Editor's Box | Digest: First Ten Articles in 2010
Editor | Wednesday, June 23, 2010 January 1 through March 5. Catch up on any of the articles you've missed! Ranging from Buddhism to Body Image, our authors share thoughts on a wide variety of topics.
January 1, 2010
“4 Reasons Most New Year's Resolutions and Other Habit Changes Fail and What You Can Do To Succeed” by Derrick Lumsden.
Derrick's essay on effective habit changing is appropriately timed with the turning of the New Year. He explores the reasons why people so often lose their resolve and fall back into familiar patterns. He offers short and simple recommendations for making lasting changes and he also provides further reading from the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg and the Bible.
January 8, 2010
“Growing Up in the Park: Reflections on My Sub-Culture” by Freya Henry.
As part of her master's work, Freya was asked to consider her own sub-cultures through several theories of social psychology. In this essay Freya objectively explores her experience growing up in the Glenview society of the General Church as a sub-cultural influence on her thinking and life choices. Her writing draws on her situation but prompts the reader to consider his or her own experience.
January 15, 2010
“Even as We are One” by Isaac Synnestvedt
Isaac tells of making friends on an airplane and traveling in China and East-Africa. He questions some General Church assumptions about who is actually the heart and lungs of the Lord's church on earth. In the same vein, he wonders whether we are confused in making assumptions about who is in or out of the New Church. These types of questions are addressed further in the context of relationships by Garrett Smithand Meryl Machado.
January 22, 2010
“Meaning-making and the Power of Writing” by Chelsea Rose Odhner.
This essay originally appeared as the first chapter of Chelsea Rose Odhner's undergraduate thesis entitled, “Write to Heal: An Analysis of Writing Therapy in the Treatment of Gynecological Cancer,”; completed in 2008. Chapter One, included here, dissects the elements in the process of writing and contrasts these with the process involved in other forms of communication.
January 29, 2010
“Are You Happy” by Ronald Schnarr.
Ronald explores how to actually be happy. States of desolation may have to come but they still aren't any fun. How can we work towards real happiness? How can we ask the Lord to experience joy along the journey?
February 5, 2010
“Spiritual Body Image” by Taryn and Pearse Frazier.
Taryn and Pearse explore the idea of people created in the image and likeness of God. In a certain way, everything in creation reflects the human form from the Divine but how are people distinct from the rest of creation? Malcolm continues to look at issues of body image, though his focus is on clothing.
February 12, 2010
“Buddhism and the New Church” by Ian Chapman.
Ian gives a brief but insightful comparison between Buddhist and New Church ideas. For a consideration of what to make of differences in religion turn to Isaac's article “Even as We are One.”
February 19, 2010
“Marketing the Writings” by Coleman Glenn.
What would you do for the church with an unlimited budget? Coleman explores the possibilities for a massive, nation-wide advertising blitz.
February 26, 2010
“Protecting Ideals and the Reality of the World in which We Live” by Stephanie King.
From a mother's perspective, Stephanie asks the hard questions about balancing ideals with the challenges of reality. Stephanie is insightful and penetrating in her questions but remains gentle in her conclusions as she acknowledges how difficult and personal the struggle is for each person trying to make the best choices she can.
March 5, 2010
“We, Distinct from Our Teachings” by Derek Rose.
By looking at three pertinent examples Derek challenges the reader to examine the dissonance between actual teachings in the church, the culture surrounding it and the community of believers. He argues that we are often not clear enough about what mean when we use the term “church.” Through an exploration of the teachings about acceptance, use and marriage, Derek seeks to start a conversation in which people learn to see what is taught in distinction from what is culturally absorbed.
Wondering about the inspiration for this article? Look up the New Church, which is based on the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.
Reader Comments (3)
Some of the links seem to not work.
thanks, I hope to get to it soon.
All the links should work now.