Faith Venture

Cal Newport, computer science professor and author (Slow Productivity), noticed a sign while on book promotion tour in England regarding the noxious effects of overly processed food, aka junk food.

The message caused a companion thought—junk food for the mind. He had been thinking about how social media, over reliance on smart phones, and the like have corrupted the minds of many throughout the world.

What foods do you allow to fill your appetite? (In my case despite watching what I eat, I just drank 16 oz. of sugar—fruit juice plus ginger ale—just before a blood test. Really stupid.) Normally, I am careful about what goes in.

Likewise, what do you allow to fill your mind? Social media or quality fiction and poetry? TV or walking in nature?

Let us maintain a healthy body and mind.

I sit back in my chair in my office. I often like to sit back with my feet resting on the desk and laptop in my, well, lap. Staring at my bookshelves, I see one of the several books I’ve turned facing out. This reminds me of a book I wish to remember.

There at the top is Seth Godin’s The Practice: Shipping Creative Work. I highly recommend this one. 

I have been thinking about style versus substance. Let’s say, for example, at church. The example works also for personal development seminars and even technology presentations. But, let’s stick with church.

There are churches that specialize on experience. You go, as if to a rock concert. You expect to be entertained. You’ll get some lively music. Perhaps a few words about the work of the organization. Then a teacher will try for the final 30 minutes to get you motivated. Then you leave. 

And life goes on.

I’ve been involved with people whose focus is on decision. The focus is on getting another person to decide to believe in Jesus. 

I’ve always been haunted by the question—then what?

I might like the entertainment, the style, for a brief moment. Maybe I say Hi to a few people I see each week. And that is it.

But where is the mentor relationship? The depth? Beginning the practice of following Jesus?

Yesterday I fast-walked about 3 miles followed by resistance weight training followed by 20 minutes in the hot tub. Today, Yoga replaced the resistance work. It’s my daily practice. Just like a daily practice of writing. And meditation. Well, also of eating nutritionally dense meals (thanks to my wife).

The challenge—how do we help people begin and maintain the practice of following Jesus? I think that is a lot of what Paul and James tried to do in their letters. Get us out of our comfort zone and both practice and help others practice.

During those rough early-teen years, my daughter would tell me that I shouted at her. I told her, “Girl, you don’t know what being shouted at is!”

It is true that we do not like being shouted at. I suppose that if we are US Marine Corp recruits and the drill sergeant is in our face, there might be a reason for being shouted at. (I only know from TV and not from personal experience.) I have experience with manufacturing plant managers screaming at me to fix a machine or get production moving. Not pleasant, although sometimes quite motivating.

Have you noticed that you listen more carefully when the speaker speaks quietly? The softly spoken word backed by full diaphragm support effectively communicates its message.

Let us take a look at a typical politician or Christian. How often are they shouting to get your attention? Even in emails the tone is shouting.

I notice people who are nervous or uncertain of their own value often raise their voices. Nassim Taleb notices that people tend to raise their volumes when they are lying.

A good spiritual practice–try speaking softly with full diaphragm support and distinct words. Try it again. Until you perfect it.