• SOULPRINTS: Naming the Rebar

• VIEWFINDER: When God Loved Dinosaurs

• HELP!

I watched with great interest the installation of iron rebar in the foundation of my house. In this process, long pieces of iron are formed into a grid. This gives tensile strength to the concrete slab that is poured around the grid. The concrete has less shifting over time with this reinforcing grid in place. The years since have proved the workers did a good job of making it strong.

Each of us has some foundational ways of relating to God, the world, and our Self. Within those ideas are the hidden “rebar” of beliefs. Some may have come unexamined from our early years while others emerge from our own experiences. Taking time to consider these formative concepts may offer insight for better well-being.

Here are a few of the rebar pieces that strengthen my belief system. I welcome your comments in the Facebook Trackers Community (see link below).

I do not have all the answers about God, Self, or Life. No one else does either. All constructs of reality are both informative and inadequate. The fullness of God, encompassing all the entities of the universe throughout all time, is more than we can fully grasp. Every theology, including the one I hold now, should be “in pencil” as I learn.

“Bidden or not, God is present” everywhere, all the time. The ancient saying expresses the relationality of God to every entity in the universe. Reality is a unity with no distinctions between “natural” and “supernatural.” God is present with every person in all aspects of life.

Love is the central and essential attribute of God in relation to all things. The expressions of love are varied but all divine actions move toward love, goodness, beauty—to Shalom. God is unrelenting in loving because that is the core of who God is.  

God’s Love is non-coercive, inviting and risking collaboration with us. Love is never manipulative or controlling in respect to the varied capacities of self-determination among the entities of the universe. Every moment God is communicating the most beneficial ideas possible with the hope that we will choose to follow the path to well-being in the freedom we have.  

Loving myself is based on a foundation of God loving all of me, all of the time. Each person receives the free love of God for the totality of their identity. This all-encompassing, unearned grace is the foundation of self-worth, dignity, and communion with God.

Fear is a significant factor as a barrier or motivation to experiencing God. It is normal to assess threats so we can survive, which creates fear about events or other people we feel could harm us. But unchecked fear can distort our experience with God, others, and even our Self. Love is the correction to these distortions.

Holistic health requires healthy relationships. We are wired to be social creatures. We must have affirmation, nurture, and socialization to thrive. God inhabits and seeks to enhance our interconnections with all other persons and creatures.

What is the rebar in your foundation of belief?

 I welcome your comments about these ideas or your own foundations of faith on the Facebook Trackers page.

“Most people think they want a nice romantic partner. A nice person is considerate and agreeable; so what’s not to like?… But some of that positive behavior comes at the cost of more desirable attributes like genuine kindness or authenticity…”

Dr. Seth Gillihan digs into five behaviors that seem so nice but actually hinder a relationship. We should watch for these to seek instead a deeper honesty, for a partner who is “willing to be fully themselves—and want you to be exactly who you are.”

Find the full article on the Psychology Today website:

5 "Nice" Things Partners Do That Can Turn Into Problems: Watch out for relationship patterns that prioritize ease over honesty. By Seth J. Gillihan PhD

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