SUNDAY LECTURE | Ants 'n Roses

September 1, 2024 Bill Kerley

Dear Ones -

I called the teaching I offered this week -

Ants ’n Roses

It is a teaching about the importance of epistemology and hermeneutics. How do we know what we know and what is the meaning of what we think we know? When it comes to religion and spiritual work, this is important because our image and understanding of “god” shapes us. It is from science we learn that there is a creative, energizing, knowing presence embedded in all things. When it comes to the Christian tradition it is helpful to remember that there has not ever been one single or unified way to interpret the Bible and, also, not one word of the Bible was written with us in mind. What is asked of us is openness, honesty, and a willingness to change.

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

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.

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!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ordinary Life is exploring new ways to foster community, connection, service, and care in our community. To that end, we are launching a monthly community newsletter that will highlight announcements, events, and joys/concerns. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, please visit this link to add your name to the list. Rest assured that whether you opt-in to this newsletter or not, you will continue to receive the weekly class previews and summaries for Ordinary Life.

St Paul’s is beginning a “Stephen Ministry” program. Stephen Ministry is a caring ministry that equips and empowers trained lay care givers to provide one-on-one care to those going through difficult times such as grief, divorce, job loss, illness, relocation, and other life-changing circumstances. For more information on how to receive care or serve as a Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Melinda Owens at mowens@stpaulshouston.org

Be well and much love,

Bill Kerley

To view or download the text version of the talk, click here.

To view or download the presentation slides, click here.

To view or download the announcement slides, click here.

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

SUNDAY LECTURE | Walking With Thomas Merton

August 25, 2024 Bill Kerley

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

* * *

Summary of Ordinary Life for August 25, 2024

* * *

Dear Ones -

Wow! What a wonderful day for Ordinary Life this past Sunday.

Barbara Robberson did an outstanding job with her presentation on “Walking With Thomas Merton.” She said, among other things, that the life of the soul is not knowledge but love and quoted Jim Finley, an authority on Merton, as saying that one of the most important questions for spiritual practice is asking, “Can I join God in knowing who God knows me to be?” One of our goals in doing spiritual work is to see the world through God’s eyes and then act accordingly. If you would like to view or download a copy of the prayer Barbara’s reflection was based on, click here. Thank you Barbara!

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

If you would like to watch the video of today’s class, use the YouTube video link below.

Then, in the afternoon we had the rare and wonderful opportunity to hear virtuoso Rob Landes at the piano. Rob was entertaining and informative. As I looked around the room all I saw were smiles. It was just great.

The registration for our time with Dr. Jacqui Lewis is now “live.” She will be giving the sermon at both services on Sunday, September 22nd. The two of us will be dialoguing during the Ordinary Life hour. Then, she will be doing a program from one to three on Sunday afternoon. There is a registration fee for that. If you elect to live-stream, you will be sent a link shortly before the program begins. Her topic is -

Fierce Love and Toxic Politics

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

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

WEEKLY PODCAST | In Between.165

August 22, 2024 Bill Kerley

“Weekly” is a misnomer right now. We haven’t uploaded a podcast in a while. I guess I can just chalk it up to “summer.”

So here we are, trying to find our groove again, and Bill’s ending comment is, “Have you ever had to diagram a sentence?” His point is, “Can you find the subject/verb agreement in this podcast?” You tell us! We tugged on quite a few threads, and in my non-linear brain, they all connect somehow.

I will say this: when Bill asked, “What’s lighting you up these days?” I was feeling kind of meh, kind of uninspired. But every single time I finish a conversation with this man, I am not uninspired. Pick one of the threads and follow it. Google it all the way down. Buy a new book about it or draw a picture.

Here are a few topics to consider:

Ramon Panikkar
Constantine
Lady Anne Conway
Disc Galaxies vs. Spiral Galaxies
Bill’s real age
Hermeneutics
George Bush’s paintings
Elephants

Now, write a short story that includes all these themes, and you will be on track with our podcast! We aim to get back on track with our podcasts and hope you will join us!

SUNDAY LECTURE | Putting Away Childish Things

August 18, 2024 Bill Kerley

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

* * *

Summary of Ordinary Life for August 18, 2024

* * *

Dear Ones -

I really want to encourage you to make room in your schedule to come and hear renown pianist Rob Landes this coming Sunday afternoon at four o’clock. Rob’s accomplishments are considerable. He is widely known as a pianist, organist, harpist, arranger, conductor and published composer. He made his “debut” on the Art Linkletter program at age four. He has done musical arrangements for Liza Minnelli and Marilyn Maye. He conducted the Count Basie Orchestra and the Buddy Rich Band in concert with Marilyn Maye in one of Rich’e last concerts. In short: he is a talent not to be missed. I promise you, you are in for a real treat when you come to hear Rob play this Sunday at four. The concert will be in Fondren Hall in the Jones Building on St. Paul’s Campus.

As for this week in Ordinary Life: In the process of “growing up” each of us heard three phrases at one time or the other. They are: grow up, wake up, clean up. These words can be used as a summary for what spiritual work is all about What I offered this will is an elaboration on this.

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

The registration for our time with Dr. Jacqui Lewis should go “live” this week. She will be giving the sermon at both services on Sunday, September 22nd. The two of us will be dialoguing during the Ordinary Life hour. Then, she will be doing a program from one to three on Sunday afternoon. There is a registration fee for that. If you elect to live-stream, you will be sent a link shortly before the program begins. Her topic is -

Fierce Love and Toxic Politics

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 view or download the text 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 just listen to today’s talk, use the audio player link below.