Finding our way to The Way one situation at a time. I don't know how great it will be, but I expect it will be interesting, and I look forward to it going on past all reason because wonder is just that way. Are you coming or not?
Swan Lake Boulevard — Swan Lake, Iris Gardens — Sumter, South Carolina
Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) said, "The last leave-taking is leaving God for God." Eckhart was a German Catholic who was found guilty of heresy and died (perhaps murdered) before his sentence was served. It takes a heretic to see/speak the truth, it seems.
The leave-taking I have in mind is leaving the God of the Bible and theology for the God of the here and now (Calling to mind Flip Wilson's "The Church of What's Happening Now").
We do not need theology to know God and bring God to life in our lives. We only need to know what we know regarding what's happening now and what that calls for in terms of liberty, justice, compassion, truth, kindness, equality, goodness, mercy, peace, humility and a noble heart--and do it when, where and how it needs to be done, and let that be that in each situation as it arises all our life long. This is not hard. It only takes eyes that see, ears that hear and a heart that understands. A child can do as much, and often does as much, though few onlookers realize what is going on.
We come out of the womb being God. Doing right. And then greed, fear and duty take over, and that's that with God. And churches are filled with the greediest, most fearful and duty-bound people the world has ever seen. "All Are Welcome" (You know) "But Your Kind Are Not Allowed."
And Jesus was crucified for treason and heresy, saying, "Come, follow me!" We follow him by throwing out the God of the Bible and Theology and throwing in with the God of the Here and Now, whom we have known all our lives long and has always been right there, remaining so to this very day. And you know what I am talking about. No?
I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing.
I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.
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