The world of technology is a blessing and a challenge don't you think? I am experiencing a variety of feelings and thoughts about our online study/discussion. I am hearing from many of you that the books are stimulating and enjoyable. I am not hearing about this online; however. Most of the discussions still take place face to face or over the phone. I am not sure what that says about technology? Is the mode of conversation challenging? Are you finding the blog difficult to navigate? Do you enjoy checking the blog for the reflection questions? Would love to hear from more of you on the blog!
Christianity for the Rest of Us: Chapter 5
On pg 78 Bass says "for those of us seeking another way, between fundamentalisma nd secularism, a way of pilgrim faith, finding community is not easy." Do you agree? How hard is it to find a community to journey with in this pilgrim faith? Have you found yours? If so, what made it a hospitable place for you? What in chapter 5 spoke to you, positively or negatively?
41 Days of Audacious Living
What day are you on? What affirmations have you been using? Are you finding yourself to be more attentive to the Spirit throughout your day, because of the readings or affirmations?
Peace,
Pastor Deb
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Book Study Week of 8/15
How is the reading going? Are you enjoying the books? Any random thoughts? Please post any thoughts so we can converse. Below are a few questions to spark your imagination.
From Christianity for the Rest of Us: Chapter 4
1. With which image do you most strongly identify: returnee, exile, immigrant, convert, or villager? Does another image better describe your faith journey?
2. Does your congregation have an impact on your spiritual journey--or do you grow and change primarily outside the context of church?
From 41 days of Audacious Living
1. Are you using the daily affirmations? Do the affirmations help you stay aware of your faith journey throughout the day. Do they change your attitude or self image in any way?
2. Of all the daily lessons so far, which one challenges you the most?
For next week: Continue the daily readings in 41 days and read chapter 5 in Christianity for the Rest of Us.
Peace!
From Christianity for the Rest of Us: Chapter 4
1. With which image do you most strongly identify: returnee, exile, immigrant, convert, or villager? Does another image better describe your faith journey?
2. Does your congregation have an impact on your spiritual journey--or do you grow and change primarily outside the context of church?
From 41 days of Audacious Living
1. Are you using the daily affirmations? Do the affirmations help you stay aware of your faith journey throughout the day. Do they change your attitude or self image in any way?
2. Of all the daily lessons so far, which one challenges you the most?
For next week: Continue the daily readings in 41 days and read chapter 5 in Christianity for the Rest of Us.
Peace!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Online Book Study Week 3
Author Bruce Epperly differs with Rick Warren in his understanding of how God moves in the world and our lives. On pg 21 he says, "In cotnrast to Rick Warren's view of God, I do not believe that God determines everything in advance but that we are invited to be God's companions in creating a future that is, to some degree, open and unfinished." Do you agree with Bruce Epperly? If so, in what way do you see yourself or your church "partnering" or "companioning" with God?
Next reading: pgs 28-35
Book 2: Christianity for the Rest of Us: 1. How would a congregation that emphasizes practice differ from one that emphasizes purity?
2. Do you think that faith is about asking questions or finding answers?
Next Reading: Chapter 4
To comment, post your remarks in the box below.
Next reading: pgs 28-35
Book 2: Christianity for the Rest of Us: 1. How would a congregation that emphasizes practice differ from one that emphasizes purity?
2. Do you think that faith is about asking questions or finding answers?
Next Reading: Chapter 4
To comment, post your remarks in the box below.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Online Book Study: Post #2
Holy Adventure Chapter 2 Discussion Question: Of the six Affirmations listed in chapter two, which speaks to you the most and why?
Next Reading is pg 21-27
Chistianity for the Rest of Us Reflection and Discussion Questions:
1. Do you, or people you know, sufffer from "Historical amnesia"?
2. Which image for church presented in this chapter best describes your current faith community?
Next reading is chapter 3.
To join the discussion, type your response in the comment box below and click post comment.
Next Reading is pg 21-27
Chistianity for the Rest of Us Reflection and Discussion Questions:
1. Do you, or people you know, sufffer from "Historical amnesia"?
2. Which image for church presented in this chapter best describes your current faith community?
Next reading is chapter 3.
To join the discussion, type your response in the comment box below and click post comment.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Online Book Study
For those of you who are reading Holy Adventure, 41 Days of Audacious Living, let's get going on our online discussion. We read chapter one. What do you think so far? Below are a few questions we can discuss. Post your comments and we'll get the conversation going. Answer any or all of the questions.
1. What spiritual practices or rituals do you regularly engage in? What are the challenges in maintaining a spiritual discipline?
2. On pg 14, author Bruce Epperly says "The God who touched Jesus' life also touches our own lives and every life. God is our everpresent companion, nearer to us than our next breath." Can you describe a time when God had "skin" for you?
3.On page 8 we read "Though the present moment and the immediate future are shaped by our previous decisions and a multitude of environmental factors, each choice we make can be the tipping point between health and illness, love and fear, and life and death in the unfolding adventure of a day or a lifetime. As spiritual children of Abraham and Sarah, we are called to listen and then say yes to the movements of God's holy adventure within the ordinary moments of our own lives." What might God be calling you to say "Yes" to?
4. What in chapter one spoke to you? Was there something you disagree with the author about? Is there something you especially agree with?
TOMORROW's READING IS CHAPTER TWO
For those who are reading Christianity for the Rest of Us, let's discuss the below questions. Answer any or all or share other thoughts.
1. Do you relate to the idea of being a "spiritual nomad?" Why or why not?
2. How do you think your childhood experience has shaped your spiritual longings?
3. What in chapter one spoke to you? Is there something you disagree with the author about? Something you strongly agree with?
4. On page 24 the author talks about churches that do not like change. What are your thoughts about the author's discussion of change on page 24?
TOMORROW's READIN is CHAPTER TWO
I look forward to chatting with you!
Peace of Christ, Pastor Deb
1. What spiritual practices or rituals do you regularly engage in? What are the challenges in maintaining a spiritual discipline?
2. On pg 14, author Bruce Epperly says "The God who touched Jesus' life also touches our own lives and every life. God is our everpresent companion, nearer to us than our next breath." Can you describe a time when God had "skin" for you?
3.On page 8 we read "Though the present moment and the immediate future are shaped by our previous decisions and a multitude of environmental factors, each choice we make can be the tipping point between health and illness, love and fear, and life and death in the unfolding adventure of a day or a lifetime. As spiritual children of Abraham and Sarah, we are called to listen and then say yes to the movements of God's holy adventure within the ordinary moments of our own lives." What might God be calling you to say "Yes" to?
4. What in chapter one spoke to you? Was there something you disagree with the author about? Is there something you especially agree with?
TOMORROW's READING IS CHAPTER TWO
For those who are reading Christianity for the Rest of Us, let's discuss the below questions. Answer any or all or share other thoughts.
1. Do you relate to the idea of being a "spiritual nomad?" Why or why not?
2. How do you think your childhood experience has shaped your spiritual longings?
3. What in chapter one spoke to you? Is there something you disagree with the author about? Something you strongly agree with?
4. On page 24 the author talks about churches that do not like change. What are your thoughts about the author's discussion of change on page 24?
TOMORROW's READIN is CHAPTER TWO
I look forward to chatting with you!
Peace of Christ, Pastor Deb
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Great quotes from General Assembly: Nashville
I've heard some powerful things in a few short days at the Disciple General Assembly in Nashville
Rev. Holly McKissick opened the assembly with an amazing sermon. A few of her tidbits were:
*The great thing about being a Disciple is that we know things aren't black and white. "There's a lot of gray."
*Disciples know that we don't have exclusive rights on Jesus.
*Disciples don't claim to have all the answers. We are humble thoughtful people who journey together as a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
*The world needs a church like ours!
While preaching in worship Rev Bill Lee spoke about the church's call to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world of HIV/Aids.
*The church is called to bring healing and to use "any means necessary."
*Disciple preachers should stop sounding like Joel Olsteen and raise the roof of the church by speaking truth to power.
*Jesus didn't get permission to heal the sick and he didn't apologize for it when people became angry. He touched people and he used any means necessary to let people know they are loved.
General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins said in her state of the Church address:
*God is most fully known in the brokenness of our lives, not in the perfect unbroken loaf. We meet God in the crumbs of the broken bread.
*As Disciples, we are learning to fulfill our purpose from the edges of our culture. Isn't that where it all began and where we were always supposed to be?
And from Pastor Deb: I love being a Disciple, where we welcome all at the table of Christ, as God has welcomed us!
Rev. Holly McKissick opened the assembly with an amazing sermon. A few of her tidbits were:
*The great thing about being a Disciple is that we know things aren't black and white. "There's a lot of gray."
*Disciples know that we don't have exclusive rights on Jesus.
*Disciples don't claim to have all the answers. We are humble thoughtful people who journey together as a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
*The world needs a church like ours!
While preaching in worship Rev Bill Lee spoke about the church's call to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world of HIV/Aids.
*The church is called to bring healing and to use "any means necessary."
*Disciple preachers should stop sounding like Joel Olsteen and raise the roof of the church by speaking truth to power.
*Jesus didn't get permission to heal the sick and he didn't apologize for it when people became angry. He touched people and he used any means necessary to let people know they are loved.
General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins said in her state of the Church address:
*God is most fully known in the brokenness of our lives, not in the perfect unbroken loaf. We meet God in the crumbs of the broken bread.
*As Disciples, we are learning to fulfill our purpose from the edges of our culture. Isn't that where it all began and where we were always supposed to be?
And from Pastor Deb: I love being a Disciple, where we welcome all at the table of Christ, as God has welcomed us!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Breath
breath
baby's breath
not the tiny white flower
the breath of an infant that smells so sweet
not sweet
unique,
human life
breath
as in breathing deeply
passionate breath
they say those are the moments that take your breath away,
those seconds of sighing, panting, breathing the breath of another
human
life
breath
labored breath
the breath of a life lived fully
coming to its rest
emptying oneself of breath
no breath
death.
baby's breath
not the tiny white flower
the breath of an infant that smells so sweet
not sweet
unique,
human life
breath
as in breathing deeply
passionate breath
they say those are the moments that take your breath away,
those seconds of sighing, panting, breathing the breath of another
human
life
breath
labored breath
the breath of a life lived fully
coming to its rest
emptying oneself of breath
no breath
death.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The March Pond
Standing on solid ground
ice firm beneath my feet.
soft shimmering sheet of snow sprinkled lightly
here
on the shady side of the March pond.
Tall naked trees on either side
branches lifted in praise.
Sun at my back
birds singing sweetly
traacks of the wild ones who walked before me.
Dare I follow them?
Step lightly sister, slow and steady, cautiously.
This is fragile ground...sacred ground.
Why so tempted to run?
It is good to be here on solid ground.
Yet, the deep calls.
I find my feet walking
stepping out
onto the sunny side.
See how the snow is melting around you?
small pools of water just ahead.
Why is the water so seductive?
Have you forgotten?
You were born to swim.
ice firm beneath my feet.
soft shimmering sheet of snow sprinkled lightly
here
on the shady side of the March pond.
Tall naked trees on either side
branches lifted in praise.
Sun at my back
birds singing sweetly
traacks of the wild ones who walked before me.
Dare I follow them?
Step lightly sister, slow and steady, cautiously.
This is fragile ground...sacred ground.
Why so tempted to run?
It is good to be here on solid ground.
Yet, the deep calls.
I find my feet walking
stepping out
onto the sunny side.
See how the snow is melting around you?
small pools of water just ahead.
Why is the water so seductive?
Have you forgotten?
You were born to swim.
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