Thank you for sharing your intimate moments with your baby daughter. I think my fear of being a mom may have kept me from experiencing the holiness of the moments. But I thank God that he saw me through learning to love and parent. I also thank God for allowing me to experience the holy moment you spoke about with my first grandson. I was blessed to come alongside my daughter and when she had to return to work, I cared for little Cergio. One day there was a holy moment between us. My little 4 month old grandson reached with his hands, and held my face. He looked into my eyes and smiled. We gazed at one another with love and I felt that I was privileged to see his beautiful soul and I hope he saw mine. The Spirit was very present in those moments.
It was this passage, and my interpretation of it, that finally got me kicked out of the ECO Presbyterian Covenant Lay Pastor seminary program for micro-church planting that a former pastor urged me to join. My perspective, as a 2x mom, that the Trinity was not possible without the profound faith and commitment of (virgin) Mother Mary, and the continuing faith of every Christian mother who professes her faith to her newborn children. This was before I had ever heard of you, Diana, but I found your book “Grounded” in the process. ☯️ As the mother of a child who was born with disabilities during a traumatic birth, I wrote from the perspective of being born again and again as our kiddos, their siblings, and families overcome life-affirming challenges in this world thru the Grace of God and the belief in the Beatitudes. How the uncounted women who PREPPED for the journey of their families to travel to hear Jesus shared their “fishes and loaves” with 5000 because of our love of Jesus and the community of followers. I professed to be a woman of faith who would lead other moms, especially those with adult kiddos with disabilities, to unite and form micro-churches to support our families. BOOM! The leaders had had enough of me!LEAVE, they said. Next time I’ll tell you about my interpretation of John 14:6 that preceeded this! Can you say “heretic”. Yea, my proud label!
I am studying God's Holy Feasts. I realized that I had been celebrating pagan holidays all these years (Christmas, Easter, etc.) I find this post post very intriguing. Thanks for sharing!- Kristen
After reading of your friend's experience, I was reminded of an early memory: my brother and I standing in front of a small white casket that held the body of our little brother, who had been stillborn. Decades later, I sat at the kitchen table with my mom (she was in her mid 80s) and she said to me, "I didn't want to hold him, but I wish I had."
The thought that came to me while reading these words -" Pure love enfolded us, a hallowing of this intimate world. The room had become a temple"-is that eternal life begins in the womb.
I love the birthing story which brings back memories of my firstborn, my daughter, who was born with a severe handicap and not expected to live. It was such an awesome moment when I first got to hold her and look into her beautiful face and saw her looking back at me, full of love and trust. No other experience can match this one. Long story short, the doctors were wrong about my daughter. While her life has not been an easy one with many hospitals and surgeries along the way, she is still with me at 60 years of age, and I am a very grateful Mom.
Beautiful and Holy ! "not once but again and again " Our Loving God cherishes us both in the flesh and in the Spirit. Thank you for the message this morning.
Perhaps the closest a father could come to the spiritual experience with human birth would have been walking up to my newly born daughter in the clinic nursery in Ceres, Brazil. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate the spiritual moment. Indeed, holy.
What is, in many ways, most interesting about my daughter's birth -- I was too physically exhausted and bodily traumatized to hold her for the first hour or so (while the doctor worked on me!). Other than the nurse, my husband was the first to cradle her and gaze in her face. I had that privilege later....
Today is my daughter’s 36th birthday, and even before I read this, I was remembering and pondering (starting when I went to bed last night) her very special birth. She is the second of my four children, and while each of their births was special, hers was amazingly so because I pulled her out of the birth canal and onto my chest by myself. It’s an experience I will never ever forget. And yes, it was holy.
With each of my babies I experienced what the ancient Celtic Christians believed: “in gazing in a newborn’s face, we see the very image of God; and conversely, through the infant’s eyes, in some mysterious way, God beholds us. The birthing place is a sort of inner sanctum where we encounter the freshly born presence of God.”
And caring for 2 grandsons in the last 5 years, I’ve experienced the same. For me, there is no other experience like it except breastfeeding.
And as Marilyn wrote below, I have for many years experienced “the miraculous nature of every ‘ordinary’ thing” many times every day. It is a beautiful and sacred way to live and it definitely isn’t because everything in my life is perfect — far from it. It’s an attitude, a practice, that becomes a way of life. In that way, I am “born again” exponentially.
I wrote that there is no other experience for me as profound as birthing and breastfeeding. But for me there is one more, and that is being present at the moment of another’s death, which I’ve experienced more than once. My grandmother died in my arms and it was as sacred, holy, and profoundly life changing as birthing and breastfeeding.
What is missed in looking at the Trinity is the "Business Model" : The Official CEO in his Elaborate Executive suite - to Represent the Company officially (God, the Father; the hands on CEO joining the "workers," to encourage, to engage, to example, the "product" (Jesus the Son); and the Spirit of the CEO prevading the "Production" Line!
"Of the 68 CEOs appointed in the first quarter of 2024, as tabulated by executive search firm Russell Reynolds in its quarterly index, just five were women. At that rate, global gender parity won't arrive for nearly 90 years, they predict."
The highest % of women executives is in US corporations (10%). But the global number is much, much lower -- making the global number approx 5.7%.
I am not sure how this got into a feminist arguement ... I was discussing the Trinity; God at the top; God as Jesus working with the people; God as the spirit being there always ....
What a beautiful birthing story. Thank you for that. Also, Ruining Dinner was great. I always enjoy listening to your depth of knowledge, it really does bring a more whole, much broader view about our history as a country. (and secretly I love it when you get a little steamed and let your voice be heard) -because there are so many who really need to hear it.
I was laid low after the birth of my first child, a daughter. I had a severe reaction to the epidural I was given, and was in so much pain from the headache of it that I could not even raise my head for four days. I missed the kind of bonding with her that you are talking about, and that was followed by post-partum depression. I did not know the miraculous feeling you describe until 5 years later when I was struck dumb by what you are calling "born of the spirit". After that I knew---not believed---but knew the miraculous nature of every "ordinary" thing, and the gift of the Love of God for every "ordinary" thing. That was MY true "birth experience" into this world and all that is in it. And it continues to happen over, and over, and over, every single day, and into eternity. When I asked God what it is going to be like for me to die, the answer was, "I will stop the breath in your mouth with a kiss".
"Everyone is born of both, flesh and spirit. The problem is that we forget." Yes.
Thank you for sharing your intimate moments with your baby daughter. I think my fear of being a mom may have kept me from experiencing the holiness of the moments. But I thank God that he saw me through learning to love and parent. I also thank God for allowing me to experience the holy moment you spoke about with my first grandson. I was blessed to come alongside my daughter and when she had to return to work, I cared for little Cergio. One day there was a holy moment between us. My little 4 month old grandson reached with his hands, and held my face. He looked into my eyes and smiled. We gazed at one another with love and I felt that I was privileged to see his beautiful soul and I hope he saw mine. The Spirit was very present in those moments.
Exquisitely beautiful. There is deep truth and profound sanctity in these words and in the experience shared. Thank you, Diana.
Beautiful expression…
It was this passage, and my interpretation of it, that finally got me kicked out of the ECO Presbyterian Covenant Lay Pastor seminary program for micro-church planting that a former pastor urged me to join. My perspective, as a 2x mom, that the Trinity was not possible without the profound faith and commitment of (virgin) Mother Mary, and the continuing faith of every Christian mother who professes her faith to her newborn children. This was before I had ever heard of you, Diana, but I found your book “Grounded” in the process. ☯️ As the mother of a child who was born with disabilities during a traumatic birth, I wrote from the perspective of being born again and again as our kiddos, their siblings, and families overcome life-affirming challenges in this world thru the Grace of God and the belief in the Beatitudes. How the uncounted women who PREPPED for the journey of their families to travel to hear Jesus shared their “fishes and loaves” with 5000 because of our love of Jesus and the community of followers. I professed to be a woman of faith who would lead other moms, especially those with adult kiddos with disabilities, to unite and form micro-churches to support our families. BOOM! The leaders had had enough of me!LEAVE, they said. Next time I’ll tell you about my interpretation of John 14:6 that preceeded this! Can you say “heretic”. Yea, my proud label!
I am studying God's Holy Feasts. I realized that I had been celebrating pagan holidays all these years (Christmas, Easter, etc.) I find this post post very intriguing. Thanks for sharing!- Kristen
After reading of your friend's experience, I was reminded of an early memory: my brother and I standing in front of a small white casket that held the body of our little brother, who had been stillborn. Decades later, I sat at the kitchen table with my mom (she was in her mid 80s) and she said to me, "I didn't want to hold him, but I wish I had."
The thought that came to me while reading these words -" Pure love enfolded us, a hallowing of this intimate world. The room had become a temple"-is that eternal life begins in the womb.
I love the birthing story which brings back memories of my firstborn, my daughter, who was born with a severe handicap and not expected to live. It was such an awesome moment when I first got to hold her and look into her beautiful face and saw her looking back at me, full of love and trust. No other experience can match this one. Long story short, the doctors were wrong about my daughter. While her life has not been an easy one with many hospitals and surgeries along the way, she is still with me at 60 years of age, and I am a very grateful Mom.
You are Blessed. Thank you for telling an important part your story to this Community.
Yes! We share a similar journey! ☯️☮️💟
Beautiful and Holy ! "not once but again and again " Our Loving God cherishes us both in the flesh and in the Spirit. Thank you for the message this morning.
Perhaps the closest a father could come to the spiritual experience with human birth would have been walking up to my newly born daughter in the clinic nursery in Ceres, Brazil. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate the spiritual moment. Indeed, holy.
That's the moment - the same one JPN describes.
What is, in many ways, most interesting about my daughter's birth -- I was too physically exhausted and bodily traumatized to hold her for the first hour or so (while the doctor worked on me!). Other than the nurse, my husband was the first to cradle her and gaze in her face. I had that privilege later....
I was grateful for the time I had with her.
Today is my daughter’s 36th birthday, and even before I read this, I was remembering and pondering (starting when I went to bed last night) her very special birth. She is the second of my four children, and while each of their births was special, hers was amazingly so because I pulled her out of the birth canal and onto my chest by myself. It’s an experience I will never ever forget. And yes, it was holy.
With each of my babies I experienced what the ancient Celtic Christians believed: “in gazing in a newborn’s face, we see the very image of God; and conversely, through the infant’s eyes, in some mysterious way, God beholds us. The birthing place is a sort of inner sanctum where we encounter the freshly born presence of God.”
And caring for 2 grandsons in the last 5 years, I’ve experienced the same. For me, there is no other experience like it except breastfeeding.
And as Marilyn wrote below, I have for many years experienced “the miraculous nature of every ‘ordinary’ thing” many times every day. It is a beautiful and sacred way to live and it definitely isn’t because everything in my life is perfect — far from it. It’s an attitude, a practice, that becomes a way of life. In that way, I am “born again” exponentially.
I wrote that there is no other experience for me as profound as birthing and breastfeeding. But for me there is one more, and that is being present at the moment of another’s death, which I’ve experienced more than once. My grandmother died in my arms and it was as sacred, holy, and profoundly life changing as birthing and breastfeeding.
So true! Both profoundly Holy experiences!
What is missed in looking at the Trinity is the "Business Model" : The Official CEO in his Elaborate Executive suite - to Represent the Company officially (God, the Father; the hands on CEO joining the "workers," to encourage, to engage, to example, the "product" (Jesus the Son); and the Spirit of the CEO prevading the "Production" Line!
NO!!! Just NO!!!
That’s most definitely not a feminist view. Also, theologically I’m pretty certain this one wouldn’t meet the church’s orthodoxy test. Sorry.
Lots of CEO's are females today! Yes, it wouldn't meet the orthodoxy test... but a real time parable....
Also: An FYI, from FORTUNE magazine:
"Of the 68 CEOs appointed in the first quarter of 2024, as tabulated by executive search firm Russell Reynolds in its quarterly index, just five were women. At that rate, global gender parity won't arrive for nearly 90 years, they predict."
The highest % of women executives is in US corporations (10%). But the global number is much, much lower -- making the global number approx 5.7%.
I am not sure how this got into a feminist arguement ... I was discussing the Trinity; God at the top; God as Jesus working with the people; God as the spirit being there always ....
And we reject it. Sorry. It doesn’t work for us.
And birth isn't? You prefer a capitalist metaphor to an organic, bodily one?
Honestly, I just can't go there. So sorry. I appreciate the effort.
What a beautiful birthing story. Thank you for that. Also, Ruining Dinner was great. I always enjoy listening to your depth of knowledge, it really does bring a more whole, much broader view about our history as a country. (and secretly I love it when you get a little steamed and let your voice be heard) -because there are so many who really need to hear it.
If you remember the old TV show, "Designing Women," my husband refers to when I get steamed as my "Dixie Carter/Julia Sugarbaker mode." 😁
Perfect! Yes, I can picture you like this! ☺️
I do and I loved that character!
YES! I quote Diana often! Her perspective is refreshing because of her study of biblical history. I learn so much from her!
I totally agree with you Teri,I do the same thing! I even admit sometimes I take notes too!
🙋🏼♀️Yes! Me, too! So many notes in my phone!
Thanks for sharing your birthing story. It brought back memories of holding both of my babies.
Love ❤️
I was laid low after the birth of my first child, a daughter. I had a severe reaction to the epidural I was given, and was in so much pain from the headache of it that I could not even raise my head for four days. I missed the kind of bonding with her that you are talking about, and that was followed by post-partum depression. I did not know the miraculous feeling you describe until 5 years later when I was struck dumb by what you are calling "born of the spirit". After that I knew---not believed---but knew the miraculous nature of every "ordinary" thing, and the gift of the Love of God for every "ordinary" thing. That was MY true "birth experience" into this world and all that is in it. And it continues to happen over, and over, and over, every single day, and into eternity. When I asked God what it is going to be like for me to die, the answer was, "I will stop the breath in your mouth with a kiss".