Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1552c963.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="mailto:wmeades@gmail.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:wmeades@gmail.com"><U><IMG SRC="6799c150.png" border=0 width="156" height="21" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.c"><U>Practical Spirituality Blog</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="counseling.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Counseling"><U>Making an Appointment</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="printableform.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Forms"><U>Information Form</U></A> </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directions to Office"><U>Map to My Office</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="speaking.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Speaking and Teaching"><U>Speaking and Teaching</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="enneagram.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Enneagram"><U>The Enneagram</U></A> <A HREF="enneagram.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Enneagram"><U> </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.wfmhc.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wfmhc.org/"><U>Waco Foundation for Mental Health Care</U></A></div> <div> <B>____________________</B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practical Spirituality"><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="aboutme.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Me and My Work"><U>About Me and My Work</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personalspiritualdevelopment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal and Spiritual Development"><U>Personal and Spiritual Development</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="helpfularticles.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Helpful Articles"><U>Helpful Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="booksummaries.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Summaries"><U>Book Summaries</U></A></div> <div> <A 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BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="5" CELLSPACING="10" WIDTH="753" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#660033" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 331 WIDTH="151"><bR> <div> <A HREF="#announcements" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U><B>Announcements</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#two_favorite_quotes" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U><B>Two Favorite Quotes</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#a_book_that_has_shaped_me_" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U><B>A Book that has shaped me</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_eades_essay" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U><B>The Eades Essay</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#a_website_to_explore" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U><B>A Website to Explore</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#recipe_for_chocolate" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U><B>Recipe with Chocolate</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>                                                     </B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="25f2c3c0.png" border=0 width="300" height="316" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>     </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Volume One</div> <div> Number Three</div> <bR> <bR> <div> December 1, 2004</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 369 ><NOBR><div> <B> <A NAME="announcements"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Announcements</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#___" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U>back to top</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="530"><div> <B>Question: Do you care about the chocolate recipes?  I thought it sounded like a clever idea at first....   Two of my "editors" have insisted that I keep this feature, but I need stories to go with the recipes.  Would it be okay with you if I make up interesting stories ("A box full of these brownies was sitting on the seat beside me when I was in a car accident.  The box flew up between my head and the windshield and prevented severe injury....).  I'd like to know what you think.  I don't want to drop this feature if it is meeting deep spiritual needs.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>*****</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Waco Foundation for Mental Health Care continues to wander in the desert known as the IRS.  We hope to convince them soon that we are not a front for illegal activities and be awarded our non-profit status.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>*****</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In the book section I ask for your input concerning books that have had a significant impact.  Please send me your suggestions and a brief explanation of why you believe the book matters.</B></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 141 WIDTH="151"><div>  <A NAME="two_favorite_quotes"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Two Favorite Quotes</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#___" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U>back to top</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="530"><div> <B>You know you've invented your own god when god ends up hating the same people you hate.    </B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Angela Hackett</B></div> <div> <B>(Baylor student)  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here.</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Stephen Bishop</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>   </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 272 WIDTH="151"><div>  <A NAME="a_book_that_has_shaped_me_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>A Book that has shaped me</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Do you have a book you'd like others to be aware of?  Send me the title and a few words on why this book matters to you.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="#___" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U>back to top</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2><NOBR><bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="515" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 228 ><NOBR><div>  <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=practicalspir-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1570629218&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lc1=0000ff&bg1=ffffff&bc1=&lt1=_blank&f=ifr" width="120" height="240" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>  </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="325"><div> <U>The Places that Scare You</U></div> <div> by Pema Chodron</div> <bR> <div> I've come to describe Pema Chodron as the Buddhist Henri Nouwen.  She does a wonderful job of explaining basic Buddhist concepts and applying them to every day situations.</div> <bR> <div> This book not only has been helpful in teaching me about the Buddhist approach to spirituality, but has pushed me to reflect more deeply on the Christian tradition in which I was raised.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 1296 WIDTH="151"><div>  <A NAME="the_eades_essay"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Eades Essay</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#___" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U>back to top</U></A></div> <bR> <div> These essays are a compilation of ideas that I've been promising myself to get into book form for years now.  Each edition of the newsletter will feature a single, brief chapter.  The working title for this expedition is</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B> </B></I><I><B>When Faith </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Doesn't Work: </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Practical Reflections </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>for the Journey.</B></I><I><B>  </B></I></div> <div> (c) Eades, 2004</div> <bR> <div> As new editions of the newsletter are published, archives will be available at <A HREF="id332_newsletter_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practical Spirituality Newsletter"><U><B>Newsletter Archives</B></U></A><B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> You are welcome to copy and distribute if you properly reference this site as the source.</div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="530"><div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="502" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 205 WIDTH="490"><div>  </div> <div> The goal of these essays is to reach the following three audiences:</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700b4ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">regular folks</B></I> who find that their faith and religon have been pushed to the side because spiritual things don't seem very relevant to their lives.</div> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700b4ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">therapists</B></I> who've never had much formal training in how faith and religion can shape a person and how to respond to religious dilemmas.</div> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700b4ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">ministers</B></I> who struggle to find fresh ways to communicate ancient and wise perspectives on how to live a life that matters.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The introduction to the series can be read here: </B><A HREF="v01n01_the_eades_essay.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 1, November 1, 2004"><U><B>The Eades Essay</B></U></A></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>What Faith is NOT: Part 2</B></div> <div> <B>The Misperception of Faith as Leading to Less Pain</B></div> <div>                </div> <div> I recall thinking as a fairly young person something like, "If God really wanted to sell this whole Christianity thing, you'd think he'd work it so that Christians are happier and healthier than everyone else."  This way of thinking has roots in both the Old Testament and in the protestant work ethic (that some argue provided the religious fuel for America's frantic drive towards materialism). </div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="5" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="525" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 160 WIDTH="306"><div> Since most of us would like to be protected from the dangers of life, it is not unusual for us to want our religion to provide some of that protection.  In fact, there are those in virtually every religion who insist that believers in their set of facts have better lives than everyone else (though these are never, I would argue, the most mature expressions of the religion in question).  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 WIDTH="196"><div> <B>God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The New Testament book of      Matthew, </B><B>Chapter 5, verse 45</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> It doesn't take long for the observant person to see that God doesn't do a very good job of simply blessing the good guys and whacking the bad guys.   And yet, it is amazing to me how tolerant I can be of this obvious injustice, until it hits me close to home.  I seem to be able to rock along quite nicely, fully aware that hundreds of innocent children die of starvation every day.  Yet if something painful happens to ME, or to someone I love, the injustice leaps into bold relief.  Furthermore, miraculous healings and personal transformations, I've discovered, seem to occur with as much regularity outside the fences of my religion as they do within.  Again, this seems like an embarrassing oversight on the part of a God who surely is trying to convince the world that my religion is the best religion.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="534" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 142 WIDTH="349"><div> All folks who stay on a spiritual journey eventually have to come to grips with the fact that faith doesn't grant any special privileges.  In fact, mature religious faith will generally be a source of discomfort, if not outright pain.  Those who aren't willing to swallow this rather annoying concept usually either reject religious faith altogether or relegate it to a set of comforting religious practices that bring order to life. </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 WIDTH="174"><bR> <div> <B>Christians know that Christianity is simply extended training in dying early.</B></div> <div> <B>    </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </B></FONT></div> <div> <B>Stanley Hauerwas (See note)</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Questions to consider:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What DO I think about the place of pain in the life of faith?</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Was I taught, directly or indirectly, that I could expect a less difficult life if my faith was "right?"</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">How do the current painful circumstances of my life effect my faith?</div> <div>     </div> <div> If, as I'm insisting, faith has nothing to do with believing information or avoiding pain, then what does it mean to have faith?  There are many, many thoughtful reflections on this question.  I'd like to focus on two:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Faith is living "as if ."</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Faith is what gets you up in the morning.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Next Issue: </B><I><B>Faith is living "as if"</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>---------------------------------------------</B></I></div> <div> Note:  Hauerwas, Stanley.  "Abortion, Theologically Understood," in The Hauerwas Reader, John Berkman and Michael Cartwright, eds.  Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2001, pp. 603-622, p. 614</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 278 WIDTH="151"><div>  <A NAME="a_website_to_explore"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>A Website to Explore</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#___" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U>back to top</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2><NOBR><bR> <div> <I><B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="530" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 234 ><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="2c012e40.png" border=0 width="274" height="228" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="245"><div> <I><B>Following the Star</B></I> provides online daily readings for the Advent season.  The content is always creative and thoughtful.  If you'd like a daily reminder to help you prepare for the season, then this site's for you.</div> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></I></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033 HEIGHT= 573 WIDTH="151"><div>  <A NAME="recipe_for_chocolate"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Recipe with Chocolate</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>because Chocolate IS a spiritual experience</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#___" TITLE="Volume 1, Number 3, December 1, 2004"><U>back to top</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="530"><div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="496" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 52 WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="52" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#660033><NOBR><div> <B>Each edition of this newsletter will feature a </B></div> <div> <B>recipe that includes Chocolate.   </B></div> <div> <I><B>Please send me your favorite chocolate oriented recipe.</B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="40"><div> '</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Brownie Drops</B></div> <div> <B>from Karen Waters</B></div> <bR> <div> Karen tells me that this recipe comes from her aunt who did something very special for her when she was a child.  On cold mornings her aunt would sit on the commode in order to warm it so Karen's little tush wouldn't have to deal with the cold shock first thing in the morning.  Karen thinks her aunt got this recipe out of <I><B>Progressive Farmer</B></I>. She always mailed these to Karen when she was older because they are more like brownies than cookies, and they don't break. Enjoy.</div> <bR> <div> 1/4 cup shortening</div> <div> 1 cup sugar</div> <div> 1/2 tsp. vanilla</div> <div> 1 egg</div> <div> 1.5 cups sifted flour</div> <div> 2 tsp baking powder</div> <div> 1/2 tsp salt</div> <div> 1/2 cup cocoa</div> <div> 1/2 cup milk</div> <div> 1/2 cup chopped nuts or halves</div> <bR> <div> Cream shortening and sugar. Add vanilla and egg; beat well. Sift together dry ingredients and alternately with milk, mixing well. If you want to use chopped nuts stir them in. Drop from teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. If using nut halves, press the nut half into each cookie. Bake in a moderate oven (350) about 12 minutes. Cool.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>