How does God fit into our lives? How do we fit into God’s infinite timeline? Once people spent a lot of time on those questions. Now, not so much. If we go to house of worship, we seldom take the words as a source of meditation and soul searching. Our lives go on without a personal relationship with God.
Sadly, many of us tell ourselves that we have to follow certain rules without understanding or caring what those rules mean, how they might help us to be better people and to lead more purposeful lives. Some of us even want to impose those rules on others as if they personally spoke for The Almighty. True to such arrogance, these people often pick and choose the rules they will impose.
In the process the dialogue between the believer and those who doubt gets lost. God has given us the challenge of life, which has to include the challenge of sharing life with those around us. The dialogue which makes that sharing possible is so often lost in a flash of dogmatic truth.
My novel, Widow’s Walk, is coming out in a couple of weeks. In it I try to explore the interplay for good and ill between faith and life. I hope it will get a few people to think about their relationship to God and God’s relationship to them. As a psychologist, minister, and especially as a pastoral counselor, this has always been the central issue in my search for personal meaning.
If you’d like more information about Widow’s Walk please visit the website: http://widows-walk.webs.com/ and don’t forget to look for it on Amazon in a couple of weeks.
*
This guest blog post is by Ken Weene. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to be Our Guest on Authors Promoting Authors, drop an email to: apasuggestions@gmail.com
I am looking forward to reading your book. My beliefs are somewhat different but I am always open to different perspectives. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read "People in church, or synagogue or mosque. People listening to a sermon, praying to a God. What does it mean?"
ReplyDeleteI became hopeful that this wasn't just another Christian fiction book (not that there is anything wrong with that). I would love to see these topics of faith explored but not attached to any one doctrine or dogma. Best of luck with your book.
Thanks to Heather and Miriam for their comments. I appreciate that both of these comments emphasize the notion of differences among and of competing religious views. I wrote "Widow's Walk" with those issues, which have been such a part of my life, very much in mind.
ReplyDeleteWe can not snctify the name of God if we don't battle within ourselves to understand God's essence.
When I read your opening, People in church, or synagogue or mosque. People listening to a sermon, praying to a God. What does it mean? What immediately came to mind was that people in crisis, distressed or coming to a cross road in their lives often seek spiritual guidance in various forms. I'm sure you have a great message to tell in any event and do wish you success with your book.
ReplyDeleteSounds really exciting Ken, can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteKaylin and Jan, Thank you for your comments and interest.
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly a book about people in crisis. It is also a book about the crises that religion can create for many. As the author I look forward to folks reading it. As a caring human being I hope it will help people chart better courses for their lives.
Congrats on your new book. Is it indeed Christian Fiction?
ReplyDeleteI love this new feature, Authors Promoting Authors!
Ivy
Ivy, it is a book that explores questions about our relationship with God. That exploration is within a Christian based framework, but I do not intend to convince the reader of what is the "right" way to be in that relationship. Indeed,one of the most sympathetic characters is an agnostic from a Jewish background and another is a defrocked Catholic priest.
ReplyDelete"Widow's Walk" is a novel for people who want to think about faith and wrestle with it as Jacob wrestled with The Angel of The Lord.
Ken,
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying.
I am not trying to make you defend your work, I think this is probably a very interesting book to read and I know after reading it I would understand better, but, when you say, "but I do not intend to convince the reader of what is the "right" way to be in that relationship"
Do you mean, as long as you are thinking of God within the Christian framework that that's what the only way is acceptable?
If I call God-Zeus or Athena or just the Divine (as an example) in your view, is that wrong? And if I think in those terms, under those definitions, could I still, as a reader relate to your book?
Thanks to everyone who has dropped by and left a comment. This is some great conversation emerging here. Many thanks to Our guest, Ken, for replying.
ReplyDeletePlease continue to keep all comments respectful~Tina-Sue
Sounds like a promising book to make people think and possibly get their lives in order.
ReplyDeleteCherie
Sounds like a promising book that people can read and use to turn their lives around.
ReplyDeleteCherie
...at the risk of sounding inane, asking if you can relate to this book even if you do not have the same beliefs is like wondering if you can relate to a detective novel. Are you a detective? Probably not. Would the story, the plot and the themes draw your interest? Maybe.
ReplyDeleteK.M.
I think what you are describing is often described by church leaders. Today, I just read in the local newspaper how the church is becoming irrelevant in the community, as several leaders discussed the need to be out on the streets (as opposed to waiting for people to come through the doors on Sundays).
ReplyDeleteQuite honestly, I suspect the Christian church in general does not understand what needs to happen to make a positive impact in people's lives.
First, I would suggest that Christianity is dry due to often times pointing people to look to external devices (a building, a program, a minister, a book, rituals, etc) instead of helping to develop spirituality. Secondly, I would point out that a message of fear (in any form) will not help others find peace. The message must be one of forgiveness and love. Period. :C)
- Louis Charles
http://JesusReligion.com
What a great discussion. Thank you! To follow up on Ivy's question: I believe that the questions raised in "Widow's Walk" and the different views of relationship to God that are reflected through different charactrs are relevant to Christians and others, to those who consider themselves spiritual and those who are simply questioning themselves as to what they believe.
ReplyDeleteI hope, to use K.M.'s comment, that the themes and questions, the characters and their dilemmas and internal conflicts are such as to interest readers.
It is my hope that readers will use what I have written to challenge themselves and to find what is right for them. Having worked for many years as a pastoral counselor, I have come to realize that respect for all faiths and approaches is the truly Christian way (and Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist). Is that not one of the meanings of the Good Samaritan?
Since this has been a lengthy comment, let me end by thanking all who have been taking part (and any others who might be silently reading along). As an author I particularly appreciate such an opportunity to talk with the reading audience.
Regardless of the subject, isn't that partly why we write? To incite people to challenge their thoughts and beliefs?
ReplyDeleteObviously it is a Christian ficiton book.
ReplyDeleteWould I pick this book up if I saw it under that genre? No.
Am I interested in exploring faith and spirituality? Yes.
Does the whole "Christian " genre, throw me off? Yes.
I think those who write under this genre have it very easy. As to if others can relate, well that depends. How much quoting-from-the-bible is in this book? Chapters and pages?
Two more comments. Wow!
ReplyDelete"Regardless of the subject, isn't that partly why we write? To incite people to challenge their thoughts and beliefs?" I couldn't agree more.
Of course, there's another reason - that we're writers and can't keep our fingers off the keyboard.
Is "Widow's Walk" Christian fiction? I hope it is far more. I hope that I have done right by the stuggles of the human spirit.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a similar blog discussion after the book is published and with comments by folks who have read it.