church
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The Point
Jesus never asked anyoneto be orthodox,but he repeatedly asked everyoneto serve, help and heal. Why our obsessionwith creed and confessionwhen Jesus, our brother,says, "Love one another"? Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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One Day
To feel okay about myselfI need to feel superior to others: I'm better organized. I eat better. I attend church. I give to charity. My opinion is more considered. I don't waste money. … Continue reading
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Beyond Structure
We remainimprisoned by the structure(of culture, of religion)until we encounterthe One-beyond-Structure. We call this OneGod. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Stained Glass
The sanctuaryhas never glowedwith such cool beauty. The restored rainbow of western windowsburns with unnatural intensity,set ablaze by the setting sun. Fans swirl chill airover and around us.Awe is worship,is wonder. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All… Continue reading
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You
I spent my lifeseeking you,my soul-friend. At first you seemed to mea mirrorreflecting my history, my loss, my courage. Now I knowyou are the voice of sustenance, challenge, nurture. Who knewthat consentwould be so easy, so stabilizing, … Continue reading
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The Table
Stop wrestling with love,and let it win.Cry "Uncle!"and come join the family. There's a table already laid,large and laden for the lot of us. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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On the True Nature of Church
Every now and then,I take a picturethat seems to need no commentary. Here is one–a bumper sticker I saw recently in my neighborhood. Why does this speak to me?My response is,"Yes, that's it exactly…" Text and image © 2012 by… Continue reading
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The Cloak of Cultural Convention
Christians have alwayswrapped themselvesin the cloak of cultural convention: When the culture wore the coat of slavery,the church wore the coat of slavery. When the culture wore the coat of segregation,the church wore the coat of segregation. When the culture… Continue reading
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Organized Religion, Part 3
"I don't believe in organized religion,"she said,moving a load of damp towelsfrom a washer to a nearby dryer. "That's why I like my church,"he said, struggling to match still-warm socks."It's less about organizing,and more about embracing." Text and image ©… Continue reading
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Organized Religion, Part 2
"I don't believe in organized religion,"she said,as they shared a glass of winein a quiet corner of the restaurant. "Oxymoron," he grunted,"like an organized Congress,or an organized business,or an organized military.Human institutions can't be organized." Text and image © 2011 by… Continue reading