Monday, December 24, 2007

I couldn't resist...

I had Elizabeth answer the questions as best she could. Here is her spiritual type...

You are a Lover, a feeling type, whose spirituality comes primarily from the heart or emotions. You value freedom, independence, and spontaneity. Along with your gift of enthusiasm, you show us how to have fun and appreciate beauty. More than any other type, you know how to experience joy. This puts you in a unique position to experience God in the moment, to revel in what is happening around you, and to be in the present tense.
To Lovers, God is a nurturing parent. Prayer for you is often extemporaneous, speaking to God about what is on your heart at the moment. Music moves you deeply; so does heartfelt preaching and worship. You believe that real faith must be shared. Consequently, many Lovers are interested in missions or in spreading the Gospel through the media. You are passionate about holy living.

On the other hand, a Lover's impulsive behavior can get you in trouble. You sometimes focus on satisfying immediate desires to the detriment of investing in longer term needs. You have been known to exude a "holier-than-thou" attitude toward other spiritual types. That does not endear you to us. Guard against thinking that to be right everyone else must share a spiritual experience similar to yours. You also may need permission to acknowledge anger, disappointment, sadness, and doubt, and to allow yourself to be less than ideal.

Famous Lovers:

Snoopy | Aunt Bee | Alanis Morissette
Billy Graham | Julia Butterfly Hill
Andrea Bochelli | Joey Tribbiani
His Holiness, The Dalai Lama | Mary Magdelene
Captain Kirk | Ida Mae Brown (in Ghost)

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Spiritual Type Test

This isn't your classic internet test. This actually came off the UMC web site. You can find it here. My results seem pretty close to the way I see myself. I will say that I had already recognized some of my weaknesses and I've spent some time working on them. So, you'll either say, "What the heck have you been doing?" or "You're doing a darned good job at it." I'm not sure, feel free to let me know (kindly, of course.) But, anyway, here are my results:

You are a Sage, characterized by a thinking or head spirituality. You value responsibility, logic, and order. Maybe that's why you were voted "Most Dependable" by your high school classmates. Structure and organization are important to you. What would the world be like without you? Chaos, that's what! Your favorite words include should, ought, and be prepared. What makes you feel warm and fuzzy? Like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof it's tradition! tradition! tradition!
Because you love words, written or spoken, you enjoy a good lecture, serious discussions, and theological reflection. Prayer for you usually is verbal. You thrive on activity and gatherings of people, such as study groups. Sages on retreat likely would fill every day with planned activities, leaving little time for silence or solitude.

We need Sages for your clear thinking and orderly ways. You pay attention to details that others overlook. Sages make contributions to education, publishing, and theology. You often are the ones who feel a duty to serve, give, care, and share with the rest of us.

On the other hand, sometimes you seem unfeeling, too intellectual, or dry. Can you say "dogmatic"? You may need to experience the freedom of breaking a rule or two every now and then. God's grace covers Sages too, you know!

Famous Sages:

Mr. Spock | Dilbert | Elrond
Dietrich Bonhoeffer | Maya Angelou | Linus (Peanuts)
Yoda (Star Wars) | Andy Griffith | Mr. Miyagi
The Buddha | Rodin's The Thinker | Moses
Ross Geller | Matthew (the Gospel writer) | Tiger Woods

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Belated Pics from my trip to Milwaukee

I get tired just thinking about it:







Conversations

E - Mom, I really wish you would get married.

M - Really? Why?

E - I think it would be good for you. It would make you happy.

M - Oh. Gee, thanks. But how would you feel about having another person live with us?

E - Well, if he moved into our house and I could stay in my room that would be best. And the guy could either sleep in the basement (1) or maybe with you.

M - If I got married, I would want to share my room with my new husband.

E - Is it a law that married people have to sleep together?

M - It's not a law, but I think most married people want to sleep together.

E - Yeah, I guess you're right. But mom, what would happen if I wanted to sleep with you? You know, if I was sick or had a bad dream.

M - I don't know. I guess we would have to play it by ear.

E - Mom, I don't want you to get married.



(1)We have a spare bedroom with a private full bath in the basement. It's where our au pairs stayed when we were doing that.