Digital Flipchart

Probably known most popularly for his association with cigarettes and good manners, Sir Walter Raleigh produced some fine religiuos poetry. He led a full and adventurous life, established the first English colony in America, today known as “the lost colony” because of its mysterious fate, search for fabled El Dorado in South America, was improsoned in the Tower of London, and ultimately beheaded–giving him opportunity to declare one of the best “final words” ever: “Strike, man, strike!” to his axe-wielding executioner. His poem, “On the Cards and Dice” inspired this sketch (computer and art tablet).
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Poet, musician and scholar Sidney Lanier was a Virginian Civil War veteran who later served as organist at First Presbyterian Church, Montgomery, AL and went on to teach at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. His poem “A Ballad of Trees and the Master” inspired this experimental sketch using computer and drawing tablet.
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What do you think?

John Donne (1572-1631) was an Anglican priest, poet, member of Parliment, and Dean of St. Paul’s. He preached his last sermon during Lent of 1631. He left behind an impressive collection of works, but he his most popularly known lines are, “no man is an island,” and “never send to know for whom the bell tolls.” His poem, “Good Friday, 1631, Riding Westward” inspired this sketch.
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A friend has taken on the work of trying to discover his Enneagram number. He�s taken a couple of on-line inventories, but with mixed results. The scores come back �flat�, hinting that he can be any one of three of four types. I told him that�s either a sign that the inventory is flawed, or that he does not yet know enough about what is being asked to answer the questions in a helpful way. I also told him that I�m a bit prejudiced against taking Enneagram inventories to achieve �quick insight� into oneself.

The “traditional” way of working with the Enneagram is with a spiritual director or coach. That person will guide your through asking questions, sharing experiences, etc. And, yes, while it involves reading the material on the Enneagram, I prefer the more traditional Eastern discernment approach than the Western approach of taking an inventory and gaining “instant insight.” You may get your number–and may even get it right, but because you’ve by-passed process you by-pass insight, is my belief. What I�ve observed, however, is that even with inventories, most people seem to need to try a couple of passes before settling on their number/type.
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I’m often asked by students to serve as a reference when they begin to get their resumes in order and start searching for ministry placement. I’m always happy to do so for those whom I’ve gotten to know and have been responsible in their work. I’m always surprised at the few who’ve never taken a class with me, haven’t had two-minutes’ worth of conversation, or have been less than stellar in their performance who ask me to be a reference. Is it chutzpa or something else, I always wonder? For those few, my usual comment is, “Oh, thanks for asking, but I can’t do that.” Most leave it there, only one has asked why not, and I had to tell him.
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