"The Bible is usually very universal and makes you want to see something-some image to imagine it by."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p.163)
Whenever I read a book for pleasure, I often can create a mental image of what the setting looks like, what the characters look like etc. Especially if the author is good. I usually like to read a book before seeing a movie adaptation of it, so as not to spoil the mental picture.
I think the creators of the Harry Potter movies really did a great job of creating images. As did the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia. I'm sure there are others as well.
The Bible is a different beast of course, because it is not seen as fiction. It is also true that our 21st century imaging has been tainted by Children's Bibles and Renaissance Art.
But I do still like to attempt to picture the biblical scenes. Put myself in the crowd if you will. It makes the words on the page come to life for me as I attempt to incorporate them into my life.
While I don't see God as an old white man with a long beard, nor do I see an Anglo-Saxon Jesus, I have had some wonderful images of the biblical characters and can picture some of the great events, and even some that aren't as well known.
It works for me because faith needs all the senses working together to create that deeper relationship.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Reflections for 6/19/11
"The final secret I think, is this; that the words 'You shall love the Lord your God,' become in the end less a command than a promise."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p. 162)
The greatest commandment according to Jesus. I've never been good with commandments. I certainly will take instruction, but tell me what I have to do, and the little rebel in me wants to play. Though in all honesty he rarely gets those chances.
I've never thought about the commandments being more promise than commandment. Yet instinctively none of the 10 are on my radar screen to break. I won't do those things I'm commanded not to do, not out of fear of punishment, but because out of love I can't nor do I want to.
All of the temptations to go against them exist in our world. Yet somehow out of that first promise, that I'll love God, because God first loved me, everything else seems to flow. I can and want to love God, because even in my worst moments, God is there. Not with a smack to the head, but with a more of a "come on, let's try that again, differently this time."
Blessings,
Ed
The greatest commandment according to Jesus. I've never been good with commandments. I certainly will take instruction, but tell me what I have to do, and the little rebel in me wants to play. Though in all honesty he rarely gets those chances.
I've never thought about the commandments being more promise than commandment. Yet instinctively none of the 10 are on my radar screen to break. I won't do those things I'm commanded not to do, not out of fear of punishment, but because out of love I can't nor do I want to.
All of the temptations to go against them exist in our world. Yet somehow out of that first promise, that I'll love God, because God first loved me, everything else seems to flow. I can and want to love God, because even in my worst moments, God is there. Not with a smack to the head, but with a more of a "come on, let's try that again, differently this time."
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Reflections for 6/16/11
"The story of Christ is where we all started from, though we've come so far since then that there are times when you'd hardly know it to listen to us and when we hardly know it ourselves...the story of Jesus, where we all started, is like being suddenly called by your childhood name when you've all but forgotten your childhood name and maybe your childhood too."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p. 160-61)
If you grew up in a faith community, mine happens to be Christian, then there is undoubtedly parts of your faith experience that our foundational.
I suppose for most Christians it is the old kids song "Jesus Loves Me this I know." I think St. Paul would call it in his writings spiritual milk. It is certainly a good starting off point. The longer we stay engaged with our faith the more we build upon those original foundations.
Yet sometimes with all the other experiences in life and the further knowledge we get about faith and other matters that foundation can get forgotten. Much like that name we had as a kid.
As far as I can remember I've always been Ed. Never Eddie. Edmund, my given name, is rarely used. And those who try to get formal often call me something else.
I wonder if because I've never lost sight of that foundational piece of my faith that the name I'm still called, by those who know me well, walks hand in hand with my relationship with Christ. I do think I've gone beyond milk, but I still love a cold glass of it, have it daily with my cereal and enjoy dairy products. I'm glad I haven't become lactose intolerant spiritually either. To know that I am beloved by God and others is quite nourishing indeed.
Blessings,
Ed
If you grew up in a faith community, mine happens to be Christian, then there is undoubtedly parts of your faith experience that our foundational.
I suppose for most Christians it is the old kids song "Jesus Loves Me this I know." I think St. Paul would call it in his writings spiritual milk. It is certainly a good starting off point. The longer we stay engaged with our faith the more we build upon those original foundations.
Yet sometimes with all the other experiences in life and the further knowledge we get about faith and other matters that foundation can get forgotten. Much like that name we had as a kid.
As far as I can remember I've always been Ed. Never Eddie. Edmund, my given name, is rarely used. And those who try to get formal often call me something else.
I wonder if because I've never lost sight of that foundational piece of my faith that the name I'm still called, by those who know me well, walks hand in hand with my relationship with Christ. I do think I've gone beyond milk, but I still love a cold glass of it, have it daily with my cereal and enjoy dairy products. I'm glad I haven't become lactose intolerant spiritually either. To know that I am beloved by God and others is quite nourishing indeed.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Reflections for 6/15/11
"If the idea of God as both Three and One seems far -fetched and obfuscating, look in the mirror someday.
There is (a) the interior life known only to yourself and those you choose to communicate it to (the Father). there is (b) the visible face which in some measure reflects that inner life (the Son). And there is (c) the invisible power you have in order to communicate that interior life in such a way that others do not merely know about it, but know it in the sense of its becoming part of who they are (the Holy Spirit). Yet what you are looking at in the mirror is clearly and indivisibly the one and only you."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p. 160)
Ah the doctrine of the Trinity. It will be preached about or avoided by many this coming Sunday. Many have attempted to describe it. St. Patrick said it was like a three leaf clover. Others shrug their shoulders and say that its a mystery. And of course the belief system of the Christian Faith is engulfed in it. If you read the Koran you'll find that Mohamed thought that the Doctrine embraced polytheism.
I've never seen the Trinity described in the way Buechner does, but it rings true for me. Certainly when I look in the mirror, I do a lot of interior work. What am I feeling inside, who is that man behind the mask really. I can look at the face and once the narcissism subsides have a decent idea of what I look like. And certainly there are ways that the exterior and the interior Ed interact with others that is also there.
While I'm not certain that Buechner's description makes the Doctrine any clearer than an ancient creedal statement. It at least is an entrance point that I can relate to and can work out my own description and see if that makes any sense.
Blessings,
Ed
There is (a) the interior life known only to yourself and those you choose to communicate it to (the Father). there is (b) the visible face which in some measure reflects that inner life (the Son). And there is (c) the invisible power you have in order to communicate that interior life in such a way that others do not merely know about it, but know it in the sense of its becoming part of who they are (the Holy Spirit). Yet what you are looking at in the mirror is clearly and indivisibly the one and only you."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p. 160)
Ah the doctrine of the Trinity. It will be preached about or avoided by many this coming Sunday. Many have attempted to describe it. St. Patrick said it was like a three leaf clover. Others shrug their shoulders and say that its a mystery. And of course the belief system of the Christian Faith is engulfed in it. If you read the Koran you'll find that Mohamed thought that the Doctrine embraced polytheism.
I've never seen the Trinity described in the way Buechner does, but it rings true for me. Certainly when I look in the mirror, I do a lot of interior work. What am I feeling inside, who is that man behind the mask really. I can look at the face and once the narcissism subsides have a decent idea of what I look like. And certainly there are ways that the exterior and the interior Ed interact with others that is also there.
While I'm not certain that Buechner's description makes the Doctrine any clearer than an ancient creedal statement. It at least is an entrance point that I can relate to and can work out my own description and see if that makes any sense.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Reflections for 6/12/11
"Finally this. If you look at a window you see fly specks, dust, the crack where Junior's Frisbee hit it. I f you look through a window you see the world beyond. Something like this is the difference between those who see the Bible as a Holy bore and those who see it as the Word of God which speaks out of the depths of an almost unimaginable past into the depths of ourselves."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life." p.159)
I read the Bible on a daily basis. Granted it is because I'm saying Morning Prayer and there are always two readings and a psalm. Also someone else chose what I'd read. There were at least two years where I read all of the Bible. Didn't skip a chapter or a verse. I also didn't begin at Genesis 1 and try to get to the end of Revelation either. I had a guide that broke readings down into manageable chunks and gave variety.
When I read the Bible I usually am attentive to four things. First is there something that confirms what I believe. Second is there something that challenges what I believe. Third is there something that just makes me laugh. And finally are there verses to memorize because they'll be helpful when debating a fellow believer who doesn't agree with me.
Sometimes when we focus on something so intently we will see only the defects and imperfections, that "looking at" that Buechner writes about. When I see through I'm more attentive to the much deeper and more subtle messages of life. I often do get the subtext of what's actually going on.
I do think it is important for those of us who profess faith in the Judeo-Christian God to be reasonably familiar with the Bible. As a reminder though, we worship the God of whom it speaks, not the book itself.
Blessings,
Ed
I read the Bible on a daily basis. Granted it is because I'm saying Morning Prayer and there are always two readings and a psalm. Also someone else chose what I'd read. There were at least two years where I read all of the Bible. Didn't skip a chapter or a verse. I also didn't begin at Genesis 1 and try to get to the end of Revelation either. I had a guide that broke readings down into manageable chunks and gave variety.
When I read the Bible I usually am attentive to four things. First is there something that confirms what I believe. Second is there something that challenges what I believe. Third is there something that just makes me laugh. And finally are there verses to memorize because they'll be helpful when debating a fellow believer who doesn't agree with me.
Sometimes when we focus on something so intently we will see only the defects and imperfections, that "looking at" that Buechner writes about. When I see through I'm more attentive to the much deeper and more subtle messages of life. I often do get the subtext of what's actually going on.
I do think it is important for those of us who profess faith in the Judeo-Christian God to be reasonably familiar with the Bible. As a reminder though, we worship the God of whom it speaks, not the book itself.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, June 13, 2011
Reflections for 6/13/11
"This church. The church on the other side of town, the other side of the world. All churches everywhere. The day will come when they will lie in ruins, every last one of them."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life." p. 156)
While this is a tad on the apocalyptic, the reality is that many churches do close. I don't believe mine is in any danger at the moment, but I do know that there are faith communities that are barely surviving.
There are a host of reasons for this. Demographics change. The church was operating independently and once the charismatic leader left, there was no one to replace them. Some get so small that they cannot stay open do to financial constraints.
No matter what the reason, the closing of a church is always painful. For those who called that place their faith home, many moments of their life resided in that building. And when it is gone a piece of themselves goes with it.
We are told not to put to much attachment into a building, but that's easier said than done. And it goes beyond churches. Schools may have the same emotional attachment. Homes that we grew up in. Whenever any place that we have memories of or in ceases to be, it hurts.
The best thing we can hope for is to remember the good times in those places that may no longer exist.
You know, I even find it a challenge when the place still exists but has changed from what I remember.
Blessings,
Ed
While this is a tad on the apocalyptic, the reality is that many churches do close. I don't believe mine is in any danger at the moment, but I do know that there are faith communities that are barely surviving.
There are a host of reasons for this. Demographics change. The church was operating independently and once the charismatic leader left, there was no one to replace them. Some get so small that they cannot stay open do to financial constraints.
No matter what the reason, the closing of a church is always painful. For those who called that place their faith home, many moments of their life resided in that building. And when it is gone a piece of themselves goes with it.
We are told not to put to much attachment into a building, but that's easier said than done. And it goes beyond churches. Schools may have the same emotional attachment. Homes that we grew up in. Whenever any place that we have memories of or in ceases to be, it hurts.
The best thing we can hope for is to remember the good times in those places that may no longer exist.
You know, I even find it a challenge when the place still exists but has changed from what I remember.
Blessings,
Ed
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Reflections for 6/12/11
"Moments continue to go up in flames like the bush in Midian to illumine, if only for a moment, a path that stretches before us like no other path. And such moments call out in a voice which, if we only had courage and heart enough, we would follow to the end of time."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life." p. 156)
I'm always impressed by folks who know exactly what they want out of life. Who feel fairly certain of the path they are on. Of course I've also seen the bottom fall out on some of them, and had to help them pick themselves up.
I'm not always certain of everything in life. There are times when I feel adrift. There are times when I'm not sure who I am or what I want to be when I grow up. Yet there are also those times when there is a flash of clarity and the way is obvious, and when I'm most attentive I notice it and follow before it recedes again.
Blessings,
Ed
I'm always impressed by folks who know exactly what they want out of life. Who feel fairly certain of the path they are on. Of course I've also seen the bottom fall out on some of them, and had to help them pick themselves up.
I'm not always certain of everything in life. There are times when I feel adrift. There are times when I'm not sure who I am or what I want to be when I grow up. Yet there are also those times when there is a flash of clarity and the way is obvious, and when I'm most attentive I notice it and follow before it recedes again.
Blessings,
Ed
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