Comments for Deep Breathing for the Soul http://keriwyattkent.com/soul Keri Wyatt Kent Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:49:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Welcoming the stranger by Dena Dyer http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=707&cpage=1#comment-4592 Dena Dyer Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:27:11 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=707#comment-4592 Keri, I'm learning what a hot-bed of controversy it really is. I've just taken a (God-given!) job in Amarillo, Texas, where we recently moved to be near family, as the Community Liaison for Catholic Family Service's Refugee Resettlement Services. Though refugees aren't undocumented, and they have no choice about where they end up, people often confuse them with immigrants. One of my jobs will be to talk to groups--especially churches--making them aware of the plight of refugees, and asking them to come alongside us to fill in the gaps. You're right, the Bible is full of commands to help the poor and needy. We really can't get around it, though we may want to. My latest blog post was about how the refugees are changing my perspective. I called it "Ice Cream, Poverty, and Joy." :) I will watch the presentation you linked to with interest. Thanks for sharing it! Keri, I’m learning what a hot-bed of controversy it really is. I’ve just taken a (God-given!) job in Amarillo, Texas, where we recently moved to be near family, as the Community Liaison for Catholic Family Service’s Refugee Resettlement Services. Though refugees aren’t undocumented, and they have no choice about where they end up, people often confuse them with immigrants. One of my jobs will be to talk to groups–especially churches–making them aware of the plight of refugees, and asking them to come alongside us to fill in the gaps.

You’re right, the Bible is full of commands to help the poor and needy. We really can’t get around it, though we may want to. My latest blog post was about how the refugees are changing my perspective. I called it “Ice Cream, Poverty, and Joy.” :)

I will watch the presentation you linked to with interest. Thanks for sharing it!

]]> Comment on Welcoming the stranger by Rachel Olsen http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=707&cpage=1#comment-4591 Rachel Olsen Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:52:53 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=707#comment-4591 The new book sounds fabulous - can't wait to read it! And I love that Willow is willing to tackle the thory issues of our day. Blessings ~ Rachel The new book sounds fabulous - can’t wait to read it! And I love that Willow is willing to tackle the thory issues of our day.

Blessings ~ Rachel

]]> Comment on Gifted to Lead by Judy Kirkpatrick http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=74&cpage=1#comment-4571 Judy Kirkpatrick Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:56:39 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=74#comment-4571 Thanks for these ongoing helpful insights! I wish I had known about that conference. I find myself over and over feeling forced to ask by some men and women, "is it ok to be a woman and leader in church or parachurch work?" I am in another one of those situations where I have been asked to take a new position of leadership in the ministry I serve with but a man who would report to me is saying he cannot report to a woman. He cannot accept spiritual leadership from a woman. It is against his theological beliefs. Our ministry does not take this position! So now I am the one having to figure out how to make this work though it's not "my issue." I wish men had been at some part of that meeting! I love hearing from men who do value and think women can be in leadership in the church. It helps me in this struggle I keep finding myself in... Thanks for these ongoing helpful insights! I wish I had known about that conference. I find myself over and over feeling forced to ask by some men and women, “is it ok to be a woman and leader in church or parachurch work?”

I am in another one of those situations where I have been asked to take a new position of leadership in the ministry I serve with but a man who would report to me is saying he cannot report to a woman. He cannot accept spiritual leadership from a woman. It is against his theological beliefs. Our ministry does not take this position! So now I am the one having to figure out how to make this work though it’s not “my issue.”

I wish men had been at some part of that meeting! I love hearing from men who do value and think women can be in leadership in the church. It helps me in this struggle I keep finding myself in…

]]> Comment on Connecting by Keri Wyatt Kent http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704&cpage=1#comment-4570 Keri Wyatt Kent Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:05:21 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704#comment-4570 John, thanks for your comment. I, too, enjoy one-on-one time for building community. I think that can be a way to build those deeper friendships that Dawn was saying she was looking for. And doing something together, like running, is also great. It's a less pressured way to spend time together. John, thanks for your comment. I, too, enjoy one-on-one time for building community. I think that can be a way to build those deeper friendships that Dawn was saying she was looking for. And doing something together, like running, is also great. It’s a less pressured way to spend time together.

]]> Comment on Connecting by John http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704&cpage=1#comment-4569 John Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:58:22 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704#comment-4569 By nature, I am also task-oriented. Over the years through teaching and ministry, I have grown so much in valuing and creating ways to be part of community that has stretched me to appear to be more people-oriented that I naturally am. It seems to me that the best avenue is to find people of like interests. I prefer to do that more one on one. I have several men that we get together over breakfast/lunch, just the two of us, and just catch up. The things I have in common with them are either hobby related or ministry related. I am a runner. I prefer to run alone, not in groups. However, over the last few months, I have extended myself to run with 2 weekly groups. This is proving very valuable in community. I am seeing that my place in these groups is more of a mentor/coach than anything else. This has given me a reason to show up, if you know what I mean. Otherwise, I don't think I would see the point of doing it. Reaching out, forcing myself to do something for the sake of others is illustrating exactly what community should be about. My role gives me purpose, and the result is a vibrant community that is benefitting everyone involved. By nature, I am also task-oriented. Over the years through teaching and ministry, I have grown so much in valuing and creating ways to be part of community that has stretched me to appear to be more people-oriented that I naturally am. It seems to me that the best avenue is to find people of like interests. I prefer to do that more one on one. I have several men that we get together over breakfast/lunch, just the two of us, and just catch up. The things I have in common with them are either hobby related or ministry related.
I am a runner. I prefer to run alone, not in groups. However, over the last few months, I have extended myself to run with 2 weekly groups. This is proving very valuable in community. I am seeing that my place in these groups is more of a mentor/coach than anything else. This has given me a reason to show up, if you know what I mean. Otherwise, I don’t think I would see the point of doing it. Reaching out, forcing myself to do something for the sake of others is illustrating exactly what community should be about. My role gives me purpose, and the result is a vibrant community that is benefitting everyone involved.

]]> Comment on Connecting by Dawn Talley http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704&cpage=1#comment-4567 Dawn Talley Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:13:53 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704#comment-4567 First, I would like to say that I truly enjoyed your book Breathe. I read it a few years ago and passed it on! I find it hard to make real friends in today's society. I grew up in an urban area and have lived in a rural area for eight years now. It is easier to connect with people in the country. They are friendlier! I find that I have a lot of acquaintances from different areas of my life and my young children's life, but few real friends. I find that most people are too busy and too scheduled. I try very hard to live day to day with my family. People do need to see other people in person! First, I would like to say that I truly enjoyed your book Breathe. I read it a few years ago and passed it on! I find it hard to make real friends in today’s society. I grew up in an urban area and have lived in a rural area for eight years now. It is easier to connect with people in the country. They are friendlier! I find that I have a lot of acquaintances from different areas of my life and my young children’s life, but few real friends. I find that most people are too busy and too scheduled. I try very hard to live day to day with my family. People do need to see other people in person!

]]> Comment on Connecting by Keri Wyatt Kent http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704&cpage=1#comment-4566 Keri Wyatt Kent Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:23:53 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704#comment-4566 Thanks for your comments Mary and Tony! This is definitely an area that takes constant shifting in order to keep things balanced. I've come to a place where I have found friends I can trust, and I actually need them. That requires relational risk-taking, but the risk is worth it. Thanks for your comments Mary and Tony!
This is definitely an area that takes constant shifting in order to keep things balanced. I’ve come to a place where I have found friends I can trust, and I actually need them. That requires relational risk-taking, but the risk is worth it.

]]> Comment on Connecting by Tony Horsfall http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704&cpage=1#comment-4565 Tony Horsfall Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:18:35 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704#comment-4565 I share some of your 'temptations' Keri. I have two support groups and was with one of them yesterday - for those who care for missionaries. It's good to talk over issues we have in common, to learn from some very wise people, and be with those who speak the same language. Also good to be with those who strecth me spiritually as well. Another group I belong to is for men in ministry. There we can think aloud, share our joys and sorrows, have a good laugh, and pray for one another. I love both groups and try to keep them as a priority. But I would love to belong to a writer's group. I'm not aware of anything like that in the UK. I think you do a great job, by the way, of giving yourself to your family, to keeping fit etc. I don't know how you manage to fit it all in! That's just my impression form your facebook page! I share some of your ‘temptations’ Keri. I have two support groups and was with one of them yesterday - for those who care for missionaries. It’s good to talk over issues we have in common, to learn from some very wise people, and be with those who speak the same language. Also good to be with those who strecth me spiritually as well.
Another group I belong to is for men in ministry. There we can think aloud, share our joys and sorrows, have a good laugh, and pray for one another. I love both groups and try to keep them as a priority.
But I would love to belong to a writer’s group. I’m not aware of anything like that in the UK.
I think you do a great job, by the way, of giving yourself to your family, to keeping fit etc. I don’t know how you manage to fit it all in! That’s just my impression form your facebook page!

]]> Comment on Connecting by Mary DeMent http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704&cpage=1#comment-4564 Mary DeMent Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:36:17 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=704#comment-4564 Everyone is so busy, their schedules so FULL, it makes it difficult to "connect." And, the thought of planning one more "thing" sends most of us over the edge! But...that old adage is true: "if you want to make a friend, be a friend." Sometimes, you have to "create" opportunities to connect. Pursue friendships. The other night, I invited four couples to our home. They each brought food to share. Our kids played outside and we sat inside talking (in between the occasional raising of kids), laughed and just hung out together. No agenda. No schedules. Spur of the moment idea and everyone had a great time re-connecting. Everyone is so busy, their schedules so FULL, it makes it difficult to “connect.” And, the thought of planning one more “thing” sends most of us over the edge! But…that old adage is true: “if you want to make a friend, be a friend.” Sometimes, you have to “create” opportunities to connect. Pursue friendships. The other night, I invited four couples to our home. They each brought food to share. Our kids played outside and we sat inside talking (in between the occasional raising of kids), laughed and just hung out together. No agenda. No schedules. Spur of the moment idea and everyone had a great time re-connecting.

]]> Comment on A deeper shade of green…. by Amy Sullivan http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=700&cpage=1#comment-4560 Amy Sullivan Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:37:32 +0000 http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/?p=700#comment-4560 I love the idea of green not meaning go, but green meaning to slow down and really seeing the amazing world God has given us. I love the idea of green not meaning go, but green meaning to slow down and really seeing the amazing world God has given us.

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