"Now, we folks who were loved as little children, who were beleived in and given good news, we can do it. We have inner ego-strength. We know we can influence, we know we can change, we know we can rise above it. But brothers and sisters, uch of the world doesn't know that. They don't know their power. No one gave them any good news. It often seems like this is the large majority of the earth's population."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 352)
I certainly know that I was loved as a child. Not in the way that I was constantly told how wonderful I was, or that I could not do anything wrong. I've heard that song sung too much lately by some parents. I also wasn't told how horrible I was, that I wouldn't amount too much, what a dissapointment etc.
To be overly praised I believe will raise a false self, just as easily as constant beratement will destroy. Somewhere between those to extremes lies the key to a healthy development.
I try my best to impart a message of hope and present a can do attitude. I try to believe in other people's inherent talents and goodness. I'm not beyond correcting or challenging, but that's not the first thing to come out of my mouth.
The parts of scripture that feed me the most are the one's where the compassion and mercy of God come forth. I know the judgement side is also there, but I don't make that my focus. Maybe it's because I've been loved by my earthly parents as well.
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Reflections for 10/27/10
"Middle-class Americans are, by the standards of the world, very rich people."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p.351)
A friend of mine who is very active in the "Millenium Development Goals," recently posted on Facebook a link to site where you could plug in your income and see where you sat financially in relationship to the rest of the world.
Needless to say I came out very rich. And while I understand that compared to the majority of the people in the 2/3 world, in my context I don't feel very rich.
I suppose that's part of being middle-class in America. We can see the uber wealthy. We are bombarded by messages that tell us we can have more, even though we really can't, nor do we need it. We also can see poorer people around us and realize that it wouldn't take much to put us there either. Though realistically the odds aren't that great.
Part of the middle-class dilemma, at least as I've lived it, is learning to be satisfied with what I have. It really is more than "my daily bread." My self worth won't improve by having more stuff. It certainly will improve by believing I have everything I really need.
Blessings,
Ed
A friend of mine who is very active in the "Millenium Development Goals," recently posted on Facebook a link to site where you could plug in your income and see where you sat financially in relationship to the rest of the world.
Needless to say I came out very rich. And while I understand that compared to the majority of the people in the 2/3 world, in my context I don't feel very rich.
I suppose that's part of being middle-class in America. We can see the uber wealthy. We are bombarded by messages that tell us we can have more, even though we really can't, nor do we need it. We also can see poorer people around us and realize that it wouldn't take much to put us there either. Though realistically the odds aren't that great.
Part of the middle-class dilemma, at least as I've lived it, is learning to be satisfied with what I have. It really is more than "my daily bread." My self worth won't improve by having more stuff. It certainly will improve by believing I have everything I really need.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Reflections for 10/26/10
"How much do I have to protect? How much public image, self-image, possessions, security, comforts, future? These tell me how rich and how poor I am."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 350)
I don't think I have very much to protect. Certainly not in material things. When I look at Fr. Rohr's list I'm not even sure those things need to be protected. I believe I have a decent public image. Certainly in my one square mile town, I am well known and thought well of. I don't know what most folks think of me outside of my little sphere of influence.
My self-image fluctuates, though I try to keep positive, I am certainly my own worst critic.
Possessions I've already covered. Nothing worth stealing here.
Comforts. I eat regularly and have a roof over my head. I'd say I'm rich there.
Future, seems positive. My career is not dead. My health is good, though could be better. I generally feel optimistic.
I suppose in many ways I am rich, but it may be that in fact I'm securely middle class, just like my income level would indicate. I don't have too much, but I have enough.
Blessings,
Ed
I don't think I have very much to protect. Certainly not in material things. When I look at Fr. Rohr's list I'm not even sure those things need to be protected. I believe I have a decent public image. Certainly in my one square mile town, I am well known and thought well of. I don't know what most folks think of me outside of my little sphere of influence.
My self-image fluctuates, though I try to keep positive, I am certainly my own worst critic.
Possessions I've already covered. Nothing worth stealing here.
Comforts. I eat regularly and have a roof over my head. I'd say I'm rich there.
Future, seems positive. My career is not dead. My health is good, though could be better. I generally feel optimistic.
I suppose in many ways I am rich, but it may be that in fact I'm securely middle class, just like my income level would indicate. I don't have too much, but I have enough.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, October 25, 2010
Reflections for 10/25/10
"The greatest enemy of faith is not doubt; the greatest enemy of faith is fear. Most of the world is controlled by fear, petty and big. Petty fears control people; great fears control nations."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 349)
I'd like to believe that I've never been a fraidy cat, but I'm afraid that's just not true. When I'm at my worst, when I am feeling overwhelmed, fear becomes a great factor. I wish I could say it was a motivator, but I find it is more of a paralyzer.
I notice that much of our world runs on the commodity of fear. Every political ad these days seems to be about being afraid of some candidate because they'll do {fill in the blank}. We are definetely afraid of others and regretably this has always been the case.
The biblical message in both Hebrew and Christian Scripture's constantly says do not be afraid. When we are afraid we have decided that God can do nothing.
I'd like to believe that I do not fear things and most of the time, I do try to live by a do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. When I operate out of a true sense of courage, not a false bravado, I get much more done.
Blessings,
Ed
I'd like to believe that I've never been a fraidy cat, but I'm afraid that's just not true. When I'm at my worst, when I am feeling overwhelmed, fear becomes a great factor. I wish I could say it was a motivator, but I find it is more of a paralyzer.
I notice that much of our world runs on the commodity of fear. Every political ad these days seems to be about being afraid of some candidate because they'll do {fill in the blank}. We are definetely afraid of others and regretably this has always been the case.
The biblical message in both Hebrew and Christian Scripture's constantly says do not be afraid. When we are afraid we have decided that God can do nothing.
I'd like to believe that I do not fear things and most of the time, I do try to live by a do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. When I operate out of a true sense of courage, not a false bravado, I get much more done.
Blessings,
Ed
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Reflections for 10/24/10
"I am content to build bridges that the next generation might possibly walk on. I am happy and even freed to be part of a emrely transitional generation."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 348)
I am a card carrying member of what is called by some as Generation X, people born beginning somewhere in the mid 1960's until early 80's. There aren't many of us. And we are stuck between what are known as the Boomers and the Millenials. By the way two very large groups.
One of the things that many of my generation realized a long time ago is that we would probably be a bridge group. There just aren't enough of us to leave and impact. I know that we have tried to be kinder and more empowering to the millenials than many of us felt that the Boomers were to us.
As a bridge however the Boomers have done great connecting with the Millenials. And there are times that it is hard to be a bridge that people are driving across.
My hunch is that every generation is probably a bridge builder. A probably even bigger reality is that it's more like building a bridge to nowhere. It just keeps going and once each generation ends the other starts the building.
The other reality is that each of our generations will probably leave some mark on the world we inhabited. When we are freed from having to out do or are able to let go of the generational squabbles, much more for the greater good can occur.
Blessings,
Ed
I am a card carrying member of what is called by some as Generation X, people born beginning somewhere in the mid 1960's until early 80's. There aren't many of us. And we are stuck between what are known as the Boomers and the Millenials. By the way two very large groups.
One of the things that many of my generation realized a long time ago is that we would probably be a bridge group. There just aren't enough of us to leave and impact. I know that we have tried to be kinder and more empowering to the millenials than many of us felt that the Boomers were to us.
As a bridge however the Boomers have done great connecting with the Millenials. And there are times that it is hard to be a bridge that people are driving across.
My hunch is that every generation is probably a bridge builder. A probably even bigger reality is that it's more like building a bridge to nowhere. It just keeps going and once each generation ends the other starts the building.
The other reality is that each of our generations will probably leave some mark on the world we inhabited. When we are freed from having to out do or are able to let go of the generational squabbles, much more for the greater good can occur.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Reflections for 10/23/10
"Faithful friendship and true partnership teach us more than a shallow sexual encounter."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p.347)
I have had over my lifetime many friends of the opposite sex. I enjoy the talking, joking around and working together. Some of them of course turned into "girl friends" but most are friends that are girls. You know the difference when there's no physical contact or sexual tension involved.
The only time this has not been true is in my marriage, where friendship, partnership and physical intimacy do occur. But what isn't present is a shallow encounter.
If it weren't for those "faithful friends" and "true partners" outside of marriage, I do not think I would be able to actually understand the opposite sex.
I don't know if the same holds true for women. But I hope there are women out there who consider me a "faithful friend", a "true partner" and one that doesn't need or want physical intimacy to be a part of it.
Blessings,
Ed
I have had over my lifetime many friends of the opposite sex. I enjoy the talking, joking around and working together. Some of them of course turned into "girl friends" but most are friends that are girls. You know the difference when there's no physical contact or sexual tension involved.
The only time this has not been true is in my marriage, where friendship, partnership and physical intimacy do occur. But what isn't present is a shallow encounter.
If it weren't for those "faithful friends" and "true partners" outside of marriage, I do not think I would be able to actually understand the opposite sex.
I don't know if the same holds true for women. But I hope there are women out there who consider me a "faithful friend", a "true partner" and one that doesn't need or want physical intimacy to be a part of it.
Blessings,
Ed
Friday, October 22, 2010
Reflections for 10/22/10
"It's not all bad. It's just not enough. As many have said, 'Faith is caught much more than it is taught."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p.347)
When I reflect on my faith journey, I realize that it really was something that was caught first. Actually more born into. I haven't known a period of time where faith was not a part of me. My journey has been one much more guided by experience than intellectual assent.
That is not to say that I dumb down my faith, or will not ask questions of it. I do not dismiss scientific discovery, nor do I find questions from folks who do not share my belief as a threat.
I have found that as I've grown older, I've wanted to know more. I like to read the Bible over and over again, finding something new each time even in very familiar words. I also love to read theology both classical and modern. All of that more mind oriented journeying does not create my faith, it enhances it.
What strengthens my faith and refuels it, is the daily interaction with other pilgrims, and this wonderfully created world that we inhabit.
It was easier to hold onto that which I caught, perhaps because I never felt that I was being forced into it. There's was always room for questions, doubts etc. Maybe I've just been fortunate. I know there are others who did not have as open an experience to faith as I did.
I really should thank God, for the women and men who helped me catch and catch again, the faith that kept coming at me.
Blessings,
Ed
When I reflect on my faith journey, I realize that it really was something that was caught first. Actually more born into. I haven't known a period of time where faith was not a part of me. My journey has been one much more guided by experience than intellectual assent.
That is not to say that I dumb down my faith, or will not ask questions of it. I do not dismiss scientific discovery, nor do I find questions from folks who do not share my belief as a threat.
I have found that as I've grown older, I've wanted to know more. I like to read the Bible over and over again, finding something new each time even in very familiar words. I also love to read theology both classical and modern. All of that more mind oriented journeying does not create my faith, it enhances it.
What strengthens my faith and refuels it, is the daily interaction with other pilgrims, and this wonderfully created world that we inhabit.
It was easier to hold onto that which I caught, perhaps because I never felt that I was being forced into it. There's was always room for questions, doubts etc. Maybe I've just been fortunate. I know there are others who did not have as open an experience to faith as I did.
I really should thank God, for the women and men who helped me catch and catch again, the faith that kept coming at me.
Blessings,
Ed
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