partsofspeaking

This article about labyrinths and spirituality:  https://www.eastern.edu/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/student_life/faith_practice/Christian%20Uses%20of%20Labyrinths.pdf My Baptist core shouts "Danger, Will Robinson!" (sorry, reference to old TV show there). I am allergic to any promises that a "practice" (a physical action or place) will bring me closer to God. One, it sounds legalistic. Two, it sounds elitist and a means of reinforcing our desire for superiority over others. Third, why walking a swirl? Why not tiles in a square, or a triangle (more like Trinity?)   What can make us feel God's love, grace, presence, mercy more?  And is feeling those sensations the real point, or is there something deeper? See the other article here about Dallas Willard and spiritual formation.

I fractured my thumb in a fall September 20. I did not have it looked at until Thursday afternoon because of Workmen’s Compensation rigmarole. I will not have it set or at least seen by an orthopedist until Monday (tomorrow). It is still swollen and painful, and other injured parts (I fell flat out on concrete on my right side) are giving me trouble.   I turned my ankle on an acorn by an academic building. Typing this is probably not good, and the dog chewed up my brace.   I don’t know if he does this out of love (it smells like me) or aggression. Or doggie  stupidity. It’s Sunday and I haven’t left the house or driven since Friday noon. That’s when I went to get the pain meds, an opioid I will not name here for concern about liability, prescribed for me at the clinic. And that is what this post is really about. I do not even take Ibuprofen or Tylenol that much, so an opiod is another matter entirely. An hour or two after taking the first (and onl...

 This is an excellent article in Christianity Today about spiritual foratio--a terms I've often wondered about.   https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/september/dallas-willard-fears-spiritual-formation-movement.html.   Some excerpts: Dallas taught that disciplines such as prayer, solitude, and Scripture memorization are only one part of the formation process. The second part is the work of the Holy Spirit, and the third is learning how to see life’s trials and events in light of God’s presence and power.        One of Dallas’s fears—something he essentially predicted—was that interest in the practice of the disciplines, while essential, would eclipse the other two parts. How did he know this? Because the practice of the disciplines, though challenging, naturally has an immediate sense of payoff. Measuring spiritual growth itself is difficult; knowing whether one has completed a devotional practice is not. If I spend five...

 I am writing my memoir as a public speaking prof for 45 years. Wow, stories. But one from a couple of weeks ago.  The young man, Hispanic and Catholic, was giving his tribute speech on, of all people, St. Augustine. I always check outlines ahead of time so I knew what was happening. He didn't realize non-Catholics know about Augustine, and I told him "Augustine's my man!"  When he gave his speech he said, "If he hadn't done the things he did, he would have been just regular Augustine, not St. Augustine." I burst out laughing. Just regular Augustine! By the way, the student's name is Jesus.

 "What is it? You're laughing like you have an opinion."

Psalm 34:4 - I sought the Lord , and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 34: 8 - Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9  Oh, fear the Lord , you His saints! There is no [ b ] want to those who fear Him. 10  The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. 11  Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord .  Fear is the human condition; even when externally we seem to have safety and supply, we fear .... something.  Yet we call it by another name, and don't deal with the core problem.  

My college is enacting a major project to improve services and success for first-year students.  I have about 120, maybe more (enrollment fluid) first-year students in my speech class and my first-year seminar courses.  Yesterday some of the speech students gave their first major speeches. They were interesting and heartfelt. I applauded them. They did good.  Most of my seminar students are on track. But about fifteen of them have done---nothing--in four weeks. Despite my cajoling, my explaining, my extending deadlines.  Student success is not ultimately the professor's job. These students are refusing to engage, despite the opportunities and the resources. Perhaps they made a decision to go to college that they are not ready for (most likely, although I am not supposed to say that). Next week is read the riot act week, and as a mentor to the other professors teaching the class, I will encourage the same.  My point is that we cannot really lose sleep over other ...

Psalm 34:1-3  I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2  My soul shall make its boast in the Lord ; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3  Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Our faith is not private, and was never intended to be such.

Why do we wonder why young people are disillusioned and uninterested in "civics" and civic engagement when the two front runners for the presidency are Trump and Biden? And because we focus 90% of our discussion on political engagement about the presidency rather than local and state governance (where more stuff that matters gets done)?

 This first part is not original:  (For a birthday greeting) Today is when history started for you. You came out of your mother’s womb and you cried those first tears. Since that day there have been lots of tears and plenty of laughter with special people who dearly love you. Many friends are unable to be with you today, but please know that you have brought joy and happiness to many of us and thank you, kindly! Just keep on living out more history! Happy Bday!! This part is: Whenever we think we are independent and self-reliant, just remember you were an 8-pound baby (in or out of the womb) at one time and totally dependent on another person for every possible thing.