We Believe In One God

This is the first phrase of the Nicene Creed.

I suspect that the writers of the creed assumed belief in God and meant to make the point that they believe in ONE God. But before I tackle that part of the issue, it seems relevant to consider the question of belief in God. It can not be assumed that people believe in God or not, or what they mean by that.

However, while the question of belief in God may often be relevant, sometimes I think it gets in the way.

I've had people indicate that they don't believe in God, only to go on to express what sounds to me like belief in what I understand to be God. I think my understanding of who or what God is may differ from theirs.

On the other hand I've had a person talk about things they don't believe (things they apparently think church represents that I strongly disagree with), then go on to say they believe in God. That's fine. But I'm not sure what they mean when they say they believe in God. Their understanding of the meaning of church seems so far removed from mine that I'm hesitant to make assumptions.

Furthermore I have a co-worker who, because of statements they've made, I perceive to be atheist. Yet when I've referred to them as such, they've objected. I don't think they object primarily (if at all) because they wish to claim some belief in God. They indicate they object because they see the label as a way to unduly define and categorize.

I think they may be onto something. Statements of belief in God or non-belief in God call for more explanation. We might find we have more in common with those across the divide of our labels than we think. Sometimes we might find we have less in common than we would expect with those who use the same terms as we do. Either way, the labels and terminology shouldn't be allowed to stand in the way of supporting each other's pursuits in developing and nurturing our spiritual lives and connections. I wonder how often they do.

History & Context Disclaimer

As I set out to comment on creedal statements and beliefs, I want to acknowledge that there is a lot of history associated with many creeds. I would need to do much reading and work to do a well informed job of interpreting the creeds within the relevant historical (and other) contexts. Though I would like to take on that task, it's a much bigger task than I have in mind for this blog. Here I simply intend to shoot from the hip about my reactions and thoughts related to each of the statements that I treat.

Me and the L Word

I've been thinking about some of the things I might say about what I believe. I think some of it will sound troublesomely liberal or even heretical to some people. Some may think I've been led astray and lost my faith. To some people, what I'm likely to say will make me one of "them" instead of one of "us." I know that kind of perspective from experience.

But I don't see it that way anymore. Though I might not believe some of the specifics I used to believe, I find that the changes in my beliefs have expanded and strengthened my spiritual life and relationship with God. You don't have to see everything the same way I do or agree with everything (or anything) I say. But at least I want to let you know this.

Writing Topics

The things on my mind are not always interesting topics for a blog. Even if they could be I'm not always compelled to write about them nor I do I believe I'm necessarily ready to write about them in a compelling way. So, if I'm going to make a routine out of writing I need some topics.

I have some I hope to try out.

• Creeds and catechisms - The Curious Monk has proposed a Wikicreedia project. Maybe I'll do some writing on my beliefs on specific topics that could will be my personal version of this and a contribution to the nurture of that project.
• The Gospel of the Week - I heard last week's gospel at church differently than I've heard it in the past and the sermon had some points I'd like to ponder further. It would be good for me to re-immerse myself in the Bible so as to explore and perhaps reclaim some of its contents from the perspective of the place my spiritual path has taken me.
• I have some other ideas too...but...5 min are up. And I suspect you don't really care to read about what I MIGHT do.

I35W Bridge

A couple days ago my family and I walked over the 10th Ave bridge to see the work on the I35W bridge construction.

I was fascinated and could have stayed all day. My family tired of it sooner than I.

I realized that what I like about watching the bridge under construction are the same things I like about many other things I'm interested in.

There's an amazing juxtaposition of the grand scale with smaller details.
There are a myriad of facts, implications, questions and meanings associated with each of these levels of detail.
There are many perspectives from which to look - both physically and otherwise.

Adult vs Family Vacations

My husband and I have spent plenty time bicycling and camping in conditions that would push the limits of most people's comfort and tolerance.

Sometimes it's seemed we've biked and camped more in the dark and on the edge of the seasons than any other time of day or year.

Rain, snow, dark and cold....all familiar conditions for bicycle touring and camping.

It wasn't always fun. But I enjoyed it enough that I was always willing to go again. I think my husband always enjoyed it more than I did.

Without kids I'd still be out there doing all kinds of things that I'm not up for with kids.

We've made some trips with the kids that haven't gone well.
That's my assessment, not necessarily my husbands. He wouldn't deny the adverse conditions we encountered, they just don't bother him as much.

For me it becomes too much work to be worth it.

If its just me I'm taking care of I can manage that and enjoy the accomplishment. But when I have to cope with whatever physical and emotional challenge the adventure has brought our way AND function as a parent in that same challenging context; responding to the physical, emotional and relational dynamics that implies, it pushes it past my limits of desirability. It's no longer a vacation. It's no longer much fun.

Did I mention that we haven't decided what we'll do for vacation this year?

Goals - the short list

Two unrelated people recently suggested I make my goals a shorter more attainable list.

I've been told this many times actually. I never do it.

I can't find enough of my goals that I'm willing to give up. Which of the things on my list don't I really really want to do, or feel I have to do? Not enough to get the list down to an achievable level.

So I continue on in frustration, with my to do list hanging over my head, keeping me feeling too busy, always behind, never satisfied.

But why? If things aren't going to get done anyway, why maintain an unrealistic expectation? Why hold illusions?

I understand a little bit about why I do it. But that's another topic.

Somehow, this time, I'm hoping, maybe I've heard the message a little louder than usual. It's starting to make a little more sense.

Yet as I think about tomorrow, I strongly sense the likelihood of having a longer list than I can achieve...and I'm not sure how to get out of it. I'll try.