We had a good vacation last week--so good that I didn't even get a chance to post to the blog! I am back now, and feel pretty refreshed and ready to move forward on a lot of the important work that lies ahead for the church and for me personally.

I am reading a fascinating book right now called Introduction to Internal Family Systems, which applies the principles of Family Systems thinking to internal/personal struggles. The author, Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, created this approach, which helps people to recognize the "parts" that we create within our psyches in order to protect us from hurt or fear. These parts essentially obscure our true "Self," which in theological terms I would describe as the "imago dei" (image of God) that is within all of us.

I will write more as I read more, but for now, I find it engaging and powerful reading.

Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to All,

David