gdp's Comments

Seems Like God... : Gramma's Turkey: A Religious Observance?

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:46:40 +0000

Here's a comment sent to me by Lisa C. Reposted by permission: Here's something from Pope Francis's statement today (or which there's a whole lot to quote but I like this one): "Let us go forth, then, let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ. Here I repeat for the entire Church what I have often said to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security." http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2013/11/26/peo... And contrast with, Sarah Palin's recent gaff. http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2013/11/.... No comment...

Seems Like God... : A Statement of Affirmation for People of Faith

Tue, 19 Nov 2013 03:58:32 +0000

I had a conversation with Joelle Renstrom, whose article "Your Belief Here" recently appeared on Killing the Buddha. She had this to say about the Affirmation: I like the simplicity of your statement of affirmation. I think often times people try too hard to explain such ideas, and when they become bogged down they lose their power. I of course can get behind the ideas espoused in your statement. I'll be honest, though, and say that I balk at references to God. I don't call whatever I believe in God. In fact, due to organized religion, the word has a negative connotation for me, as it does for many people. One of the reasons Unitarian appeals so much to me is that it gives one the freedom to use that word/concept, but at the same time isn't deity-centric, and doesn't boil down spirituality or faith to that one entity. I find the word to be suffocating and limiting, rather than expansive and limitless, which is what I know to be the idea. "God" is often a convenient substitute for the rather bulky "or whatever/whomever you happen to believe in," but I struggle with something like "seek God in the people we meet." I don't seek God in anyone. Goodness, yes. Compassion, sure. Openness, connectedness, all kinds of other things, absolutely. As I was exploring in my essay, I've never believed in "God." I suppose I'd call myself agnostic if I had to pick a label--I'd do it for the exact reason Carl Sagan does. There is no evidence that God exists, but there's also no evidence God doesn't exist, so atheism feels too resolute. But agnosticism turns away from the notion of a deity while also leaving room for faith and spirituality, and acknowledging that hey, who knows any of this for sure? Certainly not me! Those are my two cents, for whatever they're worth. But I'm so glad that you're out there thinking and writing about this stuff--that is the most important thing, I think.

John Shearman's Lectionary Resource : USA/Canadian Thanksgiving Day Year C - Season after Pentecost

Sat, 12 Oct 2013 15:01:10 +0000

hi Robert. Although you posted your comment a long time ago, I'm happy to see that you're still active online. I realized that the link to your site in your note above isn't live, so I wanted to add this to make it easier for anyone reading to find you. http://wordwisehymns.com/ Our theologies may differ, but I always appreciate good material and the background you offer on the history of so many hymns is very insightful Thanks David

Seems Like God... : A Statement of Affirmation for People of Faith

Wed, 2 Oct 2013 02:25:32 +0000

thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I hadn't thought of the Affirmation as "compact" but I like the word very much. There are times sometimes when succinctness is what we need. I greatly appreciate your thoughts. And 'm sure that the others who helped to write the Affirmation do as well. David

Kingston ON's Armchair Mayor : Hate a Blemish on the City

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 22:58:43 +0000

here here! couldn't agree more. up to all of us to make those statements and not sit back and ignore hate and criminal action.

David Keating : Does This Count as Bling?

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 03:12:49 +0000

Hi. I think that if it was foot-controlled I'd be thinking about it like pedals and end up pumping them up and down. lol. Used to canoe quite a bit so I'll stick with paddle too.

David Keating : Does This Count as Bling?

Sun, 23 Jun 2013 15:07:52 +0000

Hi Courtnee. (guessing a bit at spelling. Hope I got it right) Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try it. As for the kayag, I'm tempted to see if I can find one of those South Sea things with the outrigger :). But I suppose that would just be more effort to paddle. I've only had time to read a couple of your posts but I intend to read more. I do hope that you'll keep writing them. You have a very personable style and convey your feelings wonderfully. All the best to you and Sweety. David

David Keating : Damn You, Jean Chretien

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:36:08 +0000

I will do my best Teresa . Promise to come fish me out of the water if necessary? :D

Seems Like God... : Taking It On Faith

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:44:34 +0000

HI Richard. Thanks for taking the time to ask such a thought-provoking question. I hope that other visitors will take the time to add their responses. This could be a great discussion. As for me, you've prompted me to dig out an article I wrote many years ago. I need to update it a bit and then I'll post it and see what you think. :) David

Seems Like God... : With All Your …

Mon, 5 Nov 2012 03:21:50 +0000

Hi Sherron. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm actually writing a post on Theos as part of the Panentheism collection. Theos is the word used in the original Greeek of the New Testament. It means more than some white-haired guy on a mountain, which is what most of us think of when use the word "God." That definition of Theos would have been gibberish to the Gospel writers. Theos is "Divinity". The word is genderless. Theos is not a "he." It's also all-encompassing, which is quite contrary to the image we have of some distant deity existing apart from humanity or Creation. This is only a brief reply and I hope you'll add any other thoughts/comments/questions. I hope to have the Theos article up for the end of this week. In the meantime, you might be interested in the Panentheism articles if you haven't already read them. David

Seems Like God... : Stumbling Forward

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:43:10 +0000

"God does not take over, and do, but works in my heart, mind and emotions to help. " Hi Sherron. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I really like the line above. I think it's a great summary of how our relationship with God works David

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:08:32 +0000

[a follow up comment from Steve] Joan’s point is good. I know lots of atheists and agnostics whose lives are quite consistent with the teachings of the Gospel. And when such a person has actually studied the Bible and says that Jesus was an extraordinary teacher whose life had a monumental effect on the world, I acknowledge with gratitude the perception being offered by someone who is constrained from a more ecclesiastical theology

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 02:07:11 +0000

HI Joan. Thank you. For the positive feedback, and for taking the time to comment on this post. Joan said: On the other hand, should we not be seeking to see the good in all lives not just those lived in a 'conscious relationship with God'? A very good distinction. Thanks for bringing it up. To me, the "good in all lives" is the hallmark of a relationship with God, conscious or not. Since I see that relationship as existing - inseverably - in all of us, there are times when I forget to acknowledge that it may often be "unconscious." It may even be a term that some would object to. Joan: Standing up for a just society right where we live is the challenge and not at all glamourous. Exactly my point. And it is, as you say, "hard stuff". We need to ensure that we encourage each other. Acknowledging what we do accomplish is, it seems to me, is critically important in a world that seems to want to take note of only our failures.

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:36:33 +0000

Thanks for the supportive comment Steve. I could not agree with you more in regards to your thoughts. The challenge, I think, is that it seems to be so much easier for us to subscribe to a philosophy that reduces "faith" to a list of do's and dont's. That makes it easy to see who's winning the "contest." That shouldn't be the case - seeing the good "in every life that is lived in a conscious relationship with God" should actually be easier shouldn't it? And yet it seems to be so hard. We need to keep working on it.

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:28:46 +0000

(the following is posted under my name as there was a problem with the commenting tool. - David) A very perceptive piece, David. Sometimes we feel guilty that we've focused our lives on the narrow paths so clearly before us instead of emulating Albert Schweitzer or Robert McClure. We need to see the lives and ministries of such great Christians (and those of other religions) as examples for our own lives--not as something we worship in a form of idolatry and beat ourselves up when we fall short of their example. Perhaps the "life" that Jesus is telling us to lose is that life which fails to see the good in every life that is lived in a conscious relationship with God. In His suggested alternative way of life, everything we do to live out our baptismal covenant is the “eternal life" that God offers; and there's not a "contest" to see who among us has the greater "life." Steve Paul Moen

John Shearman's Lectionary Resource : Year B - Season after Pentecost - Proper 15 Ordinary 20

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:39:12 +0000

Hi Bryan. Thanks for taking the time to comment, and for your follow up post regarding this one. No need to apologize at all. One of the most important aspects of a site like this is, in my opinion, that we can express contrary opinions to one another respectfully and, hopefully, thereby all deepen our relationship with God. I'm not sure if JohnS will be on to respond directly, but I hope that you won't mind if I contribute my own thoughts. To be honest, your reference equating JohnS's comments and the words attributed to "Satan" made me smile. I cannot think of a situation in which I could envision John in such a way. I realize that it's comforting to think of Scripture as nothing more than "plain text". However, I think that the reality is much more complex and wonderful. We don't know that John was "an uneducated fisherman." Nor do we know that, even if he was, that it would have been "impossible" for him to have written the Gospel that bears his name. Those are assumptions, or at best commonly accepted "truisms" that are impossible to confirm. If Scripture were as ordered and precise as you suggest, it would not be possible for there to be thousands of Christian denominations. I'm sure that we can agree that most of the distinctions are matters of relatively minor disagreements on interpretation. You suggest that JohnS's perspective "casts aspersions" on the "whole authority" of Scripture. How is his analysis any less, or more, than one you might make yourself? We are all, after all, human beings finding the Spirit of Theos within texts we call sacred. It seems to me the fact that we can each see something different in the same words, and can share that difference among us, is a more emphatic endorsement of the universality of the Message than any simple agreement on the definition of a few lines of text. I look forward to any reply you might have time to make. David

Seems Like God... : One Body One Spirit

Mon, 6 Aug 2012 13:19:25 +0000

thanks John. I think it's important for people to understand the context of our sacred text. As always, you do a great job in fleshing it out.____As to the question you ask. For me at least, the answer lies in getting back to the core message of the Way - that it's our actions toward one another and the world we live in, rather than the doctrine we follow, that enables that inclusiveness.____There's a challenge there of course, since some, in all religions, fervently believe that their way is the only way. For me, that's one of the "evils" that we're called to resist in the quest for justice.

John Shearman's Lectionary Resource : Year B - Season after Pentecost - Proper 13 Ordinary 18

Sun, 5 Aug 2012 02:43:55 +0000

I found John's commentary very helpful in writing One Body One Spirit, which is online at - http://seemslikegod.org/articles/one-body-one-spi...

Seems Like God... : One Body One Spirit

Sat, 4 Aug 2012 22:38:13 +0000

Thank you so much for your kind words Susan. Most certainly, you are welcome to use any part of any post here. I apprieciate you taking the time to comment. It's always uplifting to know that my few words are helpful in some way. David

Maybe Tomorrow : Paradise

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 01:33:12 +0000

Hi Debbie. This is actually a short. I'm glad you enjoyed it. That's exactly the impression I was going for. Have you looked at my Danaerea material? That's a serialized novel, but I have to admit it's been laying fallow for way too long. http://danaerea.com/archives/richard-redmond-reve... I'd be interested in reading some of what you've written. Of course, you realize you have to wait until you are an old woman before you can write about them, right? :D

gdp's Comments

Seems Like God... : Gramma's Turkey: A Religious Observance?

Seems Like God... : A Statement of Affirmation for People of Faith

John Shearman's Lectionary Resource : USA/Canadian Thanksgiving Day Year C - Season after Pentecost

Seems Like God... : A Statement of Affirmation for People of Faith

Kingston ON's Armchair Mayor : Hate a Blemish on the City

David Keating : Does This Count as Bling?

David Keating : Does This Count as Bling?

David Keating : Damn You, Jean Chretien

Seems Like God... : Taking It On Faith

Seems Like God... : ﻿﻿﻿With All Your …

Seems Like God... : Stumbling Forward

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

Seems Like God... : Saving Our Lives ... and the World

John Shearman's Lectionary Resource : Year B - Season after Pentecost - Proper 15 Ordinary 20

Seems Like God... : One Body One Spirit

John Shearman's Lectionary Resource : Year B - Season after Pentecost - Proper 13 Ordinary 18

Seems Like God... : One Body One Spirit

Maybe Tomorrow : Paradise

Seems Like God... : With All Your …