relational

We Are Part of the Unfolding

August 29, 2010

In this deeply relational world, a world where quantum science is proving that everything is connected down to the smallest parts of an atom, we need to experience these shifts that move us from a mindset of fixed, fate, and futility, to dynamic, possibility and potentiality. This is the hidden invisible reality of the Kingdom of God. (The_new_sciences is a long article but sooooo worth reading I have uploaded the full pdf here for you.)

As I wake up to the kindgom of God me self story changes and my image of you changes. I learn to see you, the real you, not the you I have constructed from the images, feelings, betrayals, dislikes, envy and jealousy you evoke in me. I come, in this new larger envelop of reality. to understand what I see in you might say more about me than anything about you at all. I might be projecting my own hurts, insecurties, fragilities, and pain.

These awakenings are the fruit of bonefishing Clint style. Need an awakening? Need some bonefish time?

But the biggest learning for me to date, is without doubt the most life altering but the most difficult to continue to live into. Jesus invites us into the kingdom for one reason…. to bring the prevalence, reality and concrete demonstration of the kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven (yes that sounds like the Lord’s prayer intentionally)

The hard shift? The universe is unfolding through me. God’s new thing I am to be alert and present to sense? That is unfolding through me. The problem I have is patiently, alertly, presencingly (think I made up that word…wouldn’t be the first time though) doing it. I like control, manipulation, make it happen, force it postures. They come more naturally but the results are forced and ron-manufactured.

The idea that Jesus enlisted me to wake up because this envelop of a larger reality is at hand and to then let this new reality unfold through me, is simply winsome. At that stage I am co-creating, co-working, co-unfolding the universe with God. I know sounds crazy and heretical, but true nonetheless

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When Ready Shifts Happen

August 23, 2010

I have reflected alot on my awakening experience with Clint and bonefishing. I wish everyone could have something like this happen to them. But some key learnings have emerged that have informed my journey since then and continue to fund my outlook. What I have learned is there has to be an openness, a readiness, even a lack of control and certainty if we really want to learn and be transformed. This is what Jesus was doing when he said be a like a little child. It is what they call in Zen the beginners mind.

I realize much of my life I have considered things fixed, as in unchanging and in stone. My bonefishing experience did something to peel back scales from my eyes and help me realize fixedness is an illusion. I can view people as fixed…their attitudes as fixed, if they have hurt me or have established a track record of being what I thought was a jerk, all of these things though often looking fixed actually are not. But we say things like… “but they always..” “She is constantly…” “He has always…” “I know what you are going to say because you always…” Can you hear yourself here? They are not fixed, my “self” is not fixed, my circumstances are not fixed, the universe is not fixed. Everything is relational and that means where I am involved I am at least part of the equation….always. This is part of the insight of living systems. Nothing is fixed and nothing is isolated.

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21C Spirituality-More Creational

March 11, 2010

In my post from the 8th I mentioned three things I more convinced of than ever before, and for where the church sits in culture and our needed response. I said… Spirituality will be more creational, relational and communitarian into the 21st century
There are always two things in play when it comes the church’s role/response to culture. There is reflective and informed biblical reading and there is insightful and aware cultural sign post reading. We need both for the church to be effective.
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