Yvonne

What is your opinion on faith healing? The reason I ask is because my niece's husband claims to have had one. He has a genetic disease that causes all kinds of health problems, the most obvious (though not the worst) concerns his feet - the skin is literally peeling off all the time. He went to a faith healing and claims he was healed. I personally have not witnessed it, but two people, my sister (who tends to blow thing out or proportion) and my other niece (who is extremely practical) claim to have seen his feet and claim they are completely healed. I cannot believe that God heals some people and not others. On the other hand, it would be really great if my nephew-by-marriage were healed. I just really don't know what to think. There are a lot of unexplained things in the world, and I'm open-minded enough to wonder at mystery. What do you think?

I was having a quiet moment for prayer - and ended up in a marathon nap! Aaaah. Don't know how much good it did my for my spiritual life, but I feel great!

Here's hoping it works out Jennell!

Just got word that one of my favorite cousins just died suddenly of a heart attack. That makes 6 family deaths in the last year and a half, inclulding my mom. I think that's enough for a very long while.

A link to a little light humorL http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/106133.html

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible" - Stuart Chase I am willing to dialogue with anyone, When in respectful dialogue it is possible to make my point of view understood, even if it is not accepted. I am not, however, willing to debate with everyone. For those who are close-minded, debate is a waste of time because they will never ever cede a point and seldom even try to understand another POV.

I'm thinking you're glad THAT'S over!

Joseph - beautfully said - wish I had said it! But then, that's my ego-centeredness speaking...

I went away and thought about this question all day today. Several thoughts... I think the problem of poverty is so very overwhelming that most people think their donation won't make a difference, so why bother. That's what I THINK, whether that's completely true or not, well...The other thing is, no matter how many "children" are financially "adopted" through charitable organizations, the problem never seems to go away - again, IMO some people might think their donations won't make a difference. I also think that as a culture (in the US anyway, I can't speak for other cultures), we've become desensitized by the pictures of poor children on ads. And, which charity gets the money? Does it go to a charity that will help end AIDS in Africa, or go build better water systems, or to educate, or to feed, or any other myriad worthy charities? As I said, I give what I can, but there's only so much to give, and so many desparate causes to which to give the money. Lastly, how are to know how much who gives to whom?

Yes, one answer is education, I definitely agree. But not all. And I am NOT saying that the extreme poor have done anything to deserve it. However, I do think that some people make poor choices, some out of ignorance and some out of sheer willfulness. I am not being hard-hearted. I, too, do what I can to help. I do not think money is always the answer, either. Do we act like Jesus when we write a check for the poor but ignore our elderly neighbor who may need his lawn cut or the lady down the street who just wants somebody to visit? I think too many times we focus on the "big" things (like extreme poverty) and forget about the little things we can do right in our own neighborhoods. Again, I'm not saying we shoudn't write the check, just that money is not always answer. Growing up Catholic, I learned the "corporal works of mercy", and the "spiritual works of mercy. Included in these are visiting the sick and giving comfort and instruction. (here are the links if you're interested: http://catholicmessage.blogspot.com/2007/03/corporal-works-of-mercy-and-crowds.html, http://www.secondexodus.com/html/catholicdefinitions/spiritualworksofmercy.htm) Since I have seldom had a lot of surplus, I used to feel wretched and guilty whenever I saw an ad of starving children. I have always given from what little surplus I had, but i always felt I should do more. At some point in the last year or so, I finally stopped feeling guilty. I believe that what Jesus asked others to do is to "embody God" to one another - no matter what that means. He forgave sinners, do we? He ate and drank with outcasts, do we? He spread the good news of our connectedness to God and one another, do we? I can't sell what I have and give it to the poor because I am sick disabled and live disability check to disability check. What I can do, however, is to show people -right here where I am - that God is present and active in all our lives. I like to think of this part of the prayer "St. Patrick's Breastplate" : "Christ in every ear that hears me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every mouth that speaks of me, Christ in every heart that thinks of me" I think if we keep this in mine, we will act as Jesus did.

At the tender age of 50-something, I am applying for seminary. I still cannot believe I'm doing this!

Ooo, I second Paul's choice - Jean Auel's Earth's Children series is pretty good. I also like Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Depending on how much time you want to spend in fun reading, it could take up your full vacation!

Hello, I would have to echo what Joseph said - I consider prayer to be a connection to God at all times. However, I do set aside time to become consciously aware of the Divine Presence. Sometimes its wordless communcation, but sometimes, if I'm distracted by life, I turn to some of my favorite Psalms or to words of my favorites prayers to gett my rhoughts headed in the right direction.

I was looking for progressive prayers and decided to try my hand at writing one. I'm not a poet, and I've never written anything like this before, but here's my first try. There is a Presence, right here, right now, immediate, intimate a Presence I name God. God – present and active from the beginning of time through the evolution of life, thought, and awareness to the future, full of hope and promise and to me, in this place, at this time God – Source and Ground of all being in a universe abounding in extravagant generosity in life swelling with potential in a heart teeming with love and conviction God – fully engaged in my life in the darkness and sorrow in the light and joy in the “every day-ness” of life I bring my awareness to this Presence in Whom all that exists has being... and through Whom I am connected to all that is... (silent reflection)

I started reading the online version, and Mike, you are correct, its not over my head, but its kind of "heavy" for me. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue reading. Maybe I'm lazy!

I agree.

Definitely - I always wanted to read Tillich but was worried it would be way over my head!

OMgee - I love that!

I'm snowed in - yes! This is Iowa, its winter, I'm supposed to be snowed in. I'm revelling (sp?) in it. Anybody want to make a snow critter with me?

Phil, I can't say who took over, because I don't thing Progressive Christianity is necessary one organization. However, if you want to read another PC author, I recommend Marcus Borg.

I hadn't realized how completely dependent upon this forum I was until it wasn't there. Now that I got my fix, I'm fine.

My sister invited me to attend my hometown church with her and her boyfriend on Christmas, so I thought I would look in on the church bulletin as I haven't attended that church in quite some time. I tried hard not to judge what I found: 6 pages of information, pages of financial reports, pages on doctrine and "rules", committee meeting minutes (mostly to do with finances), and less than 1/4 page on faith. This bulletin accurately reflects the community culture, and it is not atypical for churches in this area. Is it any wonder I can't find community here?

Not sure when this will add to the conversation, but here goes... Being a long-time science fiction/fantasy fan, I, too, am a Trekkie. Two things to note about SF/fantasy as a genre: 1. Jung said that dreaming of "aliens" is a reflection of our need to become acquianted with the "foreign" parts of ourselves so we can integrate them. Often in SF, the alien, whether a good or evil, reflects either the shadow or the anima of the herio. 2. Fantasy quite often has a religious undertones, sometimes quite overt. I read a lot of sf/fantasy and find myself actually looking for the themes of redemption, salvation, resurrection, healing, prophecy, etc. Once in a while, a particularly good author can actually trigger a religious "aha" moment for me. I know, I'm weird, but that's okay with me!

I had to chuckle when I saw this surfing the Web this morning. The forum is called "Freedom in Christ". I think its a step towards PC, but here is one of its rules. "Please do not promote atheism, New Age, mysticism, or any hedonistic or false religion" (The emphasis is mine) Not passing a value judgement, just passing it on.

I am deeply humbled - what a beautiful way to tell, what could have been, a tragic story. Your journey touched me deeply. Although the details are different of course, your journey mirrors my own. I hope you use this in your book. Thank you so much for sharing.