Tag: dailyprompt

• Book of Common Prayer: rhythm of prayer and the language
• Fear and Trembling: insightful on faith and duty.
• Metamorphosis: transformation is not always as expected

I have heard many sermons, seen many illustrations, and been at many meetings. And, I think, this video says it all – if you know, you know:

I normally would write about books. Or maybe reading, or information. But the one thing that brings me unconditional joy is jigsaw puzzles. I love the peace and enjoy the development of the picture. In fact, I think jigsaw puzzles are a metaphor for the way that I think – I describe pieces and you make the picture.

My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. I read the whole book in a day, missing a lectures at Seminary. Maybe I should read it again?

I find this an impossible prompt to answer. I am not sure I have ever had a friend. Not due to other people. People are friendly to me. But I simply do not connect with people. And eventually everyone drifts away or gets sick of me.

So what do I value? Honesty with compassion. Also intellect.

I have a long list of TBR books. Online book shops are an easy trap for me so just more of the usual (without the guilt).

Jobs that I have had for pay are …

I have worked in retail selling white goods and furniture. Not much fun!

I worked in a call centre. Nearly destroyed me.

And, drum roll, I have worked as a minister of religion. Very rewarding at times but also soul destroying.

I have had many other jobs that did not pay but that is for another post.

So the problem is … How does one define “religion”?

I am not part of an institution that is considered “religious”. I go not no church, either do I consider myself part of a denomitation. There is no collective answer for an individual problem. My sin, my problem!

Institution, no matter how holy and other-worldly, can answer for me. Yes, community is nice. But in the end I stand alone before God. Or, another way to put it, change for me comes from inside, never from outside.

I do, however, think of myself as standing within a tradition of spirituality. For me that is the Book of Common Prayer. But that is not the answer – it is simply a way to shape my life. It describes my life but does not define it.

The only answer to the problem of my darkness is the Light of Jesus. No one else can take the steps that I need to make. No one else can take responsibility for me. No one else can make the “act of faith” for me. Faith in Jesus is a resolution rather than a conclusion.

So do I practice a religion?

If I had to pick, maybe Kierkegaard or Nietzsche. Nietzsche’s diet would make it difficult but not impossible. I would also enjoy Buber. Is Kafka a philosopher?

Yes! I also remember the world before TV – well, colour TV – and home phones. Not sure if it was better but it was very different. Sometimes i would like to be “back before before”.