Faith Venture

How Easy To Be Critical

November 22, 2024

We drove through some back roads in the central south of Kentucky. A Baptist church of one flavor or another seemed to appear at every crossroad. We crossed over into Tennessee. Now Churches of Christ of various flavors appeared.

My tradition is Methodist. I am quite Wesleyan in outlook.

I thought about how the Baptists in town were skeptical that Methodists were really Christian. Joe, the pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), used to say he led the only Christian church in town. (It was a joke. I think.) Let us not even mention the Protestants and the Catholics.

But I pondered all those varieties of churches we passed.

What if each brought the peace of God and a community to the people who attend? Do we all need to go to the same place to worship? Are there not varieties of style that speak to the individual souls?

I like the formality and mystery of Catholic Mass, yet a dose of the “rock concert and a TED Talk” style is motivating at times. My wife likes the typical Protestant liturgy with familiar songs.

Why criticize others? We should be all on the same track. Just tasting different varieties of the tea.

Relax. Follow your path faithfully. Why worry about others? Life is too short (he says writing this the day after yet another birthday).

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Like a Tea Bag in a Cup of Hot Water

November 21, 2024

Those of you who have followed my writing for some time know that I am an eclectic reader. I pick up ideas and wisdom from wherever I can.

Listening to an interview with Zen Master Henry Shukman on the flight to California this week. He mentioned that meditation is like dipping a tea bag into a cup of hot water. It infuses your life.

There is a rich history of Christian mediation. We also call it contemplation or prayer.

Sit for a moment or two. Let this idea of connecting with God infusing our life. How much better we would live if we let God infuse our life. Perhaps that is a part of what Jesus meant by the Kingdom of God surrounds us.

When I sit in meditation, the experience of God infusing my life is part of the whole.

(For a great book on the subject, try The Cloud of Unknowing by an anonymous 14th Century English Catholic religious.)

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Unity

November 20, 2024

A protestant church denomination spends time and effort to convince other congregations to join it, since they are right and others are wrong. Should not a Christian organization be spending its time and energy toward mission and ministry? Doing the work of Jesus in the world?

America just held an election. Each side hyped up the evils lying in wait if the other side won. Anxiety rose throughout the land. Should not we have been more concerned about how we build a society based upon our founding principles?

What we have here is a failure to listen.

I mean, really listen, to other people.

If I can convince you to listen to one podcast this month no matter where in the world you live, listen to this Guy Kawasaki podcast interview with Tonia Israel on The Science of Political Unity.

Dr. Tania Israel is a distinguished professor at UCSB and author of Facing the Fracture. Kawasaki’s new book is Think Remarkable.

Dr. Israel isn’t just another voice in the crowded space of political commentary; she’s a pioneering researcher and practitioner in the art of bridging divides. Her work at UCSB has positioned her at the forefront of understanding how we can heal America’s growing political fractures, and her insights have never been more crucial than they are today.

In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of political polarization, exploring how our media consumption, social bubbles, and cognitive biases shape our views of ‘ the other side.’

Dr. Israel challenges conventional wisdom about empathy and reveals surprising truths about how even the most empathetic people can contribute to polarization. Her practical strategies for engaging across political divides offer hope for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly divided world.

Hint: Ask deep questions, perhaps sincerely ask how did you come to believe that.

Oh, I should add that this is not the first election in US history with this level of polarization. Somehow we seem to have survived even if once we had to go to war.

Posted in Ethics, healing, Listening | Leave a Comment »

The Pursuit of Happiness

November 19, 2024

I love it when modern social science discovers ancient wisdom. Reading in Adam Grant’s excellent book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, “Psychologists found that the more people value happiness, the less happy they often become with their lives.”

We can read in almost any ancient wisdom literature, such as the Proverbs in the Hebrew scriptures, this same wisdom.

Unfortunately, we seem to be living out the philosophy developed by Jeremy Bentham in the late 18^th century and later publicized by John Stuart Mill, “it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”

Bentham pushed for many good social advancements that once adopted has made life better for many. He got this wrong.

But look around. Perhaps you, yourself, are captured by this idea and certainly many people around you, who think that life is all about the pursuit of happiness.

Happiness will not be found that way.

Happiness is a byproduct of pursuing a life of service to others. Service that is performed through a spiritual alignment with God regardless of your particular brand of faith.

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Are You a Good Listener?

November 18, 2024

Researchers studied the interaction of managers and their employees. Among managers rated as the worst listeners by their employees, 94% of them evaluated themselves as good or very good listeners. (Source: Adam Grant, Think Again)

Are you a good listener?

Pause. Think again.

Now seriously, are you a good listener.

The person we find easiest to fool is ourself.

Focus on the other person, not what you are going to say next.

Think of questions to probe deeper, that places the focus on the other.

Perhaps repeat what they said asking if you understand.

Practice as often as possible.

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Forgiveness, For Myself

November 15, 2024

Yesterday I wrote, “And I wondered, what holds us back? What negativity, cynicism, bitterness, or even pride and ego cover our innate vibrant self? What do we need to start shedding in order to show our true colors?”

Thinking this over, I realized what I missed.

Forgiveness.

Not for others. Many sermons are preached about forgiving others (surely that is important). Mostly we need to forgive ourselves.

Be kind to everyone—including yourself.

Forgive—including yourself.

Your life will be better for it.

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What’s Holding You Back?

November 14, 2024

We recently drove about 2,500 miles on various trips from Illinois to Tennessee to Ohio to Illinois to Missouri. It was the middle-to-end of October. The deciduous trees were in full color.

Golds and reds blended with some green holding on to summer painting a beautiful landscape in the hills.

People who study these things say that the colors are always there. The green from chlorophyl hides the colors while the tree’s growth stage needs the sunlight energy converted by the green.

When the green fades away giving way to a new stage of life, the vibrant colors become exposed.

And I wondered, what holds us back? What negativity, cynicism, bitterness, or even pride and ego cover our innate vibrant self?

What do we need to start shedding in order to show our true colors?

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Taking Myself Too Seriously

November 13, 2024

Everything depends upon me.

I must bring healing to that grieving family.

If I don’t show up to lead, the work will never be done.

Maybe…

The work to be done is important. We should be serious about it.

Perhaps not so serious about ourselves. Such focus leads to pride. Which leads to a fall.

Relax. Let the spirit flow through you to do the work. Chuckle at your shortcomings. Try easy.

Posted in Humility, pride, Work | 1 Comment »

Prayer Mantra

November 12, 2024

The little book The Way of the Pilgrim tells the story of a Russian peasant in the 19^th century who takes to heart Paul’s advice to pray without ceasing. He adopts the “Jesus Prayer” praying it constantly during his wanderings around Russia.

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” has formed the spiritual foundation for probably millions of spiritual seekers.

I have used it as part of my daily meditations for at least 30 years.

Musician Jon Batiste recently appeared on Tim Ferriss’s podcast. He mentioned his prayer mantra. I like this one, too. I’ve begun using it as a way to do something different in order to not be in a rut.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

It reminds me first to be still. That is so hard for us.

Next is know. Not “I think” or some other weak verb. I know.

Finally, “I am God.” The object of my knowing.

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Principles

November 11, 2024

My feeble attention requires frequent reminders of my core principles.

Peace and Justice.

Peace is an action word. It’s not the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” Rather practice peace through reaching out with love toward those who are hurting (which is everyone).

Justice without mercy is simply revenge dressed up. Rather practice justice through discovering others’ needs and helping.

Yes, there is a political component. In practice, it’s an attitude of individuals acting in community.

Posted in Attitude, Disciplines, Justice, Peace | Leave a Comment »