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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
“I know plenty of people who find God most reliably in books, in buildings, and even in other people. I have found God in all of these places too, but the most reliable meeting place for me has always been creation. Since I first became aware of the Divine Presence in that lit-up field in Kansas, I have known where to go when my own flame is guttering. To lie with my back flat on the fragrant ground is to receive a transfusion of the same power that makes the green blade rise. To remember that I am dirt and to dirt I shall return is to be given my life back again, if only for one present moment at a time.”
“What I noticed at Grace-Calvary is the same thing I notice whenever people aim to solve their conflicts with one another by turning to the Bible: defending the dried ink marks on the page becomes more vital than defending the neighbor. As a general rule, I would say that human beings never behave more badly toward one another than when they believe they are protecting God. In the words of Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas, 'People of the Book risk putting the book above people.”
“...I had arrived at an understanding of faith that had far more to do with trust than with certainty. I trusted God to be God even if I could not say who God was for sure. I trusted God to sustain the world although I could not say for sure how that happened. I trusted God to hold me and those I loved, in life and in death, without giving me one shred of conclusive evidence that it was so.”
“Stop for one whole day every week, and you will remember what it means to be created in the image of God, who rested on the seventh day not from weariness but from complete freedom. The clear promise is that those who rest like God find themselves free like God, no longer slaves to the thousand compulsions that send others rushing toward their graves.”
This is the fourth book I have read by Taylor. I have always found her writing helpful for my faith life. She is often writing about things I am thinking about already. I seem to pick up her books at just the right time. This book was written about 15 years ago, but it was the right book for me during this pandemic. I think many faithful people are experiencing this health crisis as a turning point in our churches.
I just read that a Pew study determined that only 65% of Americans presently identify as Christian. That number has been shrinking for decades and I believe COVID-19 has negatively affected that number. I believe that the political stance of some Christians has also adversely changed how many view the church. It is not appropriate to hijack my thoughts about Taylor’s book with a political rant, but I went into this book with concerns about where my church is headed. Taylor’s thoughts about her ministry are now whirling around in my head along with all my other concerns. I am grateful that she shared her doubts and concerns. There is no easy fix, but thanks to her I know I am not alone.
“What I noticed at Grace-Calvary is the same thing I notice whenever people aim to solve their conflicts with one another by turning to the Bible: defending the dried ink marks on the page becomes more vital than defending the neighbor. As a general rule, I would say that human beings never behave more badly toward one another than when they believe they are protecting God. In the words of Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas, 'People of the Book risk putting the book above people.”
“...I had arrived at an understanding of faith that had far more to do with trust than with certainty. I trusted God to be God even if I could not say who God was for sure. I trusted God to sustain the world although I could not say for sure how that happened. I trusted God to hold me and those I loved, in life and in death, without giving me one shred of conclusive evidence that it was so.”
“Stop for one whole day every week, and you will remember what it means to be created in the image of God, who rested on the seventh day not from weariness but from complete freedom. The clear promise is that those who rest like God find themselves free like God, no longer slaves to the thousand compulsions that send others rushing toward their graves.”
This is the fourth book I have read by Taylor. I have always found her writing helpful for my faith life. She is often writing about things I am thinking about already. I seem to pick up her books at just the right time. This book was written about 15 years ago, but it was the right book for me during this pandemic. I think many faithful people are experiencing this health crisis as a turning point in our churches.
I just read that a Pew study determined that only 65% of Americans presently identify as Christian. That number has been shrinking for decades and I believe COVID-19 has negatively affected that number. I believe that the political stance of some Christians has also adversely changed how many view the church. It is not appropriate to hijack my thoughts about Taylor’s book with a political rant, but I went into this book with concerns about where my church is headed. Taylor’s thoughts about her ministry are now whirling around in my head along with all my other concerns. I am grateful that she shared her doubts and concerns. There is no easy fix, but thanks to her I know I am not alone.
This is a story, so eloquently written, about a priest who burned out. The process of the call to priesthood, life in ministry, and a change into "unofficial" ministry. Real talk about emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion--and what she did to rest.
I read this years ago but this time with decidedly different eyes. After years of figuring out that relationship is more important than ritual, this book was a breath of fresh air. So poignant and thought-provoking. Highly recommend.
This is a good book, describing a living, breathing, human faith. Many of her circumstances in leaving her church and the priesthood have close overlaps with some of my experiences. Enough differences in our theologies and personalities caused some distance as I read it.
Not only was this memoir exceptionally well written, but Taylor spoke to me at a time I needed to hear it most. If you're wrestling with staying close to God even as organized religion brings you down, then this is the book for you.
First time reading Barbara Brown Taylor & it won’t be the last time. Thankful for her words, wisdom, and practices she gives at the end of the book. Definitely a reread at some point!
This is a beautifully written book that makes me long to read whole passages to others. The first time I read this book I struggled to hear the author's story because I was in the first years of ordination. Now more than a decade into ordained ministry the author's story reaches me in a new way. I appreciate the author's honest reflection of her internal struggle.
Even though my path is different than the author, so much of her journey is relatable.
Obviously, {or not so obviously} I never pursued the career of being a Minister.
I could especially relate to her discussion of what she experienced when she decided to leave her calling and go into academia. (I was a former college Instructor; and, Program Director for about 23 years.)
I totally could appreciate the passion she experienced for the career she chose for herself, until she felt exhausted by it.
I had that same passion for my career in academia – until the exhaustion overwhelmed me.
When I became involved with our local library, I felt I found a new calling. It was just over a year ago that I left that “calling.” (I wrote this review originally in 2019 for Facebook.)
So much of her story felt personal.
I could relate to some of the things she said as she walked back in to a church after giving up her position as a Lead Minister.
I had a similar experience when I happened to be in the library on the same day my former group was meeting…the same group I use to lead.
With her experience, instead of being at the front of the alter, she was relegated to sitting in the pews. She shared the following observation…
“Wow,” I said, “things look really different from back here.” “You’re used to being in the play”, a fellow parishioner said, “Now you’re watching the play. Welcome to the audience.”
The author goes on to describe her feeling of loss. She shared, “Like the loss of my job, it involved the loss of identity. I no longer had a prime place to sit or a big role to play. I had also lost the beloved community with whom I had worshiped for five and a half years.”
I can totally appreciate this feeling of loss of community.
When I visited the library recently, as I described above, I saw a lot of the people I use to see every week for book group. I shared awkward smiles and appreciated wistful waves. I was also aware of the fact that new people didn’t even know who I was or what I had done at the Library for the previous 12 years. It was a strange self-awareness moment.
When she described her new experience as a college professor, I could relate, as well.
She said, “I hoped that they would like my class. My main concern was there utter transformation. I wanted their education to change their lives, their dreams, and their futures. I wanted them to discover how capable they were, how rich their imaginations were and how much their choices mattered in the grand scheme of things.”
I felt this too for all the years I loved teaching and advising college students.
Whether you are a church going person (doesn’t matter what denomination, religious or spiritual path you follow)… or whether you are looking for a new way to define your personal identity…or whether you are desiring a way to reconcile the change in your life, and/or how to handle it; this may be a great read for you to consider.
You may relate to her journey, too. I certainly did.
Obviously, {or not so obviously} I never pursued the career of being a Minister.
I could especially relate to her discussion of what she experienced when she decided to leave her calling and go into academia. (I was a former college Instructor; and, Program Director for about 23 years.)
I totally could appreciate the passion she experienced for the career she chose for herself, until she felt exhausted by it.
I had that same passion for my career in academia – until the exhaustion overwhelmed me.
When I became involved with our local library, I felt I found a new calling. It was just over a year ago that I left that “calling.” (I wrote this review originally in 2019 for Facebook.)
So much of her story felt personal.
I could relate to some of the things she said as she walked back in to a church after giving up her position as a Lead Minister.
I had a similar experience when I happened to be in the library on the same day my former group was meeting…the same group I use to lead.
With her experience, instead of being at the front of the alter, she was relegated to sitting in the pews. She shared the following observation…
“Wow,” I said, “things look really different from back here.” “You’re used to being in the play”, a fellow parishioner said, “Now you’re watching the play. Welcome to the audience.”
The author goes on to describe her feeling of loss. She shared, “Like the loss of my job, it involved the loss of identity. I no longer had a prime place to sit or a big role to play. I had also lost the beloved community with whom I had worshiped for five and a half years.”
I can totally appreciate this feeling of loss of community.
When I visited the library recently, as I described above, I saw a lot of the people I use to see every week for book group. I shared awkward smiles and appreciated wistful waves. I was also aware of the fact that new people didn’t even know who I was or what I had done at the Library for the previous 12 years. It was a strange self-awareness moment.
When she described her new experience as a college professor, I could relate, as well.
She said, “I hoped that they would like my class. My main concern was there utter transformation. I wanted their education to change their lives, their dreams, and their futures. I wanted them to discover how capable they were, how rich their imaginations were and how much their choices mattered in the grand scheme of things.”
I felt this too for all the years I loved teaching and advising college students.
Whether you are a church going person (doesn’t matter what denomination, religious or spiritual path you follow)… or whether you are looking for a new way to define your personal identity…or whether you are desiring a way to reconcile the change in your life, and/or how to handle it; this may be a great read for you to consider.
You may relate to her journey, too. I certainly did.