Last week I was listening to another great pod cast with Krista Tippett over at On Being, interviewing Rex Jung, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of New Mexico, he’s a practicing clinical neurophysiologist in Albuquerque.
I especially loved this; “How do we prime our brains to take the meandering mental paths necessary for creativity? New techniques of brain imaging, Rex Jung says, are helping us gain a whole new view on the differences between intelligence, creativity, and personality. He unsettles some old assumptions — and suggests some new connections between creativity and family life, creativity and aging, and creativity and purpose.”
You can listen to the pod cast here, along with additional conversations dealing with what Rex Jung shared in the interview.
Krista said something I had to listen to over and over; “Making meaning out of whatever the raw materials of your life is really the ultimate creative work of the everyday, and of a lifetime.”
That thought trigger this, from Luke 3:4-6 from the Message Bible; “Thunder in the desert!
“Prepare God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight! Every ditch will be filled in, every bump smoothed out, the detours straightened out, all the ruts paved over. Everyone will be there to see the parade of (the glory) God’s salvation.”
How many times have you like me experienced the frustration of reeling out your hose ready to water the garden or the trees only to find next to nothing coming out as you are squeezing the trigger , you might think, did I pay me last water bill, yes, is the flow from the city line still okay to my house, yes, is the hose connected properly to the spigot, and is it turn on, yes. Well then what the heck is wrong? You in frustration walk all the way back checking the hose only to find the source of your problem, a kink, so, you un-kink it walk back and try all over again only to discover, no free flow of the needed water!
Walking back once again you examine the hose more carefully this and hopefully the last time, oh, I see what it is, more, several more kinks I didn’t see the first time. In taking the time to remove those additional kinks proved to be all that was needed to see the life giving flow of water released upon the needy garden.
In our first birth, being born alienated from God, there is in my opinion the imprinted birth mark of, “I am not” deeply staining our entire soul; I see that being much like a barren wasteland. The remedy the world has to offer in addressing this malady often referred to as one having very “low self-esteem, self-worth and self-image”, is spelled out in many different ways, but from what I have seen and experienced in my own life, it’s the futile attempt to try and change or alter ones self from the outside in.
What I want to talk about here is in fact that one size does fit all of us, meaning, the perfect and complete unconditional love that God the Father has for each of us is what we intensely crave, but not knowing anything else but a (version of) love based upon our performance, its always about our efforts to try and change the course of our lives.
There are many contributing factors that have put as it were the kinks in our lives, preventing the experiential flow of the Father’s deep and ever lasting love to do what it was meant to do in each of us.
For me scripturally, my name Richard means; God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Fear has been something that has hounded me all of my life even to this day, but, what I am beginning to recognise is that in making choices, one by one where-in the impetus behind those choices is the grace of God, is an effort to simply allow my Father to take the kinks out that are blocking the life giving flow of His great love into the barren wilderness of my soul.
One of the tangible fruits of the kinks coming out is a newly discovered and growing confidence that I was not born with, and please hear me, I’m not talking now of have having a greater self image or any other self improved ability that I somehow mustered up on my own.
For me and likely for most of us, we do not see the dynamics that are released in us in simply making choice after to choice to trust God, as a matter of fact, I see the Father winning us into a ever deepening ability to trust Him.
I want to graft into my thoughts here something my wife shared with me the other day while praying; “I was just praying and thinking of how God has softened both our hearts over the years…and this thought occurred to me: that he was able to do that softening each time we deliberately turned from lashing out in anger or jealousy or judgement in order, instead, to seek HIS way, HIS heart. At the time, perhaps we were thinking we were simply weak; we were just suppressing things, or keeping silent when we should have set somebody straight, or kept our mouths shut when we wanted to lash out in judgement. But over time, each turning was like one more raindrop eroding the surface of our granite-hard hearts.”
All of this and so much more flowed out of listening a couple of times to the afore mentioned pod cast.
What I have been trying to articulate is in my opinion, much to do with what the bible talks about, the transformation (metamorphosis) taking place with the renewing of our mind. Our soul; mind, will and emotions receiving the life and loving flow of God’s heart into ours, in turn causing the desert to blossom like a rose.
I would love hearing any feed back at all on my meandering thoughts,
Rich
Hey Rich. This was a lovely post. I love your analogy of the kinks in the hose. I still get your blog posts through my email and try to read them when I get a chance. Your words are a gift to me my friend. Much love to you.
Nicole,
Wow, its always so good to hear from you, you are and continue to be very much in my heart and thoughts. Often you and Jon come to mind and quickly I offer up my prayers of love and gratitude to our Father for you both.
Thanks for being there as one of those living conduits of love and grace to me, my soul has been watered many times over in our ongoing conversations, to which I bow my heart with many thanks to our 4-ever loving Papa!
I might, not sure yet ,be coming back to Facebook, MIGHT, as I have developed a new friend that uses Facebook as well in reaching out to people, we’ll see.
The time away from Facebook was pure medicine to my soul, it was some much needed down time, by the way that term I used “down time” was something spoken of in the pod cast I mentioned that I so liked, Richard Jung said that without having regular down time for our brains, serious damage would incur, in fact robbing us of the creative flow that wants to come forth in our lives no matter how old we get.
Much, much love to you and Jon,
Rich
I was looking for this earlier, its part of a comment made by my friend Dave Price, I thought it flowed so well with some of my thoughts here; Kinks in the Hose.
“Some say the existence of God is a given; others of course deny that existence. But none deny the existence of themselves. It might be said that the true issue revealed in the story of Adam and Eve is man’s desire to define himself rather than be defined by God. If that is true, might it be said, if the question of God existence is taken as a given, that the entire message of the Bible is not who God is, but who we are?
Ah, now doesn’t that shed a new light on things?”
You can read the posting here where Dave made his comment https://rantz72.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/the-knowing-that-translates-into-living/#comments
I started listening to the podcast last night and will continue later – I’ve been vaguely interested in the development of our knowledge of the brain and ‘neural networks’ since the 80’s and after becoming aware of Aspergers Syndrome so much more has fitted into place.
Making meaning out of whatever the raw materials of your life is really the ultimate creative work of the everyday, and of a lifetime.
I spent some time thinking about that because of what you wrote subsequently. “In our first birth, being alienated from God . . .” is clearly a foundation of your Christian faith – presumably based on the doctrine of ‘original sin’. For as long as I can remember (at least 30 years) I have been clear in my own mind that nobody goes to hell when they die (as in ways taught by traditional theology). I cannot remember a time when I doubted the existence of God, but at the age of 14 I had already rejected what I had been taught about the trinity – and this had an enormous impact on my subsequent faith journey – why for some twenty years I was a member of a church described by some, not unreasonably as both a cult and a sect – that celebrated neither Christmas or Easter. I have long vaguely understood the story of Genesis 1-3 as ‘myth and symbolism’ but it wasn’t until 2010 that I found the writings of Richard Holloway that it all became so much clearer. It was many years ago now that an old friend said, “Peter, you have the knack of asking the awkward questions to which there are no easy answers”. Only quite recently have I come to realise that many of my questions would not have been necessary if I had understood then, what I know now about myth and symbolism.
Part of the ‘raw material’ of your life is that at birth we are alienated from God, while part of the raw material of my life is that this is not true. Am I saying you are wrong? No, I’m just pointing out that we have been building our lives on different raw material, and that inevitably means that we will come to differing conclusions.
The Worldwide Church of God was a Sabbath and biblical Holy Days keeping church that was very legalistic. It was at the end of 1994 that the leadership of the church announced that much of it’s theology was misguided. That was traumatic – some of the raw material had simply been removed! To cut a very long story short, it wasn’t until 1997 that I suddenly had this sense of ‘freedom and liberation from the slavery of legalism’! I had for the second time in my life had had to question just about everything I had ever been taught.
It was thought that about a third of the membership accepted the changes; about a third rejected the changes and started attending gatherings that stuck to the original teachings (before splitting up into many separate groups); a relatively small number started attending other churches; and another third stopped attending altogether.
Had I been wrong to have attended all those years – and continue for several years after that because my wife wanted to? Some might say I’m crazy, but I’m convinced that I’m where I am now because of the journey I have been on, and I wouldn’t have the understanding I have now if it hadn’t been for that journey. The same applies for everyone else.
You are right – it’s all about a transformation (metamorphosis) – there are many stages of faith – when we teach children we use stories that they can understand – there is no way that the deeper things of life can be ‘pumped’ into children. We have to learn by our own experiences – but as the Bible says we only see part of the story – and I am suggesting that we are all seeing some of the differing aspects of the whole picture. But it’s not until we get away from the teachings of men (i.e. church doctrines) and allow our minds to be open to the flow of the Spirit that we begin to get a deeper understanding of the meaning of life.
It seems to me that large numbers of people have lived their lives under the threat of ‘hell, fire and brimstone’. When I look at the history of Britain in the late 19th and early 20th century I see incredible stories of dedication and devotion of medical and welfare people to the desperate needs of the unfortunates in society – based on their understanding of evangelical, fundamentalist Christian teachings. Am I saying that was wrong? No, but what I am saying is that I believe that there is a time to move on – all part of that metamorphosis that is taking place. I see so many parallels with the rise and fall of empires over the course of history. As members of the Worldwide Church of God we ‘knew’ that we were approaching the end of the age. In the 1980’s when I changed my job I didn’t bother to transfer some pension rights because I ‘knew’ there was no way we would still be here by the time I retired in 2000! How wrong could I have been!
I find it so exciting that so many people are questioning what they have been taught. We are surely seeing the end of traditional ‘churchianity’ just as we are still watching the end of the British Empire – that was built largely on greed and selfishness.
Pete,
I’m loving this growing, evolving and ongoing conversation with you and Dave, thanks so much for taking the time to not only read but to comment on my thoughts, they are most appreciated.
Before I go any further and forget, I know you listen to the God Journey pod casts, so I wanted to make mention to the last two with Wayne having a conversation with Jack Gray http://thegodjourney.com/2012/03/30/the-life-of-a-pilgrim-part-2/#comments
I love how everything changes except for constancy of our Fathers loving commitment to us, meaning, if you’ve been listening to the God Journey you will know that it is going in a new direction after seven years with Wayne and Brad. I love Wayne’s heart and what I see him trying to do, move toward such as what took place in these two latest pod casts of involving where possible conversations such as these with some of the older and in some cases forgotten brothers and sisters who have traversed over many miles and have such richness to share with the younger generation following, especially in light of man’s ceaseless efforts to try and replicate what only God our Father is able to do; build His Church.
Isn’t it truly amazing the incredible journeys we are discovering that each of us has been on, specifically yours, mine and Dave’s to mention a few?
You’ve said this before; “I am suggesting that we are all seeing some of the differing aspects of the whole picture.” Where in the scriptures it says that we have the mind of Christ, I see that meaning what you have said, seeing the different aspects of the much bigger picture, meaning, collectively, “we” have the mind of Christ which imo necessitates our great need for one another.
We’ve all faced our personal challenges haven’t we, you with your Aspergers, and me with my particular ones, and yet, learning with whatever we have to face, there set before us we partake in the unfolding of the all sufficiency of His abundant grace.
It was bitter sweet reading what you said here Pete; “In the 1980’s when I changed my job I didn’t bother to transfer some pension rights because I ‘knew’ there was no way we would still be here by the time I retired in 2000! How wrong could I have been!” Boy oh boy could my wife and I tell you some stories that go right along with what you did and didn’t do. Personally, I believe there are so many others like us you did what we did in maybe not the same way but none the less gave up on so many earthly treasures to ardently pursue the Lover of their soul.
I so agree with what you said here; “I find it so exciting that so many people are questioning what they have been taught. We are surely seeing the end of traditional ‘churchianity’ just as we are still watching the end of the British Empire – that was built largely on greed and selfishness.”
Rich
I only check up on TGJ podcasts occasionally now but I had listened to the change of emphasis and that’s good – everything has a season! Listening to Jack Gray was interesting – not everyone is being called out (my wife for one) – it’s now nearly three years since I stopped attending – prompted by one particular sermon that even Barbara recognised was a step too far for me.
It’s really since then that so much more has been revealed – but there is no way that I would have the understanding I have now if it wasn’t for the previous experiences over the years.
I was interested in your comment about giving up on so many earthly treasures to ardently pursue the Lover of their soul. It really wasn’t like that for me. For some 35 years my faith had been based almost entirely on ‘head knowledge’ and very little ‘heart awareness’. That is why this awareness around 1997/8 of ‘freedom and liberation from the slavery of legalism’ was so important. By 2005 I seemed to have (largely thanks to Wayne) an awareness of what it meant to live loved – but this puzzled me. It is said that people with Aspergers Syndrome have a lack of emotion and seldom marry. Barbara’s mother had said that she wouldn’t stand in the way of her daughter’s marriage, but she made it clear that she felt that I didn’t love her daughter.
You had said, “collectively, “we” have the mind of Christ which imo necessitates our great need for one another”. I’m not sure that is true for all of us. Jack Gray referred to ‘elders among us, not elders over us’. Those of us who have been around a long time should have something to offer the younger generation. Life is changing rapidly and maybe one of the biggest changes for the ‘church’ is the availability of the internet where people are sharing the ways in which they are being drawn away from the restrictions imposed by theology, traditions and the perceived need of some to be leaders.
Let me ask you a question, “is there a connection between your suggestion that we have a great need for one another, and a fear that we may have got it wrong?” I hope that makes some sense – I know what I’m trying to say but I may not have expressed it very well.
Let me start with your question; “is there a connection between your suggestion that we have a great need for one another, and a fear that we may have got it wrong?”
In light of; “they will know you are my disciples by your love for one another” yes, we have all gotten it wrong imo! As Wayne pointed out in the second part of his conversation with Jack, that there once was a mutual ethos that permeated the church, but that eventually waned or dissipated. Is it possible for that to be a reality today amongst us, with our siblings, yes..just look for example at what is happening right up close to us, between you and Dave and me, and God knows how many others. It is imo because of the greatest being Love, that continues to work its way ever deeper into our consciousness that we are becoming much more flexible and pliable and malleable..becoming safe people for others that won’t shoot our wounded, or censor those who think differently than we do etc etc.
I want to go on record here to say that ever since and it only increasingly continues to grow ever deeper within my being a new found capacity to love. If I’ve said it once to my wife I’ve said it countless times, there was a time when I would never permit myself to read or listen to many,many things that I do today, I attribute that solely to the miracle of discovering who and what my birth right really was/is.
For example, I was listening to another great pod cast, “the celebrated Jewish-Buddhist teacher and psychotherapist-Sylvia Boorstein.” FEAR poisoned and paralyzed me for so long, preventing me from hearing and seeing so much more of how my Father wanted me to know and understand that he didn’t come for good vs bad people, but, he came for dead people.
I am learning that if we have eras to hear, we will hear our Fathers voice anywhere and everywhere, as when Peter had to be lovingly dialed in when the trance lighted upon him…what Father had in mind was so much bigger than just a Jewish thing, Father finally spoke to him, “do not call unclean what I have cleansed.”
Saying all of that to say this, for myself and my wife, ever entertaining the notion to go back into the religious system without the express direction of the Father is not on our radar screen. I continue to bump into those I formally associated with, within the system, I love and respect them, but sadly for most parts its like two ships passing in the dark.
I know I’m rambling here, but what else is new 🙂 I remember a time several years back when the detoxing was just beginning in me, I was very much in the waste land of the real world, that I recall praying, Father take me home, there’s no one left but holy me..to which the Word brought the scriptures to my mind of another of his kids saying much the same, Elijah.
As he spoke to Elijah, he spoke to me, he said, son, there are countless untold numbers who have not defiled themselves or bowed down to any God but me, you are NOT alone. That instilled a much needed hope in my heart to continue going the distance.
And yes, because of the internet there is more happening today than meets the eye, and it only goes to show that its the foolishness of God working through such things that continues to confound the wise guys.
I hope in some small way I have opened up not so much of an answer to your question/s but in fact caused and made room for more pondering and questions for us.