The story...
As a teacher, I encouraged students to write in the margins of their textbooks. "Write your key 'learnings' in your own words . . . Internalize what you've learned . . . Write actionable statements . . . Record what you're taking away from this life investment." Sadly many students were hesitant to write in their book. Why? Some believed that their thoughts were inferior to the authors. Some were told not to deface library books. Some wanted to resell the book and receive more money for "like new" condition. Some never learned the annotating process for more effectively studying, retaining, learning, and applying.
A guy I respected, told me that it saddened him that people attended church "sermons" and didn't record the important. I agreed and decided to record my key points on a spiral bound set of notecards each week - I also included a "key point(s)" sketch. For a few years, it helped me engage and make more sense of what I received - the sketches helped. Then, a pastor was leaving the church and I was asked to collect a dozen of these cards to share with the pastor as memorabilia. I was surprised that none of my note cards were appropriate for sharing with the community. They meant much to me but would likely be misconstrued by others.
What joy to think of my son imagining that great afternoon when he'd be free from the church building and able to get out there and live - I'm glad I surrendered my note pad to him that day.
The only church in town would be a place where people walk side-by-side learning and abiding within the will of God. Yes, they would learn together in their own unique way. The whole would be greater than the sum of their parts.
Just for today...
"I will make this day a happy one, for I alone can determine what kind of day it will be." One Day at a Time (p. 79)
"I don't know what is best for others because I don't know the lessons that God is offering them . . . Nine times out of ten, I am focusing on someone else to avoid looking at something in my own life." Courage to Change (p. 79)
"Squirrels leap; Deer prance. - He listens; She speaks."
"More wholly; Woods or Church - Better together; Creation abounds." Am I a Poet?