Brethren & Sistren, 
                                My mother in law, Judi, is currently in intensive care. The Doctors say she may have had a stroke with serious complications. Please pray for a speedy recovery, that will bring God glory. I do not know of a more faithful, generous and beloved lady. She accepted me as her own from day one. Also remember my wife, Michelle, she is feeling guilt for not getting her help sooner. A simple prayer I learned many years ago is "Lord, show them how much you love them".

I'm specifically thinking of icons here, which have a very unique beauty to them, in my opinion. I don't use images for purposes of worship ... yet ... but I want to hear some opinions.

A question I have: If praying before an icon (or, praying before a specific object) is idolatry, then is praying before "nothing" (or, no specific object) also somehow an idolatry of negation?

I had surgery in late October to repair a SLAP tear, impingement and to correct damage from arthritis. My rehabilitation is going well and I hope to get the all clear to return to work soon. I'm an upholsterer by trade but, haven't worked as one in a long time. Pray as you feel led, that I may bring Him glory wherever He places me. Amen.

The church I attend declared a 6 week series going over 2017 headlines and the proper Christian response to them, as though there is one proper response to such broad, looming issues. I've decided to save the time and gas money by sitting it out. The head pastor is a great guy and the content of his sermons are mostly agreeable, but with his commentary on social or political issues I maintain cynicism...even when I agree with him. I can already tell by the sermon titles that it would be wasted time.

Not surprisingly, he comes from a Western philosophical view on the role of politics and cultural issues. It's neither conservative nor liberal, nor libertarian nor green, but with key philosophical assumptions that present it as just another version of democratic republicanism that we've endured in America for so long. This is not particular of my church only most churches in America fall under this rubric to varying degrees. The social religion of the looming spectre of 21st Century Nice Guy Jesus: grumpy with religious folk, safely predictable, openly and emphatically not racist or sexist. Someone who would hold a "reasonable view" by today's standards; one that would fit well as a foil between two extreme viewpoints on a talk show.

Instead, I had a quick Bible study with the family in the morning. Nothing elaborate, since my kids are on the younger side. It was more to mark the occasion than anything else; to plant a quick flag in the ground for the month or so ahead. It was better than nothing, and it's certainly better than what I would hear for my normal Sunday routine this time.

Yo tribe. This section ought to be full if we are what we say we are, shame!
That was an example of a guilt trip, one of many that my dear psychomom has in her vast armory of manipulative weapons. Weapons used to maintain her status as the center of the known universe.
At eighty and after a lifetime of having a narcissistic personality and other PD's, she is beyond help.
Even the first step is impossible because, perfect people do not make errors.
She grows increasingly ...ehm..difficult. At one time I dreamed of normality but, it was a false hope.
My prayer request is for the  Lord to grant me sufficient grace to cope with her for the time we have left.

As noted in a recent blog post, I am reluctant to set too many precedents on rituals. At the same time, I am aware that we do need to establish something that distinguishes Radix Fidem from the mainstream. It's not that we can't copy from the various traditions, but I sense that we need to be very careful how we adhere to the underlying orientation of our covenant.

That said, I think we need to recognize the difference between inherent expressions of faith versus contextual add-ons. The latter is rather wide open, once we remind ourselves what the former means. In regards the former, I am still deeply stirred by the huge difference between the mainstream traditions and our heart-led connection with nature. I think it would be an embarrassment to forget how that simply must change some of what we might do.

I'm also aware that some future members may find themselves called to faith while living in some urban setting. Additionally, some folks live in extreme climates, where worshiping outside is frankly risky business at least part of the year. Consider Christine, for example, up in Campbell's Bay, Quebec, out west and north from Ottawa. As I write this, it's 15°F and snowing in that area. A hardy soul might spend time outside working, but I'm not sure how many folks will be able to focus on worship in those conditions for very long. I grew up in Alaska, and I can tell you it would have been tough for me, though certainly possible to some extent. It was actually worse in the summer with huge clouds of mosquitoes in some locations.

Either way, we can't afford to lock folks into something they simply cannot do, yet we cannot ignore the fundamentally unique nature of how we approach things. I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts on this. Some issues: ceremonial vestments, weddings, funerals, baptism, communion meal, and other rituals.

Hi everybody!

I am way new to this forum thing.  I don't even know if this will post under "Introduce Yourself" or if it will just land "somewhere".

I beg to differ, Ed, on "older" as I just turned 67.  Yikes!   Can that actually be true?

I have lived in many countries as both Mom and Dad were CIA.  We ended up in Virginia, just outside of DC.  Moved to Iowa when I married the first time and had two beautiful daughters.  Now, I live in central NC where I must say I have never seen such diversity of Nature from our mountains to the coast.  I love it here.

I started programming on punch cards back in the early 70's, designing financial systems and over the years designed, programmed and implemented a whole lotta systems for mom and pops to international corporations.  I was good at it.  Now, I don't know squat about anything computer related because it's been 14 years since (retired 2004) and you know how much things have changed since then.

I LOVE the Lord.  I trust in Him.  I believe His Word and I believe His Son lived on this earth and gave us all the most astounding Gift - Himself.  I try to follow His Lead and His Example, though fail miserably way too many times.  I don't give up though.  It is only in my head that I would ever think I am un-forgiven.  I live according to my heart, where He dwells.  That is the true connection to Him and from Him.

Eight people, three howdy's. Mmmm....
OK then here goes number 4. 
My name is Iain, I'm 54 a countryfried hick, hillbilly or redneck. Whatever, I don't particularly care, you could even call me something rude it's probably true or has been. I don't like country or bluegrass music and have never cared for moonshine (paintstriper). I like what my Grandpappy called Devil music and Pepsi Cola. I can read & cypher. I did not finish HS but, did walk into the local community college one day, ten years later took the test and got a HS diploma. I did not care for school because I was bored senseless. I have read a lot of books. I liked history ,silly adventure novels and anything else but I draw the line at romance. Oh yeah, I don't much like navel gazing, self-help or anything written by a televangelist.
I believe the Bible is the greatest book ever written.
I try to live Deuteronomy 6:5.
Ecclesiastes is the best work on the human condition. Ever.
I believe in Jesus as revealed in the NT but, also have issues with just about every tenet of Western Christianity. I will absolutely not argue with anyone who holds those positions because it's the Holy Spirit's job to change hearts not mine. I guess that's my religion.
I recently bought an old Harley Davidson ironhead sportster which I rode around the house one time before winterizing it. I look forward to spring. I named her Christine after the devil car in the Steven King novel because, my family thinks it will kill me. I do not know how to shut up!

I'd like to start up threads here more often, but as I'm fairly booked as far as time goes, I won't be as active as I'd like to be. I have a blog already, plus I am starting another book. Granted, I'm an elder and admin, and this is a forum; not everything has to originate with me. But also, as an elder, I'd like to set some example. An imperfect, but an example anyways.

I want to chalk things up as one of those things I start but never have enough time for, but I think the idea that this forum is more of a placeholder for now, while we wait on God to move things, is more accurate. I don't want to force His hand. That might be my tendency to excuse myself talking. It certainly comes off that way.

Feel free to input any impressions you have on the state of this forums and its goals. I don't want this completely in my hands.

Reporting live from the igloo that is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (-23 here right now!), my name is Graham. I'm 23 years old, hold a B.A. degree in sociology, and currently work as a cashier at a grocery store (this is all reading rather depressing, which I suppose it is). Pardon the melancholy.

According to numerous takings of the Myers-Briggs personality test, I'm somewhere between an INFJ, INFP, and INTJ.

I enjoy reading and writing, my interests broadly including sociology, philosophy, and religion. I sometimes write poetry. I also enjoy going for night walks, deep conversations, emotional music, and casual/puzzle video games (Peggle, Bejeweled, Tetris, Plants vs. Zombies, to name a few).

I don't claim to belong to any theological tradition, but I believe I've benefited from Christian mystics and "academic" (having trouble thinking of the right word to use here) writers alike. Some of these writers have included: Augustine, G.K. Chesterton. A.W. Tozer, Thomas Merton, Peter L. Berger, and Peter Kreeft. 

Well, that's enough about me! I look forward to using this forum.