Posts

Showing posts from January, 2012

The truth of myth...?

Interesting thoughts by Buechner! The raw material of a myth, like the raw material of a dream, may be something that actually happened once. But myths, like dreams, do not tell us much about that kind of actuality. The creation of man, Adam and Eve, the Tower of Babel, Oedipus - they do not tell us primarily about events. They tell us about ourselves. In poplar usage, a myth has come to mean a story that is not true. Historically speaking that may well be so. Humanly speaking, a myth is a story that is always true. (Frederick Buechner)

Community, a Quality of the Heart

Found this from Nouwen both challenging and helpful. "The word community has many connotations, some positive, some negative. Community can make us think of a safe togetherness, shared meals, common goals, and joyful celebrations. It also can call forth images of sectarian exclusivity, in-group language, self-satisfied isolation, and romantic naiveté. However, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4). The question, therefore, is not "How can we make community?" but "How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?"

Books 2011...

Bussell, D., & Mackrell, J. (1998). Life in dance. London: Century. Runcorn, D. (2003)Choice, Desire and the will of God.SPCK Hauerwas, S (1983) The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics. MacLaren, B. (2011) Naked spirituality : a life with God in 12 simple words Ellul, J. (1986). The subversion of Christianity . Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans. Holmes, U. T. (2002). A history of Christian spirituality: an analytical introduction. New York: Seabury Press.. Larsson, S., & Keeland, R. (2009). The girl who played with fire . New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Larsson, S., & Keeland, R. (2010). The girl who kicked the hornet's nest. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.   Larsson, S., & Keeland, R. (2008). The girl with the dragon tattoo. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Hampson, M. (2005). Head versus heart and our gut reactions: the 21st century enneagram : mapping the different ways we engage with the world. Winchester, UK: O Books. Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (1996)....