SUNDAY LECTURE | When Things Fall Apart

November 17, 2024 Bill Kerley

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

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Summary of Ordinary Life for November 17, 2024

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Dear Ones -

I called the teaching I offered this week in Ordinary Life -

“Living During the Experience of Things Falling Apart”

I based it on a section of a poem found in the book of Lamentations. The Jewish people knew the experience of defeat and desolation. Based on the poem I suggest three things to do “when things fall apart:” Allow yourself to plummet, practice gratitude, and be sober and realistic. (Also, get unplugged from your devices!) We have to learn to be where we are when we are there and sometimes where we are is a place of pain and sadness, fear and anger. Nonetheless, practice resurrection.

That’s the summary. Information about how to find the full text and video are below.

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.

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

In order to watch the video of today’s class, use the YouTube player below.

SUNDAY LECTURE | Looking To Jesus

November 10, 2024 Bill Kerley

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

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Summary of Ordinary Life for November 10, 2024

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Dear Ones -

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

I began my teaching this week with a prayer by Nadia Bolz-Weber. (You can search for “The Corners” to find her work.) Then, I cite prayers from the services used on election day by St. Paul’s.

Before getting into the heart of the teaching I listed some assumptions and hopes I have not only for this teaching but also for all the teachings offered in Ordinary Life.

“Looking to Jesus” is about social transformation. I speak of the defining characteristics of the world of Jesus - they parallel our own. Justice is the social form of compassion and compassion is the heart of justice. We need, individually and collectively, a practice that empowers us to be aware of and then resist anything that creates injustice and violence in any form. Then, to advocate for alternative visions. I mention three areas of special concern - race, gender and sexual identity issues, and undocumented people.

The teaching ends with a reflection on Jesus’ cry: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

That’s the summary. Information about how to find the full text and video are below.

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 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 download or to 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 link below.

SUNDAY LECTURE | Jesus is Watching You

November 3, 2024 Bill Kerley

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

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Summary of Ordinary Life for November 3, 2024

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Dear Ones -

I took the title of this week’s teaching,

Jesus is Watching You,

from a story about a parrot who said the phrase to a thief robbing a house. The “Jesus” in question turned out to be a ferocious dog.

Everybody has some notion or concept of both Jesus and of God. Before giving a very brief summary teaching of both, I give a history of the development of Christian Fundamentalism in this country and what the “five fundamentals” of Fundamentalism are. Jesus shows us what a life full of God looks like. The God of Jesus’ understanding is a god of compassion and justice. Then, I offer my “prediction” about the outcome of this presidential election. My prediction is that no matter who is elected, we have created an event of monumental national embarrassment. I close with the prayer that ends the satirical movie, “Don’t Look Up.”

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

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

In order to watch the video recording of today’s talk, use the YouTube link below.

SUNDAY LECTURE | Courage and Wisdom

October 27, 2024 Bill Kerley

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

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Summary of Ordinary Life for October 27, 2024

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Dear Ones -

I called the teaching I offered in Ordinary Life this week -

Courage and Wisdom

The phrase comes from a hymn written by Harry Emerson Fosdick. I share some about his influence on my life and, co-incidentally, on the life of St. Paul’s.

This teaching was a continuation of my attempt to address the blanket of anxiety that covers our nation during this time leading up to, perhaps, the most consequential presidential election of our history. Having faith is trusting not that things will turn out like we want them to - they seldom do. Faith is trusting that no matter how things turn out, we are still in the flow, a flow I am calling “the Sacred Stream,” a flow we can trust. Rather than seeing life as threatening or greeting it with indifference; we can choose to see and experience life as gracious, nourishing, and supportive.

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

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

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

In order to watch the video recording of today’s talk, you can click on the YouTube link below.