind us to lead in the larger churches. I think it takes education for the laity, and the denominational leaders. I think it takes experiencing women preaching, teaching, leading, and Pastoring. And I think it takes the work of the Holy Spirit.
Men Don't Preach, Only Women Preach
This morning as we were getting ready for church we were joking around. I said to Bob well here's the sermon, you preach it for me. He laughed, and then Katy said with all sincerity; "Men don't preach, only women preach." So Bob turn to me and said, "there you have it, men don't preach, I can't preach for you."
So now you all know men don't preach, only women preach. Out of the mouth of a baby, and a child shall lead them!
So now you all know men don't preach, only women preach. Out of the mouth of a baby, and a child shall lead them!
Friday, August 25, 2006
in the open space: God & culture: Playing tag
in the open space: God & culture: Playing tag
Oh my one of my favorite bloggers has tagged me to extol the God-prints in my life. My life spilleth over, and so do my answers. Ack. Anyway, here goes:
1. A friend who has blessed me: Gosh I have been blessed by so many over the years I couldn't narrow it down to just one. My friends Lynn Dimon, Carol Wolf, my new friend Jan McCarver, my friend Marty Schwartz, my blogging friends from the revgalblogpals, and the list could go on and does. Thank you God for all the wonderful friends you have sent my way.
2. An unexpected gift: God's Grace. Amazing, It is free and freeing, Grace is God's love freely offered to us. We do not do anything to "earn" it. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:4-9).
3. A kind word shared with me recently: "You preach from your heart. You believe what you preach."
4. Something that makes me stop and praise God: Being with my kids. Being with my husband. The Beauty of the earth. Worship. Friends. Fun.
5. Something I’m looking forward to: Everyday I look forward to loving and being loved. But what else am I looking forward to? Time with my husband, time on the lake, time spent in prayer and worship. And one day i am looking forward to when I can sit down with God and ask God a bunch of questions, and finally get the answers.
6. A particular part of me I’m pleased with: Now this is a hard one, I have had a lifelong battle with not liking myself, expecting perfection and thus not being pleased with self. So mmm I guess I would have to say I am please with my willingness to learn and grow.
7. Something in my life I wanted but never expected: Being married to a wonderful husband, having children, serving a church as a Pastor.
8. A place that moved/moves me: China moves me. Love moves me. The Grand Canyon. Standing on the beach looking at the waves. Waterfalls move me. Mountains move me. Hiking in the woods move me.
9. One thing/person that always makes me smile: My kids make me smile. My hubby makes me smile friends make me smile. God makes me smile.
10. Most recent “love note” from God: A simple "I love you, Abi" during prayer, or in something I read in the Bible or a devotional. But most of all God sends me love notes through people who can put their arms around me and show that love.
And now it’s my turn to tag:
- reverend mommy A very thoughtful person, but busy.
- The Owl's Song She comes up with some of the best posts
- SongBird at Set Free She is making up most of the Friday five meme's on revgalblogpals, plus I like how she writes.
Feel free to abandon the meme, my blogdom companions, but I’d love to see your answers!
Well Carmen, I didn't abandon the meme, it just took me a long time to think about what I was going to say. Thanks for tagging me.
Cell Phone Theology
Over at Meanderings there is a blog about Cell Phone Theology. It is worth a read. Here is some of what he has to say; I recently read about a provocative cell phone advertisement that I haven't actually seen. I don't watch many advertisements on television, but I understand that the ad shows a cell phone client walking about with a crowd of his friends always accompanying him. No matter what happens during the day, there are always friends there to aid and support, and even friends dropping out of the sky to be there in difficult moments. The ad concludes, "You are not alone."One of the striking new features of life in recent years is the constant sight of people with cell phones at their ears. (He is talking about the verizon's commercial.)
ABC News ran a recent story on television about people who were addicted to their Blackberry's. One man admitted to answering email at 2 a.m., and another confessed to processing email during dinner with his wife. This constant connectedness can become an addiction. I think the most insightful aspect of this new phenomenon is that advertisement's conclusion, "You are not alone." While a sense of community and the support of friends are important at times, it seems to me that people are almost afraid of being alone anymore. The idea of walking the streets with only our own thoughts to occupy our mind seems out-dated. We can't be really cool if we are alone with ourselves.
But I want to advocate on behalf of being alone. I think we are over-connected, and need to learn to practice solitude. Seventeenth-century writer James Howell, put it simply, “Some are wise, and some are otherwise.” I suspect those constantly talking into a cell phone are otherwise.
I think there are two or more ways to look at this. I suggest we are not connected when on the cell phone or using the blackberry. When I see people at lunch with another person, and one of them are talking away on the cell phone while the other is sitting there alone, there is not a connection.When people are walking down the street or driving while talking on their cell phones, they are not connected. By this I mean that connected means attached, united, bonded. I don't see how their can be an attachment over a cell phone or blackberry, if anything it gives a false sense of being connected. But if we say the person is connected then what are they connected to or to whom? Are they connected to their cell phone or to the person on the other end or to themselves? Perhaps they have a false sense of being connected to themselves and the other person, and the cellphone or blackberry? Perhaps they then are connected to the wrong thing or wrong person. Most addictions are a connection to the wrong thing trying to fill an emptiness, loneliness, pain or insecurity. And most of the connections are never real they only give the sense of being real.
ABC's News article on "Crackberry" addiction compares it to drug addiction. To make time for the gadgets, some users will "give up time with family," Rutgers University School of Business Gayle Porter said. "They'll give up getting together with friends. They'll give up taking care of themselves, getting enough sleep — things like that."
The question comes back to what am I connected to or to whom? Am I connected to God? Am I connected to my friend and family? Am I connected to myself. And lest you think I am judging those addicted to their cellphones or blackberries, I am not. I cannot, for I deal with my own addiction to food, sweets, compulsive overeating, and those surely don't connect me to God, friends, family or myself.
ABC News ran a recent story on television about people who were addicted to their Blackberry's. One man admitted to answering email at 2 a.m., and another confessed to processing email during dinner with his wife. This constant connectedness can become an addiction. I think the most insightful aspect of this new phenomenon is that advertisement's conclusion, "You are not alone." While a sense of community and the support of friends are important at times, it seems to me that people are almost afraid of being alone anymore. The idea of walking the streets with only our own thoughts to occupy our mind seems out-dated. We can't be really cool if we are alone with ourselves.
But I want to advocate on behalf of being alone. I think we are over-connected, and need to learn to practice solitude. Seventeenth-century writer James Howell, put it simply, “Some are wise, and some are otherwise.” I suspect those constantly talking into a cell phone are otherwise.
I think there are two or more ways to look at this. I suggest we are not connected when on the cell phone or using the blackberry. When I see people at lunch with another person, and one of them are talking away on the cell phone while the other is sitting there alone, there is not a connection.When people are walking down the street or driving while talking on their cell phones, they are not connected. By this I mean that connected means attached, united, bonded. I don't see how their can be an attachment over a cell phone or blackberry, if anything it gives a false sense of being connected. But if we say the person is connected then what are they connected to or to whom? Are they connected to their cell phone or to the person on the other end or to themselves? Perhaps they have a false sense of being connected to themselves and the other person, and the cellphone or blackberry? Perhaps they then are connected to the wrong thing or wrong person. Most addictions are a connection to the wrong thing trying to fill an emptiness, loneliness, pain or insecurity. And most of the connections are never real they only give the sense of being real.
ABC's News article on "Crackberry" addiction compares it to drug addiction. To make time for the gadgets, some users will "give up time with family," Rutgers University School of Business Gayle Porter said. "They'll give up getting together with friends. They'll give up taking care of themselves, getting enough sleep — things like that."
The question comes back to what am I connected to or to whom? Am I connected to God? Am I connected to my friend and family? Am I connected to myself. And lest you think I am judging those addicted to their cellphones or blackberries, I am not. I cannot, for I deal with my own addiction to food, sweets, compulsive overeating, and those surely don't connect me to God, friends, family or myself.
Back to School Friday Five from Revgalblogpals
Friday, August 25, 2006
Back to School Friday Five
My late mother-in-law thought of September as the “real” New Year because of the number of programs and classes starting. By Labor Day, school is back in session for most of us in the U.S., although there is great variation by region (my children don't return until Sept. 7th!). To mark this, we bring you the Back to School Friday Five.
1. What is your earliest memory of school? First day, first grade. I was scared to death starting school. I felt lost. The school and classroom seemed so big, and I felt so small. But my first grade teacher was so nice that she made us all of us feel comfortable.
2. Who was a favorite teacher in your early education? You know my first grade teacher was my favorite, but my 4th grade teacher rocked. She let me use my artsy side in my homework, and she brought the best out in me.
3. What do you remember about school “back then” that is different from what you know about schools now?Well here are a few things, there are computeTV's, CD, cd players, no naps, early reading, early homework, early testing, dress is different, cafeteria food is different, snack time, desks are different, the classrooms are decorated, not so sterile that's just a few.
4. Did you have to memorize in school? If so, share a poem or song you learned. Yes, I had to memorize, but do you think I can remember what it is now. Okay maybe abc's, itsy bitsy spider. Pledge of allegiance. Now go away.
5. Did you ever get in trouble at school? Were there any embarrassing moments you can share? I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me, but if you must know; just about every grade I was in some kind of trouble. And I will not share any embarrassing moments. Teehee, it will be my secret, and the Principal and the teacher, and my friends. And the secret has died with the Principal and the teacher, and well my friends know the consequences of telling the secret.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Sister Act - I Will Follow Him
| This is our newest video. We changed into real nuns and playbacked a number of Sister Act, I Will Follow Him. Please write in our Guestbook, Thank you! http://www.jojovincent.nl/cgi-bin/fpg.cgi Our website: http://www.jojovincent.nl | |
The Pope says "Don't Overwork"
Papal advice on overwork
43 Folders points to the article by The Herald about over work:
Holidaying Pope criticises overwork - The Herald
Words of wisdom from the vacationing Pope:
During his traditional weekly appearance to bless the faithful, Benedict XVI quoted from writings of St Bernard in the 12th century meant for popes of his time on the subject of overwork.
The saint advised pontiffs to “watch out for the dangers of an excessive activity, whatever… the job that you hold, because many jobs often lead to the ‘hardening of the heart’, as well as ’suffering of the spirit, loss of intelligence’,” Benedict said, quoting St Bernard. "That warning is valid for every kind of work, even those involved in the governing of the church," said Benedict, 79.
Thank you Mr. Pope, Benedict XVI and Thank you St. Bernard, Doctor of the Church. I don't want hardening of the heart, nor suffering of the spirit, nor loss of intelligence.
He wrote On Loving God, which you can read online. He wrote some other treatises and sermons as well. He also said this: "Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return. The sole purpose of his love is to be loved, int he knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him." - from a sermon by Saint Bernard found at Patron Saint Index
43 Folders points to the article by The Herald about over work:
Holidaying Pope criticises overwork - The Herald
Words of wisdom from the vacationing Pope:
During his traditional weekly appearance to bless the faithful, Benedict XVI quoted from writings of St Bernard in the 12th century meant for popes of his time on the subject of overwork.
The saint advised pontiffs to “watch out for the dangers of an excessive activity, whatever… the job that you hold, because many jobs often lead to the ‘hardening of the heart’, as well as ’suffering of the spirit, loss of intelligence’,” Benedict said, quoting St Bernard. "That warning is valid for every kind of work, even those involved in the governing of the church," said Benedict, 79.
Thank you Mr. Pope, Benedict XVI and Thank you St. Bernard, Doctor of the Church. I don't want hardening of the heart, nor suffering of the spirit, nor loss of intelligence.
He wrote On Loving God, which you can read online. He wrote some other treatises and sermons as well. He also said this: "Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return. The sole purpose of his love is to be loved, int he knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him." - from a sermon by Saint Bernard found at Patron Saint Index
Quotemeal: "Be thankful for the least ..." and my thoughts
Be thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be ready to receive greater. -- Thomas à Kempis from Heartlight magazine
I love getting the quotemeal in my emails everyday. I have read some amazing thoughts. I have also read some thoughts that I don't agree with. This thought got me thinking about whether I am thankful for the least gift or not? To be honest, I am not, I keep looking for the bigger, better, gift. I tend to ignore the least gift. I have my blinders on and so I don't even see it. So how can I be thankful for something I don't even receive. God today I ask that you help me see, receive and be thankful for the least gift.
Want to know more about Thomas Kempis? b. 1379 or 1380, d. 1471, German monk, traditional author of The Imitation of Christ, b. Kempen, Germany. He was schooled at Deventer, in the Netherlands, the center of the Brothers of the Common Life founded by Gerard Groote. He joined the Augustinian canons (1399) and was ordained a priest (c.1413). His convent was Mt. St. Agnes, near Zwolle, in the Netherlands. Thomas worked principally at copying and writing. A number of his treatises on the monastic life and little devotional essays have been translated into English.
Want to read the Imitation of Christ? You can find it at Catholic First, The Christian Classics Ethereal Library , Cyber Library, and Five Franciscan Martyrs. The book is in public domain and so is available to all. I read the book while taking a course in Seminary under E. Glenn Hinson called the Classics of Christianity. It was one of the finest courses I took and introduced me to a life of meditation. It was too bad that the S. B. T. S. in their wisdom pushed Hinson out from teaching there. It was there lost, but he went on to teach at the Seminary in Richmond, VA. He has written some good books, especially on the Spiritual aspect of being a Leader. Here are some titles of a few; Spiritual Preparation for Christian Leadership ; A Serious Call to a Contemplative Life-Style , Seekers After Mature Faith, The integrity of the church, and The Reaffirmation of Prayer . He also writes for the Upper Room's Companion's in Christ. (It is a great small group study on Spiritual formation that actually brings about transformation.)
"Hold fast to Jesus both in life and in death and commit yourself to his steadfast love, for he alone can help you when all others fail. Your beloved is such that he admits no other rival; He wants your heart all to Himself and desires to reign there as a king on his own throne."
-Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (Book II: Chapter 7) from The Prayer Foundation
Wow then the question for me is do I hold fast to Jesus? Have I commited myself to his steadfast love? Have I let him have all my heart for his to reign as King on Hist throne? You know I have preached on this very thing, I have felt convicted of this, and at times I find myself in that steadfast love, and then I pull back. A lot of us get the Savior part, the friend part, and some of us even get the Lord part, but most of us shirk away from the King part. I think this is something we can seek in our lives, and yet may not happen until we die or Christ comes again. But it is no excuse not to seek Jesus and commit our selves to him, including myself.
I love getting the quotemeal in my emails everyday. I have read some amazing thoughts. I have also read some thoughts that I don't agree with. This thought got me thinking about whether I am thankful for the least gift or not? To be honest, I am not, I keep looking for the bigger, better, gift. I tend to ignore the least gift. I have my blinders on and so I don't even see it. So how can I be thankful for something I don't even receive. God today I ask that you help me see, receive and be thankful for the least gift.
Want to know more about Thomas Kempis? b. 1379 or 1380, d. 1471, German monk, traditional author of The Imitation of Christ, b. Kempen, Germany. He was schooled at Deventer, in the Netherlands, the center of the Brothers of the Common Life founded by Gerard Groote. He joined the Augustinian canons (1399) and was ordained a priest (c.1413). His convent was Mt. St. Agnes, near Zwolle, in the Netherlands. Thomas worked principally at copying and writing. A number of his treatises on the monastic life and little devotional essays have been translated into English.
Want to read the Imitation of Christ? You can find it at Catholic First, The Christian Classics Ethereal Library , Cyber Library, and Five Franciscan Martyrs. The book is in public domain and so is available to all. I read the book while taking a course in Seminary under E. Glenn Hinson called the Classics of Christianity. It was one of the finest courses I took and introduced me to a life of meditation. It was too bad that the S. B. T. S. in their wisdom pushed Hinson out from teaching there. It was there lost, but he went on to teach at the Seminary in Richmond, VA. He has written some good books, especially on the Spiritual aspect of being a Leader. Here are some titles of a few; Spiritual Preparation for Christian Leadership ; A Serious Call to a Contemplative Life-Style , Seekers After Mature Faith, The integrity of the church, and The Reaffirmation of Prayer . He also writes for the Upper Room's Companion's in Christ. (It is a great small group study on Spiritual formation that actually brings about transformation.)
"Hold fast to Jesus both in life and in death and commit yourself to his steadfast love, for he alone can help you when all others fail. Your beloved is such that he admits no other rival; He wants your heart all to Himself and desires to reign there as a king on his own throne."
-Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (Book II: Chapter 7) from The Prayer Foundation
Wow then the question for me is do I hold fast to Jesus? Have I commited myself to his steadfast love? Have I let him have all my heart for his to reign as King on Hist throne? You know I have preached on this very thing, I have felt convicted of this, and at times I find myself in that steadfast love, and then I pull back. A lot of us get the Savior part, the friend part, and some of us even get the Lord part, but most of us shirk away from the King part. I think this is something we can seek in our lives, and yet may not happen until we die or Christ comes again. But it is no excuse not to seek Jesus and commit our selves to him, including myself.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
reblog on the story about the female teacher being fired
Today as I was searching across the blogosphere, I came across some posts and comments about the situation.
Ben Whitherington blogs about it along with some comments. He though makes the mistake of referring to the Baptist Church in question as being Southern Baptist, it turns out that it is American Baptist. But he does say this: "In the letter of explanation thereafter the pastor cites 1 Tim. 2.8-15, which of course says nothing whatsoever about Sunday school since such a church activity did not exist in the first century A.D. The Bible says nothing about anyone teaching Sunday school. It does certainly refer to Priscilla and her husband teaching Aquila in Acts 18. It does certainly refer to women praying and prophecying, a form of preaching, in the Corinthian worship service in 1 Cor. 11."
It makes me wonder if this church is American Baptist how then is that women can't teach because American Baptist have generally been the most open of the Baptist.
At Think Christian.com it is the comments that are the most interesting about this situation. Although Think Christian does give a link to a resource page biblically supporting women in all levels of ministry. Monday Morning Insight has a post on it, but again there is a good healthy discussion going on there. Mostly it seems they don't like how it was handled. They offer for discussion this question though: Does this not seem just a little cold to send an elderly lady a letter telling her she’d been dismissed from her Sunday School class? Oh my.
Also you can read Pastor LaBouf' response to the hullabaloo at the church's website: In his letter he makes reference to Christian Courtesy, but sending a letter to someone telling them they are no longer to teach Sunday School doesn't sound like Christian Courtesy to me. Vintage Faith blogged about it from the emerging church point of view. I don't think that emerging faith has decided what it is going to do with women leadership yet. And by the comments, it looks to me they are more leaning to the right.
Ben Whitherington blogs about it along with some comments. He though makes the mistake of referring to the Baptist Church in question as being Southern Baptist, it turns out that it is American Baptist. But he does say this: "In the letter of explanation thereafter the pastor cites 1 Tim. 2.8-15, which of course says nothing whatsoever about Sunday school since such a church activity did not exist in the first century A.D. The Bible says nothing about anyone teaching Sunday school. It does certainly refer to Priscilla and her husband teaching Aquila in Acts 18. It does certainly refer to women praying and prophecying, a form of preaching, in the Corinthian worship service in 1 Cor. 11."
It makes me wonder if this church is American Baptist how then is that women can't teach because American Baptist have generally been the most open of the Baptist.
At Think Christian.com it is the comments that are the most interesting about this situation. Although Think Christian does give a link to a resource page biblically supporting women in all levels of ministry. Monday Morning Insight has a post on it, but again there is a good healthy discussion going on there. Mostly it seems they don't like how it was handled. They offer for discussion this question though: Does this not seem just a little cold to send an elderly lady a letter telling her she’d been dismissed from her Sunday School class? Oh my.
Also you can read Pastor LaBouf' response to the hullabaloo at the church's website: In his letter he makes reference to Christian Courtesy, but sending a letter to someone telling them they are no longer to teach Sunday School doesn't sound like Christian Courtesy to me. Vintage Faith blogged about it from the emerging church point of view. I don't think that emerging faith has decided what it is going to do with women leadership yet. And by the comments, it looks to me they are more leaning to the right.
Kittens taking their first steps
And now for something sweet:
the kittens begin to take their first st the kittens begin to take their first steps... the kittens are bruno, griffin, bindi, bear, tiger, hyrem, and lily ('little bit'). the kittens were delivered by a semi-homeless neighborhood cat. all found wonderful homes :-) the song is "music for a found harmonium" by the penguin cafe orchestra. ...
the kittens begin to take their first st the kittens begin to take their first steps... the kittens are bruno, griffin, bindi, bear, tiger, hyrem, and lily ('little bit'). the kittens were delivered by a semi-homeless neighborhood cat. all found wonderful homes :-) the song is "music for a found harmonium" by the penguin cafe orchestra. ...
Quote of the Day from Francis De Sales
Quote of the Day
"When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time."– St. Francis De Sales
Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales
O love eternal,
my soul needs and chooses you eternally!
Ah, come Holy Spirit,
and inflame our hearts with your love!
To love -- or to die!
To die -- and to love!
To die to all other love
in order to live in Jesus' love,
so that we may not die eternally.
But that we may live in your eternal love,
O Savior of our souls,
we eternally sing,
"Live, Jesus!
Jesus, I love!
Live, Jesus, whom I love!
Jesus, I love,
Jesus who lives and reigns
forever and ever.AMEN
About St. Francis De Sales
St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), known as the Gentle Saint, was bishop of Geneva. His motto was, "He who preaches with love preaches effectively," and his religious texts, including Introduction to the Devout Life, have resonated with many non-Catholics. Pope Pius IX proclaimed him a patron saint of writers. Some consider him a patron saint of the deaf; he invented a form of sign language to teach a young deaf man how to communicate.
You can read his Introduction to the Devout Life online at Christian Classics Ethereal Library
"When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time."– St. Francis De Sales
Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales
O love eternal,
my soul needs and chooses you eternally!
Ah, come Holy Spirit,
and inflame our hearts with your love!
To love -- or to die!
To die -- and to love!
To die to all other love
in order to live in Jesus' love,
so that we may not die eternally.
But that we may live in your eternal love,
O Savior of our souls,
we eternally sing,
"Live, Jesus!
Jesus, I love!
Live, Jesus, whom I love!
Jesus, I love,
Jesus who lives and reigns
forever and ever.AMEN
About St. Francis De Sales
St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), known as the Gentle Saint, was bishop of Geneva. His motto was, "He who preaches with love preaches effectively," and his religious texts, including Introduction to the Devout Life, have resonated with many non-Catholics. Pope Pius IX proclaimed him a patron saint of writers. Some consider him a patron saint of the deaf; he invented a form of sign language to teach a young deaf man how to communicate.
You can read his Introduction to the Devout Life online at Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Monday, August 21, 2006
Theology for beginners (5): Jesus
Here is #5 Jesus from Faith and Theology
Summary: Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed and enacted the imminent nearness of Israel’s God.In the first century CE, a wandering Jewish prophet and rabbi announced the end of history. He proclaimed a radical re-ordering of power, and the arrival of a new age: the “reign” or “kingdom” of Israel’s God was now dawning, and the story of Israel was fast approaching its climactic moment. Through both his words and actions, this young Galilean peasant announced that the promises which God had made to Israel would soon be fulfilled: God would reign, he would liberate his people from oppression, he would judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous, and the new age of God’s future would dawn. This was the message of Jesus of Nazareth.
Doesn't it just make you want to read the rest of what he wrote.
Summary: Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed and enacted the imminent nearness of Israel’s God.In the first century CE, a wandering Jewish prophet and rabbi announced the end of history. He proclaimed a radical re-ordering of power, and the arrival of a new age: the “reign” or “kingdom” of Israel’s God was now dawning, and the story of Israel was fast approaching its climactic moment. Through both his words and actions, this young Galilean peasant announced that the promises which God had made to Israel would soon be fulfilled: God would reign, he would liberate his people from oppression, he would judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous, and the new age of God’s future would dawn. This was the message of Jesus of Nazareth.
Doesn't it just make you want to read the rest of what he wrote.
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