JosephM

Tariki, This is interesting. It will take me some time to absorb before i can comment but it seems to speak well. Joseph

To All, For brevity sake in reading threads and to save unnecessary use of computer disc storage space, often you will find it is beneficial for the forum and not necessary to quote an entire post that is long (or short for that matter) if it can be viewed immediately above your post. Using the add reply button rather than reply when appropriate will both save reading space and storage which makes reading threads faster and more efficient. Also if you are replying just to one paragraph that is not immediately above, it would be helpful to include in your reply only that paragraph applicable to your response. I realize it is easier just to click the reply button to copy the whole post but it certainly is not beneficial for those printing or reading complete threads and at this time our disc space is running low. Your cooperation is appreciated. Joseph

The current MARCH 2011 e-bulletin from TCPC.org The Afterlife, Heaven or Hell can be found here.... Joseph

The January 2011 article "How Far are We Willing to Go?" by fred Plumer, TCPC president can be found HERE. AND..... The February 2011 E- Bulletin "Can There Be a Big Tent for Christianity?" Reflections on the Emerging Church and the Big Tent Christianity Conference in Phoenix, AZ by Fred Plumer, TCPC president. can be found HERE. Joseph

The December 2010 E-bulletin containing the article "Find The Light Within" and "A Magical Christmas" By: Fred Plumer,TCPC President can be viewed HERE...

Kath, You can go to our main site here to look up progressive churches that support the 8 points which includes to be inclusive of gays. Here PS No log-in is required to use the search function for churches on the right side of page or other areas of the site for that matter. Joseph

Hi Kath, Point 4 of the 8 points pretty well covers it but if you use the search function, you will find many discussions concerning homosexuallity or you can continue this one if you like. It has been a well discussed subject here. Joseph

Dutch, That's what you get when you live by a mile high city. Stop down sometime and visit us when you get tired of the cold. Joseph

Finishing packing for a Florida winter. Be on the road for 2 days heading south. See you all then from a new location to catch up on all the interesting posts. Joseph

Run here... There.... Everywhere.... Stop... Reflect.... Rest.

The October 2010 E-bulletin containing the article "Aren't We All Christians?" By: Fred Plumer,TCPC President can be viewed HERE. Also the results of a survey and What's next for TCPC can be found HERE. Joseph

That is wonderful news Marsha, Also so glad you got a different twist on the second coming message. It seems to me to make much more sense that way. Joseph

Marsha, I had the same initial experience some years ago with ACIM. I seemed to always be looking for something to disagree with so i also shrugged it off. Now when i read it, i find in it and other manuscripts things i can agree with and let that which i can't receive just pass. There seems to me much to be gleamed by looking for the positive in ACIM and for that matter in all inspired writings and rather than disagreeing with that which appears in error to allow it to pass pre-adventure i might remain open to those things. I have found when i was ready some of those things i once perceived as error were only because of misperceptions i held on to. My granddaughter wanted to send some happy faces in my message and type her name,.,,,, so i will suffer her for now.... rachel Joseph

Marsha, It certainly is difficult to leave a congregation. I have personally found many wonderful people in all the churches i have attended. Unfortunately it grieved my spirit to sit through services time after time with the same fundamental message that just didn't fit right with me. And most of all not being able to share the things that i felt were being revealed to me by the spirit without being shunned as 'backslid-den'. Anyway, those days are past and many have remained close friends and i am now able to attend any church or place of worship on a temporary basis with love and compassion for all and respect their right to believe as they choose. Its so wonderful to have the perspective of more women here. Look forward to reading more of your posts. Joseph

The current TCPC.org e-bulletin "The Need for New Language within Progressive Christian Faith Communities" and "Words Do Matter" By: Fred Plumer, TCPC President for Sept 2010 can be found here.... Joseph

The current August 2010 E-Bulletin Leaving Christianity for Real Faith? A Response to Anne Rice's Decision to "Quit Christianity" by Fred Pumer, president TCPC can be found here..

Thank ya, thank ya very much! No, first time for me. Wasn't a real Elvis fan in the 60's. Went more with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin type singing to name a couple back then. At least i could understand their words... Have the same problem with some modern music...

Best of luck with the move Dutch and i assume you are happy to put everything behind you. I'll be heading to Memphis for a week or so this Monday. Heat here has been blistering. Hoping Memphis is an improvement but will take whatever is. Going to the Elvis impersonator semi-finals with RV friends. Never been to Memphis. Got to check out their barbecue. Joseph

Greeting ParSal, Good to have you here and thanks for your story. From our experience and science we see that there is indeed life and death all around us. In a sense most would say death is the opposite of Life. But i would say death is the opposite of birth only because Life itself is One and has no such opposite. While we see the changing of life forms all around us ever evolving, there is evidence to support the destruction of life but perhaps it is only a change of form. Some forms are dense enough to be visible while others are invisible. Then there is the formless also that cannot be described in the words or terms of form. As Mike, i believe pointed out, most all religions postulate the transformation of identity. In Christianity, we die to self yet become alive in Christ. These are only words but there is a realization that they point to. That is part of the journey each one of us as separate makes. But the real question is... Are we really separate identities or are we in the formless One Whole without division? The world of form clearly seems to say we are separate individuals but a deeper search subjectively reveals that in essence we are formless and One. As long as one strongly identifies with form, there will be a fear of death and an attachment to form. That self shall surely die because that is the nature of form and creation (birth and death). This is quite natural and normal and a cause for alarm only to him/her which thinks and identifies with that which is created and dies. In my view, that which sustains and is the essence of this life cannot die because it was not created and in it you move and have your real being. I think Sri Ramana Maharshi said it well when he said.... Just a view to consider and find peace in, Joseph PS Your wife is alive in this present moment and this present moment is all we have. Enjoy it fully.

Good question Karen, The women one that is. When i attended church on a most regular basis (three times a week and more) i found that there were always more women than men at the extra activities especially prayer meetings. At the prayer meetings i almost felt out of place at times. I wonder if that was just common to churches i attended or if others had experienced it the other way around? On this board, you are correct it seems to be dominated by men. I hope that will change and as Admin will be addressing that issue. I would be interested in the reasoning of others why. As far as current events, i am made aware of them more than i prefer. Too much negativity seems to be reported in the news. They all have a different level of importance to different people with no one standing out to me. There are many problems in the world today and i do what i can where i can have an effect according to the power that is placed in my hands to do so. However, i cannot allow what i have no control over to change to trouble my heart. Therefore i remain a bit detached. For this, i have been labeled at times apathetic or indifferent. This is mainly because of my words. In reality, my actions leave me with a clear conscience and no regrets. Soma, have a great time with your kids. Joseph

The current May 2010 e-Bulletin Are We Living the Progressive Faith or Are We Just Dreaming? by Fred Plumer, TCPC President can be found here. Enjoy, Joseph

April's 2010 e-Bulletin on Evolutionary Christianity Are We Evolving? can temporarily be found here

The latest archived E-bulletin article on Sin and Repentance in Progressive Christianity can be found here.