Entering the Stream

Poems about Union

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book Entering the Stream by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland, Wipf and Stock Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: N. Thomas Johnson-Medland ISBN: 9781621893837
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers Publication: February 7, 2011
Imprint: Resource Publications Language: English
Author: N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
ISBN: 9781621893837
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Publication: February 7, 2011
Imprint: Resource Publications
Language: English

The notion and phrase of entering the stream has long been an image for merger and union. Most often it is meant to sum up the idea of union with the Divine Principle or God. Less often, yet still common, it is used to image the union of ideas, bodies, and movements. The sense that one thing folds into or flows into another and gets lost is still a major underpinning toward the belief that there is some ah ha moment in life where we are able to drift out of simple, commonplace existence and enter the field of ALL knowing. We believe that there can be and is a moment of merger (a born-again instant), an awakening to something outside of what it means to be singularly dual. It is not by chance that the two sacramental rites within Christianity that have the deepest roots in the gathered community over time--reaching down into the loam of our existence--are Baptism and Eucharist. The first--the initiation rite--is about dissolving into God and His mercy and forgiveness. We enter into Him and the fullness of His Kingdom. We are overwhelmed by the waters and emerge a new creature. The second--the continuation rite--is about God dissolving into us. He enters us bringing the fullness of His Kingdom. We ingest God (depending upon your theology) in either image or fact and we emerge a new creature. The poems that follow are about this axis of consumption, this axis of dissolving in our lives. We are swallowed up by God. We swallow up God.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The notion and phrase of entering the stream has long been an image for merger and union. Most often it is meant to sum up the idea of union with the Divine Principle or God. Less often, yet still common, it is used to image the union of ideas, bodies, and movements. The sense that one thing folds into or flows into another and gets lost is still a major underpinning toward the belief that there is some ah ha moment in life where we are able to drift out of simple, commonplace existence and enter the field of ALL knowing. We believe that there can be and is a moment of merger (a born-again instant), an awakening to something outside of what it means to be singularly dual. It is not by chance that the two sacramental rites within Christianity that have the deepest roots in the gathered community over time--reaching down into the loam of our existence--are Baptism and Eucharist. The first--the initiation rite--is about dissolving into God and His mercy and forgiveness. We enter into Him and the fullness of His Kingdom. We are overwhelmed by the waters and emerge a new creature. The second--the continuation rite--is about God dissolving into us. He enters us bringing the fullness of His Kingdom. We ingest God (depending upon your theology) in either image or fact and we emerge a new creature. The poems that follow are about this axis of consumption, this axis of dissolving in our lives. We are swallowed up by God. We swallow up God.

More books from Wipf and Stock Publishers

Cover of the book Love Addict by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Designing Religious Research Studies by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book A Life of Dialogue by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book In the Labyrinth of Grief by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book The Righteousness of One by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Behold, Your House Is Left to You by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Apologetics without Apology by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Jesus by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book A Catholic Reading Guide to Universalism by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book The Holy Ghost Got a New Dance by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Strangers, Neighbors, Friends by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Interweaving Innocence by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book The Other Journal: Evil by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Seeking the Lord of Middle Earth by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
Cover of the book Mariology at the Beginning of the Third Millennium by N. Thomas Johnson-Medland
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy