The Edge of the Leaf

April 11, 2010 Bill Kerley

Dear Folks -

I would like to alert those of you in the Houston area that Marcus Borg, authority on "the Jesus of history," will be speaking in the space Ordinary Life uses this coming weekend. He will speak Friday evening and on Saturday. The title of his presentation is: "Speaking Christian: The Problem and the Need." To register and/or learn more go to www.contemporarytheology.org

The only way we can experience transformation or growth in either our psychological, spiritual or religious work is by moving into liminal space. There are several ways to do this which I list in this talk.

One of the most important things we can do is give up the notion that our opinions are "facts" about which we are "right."

If we can do this, even for a few minutes at a time, we can move in the direction of the values Jesus taught about, lived and invited us to embody. These values include love, being sharp and being inclusive.

In the section of the talk where I talk about being sharp I illustrate my point with lots of photographs which show how stupid some people can be especially when they are proclaiming how right they are. In order to see these photos you'll have to go to the Ordinary Life website and look at the overhead presentation link. Many, many thanks to the work Susanna Hooper puts into make this possible.

This is a summary of the talk I gave in Ordinary Life this week. The full text follows.

Much love,

Bill Kerley

Click here to Download text 20100411.pdf

Click here to Download Presentation Slides 4:11:10_-_Out_on_a_Leaf.pdf

Click here to Download audio 20100411.mp3

For Want of a Nail

March 28, 2010 Bill Kerley

Dear Folks -

We see only what we want to see. We see only what we are prepared to see.

One of the primary purposes of spiritual work is to open our willingness and ability to see "what is."

There are "hidden messages" all around us. In this talk I illustrate this with some examples of advertising logos. You'll have to go to the web site to see these.

Jesus hid powerful messages in his parables. In this talk I look at one of the shortest of all his parables. It is about a woman who hid some leaven in a large amount of flour until the whole batch was leavened. It seems innocuous enough. But those who first heard it were offended by it. So perhaps are we as well when we hear its true meaning.

This is a summary of the talk I gave in Ordinary Life this week. The full text follows.

Much love,

Bill Kerley

Click here to Download Theme Introduction: Why the Parables.pdf

Click here to Download text 20100328.pdf

Click here to Download Presentation slides 3:28:10 - For want of a nail.pdf

Click here to Download audio 20100328.mp3

Damascus and Syria - Joanna Schenke

March 21, 2010 Bill Kerley

Dear Folks -

Two years ago Sherry and I were fortunate to tour Turkey for two weeks.
We went with Dick and Diane Schenke. They are members of St. Paul's and
both sing regularly in the choir. Diane has also served St. Paul's as
chair of the Church Council. We were accompanied on this trip with the
Schenkes' two adult children - Jonathan and Joanna. My faith in
America's future was incredibly strengthened by being in the presence of
these two young people.

Joanna spent last summer in Damascus, Syria. She was there to take
Arabic language courses. (She speaks six languages. Impressive, huh?)

Joanna spent a lot of time exploring Damascus and the surrounding area.
I asked her when she returned if she would come sometime and tell the
story of her experience to Ordinary Life. She has agreed to do so this
week.

Her presentation has lots and lots of photos and focuses largely on the
religious make-up of Syria, with special attention to its Christian
population.

Joanna says, "I visited many biblical, significant sites around Damascus
and will give a photo re-telling of Paul's conversion. My presentation
will close with some tips and tricks for visiting majority-Muslim
countries (how to dress, visit a mosque, etc.) I'll also leave plenty of
time for Q & A."

Joanna has been a member of St. Paul's since 1991. She is currently a
graduate student at UT Austin, pursuing a dual degree in Middle Eastern
Studies and Public Policy. She hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy
after graduating in May 2011. She is off to Tunis this summer for an
internship with the State Department.

As I said, this is a most remarkable young woman. I look forward to
introducing you to her in Ordinary Life this week.

Much love,

Bill Kerley

(Unfortunately, the audio is not available for this speaker. And I am quite ticked about that too.)

Click here to Download 20100321JSsunday school talk Presentation.pdf

Imagine Campaign Preview - Rev. Dr. Jim Bankston

March 14, 2010 Bill Kerley

Dear Folks -

This week when we gather for Ordinary Life we are going to talk about
religious literacy and plans for the future. There is in the works
plans for a massive renovation of the Jones Building - which, of
course, is where Ordinary Life gathers each week. Dr. Jim Bankston,
senior minister of St. Paul's, has asked if he could come and tell us
about these plans and answer what questions we might. This renovation
will affect us.

http://stpaulsimagine.com

Also, I'm going to try to rectify the "technical malfunction" I had
last week in showing you a movie.

Further, I want to tell you about one of the young people who has
grown up in St. Paul's. She is an amazing person and will be sharing
part of her story with us the following Sunday the 21st.

I am glad and graced to be part of all of this and hope you feel that
way too. I look forward to being with you this week when Ordinary Life
gathers.