Here’s a picture of me “at the office” as I write this post. I love creating episodes and posts for you, and it’s especially nice to do it outdoors…but I’m going to need a hoodie…more on that later.
This short Sunday episode contains news and info.
I’m debuting my new microphone for you to hear. Tell me if you can hear the difference!
A few Episodes are already in the queue, but after those air, you will hear a much richer and higher quality sound demonstrated in this short episode! Many thanks for your kind response to my need for financial support. I still need to buy more monthly space at the audio hosting site, but it is a landmark accomplishment to upgrade my mic and I had to share my joy, gratitude, (and the new and improved sound) with you!
It’s getting chilly. Time for a cozy hoodie (ends SEPT 7th! These are on sale to finance the show and ordering ends soon: SEPTEMBER 14th.
It includes a number of practices from different religions to show examples of each branch. The roots represent the two may intentions of the contemplative practices found worldwide: Communication and connection; and awareness. Both are essential for transformation and progressing in maturity.
The main branches include:
Activist
Relational
Movement
Ritual/Cyclical
Stillness
Generative
Creative
Your specific tradition may include examples for each branch. For me, plenty was lacking in what I knew of my tradition in its modern form. It wasn’t until I dug a lot further into history and the whole spectrum of practice, did I see the depth therein and find new opportunities to enrich my soul and increase my felt connection to God and others.
If you’re searching for something in your daily spiritual practices and want to add a new sort of richness, see what you can add from a branch you haven’t climbed yet.
All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods 8and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.9The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. 10They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 11At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger. 12They worshiped idols, though the Lord had said, “You shall not do this.”b
(ancient high place used for worship)
Why a high place?
They built on the highest parts of mountains to tap into unseen power.
They erected “antenna” to communicate with the gods of their own making.
They knew that the high ground was a prime location in their pursuit of more of everything they desired.
They sacrificed their time, energy, blood, sweat, effort, animals and sometimes their children to get the upper hand the mountain high places could provide.
So do we. Yes?
(A child sacrificed and handed over to the god of our times?)
On our high places we build towers to better our lives that would look like religious shrines to anyone one who stumbled on them millennia later.
And aren’t they, really?
(21st Century high place)
Tech is certainly our Baal.
Instant access and fast communication are two of gods we love.
We love access to the internet, high speed wifi, speedy download times, cable or digital tv, reliable mobile phone service.
And we need our high places for all that.
It seems we don’t have moral superiority on this.
The ancients aren’t more foolish or more gullible than us…not as we may suppose they are.
Couldn’t the ancients accuse us of the same sorts of categorical trappings and devotions?
It is humbling.
Verse for reflection:
John 4:23“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” -Jesus
Maybe your new book isn’t climbing the charts like you hoped
Maybe your prayer group or ministry effort has dwindling interest
Maybe your artwork or music isn’t creating interest
Maybe your business idea is stagnating
Maybe your blog isn’t making a difference…
People want to have freedom from pain.
Are you providing that?
Are you truly communicating this benefit in what you offer?
Maybe it’s because Lent is here, but I’m ruminating how the pain points in my life. I’m stripping away what is unhelpful or unnecessary. I also want to help people to struggle less as they get their message out.
In that spirit, I compiled the most helpful things I’ve learned through helping people with online communication and integrated, inbound marketing over the last 7 years. I’ve featured the top 20 free tools and the tactics to use them well. This knowledge and the practical strategy to implement it will make it easy to solve problems at lot of us have.
It’s the Pro tool you deserve to jump-start what you’re up to.
There is no price listed for it. Simply pay what you feel it is worth.
Sometimes the pain point is simply uncomfortable, uncharted territory.
For future resource added to the Jump-Starter Kit click here.
Or click on the image for the Info Page.
(Remember using the Kindle app is Free and it can be used on the computer or smartphone.)
The Go-To guide is UNDER 2 Bucks, too!
What? Yes. Crazy!
Everything in tradition communication has changed because of 3 seismic shifts.
This quick go-to guide will give you those reasons and the lay of the land now, so you can make the kinds of connections that will matter most.
Plus…
Ever wonder why magazine and newspaper ads, or even television and radio advertising are foolhardy wastes of money now?
Wonder no more.
The ad men of Madison Avenue (MadMen) are extinct and reason will surprise you (and it has nothing to do with smoking or martinis).
Many people have noticed the 3 shifts on a certain level, but most haven’t understood what to really do about about it when they want to get their message out.
If you have a ministry,
a group,
a book,
a creation of some sort,
or you want to make some side money and aren’t sure how to spread the news,
get wise to this Go-To Guide.
It will likely save you a lot of wasted time and money.
Click below to read a short sample at Amazon, right now!
