Disqus - Latest Comments for Andrea_Sielaff

Re: Having It All: A Mom and Filmmaker Explores the Crosshairs of Career and Mothering

Andrea_Sielaff — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 23:11:03 -0000

Are there other times/places/ways to see this film? I would love to see it and to spread the word about it!

Re: Stirring Up Apathetic Spirits: I am constantly reminded of the power of eye...

Andrea_Sielaff — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:21:51 -0000

I have noticed that you pay full attention to people you are listening to at church!
We did a chapter this week in homegroup from "Everyone's Normal Until You Get to Know Them," and the book discussed the use of eye contact as a communication device to indicate interest or lack of interest in what another is saying. A member of our group who grew up in Japan noted that in her culture it is very rude to look someone in the eyes for very long. So I am noting your observation of Carys and agreeing with you that babies aren't born with patterns of breaking the gaze but instead learn such patterns culturally.
I think I might disagree that it is a bad thing. Relating to another person is an important but sometimes exhausting process. I think it becomes natural to flow between eyes focused on the other and eyes moving elsewhere (which may signify a swtich to focus on one's own perspective?). Eye contact does function as a communication method within our culture, and I think intense, unbroken eye contact is reserved in our culture for intimate relationships--like father and child or spouses. Maybe people aren't trying to hide something by turning away their eyes, but are instead trying not to reveal everything--which may be appropriate for the relational context.
But I totally agree with you on this: people's longing to be really seen for who they really are is always in competition with their desire to hide bc of fear of rejection.

Re: My Most Important Leadership Lesson

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:06:57 -0000

Diane, thanks for your thoughtful comments...I can really see the difference in perspective that you are talking about! You have such a significant job helping kigs and families--God bless as you continue to be strong in grace...

Re: Jesus would have been a trail runner...

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:47:51 -0000

I'm a little stuck as to what to say here....I agree with conclusions about the present and our need to get our minds out of the rut of dwelling in the future...but I am so bad at this that I don't have anything wise to say about...even as a parent, faced with many immediate demands, I struggle not to live half-way in the future--ie, imagining how hard it would be to do this all with two kids, when right now I only have one! I think my future-orientation can be a strength for me when I channel it into vision--seeing what is not yet but could be--but a weakness when I fail to fully embrace the present instead of wondering what is next. hmmmm....i'll keep thinking on this!

Re: Will Worship Be flat (Bb)?

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:42:32 -0000

The hardest time for me to feel worshipful is when I am doing battle with one of my two long-time enemies: insomnia and the need to achieve. If I've had a night with little sleep or a day where I am restless and frustrated because the to-do list didn't get the satsifying "all-done" slashes, I will struggle to connect with the God who is powerful...because I feel powerless to change and sad about how God lets us continue in this mess of a world. If I can get my head together a little (more like, if God divinely intervenes in some way to get my attention), I can remember receiving the "garland of grace" on my head is even more important than winning the battles and having an easy life.

Re: Stirring Up Apathetic Spirits: This song (“Opposite Way” by Leeland) caught my...

Andrea_Sielaff — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:08:32 -0000

I'm reminded first of something a professor in my Eastern Christianity class pointed out: paintings and images of Jesus in the Eastern Christian tradition depict him primarily as a teacher engaged with the people and holding up a hand in blessing. In contrast, many of the Western images of Christ focus on his death rather than his life. Which image is more salient to us as individuals may say a lot about what it means to us to be Christians and our belief about how to relate to the world.

This song highlights the relationship between Christ/Christians and culture. It made me reach for "The New Conspirators" by Tom Sine, which I have had checked out for the library for, oh, about the maxium amount of time allowed. Sine discusses the book "Christ and Culture" by Niebuhr, noting that Niebuhr delineates three options for this relationship: Christ above culture, Christ against culture, Christ transforming culture." Sine presents a fourth option that he is pulled toward: "Christ and culture in paradox." The song quoted here seems to be an example of the Christ against culture position. Christ transforming culture sounds like a good option to me until I think about the culture wars and how much damage was done by Christians trying to claim exclusive rights to determine the dominant American culture instead of living out Christian community in a compelling way (this is Hauerwas's arguement in "Resident Aliens," if it sounds familiar :)

I don't have enough info on the differences between the remaining two choices to endorse one, but the language that jives most with me in regards to Christ and culture is Scott Bader-Saye's "relevant-resistant." To engage ppl as the living Christ did, I need to understand culture and engage in others lives in relevant ways--not to run away but to run toward--if I am running toward people. However, I need to resist that parts of culture that are toxic to my soul: scripture, the Holy Spirit, and wise ppl in my life help me identify what those parts are.

I think that all cultures, like all people, have traces of the imago dei in them. What an interesting exercise it is to exegete the different cultures of our world to see what still looks like God and what is a distortion of the original intended beauty.

Re: IT's IN The FAMILY

Andrea_Sielaff — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:21:00 -0000

Mike, I understand! Even though my family is multi-ethnic, there is still racism there sometimes (of other people groups) or fear of cultures we don't know. It's exciting for me that Isaac gets to grow up with a brown-skinned Aunt Kelli--that the world will always be in color to him--but I am aware that doesn't mean we won't have to work hard--esp here in MV, to model engagement with other cultures!

Also, I think admit racism is the bravest and truest response to the whole issue! It is so deep in our culture, it would be less than honest to say we've not been touched by it!

Re: Stirring Up Apathetic Spirits: I was battling some apathy this morning so I asked...

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:31:50 -0000

Okay, that scripture from Haggai couldn't be more relevant today, at the collapse of the housing boom...when ppl were giving their best efforts to home renovation (most likely de-paneling old walls rather than paneling them! but still) but claiming there was no time to serve the people around them or the church. We've mostly stopped praying to gold idols here in the NW, but what about granite ones? Now that the housing bubble is bursting, we can see all our vain strivings for what they were: cans of paint, chunks of wood, lumps of stone. And we have an opportunity to see what matters most, what never devalues or goes out of vogue: loving people! The church is God's way for us to put our love into action.

It's easy for me to point fingers about house stuff, because I am not super into that,....and I definately don't keep clean what I've got . But the point is much closer to home on issues of family...there the question feels more like a balancing act to me...how much time of undivided attention does my son need vs how much does he need to see me prioritizing the family of God that we are a part of. How much time to myself do I need to be effective in the kingdom vs. how much time with ppl? Rest vs activity? Prayer vs friendships?

Re: Welcome to the Freakshow!

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:21:22 -0000

Yep, we are a freaky bunch! I think in the general church today, some ppl need to let their freakiness out more--our culture is very anti-conflict, and so pretend to be more similar than we actually are. We need to see conflict as an opportunity to learn from each other and grow--a relationship builder, not a relationship breaker. Maybe we need to practice "conflicting" in safe environments to do this? :)

I think there are some ppl, though, who could use a little more conforming...conforming to the image of Christ instead of the images that are valued in our cultures or even our churches.

here's what kind of freak I am: a control freak. So I get a little impatient when ppl are not as structured as I am. but these Kingdom of God relationships that are so uncomfortable are exactly the chance that God is giving me to be conformed to his image.

Re: Worship blog, really worth my time!?

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:16:15 -0000

Okay, also I do love the classic hymns. Jesus, lover of my soul...an all time fave. I don't even need them jazzed up...love them as is, because there is much to ponder while you sing...but I grew up in the church, so mine is a churched-viewpoint.

Re: Worship blog, really worth my time!?

Andrea_Sielaff — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:12:12 -0000

Can't remember the name of my fave...but it is a gospel song...I think it is pretty much the only one that we do! I wouldn't want all gospel songs all the time, but I find the diversity refreshing! It lifts my spirits.

Re: Group Life Conference 2008 - Session 5 - Saturday 12:50 PM Mark Batterson -...

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:49:58 -0000

Intregued by the creative license they give their HG leaders...have been wondering if groups built around affiliations (ie, their Fantasy Football HG) might not jump start community faster than random placement groups...though stage of life matching also builds in common interests...Convicted by their observation that God will not grow your church larger than your ability to disciple ppl...though I don't know if it is true, having seen some pretty shallow organizations in the past (not MVPC, of course!)

Re: Group Life Conference 2008 - Session 4 - Saturday 10:50 AM Russ Robinson -...

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:45:10 -0000

Okay, this could sound snotty, but everytime I have to answer a "duh" fill in the blank question in a bible study guide, I want to bang my head against the wall. Thankfully, Will gave the secret to good questions--so we can ditch the dumbed-down, did-you-read-it questions once and for all! Good questions create discussion because they are *Interactive* and/or *Personal.* So I want to hear from the other small group leaders: are you willing to adapt your guides (or ditch them all together) to create good questions??

Re: Group Life Conference 2008 - Session 4 - Saturday 10:50 AM Russ Robinson -...

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:41:51 -0000

Thanks, Will for saying it: groups need A Leader! I think this quote is from the movie American President: "The people are so thirsty for leadership that they will drink the sand!" It's even truer in matters of faith than in politics...yet for leaders it can really be a struggle not to give away their God-given authority because of their own self-doubt. I long to see leader stand with confidence and Lead!

Re: Group Life Conference 2008 - Session 2 (cont) - Friday 8:05 PM Will Miller -...

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:38:53 -0000

Miller condensed: Amercians are Stressed Out. Relationships mediate stress, yet we have more shallow relationships than ever. Let's go deep and commit to community relationships based on a family-model--refrigerator rights and all. Loved this funny guy...he gave words to something I have been seeing a lot of here in MV. As a friend says: "Northwesterners are the nicest ppl you'll never know." Nate and I are longing for ppl to come in our house and feel at home and vice versa...so much so that we have considered inviting others to live with us to encourage a deeper sense of community. What are others doing to get that need met??

Re: Group Life Conference 2008 - Session 2 - Friday 7:30 PM Mindy Caliguire,...

Andrea_Sielaff — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:34:43 -0000

Mindy was my favorite! I loved her description of the three stages that groups should move through based on maturity: directed, discipleship, discernment. It's so true that in most church models, groups get stuck in those first two stages...answering knowledge questions and learning biblical principles, but not getting the chance to take the final step and learn how, as a group, to discern how God is working in our lives and how we can respond. I suspect many ppl are longing for this time of group...we know the biblical principles, we just need help discerning their application in our complicated lives! What if, instead of "prayer request" time in Home Groups, we broke into groups of 2-3 and prayed through the questions "What is God doing through the circumstances of your life? " and "what is God inviting you to do in response?"