My Old Paper and Pencil Calendar

A friend recently asked if I would share with him my class calendar. He is also a Professor in the school where I teach. My friend is a tech wizard. He knows and can do more with a computer, I-Pad, phone, etc. than I could even imagine. I told him that I would be more than happy to let him see my At-A Glance calendar which reveals my entire week's appointments and responsibilities at a quick look. That's not what my friend had in mind. Perhaps someday I'll keep appointments in my phone, computer, etc. Maybe I haven't make the switch because of my age--I'm elderly. Us old folks don't like to change or so I'm told. Perhaps I continue to refuse to make the transition because I'm a rebel. I was about the last person to have a cell phone and, then, my wife and son purchased the cell phone as a Father's Day gift. I was quiet content to use it simply as a phone. I really didn't need, and still don't need, a small computer in my pocket. I had a supervisor describe me as a rebel or one who didn't always like to be in step with everyone else. Whatever the reason for not keeping a computer-type calendar, I'm very content with my paper and pencil calendar. Contentment--maybe that's the reason.

Life Must Have Meaning

This morning I watched a 1959 interview with Carl Jung entitled "Face to Face." Technology is amazing. I have read and studied Jung for many years. He continues to be a significant influence in my thoughts and my practice as a Therapist. Because of Jung's writings, I'm interested in a person's dreams. Dreams give a hint as what may be happening in the unconscious. In the YouTube interview, I heard Jung say that a person can't tolerate a meaningless life. I agree with that. We must have meaning. Meaning can be vastly different for different persons. Meaning may be in the family for one person; whereas it is located in one's work, for another. It is crucial that our life has some sense of meaning. A significant source of meaning for me is the call of God on my life's energies and time.

A Transformed Disciple

Sometimes I'm asked what the Christian life is all about or what is the Church's purpose? My answer is pretty simple. I believe that the Church (I mean the universal Church as well as the local church) is to be about making disciples (Matthew 28:19). A disciple is a Jesus-follower which is not the same as having sinless behavior or believing proper doctrine. How does a person become a disciple? I believe that a disciple or Jesus-follower is one whose mind (and life) has been transformed by the indwelling presence of God's Spirit (Romans 12:2). There are folks who call themselves "Red-letter Christians." By this they mean that they pay great attention to what Jesus said (many Bibles print Jesus' words in red-letters.) This may be an over-simplification but, nevertheless, I could be called a red-letter Christian. Being transformed implies that it isn't all about me and my efforts. There is a mutual relationship in which I make the effort to be available to God's Spirit and trusting that God's Spirit will accomplish what is beyond my own capabilities. The Christian life is about becoming a transformed disciple of Jesus.

Forgiveness

I often ask clients what has to be in place for them to know that they've practiced forgiveness. As can be imagined, I get a variety of responses. Whatever else may be in place, I think to give up the right to vengeance. continuing anger and reminders to the offender are some of the characteristics of forgiveness.

Death of a Mentor

Eugene H. Peterson died a few days ago. Although I never met the gentleman, through his books he became a Mentor for me. I've been reading his devotional book, "Living the Message, Daily Help for Living the God-Centered Life" I quote from todays reading, November 2, "Listening to Scripture in the form of story we learn that we are also in the story, traveling toward God, being drawn toward him. We develop a sense of journeying and discipleship. If we fail to develop the 'story sense' we inevitably start 'applying' the Bible--taking charge of a verse or doctrine or moral with which we intend to fix some fragment of ourselves [or others]. This is an excellent recipe for creating good Pharisees." We can approach the scriptures with an attitude of seeking information; creating applications or listening for transformation. It is important that we turn loose of our need to be in control and let the scriptures read us. Thanks for the many lesson, Eugene Peterson.

Hospitality

I think of hospitality as making time and space for a guest. We've a family friend with whom we occasionally visit. She loves to have us. However, her guest room closet is full of out-of-season clothes. The drawers in the guest room are packed with sheets, towels, blankets and other sorts of things. We have to put our suitcases on the floor and stumble around them getting to and from the bed. Our friend also works from home and she seems to have to check on something throughout the day. We love her. We like to visit her but she doesn't have the gift of hospitality. I've often wondered if I have given Jesus the gift of hospitality in my life.

Seasons of Life

One of the many reasons I like Kentucky is that there are four seasons. Each season has it's own weather as well as it's unique activities. Last evening was our first freeze. A first freeze marks, at least for me, the beginning of Autumn. It is time to bring the plants in from the porch. It is time to buy apples for cobbler. It is about time for Halloween or All Saints Day. Football is well into it's season and both the OU "Sooners" and Kentucky "Wildcats" are doing okay. Soon it will be baseball's World Series. The leaves have begun to turn radiant fall colors and we are blessed to be surrounded with many very large and mature trees. I like Autumn. The seasons motivate me to ask, "What is the season of life for me?" Erik Erikson's writings are a great help for me. I'm in the "generativity versus stagnation" phase of life. In other words it is my purpose or calling to pass on some bits wisdom that I may have gained from almost 77 years of living. I'm able to do this with Missionary Member Care, teaching at The Baptist Seminary of Kentucky as well as providing therapy for clients and 'mentoring' for younger Therapists at The Interfaith Counseling Center. I think God for the health (as well as my parents for good DNA and healthy living practices) that I'm able to continue. I frequently ask clients as well as students, "In what phase or purpose of life are you living and do you think of that as your calling?"