~ So yesterday I was at the Greek Fest with Pam and Donna. We looked at jewelry, visited a Greek orthodox bookstore, and ate gyros. About halfway through our Greek adventure, just when I was going to head for the baklava, my younger son's school called. He had cut his thumb open and they thought I should come get him. So I had to leave my regrets and go pick him up. I wasn't able to make a judgement call on the cut so we had to go see the Doc. He wasn't concerned about it, cleaned and bandaged it then sent us on our way. Oh the things we'll pay $20.00 plus 20% for. But I guess it's always good to know.
~ Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends.
~ A certain local church (hm...) was featured on CNN.com (can't post a link cause it's just video and the link is java. Go to CNN.com and search for "Sexy Christians"). The church is doing a series entitled "Sexy Christians". All sarcasm aside since I wasn't there to actually hear the entirety of the teaching, do you think the church should teach healthy sexuality from the pulpit?
~ I have the unexpected and incredibly gracious opportunity to attend the Revolution Conference on November. I am seriously looking forward to it, there are many speakers who I am hoping to hear. I didn't think it would be financially feasible, but this year a friend has made it possible. (Thanks!) While we are in Seattle, my friends and I are also planning to visit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Cool.
~ And on a related note, my friend Pam is blogging on the Revolution Conference blog.
~ Been thinking lately about my Myers-Briggs type. Does anyone really feel like it is helpful? What I mean, I guess, is that it's really hard for me to answer the questions for something like that accurately. With every question I see myself as split and I get really confused. Each time I take a test, I tend to answer similar questions differently. I try to answer the questions while thinking of a particular context, and still I hardly ever feel that I KNOW the answer. Does it signify a certain personality type that I can't answer the questions? Is it really possible to be objective about yourself? Can I accurately separate who I THINK I am from who I REALLY am? Do you feel that your Meyers-Briggs type accurately portrays you? The Lowdown: I'm split I/E; usually N; split F/T; usually P, sometimes J. THe P/J is the real issue for me. I'm both/and. Does it really matter? Why is this driving me crazy?While I understand the test really should be administered and interpreted by a professional, since everyone is always talking about it I can't help but wonder how I fit in.
~ Is there a simple, general definition for being a Christian? In other words, how could you define it on one sentence without getting complicated? Could I say that "If you believe Jesus is exactly who the Bible says He is, you are a Christian"? Or does there HAVE to be more to it than that?
ok, I have been pondering this question and rolling around a response in my head since reading your post early this morning...now that I finally have a minute to sit down and respond, here goes.
ReplyDeleteyou asked: Could I say that "If you believe Jesus is exactly who the Bible says He is, you are a Christian"? Or does there HAVE to be more to it than that?
Yes, I think there is more to it. First of all, I've discontinued identifying myself as a "Christian." While it gives the overall context of my belief system (i.e., Christian rather than Jewish or Muslim or something else), it says nothing about my choices or my actions. Lately, I've been using the term Christ-follower, but it's only for lack of a better word.
Over and over again, Jesus said "Follow me." Following Him is not a one time thing; not a one time prayer or even a set of beliefs about Him. It's not about showing up to a certain event on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. Following Jesus is a life quest, putting Him in the center of all that I am, all that I do, all that I want and need. Being a Christ-follower, to me, is trying to live in response to the God who gave His life for me. Sometimes I follow in purity, sometimes I follow in my messiness and brokeness. Following also means I'm sacrificing my own needs for the needs of others, reaching out to others. That's the really hard part. Jesus took on the nature of a servant - following Him means I do the same. Ugh. So, whatever my condition, I try to follow. And when I do, He gives me life.
I know you were looking for a simple, uncomplicated response, not sure if this comment hits the mark on that, but that's what's on my mind at this moment.
I will comment again on your Myers-Briggs question later on.
lily- i only had time to skim today, but wanted to say you'll love the Dead Sea Scroll Exhibit.
ReplyDeletecindy
Wow thanks Trace. That's a good comment.
ReplyDeleteI guess I was thinking more along the lines of identifying a belief system, but I really understand what you mean by being a follower. So I guess I should add the qualifier that you not only have to believe what the Bible sys about Jesus (or what He says about Himself and the Kingdom) but you also have to desire to follow Him and what He teaches. Or something like that.
I'll have to think on it more, but I was specifically looking at all the ways by which we tend to exclude each other from membership in the kingdom. I guess I had tunnel vision, because there is a bigger picture as you have pointed out.
Thanks so much for sharing. I appreciate your thoughts.
Cindy, I assume you've seen it?
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to it. It fascinates me.
Thanks.
re: MBTI
ReplyDeleteI spent a week in an MBTI class as part of my Master's program back in 2001. I also teach a (short)communications style class that is grounded in the same research. I think that any personality or style assessment is helpful for self-awareness, understanding why you relate to the world the way you do.
However, my experience with participants is that they tend to spend way too much time focusing on their own type and miss the whole purpose - these assessments are meant to help you become more effective and productive in your relationships with others. The whole point of understanding style and type is so that you can better relate to the other people in your life.
So my 3 cents is to use that lens -understand who you are, and use that knowledge to flex your style so you can maintain productive relationships.
I am done commenting on your blog for today. Have a good week.
Hi Trace - I am not even sure that I know my type, I think if I did it wouuld be cool and helpful in relating to others, But the types my tests (albeit these are informal online tests) come out to be are not the type I think I am from reading explanations. So I'm really confused.
ReplyDeleteBut does it really matter for me to know? I sometimes obsess over unimportant things.
In your opinion, do people usualy feel that their results are correct? Maybe I'm not who I think I am? Or should the fact that it "doesn't feel right" be an indicator that it's not?
So many questions! ha
ReplyDeleteGlad you son is ok....I was curious & remember getting calls like that all the time when my step-son was young....well, actually we still get calls like that, just aren't the ones taking him to the Dr anymore!
I find the personality tests to be very intriquing....there is a link on my xanga site, some sort of bloginality...it hit closer to home with me than any I had taken before. Have you ever heard of Florence Littauer? She has written some great books on the subject...I'll look and see if I still have any of them.
you might be over-stressing....reality is, I am reluctant to put anyone (especially me) in a box. For example, like you, I am a borderline E/I. I come across as an E, love being around people, but as I grow older, find that I get my energy from my quiet times and alone times. So, what am I? an I or an E? Does it matter? I'm not sure to be honest. I'd rather consider myself a friendly person who enjoys connecting with others but also needs her down time.
ReplyDeleteI think having a general awareness of your natural preferences is helpful, for example, I am a strong J so I always need to keep the 'red flag' up when it comes to coming across as judgemental.
Perhaps you are just a really inclusive, adaptive, flexible person and that might explain your uncertainty. Not to put the MBTI folks out of business, but I think the 16 combinations are a bit overwhelming. Use it to the extent it is useful. If it's overwhelming and your still interested, try a simpler assessment tool. That's my 3 cents.
Thanks for your thoughts on this Trace.
ReplyDeleteI asked my husband if he thought it identified my personality type just by the fact that I am so concerned with identifying my type, LOL.
In any case I seem to have come to the amateur conclusion that I am a:
I (no doubt)
S/N (favor S)
F (minor in T)
J/P (favor J).
That's the best I can do on my own and I'm just going to have to be OK with that.
But in my quest, I didn't really learn anything about myself that I didn't already know. Imagine that.