April 8, 2002
I am on a Dag Hammerskold kick. Shortly after his appointment as Secretary-General of the United Nations he wrote the following for a radio program of Edward Murrow’s:
"From generations of soldiers and government officials on my father’s side I inherited a belief that no life was more satisfactory than one of selfless service to your country—or humanity. This service required a sacrifice of all personal interests, but likewise the courage to stand up unflinchingly for your convictions.
From scholars and clergymen on my mother’s side I inherited a belief that, in the very radical sense of the gospels, all men were equals as children of God, and should be met and treated by us as our masters.
Faith is a state of the mind and the soul….The language of religion is a set of formulas which register a basic spiritual experience. It must not be regarded as describing in terms defined by philosophy, the reality which is accessible to our senses and which we can analyze with the tools of logic. I was late in understanding what this meant. When I finally reached that point, the beliefs in which I was brought up and which, in fact, had given my life direction even while my intellect still challenged their validity, were recognized by me as mine in their own right and by my free choice…"
The pathway of the deeper spiritual experience often moves from unbelief, to I don’t know, to belief, to commitment, to discipleship. Wherever you are on the pathway join with us as we make our way together down the trail. We can all grow together.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
201 Oak St.
Mauston, WI 53948-1333 608-8474555
Past Weeks Thoughts: