This first Upbuilding Discourse is about the “Expectancy of Faith.” We have faith in God that we will be welcomed by Him in Eternity after our life in this world ends. After both the temporal joys and sufferings cease.

Soren wants us to read his words aloud so as to bring his “cold thoughts into a flame.” In this episode, we delve into historical introduction to our new book “Eighteen Upbuilding Discourses.”

In this episode, I read the first two paragraphs of the Chapter 4: A Faith That Defies Self-Deception. And I riff quite a bit on the road-trip and how it relates to faith. Faith doesn’t mean a denial of reality. Instead, a seeing of things as they truly are.

I had the time and inclination to do an episode on the road based on the book “Excursions with Kierkegaard: Others, Goods, Death, and Final Faith” written by Edward F. Mooney. As we travel life’s road, don’t jettison empathy for others. Take time to feel for others. Brought to you by The Fig Tree: Coffee, Art & Music Lounge in the lovely town of Roseville, California. https://figtreecoffee.com/

We need to make time to stop and create silence. For Confession, and, for God to speak in the silence. It is the 11th hour. Do not delay and presume upon tomorrow. As mentioned, I may not do this weekly podcast again until I return from my U.S. road-trip the beginning of May. I might do some on the road but that is to be decided then and there. “Purity of Heart Is To Will One Thing” is now finished as the book of the podcast. New season and new book await!

In the temporal order of earthly existence, we can avoid, evade, and procrastinate, in our confession of guilt. But, God in eternity has time. We are asked the question now. We need to come clean now. Or, have to answer in eternity.

Adversity causes us to consider. To reflect. To set our sights on the one thing. The Good (God).

God knows the means we use to accomplish the ends. If we have an attitude of treating others as we wish to to be treated, those means typically result in the Good. I end with a story about Dr. J. and kindness. https://youtube.com/shorts/2F9CwTiPu6s?feature=share

I get into the story of Eileen who has transfigured her wound into a badge of honor. Where she was hurt, she heals. She brings the “Cold of snow in the time of harvest.” https://religionnews.com/2023/02/16/grace-community-church-let-her-down-now-she-is-standing-in-the-gap-for-women/

As individuals, Soren implores us to begin with God. In all of our days and in all of our ways. Then we can engage the world as He would have us to do. Whether the crowd rewards, ridicules, or just plain ignores us.