It been a while since I wrote about Jennifer Fulwiler. Now that her book has been published she is less present on the net (Book tours and speaking engagements). Here is a short summary of her journey via You Tube video.
You can order her book here in either paper or electronic form. It is entitled , Something Other Than God with a subtitle that mentions happiness.
Showing posts with label Jennifer Fulwiler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jennifer Fulwiler. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Monday, January 07, 2013
Jennifer Fulwiler - Journey from Atheism
One big benefit of hearing or reading the stories of converts to Christianity is their clarity of vision. Their freshness and wonder at their discoveries as God's wisdom opens to them never fails to inspire me. I am convinced that cradle Catholic and Protestant Christians are truly handicapped in seeing God's footprints clearly when compared to these converts.
Some times their new born honesty pains us because it is so fresh that our old biases glare like scarlet letters. In the case of Jennifer she noted almost immediately the emphasis on differences we cradle Christians almost always open a discussion with. In fact, as you will see, the disagreements about God's will for us among denominations lead her to almost abandoning her search for God. Here is the video of her interview on Journey Home.
You can follow Jennifer's weekly blog essays about her Journey to Jesus at her "Conversion Journal" blog.
Christian Women of the Year
My new years review of the past year will first focus on
Catholic Women who write clearly and forcefully about their journeys to and
with the Lord in print and on the Internet. I began with a list of two whose
writing in the past year have been moving and inspiring. However, that list
quickly went to five.These nominees are:
Hallie Lord:''Welcome! My name is Hallie Lord. I’m 33 years old and have been married to Dan (you can learn more about him here) since October of 2001. We have six children under the age of ten (who we happily home school) including a baby boy due in March, a two-year-old girl, a four-year-old girl, a six-year-old girl, an eight-year-old boy, and a nine-year-old boy. Simply put: we’re crazy blessed.
I am the editor of (and contributing author to) Style, Sex, and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things that Really Matter." (quoted from the profile on her Blog ''Moxie Wife'')
Jennifer Fulwiler:
''I grew up atheist.
As far back as I can remember, it seemed simply obvious to me that neither God
nor any kind of spiritual realm existed....The first crack in my worldview came
when I met my husband. After we began dating I found out he believed in God....
I started asking questions. Then our first child was born, and I started asking
questions with humility....Research led me to the shocking conclusion that God
exists, and the more shocking conclusion that he became man in the form of
Jesus of Nazareth.'' (An extract from her extensive profile on her Blog
"Conversion Diary'') She is also one of the authors in Hallie Lord's Book
mentioned above. Her memoir about her journey from Atheism to Christianity will
soon be published. A TV show about her faith and family called ''Minor
Revisions'' is on NET-NY a New York City
Christian TV Channel. She and her family live in Texas where she home schools
their children.
Roxane Solonen:
" is a wife and mother of three sons and two daughters.
She also wears the hats of church cantor, children's author, speaker, newspaper
columnist and communications specialist through her business, Beauclair
Communications. Find her musings on faith and family life at Peace Garden Mama,
and ruminations on the writing life at Peace Garden Writer." (From profile
associated with her column on the "CATHOLIC MOM" website.)
'Infinite Grace':
The name of the author of this blog is not published but her
background and ministry is explained by this profile quote. "At the age of
17, I walked across this bridge, alone, into downtown Pittsburgh, with $300 in
my pocket that my mother had given me to get an abortion. I went into the the
Fulton building and did what I was told to do. I didn't have a choice - if I
did I wouldn't have chosen abortion." (From the heading on her blog,
"Post abortion Journey".) Grace is the name of the daughter who died
that day. She is a very powerful pro-life voice in the church and our country.
Dawn Eden:
Dawn is currently studying for a doctorate in Theology and
hopes to be a teacher of Theology in a University or Seminary. Since she and I
were fellow students in a graduate course on 'Theology of the Body' (Biblical
understanding of sex, marriage and family) six years ago, when she was first a
Christian, she is the only nominee that I have met personally. In addition to
her full time studies she is currently speaking around the world about her
second book, "My Peace I give You" dealing with recovery from sexual
abuse with the help of God's love and the example of the saints.
The Winners are:
After due consideration of this amazing group of women I
have decided to highlight two of them
that had the opportunity to talk about their Journey to the Arms of Jesus on
the TV show "Journey Home" this last year and both interviews are
available on YouTube.
In the next two
postings I will embed their interview videos for your viewing. Both their
journeys are so different (Atheist to Christian - Jennifer and Jewish to Christian - Dawn) from
my own (Cradle Catholic to agnostic to born anew Catholic Christian - Joe) that I get
new insights into my own faith every time I hear them speak
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Read Gibran to Celebrate the Catholic View of Marriage
One of my favorite bloggers, Jennifer Fulwiler, has been critical of the reading from the poem, “The Prophet” by the Christian Poet, Kahlil Gibran, at weddings. The title of her August 15 column in National Catholic Register is entitled “Please Don't Read This Poem at Your Wedding.” I disagree.
The summary of her view of the poem is:
“Though it was published in 1923, it's an eloquent articulation of our modern culture's new understanding of marriage. In this view, the individual is more important than the family unit. Marriage is seen as a path to self-fulfillment for each spouse, where protecting yourself trumps self sacrificial love, and personal autonomy trumps all.”
My view of the poem is almost opposite of hers. My wife and I (married 50 years+) raised our children during the 60s, 70s and 80s and as a father was always proactive in finding ways to counter the distorted and dysfunctional understanding of love, marriage and family growing in our culture. I recognized in “The Prophet” a counter cultural celebration of the Catholic view of marriage and family. When I read and studied John Paul II “Theology of The Body” I thought often of this poem.
When it came time for the Fathers' contribution to the reception speeches, I read from this poem at all my childrens' wedding receptions.
From the verses on Marriage:
“You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”
My commentary: The idea that God is not not a part of marriage has always been around but in the 60s and 70s this godless idea of marriage captured a large portion of our culture. It is one factor in moving our culture's view of marriage to the sorry and confused state we find it today. Gibran sees it differently.
“And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow”
My commentary: Why do the temple pillars stand apart? Obviously so that God may enter. The same with marriage; leave space in your marriage so that God may enter.
“Love one another, but make not a bond of love:”
My commentary: I encounter many young people whose concept of love (and marriage) is that one is possessed by the other, that you disappeared in the relationship. It feeds the related idea that men and women are equal in all things and that sexual differentiation is not important. Also secular humor pictures marriage as 'giving up freedom' (bondage) whereas the Christian view is that love sets us free and that freedom is a necessary element of self giving love.
From the section on Children:
“They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you they belong not to you.”
My commentary: Our modern secular culture preaches a sort of dualism that would describe the body as property that belongs to the person and by extension the view that babies (feti) are one's personal property and can be disposed of for any personal reason. Gibran sees it differently.
Jennifer made this same point about pro abortion philosophy in her August 12 posting on NCRegister.com. Gibran, Jennifer and I certainly are on the Catholic side here.
The beauty of Gibran's poetry continues:
"You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies,
so he loves also the bow that is stable."
My commentary: What a beautiful image of the Catholic teaching about the co-creative nature of sexuality and the importance of stable husband and wife families in raising children.
This poem is not a church document, it is not theological essay and it is not an argument about culture. It is a poetic celebration of the Incarnation, the life giving message of the Son and his promise to be with us via another mother. This poetic promise obviously points to the Church and our belief that the Church is the body of Christ in the world.
As the 'Prophet' departs for heaven we find the moderator alone;
“And when all the people were dispersed
she stood alone upon the sea-wall,
remembering in her heart his saying,
'A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind,
and another woman shall bear me.”
The celebration thus end with the Pentecost promise!
To read Jennifer's whole posting click here. Her essays at NCR as well as her personal blog, “Coversion Diary” are among my daily reads.
The summary of her view of the poem is:
“Though it was published in 1923, it's an eloquent articulation of our modern culture's new understanding of marriage. In this view, the individual is more important than the family unit. Marriage is seen as a path to self-fulfillment for each spouse, where protecting yourself trumps self sacrificial love, and personal autonomy trumps all.”
My view of the poem is almost opposite of hers. My wife and I (married 50 years+) raised our children during the 60s, 70s and 80s and as a father was always proactive in finding ways to counter the distorted and dysfunctional understanding of love, marriage and family growing in our culture. I recognized in “The Prophet” a counter cultural celebration of the Catholic view of marriage and family. When I read and studied John Paul II “Theology of The Body” I thought often of this poem.
When it came time for the Fathers' contribution to the reception speeches, I read from this poem at all my childrens' wedding receptions.
From the verses on Marriage:
“You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”
My commentary: The idea that God is not not a part of marriage has always been around but in the 60s and 70s this godless idea of marriage captured a large portion of our culture. It is one factor in moving our culture's view of marriage to the sorry and confused state we find it today. Gibran sees it differently.
“And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow”
My commentary: Why do the temple pillars stand apart? Obviously so that God may enter. The same with marriage; leave space in your marriage so that God may enter.
“Love one another, but make not a bond of love:”
My commentary: I encounter many young people whose concept of love (and marriage) is that one is possessed by the other, that you disappeared in the relationship. It feeds the related idea that men and women are equal in all things and that sexual differentiation is not important. Also secular humor pictures marriage as 'giving up freedom' (bondage) whereas the Christian view is that love sets us free and that freedom is a necessary element of self giving love.
From the section on Children:
“They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you they belong not to you.”
My commentary: Our modern secular culture preaches a sort of dualism that would describe the body as property that belongs to the person and by extension the view that babies (feti) are one's personal property and can be disposed of for any personal reason. Gibran sees it differently.
Jennifer made this same point about pro abortion philosophy in her August 12 posting on NCRegister.com. Gibran, Jennifer and I certainly are on the Catholic side here.
The beauty of Gibran's poetry continues:
"You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies,
so he loves also the bow that is stable."
My commentary: What a beautiful image of the Catholic teaching about the co-creative nature of sexuality and the importance of stable husband and wife families in raising children.
This poem is not a church document, it is not theological essay and it is not an argument about culture. It is a poetic celebration of the Incarnation, the life giving message of the Son and his promise to be with us via another mother. This poetic promise obviously points to the Church and our belief that the Church is the body of Christ in the world.
As the 'Prophet' departs for heaven we find the moderator alone;
“And when all the people were dispersed
she stood alone upon the sea-wall,
remembering in her heart his saying,
'A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind,
and another woman shall bear me.”
The celebration thus end with the Pentecost promise!
To read Jennifer's whole posting click here. Her essays at NCR as well as her personal blog, “Coversion Diary” are among my daily reads.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Abortion is a Feminine issue - On both sides
The blogger I have probably quoted more often and referred more people to over my years on the bloggosphere is Jennifer Fulwiler who now blogs daily on NCRegister.com. (Dawn Eden, my TOB classmate, had this record for some time but has been on extended blog-pause while pursuing her PHD.) I have used Jen's written and verbal analysis of the abortion issue with many groups. She has the insight to zero in on significant points about an issue that help bring more balance to the discussion. Her articles and talks about her journey from pro-choice to pro-life have the important benefit of reducing the personal animosity so often present when friends and relatives try to discuss this issue.
The prayer approach of Forty Days For Life and Abby Johnson's book, "Unplanned", are having the same result. While our media continues to favor the view that the abortion issue is between feminine and anti-feminine points of view it is interesting that the most lucid and powerful voices on the anti-abortion side are woman! In addition to Jennifer and Abby I would list Dr. Charmaine Yoest of American Untied for Life. The heart of the anti-abortion position is best captured by the thousands of women who have had abortions who now speak out clearly in opposition to this human rights violation.
If you have a friend or relative that is on the other side of this issue from you own and you would like to have a civil discussion about it I suggest that both of you read Abby's or Jennifer's writings on this issue. If you are Pro-Life you will be better prepared to understand where your pro-Choice loved one is coming from. I f you are Pro-Choice you will better understand that your Pro-Life loved one is coming from. Both of these woman have spent serious time on both sides of this issue.
You can order Abby Johnson's book here.
You can read one of Jennifer's essays on this topic here.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Radical Presense Found at Mass
My sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, was based on the readings and Psalm for the liturgy that urge us to rejoice because God is in our midst. At Mass God is present to us in three very important ways. He is present in our hearts, in our minds and in our bodies.
One of my favorite bloggers, Jennifer , in a posting on her Blog, "Conversion Diary", makes the same points more effectively than my overly intellectual attempts. Here is the ending of her article.
"As I stood with the baby at the apex of the Mass, the reception of the Eucharist, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this gift that is as simple as it is profound. You eat God. He becomes part of you in a physical way. The whole concept is stunning and yet so primal, so primitive, that anyone in almost any state can grasp it.
Rarely in my life have I felt so comforted as I did that day at the Mass. I realized that no matter what happens to me, whether I become rich or poor, whether I end up strong and healthy or feeble and frail, at the Mass I will be taken care of. Because the only thing that will ever be required of me to fully participate is simply a love of God"
Read Jennifer's entire article .
One of my favorite bloggers, Jennifer , in a posting on her Blog, "Conversion Diary", makes the same points more effectively than my overly intellectual attempts. Here is the ending of her article.
"As I stood with the baby at the apex of the Mass, the reception of the Eucharist, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this gift that is as simple as it is profound. You eat God. He becomes part of you in a physical way. The whole concept is stunning and yet so primal, so primitive, that anyone in almost any state can grasp it.
Rarely in my life have I felt so comforted as I did that day at the Mass. I realized that no matter what happens to me, whether I become rich or poor, whether I end up strong and healthy or feeble and frail, at the Mass I will be taken care of. Because the only thing that will ever be required of me to fully participate is simply a love of God"
Read Jennifer's entire article .
You can read her daily postings here.
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