Thankfully I listened to the audio and heard your mention of being at Sewanee at the start.. definitely on my list Jake but is it possible I'll ever make it to the USA again? Somehow I doubt it but I'd LOVE to visit both Louisiana and Tennessee.. very much! Fab post. To resist requires strength and wisdom. I find myself often thinking about the relationship between love and truth. If we live in the way of love and truth, we *will* be light in darkness and inevitably there'll be consequences some of which could potentially be traumatic. As the old hymn says we need an anchor "grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love". I'll leave a link to the hymn, sung as a cappella (but I've already shared it with you before Jake). ~Best, Liz
What a joy it would be to show you both LA & TN! As you know, visiting NZ is on my list of fond wishes. We shall see. Joy, Meredith and I will visit Portland, OR, in the middle of next month. Then Joy and I will be on a Celtic Spirituality tour in Scotland come September. So glad you like the post. And I do remember that hymn. There's a window in my chapel that I'll have to take a pic of. Came to mind as I listened. I'll try to make that happen next week.
There was an adaptation of this when Russell Crowe says the lines, “There are two kinds of people in the world, hangers and nailers. You better decide which side of the cross you are on boy.”
Beautiful, Jake - I love the dichotomy of hanging on the cross vs. banging in the nails. It does seem like those of us who are peace-lovers and advocates for the vulnerable are often crucified by “the empire”. I’m reminded of the seven deadly sins, including lust, greed, and pride. Those who seek power for power’s sake inevitably consider themselves “better”.
Thanks, Korie! That line really did stick with me. And I believe you're right. A sense of superiority does seem to go along with a devotion to the will to power.
Thank you. Thank you. It’s so helpful to me to have updated references to the contemporary sources which inhabit the worldviews around me… along with clear analysis of the contrast between those values and the values which Christianity has always pursued. NOT so I can gloat over the differences … BUT because the differences always catch me up short and reveal my need of transformation through Christ … to even begin to yield to the always new and renewing vision of my vocation as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven/God.
I have been freed to put my energies in the here and now in that regard, having been relieved of all worries about exactly how God will continue to surround me and everyone else with transforming love after my death. This informative post helped expand my own insight to better share with others who come genuinely seeking transformation/God amongst a plethora of confusing world views. Gloria Dei. Ruth Leigh
Thankfully I listened to the audio and heard your mention of being at Sewanee at the start.. definitely on my list Jake but is it possible I'll ever make it to the USA again? Somehow I doubt it but I'd LOVE to visit both Louisiana and Tennessee.. very much! Fab post. To resist requires strength and wisdom. I find myself often thinking about the relationship between love and truth. If we live in the way of love and truth, we *will* be light in darkness and inevitably there'll be consequences some of which could potentially be traumatic. As the old hymn says we need an anchor "grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love". I'll leave a link to the hymn, sung as a cappella (but I've already shared it with you before Jake). ~Best, Liz
What a joy it would be to show you both LA & TN! As you know, visiting NZ is on my list of fond wishes. We shall see. Joy, Meredith and I will visit Portland, OR, in the middle of next month. Then Joy and I will be on a Celtic Spirituality tour in Scotland come September. So glad you like the post. And I do remember that hymn. There's a window in my chapel that I'll have to take a pic of. Came to mind as I listened. I'll try to make that happen next week.
We have an Anchor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rkULIrHQZk
Thanks Jake for this it was a damn good thought provoking post
Thanks Aussie Jo! Always glad to hear that I've given folks something to reflect on
There was an adaptation of this when Russell Crowe says the lines, “There are two kinds of people in the world, hangers and nailers. You better decide which side of the cross you are on boy.”
I've not seen that one, Smith. Is it a line from the movie Tenderness?
Beautiful, Jake - I love the dichotomy of hanging on the cross vs. banging in the nails. It does seem like those of us who are peace-lovers and advocates for the vulnerable are often crucified by “the empire”. I’m reminded of the seven deadly sins, including lust, greed, and pride. Those who seek power for power’s sake inevitably consider themselves “better”.
Thanks, Korie! That line really did stick with me. And I believe you're right. A sense of superiority does seem to go along with a devotion to the will to power.
I need to be reminded of this EVERY day. Thank you!
Thanks, Jim! Most of us do
Thank you. Thank you. It’s so helpful to me to have updated references to the contemporary sources which inhabit the worldviews around me… along with clear analysis of the contrast between those values and the values which Christianity has always pursued. NOT so I can gloat over the differences … BUT because the differences always catch me up short and reveal my need of transformation through Christ … to even begin to yield to the always new and renewing vision of my vocation as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven/God.
I have been freed to put my energies in the here and now in that regard, having been relieved of all worries about exactly how God will continue to surround me and everyone else with transforming love after my death. This informative post helped expand my own insight to better share with others who come genuinely seeking transformation/God amongst a plethora of confusing world views. Gloria Dei. Ruth Leigh
Thank you, Ruth. I'm glad that this reflection was helpful for you. Blessings.....