true religion

I visited with Alice on her front patio in International Falls, MN yesterday and she told me that she dosn't want a computer because every internet relationship she has ever seen has been nothing but bad news. She then proceeded to share 3 specific examples with me of disasterous internet romances. I don't blame you Alice, who needs all that trouble! Alice is 90 yrs old and thrilled that there is a group of teenagers helping her paint her house this week. She made sandwiches and lemonade spent all day talking with those students and telling them stories. As I left her house a phrase from the book of James, chapter 1 verse 27 entered my head and challenged my heart, "true religion is this, to care for orphans and widows in their need..."

Then I thought about my Grandma who passed away a few years ago. She was in a nursing home with ahlzeimers for a couple years and I think I visited her about 4 times. When I used to feel guilty about it I would remind myself that I wasn't able to get down there much because I was usually busy doing church stuff. Now as I look back, I think a lot of the church stuff we do is a waste of time.

So here's my question... Why do we spend so much time doing church? Is there anything in doing church that is actually helping us be the church?

intro

extrospective? the observation of things external, the expression of things internal, the intersection of ideas and action, of faith and reason, of the public and the private, the integration of self, society, spirituality, humanity...

For some time now I've dreamt of an environment where a genuine dialogue of questions, thoughts and ideas could take place. A place where I could offer the thoughts of my everyday existence that so often remain hidden away to the table to be discussed, expanded, contrasted, critiqued, and even occasionally embraced. A place where there is freedom to express opinions and ideas and be challenged by the ideas or opinions of another. A place for well informed dialogue about things that matter both on the micro and macro levels. A place to dream, to debate, to explore and expand our worldview together. The boundary lines are intentionally broad, just about any idea is fair game so long as it is not destructive or hateful. So I invite you to post and I have great hope that as you do, you will further open my mind and soften my heart. I only pray that my every post does the same for you.