daily life as life goes on . . .

Psychology has given us some new thoughts on what we need to thrive as people.  This has often been placed in publications that talk about “mindful” approaches.  Others have added their own observations.  In all these make for good reading and consideration.I enjoy a recent approach that was related to “A”s (the use of “Alliteration” in the list is sadly lacking!).  This comes out of Josh McDowell ministries promoting a desire for restoration of those whose lives have been dis-oriented (which I guess is the majority of us!).AcceptanceAppreciationAffectionAccess – presence of key figures in your lifeAttention – you are known and understoodAffirmation of feelings – your expression is embraced although there may be differencesAssurance of safety and security.

I’ve done a lot of reading lately on small Christian churches.  Some things keep cropping up:When we refer to church, we often go immediately in our thinking to a building or facility.  “I’m going to church” puts us someplace.  But the building is not the church.  The infrastructure of the internet can become a new “place” in our thinking.  But the internet is not the church.  Church is comprised of people.  “Churches” are the primary way Christians gather.  Any gathering immediately implies organization.  We may talk of hierarchical, symbiotic, system model – whatever name we give, there is organization.Observations – but you may already have some conclusions in mind.

Here is a little something I prepared for an upcoming Christmas gathering – online, of course!!Christina Rosetti wrote the words for a famous carol that I didn’t encounter until in my 40’s. My encounter included the opportunity of singing with a men’s quartet in Prince Albert, SK. Our leader, Bob Gibson, was a profound musician and prepared an enchanting arrangement. The tune is melancholic, suiting the title – In the Bleak Mid Winter. Having sung the various verses, I was pleasantly surprised to come upon the final verse, a compelling statement that I had heard before. Here are some of the verses.In the bleak mid-winterFrosty wind made moan,Earth stood hard as iron,Water like a stone;Snow had fallen, snow on snow,Snow on snow,In the bleak mid-winterLong ago.Our God, Heaven cannot hold HimNor earth sustain;Heaven and earth shall flee awayWhen He comes to reign:In the bleak mid-winterA stable-place sufficedThe Lord God Almighty,Jesus Christ.What can I give Him,Poor as I am?If I were a shepherdI would bring a lamb,If I were a wise manI would do my part,Yet what I can I give Him,Give my heart.

I’ve been invited to an online academic forum.The discussion is on a paper about atheism.  Or more rightly, the place of atheism in saving the USA.The arguments sound vaguely familiar.  In fact, if I were to substitute the word Christian for Atheism, you would probably follow the argument well.  Here is an abridged version of the call to the discussion.“. . . the reason why Atheism – the Human mind free of superstition – has lost its place in the American Intellectual Community, and the need, and way, we might educate the educators by republishing the suppressed Works of Atheism and Freethought. This is necessary to prevent The United States of America from becoming yet another war-machine for Christianity to try again to rule the world by conquest.”