You are ALWAYS such a good read. Also, loved V Burkleo's comment re your "emphasis on faith/trust being a disposition of the heart, no opinions about doctrine.
Thanks for the image of the dancing saints... it made my day.
The sermon was also helpful. I liked the portion where you focused on the four words and the underlining of GROWTH in faith/trust and in love/agape... the progressiveness of this process. I also liked your suggestion (in my words not yours) that there was something in the American tradition/psyche that kept being drawn to the apocalyptic and I'm wondering if that is also somehow related to our persistent attachment to manifest destiny and related understandings of our self, nation, etc... not the same as but the two being like a ying/yang to each other... or feeding off one another. thanks for the opportunity to ponder these things.
I always enjoy your perspectives. Sometimes they align, but there are times I find a unique translation or perspective that opens the texts or application that truly helps me understand more deeply about texts/theological applications. Thanks so much
Love your emphasis on faith/trust being a disposition of the heart, not opinions about doctrine, Diana. And was pleasantly surprised to see agape is a feminine noun for love ❤️! What a joy to learn that. Thank you for highlighting both!
“Shift the axis”; though I never defined what I was doing that way...I can look back and see, perhaps, that was what I was doing...knowing I see life very differently from my coworkers and peers, I am often quiet in discussing cultural issues...but, (since early in my career in education), I have been asked what I thought...I often ask, “Are you sure you want to know?”...if the answer is yes, I share...there is often total silence, then a change of subject. I am a word person, seeing depth in meaning and origin of words. Thank you for your sharing of the meaning behind the words and the context of the culture in this writing from 2 Thessalonians ...apocalypse is easier to walk in when there is vision of many past endings as we envision the kingdom of God come in our time. There is joy seeing endings as beginnings.
may sarton was one of my first spiritual teachers though i only had her journals. like merton i am so grateful to these special saints whose beautiful poetry and prose revealed the way of the inner life. thank you!
I appreciated your interpation of these two letters.
However, my teacher of this letter would rise from her resting place.
Once in one of her classes I was so distraught that I went to another teacher for his interpretation. He said, “ Bette if you want to get a good grade in Ms Anderson’s class you must believe her interpretation.”
I got an A in class, and it has taken me years to redirect my theology where I hopefully am becoming WORTHY, and gaining courage to TRUST.
My HOPE is that the WANT TO BE Caesars will be defeated on Tuesday🙏
But, to me, today, it's the blurry line, at best, or no line at all, at worst, that is so often self-righteously (not) being drawn between god and caesar (and instead drawn between you and me) that makes me hopelessly shake my head. I am 65 and I do not remember it ever being this fucking difficult to debate god stuff with folks. They seem so angry. and sure.
You are ALWAYS such a good read. Also, loved V Burkleo's comment re your "emphasis on faith/trust being a disposition of the heart, no opinions about doctrine.
Love, love, love this picture of the joyous saints!
Yeah I questioned Glenn Greenwald news about these things. His independent platform not the intercept. But he agreed with them.
Amen!
I needed this commentary today! Thank you so much for Sunday Musings.
In this apocalyptic election season, Diana's sermon is Good News indeed. Thanks be to God.
Thank you I needed to hear this.
Thanks for the image of the dancing saints... it made my day.
The sermon was also helpful. I liked the portion where you focused on the four words and the underlining of GROWTH in faith/trust and in love/agape... the progressiveness of this process. I also liked your suggestion (in my words not yours) that there was something in the American tradition/psyche that kept being drawn to the apocalyptic and I'm wondering if that is also somehow related to our persistent attachment to manifest destiny and related understandings of our self, nation, etc... not the same as but the two being like a ying/yang to each other... or feeding off one another. thanks for the opportunity to ponder these things.
I always enjoy your perspectives. Sometimes they align, but there are times I find a unique translation or perspective that opens the texts or application that truly helps me understand more deeply about texts/theological applications. Thanks so much
Kingdom moving toward kindom.
Thank you
Love your emphasis on faith/trust being a disposition of the heart, not opinions about doctrine, Diana. And was pleasantly surprised to see agape is a feminine noun for love ❤️! What a joy to learn that. Thank you for highlighting both!
This is why I love words. When they can untangle our thoughts and objections!
“Shift the axis”; though I never defined what I was doing that way...I can look back and see, perhaps, that was what I was doing...knowing I see life very differently from my coworkers and peers, I am often quiet in discussing cultural issues...but, (since early in my career in education), I have been asked what I thought...I often ask, “Are you sure you want to know?”...if the answer is yes, I share...there is often total silence, then a change of subject. I am a word person, seeing depth in meaning and origin of words. Thank you for your sharing of the meaning behind the words and the context of the culture in this writing from 2 Thessalonians ...apocalypse is easier to walk in when there is vision of many past endings as we envision the kingdom of God come in our time. There is joy seeing endings as beginnings.
may sarton was one of my first spiritual teachers though i only had her journals. like merton i am so grateful to these special saints whose beautiful poetry and prose revealed the way of the inner life. thank you!
Diana 👍
I appreciated your interpation of these two letters.
However, my teacher of this letter would rise from her resting place.
Once in one of her classes I was so distraught that I went to another teacher for his interpretation. He said, “ Bette if you want to get a good grade in Ms Anderson’s class you must believe her interpretation.”
I got an A in class, and it has taken me years to redirect my theology where I hopefully am becoming WORTHY, and gaining courage to TRUST.
My HOPE is that the WANT TO BE Caesars will be defeated on Tuesday🙏
THANK YOU!
Bettte

But, to me, today, it's the blurry line, at best, or no line at all, at worst, that is so often self-righteously (not) being drawn between god and caesar (and instead drawn between you and me) that makes me hopelessly shake my head. I am 65 and I do not remember it ever being this fucking difficult to debate god stuff with folks. They seem so angry. and sure.