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Jesus Dojo: Installment #2

Dear Friends, It is time to launch our second installation of the Jesus Dojo. Dojo:  Place to learn the way. Jesus:  “I am the Way” Our first chapter experimented in the realm of interpersonal reconciliation.  Result:  everything from “it was a nice process” to “I have been transported to a different universe, nothing is as […]

What Do You Do When…

You know the way it feels. You have been there, just as I have many times before. How am I supposed to feel? How am I supposed to react? Is it okay to ask if anything is wrong? I am talking about when someone crying, politely dismisses themselves from a group gathering. Try as they […]

Losing the “right” to judge

When must I release the right (perceived) to question another’s motives? He was older than me. How much older? It is hard to say, his appearance clearly weathered by hard years. His clothes were disheveled and looked like he had had not changed in several days. Even though he weaved slightly as he walked, I […]

Imagine a life…

Imagine a life surrounded by integrated community. It may not be easy or exotic. But it would be meaningful. What picture comes to mind? It might be epitomized by a family dinner around a huge table, as luxurious in conversation as it is in food.

Jesus Dojo, Week Two

Here are a couple of the documents from our Week Two session. The first is called “Synthesizing Chart”.  This is an handout to help you organize your study of one of the Gospels.  Remember, your goal is to make an thoughtful list of the “attributes of one who follows the Jesus-Way.”  This list will include: […]

Entering the Jesus Dojo

We are trying something that is, quite frankly, a little risky. The Myers family and the Kriz family have committed to an experiment in the Jesus-way. It is action-based, communal spiritual formation. The Jesus Dojo was pioneered in San Francisco by my old friend Mark Scandrette and the folks of ReIMAGINE.

When a rain barrel is more than a rain barrel

Two years ago, during one of our first forays into urban homesteading, my Father’s Day present from Aimee was permission to install our first rain-barrel. It was a romantic thought to me. “Let’s not waste the water-from-heaven gift (even though we receive it some 300 plus days a year), let’s harvest it.”

Neighbors, “Armageddon” and Trap-doors

Truth be told (and this is embarrassing), I am much better at talking about “neighborhood” then I am at simply being a neighbor. I have a hard time getting to know the middle-aged single recluse next door. I have to ask Aimee to remind me the name of Donna’s husband across the street. I struggle […]