WEEKLY PODCAST | In Between.147

It will be impossible for us to condense the Christmas Story into 45 minutes, but what we hope to do is leave you with enough spinning around in your imagination to mull over it for a little while.

We are invited into the story to imagine ourselves there and ask what role(s) do we see ourselves in. What role(s) do we aspire to see ourselves in? The nativity represents the birth of transformation, and the story is made more radical after Jesus’ death. He needed a miraculous entry into the world just as he needed a miraculous exit. At the time of Jesus’ birth, stories about virgin births were not entirely unusual, so why has this one stuck with us for so long?

One of the ways we can engage with “truth” is by exploring the multiple layers it offers, and though it may sound ironic, the more truths a story has, the “truer” it becomes. Do not confuse true with factual, by the way! We hope to see you Sunday and can’t wait to hear what character(s) you identify with!

SUNDAY LECTURE | We Need To Change the Water. What Water?

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

* * *

Summary of Ordinary Life for December 3, 2023

* * *

Dear Ones -

One overall goal for all wise and useful religious instruction is that we move from mindless practices to “mindful mysticism.” David Foster Wallace, the post-modern novelist, told the story of an older fish swimming by two young fish. As he did so, the older fish asked, “So, how’s the water?” After he was gone, one of the young fish turned to the other and said, “What the hell is water?”

This week’s talk in Ordinary Life is about how we must become aware of and take responsibility for the water in which we swim. The questions of faith, for any faith, are: who am I? who are you? and, how are we to live?

I end this talk by telling the story of my encounter with a woman who had the nativity scene tattooed on her chest.

The title I gave the time was -

We Need To Change the Water. What Water?

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

As usual, the audio version of the talk has some differences from the text I spoke from. You can find the text of the talk, the presentation slides and the audio version of the talk using the links below.

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

If you would like to know how to make a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here for video instructions.

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.

To download or 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.

WEEKLY PODCAST | In Between.146

Advent is upon us, the season of light, of waiting for the light, tending to it. It is such a cool thing to behold that the darkest season is also the brightest one, which holds promise, renewal, and rebirth. Of course with all of these comes a certain death. To enter the light is to come out of the darkness; to be born is to allow something to die.

Bill is concerned that we are losing ourselves, our sense of democracy and integrity; I am concerned we have lost the feminine. The advent season leans into the feminine, a sense of patient anticipation that gets things born. What is stirring in you? Can you lean into that? If not, what is stopping you?

We’ll talk about this more when we co-teach on December 10th. Until then, check out Bill’s sermon from Sunday, November 26th HERE.

Fra Angelico, “The Annunciation”

SUNDAY LECTURE | Now Thank We All

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

* * *

Summary of Ordinary Life for November 26, 2023

* * *

Dear Ones -

Wow! The response I’ve had via e-mail, text, and in person to this week’s presentation in Ordinary Life has been stunning and wonderful. I had ask six individuals to come and share their experiences and history with Ordinary Life. The people who spoke were: Jim Smith, Lynn Schroth, Jack Bellows, Shawn Nemeth, Kim Monday, Brian Powers, and Steve Garris. Each presentation was unique and wonderful. I thank each of them for their willingness to do this. All Ordinary Life attendees are wonderful and these six were, I think, a good representation of the class. Again, thank you.
I was preaching in both services today, so it was terrific to have these folks step and share their thoughts with our class.

That’s a 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 would like to know how to make a contribution to Ordinary Life, click here for video instructions.

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

To view or download the presentation slides, click here.

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

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

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

You can click here to access the audio and video of today’s 11am Service Sermon. Click here for the text version.