Have you ever heard a “born-again” Christian refer to being “convicted”? I’ve spend some time thinking about that phrasing. So often it is taken to mean that Jesus, as judge and jury has taken someone into a court of law, and tried that person and found that person “guilty.” An unloving, uncharitable, hard-line image, to [...]
Tag Archive 'discernment'
Last week I spent a couple of days where I had to just breathe and be in order maintain composure. I wonder at some things — like what are folks who tend toward certain political stances afraid of? I hear the fear and self-defense of those who support the T-party. It seems that all one, [...]
Let the chips fall
Posted in main on Jun 23rd, 2010
Today was one of those days that started out feeling like nothing would go smoothly. Just before leaving house for my group meeting, I got a call from another member. She asked if I could possibly give her a ride from the car detailing place so she could make it to group and get her [...]
Discernment: or sometimes it is ok to say “No”
Posted in main on Jun 19th, 2010
Last week I was asked to do something — it gave me pause. That request is still sitting out there, and it is for something good. To say “Yes” would mean doing something good. But, it is also a bit terrifying to me. And so, I asked for a week to pray about it. Thoughts [...]
Conversation
Posted in main on Feb 13th, 2010
In her post this morning, Maintaining Wide Boundaries, Susan reflects on the views of an Episcopal bishop on the belief that it is better to have a few heretics in church than to push people out. The goal is to keep people in dialogue and therefore keep alive the possibility of conversion and allow God’s [...]
Who gets results?
Posted in main on Feb 11th, 2010
Todays gospel (Mark 7:24-30) has always bothered me. It relates the story of a gentile woman, a mother, who begs Jesus to banish the unclean spirit from her daughter. And Jesus answers, initially, that it’s not right to give the food for the children to the dogs. After she pursues the request, stating that even [...]
The other night my husband was watching one of the science channels. The show was about physics. Is light a particle? Or is light a wave? And the answer is “Yes.” I don’t understand the math or the physics beyond the simple idea that relativity and quantum physics are mathematically incompatible. I understand that understanding [...]
Why Catholic?
Posted in main on Oct 17th, 2009
I’ve been sitting with Susan’s post over on Creo en Dios — and considering how her words adapt to my reality. We come to this place from different roads. She was a cradle Catholic who left God and the Catholic Church, and returned. I started life in a Calvinist protestant environment (Presbyterian/Southern Baptist), made a [...]
Sleepless – not in Seattle
Posted in main on Sep 21st, 2009
Tonight is one of those where my mind doesn’t seem to want to shut down… I’m pondering many things, for no know reason. It’s one of those nights when I consider my faith – what it is and what it is not. I wonder at why I believe at all. I wonder what I believe. [...]
You just never know what mouthpiece or tool God will use to get your attention. You’re just minding your own business and BANG! There you are looking at something you didn’t even realize you needed to hear. I am a frequent listener to The Radio Reader on NPR. Currently, Dick Estelle is reading “A Son [...]
