Good morning everyone. I have several other pieces ready to post but my spirit is telling me “not now, maybe later, maybe never.” Strange, how I’ve been processing what’s next in my sub-conscious mind for better than a week and first I made the decision to revise and fine tune the “About this site” blurb. The only blog I ever followed was 6-8 years ago when my college room mate and his wife traveled coast to coast from CA to MD on a tandem bicycle. What a joy to join them on that trip of a lifetime! But my experience with blogs though positive, was very minimal.
So now we’re into this adventure nearly three months and already my focus is changing. First, I desire shorter posts more frequently on pertinent faith facilitating topics; such as book reviews from books I’ve read recently or whatever I am passionate about …. and perhaps this is as a good time as any, for me to tell you real quick what makes me tick …. or not!
First and foremost, I covet an intimate growing relationship with the Trinity for that is the foundation to my being. Key words here are intimate and growing … more recently for me; hopefully not so for you.
Second, to be a faith facilitator among everyone I meet encouraging people to consider the life options we each are given, and especially so, in the Anabaptist tradition as I recently condensed its tenants in the recent post Part Two of the Anabaptist Vision, introducing Discipleship, Brotherhood, and Love & Nonresistance.
Third, I am passionate about nurturing relationships on all levels, beginning first with who or what we worship, and that in turn will determine what drives a whole host of our primary and secondary relationships. For many, this may be reflected by brotherhood and discipleship ties. For others, the nuclear family or some facsimile is primary. The bottom line is that for too many of us, we are not experiencing the fullness of intimacy in our relationships that we need to fully function as human beings, rather than merely human doings. Hence the numerous posts recently on the book Seven Levels of Intimacy. INTIMACY is absolutely not fully possible without love. I know this stuff. I wasted my life living selfishly without fully understanding love… and I’m passionate about you realizing that real JOY in your relationships is always your choice, though it may not always be reciprocated! Consider the Gospels.
Fourth, I’m passionate about expanding your mind and I personally use for my intelligence foundation Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Others may not share this “rooting”but we all can greatly facilitate our wisdom and minimize our difficulties in life by opening our minds to the intricacies in this universe. Traditionally, reading was how we expanded our intellect. Today, we have Kindle, Audible, You Tubes, blogs, documentaries, etc. Endless opportunities. But yet, we are reminded in Psalms 46:10 “Be still ….
Recently, I began reading Paul Stutzman’s Wanderer series and am nearly completed having read all his books. Johnny has connected with my spirit very uniquely on a number of fronts. First, since my accident Sept 18 my life from here forward is totally up for grabs as was Johnny’s at numerous junctures, some by his own choosing and two particularly, fate touched him intimately; so with me. And just as he was struggling to gain strength to walk home without pain meds, so am I .. and just recently even though I’m done with therapy, I struggle thinking will I ever get back to walking without swelling and excruciating pain. Valuable insights and connections are made when we read, forcing our conscious minds out of the negative default media vacuum blasting us non-stop. At the moment, I can’t recall one fictional book I read since college days (Leon Uris .. Exodus) while eating Wheaties and sliced peaches in the smallest blue mixing bowl, although I’m sure there were some.
In the last few years I’ve mostly listened to hundreds of books of a wide variety, likely 95% selected if not purchased by Loretta; but none were fictional, for I did not have time for fiction, that was indeed a waste of time (perhaps a typical attitude for a workaholic). Perhaps in instances a poor investment, but certainly not always. It is so interesting that once again, Loretta as in most of my retooling, encouraged me to read Paul’s books and in fact purchased them all since she knew I wouldn’t spend the money .. but I always read and enjoy them. And isn’t it remarkable now, how Paul Stutzman has facilitated countless “faith building clips” for my future “mental savoring” from Johnny’s experiences!
So, therefore and not so quickly either, perhaps you better understand my life’s passions. Quite simple actually. Perhaps passions are best refined and most effectively presented when derived from life’s experiences personally gone awry?
Do read the site blurb closely. I’m working at removing the “comment box” and it may appear again until I figure out how to delete it. Do email me directly if you need to at merlin.erb@gmail.com Thanks for reading!
Blessings as YOU GO FORTH>>>>