Anamchara Books News Feed

Times of Crisis

The flowering of the cross on Easter at First Congregational Church represents a contrast with the violence that soon engulfed America’s consciousness: it was a reminder that acts of beauty outweigh the brutality we see in the world.

One never knows what a day will bring. This past month, the Boston Marathon was marred by horrific death that stunned a nation. Millions watched helplessly as the news channels played—over and over again—images of the bombs going off near the finish line. Not long after that, there was a huge explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco. Meantime, someone was sending letters with deadly Ricin to government officials.

If these weren’t bad enough, every day for the past two weeks there has been news of a shooting here or there. And—in the very midst of this—elected Federal officials decided they would not require background checks for the purchase of firearms (I own a rifle—for recreational purposes—but I don’t for the life of me understand anyone refusing to be background checked and registered to own gun :common sense dictates that highly deadly objects deserve some form of regulation).

Looking at all these things, we can begin to feel overwhelmed—despairing even. More than a decade ago when the September 11th attacks on the trade tower occurred, I told my congregation that we had better brace ourselves for more terrorism in society because while technology increases the human ability to kill, there is no corresponding increase in human moral sensibility. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. put it much more eloquently, “We have guided missiles but misguided men.”

Violence has been endemic among mortals since Cain slew Abel, but Cain’s blunt instrument did not carry a full clip of armor-piercing ammunition, nor did it contain shrapnel and a wide blast disbursement. Perhaps most disturbing, amidst these developments of greater lethal prowess the people who represent us in congress display no collective will to make our country safer, so it appears that violent death by advanced weaponry will be the daily news fare for a good while to come.

So, how do we respond as people of faith to the widening spiral of violence in 21st century America? First of all, we need to keep the truly big picture—that God is in control. There are people of faith who remain centered and compassionate even in Middle Eastern and African nations where bombings, shootings and atrocities are constant fare. Even if violence worsens, we can remain faithful and steadfast as well.

Psalm 46 depicts a world plunging into chaos: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, thought the earth give way, and mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” The entirety of the Old Testament can be seen as the story of chaos subdued yet threatening to break out of its cage. Chaos threatens creation at the very beginning of God’s creative acts (Genesis 1:2 “formless and empty” =tohu and Wabihu=chaotic and life-threatening”). Sometimes it bursts forth and overwhelms mortals, as when Job suffers his losses and David’s kingdom plunges into civil war and fratricide. Yet the Psalmist begins his 46th song by affirming the response of God’s people: we will not fear. God is greater than chaos. Let time run its course and we see the end: He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth, he breaks the bow and shatters the spear—along with the bomb and the assault rifle. Be still and know that I am God…the the Lord almighty is with us.

Knowing that this is the future, and believing that God is greater than whatever threatens, we then remember the power in our prayers. As Alfred Lord Tennyson reminds us in his epic poem Idyls of the King:

More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are people better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friends?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.

And, on a less artistic note, the late theologian Walter Wink—who devoted his theological career to reducing the downward spiral of violence—wrote in his book The Powers that Be, “History belongs to the intercessors, who believe the future into being. If this is so, then intercession, far from being an escape from action, is a means of focusing for action and of creating action. By means of our intercessions we veritably cast fire upon the earth and trumpet the future into being.”

In addition to prayer, crises should impel us to good deeds. Again quoting Dr. King, “When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love.”

Our efforts sometimes seem futile—especially since there may not be a discernible connection between one’s good works and reducing the violence that occurs seemingly randomly, a long distance away. What does a primary teacher in flagstaff, loving and caring for her students, have to do with healing the world from a bombing in Boston or shooting in Chicago?

Here we could gain from the perspective of Judaism. Jews teach that each mitzot—each little good deed conforming to faith—is Tikkun Olam. Author Greg Mobley in his book Return of the Chaos Monster explains, “The basic story of Hasidism is the role that every Jew plays in the drama of “mending the world,” Tikkun Olam. Every act of virtue, of faithfulness to the Mosaic commandments (mitzvoth), of heartfelt celebration of the Sabbath aids the redemption of the divine fullness.”

“Mending the world,” what an encouraging phrase! As individual followers of Jesus and as a congregation we each play a small but vital role in the restoration of creation. Persons of violence may seem to have the upper hand—especially when seen through the wide but distorted lens of the media—but the future belongs (as Walter Wink tell us) to the intercessors and (as the Hasidim remind us) to those who do the little acts of mending the world.

May each tragic action in our world spur us onward toward God’s reign of justice and peace.

A Visit to The Church of the Holy Sepulcher: Traditional Site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection

In January 1997 I was given an extraordinary gift—a member of the church that I served at that time provided me a free trip to the Holy land. As a result, I was able to make several visits to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This enormous church (actually a complex of chapels and sanctuaries connected into one massive complex) has been regarded as the holiest site on earth by most Christians since the early fourth century. Christians from each of the various sects believe that this enormous structure houses the locations of Christ’ death and of his subsequent resurrection. This was the place that tens of thousands of pilgrims from the Byzantine era through the high middle ages and until today sought as the end of their pilgrimage. Believers have spent their fortunes, years and even their health to travel far and worship in this place.

The statement that I make above came home to me in visceral way walking through a passage where pilgrims have etched crosses on the wall over the centuries. The entire wall has been moved back several feet into the surrounding rock and is entirely patterned with horizontal and vertical lines formed by cruciform scratches of the faithful for over a thousand years. Of course I added mine and contemplated my identity as a small link in the long chain of Christian history at this site.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher contains some mysteries and surprises not seen in most commentaries or tours, and one of these is the Ethiopian Coptic sanctuary in the attic space above the crowds of pilgrims and tourists. Our tour guide—a Bible scholar with years of work in the Holy land—led us up a staircase into a long room occupying space between the ceiling and the roof that is covered with intricate stylized paintings. Among the scenes portrayed here was Solomon’s tryst with Bathsheba and—I kid you not—a portrayal of the journey of the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Ethiopia where the Ethiopian church claims that it still resides today.

But the “holy of holies” for Christians through the centuries has been the site of Jesus’ empty tomb (now enclosed in an elaborately architected monument) and the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Calvary is topped now with all manner of elaborate gold artwork but a visitor can still stoop down to touch a hole in the rock where Christ’ cross was supposed to be held upright.

I say ‘supposed’ because there are very few sacred sites –in any religion—that can be verified by means of archaeology and history as the bona fide place where great events occurred. In many cases it is a matter of faith that said events occurred at all—never mind the where of occurrence. Yet we crave concreteness for our beliefs. The incarnation of Christ is a foundation of Christian faith and we likewise desire to feel the Christ story incarnated in space.

Having said that, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher rates relatively high in terms of likely authenticity. Shortly after Rome destroyed Jerusalem the conquerors built a temple for one of their gods atop the site of the Garden Tomb and adjacent Golgotha, in order to prevent Christians from venerating the place (they had to stop this perfidious new form of Judaism that was spreading throughout their empire). Several centuries later, Helena—the mother of the Christian Emperor Constantine—came looking for the site of Christ’ tomb and learned of its location under the temple. As the Roman site was cleared away the empty tomb and site of the crucifixion were found underneath. While this account provides no hard proof that it is the most sacred place itself, it is a plausible account for finding the true holy spot.

My first visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was an under-whelming experience. We came there as a group at a busy time. Believers from all over the world jostled and talked loudly in the echoing vaults. Sometimes their exchanges were acrimonious. At the place of Golgatha I waited in a line to touch the ground where the cross was set, amidst bustle and chatter. I felt nothing.

Likewise, I waited a long time standing to set foot—very briefly—in the empty tomb. Again, there was no peak experience; in fact, it felt more akin to a Disneyland visit than a transformative spiritual event.

However, I was able to return to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher with just my roommate—an unobtrusive fellow—several days later, at a less-visited time. This second time I could be alone at the site of the crucifixion, and I found myself unexpectedly weeping as I knelt to touch the stone. The words of the old hymn echoed in my head: Amazing love how can it be that thou my God should die for me? Likewise, a few minutes alone in the empty tomb sent a chill down my spine: I had the strongest feeling that the empty sepulcher was extraordinarily filled with the presence of God.

It has become fashionable at Easter time for pundits and theologians to conjecture in the magazines and internet about what did-or-didn’t happen on the first Good Friday and the First Easter. My visits to these time-hallowed sites left an impression that sunk deeper than any conclusion of such idle speculations. On the ledge in the empty tomb there was a silk cloth with two words in Greek: XRISTOS ANESTI. And my heart shouted, “Yes, he is risen indeed!”

Author David Cole Interview on Mystic Path of Mediation

David Cole, author of the upcoming book The Mystic Path of Meditation: Beginning a Christ-Centered Journey, recently spoke with podcast Everyday Connection. Check out David’s interview here or check out the audio below.

Listen to internet radio with Everyday Connection on Blog Talk Radio

Book Review for Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life by Kenneth McIntosh

Check out this review from Paul John Martin, Guardian of the US Community of Aidan and Hilda, for Kenneth McIntosh’s Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life. Thank you to Paul John for his kind words about McIntosh’s book!

For some years now, I have had a mental list of a handful of books I can put in the hands of a reader coming new to the Celtic Christian way. They are books that can be trusted to be a joy to read, to give reliable information, to relate the world of the Celtic saints to a life lived in the USA of the 21st century, and to excite the newcomer to journey further along this way. I now need a 6th finger, because I just added a book to the list. As a bonus, the author, Kenneth McIntosh, is an American pastor and writer--the first to appear on my list.

Water from an Ancient Well follows a pattern familiar to those who have read Michael Mitton’s excellent book Restoring the Woven Cord. McIntosh starts each of his 15 chapters with a story of a Celtic saint, some ancient (Brigid, Brendan), some modern (musicians Andy Rogers, Bono). He delights to tell these stories, wildly unlikely elements and all, and brings to them a lifetime of moving naturally in the Celtic world. I was repeatedly reminded that my interest in the Celtic Way is just 8 years old, whereas Mcintosh is 75% Scottish and has loved the Celts since he was 10 years old.

In true Celtic fashion, he moves easily from story into theology. His thoughts reflect the wisdom of one who has pastored a number of very different churches across the country. He is also well read in Native American spirituality, and lectures in comparative religions. This brings a richness to his thoughts about American life and the current Christian scene. I especially like his balanced, Celtic-influenced approach to a question that is very thorny today: how should we view the authority of scripture?

Lastly, he invites us to enter the circle of the Celtic saints ourselves, setting out ‘welcome’ signs that any of us American Christians can relate to. He covers a great width of interests and visions. Along the way we are joined by a wonderful variety of companions, from CS Lewis to WB Yeats, from Dallas Willard to Scott Peck, from (Astronomer Royal) Martin Rees to Gandalf.

“This book could become a classic,” wrote Ray Simpson in his cover review. I agree.

-Paul John Martin, Guardian, US Community of Aidan and Hilda

Anamchara Books to Attend Tuscon Celtic Festival

From November 2-4, Anamchara Books will be attending the Tuscon Celtic Festival. Kenneth McIntosh, author of Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life and Following Aslan: A Book of Devotions for Children Based upon the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis will be at the Anamchara Books booth to meet fans and make soul friends. McIntosh will also be presenting workshops on The Quest for King Arthur and Merlin: Man, Myth, and Magic.

Come by the Anamchara Books booth to meet Kenneth McIntosh and check out the titles we have for sale!

Check Out Anamchara’s Books on Facebook and Twitter!

Anamchara Books is on Facebook and Twitter! Check out the Anamchara Books Facebook page here and follow us on Twitter @AnamcharaBooks for news about future titles, quotations from our books, and information about events Anamchara is attending.

Each of our titles now also have a Facebook page and Twitter account. Follow our books on Twitter and “Like” our books on Facebook to get news about the book, read and respond to quotations, and let us know what you think of the books.

Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life: Facebook / Twitter
Indigo Wizard: Facebook / Twitter
All Shall Be Well: Revelations of Divine Love: Facebook / Twitter
Following Aslan: Facebook / Twitter
God of All Comfort: Facebook / Twitter
Brother Lawrence: A Christian Zen Master: Facebook / Twitter
Earth Afire with God: Celtic Prayers for Ordinary Life: Facebook / Twitter
At the Back of the North Wind: Facebook / Twitter
Hazelnuts of Grace: Selections from Julian of Norwich: Facebook / Twitter
The Dragon Within Your Heart: Facebook / Twitter
Loving God: The Teachings of Bernard of Clairvaux: Facebook / Twitter
The Labyrinth: A Spiritual Journey: Facebook / Twitter
Touching God: Experiencing Metaphors for the Divine: Facebook / Twitter
The Quest for King Arthur: Facebook / Twitter
Following the Mockingjay: Facebook / Twitter
The Gift of Hope: Facebook / Twitter
The White Stone: Selections from George MacDonald: Facebook / Twitter
The Wings of God: From Wild Goose to Pelican, Phoenix to Dove: Facebook / Twitter

Thoughts from Our Editors' Reading for October 10th

We're working on a book called The Journey to Paradise(due to come out in 2013), which looks at death as the ultimate adventure, the voyage on which we have all set sail from the moment we were born. The Celts saw journeys as sacraments, as the embodiment life's of spiritual reality. Celtic followers of Christ left behind the stability of their native homes to seek their "place of resurrection." As Thomas Merton describes in Mystics and Zen Masters, this "was a journey to a mysterious, unknown, but divinely appointed place, which was to be the place of the monk's ultimate meeting with God." Merton goes on to say: "The pilgrimage . . . was therefore not the merely the restless search of an unsatisfied romantic heart. It was . . . a sense of ontological and spiritual dialogue between man and creation in which spiritual and bodily realities interweave and interlace themselves like manuscript illuminations in the Book of Kells."

I find that this attitude changes the way I look at my life. I tend to see frustrations and inconveniences as though they were something that disturbs the "normal" fabric of my life. But if I am on a sacred journey, then the interior and exterior storms I encounter are all part of the adventure, not setbacks but waymarks on my voyage to my place of resurrection (a term I haven't yet begun to unpack). I can claim (in Merton's words) that my "vocation is to mystery and growth, to liberty and abandonment to God, in self-commitment to the apparent irrationality of the winds and seas, in witness to the wisdom of God."

Last Chance to Sign Up for Celtic Christian Way of Spiritual Life Retreat!

Tomorrow is the last day to register for “Celtic Christian Way of Spiritual Life” retreat w/ Paul John Martin (Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda—a Celtic Neo-Monastic community) and Kenneth McIntosh (author of Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life). The event is at Epiphany Church in Flagstaff (423 North Beaver Street) from 10 AM to 3 PM this Saturday--October 13th. Cost is $40 which includes a full hot meal of UK specialties at lunchtime. In the morning Paul John will present a fascinating overview of Celtic spirituality, its history and relevance. In the afternoon Kenneth will present suggestions for ‘hands on’ practice of this way of life. To register respond to: kmcintosh@anamcharabooks.com or call/text 928-699-7384.

Register Now for Celtic Christian Way of Spiritual Life Retreat in Flagstaff, AZ

Anamchara Books is proud to present A Celtic Christian Way of Spiritual Life, a retreat on Saturday, October 13th from 10 AM to 3 PM at Church of the Epiphany, 423 North Beaver Street, Flagstaff, Arizona. Paul John Martin, Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda (a Celtic neo-monastic community) and Kenneth McIntosh, author of Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life will be presenting at the event.

Learn about the ancient Christian tradition that makes life a spiritual adventure, integrates ecology, art and community, and lives on in postmodern-era spiritual communities. Paul John Martin is originally from the UK and has deep knowledge of this topic--his speaking in Flagstaff is truly something special. Ken McIntosh shares from years of broad & deep research combined with traveling focused on this topic. Suggested donation of $40.00 at the door. This includes a warm Celtic lunch prepared by Marsha McIntosh.

NOTE: Please RSVP by October 10th so we know how much food to prepare. To RSVP, contact Ken at kmcintosh@anamcharabooks.com or 928-699-7384. Please note if you prefer a vegetarian meal.

We hope to see Soul Friends from the Flagstaff area on the 13th! Sign up today!

Register Now for Celtic Christian Way of Spiritual Life Retreat in Flagstaff, AZ