Monday, October 22, 2007 at 2:02am
A tree planted by streams of water
Column: Woman at the Well
I have always loved the first Psalm. It was read at my baptism when I was 20. I took to heart the deep wisdom that we are to be "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper." (Psalm 1:3)
The image of many streams has been used by religious writers to express the gifts found in many different faith traditions. From these many streams we receive many blessings. Some of them are so similar as to clearly remind us that we have much more in common than separates us. Some of their gifts are unique and require openness and understanding so that we can experience their fruit in its season.
For 20 years of my personal faith journey I went inward, rejecting organized religion to some extent, while I delved into the wisdom found in the world's many faiths and spiritual practices.
From the ancient Phoenicians I learned astrology and numerology. From the Greeks and Romans, I received the wisdom of the philosophers — Plato, Aristotle, Heraclitus and more. From China I gathered the teachings of the I Ching, the Book of Changes. In Africa I explored the Orishas — gods and goddesses deeply connected to the life force. From Native Americans I received the wisdom of the animals and the power of their totems to teach and guide.
From Islam I received the teachings of the Sufis, of Rumi and Hadif, their powerful embrace of deep love and mystery. In Judaism I discovered the freedom to question my scriptures and grow in my understanding of them.
From Buddhism I discovered meditation, mindfulness and a moment-by-moment walk with life. From Existentialists I learned to embrace all reality. Nordic runes connected me to ancient European wisdom. Celtic spirituality grounded me in the sacredness of all life.
And through it all I experienced my dear friend, Jesus, smiling and comforting and guiding me to truth wherever it was to be found.
I learned that scientific truth was a gift from God to be acknowledged and embraced and never feared, that God was God of a magnificent universe so much bigger than any of our faith traditions could ever fully encapsulate.
Now I serve a church that celebrates the gifts of my multifaceted journey. We focus on the teachings of Jesus the Christ as we acknowledge all that we have in common with and can learn from other faith traditions. Many rivers. One Spirit. All are welcome here.
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Kristi Denham.
The image of many streams has been used by religious writers to express the gifts found in many different faith traditions. From these many streams we receive many blessings. Some of them are so similar as to clearly remind us that we have much more in common than separates us. Some of their gifts are unique and require openness and understanding so that we can experience their fruit in its season.
For 20 years of my personal faith journey I went inward, rejecting organized religion to some extent, while I delved into the wisdom found in the world's many faiths and spiritual practices.
From the ancient Phoenicians I learned astrology and numerology. From the Greeks and Romans, I received the wisdom of the philosophers — Plato, Aristotle, Heraclitus and more. From China I gathered the teachings of the I Ching, the Book of Changes. In Africa I explored the Orishas — gods and goddesses deeply connected to the life force. From Native Americans I received the wisdom of the animals and the power of their totems to teach and guide.
From Islam I received the teachings of the Sufis, of Rumi and Hadif, their powerful embrace of deep love and mystery. In Judaism I discovered the freedom to question my scriptures and grow in my understanding of them.
From Buddhism I discovered meditation, mindfulness and a moment-by-moment walk with life. From Existentialists I learned to embrace all reality. Nordic runes connected me to ancient European wisdom. Celtic spirituality grounded me in the sacredness of all life.
And through it all I experienced my dear friend, Jesus, smiling and comforting and guiding me to truth wherever it was to be found.
I learned that scientific truth was a gift from God to be acknowledged and embraced and never feared, that God was God of a magnificent universe so much bigger than any of our faith traditions could ever fully encapsulate.
Now I serve a church that celebrates the gifts of my multifaceted journey. We focus on the teachings of Jesus the Christ as we acknowledge all that we have in common with and can learn from other faith traditions. Many rivers. One Spirit. All are welcome here.
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Kristi Denham.