tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129299272011-04-21T11:17:10.600-07:00An invitation to step aside, take a deep breath and ponder life differently...jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-61505070395484170052007-12-29T12:23:00.001-08:002007-12-29T12:23:55.308-08:00

Migration has occurred: http://sacredsideways.wordpress.com/

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-87513873914013245592007-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:002007-12-29T11:07:20.422-08:00

It's Saturday and church is around the corner. I'm already battling with my false self, the one that says, "you don't need that!", or "it's a waste of time". I honestly believe these things at times,usually every Saturday and Sunday morning. I think part of it comes from being a washout as a pastor. Too young, too ignorant, too self absorbed. I'm coming to believe that I'm supposed to go

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-10062193442293077042007-12-29T08:52:00.000-08:002007-12-29T08:56:39.366-08:00

Throwing this one out there... The bigger problem we have is not how we "DO" church, but the fact that we have no concept of "WHO" we actually are in Christ. Until we answer this question, how we "DO" church is a prolific distraction keeping us from discovering and growing in our "true" identity. Thoughts, questions, hymnals being thrown at me???

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-41107249564148443782007-12-24T17:37:00.000-08:002007-12-24T17:38:03.276-08:00

"Man is so preoccupied with himself, he has such urgent need of all the space and all the time for his own things, that nothing remains for others, for his neighbor, for the poor, for God,"

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-80822355066599123822007-12-03T06:09:00.000-08:002007-12-03T10:05:48.576-08:00

A friend of mine, Jonathan Brink, wrote an entry on his blog about the need for emergent elders. Great points were made and a biblical scan supports the call for emergent elders in efforts to more fully express who we are as a community. This also has me thinking about the need for emergent theologians. These would be brothers and sisters fascinated by the deep narratives of God's word, His

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-73602201216372956452007-12-02T21:15:00.000-08:002007-12-02T21:18:50.508-08:00

Not much time to blog here these days as I have been reading & writing on other blogs as they offer inspiring dialog.

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-43441602933702564772007-11-25T09:49:00.000-08:002007-11-25T10:04:58.899-08:00

Loneliness, one of the most profound experiences a human can have. The experience of isolation, distance, and disconnect from others. It's Sunday morning, I have showered and readied for church, and this is what I am experiencing. In a few short hours I will be siting with 600 other people... I wonder how many of them experience loneliness? I guess the overcast sky might have something to do

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-83515515264993313172007-11-16T06:47:00.000-08:002007-11-16T06:59:37.996-08:00

Ernst Kasemann, a German theologian, made the following insights:"What causes most trouble for Christians of all ages is not legalism or lack of faith or theological controversies; it is Jesus Himself, who bestows freedom so openhandedly and dangerously on those who do not know what to do with it. The church always gets panic-stricken for the fear of the turmoil Christ creates when He comes on

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-49482364004395409612007-11-13T06:31:00.000-08:002007-11-16T05:51:39.438-08:00

Brennan Manning relates this story:"Several years ago, Ed Farrell, a priest from Detroit, went on a two-week summer vacation to Ireland to visit relatives. His one living uncle was about to celebrate his eightieth birthday. On the great day, Ed and his uncle got up early. It was before dawn. They took a walk along the shores of Lake Killarney and stopped to watch the sunrise. They stood side by

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-62384931255150819112007-11-06T14:12:00.000-08:002007-11-06T14:25:48.048-08:00

" I have not seen a patient who was not helpless, totally or partially. Patients are helpless to stop their pressures, they are helpless when they find themselves seized with air-hunger (panic attack) or night terror (rumminating thoughts). And if any patient claims to be helpless I shall not challenge the correctness of his statement. But when a patient declares himself hopeless I shall warn him

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-87411155813354099872007-11-06T06:11:00.000-08:002007-11-06T13:55:20.922-08:00

I've received emails and a comment regarding neurosis. You and me, we have a history. Some of our histories are full of joy, laughter, warmth, and presence. Other's histories are detailed with abuse, neglect, addiction, anxiety, depression, etc. I like the first over the latter. At this point we can't choose our past. It's done, except for those memory neurons that keep firing and continue

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-46479630958284544312007-11-05T20:04:00.001-08:002007-11-05T20:16:15.899-08:00

An interesting discussion on pursuing creativity by Dick Staub and guests. This was recorded live in a local Seattle pub.

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-20924172357686717132007-11-05T19:16:00.000-08:002007-11-05T19:25:16.260-08:00

If anyone lives in the downtown Sacramento area and feels like dropping by River Life Church this Sunday, I'd enjoy meeting you as I'm speaking on relationships. Their meeting time begins at 9:30 AM and they are located in East Sacramento. Beyond me speaking, which is really no big thing, River Life is one of a few authentic Sacramento emergent communities meeting in an organized manner. So,

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-22950668660551023062007-11-05T06:08:00.000-08:002007-11-05T17:44:27.515-08:00

I am a psychotherapist by trade. I work with people. I also work with myself. I analyze others as they analyze me. But I mainly analyze myself. Somewhat boring, but infrequently entertaining. I've learned a bit about myself and others. I'm a bit of a neurotic... that's what I learned. I've also learned that a lot of people are neurotic. At least I'm not alone. We neurotics work hard on being "

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-38046671833877015152007-11-02T06:29:00.000-07:002007-11-02T06:59:57.539-07:00

Some of my friends have been blogging their 10-20-30 virus. I am riveted at these glimpses into their past. I am also struck. I am struck at the commonality of brokenness in their narratives. Common themes are divorce, distance from one parent, isolation, drug abuse, addictions, disappointment, and neglect. Way too close to home for me. Now we're adults with broken narratives, what does this

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-71983775798351403212007-10-29T20:50:00.000-07:002007-10-29T21:57:23.541-07:00

As I mentioned below, it's time to talk about sin. I hope to explore this in a manner that is ultimatly respectful and grounded in our heavenly Father's view of sin. But, let's begin with a few words... authentic and inauthentic. These words float around the emrgent environment as if they were inflated with endless amounts of hellium. I don't like it when words become "hip" and "relevant",

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-44198083263520126422007-10-28T04:45:00.000-07:002007-10-28T09:38:37.165-07:00

As Christ-followers in praxis and emergent orientation, we have taken many shots over the years from other Christians, namely evangelical conservative pastors. One of the frequent comments regarding the emergent movement is that as a movement it will not talk about sin and is often observed watering down or avoiding the issue altogether. I have to agree for the most part with their assertion. And

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1134835390283416242007-10-26T07:59:00.000-07:002007-10-28T04:46:38.412-07:00

Dutch Anabaptist reformer Menno Simons wrote in a letter: 'Wherever there is a pulverized and penitent heart, there grace also is, and wherever there is a voluntary confession not gained by pressure, there love covereth a multitude of sins.' Click here to read more about Menno Simons.

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1134409561297870442007-10-25T09:40:00.000-07:002007-10-28T04:47:12.949-07:00

Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'The Lord himself is our Keeper. Nothing befalls us but what is adjusted by His wisdom and love. He will, in one way or another, sweeten every bitter cup, and ere long He will wipe away all tears from our eyes.' Click HERE from more info. on John Newton

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1134271252480236682007-10-24T19:05:00.000-07:002007-10-28T04:56:30.753-07:00

"The practice of keeping a diary would promote vigilance. The lives of many are spent at a sort of hazard. They fall into certain religious habits: and are perhaps under no strong temptations. They are regular at church and sacrament, and in their families. They read the Bible and pray daily in secret. But here it ends. They know little of the progress or decline of the inner man. They are

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1134245941786844352007-10-23T12:16:00.000-07:002007-10-28T04:53:48.515-07:00

In 1956, English Christian apologist C.S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'In so far as the things unseen are manifested by the things seen, one might from one point of view call the whole material universe an allegory.' Taken from the daily email "This Day in Church History" on studylight.org.

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1134228923353796302007-10-22T07:32:00.000-07:002007-10-28T04:57:22.093-07:00

Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'This is faith: a renouncing of everything we are apt to call our own and relying wholly upon the blood, righteousness and intercession of Jesus.'

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1134089998217930842007-10-21T16:52:00.000-07:002007-10-28T04:59:24.624-07:00

Is 43: 17ff (The Message Translation)The God who summons horses and chariots and armies-- they lie down and then can't get up; they're snuffed out like so many candles: 18"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. 19Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1133901657867631372007-10-20T12:39:00.000-07:002007-10-28T05:01:44.927-07:00

Eph 3:7 This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. 8 When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1134005699231195892007-10-19T17:30:00.000-07:002007-10-28T05:02:54.187-07:00

I read this devotional today. Such a simple, practical devotion, and ultimately serves as a great reminder that humility of mind and heart keeps the soul refreshed.Follow the link:

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1133800969257097962007-10-18T08:42:00.000-07:002007-10-28T05:11:33.556-07:00

Belief or Unbelief by Os Hillman, December 5, 2005..."Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." - Romans 4:3You can be a believer yet act as though there is no God. Whenever you fret over life circumstances, you immediately demonstrate unbelief. Whenever you move out of fear or anxiety, you believe a lie about God's nature.Each day your actions affirm or convict you of

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1133708470847669652007-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:002007-10-28T05:12:08.572-07:00

Psalm 150:1-6 1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1133677071106799072007-10-16T22:16:00.000-07:002007-10-28T05:12:45.217-07:00

What is wisdom? "Wisdom is mastering the art of living." - Chuck May

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1133503980793875152005-12-01T22:07:00.000-08:002005-12-01T22:13:00.803-08:00

"When I was ten, I read fairy stories in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1133370848265128372005-11-30T09:13:00.000-08:002005-11-30T09:14:08.280-08:00

Saints know that a grain of heart's-ease is of more value than a ton of gold. He who wraps a threadbare coat about a good conscience has gained a spiritual wealth far more desirable than any he has lost. God's smile and a dungeon are enough for a true heart; His frown and a palace would be hell to a gracious spirit. Let the worst come to the worst, let all the talents go, we have not lost our

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1133244232167725472005-11-28T22:02:00.000-08:002005-11-28T22:03:52.166-08:00

Leave me alone with God as much as may be.As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,Make me an island, set apart,alone with you, God, holy to you.Then with the turning of the tideprepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond,the world that rushes in on metill the waters come again and fold me back to you.

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1126109694345608852005-09-07T09:14:00.000-07:002005-09-07T09:14:54.350-07:00

Lorica of Saint PatrickI arise todayThrough a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,Through a belief in the Threeness,Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation. I arise today Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,Through the strength of

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120922188583184222005-07-09T08:15:00.000-07:002005-07-09T08:16:28.590-07:00

Lord, thou hast given us thy Word for a light to shine upon our path; grant us so to meditate on that Word, and to follow its teaching, that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.(Jerome, c 342 - 420)

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120586540028319952005-07-05T11:01:00.000-07:002005-07-05T11:02:33.080-07:00

May God the Father bless us; may Christ take care of us; the Holy Ghost enlighten us all the days of our life. The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul, both now and for ever, to the ages of ages.Aethelwold c 908-984

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120317509386857452005-07-02T08:18:00.000-07:002005-07-02T08:18:29.386-07:00

Deep peace of the running wave to you,Deep peace of the flowing air to you,Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you, for ever.(Source unknown)

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120239635093775712005-07-01T10:40:00.000-07:002005-07-01T10:40:35.096-07:00

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore thee, a heart to delight in thee, to follow and to enjoy thee, for Christ's sake.(Ambrose of Milan, c 339-97)

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120195381770088352005-06-30T22:17:00.000-07:002005-06-30T22:23:01.776-07:00

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life--even though invisible to spectators--is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too--the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.Col. 3:3,4

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120141574000673802005-06-30T07:24:00.000-07:002005-06-30T07:26:14.006-07:00

Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness.Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied,

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120090409391946992005-06-29T17:12:00.000-07:002005-06-29T17:13:29.396-07:00

The warmth of the sun's embrace the gentle breeze swept in by incoming tidethe rhythm of seasons of new birth death and recreationAll these speak so clearly of your love your power and your beauty All are expressions of your creativity and more importantly of yourselfAs an artist might share his personality within each brushstroke so within the myriad colours of a butterfly's wing you share the

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1120068877210740242005-06-29T11:14:00.000-07:002005-06-29T11:14:37.216-07:00

Most loving Father, Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties And grant that no clouds of this mortal life May hide from us the light of that love which is immortal And which you have manifested unto us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord (William Bright 1824-1904)

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1119974217057107492005-06-28T08:56:00.000-07:002005-06-28T08:57:46.366-07:00

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the world, look upon us and have mercy upon us; thou who art thyself both victim and Priest, thyself both Reward and Redeemer, keep safe from all evil those whom thou hast redeemed, O Savior of the world.St. Irenaeus

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1119891935275571132005-06-27T10:05:00.000-07:002005-06-27T10:06:22.613-07:00

As yet my love is weak, my heart imperfect, and so I have great need of your strength and comfort. Visit me often, I pray, and instruct me in the way of your laws. Set me free from all evil passions, and heal my heart from all immoral desires. And thus, healed and cleansed in spirit, may I learn how blissful it is to plunge into the depths of your love. Let your love dissolve my hard heart.

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1116865162853735482005-05-23T09:17:00.000-07:002005-05-23T11:46:28.616-07:00

"Lay your deadly doing down, down at Jesus' feet; stand in Him, in Him alone, gloriously complete."- C. H. Spurgeon

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1116440362528407962005-05-18T11:18:00.000-07:002005-05-18T11:19:22.533-07:00

"Our Christian spirituality is not matched up to reality until it is intentionally expressed through selfless love aimed at the benification of one's neighbor."

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12929927.post-1116218923518116392005-05-15T21:42:00.000-07:002005-05-15T21:48:43.523-07:00

The trees rustle, a breeze quivers.Laughter fluttering through the air.Children dancing, leaves glistening.Why does it all seem so near?Open space, glances sideways.loneliness in space, yet others so near.The Other I long for, the Other I call for.This bench is so large, yet I am so small.Room is beckoning, ever beckoning.Is my invitation uninviting?

jon | M | holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14748247557793026221noreply@blogger.com0