As writers, readers, human beings, we cannot speak to or understand each other unless we are first prepared to listen. Of all the gifts which the Holy Spirit is able to bestow, the one for which we should first and most earnestly pray is humility of ear. [W.H. Auden, sermon delivered for College Evensong, Christ Church, Oxford, October 24th, 1965]
A certain, true thing is that if you're talking, you cannot listen. There is a time to speak, of course, but there is also a time to listen. This is a hard lesson to learn, and I think it goes beyond using our voice, but also refers to quieting the mind.
I just ran across the above sermon by Auden. "Humility of ear" is my new favorite phrase. As we are in the homestretch towards Pentecost, this gift seems appropriate as we listen for the Wind/Breath/Spirit.
Resurrection may come as a whisper.
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But she answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs."
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Presuppositions . . .
Some things to note about this blog.
It is a religious blog, the religion being Christianity.
I come with the understanding that the point of the Gospel is bringing in the Reign of God. This has a personally saving dimension, but, as I recently heard a preacher say, Christianity isn't about getting saved, it's about saving. That will mean many different things. There may be arguments.
Comments, disagreements, agreements, invitations to parties---all welcome. Not so welcome: rude behavior, name calling, general acts of hate (especially those that are being passed off as "love"). I appreciate transparency in remarks. My real name is up there, be brave enough to put yours up there, too. I'm starting this out without moderation. If we all play well together, perhaps it can remain without moderation. I generally don't like rules (I'm more gospel than law---but don't tell anyone---I'm Lutheran, I'm supposed to embrace law AND gospel) so please don't make me enforce any.
There are likely to be as many, maybe more quotes from the Desert Fathers and Mothers as from the Bible. We each have slightly varying canons that way.
Just to explain the title of this blog, it's a play on my family name. If you don't get it, type in "orts" at dictionary.com.
Let us show the world how we love one another.
It is a religious blog, the religion being Christianity.
I come with the understanding that the point of the Gospel is bringing in the Reign of God. This has a personally saving dimension, but, as I recently heard a preacher say, Christianity isn't about getting saved, it's about saving. That will mean many different things. There may be arguments.
Comments, disagreements, agreements, invitations to parties---all welcome. Not so welcome: rude behavior, name calling, general acts of hate (especially those that are being passed off as "love"). I appreciate transparency in remarks. My real name is up there, be brave enough to put yours up there, too. I'm starting this out without moderation. If we all play well together, perhaps it can remain without moderation. I generally don't like rules (I'm more gospel than law---but don't tell anyone---I'm Lutheran, I'm supposed to embrace law AND gospel) so please don't make me enforce any.
There are likely to be as many, maybe more quotes from the Desert Fathers and Mothers as from the Bible. We each have slightly varying canons that way.
Just to explain the title of this blog, it's a play on my family name. If you don't get it, type in "orts" at dictionary.com.
Let us show the world how we love one another.
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About Me
- Neil Ellis Orts
- NEW: My novella, CARY AND JOHN is published and available for purchase at parsonsporch.com or Amazon.com. Arts, religion, where those intersect, and where they don't . . . a freelance writer with credits in OutSmart Magazine, Dance Studio Life, Dance Source Houston, The Christian Century, Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide, Living Lutheran . . . impractically educated, with a BFA in theater (Texas State University), an M.Div, (Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest), and an MA in interdisciplinary arts (Columbia College Chicago) . . . visit my other blogs, listed in my full profile . . . available for all kinds of things, most of which fall under standard legal, ethical, and moral guidelines.
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