Well, seeing how my one and only critic of choice, Lillian, has made clear her belief that I am just way too out there and vague and "the big picture" for the reading public, I am now going to try to do exactly what my English Professors used to tell us to do in writing and "Be Specific". Otherwise, we faced the prospect of having BS all over our papers in red ink! I am increasingly of the opinion that nobody is actually reading my blogs!
I know, I know, this hits all bloggers like me after a few weeks of sticking our electrons out there in hyperspace and wondering why noone writes back and responds and etc. and so forth.

So I need to get down to data and let you know that back in the 1970s a strange eclectic group was being mixed up. These folk were the results of the Baby Boom and the "Hip/Beat" generation, as well as being surrounded by the Vietnam War experience. We were chased by gurus and Jesus freaks and fundamentalists and Liberals. I remember visiting Toronto and being pamphleted by doyens of a group called the Church of the Processeans. They claimed that since Jesus stated "Love your enemies", and Satan was Jesus' enemy that at the Cross the two reconciled and now were coming together in these "last days" to preach Love and Reconciliation!

No, I didn't escape from my High School tour group and buy a black robe complete with hood and big cross on necklace and go burn incense with them. My personal spiritual journey did not change from what I learned within my community of faith as far as the message I came to accept as from God. What did change was my willingness to accept the "wrappings" of the message.
I still affirm the relationship of mentoring my Pastor began with me which filled in not just informational blanks but he led me to spirituality within which I could see the desires and directions that God was asking me to live in. I could also see "it" in the lives of my parents when they were stretched and stressed and the "real life" came spilling out. In times of family crisis we turned to prayer. What I did leave behind were the buildings, the titles, the organizational bureacracy that turns relationship with God into a institution.

This journey took awhile. But the man I am today was still there as a teenager, spiritually, at 14, 15, 16. I called people my fellow religionists who were Baptists, Assembly of God, Presbyterians, Nazarenes, Methodists, Holiness, and other smaller non-descript or now defunct organizations.

I was advising my homeroom teacher on the dangers of Astral Travel when others were wowed by his yogic ways. I spoke concerned from my heart to him and said, "there are spirits and Spirits, you know". I said this, not because I had experienced Eckankar or Scientology or any of the other great Divine smorgasbord we Americans pride ourselves or sue each other over. I said it because he was using "new age" religion the way some folks take or booze.

He assured me he was "okay". But he never accused me of arrogance and there seemed to be a mutual respect although he felt I was a bit naive and could get my feelings hurt.

I actually believe that Jesus and his sent Apostles have words which communicate the work of God to be accomplished by specific people on the planet not just in the first century but now and always. I read what was said then and find that if I listen today I hear things which are never contradictory with what He spoke in the past.

I am committed to doing the most simplistic of faith expression today available. To that end tonight, 2 groups got together for Pot luck and fellowship. We do this once a month and have smaller groups which meet, one on Wednesday nights, and one on Sunday nights.

No denomination, no titles, no salaries, no overhead. Imagine the good that could be done if nobody has to worry about a building to maintain or a bureacracy to feed! And you could start this in your home! And I don't even have to know about it. (But I'd love to, if you want to tell about it). We enjoy praying for other groups. Since it's bigger than us, it's not all about us!

Ah, Blessed relief!
and Blessings on you and yours,
Steve C.