For the Joy of the Journey

Feast

George September 14, 2008 Uncategorized

Today was a spiritual feast. The sermon by Steve Elliott entitled “Up the Down Escalator” was based on David’s encounter with Saul in 1 Samuel 17:30-40. I must say that it may make my top 10 sermon list. I will post a link when it is put up their website.

These quotes made it worth being there:

If all that is best of our spiritual life can only be spoken of in the past tense, we are on the wrong escalator.

Our kids do not need our armor any more than today’s athletes need our old running shoes. Our kids need the example of our vital, vibrant faith.

They (our kids) need to see us ahead of them on the up escalator, not passing them on the down escalator.

Faith is meant to be handed across generations … it (faith) is defined by a heart that trusts God explicitly and daily.

It is not just the occasional giant that we have to contend with. All of life is too big for all of us to handle on our own.

The class that followed was led by Steve’s wife Marilyn. The premise of the class is that God speaks. It was a challenging and rewarding experience and I’m looking forward to the next six weeks.

Out of Commission

George September 13, 2008 Uncategorized

I am at a local cafe so I can get an internet connection. Our DSL has been out for a day and a half and I do not know when it will be back up. The process of trying to get some assistance is as bad as not having a connection. It is pretty easy to get really upset when MY life gets disrupted by such inconveniences. Ordinarily, I would be fired up and getting all this mess straightened out. Instead, I have witnessed the inconvenience of Hurricane Ike, learned of friend’s diagnosis of Alzheimers, received news that another friend’s cancer has spread and hospice has been called in. I’ve watch grandparents taking guardianship of their young grandchild. I’ve talked with widow’s struggling with health and loneliness.

I guess I am really not out of commission at all. I just got distracted and confused for a moment.

God of the Possible

George September 9, 2008 Uncategorized

I continue to read Greg Boyd’s God of the Possible. He presents his case for an open view of God. At this point, I am increasingly convinced that he is correct. Admittedly, it is a short trip for me to get there. I have never given it a great deal of specific thought but the ideas have been simmering in my mind for a long time. I suspect that many, like myself, have no idea what an open view of God, or open theism, as it is sometimes decribed, is about.

The classical view of divine foreknowledge holds that the future is completely settled in God’s mind and has been from all eternity. Boyd’s open view, in contrast, does not hold that the future is wide open but that much of it is settled ahead of time, either by God’s predestining will or existing earthly causes. However, the future is not exhaustively settled ahead of time. The future is unsettled to the extent that it is yet open to be decided by free agents. To that extent, God knows it as a realm of possibilities, not certainties.

Boyd builds his case from scripture and it is worthy of serious consideration. I intend to read some rebuttals from the classical view point. As I continue to entertain the possibility of a God of the possible it has heightened my sensitivity to how the classical view permeates much of our lives. For example, in a recent conversation, the statement was made “Everything happens for a reason” implying that the future is determined. An open view of God has potential to reshape how we view our lives and relationships both with one another and with God.

A small example came as I was reading the account of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac a few days ago. In the past, the story was exciting and filled with a sense of the tension that Abraham and Isaac must have experienced but I always assume it was a “done deal” for God. When I read it from an open view, I was struck by what God must have experienced as he watched and waited to see if his free agent Abraham really trusted him and would obey him. What risk God was willing to take. What joy and happiness God experienced as Abraham trusted the promises he had made to him. It really was a test. He could have chosen to not to sacrifice Isaac. God chose to leave the future open to Abraham’s decision.

Sunday Afternoon Drive

George September 8, 2008 Uncategorized

Yesterday Ann and I did something we haven’t done in a long time, take a Sunday afternoon drive. It was a beautiful day and we had a nice time. Our route took us across the countryside to Richmond and then to Berea and a retun on back roads to Wilmore.

Valley View ferry across the Kentucky River on Ky 169

Entertainment at the Pottery Festival in Richmond

Changing the Nature of Conversation (2)

George September 6, 2008 Nature of Conversation

In a recent post I wrote about questions and how, in our conversations, they impact community. It was stated that the traditional questions that permeate conversation regarding organizational issues, have no power to change the future, to make a difference. I recognize that truth in my own experience. In my corporate days, I sat in many meetings where the traditional questions dominated. They would create a frenzy of helplessness and hopelessness. On more than one occasion, I was compelled to comment to the participants that it was apparent that there was nothing that could be done and the company would be best served by us committing an honorable suicide. We didn’t and nothing changed. Sadly the process was repeated over and over. There was no enlightened leadership that understood the nature of great questions to lead us out of our squirrel cage existence.
The referenced booklet describes the nature of powerful questions.

It is the questions that change our life. We all look for answers and all we get in response is more questions. This is why questions confront in ways that statements and answers don’t. And why questions are essential for the restoration of community.

Elements of a Great Question

It is ambiguous

It is personal

It evokes anxiety and accountability

Each time a small group takes up a question, set it up by explaining why the question is important and then telling people not to be helpful. Trying to be helpful and giving advice are really ways to control others. Advice is a conversation stopper. We want to substitute curiosity for advice or a call to action. Urge participants to ask others why does that mean so much to you? If we quickly move to action, then tomorrow will be just like yesterday.

The Questions

There are five language actions which, when taken in the presence of others, create community and shift the public debate. These are:

To declare a possibility

To take ownership — I created the world I live in

To say no authentically

To make a promise with no expectation of return

To declare the gifts we and others bring to the room

Each of the conversations is created through its own set of questions. Whatever the venue, accountable community is created when we ask certain questions.

Here is a summary of the core question associated with each language action:

1. To what extent are you here by choice? (Invitation)

2. What declarations are you prepared to make about the possibilities for the future? (Possibilities)

3. How invested and participative do you plan to be in this meeting? (Ownership)

4. To what extent do you see yourself as part of the cause of what you are trying to fix? (Ownership)

5. What are your doubts and reservations? (Dissent)

6. What promises are you willing to make to your peers? (Commitment)

7. What gifts have you received from each other? (Gifts)