Space to write, space to create and space to let the spirit speak.
Write Now!
This blog started as a 'Lenten Writing Project', where we wrote each day in Lent. Now that Summer is here, let's keep up the discipline of writing with a weekly writing challenge! A prompt will be posted each week and anyone is welcome to join in and post their writing here or participate just by reading it.
Every writer has their own special light to add to this blog and all of your writing offerings are appreciated, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists or comments and encouragement.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Lenten Writing Prompt #19
How does technology figure into your spiritual life in a helpful way?
With regard to my spirituality, technology is helpful, and not. It smiles on me and frowns at me at the same time. The down side is the amount of time gobbling. Clicking on a heart-warming or thought-provoking video or report can lead to another with more information leading down a hall of unopened doors that beckon to be checked out. Hours can zip by at unbelievable speeds and good intentions and to-do lists are swept up into the winds. There should be high winds warnings posted. Also, sometimes, what I'm searching for goes through so many sites, I could get there quicker in a reference book or with a phone call. Meanwhile Bible reading and prayer are waiting for my full presence. There are, however, lots of plusses. Writing is infinitely easier with technology. I wouldn't want to go back to typing, editing, typing a book manuscript on a typewriter, as I did the two I had published. In that sense, I have more time for actual thinking, reading, probing, praying. Overall, technology enhances my spiritual life. Accessing The Bible and other readings is easier than going through several books piled on my bed and carrying with me to read in other places. (Although I like to write in the margins and underline epiphanies I find). It brings friends family, who don't live nearby closer. They can post a need or experience in a few words when their circumstance could use some extra prayers and they need an electronic hug. Often, we don't know about their pain until it's over. And we get to rejoice with their good news. I think the extra choices we get to manage our own input more helps too. I can filter the news waves, not be inundated with too many details of the violent breaking news or minute details of lives of celebrities I can't see a purpose for my knowing. I can choose what is uplifting, inspiring and pertinently informative for my life. When it comes to music,art and humor (vital for spiritual health) I can create my own medicine, for relaxation, upbeat energy, and messages. This relationship, like any other, depends on what we are wanting and expecting, and, with the guidance of the Spirit, what glorifies God in ourselves and our neighbors.
I am able to participate with you in this Lenten Writing Prompt Project from 1400 miles away; in a rural village of about 1000 people; on a 10.1 inch WiFi Notebook home computer that I purchased from Walmart.com for about $248.00. If I wanted to, I could even upload my picture.
This Writing Project has helped my spiritual life by linking me to another set of Saints in the World, in a way that I would not otherwise have had access. Thank you Ruth. s.h.
I find it easier to write with a computer and a lot of my spiritual processing happens in my writing. so...
Also, I often read Andrew Greeley's webwite, agreeley.com. He is a Catholic Priest and author (including many novels). He's written simple stories around the lectionay that I often find helpful.
Finally this blog has become a wonderful spiritual gift...
My thoughts are absolutey in agreement with the writing project, Blog. This blog has introduced me to different thoughts and I have the opportunity of going back and refreshing my memeory over already read comments and also newer one. Amidst my busy schedule at work or anywhere this project has become like a mission and I so look forward to Ruth's post for the days topic on FB. This concept is enriching and filling.
P.S - Since morning I was palnning to post my comments on the blog, but was so tied with my other things, am glad to read views of blog followers, who so think like me.
On the blessing side, I am able to organize my writings, edit and revise them with ease. This encourages me to write more and perhaps to improve my writing skill. Also, I have always had very poor handwriting so I did not write as much before getting our first computer, and even what I had written was hard for anyone to read. Technology has opened so many new doors as far as keeping in touch with and meeting people from so many walks of life. This can only lead to better understanding between peoples.
On the curse side, there is nothing more frustrating than a computer with a glitch, crash, or virus. It can drive you mad! I agree with a previous writer that the disappearance of time while on the computer continues to baffle and annoy me. I have such good intentions but once the screen lights up I can be lost for an easy hour or more.
All told, I believe the blessings outweigh the curses.
I like to go on You Tube and pick through videos from other cultures to see how they see themselves. Here is one of my absolute favorites. It is a video about the faith of the country of Georgia, which is Orthodox. It is completely done in Georgian, so I am left with the music and images which are sincere, calming and beautiful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do....Doug Millar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVv0QyGOtx8
Pinterest is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. It is a virtual pinboard for ideas, humor and information. People from all over the world pin things they find on the worldwide web and everyone can look at anyone’s mostly-anonymous pinboard (though you can find friends because you have names, but not personal info). One day, I was looking though people’s pins categorized under ‘humor’ for funny things to post. I was insomniac that night, so it was probably 2 in the morning and I was looking at pinterest on my phone in bed, hoping lamely to fall asleep. Sometimes things are in this category that aren’t really funny or are miscategorized for whatever reason. One pinner pinned a picture of a quote that seemed quite hopeless to the effect of ‘no one understands me’ and then another pin came up of another really depressed quote and their comment underneath set off alarms in me that they may be considering suicide or at least was in the depth of a depressive spiral. I KNEW this in my heart. This person could be anywhere in the world. They could be anyone in the world. They could be a good person, bad person, phishing person, who knows. I was too scared to get involved concretely and try to reach out and comment positively on a pin of theirs, but I put the phone down and started praying fervently at 2 in the morning for this person. Desperately. I asked for God to hold their hand, embrace this person and let them know that God is there with them, walking with them through whatever this was for them. Of course I have no idea how this person is today or what happened. The whole thing could have been some illusion that I fell prey to, but I did some serious praying for that person before they disappeared back into cyberspace and I don’t regret it because I know that people have prayed for me when I didn’t know it as well. Did that person feel it?
Oh, and I have to mention my FAVORITE spiritual influence right now through technology (unrelated to the above): Nadia Bolz-Weber's blog: www.thesarcasticlutheran.typepad.com ! She is just amazing!!
T Technology helps me in my spiritual life in many ways.
ReplyDeleteE Every morning I read Luther Seminary Daily devotions online.
C Christian blogs that I follow introduce me to deeper understanding.
H Having Facebook friends to chat with in churches around the world expands my view.
N Navigating via Google searches leads me to discover other religious thinkers.
O Often checking our ELCA web site for Updates and Resources is stimulating.
L Luther’s Catechism and other writings can be read online.
O Observing other writers expands my understanding.
G Glo Bible is my interactive electronic Bible with scripture, timelines, notes, art and atlas.
Y You will be amazed at what is available if you take time to look.
Ruth, enjoyed reading this masterpiece. Very nice.
DeleteSplit-faced Harlequin
ReplyDeleteby Marlene Obie
With regard to my spirituality, technology is helpful, and not. It smiles on me and frowns at me at the same time.
The down side is the amount of time gobbling.
Clicking on a heart-warming or thought-provoking
video or report can lead to another with more information leading down a hall of unopened doors that beckon to be checked out. Hours can zip by at unbelievable speeds and good intentions and to-do lists are swept up into the winds. There should be high winds warnings posted. Also, sometimes, what I'm searching for goes through so many sites, I could get there quicker in a reference book or with a phone call. Meanwhile Bible reading and prayer are waiting for my full presence.
There are, however, lots of plusses. Writing is infinitely easier with technology. I wouldn't want to go back to typing, editing, typing a book manuscript on a typewriter, as I did the two I had published. In that sense, I have more time for actual thinking, reading, probing, praying.
Overall, technology enhances my spiritual life. Accessing The Bible and other readings is easier than going through several books piled on my bed and carrying with me to read in other places. (Although I like to write in the margins and underline epiphanies I find). It brings friends family, who don't live nearby closer. They can post a need or experience in a few words when their circumstance could use some extra prayers and they need an electronic hug. Often, we don't know about their pain until it's over. And we get to rejoice with their good news.
I think the extra choices we get to manage our own input more helps too. I can filter the news waves, not be inundated with too many details of the violent breaking news or minute details of lives of celebrities I can't see a purpose for my knowing. I can choose what is uplifting, inspiring and pertinently informative for my life. When it comes to music,art and humor (vital for spiritual health) I can create my own medicine, for relaxation, upbeat energy, and messages.
This relationship, like any other, depends on what we are wanting and expecting, and, with the guidance of the Spirit, what glorifies God in ourselves and our neighbors.
Lenten Prompt #19 Sunday Mar 11, 2012
ReplyDeleteCase in Point:
I am able to participate with you in this
Lenten Writing Prompt Project
from 1400 miles away;
in a rural village of about 1000 people;
on a 10.1 inch WiFi Notebook home computer
that I purchased from Walmart.com for about $248.00.
If I wanted to, I could even upload my picture.
This Writing Project has helped my spiritual life
by linking me to another set of Saints in the World,
in a way that I would not otherwise have had access.
Thank you Ruth.
s.h.
Welcome, s.h.
DeleteIt's wonderful to have you with us.
In agreement with this writing project.
DeleteI find it easier to write with a computer and a lot of my spiritual processing happens in my writing. so...
ReplyDeleteAlso, I often read Andrew Greeley's webwite, agreeley.com. He is a Catholic Priest and author (including many novels). He's written simple stories around the lectionay that I often find helpful.
Finally this blog has become a wonderful spiritual gift...
Agree with Pastor Larry on the writing blog.
DeleteMy thoughts are absolutey in agreement with the writing project, Blog. This blog has introduced me to different thoughts and I have the opportunity of going back and refreshing my memeory over already read comments and also newer one. Amidst my busy schedule at work or anywhere this project has become like a mission and I so look forward to Ruth's post for the days topic on FB. This concept is enriching and filling.
ReplyDeleteP.S - Since morning I was palnning to post my comments on the blog, but was so tied with my other things, am glad to read views of blog followers, who so think like me.
by Pat Mason
ReplyDeleteYes, technology is a blessing and a curse.
On the blessing side, I am able to organize my writings, edit and revise them with ease. This encourages me to write more and perhaps to improve my writing skill.
Also, I have always had very poor handwriting so I did not write as much before getting our first computer, and even what I had written was hard for anyone to read.
Technology has opened so many new doors as far as keeping in touch with and meeting people from so many walks of life. This can only lead to better understanding between peoples.
On the curse side, there is nothing more frustrating than a computer with a glitch, crash, or virus. It can drive you mad!
I agree with a previous writer that the disappearance of time while on the computer continues to baffle and annoy me. I have such good intentions but once the screen lights up I can be lost for an easy hour or more.
All told, I believe the blessings outweigh the curses.
I like to go on You Tube and pick through videos from other cultures to see how they see themselves.
ReplyDeleteHere is one of my absolute favorites. It is a video about the faith of the country of Georgia, which is Orthodox. It is completely done in Georgian, so I am left with the music and images which are sincere, calming and beautiful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do....Doug Millar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVv0QyGOtx8
Pinterest is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. It is a virtual pinboard for ideas, humor and information. People from all over the world pin things they find on the worldwide web and everyone can look at anyone’s mostly-anonymous pinboard (though you can find friends because you have names, but not personal info). One day, I was looking though people’s pins categorized under ‘humor’ for funny things to post. I was insomniac that night, so it was probably 2 in the morning and I was looking at pinterest on my phone in bed, hoping lamely to fall asleep. Sometimes things are in this category that aren’t really funny or are miscategorized for whatever reason. One pinner pinned a picture of a quote that seemed quite hopeless to the effect of ‘no one understands me’ and then another pin came up of another really depressed quote and their comment underneath set off alarms in me that they may be considering suicide or at least was in the depth of a depressive spiral. I KNEW this in my heart. This person could be anywhere in the world. They could be anyone in the world. They could be a good person, bad person, phishing person, who knows. I was too scared to get involved concretely and try to reach out and comment positively on a pin of theirs, but I put the phone down and started praying fervently at 2 in the morning for this person. Desperately. I asked for God to hold their hand, embrace this person and let them know that God is there with them, walking with them through whatever this was for them. Of course I have no idea how this person is today or what happened. The whole thing could have been some illusion that I fell prey to, but I did some serious praying for that person before they disappeared back into cyberspace and I don’t regret it because I know that people have prayed for me when I didn’t know it as well. Did that person feel it?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have to mention my FAVORITE spiritual influence right now through technology (unrelated to the above): Nadia Bolz-Weber's blog: www.thesarcasticlutheran.typepad.com ! She is just amazing!!