A welcoming community
for those who struggle with organized religion
but haven’t given up on God or a world at peace.
One Question with Pastor Adam
Pastor Adam Ericksen addresses one question that’s been submitted by listeners. Some of the topics to be explored include: the Bible, heaven and hell, who is Jesus, and do you have to be a Christian to be saved.
Why Did God Become a Child? The answer will change your life.
Suzanne Ross ponders on the doctrine of the Incarnation and brings up insights that will change the way you think about yourself, your relationships, and where God is present in your life.
4 Steps to Building Healthy Community Online
Social media often gets a bad rap for being an arena for comparison and competition, but it can also be a way to genuinely (and healthily) connect with others. In this post, Pastor Adam Ericksen shares his 4 tips to foster healthy relationships online.
Jesus Unmasked
“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love.
Reflections on Indigenous Wisdom for Healing A Wounded World
Lindsey Paris-Lopez shares what she has learned from indigenous wisdom, and how living a life of gratitude fosters stewardship, hope, and positive change.
“The time has come for us to forgive one another.
If we wait any longer there will not be time enough.”
René Girard
You belong
Be found here. Encounter your authentic self and a God who is calling to you through your doubts. We are delighted beyond measure that you have found your way to us and hope our journey resonates with the truth you feel in your heart. Now we can be on the journey together.
Topics
We know – the topics look good, but what is that last one, Mimetic Theory, all about? You may not recognize it yet, but fear not! Explore our site and it won’t take long for you to see that Mimetic Theory is the key to understanding all our other topics and building real peace in our lives and our world!
Take A Breath with Us
The Olive Branch
Each week we will offer you an Olive Branch, our way of creating space for you to step back and take a breath. By slowing down, we can discover how to move from conflict to peace, from suffering to healing, and from confusion to wholeness. Find insight, encouragement, and inspiration for the journey.
Today we invite you to ask yourself the question..."Do I feel connected to those around me?" 🔌⠀ ⠀ The feeling of connection is an essential part of belonging. If you are feeling disconnected today, take a moment to ask yourself why. Is there something you can change or do to help yourself feel more connected?⠀ ⠀ Perhaps it is as simple as taking the initiative and reaching out to friends, family, and loved ones. ❤️⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ #belonging #belongingmatters #belongingisfree #community #connection #selfawareness #mindfulness #mindfulnessmatters #mindfulnessmoment #progressivechristianity #progressivechristian #everythingchristian #christianity #religion #faith #faithjourney #kingdomofgod #thewaythetruththelife #humankindness #mimetictheory #renegirard #ravenfoundation
When you move or make a big change in your life, the going can be really lonely! You may have an exciting a new job but the downside is that it takes you away from your friends to some place where there are no familiar faces around. Sure you can stay connected with your old pals but getting connected to where you are now is good for keeping your spirits up! Cultivating a sense of belonging to your new home can start with small interactions, what psychologists call “low-stakes relationships”. They’re those casual conversations about the weather or last night’s ball game with your barista, the check-out girl at the supermarket, or the guy who goes to the same spin class as you. It doesn’t feel like much, but if we slow down and really focus on the interaction we can get a solid emotional boost that can carry us through the day, or at least till lunchtime. Sometimes we think that our loneliness won’t be cured until we can move beyond casual acquaintances to something deeper. But casual connections are just as important as the close ones to our sense of well-being and belonging. A professor of communication studies says, “If conversations with our low-stakes friends are meaningful, we can expect to feel a degree of satisfaction similar to if we’d just spoken to a close friend.” So next time don’t rush out of spin class – take a minute or two to enjoy a conversation with someone who shares your love of the spin! You’ll both be glad you did. • • • • • • #loneliness #belonging #belongingmatters #belongingisfree #community #connection #selfawareness #mindfulness #mindfulnessmatters #mindfulnessmoment #friendship #friends #relationships #community #psychology #mimetictheory #renegirard #ravenfoundation
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If self-consciousness separates us from our creator and one another, what frees you to connect? #belonging #connection #relating #freedom #awareness
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Where do you have the most freedom to learn, create, and innovate? #belonging #security #creativity #innovation #learning
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What is your favorite part about being a member of our great human family? #belonging #love #family_of_man #humanity @dalailama
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Imperfections make you who you are, someone worthy of love and belonging. Do you have a favorite flaw? #belonging #love #flawedbutfab #worthy
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Has your learning ever been hindered by a lacking a sense of safety, belonging, or contribution? #belonging #safety #learning #contribution
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Loving yourself isn't always easy. How did you discover you were worthy of love and belonging? #belonging #beloved #love #worthy
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Grateful living and belonging are inseparable. Where do you encounter them? #belonging #gratitude #life_as_gift #you_belong #love
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Society surrounds us, even when we feel apart from it. Changing society requires ownership and action. Where are you working to change society? #belonging #socialchange #ownit #changeit #societyisyours
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If belonging resides within, how do we share our belonging with others? #belonging #being_together #wheredoyoubelong #love #welcome
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