Stephen W. Hiemstra's Blog, page 105

Gebetstag 41

Vor Stephen W. Hiemstra

Vater Gott,

Wir loben dich mit Liedern unser ganzes Leben lang.

Wir bedienen dich gerne und treten mit Gesang in deine Gegenwart ein.

Wir erinnern uns, dass du Gott bist: du hast uns gemacht; wir gehören dir; wir sind dein Volk—die Schafe eines Hirten.

Wir kommen mit Danksagung in die Kirche und vertrauen auf deiner Urteil.

Dein Lob erfüllt unsere Herzen und wir segnen deinen Namen.

Denn du bist gut und deine Liebe lässt uns nie im Stich—auch wenn wir selbst vergehen (Ps 100).

Im Namen des Vaters, des Sohnes und des Heiligen Geistes, Amen.

Gebetstag 41
Siehe auch:
Einleitung auf Ein Christlicher Leitfaden zur Spiritualität 
Andere Möglichkeiten, sich online zu engagieren:



Autoren Seite: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Herausgeber Seite: http://www.T2Pneuma.com





Mitteilungsblatt:  https://bit.ly/Urn_2021

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Why is Music an Important Spiritual Discipline?

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” (Exod 15:1)

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Why does scripture’s account of salvation history often sound like a music video? One reason is that they mark important transitions in the narrative of scripture. Songs of praise accompany, for example, both the salvation of Israel from the Egyptians after crossing the Red Sea, and their entrance into the Promised Land [1]. Hannah’s song marks the birth of the prophet, Samuel, (Sam 2:1–10). Songs also begin and end the New Testament [2].

Music is special as a spiritual discipline because it helps unite our hearts and minds [3], and uniquely expresses Christian joy. God has sovereignly created and saved us. We respond in praise. Accordingly, our minds know that our debt is beyond repayment and our hearts rejoice from the depths of our being. We are loved by the King of kings and we want to tell the whole world! Words alone are not enough. Holy songs bind our hearts and minds together. Choral music is special, in particular, because it binds our hearts and minds in unity seldom seen elsewhere.

This unity of heart and mind in music is so complete that it does not allow us to choose one over the other [4]. Even instrumental music communicates complex forms and themes with deep emotion [5]. Because all of us have songs that we have memorized, music is a form of meditation practiced by virtually everyone. We repeat and memorize holy songs that then define who we are, who we were, and who we will be [6].

Holy music is a special gifting from God that draws our hearts and minds to him.

Footnotes

[1] Exod 15:1–21; Deut 32:1–43

[2] Mary’s song marks her pregnancy (Luke 1:46–45); angels announce the birth of the baby Jesus with heavenly praise (Luke 2:14); and, of course, the songs of praise in the Book of Revelation remind us of Christ’s second coming and eternal reign (e.g. Rev 19:5–8).

[3] Dietrich Bonhoeffer once reportedly told his students (all good German intellectuals): “If you want to be pastors, then you must sing Christmas carols!” (Metaxas 2010, 129).

[4] Elliott (2006, 86) writes: “Love is linked to knowledge. To love God you learn about him and rehearse his words constantly. This knowledge will fuel your emotions.”

[5] Playing a musical score functions as a kind of subliminal message which reminds of song lyrics and touches different channels in our brains.

[6] I caution my students to be careful about the music that they listen to: when Alzheimer’s claims most of your mind, do you really want the last thing you remember to be the Oscar Mayer Wiener commercial or some heavy metal lyric?

References

Elliott, Matthew A. 2006. Faithful Feelings: Rethinking Emotion in the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel.

Metaxas, Eric. 2010. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy—A Righteous Gentile Versus The Third Reich. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Why is Music an Important Spiritual Discipline?
Also see:
Preface to A Christian Guide to Spirituality
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Purchase Book: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




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Por que es Música una Disciplina Espiritual Importante?

Entonces Moisés y los Israelitas cantaron este cántico al SEÑOR, y dijeron:“Canto al SEÑOR porque ha triunfado gloriosamente (es exaltado en gran manera); Al caballo y a su jinete ha arrojado al mar. (Exod 15:1 NBH)

Por Stephen W. Hiemstra

¿Por qué la cuenta de la escritura de la historia de salvación a menudo suena como un vídeo musical? Una razón es que marca las transiciones importante en la narrativa de las Escrituras. Las canciones de alabanza acompañan, por ejemplo, tanto la salvación de Israelí de los Egipcios después de cruzar de la Mar Roja, y la entrada en la Tierra Prometida [1]. La Cancion de Hannah marca el nacimiento del profeta, Samuel (Sam 2:1-10). Las canciones también empiezan y terminan el Testamento Nuevo [2].

La música es especial como una disciplina espiritual porque se ayuda a unir nuestras corazones y mentes [3], y se expresa el gozo Cristiano de forma única. Dios ha creado soberanamente y nos ha salvado. Respondemos en alabanzas. En consecuencia, nuestros mentes saben que nuestra deuda es está más allá de la devolución y nuestras corazones gozaron desde el fondo de nuestro ser. Somos amado por el Rey de Reyes y queremos decirle a todo el mundo. Las palabras por sí solas no son suficiente. Canciones santas unen nuestras corazones y mentes juntos. Música de cánticos es especial particularmente porque se unen nuestras corazones y mentes en la unidad rara vez se ven en otros lugares.

Esta unidad de la corazón y la mente en música es tan completa que no nos permita a seleccionar una sobre la otra [4]. Aun la música instrumental comunica las formas complejo y las temas con profunda emoción [5]. Porque todo el mundo tiene las canciones que habíamos memorizado, la música es una forma de meditación practicaba por casi todo el mundo. Nosotros repitamos y memorizamos santas canciones que definen quien somos, quien fuimos, y quien seremos [6].

Música Santo es un don especial de Dios que atrae nuestros corazones y mentes a Él.

Notas

[1] Exod 15:1–21; Deut 32:1–43.

[2] La cancion de María marca su embarazo (Luke 1:46–45); ángeles anuncian el nació del niño Jesús con alabanzas celestial (Luke 2:14); y, naturalmente, las canciones de alabanzas en el Libro de Apocalipsis nos recuerdan de la segunda venida de Cristo y el reino eterno (e.g. Rev 19:5–8).

[3] Dietrich Bonhoeffer una vez dijeron su estudiantes (todos los buenos intelectuales alemanes): “Si desean ser pastores, entonces deben cantar los villancicos de Navidad!” [”If you want to be pastors, then you must sing Christmas carols!”(Metaxas 2010, 129).

[4] Elliot (2006, 86) escribe: El amor es conecta a sabiduría. A ama a Dios es a lo aprender y repetir sus palabras constantemente. Esta sabiduría va a alimentar sus emociones.” [“Love is linked to knowledge. To love God you learn about him and rehearse his words constantly. This knowledge will fuel your emotions.”]

[5] Jugando una partitura de música funciona como una tipo de mensaje sublimen que nos recuerda de las líricas de canciones y toca muchas canales diferente en nuestros cerebros.

[6] Yo dijo a mis estudiantes a tener cuidado sobre sus selecciones de música que escuchar: cuando Alzheimer’s casi toma todo su mente, ¿quieren realmente la ultima cosa a recordar a ser una pausa de televisión o una lírica de Heavy Metal?

Referencia

Elliott, Matthew A. 2006. Faithful Feelings: Rethinking Emotion in the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel.

Metaxas, Eric. 2010. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy—A Righteous Gentile Versus The Third Reich. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Por que es Música una Disciplina Espiritual Importante?
Ver también:
Prefacio de La Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad
Otras formas de participar en línea:



Sitio del autor: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Comprar Libro: http://www.T2Pneuma.com

Boletín informativo:  https://bit.ly/Urn_2021

 

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Warum ist Musik eine wichtige spirituelle Disziplin?

Vor Stephen W. Hiemstra

Damals sangen Mose und die Israeliten dies Lied dem HERRN und sprachen: Ich will dem HERRN singen, denn er ist hoch erhaben; Ross und Reiter hat er ins Meer gestürzt. (Exod 15:1)

Warum klingt der Bericht der Heiligen Schrift über die Heilsgeschichte oft wie ein Musikvideo? Ein Grund dafür ist, dass Musik wichtige Übergänge in der Erzählung der Heiligen Schrift markiert. Lobgesänge begleiten zum Beispiel sowohl die Rettung Israels vor den Ägyptern nach der Überquerung des Roten Meeres als auch ihren Einzug in das Gelobte Land (Exod 15:1–21; Deut 32:1–43). Hannahs Lied markiert die Geburt des Propheten Samuel (Sam 2:1–10).  Lieder beginnen und beenden auch das Neue Testament (Luke 1:46–45; 2:14; Rev 19:5–8).

Musik ist als spirituelle Disziplin etwas Besonderes, weil sie dazu beiträgt, unsere Herzen und Gedanken zu vereinen und auf einzigartige Weise christliche Freude zum Ausdruck bringt. Dietrich Bonhoeffer soll seinen Studenten einmal gesagt haben: “Wenn Sie Pfarrer werden wollen, dann müssen Sie Weihnachtslieder singen!” (Metaxas 2010, 129).⁠1 Gott hat uns souverän erschaffen und gerettet. Wir antworten lobend. Dementsprechend weiß unser Verstand, dass unsere Schulden nicht mehr zurückgezahlt werden können und unsere Herzen jubeln aus den Tiefen unseres Seins. Wir werden vom König der Könige geliebt und möchten es der ganzen Welt erzählen! Worte allein reichen nicht. Heilige Lieder binden unsere Herzen und Gedanken. Chormusik ist besonders, weil sie unser Herz und Gedanken in einer sonst selten gesehenen Einheit bindet. 

Diese Einheit von Herz und Verstand in der Musik ist so vollständig, dass sie uns nicht erlaubt, das eine dem anderen vorzuziehen (Elliott 2006, 86). Auch Instrumentalmusik vermittelt komplexe Formen und Themen mit tiefer Emotion. Da wir alle Lieder haben, die wir auswendig gelernt haben, ist Musik eine Form der Meditation, die von ziemlich jedem praktiziert wird. Wir wiederholen und merken uns heilige Lieder, die dann definieren, wer wir sind, wer wir waren und wer wir sein werden.

Heilige Musik ist eine besondere Gabe Gottes, die unsere Herzen und Gedanken an ihn zieht.

 

1 “If you want to be pastors, then you must sing Christmas carols!” (Metaxas 2010, 129).

 

Warum ist Musik eine wichtige spirituelle Disziplin?Siehe auch: Einleitung auf Ein Christlicher Leitfaden zur Spiritualität  Andere Möglichkeiten, sich online zu engagieren:Autoren Seite:  http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net Herausgeber Seite:  http://www.T2Pneuma.com Mitteilungsblatt:  https://bit.ly/Urn_2021

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Stanton: Creating Constructive Dialogue

Thomas H. Stanton.  2012.  Why Some Firms Thrive While Others Fail: Governance and Management Lessons from the Crisis.  New York:  Oxford University Press.

Review by Stephen W. Hiemstra

When my kids were young, I taught them that there are 3 kinds of people in this world:

People who never learn;People who learn from their own mistakes; andPeople who learn from other people’s mistakes.

The point is to become someone capable of learning from other people’s mistakes.  Learning behavior determines personal success; it also determines the success of firms.

Introduction

Thomas Stanton’s book, Why Some Firms Thrive While Others Fail, examines firm learning behavior in the context of financial stress: the Great Recession. He is in a position to know a lot about this subject both because of his long tenure in financial law practice in Washington and because he served as a researcher on the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission in 2010-2011, a commission established by Congress.  As a researcher, he personally interviewed many of the major players in the financial crisis and the federal regulators.

Stanton is an attorney by trade with the mind of an economist.  He is well-known among Washington insiders, especially in finance, and his book, A State of Risk , led Congress to create a new federal agency, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) , where I worked during my last 7 years of federal service until I retired at yearend 2010.  Tom and I have known each other since the 1980s when I worked on Farmer Mac legislation and supervision .  Tom graciously gave me a copy of this book knowing that I would eagerly read it and write about it.

Organization

Stanton writes Why Some Firms Thrive While Others Fail in 10 chapters, including:

Repairing Our Public and Private Institutions: A National Imperative;Dynamics of the Financial Crisis;Coping with the Crisis;Company Governance and the Financial Crisis;Risk Management and the Financial Crisis;Company Organization, Business Models, and the Crisis;Supervision and Regulation of Financial Firms;Hyman Minsky: Will It Happen Again?Governance and Management: Lessons Learned; andGovernance and Management: Beyond the Financial Crisis (v).

These chapters are preceded by a preface and acknowledgments and followed by a Table of Acronyms, Notes, References, and an Index.

Discussion

An important theme in the Great Recession, as reflected in the book, is the need to link and understand intimately highly technical knowledge of financial markets, financial instruments, firm operations, and modeling to firm risk management and business objectives.  The image of a Fortune-500 CEO who wanders the halls having substantive conversations with staff throughout the organization captures this dynamic. Stanton highlights this hands-on, engaging management style in his concept of constructive dialogue.

Stanton writes:

One of the critical distinctive factors between successful and unsuccessful firms in the crisis was their application of what this book calls “constructive dialogue.”  Successful firms managed to create productive and constructive tension between (1) those who wanted to do deals, or offer certain financial products and services, and (2) those in the firm who were responsible for limited risk exposure (10).

The importance of quality dialog within the firm or government agency arises from the simple observation that no single individual, no matter how bright or experienced, could understand the totality of the highly technical financial environment that now exists.  Having an open-minded executive is accordingly insufficient; the firm culture must embrace active learning and open communication.

Stanton’s has an interesting blend of wide scope and technical depth within its subject-matter: governance and management.  Four firms who succeeded received the majority of his attention:  JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, and TD Bank.  Stanton makes the case that these firms survived because of operational competence and intelligent discipline (43).  In other words they maintained disciplined risk taking, combined good judgment with good information, and had good communication (54-55).  Failing firms (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear, Lehman, Merrill, Countrywide, WaMu, IndyMac…) failed for different reasons, including focus on short-term growth, ineffective data systems, weak capacity to answer simple questions, and lack of effective communication (57-66).

Assessment

Stanton’s Why Some Firms Thrive While Others Fail should be of keen interest to financial policy makers and bank supervisors who deal with large institutions.  Because the federal agencies have mostly shied away from writing studies of what went wrong in the Great Recession (unlike earlier crises ), this book functions as a quasi-official study of the Great Recession.  For the reader interested in enterprise risk management, his contribution consists of a series of case studies of important firms that both succeeded and failed.  For students of organizational behavior this book should be required reading.

 A State Of Risk: Will Government Sponsored Enterprises Be The Next Financial Crisis? (New York:  HarperCollins Publishers, 1991)

 OFHEO was created by Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 and folded into the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in 2008 by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act.

 I studied and wrote about the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac) as a researcher in the Economic Research Service, USDA and later took a role in Farmer Mac supervision as a financial economist at the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) responsible for Farmer Mac regulation and supervision.

See, for example, an exhaustive study of the banking crisis of the 1980s by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) at:  https://www.fdic.gov/bank/historical/....

Stanton: Creating Constructive DialogueAlso see:Stanton Explains the GSE Risk Books, Films, and MinistryOther ways to engage online:Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.netPublisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/Urn_2021

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Spiritual Disciplines: Monday Monologues (podcast) August 30, 2021

 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on the Spiritual Disciplines. After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this link.

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

Spiritual Disciplines: Monday Monologues (podcast) August 30, 2021
Also see:



Monday Monologue On March 26, 2018 



Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net,
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.





Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/Urn_2021

 

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Overview Prayer

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Holy and Loving Father,

You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, who stands outside of time, but sustains and provisions it, and visit us in the person of Jesus.

Forgive our sin and help us to remain open to you spirit and vigilant of your coming.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, prepare our hearts for your service.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Overview Prayer
Also see:
Believer’s Prayer
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Resumen Oración

Por Stephen W. Hiemstra

Santo y Amoroso Padre,

Tú eres el Alfa y la Omega, el principio y el fin, que está fuera del tiempo, pero lo sostiene y lo provee, y visítanos en la persona de Jesús.

Perdona nuestro pecado y ayúdanos a permanecer abiertos a tu espíritu y vigilantes de tu venida.

En el poder de tu Espíritu Santo, prepara nuestros corazones para tu servicio.

En el precioso nombre de Jesús, Amén.

Resumen Oración
Ver también:
Prefacio de La Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad
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Sitio del autor: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Comprar Libro: http://www.T2Pneuma.com

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Gebet der Überblick

Vor Stephen W. Hiemstra

Heiliger und Liebevoller Vater,

Du bist das Alpha und das Omega, der Anfang und das Ende, der außerhalb der Zeit steht, sie aber erhält und versorgt und uns in der Person Jesu besucht.

Vergib unsere Sünde und hilf uns, offen für deinen Geist und wachsam für dein Kommen zu bleiben.

Bereite unsere Herzen in der Kraft deines Heiligen Geistes auf deinen Dienst vor.

In Jesu Namens, Amen.

Gebet der Überblick
Siehe auch:
Einleitung auf Ein Christlicher Leitfaden zur Spiritualität 
Andere Möglichkeiten, sich online zu engagieren:



Autoren Seite: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Herausgeber Seite: http://www.T2Pneuma.com





Mitteilungsblatt:  https://bit.ly/Urn_2021

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Overview of Spiritual Disciplines

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Spiritual disciplines help us answer the question: How do we know? Because we can neither build a physical tower nor a metaphorical tower to God, especially since Pentecost (Gen 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-4), God himself in His Holy Spirit has worked with us in the spiritual disciplines to answer this question. This is sometimes referred to as the process of sanctification (Phil 3:7-11).

Spiritual disciplines may serve at least three objectives. One objective is to help remove impediments that affect our relationship with God—things like sin. Another objective is to respond to a special path of grace that God has uniquely given us. A further objective is to facilitate the process of reconciliation with those we have sinned against.

For example, contemplative prayer focuses on reducing impediments to our relationship with God. Foster (1992, 161–164) sees three steps in contemplative prayer: recollection (concentrating our minds to become fully present), quieting our spirits, and spiritual ecstasy—God’s response.

By contrast, Thomas (2010, 7, 83, 211) sees nine spiritual personality types that lead us to God’s grace. These are: naturalists, sensates, traditionalists, ascetics, activists, caregivers, enthusiasts, contemplatives, and intellectuals. For example, the traditionalist experiences God through three main elements: ritual, symbol, and sacrifice. By contrast, for intellectuals, the sermon is not just part of worship—it is worship.

The process of reconciliation is seldom addressed as a separate spiritual discipline, but needs to factor into many disciplines and may even be part of church governance. We see it addressed, in part, in Christian service, in work relationships, our marriages, our small groups, and our worship. If the spiritual disciplines are ranked in order of need, reconciliation would clearly rank near the top of the list.

For Presbyterians, church governance stresses reconciliation through group decision-making. Almost every decision in church life requires committee approval and oversight. By building reconciliation into basic decision-making processes, the need to practice a specific spiritual discipline is, accordingly, minimized. However, when special problems arise, reconciliation may be a separately highlighted process, sometimes referred to as peacemaking  (Rom 12:18; Sande 2004, 22).

References

Foster, Richard J., 1992. Prayer: Find the Heat’s True Home. New York: HarperOne.

Sande, Ken. 2004. The Peace Maker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. Grand Rapids, MI: BakerBooks.

Thomas, Gary. 2010. Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Overview of Spiritual Disciplines
Also see:
Preface to A Christian Guide to Spirituality
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Purchase Book: http://www.T2Pneuma.com





Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/Urn_2021
 

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