SUNDAY LECTURE | Authenticity and Courage

ORDINARY LIFE - Thoughts and Ideas to Help You Live a Happier Life

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Summary of Ordinary Life for May 24, 2024

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Dear Ones -

This week in Ordinary Life I attempted to explain, or at least amplify on, what is meant by the phrases “authentic existence” and “the courage to be.” Though all teaching is somewhat autobiographical, this talk is especially so. I share how I was found by these phrases. In the process I talk about developmental psychology and, then, from a deconstructionist point of view, the ambiguity involved in ever knowing who we are. I see this ambiguity as hopeful. Then I talked about how I developed the phrase that such authentic and courageous living means being involved in the process of becoming centers of freedom and love.

That’s a brief summary of this week’s time in Ordinary Life.

The audio version of the talk has some differences from the text I spoke from. You can find the text of the talk, the presentation slides and the audio version of the talk using the links below.

Our podcast, “In Between,” can be accessed through the Ordinary Life web site.

If you would like to know how to make a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here for video instructions.

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

In order to read or to download the text of the talk, click here.

In order to view or download the presentation slides, click here.

In order to view or download the announcement slides, click here.

To download or listen to the audio recording of today’s talk, use the audio player below.

To watch the video of today’s talk, click on the YouTube link below.

WEEKLY PODCAST | In Between.159

We are tussling through the book What to Believe by John Caputo. It contains 12 lessons on deconstructing and reconstructing ideas about God. He starts by talking about what he’s carrying in his religious satchel as he engages this conversation. He grew up Catholic, wanted to enter the priesthood, and at some point went, “Wait, what? Who is this God i am asked to belive in?”

Bill is further along in the book than I am, but he keeps dropping seeds, one of which is: “The event by which I become myself and the event by which God becomes God are the same.” Co-evolution. Very Meister Eckhart-y. There is no elsewhere to go but right here, inside and in between. It relates, I think, to healing from the inside out. Zooming way out, I want to hope that evolution - in which we participate - is heading toward union. When I zoom in it is hard, at times, to separate the hurtful, divisive acts of our very human existence from that hope for union. And yet, these are the opposites to hold!

Thanks for listening!

SUNDAY LECTURE | Healing From the Inside Out

ORDINARY LIFE - Thoughts and Ideas to Help You Live a Happier Life

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Summary of Ordinary Life for April 28, 2024

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Dear Ones -

Dr. Holly Hudley gave an absolutely outstanding presentation in Ordinary Life this week. She gave it the title -

Healing From the Inside Out

In the talk she gave a philosophical grounding as well as practical application information for how each of us can enter into such a healing process. As usual she had very helpful slides, which you can see on the website, and a beautiful Hafiz poem. Outstanding and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you reading, listening to, or watching the video of her time.

That’s a brief summary of this week’s time in Ordinary Life.

A reminder that Dr. Jeff McDonald, St. Paul’s Senior Minister, will be speaking in Ordinary Life next week in a Town Hall format to discuss what has happened in the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Please plan to attend.

You can find the text of the talk, the presentation slides and the audio version of the talk using the links below.

Our podcast, “In Between,” can be accessed through the Ordinary Life web site.

If you would like to know how to make a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here for video instructions.

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

In order to read or download the text of the talk, click here.

In order to view or download the presentation slides, click here.

In order to view or download the announcement slides, click here.

In order to read or download the text of the sermon Bill Kerley gave on this day at St. Paul’s, click here.

To listen to or download today’s talk, use the audio player below.

To watch the video recording of today’s talk, use the YouTube player link below.