Chapter 1 - The Spiritual Disciplines

Richard Foster closes the first chapter of Celebration of Discipline with this: "Our world is hungry for genuinely changed people. Leo Tolstoy observes, 'Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself'" (p. 11). This blog is my way of saying that I want to change. At school there is an important conversation about the phrasing of our mission statement. In part the statement says, "Our mission is to prepare young people to live fully for God...." And further on it says those young people will be prepared to "transform the world...." One discussion focuses on the word "fully." As Foster suggests, we ask, should it be our goal to "transform the world" and in that way "live fully," or should it be our goal to "transform ourselves" and in that way "live faithfully?"

Foster says, "... we must come to the place in our lives where we lay down the everlasting burden of always needing to manage others" (p. 10). Another group of men, with whom I meet regularly, is reading The Silence of Adam (1995) by Crabb, Hudson and Andrews. Crabb, et al. describe two spheres we tend to move in, the Sphere of Management and the Sphere of Mystery. In the Sphere of Management things are more or less predictable, and we can employ "recipe theology" in which we fulfil responsibilities and solve problems with easy formulas. In the Sphere of Mystery we seek a transcendent theology and trust in One whom we can never control. Transcendent theology, says Crabb, et al., empowers us to move into the darkness, where God does his deepest work. We must learn what it means to abandon ourselves to God..." (Crabb, et al., 1995, p. 58). This is what I understand Foster to be saying in Celebration.

Of course, how change comes about is a huge topic. Foster addresses the tension between "the heresy of moralism" and "the heresy of antinomianism." I don't think that Foster resolves this unsettled debate. But neither did Luther and Erasmus. So for now, I think I will walk on this path that Foster describes and "place [myself] before God so that he can change [me]" (p. 7).

Lathe and Kiln

I enjoy both worlds: Plato's World of Forms and his World of Appearances. Now don't get excited, I'm not a dualist. I'm just saying I enjoy working with my mind and my hands. I know it's all God's world and God's work. Plato was wrong, and so was Kant. I'm not sure I fully understand the good Dutch Calvinists who sought to articulate a fully integrated worldview, but I'm working on it. My story is varied and includes preparation to be an electrician, undergraduate work as an Industrial Arts teacher, graduate studies in Theology, experience in the classroom teaching all of the above, studies in School Administration, 19 years experience as a school principal, work on a Doctorate in Education, and most recently six years back in the classroom.

This is my blog and I call it Lathe and Kiln. Perhaps this title alludes to my two favorite materials, so earthly: wood and clay. Or perhaps it represents the very human processes of carving, forming, molding, finishing, and firing. Maybe its about wood that will perish in the fire and clay that is established through the fire. Wood and clay are very spiritually rich images: think of the creation, both arks, the Israelites making bricks, the staff of Moses, the Tabernacle, the cup, the Cross, the Potter, etc. The chess set illustrates a long and complex process that moves from paper and pencil, to wood and lathe, to plaster and model, to clay and mold, and finally to clay and kiln. That's life and it's not finished yet.

I am married to Laura, my sweetheart and best friend. Marriage is like the Lathe and the Kiln. "For we are God's craftsmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Laura and I have celebrated 29 years of marriage. What can I say? We are God's workmanship, and thankfully not our own. I am thankful for Laura and I am thankful for God's work in our lives. We have three wonderful and gifted boys, a wonderful daughter-in-law, one grandson and a second grandson on the way.

In this blog I will share thoughts about what I am reading, learning, and making. Currently, I am reading Celebration of Discipline (1988), by Richard Foster, and The Silence of Adam (1998) by Larry Crabb. Each week I will read and post my thoughts. This is not a discussion forum, so I am not looking for other voices to join in conversation. There is are places for that, but its not my purpose here. But I am fine with others looking in on my thoughts from time to time, thus the blog format seems ideal. Comments are accepted, but not required.