Ordinary Life Archived Talks
Ordinary Life Talk for
November 2, 2025
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“Pillow Talk”
Dear Ones -
What does it mean to be a peacemaker? Theologian Dorothee Sole says that “Christianity is fundamentally a political and communal project.” Peace is a deep state of wholeness and well-being that goes far beyond the absence of conflict. When it comes to how to deal with our anger I tell the story of how Thich Nhat Hanh suggests we do. This is what led to the title of the teaching -
Pillow Talk
Thich Nhat Hanh is famously known for saying: “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way to be.” In addition to offering his teaching on how to deal with anger we also showed the video about “the grapefruit ladies from Ireland.” (On YouTube look up Irish comedian who does a bit about “Never Judge a Book by Its Cover” by David Nihill.) When we have the chance to put ourselves between violence and its victim, we are peacemaking.
That’s a brief summary. The audio/video versions of the talk has some differences from the text from which we spoke. You can find a link to the text of the talk by clicking here.
If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here.
If you would like to subscribe to my Substack, click here.
Be well and much love,
Bill Kerley
In order to view or download the presentation slides, click here.
Ordinary Life Talk for
October 19, 2025
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“The Stranger at the Door”
Dear Ones -
The title we gave to the teaching offered in Ordinary Life this week was -
The Stranger At The Door
I began by sharing an invitation to engage in an active imagination where Justice comes to see me for a counseling session. What is on Justice’s mind? Why is he seeking therapy? Dr. Holly Hudley, who co-taught with me, offers her responses. Her explanation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, especially its origins, is enlightening.
“Justice” means that which is right or equitable.
I tell of our visit to see the Magna Carta in Lincoln, England and its use in the founding documents of this country - as well as how far in this present time we have drifted from it. When checks and balances no longer check or balance, something other than justice is being done.
That’s a brief summary. The audio/video versions of the talk has some differences from the text from which we spoke. You can find a link to the text of the talk by clicking here. On the Ordinary Life website you can also find links to the audio and video of the time.
If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here.
If you would like to subscribe to my Substack, click here.
Be well and much love,
Bill Kerley
In order to view or download the presentation slides, click here.
Ordinary Life Talk for
October 5, 2025
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“Nothing. Nobody. Nowhere”
This is a reflection on the first three Beatitudes. They are about having humility. The Beatitudes represent a cosmological shift in human consciousness toppling the patriarchy, social hierarchies, and divided political systems; they are about an inner transformation and not some future reward. We are called to live by faith and to have the poverty of spirit that opens us up to grace. The teaching ends with the Zen story of the stone cutter.
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.
Ordinary Life Talk for
September 28, 2025
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“A Theological Earthquake”
This is the beginning of a series on verses that are known as “the Beatitudes.” These teachings tell us that even in this crazy, complicated world; with all its blatant dishonesty, injustice, fear, and horrors, we can nonetheless find and experience the Sacred. These teachings constitute a radical vision for blessing and belonging. The world Jesus envisioned was not one based on violence, dominance, or merit; but, one based on grace, humility, and a deep longing for peace.
That’s a brief summary. The audio/video versions of the talk has some differences from the text from which we spoke.
You can find a link to the text of the talk by clicking here. On the Ordinary Life website you can also find links to the audio and video of the time.
If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here.
If you would like to subscribe to my Substack, click here.
Be well and much love,
Bill Kerley
In order to view or download the presentation slides, click here.
“Thinking With Our Hearts”
Ordinary Life Talk for
September 21, 2025
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Dear Ones -
It is based on one of the most powerful and provocative of parables told about Jesus by his early followers. It is the story of four people who took a man for healing to a place where Jesus was. Not able to get through to Jesus because of the crowd, they took the man up to the roof, opened a hole in the roof and let the man down. No one was upset by any of this except the “religious elites.” In the story Jesus could sense what they were thinking and asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?”
The story is so applicable to our time and culture. Not only are we not thinking clearly with our minds, we seem - at the leadership level - not to be using our hearts at all. Those of us who see to walk the “Wayless Way” can offer a different model.
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.
“Walking on Water”
Ordinary Life Talk for
September 14, 2025
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Dear Ones -
For those of you in the Houston area be aware that our Ordinary Life Happy Hours resume this Saturday evening. See the events page for details.
The title I gave the teaching I offered in Ordinary Life this week is
Walking on Water
This was a continuation of what I began last week of our being in a “Calvary Moment” in our country and globally. Our situation is hopeless and there is a solution. The solution is to do the work of recovery which, paradoxically, is both work and a gift. People in recovery frequently say that it is a miracle that they survived their addiction. So, too, for us collectively. Because we are living at a level where we do not have the emotional intelligence skills to live. Augustine says, “God is always trying to give good things to us but our hands are too full to receive them.”
That’s a brief summary. The audio/video versions of the talk has some significant differences from the text from which I spoke. You can find a link to the text of the talk by clicking here. On the Ordinary Life website you can also find links to the audio and video of the time.
If you are interested in making a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here.
If you would like to subscribe to my Substack, click here.
Be well and much love,
Bill Kerley
In order to view or download the presentation slides, click here.
“Breathing Underwater”
Ordinary Life Talk for September 7, 2025
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Dear Ones -
We are in the process of transitioning to a “new look” for our website. Patience, please.
The title I gave the teaching I offered in Ordinary Life this week is
Breathing Under Water
In our current culture we seek to survive in an environment that seems impossible for human flourishing. The way we learn to breathe under water is by transcending religion and reclaiming spirituality. To do this we need to know about and willingly participate in the process of deconstruction and confront the reality that ours is an addicted society.
That’s a brief summary. The audio/video versions of the talk has some significant differences from the text from which I spoke. You can find a link to the text of the talk by clicking here.
Just to the left of this column you’ll find links to the audio file, a video player link, and the link to the Ordinary Life Podcasts.
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! https://my.stpaulshouston.org/Give/ordinary-life
Be well and much love,
Bill Kerley