Posts from the “Spirituality” Category

Radical vs. Possible

Posted on January 25th, 2012

I like to change things. It is in my personality to not take what is handed to me as a given. This is not to say that I am a contrarian, but, rather, that I like the potential of something far more than I like its present reality. What I always get stuck on, however, is how to get to that change I see. On the one hand is what could be called radical change. This is the kind of change where what you do tomorrow looks nothing like it did today. The processes are different. The expectations are different. The rewards are different. This is the kind of change I experienced each and every time my wife gave birth to another of our four boys.…

Categories: Church, Spirituality

Tagged: incremental change, radical change

For the Time Being

Posted on January 1st, 2012

For several years now, I have had the following as the signature of my personal email: “To do what is difficult all one’s days as if it were easy, that is faith.” It is a line from W.H. Auden’s long form poem “For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio,” specifically from the monologue of the character of Joseph. It has become something of a personal motto, for it reminds a person like me that my natural tendency to turn and run for comfort is not usually what God intendeds. From what I understand (and the subtitle supports this), Auden intended for this work to be read aloud sometime after Christmas. For a few years, I read a portion as the sermon on the Sunday…

Categories: Spirituality

Tagged: christmas oratorio, personal motto, w h auden

I’m (not) going paperless

Posted on December 31st, 2011

NOTE: I’ve gotten a bit of push back for the use of the word “you” in this post. Some have pointed out the presumptuous nature of the word. I think they are right. While I concede that, I do want to maintain that “going digital” has screwed many of us up. I’ll try to be a little more careful next time. Second NOTE: Upon further reflection, the presence of the word “you,” the most common objection, was used as a literary device and, I think, fully appropriate. While it is always beneficial to be aware of one’s communication tendencies, I will also choose to assume a high level of self-awareness on the part of readers and will hold them responsible for their own interaction…

Categories: Personal, Simplicity, Spirituality

The Spirituality of the ESFP

Posted on February 22nd, 2011

What are they like? Consider the facets of the ESFP’s personality: Extroverted – they gain energy from external sources Sensing – they are attuned to the details of life Feeling – they make judgements based on the way they feel about a given situation Perceiving – they are not rigid, but willing to “go with the flow” ESFPs are some of the most fun people on the planet! They are spontaneous and optimistic. They are upbeat and caring. They love people and people love them (However, beware an ESFP who has been crossed – they will dig deep and resent you!). They do tend to be overwhelmed easily when stress and negativity are brought to bear. In these moments, because they “do not feel good…

Categories: Spirituality

The Spirituality of the ENFP

Posted on February 15th, 2011

What are they Like? ENFPs are the bright, warm, and loving people who will talk with you all day long. They see possibilities around every corner, and have an incredible ability to help others see and become excited about them as well. They do not do “maintenance” well (or at all, if they had their way) and, although they seem to be flitting from one thing to the next, they are actually staying true to both their internal value system and need for an exciting life. Where do they find value in their religious life? For the ENFP, value is found with people. They are highly skilled at developing inter-personal relationships, and can “read” someone with in moments of meeting them. This allows them…

Categories: Spirituality