I’m doing the #Trust30 writing challenge. You can read more about it here. Every day, for the next 30 days, I’ll respond to a writing prompt and post (most of) what I write here on the blog. Here is the first prompt: We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid […]
Archives for May 2011
Mystical Unity
One of the more interesting features of Integral Christianity is the way it highlights the common experience of the mystics. Regardless of their religious background or doctrinal convictions, when Christian mystics describe their experiences during contemplation and meditation, they are eerily similar in nature. Mysticism may be the only place where all Christians can go […]
May 27, 2011 by 9 Comments
Results From Baseline Mile Time Trial
Final Result: 6:09 Split 1: 1:28 Split 2: 1:34 Split 3: 1:35 Split 4: 1:31
May 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A 5:17 Mile
19 years go, when I was 19, I ran a mile in 5:17, possibly 5:19, but since I didn’t write it down it’s my prerogative as an aging athlete to cite the lowest number lodged in my memory. I ran my fastest mile as part of preseason college basketball workouts. I was a walk-on who, […]
May 25, 2011 by 13 Comments
An Integral Christianity Reading List
Here are a few books that have introduced me to the concept of “Integral Christianity.” Some of these are pretty challenging reads, so brace yourself. Also, there is an evolutionary assumption behind integral thought. If you’re allergic to the word “evolution” make sure to have some Calamine lotion handy. Systems-Sensitive Leadership: Empowering Diversity Without Polarizing […]
May 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Before You Go: Coffee Talk
Imagine that you are a preacher. Scary thought I know. You have decided that you’ve done everything you can do at your current church and it’s time to move on to a new one. In fact, you’ve completed a weekend interview with a prospective church and they’ve offered you the job. You’re excited, but you […]
May 17, 2011 by 2 Comments
From “Me” to “Us” to “All of Us”
One component of the Integral approach to spirituality is that human beings–and therefore groups, communities, churches, and civilizations–progress through predictable developmental stages. One simple example is the development from egocentric to enthocentric to worldcentric. Infants and toddlers are egocentric. It’s all about “me” and getting my needs met. As we get older we develop an […]
May 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Why An Ebook?
In a few weeks, I’ll be releasing my first ebook. The working title is Before You Go: A Few Sneaky-Good Questions Every Minister Should Ask Before Moving to a New Church. I’ll start by releasing it in Kindle format through Amazon. Then I’ll branch out to other ebook sellers like B&N and Smashwords. Eventually I […]
May 11, 2011 by 4 Comments
Who Am I Writing For?
I got some great comments on my last post that reminded me of something William Zinsser says in On Writing Well: Who am I writing for? It’s a fundamental question, and it has a fundamental answer: You are writing for yourself. Don’t try to visualize the great mass audience. There is no such audience – […]
May 9, 2011 by 2 Comments
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons