SUNDAY LECTURE | Faith and Politics

Dear Ones -

We had almost 250 people gather this week to hear Texas State Representatives Ann Johnson and James Talarico. Ann asked James questions about his involvement in and perspective on some of the critical issues facing citizens of Texas as far as these legislators are concerned. There is, of course, no text of their conversation. If you missed it or want to revisit it, you can do so by clicking the link below to watch the video.

I am SO grateful to Dr. Jeff McDonald, for arranging this event. The content they presented was not only informative but also very encouraging.

The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis will be with us this coming Sunday. Though she is giving the sermon at both services and dialoguing with me during get Ordinary Life hour, the time she will spend with us during the afternoon will be more intense and interactive. I have heard her speak before and can tell you from personal experience that being with her “up close and personal” is quite an experience. During these fraught times, her teachings will be most relevant. If you have not yet registered for this time, I encourage you to do so now. You may do so by going to the home page of this site. Child care provided during all of the times she will be with us.

If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here. There is an option to scroll to “Ordinary Life” as the option for how to designation your gift. Thank you!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ordinary Life is exploring new ways to foster community, connection, service, and care in our community. To that end, we are launching a monthly community newsletter that will highlight announcements, events, and joys/concerns. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, please visit this link to add your name to the list. Rest assured that whether you opt-in to this newsletter or not, you will continue to receive the weekly class previews and summaries for Ordinary Life.

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

To watch the video recording of the presentation “Faith and Politics”
click on the YouTube link below.


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

SUNDAY LECTURE | Santa Claus Meets The Good Samaritan

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

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Summary of Ordinary Life for September 8, 2024

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Dear Ones -

Promotion to the wider community of the Jacqui Lewis event will begin this week. So, if you want to be assured of a place for the afternoon time with her, I encourage you to register now. You may do so by clicking here. I have neglected to mention that there will be child care provided during the afternoon time as well, of course, as on Sunday morning.

Also, I expect the space where we meet to be completely full this coming Sunday for the time when Rep. James Talarico and Rep. Ann Johnson will be in dialogue with Dr. Jeff McDonald about “Faith and Politics.” I mention this to encourage you to be on time.

I called the teaching I offered this week -

Santa Claus Meets The Good Samaritan (and friends)

I began the time by affirming that “our image of ‘God’” - and we all have one - “shapes who we are.” Our image of “God” is shaped, until we take conscious control of the matter, by the “tribe/culture” into which we are born. We all live by myths, whether we are aware of them or not. Santa Claus is a myth that grew out of the St. Nicholas of Bari story. Wise and useful myths create a livable and meaningful world for ourselves and others. A parable, on the other hand, seeks to re-create destructive and unwise myths. Both the parables of “The Good Samaritan” and “the two men who went up to the temple to pray” illustrate this.

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

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

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

If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here. There is an option to scroll to “Ordinary Life” as the option for how to designation your gift. Thank you!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ordinary Life is exploring new ways to foster community, connection, service, and care in our community. To that end, we are launching a monthly community newsletter that will highlight announcements, events, and joys/concerns. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, please visit this link to add your name to the list. Rest assured that whether you opt-in to this newsletter or not, you will continue to receive the weekly class previews and summaries for Ordinary Life.

St Paul’s is beginning a “Stephen Ministry” program. Stephen Ministry is a caring ministry that equips and empowers trained lay car givers to provide one-on0one care to those going through difficult times such as grief, divorce, job loss, illness, relocation, and other life-changing circumstances. For more information on how to receive care or serve as a Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Melinda Owens at mowens@stpaulshouston.org

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

In order to read or download the text version 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 either download or just listen to the audio recording of today’s talk, use the audio player below.

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

SUNDAY LECTURE | Ants 'n Roses

Dear Ones -

I called the teaching I offered this week -

Ants ’n Roses

It is a teaching about the importance of epistemology and hermeneutics. How do we know what we know and what is the meaning of what we think we know? When it comes to religion and spiritual work, this is important because our image and understanding of “god” shapes us. It is from science we learn that there is a creative, energizing, knowing presence embedded in all things. When it comes to the Christian tradition it is helpful to remember that there has not ever been one single or unified way to interpret the Bible and, also, not one word of the Bible was written with us in mind. What is asked of us is openness, honesty, and a willingness to change.

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

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

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

If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here. There is an option to scroll to “Ordinary Life” as the option for how to designation your gift. Thank you!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ordinary Life is exploring new ways to foster community, connection, service, and care in our community. To that end, we are launching a monthly community newsletter that will highlight announcements, events, and joys/concerns. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, please visit this link to add your name to the list. Rest assured that whether you opt-in to this newsletter or not, you will continue to receive the weekly class previews and summaries for Ordinary Life.

St Paul’s is beginning a “Stephen Ministry” program. Stephen Ministry is a caring ministry that equips and empowers trained lay care givers to provide one-on-one care to those going through difficult times such as grief, divorce, job loss, illness, relocation, and other life-changing circumstances. For more information on how to receive care or serve as a Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Melinda Owens at mowens@stpaulshouston.org

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

To view or download the text version of the talk, click here.

To view or download the presentation slides, click here.

To view or download the announcement slides, click here.

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

SUNDAY LECTURE | Walking With Thomas Merton

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

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Summary of Ordinary Life for August 25, 2024

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Dear Ones -

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ordinary Life is exploring new ways to foster community, connection, service, and care in our community. To that end, we are launching a monthly community newsletter that will highlight announcements, events, and joys/concerns. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, please visit this link to add your name to the list. Rest assured that whether you opt-in to this newsletter or not, you will continue to receive the weekly class previews and summaries for Ordinary Life.

Wow! What a wonderful day for Ordinary Life this past Sunday.

Barbara Robberson did an outstanding job with her presentation on “Walking With Thomas Merton.” She said, among other things, that the life of the soul is not knowledge but love and quoted Jim Finley, an authority on Merton, as saying that one of the most important questions for spiritual practice is asking, “Can I join God in knowing who God knows me to be?” One of our goals in doing spiritual work is to see the world through God’s eyes and then act accordingly. If you would like to view or download a copy of the prayer Barbara’s reflection was based on, click here. Thank you Barbara!

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

If you would like to watch the video of today’s class, use the YouTube video link below.

Then, in the afternoon we had the rare and wonderful opportunity to hear virtuoso Rob Landes at the piano. Rob was entertaining and informative. As I looked around the room all I saw were smiles. It was just great.

The registration for our time with Dr. Jacqui Lewis is now “live.” She will be giving the sermon at both services on Sunday, September 22nd. The two of us will be dialoguing during the Ordinary Life hour. Then, she will be doing a program from one to three on Sunday afternoon. There is a registration fee for that. If you elect to live-stream, you will be sent a link shortly before the program begins. Her topic is -

Fierce Love and Toxic Politics

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

If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here. There is an option to scroll to “Ordinary Life” as the option for how to designation your gift. Thank you!

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

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