"Words are
like an earthquake"
(from page 131)
1. Which testimony shared in this chapter had the strongest impact on you? Why?
2. How would you feel if you were asked to share your faith story in public?
3. Share where you are on your journey right now.
9 comments:
1. Which testimony shared in this chapter had the strongest impact on you? Why?
I loved the testimony of Daniel who had grown up in a fundamentalist church (like me) and is now a member of a progressive Episcopal church (as I would like to be)
2. How would you feel if you were asked to share your faith story in public?
I would share in a small group, but not in front of the whole congregation.
3. Share where you are on your journey right now.
I already have.
1. Gregg Browne's, the African-American lawyer, had the strongest impact on me for two reasons. First, the Welcome Table is exactly the kind of outreach Christian congregations are called to engage in. It allows people without a residence and who find it embarrassing to attend church to fellowship as well as have a home-cooked breakfast. Second, Gregg was awakened by a calling instead of acting upon a duty.
2.I have been offered several opportunities to share my faith story and I do it willingly, if appropriate. I would be uncomfortable if I felt I was asked in order to prove my Christianity.
3.I am on a quiet, almost solitary, walk with the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and Presence. I do not want to refer to my three companions by their popular name because that is so misconstrued in today's world. I believe that the Holy Spirit guides me in my daily life, that Jesus guides me to understanding Presence's desire for the created world, and that Presence is the energy that created everything in and for love. I say almost solitary because I know of few people, personally and scholarly, who share my walk in this way.
The hymn "In the Garden" comes close to my "theology."
I'd lost my internet connection and the telephone diagnosis was that I needed a new modem which has been ordered and should arrive tomorrow. It was a pleasant surprise this morning to see the green lights on my modem allowing me to get back in touch.
1. Which testimony shared in this chapter had the strongest impact on you? Why?
Like Aunty Don, I was most touched by Gregg Browne's testimony. The Welcome Table which had been explained in an earlier chapter is in itself a wonderful testimony of the sharing of God's love. Gregg's reaction to not being among the called on his visit to the church was a revealing reflection of his character. Unfortunately, I may have felt left out/rejected and rather than learning more about the church may have left.
2. How would you feel if you were asked to share your faith story in public?
It would depend on the situation and the "public". I agree that sharing "stories" is an enriching experience for both the teller and the listeners.
3. Share where you are on your journey right now.
I am still seeking.
This book and the discussion have come at a needed time in my life.
Initially, as I was reading, I thought that this was the nudge I needed to change churches. However, with more reflection, I realize that although changing churches is not ruled out, it is me who needs to change as well.
Shirley, as I was reading over some of the posts and comments, I was especially taken by what you said here:
"I am still seeking. This book and the discussion have come at a needed time in my life."
I think that's great! I love it when the timing is right. You also said in that third answer:
"Initially, as I was reading, I thought that this was the nudge I needed to change churches. However, with more reflection, I realize that although changing churches is not ruled out, it is me who needs to change as well."
It seems to me that, if your spiritual life doesn't feel quite right, you should consider at least visiting other churches, maybe with a friend. If not that, maybe doing something that's different would jog things into a better place for you. Maybe you could try something doing new. Does that make sense to anyone but me?
3. Share where you are on your journey right now.
My journey has ebb's and flow's depending on my ability to crate time for slowing down, and where I am hanging my hat and for how long. Due to this life style, which has been for more then 10 years, it is spirit/God/past and present spiritual teachers, nature, music and art who I let guide me. Within these mediums I find enhancement in my journey, and through the experiencing of life I choose what I have or am learning to guide me in my present.
How would you feel if you were asked to share your faith story in public?
One Sunday of each month in LDS (Mormon) worship services is what is referred to as a "Fast and Testimony Meeting." Generally, the congregants come to the meeting fasting and make an offering of cost of the meals they've gone without (or more) to help the poor, and the majority of the service is "open mic" for anyone who wants to share his or her "testimony" with the group. Having grown up attending such meetings, I find the idea of people sharing their faith stories to be the "norm" - and I see great value in it for both those who speak and those who listen. When I take the opportunity to speak (which I don't do nearly as often as some members of my congregation), I usually do so briefly but with sincerity, mentioning some aspect of my beliefs that seems particularly significant to me that day. I last time I shared, I bore testimony of the difference that Jesus Christ makes in my life on a daily basis.
Carole said (in an email to me yesterday)...
Hi Bonnie,
I tried to enter this thought on book buddies but could not sorry. So I thought I would send it to you and you could decide whether to post it or not.
Testimony
A dear friend of mine shared with me her thoughts on her son’s death. In their church, the congregation can speak by going to the front. Her son had lost his oldest child in a car accident a few years earlier. This young man walked to the pulpit and said he was ready to join his son in heaven. His mother, father, wife and two children were at the service that day. When my friend shared her feelings with me shortly after her son’s death, it left a profound influence on me. Being close to death myself and losing my old son in a car accident too, made me think about death. I have no fear of death itself, because I have seen the light at the end of the tunnel without fear. What would however, truly terrify me would be having a stroke, laying in bed, not being able to do for myself. That thought is worrisome to me. To think how my life has taken me down different paths over the last 68 years. To lose a child is devastating to begin with, but sitting, hearing your child speak of his own death, makes me believe born again christen have a peace within themselves that is powerful.
Carol, I'm not clear what happened. He said he was ready to join his son in heaven, so did he commit suicide in church?
Carole said... in an email tonight:
"oh no, sorry I did not make it clear. A few weeks after his testimony, he was driving home from work in Montana, lost control of his truck,
Danny died instantly."
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