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Journal — January 2008 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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January 31, 2008
The long wait for fans of the popular TV series, Lost,
is over. The highly anticipated season four premiere airs tonight on
ABC Television. Last night was a recap of the final episode from last
season to remind those of us who've followed the show's fascinating storyline
what's been going on.
The survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 on this mysterious remote island
have gone through a lot. I'm a fan and viewer from the very start and
I often get insight, often spiritual ones, from the show. All the characters
seem to have interesting back stories and they are all dealing with conflict,
faith, violence, choices and secrets.
I just finished reading a new book that examines Lost and
some of these issues. The authors, John Ankerberg and Dillon Burroughs,
are both big fans of the show and Christians, and they give their perspective
on spiritual insights from the series. What
Can Be Found in Lost is available at our online store - here.
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January 29, 2008
Being sensitive to the world around us and everyone in it and living
like Jesus teaches is both radical and extremely hard to do. Nobody does
it perfectly.
In Brian McLaren's newest book, Everything
Must Change, he challenges us to wake up to our connectedness
and responsibility to others in the world, both nearby and in faraway
countries. In his recent interview with RELEVANTmagazine.com he
says, "I hope as people read Everything
Must Change they develop a new awareness, a new sensitivity.
For example, I hope readers realize that as Christians they have a relationship
with the parents of a child who died of diarrhea in Africa last night—that
mom and dad are our neighbors. We can’t just keep flipping cable
channels to escape the reality of our neighbors who are in need".
How we answer the call to live like Jesus shows what our faith is like.
Don't be surprised if you examine your conscience and get a bit uncomfortable.
I know I do.
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January 28, 2008
Hearing about other people's experience with faith can be profoundly
different than a person lecturing or preaching about the tenets of their
religion. We cannot deny another's experience.
We should listen with our hearts to matters of faith and we each have
our own personal experience of our encounters with God, with the Great
Mystery, the I AM, the One that is Divine and from which life and purpose
spring.
Instead of telling people what they must believe why not try sharing
what your faith means to you and then point to where you've learned that?
It is a less threatening way to introduce someone to the Good News of
Jesus Christ.
This method of communicating matters of faith and religion is at work,
but sometimes you have to seek it out. There are plenty of pundits who
want to tell you exactly how, when and where you must practice your religion.
But I think matters of faith and God are more about invitation.
It appears that Speaking
of Faith, a public radio program hosted by noted journalist Krista
Tippet, attempts to unpackage people's faith experiences in
a way that invites us to listen and learn more about the deeply personal
matters of faith in God.
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January 23, 2008
St. Benedict, the great monastic leader, said it was of primary importance
to listen — and to listen with the "ear of the heart".
Poets often understand this, perhaps intuitively. Judith Valente speaks
of this in Building
a Monastery of the Heart. She discusses how writing poetry
is for her a significant part of her spiritual life. And she makes the
point that any of us can learn to practice certain aspects of spiritual
living that people often mistakenly assume can only be done in a monastic
(secluded) lifestyle.
Life and work can be very challenging, but living in the mystery of life
gives us a broader perspective. We can view our work, our earning a day's
wage, in a context more appropriate to the big picture. Work is important.
Contributing to society and supporting ourselves and family are necessary.
But we should never lose sight of the spiritual journey. Working in the
real world and living in the mystery are not incompatible.
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January 21, 2008
In an election year we often will hear from candidates how they will
bring about needed change. Yet we are still living today in a world,
and in an America, that has age-old problems. There is still not equality,
real freedom and dignity for all people — all of God's children.
On this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday we can look again to the courage
of someone who spoke out against oppression, without using violence,
but standing tall with a message of love.
A good article that stirred me this morning from the Rev. Alan Jones
of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is online at SFGate.com (from
the San Francisco Chronicle).
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January 18, 2008
The success of video on the Internet is well documented. YouTube.com has
become a phenomenon. Now there is GodTube.com.
Like You Tube, there is some good, some bad and some just plain weird.
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January 16, 2008
The start of each day is often the best time. It is also frequently the
hardest time.
What I've discovered is that I must get up early enough to make time
for the things I need to do. And I've discovered through trial, error,
good direction and ongoing surrender, that part of the morning - the
first part of the morning - must begin by making conscious contact with
God. At least the attempt to do so. It's the "I arise oh Lord to
do your will" phrase that needs to go through my mind. Even better
if those words are on my lips.
When I thank God in the morning for a new day and that I am alive and
then ask Him to guide, direct, inspire and help me throughout the day
I find it goes better. And if I remember to ask God to use me in the
ways that will help others, so much the better. I admit there are days
when I don't want to include this last part. Helping others usually comes
at the expense of my own comfort and is ego deflating (which is actually
good for me - how ironic!)
Developing a plan for living and a morning discipline is not an overnight
matter. It is also not a clever formula. It takes a sincere desire to
live this way accompanied by a humble willingness. Life is not something
to be endured or mastered. (That's not an original phrase - I read it
elsewhere and it is a good one.)
W've provided some tips, ideas and inspiration throughout our
site. Taking
Action with your faith is one of those areas - read
more.
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January 14, 2008
Now that the major end of the year holidays have passed I've noticed
I'm carrying a few extra pounds. It is easy to pack it on when there
are all those treats around and I'm guilty of the "see food" diet
- I see food, I eat it.
A year ago I was in much better physical shape. In fact it is a year
to the day that I ran my first full marathon. That was a lot of training
and lots of running and keeping my weight down was a natural consequence.
But I've found the past couple of months that I'm not running very often
(it's too cold I tell myself) and eating more (oh, the late night snacking).
I can remedy all this by exercise and eating sensibly. Taking care of
my physical body is important, of course. Just as important (probably
more so) is being in good spiritual condition.
Maybe you are facing the post-holiday situation and realizing you need
to shape up physically and/or spiritually. The
Post-Holiday Detox feature at RELEVANTmagazine.com is
worth reading.
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January 11, 2008
A pioneer in Christian Television has passed away. Dr. Belarmino Gonzalez,
known to everyone as "Blackie", was a true pioneer in Christian
TV broadcasting. In 1984, as part of his new Son Broadcasting Network,
he launched KCHF TV-11 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was the first full-powered
VHF television station in the U.S. Eventually KCHF moved its operation
to Albuquerque. The station received the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters)
award for station of the year in 2000, and reportedly will also receive
it again this year.
Blackie Gonzalez was involved in many activities and those who knew him
attest to his tireless efforts. But everyone also speaks about what a
big heart and humble spirit he had. He leaves a legacy that touches many,
and it is because he answered the call to follow Jesus and tell others
about him. See
more here.
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January 7, 2008
It's that time of year when we see "the lists". Best of, worst
of, and so on, for the past year. That's all fine and it can be an interesting
exercise to review what were the highlights (and lowlights) of 2007.
And I don't just mean on a national or global level. What were the markers
in your personal life that stick out?
Daily living means being present in the present. But without some reflection
(and I find journaling essential for this process) we can remain blind
to the progress, or lack of it, that we are making on our spiritual journey.
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January 4, 2008
Why is it that so many of us fail to stick to our New Year's resolutions?
Perhaps it is because we try to change habits and behaviors we recognize
are bad for us, but when we begin to live this new way we are suddenly
uncomfortable and unhappy. It just dosn't feel right!
Changing our old ideas and ways isn't easy. Too often we are comfortable
in these old habits. So when we get out of our "comfort zone" it
is far too easy to fall back into the old way. We're used to it.
Of course that doesn't change anything for the better. When we make a
decision to change that's good. But sticking to it on our own power won't
get the job done — not when it comes to things that are beyond
our own power. We've got to have God's help.
For those who haven't been able to cross the bridge of faith and become
willing to believe there is a Power that can change us a serious dilemna
occurs. We can fall back or we can press ahead. Some of us just stay
stuck in the middle. If we are honest we discover we can't stay in one
place. We are either regressing or progressing.
When I struggle with doubts and disbelief (and any honest person does)
what helps me is to look to others who have faith. Can I percieve God
working in their lives? I have to admit I do. There are far too many
examples of people helped by letting go to God for me to deny.
When I resigned from the debating team about God I opened up the opportunity
for something new. That is what a willingness to change is all about.
We have to begin somewhere. Just making a beginning, a start, is a worthwhile
New Year's resolution.
The new Living the Solution newsletter went out last
night. If you are interested in receiving this twice-monthly free publication go
here to sign up for it. There is no obligation, nothing you have
to buy, and no spamming or selling of your email. We respect and protect
your privacy. You can also see issues
online.
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January 1, 2008
Happy New Year! A new year, a new month and a new day. One of the joys
of New Year's Day is to recognize that the loving God of Creation makes
all things new. I truly believe God does this with/in/through the Divine
One Jesus Christ.
At church this morning the homilist told us that each year his mother
always spent the last couple of days of the year cleaning the house really
good. She told her son it was because how you begin the new year is how
you live the year. She believed it was a good idea to have a very clean
house.
A "personal" house-cleaning is also a good idea and many people
go for this type of personal invetory at this time of year. The important
thing to do is each day start fresh with gratitude to God for life and
for the grace to face whatever the day brings. Jesus asks us to follow
him. He leads the way on the spiritual path to the Father. The God of
new beginnings has a big family and we are all part of it. Today is a
good day to celebrate that.
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering
of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International
Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New
Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale
House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
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(NIV)
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