Claimed, gathered and sent

Left-Hand Column Cases distinguish mental models from actual conversation. The Ladder of Inference show mental models formed if rungs are skipped. Both are tools “to uncover, test, and change your mental models and those of others” (Erickson, p. 8). The Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia is my next stop after Regent; I thought. My confidence came from God’s past leadings. I deemed excellent public transportation essential for my husband. Preconceived notions came from trips up the Ladder of Inference. The Left Hand Column Case applied when asked why I chose Philadelphia . My unspoken belief was Philadelphia was superior to Gettysburg . Some of the church’s best theologians and musicians taught at Philly. Gettysburg has two academic options: grades or pass/fail, making some doubt the academic standards. “Instinctively making sense of a situation is a valuable survival skill … this process of inference also describes the structure of prejudice and stereotyping” (Erickson, p....

Discuss how one who is certain that Matthew 12:30, John 14:6 and Revelation 3:15-19 are true might be able to "suspend their certainty" in order to dialog with one who holds that all religions point to the same God. This was the question presented to us and this is my answer. “We become trapped in the theater of our thoughts … losing touch with the larger reality …” (Senge, 2006, p. 225). Spiritual pride and arrogance further hinder honest communication. Laying aside attitudes of certainty and pride, truly listening to another, we are much more effective witnesses. Bohm’s step three is challenging when the conversation only involves two people, unless we listen to God’s voice through the Holy Spirit. “…the Father … will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth … you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you John 14:16-17 (Today’s New International Version). God does not need defending. Ministering to Muslim universi...

Each fall for 15 years, up to 100 people gathered every Wednesday night at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee, to explore the meaning of the Sacred Journey. Led by the Rev. Dr. Douglass M. Bailey, the participants in the class listened and talked about their own journey and the journey of others. The class affirmed the individual nature of each journey and each person's need to explore the questions that can shape their path. The people who journeyed together each fall learned about prayer, community, death and resurrection. They heard questions and reflections from others, and through them came to a better understanding of their own spiritual growth. We have included an overview of the Journey material here in hopes that some of the ideas may help you on your own Spiritual path. The questions are meant for you to ask yourself and those traveling with you. Use those that are meaningful to you as guideposts, pointing down a road you may not yet have explored. Journey wit...

Here is a link to the lectionary readings and prayers for this week in preparation for the 2nd Sunday in Advent. It's from the Lutheran Zephyr blog. The link is http://www.lutheranzephyr.com/main/2007/12/daily-prayer-ar.html

I don't know about anyone else, but I find it so easy to go into a situation with preconceived ideas, assumptions, what are called mental models in systems theory. Here's a short post about that. Hold biblical assumptions suspended. Otherwise, you will be stuck in defense mode and not really hear what the other person is debating...listening to their contradictions to your beliefs, you may learn something new. Holding your assumptions… just means that you are exploring other possible meanings. (Stewart, 2007, Para 5) Imagine…we could even be wrong in our assumptions and preconceptions. I blush when I consider my dogmatism of thirty years ago regarding truth and those issues/beliefs that determined who was in or out of God’s kingdom. “In dialogue people actually feel as if they are building something, a new deeper understanding…Choosing to view adversaries as ‘colleagues with different views’ has the greatest benefits”(Senge, 2006, p. 228). Bridge building rather than wall b...

Yesterday I received my letter of acceptance from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. I will begin Fall 2008 in the MDiv. program. Here is an aerial view of the campus that will be our future home.

Each fall for 15 years, up to 100 people gathered every Wednesday night at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee, to explore the meaning of the Sacred Journey. Led by the Rev. Dr. Douglass M. Bailey, the participants in the class listened and talked about their own journey and the journey of others. The class affirmed the individual nature of each journey and each person's need to explore the questions that can shape their path. The people who journeyed together each fall learned about prayer, community, death and resurrection. They heard questions and reflections from others, and through them came to a better understanding of their own spiritual growth. We have included an overview of the Journey material here in hopes that some of the ideas may help you on your own Spiritual path. The questions are meant for you to ask yourself and those traveling with you. Use those that are meaningful to you as guideposts, pointing down a road you may not yet have explored. Prayer Pray...

Each fall for 15 years, up to 100 people gathered every Wednesday night at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee, to explore the meaning of the Sacred Journey. Led by the Rev. Dr. Douglass M. Bailey, the participants in the class listened and talked about their own journey and the journey of others. The class affirmed the individual nature of each journey and each person's need to explore the questions that can shape their path. The people who journeyed together each fall learned about prayer, community, death and resurrection. They heard questions and reflections from others, and through them came to a better understanding of their own spiritual growth. We have included an overview of the Journey material here in hopes that some of the ideas may help you on your own Spiritual path. The questions are meant for you to ask yourself and those traveling with you. Use those that are meaningful to you as guideposts, pointing down a road you may not yet have explored. Journey wit...

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the new church year. I have come across an online Advent calendar. This is the URL http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/adventpictures2007.htm. "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Mt 4:16).