Category: Personal

simplicity

What’s a cultural tradition from another country that you wish existed in yours?

Hmmm … I am not sure how to use this prompt. Maybe this way??

A cultural tradition is a way of living. There are cultural traditions (Amish or Old Believers) that value a simpler life. A simpler life, it must be said, before God. These traditions are alive – they are being lived now – and not some museum piece (or, in my case, something in a book). I would like that to be part of my cultural landscape. I would be able (hopefully) to plug into that tradition and make it part of my life.

Maybe I could start an Old Believer type of cultural that uses the Book of Common Prayer outside of the institutional church? And Anglican form of Priestless Old Believers!

LHT

What are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting your country?

While I am not sure people make this mistake often, one of the weirdest things about “my country” is left hand traffic. Visitors from other countries often go to the wrong door on the car when they first arrive. And sometimes freak out in traffice.

sharing with you

In the past there were people in my life with whom I would have shared the following.But they are no longer in my life so I am sharing it with the blogosphere:

My father spent a lifetime fighting for women to be pastors. His OAM proves change is slow but possible

I think I knew the individual honoured. I am sure I personally know the struggle within that community. So I am sharing it with you.

wish

What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?

Maybe the song that has stuck with me the longest is Pink Floyd’s Wish you were here!? It is my first album on cassette. It reminds me of many people who have been part of my life, Good mood? Maybe a sense of connection!?

Running over the same old ground, what have we found?
The same old fears, wish you were here

I wish

What’s a fear you’ve overcome — and how did you do it?

I am not sure I have ever overcome a fear. I have learned to hide the fear from the outside world. I have learned to pretend I do not fear something or someone. But it is only on the outside. On the inside there is always fear and anxiety,

why I no longer go to church!

Others, though, experienced genuine pain that led them to lose hope in the institution of the church or the Christian faith altogether. The list of these points of trauma and frustration is long, but it includes spiritual and physical abuse in the church, hypocrisy among church members and leaders, sexual ethics, political syncretism, political disagreement, suffering, racism, bigotry, and a perceived lack of relevance or real answers to the world’s problems. Some in this group are victims of pastoral malpractice, and some are victims of the draw of the world and the flesh. We call this group the dechurched casualties.

The Great DeChurching, 57

The Great DeChurching is filled with interesting statistics and insights. And, yes, the above does describe me to some degree. But I think the above misses a group of people who are dechurched: those who separate themselves from the institution as a theological conviction.

Jesus alone means Jesus alone. Not Jesus PLUS institutional attendance and commitment. There are institutions full of people who are completely committed to a good cause but that does not mean the institution, or the leadership, is good. And, for me, the jump from people gathering in Jesus’ name and claiming to be the “Body of Christ” is too much.

For me, the confusion of sanctification with justification is part of the very foundation of the institution – the institution needs something to justify itself. So “Christendom is confused with Jesus”.

I might write more on this later. Who knows!?

me alone

What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

I am going to sidestep the question of what a “good” life is and how do I know it is “good”.

Control what I can control! And do not worry about what is outside on my control. And what is that? Me! I can only answer for me and I can only make choices for me. I stand alone and only when I stand alone may I have a good life.