RE-construction... Long-term project

 I say that I am a Christian because Evangelicals (in very generals terms here of course) would say that because my beliefs do not align with theirs I cannot truly call myself a Christian.  However, just because I continue to ask questions and have doubts about the precise meaning of Christ's life does not mean that I cannot consider myself a Christian.  I have made a choice to participate in the suffering that Christ endured because of my choice to follow him.  

 Psalms 1: Blessed are those who do not walk in the way of sinners, or stand in the seat of scoffers, or sit in the council of the wicked.  But blessed is he who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his word day and night ...  He is like a tree planted by steams of water who bears fruits in season.  He will prosper in all of his ways.  But the wicked will never prosper.   Psalm 2: Why do the nations rage.  Why do they fight against each other.  

 The Bible for Normal People is the Pete Enns podcast that I have been listening to more recently.   Today the podcast I listened to was a summary of the book of his that I read (Elijah got for my birthday, so cool) called Genesis for Normal People (Now Exodus for Normal People is out and I can't wait to read it). Enns describes Genesis as a basic retelling of the story of the Israelites, in particular the southern kingdom which was the only Israelite group that survived the Babylonian captivity of 528?.  He gave seven points as to why this is the case.  Each of them fascinating and I plan to go back and listen to the podcast again and take down some notes on it.  But the point of this reflection is to give meaning to this understanding of Genesis, which makes so much sense and gives me reason to want to go back to the Bible and reread these stories after seeing this connection Enns makes.  So, why does it matter that Genesis is a retelling of the Isra...

 There was a time when the scriptures would come alive when I studied them.  That was when my understanding of the Bible was fairly limited and my reading of it was taken at face value.  During this time my desire for God was very strong as was my desire to study the Word. This season passed and during another season my feelings toward the scriptures became more tenuous because of my questions.  As I studied and learned more about the history of the Bible it became more of a book to be challenged and corrected instead of a spiritual or religious book.  I stayed in this season for some time, many years in fact, and my interactions with the Bible did not encourage spiritual growth.   Now, I'm trying to embark on a new season.  In this new season, I have rediscovered an appreciation for the Bible because I know that there are others that have similar doubts and questions that I have about the Bible, and that others have spent their lives wrestling wi...

Susie: I got your email yesterday. I’d rather not get into this on vacation. I just want to enjoy the rest of the trip. Also, this morning my normal daily spray spilled into the wet wipe box in here where I keep my pre workout- that’s what you were smelling.  :) Sus Kyle: ok, well, please let's be together at some point on this trip.  For my mental stability.  When we go so long without being together my mind can go to irrational places.  ... like what is really going on with Susie.  Get me? Susie:   I don’t like the pressure of trying to find a time to be together.  I also am not responsible for how you feel. It often becomes a chore because I feel the pressure like I am responsible for making sure everyone feels good about themselves. I have come to realize, and I am learning, that your happiness, self-esteem, is not my responsibility. I will never be enough for any of you, and trying to be that is exhausting for me. Does this make sense? I really do...