{"id":740,"date":"2012-08-26T08:38:49","date_gmt":"2012-08-26T12:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=740"},"modified":"2012-08-26T08:38:49","modified_gmt":"2012-08-26T12:38:49","slug":"big-ifs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=740","title":{"rendered":"big “if’s”"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the words of one famous (for, uh, not necessarily always good reasons)<\/em> ex-California governor\/actor, \u201cI\u2019m back!\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> It\u2019s been a special 3 weeks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

First and foremost, many thanks to our guest bloggers, who over recent weeks have creatively encouraged, inspired, informed and made us think; they were vocal about the shooting in Colorado, the heartache at Penn State, the partaking of fiction, moving, accountability, abortion, respectful dialogue, faith, fear, and the inability of government to create jobs.\u00a0 We heard from men and women, liberal and conservative, of various faith and demographic backgrounds.\u00a0 We even heard from one self-identified \u201clittle kid with some big beliefs.\u201d\u00a0 (Way to go, Becca… way to go…)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So question:\u00a0 why do we do it?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why on the Intramuralist do we even entertain the concept of a Guest Blogger Series?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Great question.\u00a0 Granted, the series always provides this semi-humble blogger an opportunity to refresh, renew, and \u201crecharge my batteries,\u201d so-to-speak, thinking of what next we should discuss.\u00a0 I am thankful for the time to intentionally reflect, attempting to discern whether or not the Intramuralist is staying consistent with our purpose in both content and expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is our purpose?<\/p>\n

To model respectful dialogue.\u00a0 We do not have to each possess the same opinions; in fact, as a society, we are fairly incapable of that.\u00a0 But if we are to be a mature, wise people group, we must grow.\u00a0 I believe we grow through respectful dialogue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Respectful dialogue, however, is not something to be assumed.\u00a0 Some may argue, no less, that it is even rare…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While away, for example, as several of you noticed, a bit of a societal stir took place when one congressman suggested there existed a difference between \u201clegitimate\u201d and \u201cillegitimate\u201d rape.\u00a0 Last this current events observer knew, rape is rape, as articulated by both current presidential candidates.\u00a0 However, in one discussion I witnessed, a gentleman used the controversy to verbally attack VP candidate, Paul Ryan; the gentleman (although the \u201cgentle\u201d is debatable)<\/em> referred to Ryan and his Republican colleagues as persons who \u201ckeep trying to make it legal for husbands to rape their wives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Excuse me, friends, but that is not respectful dialogue.\u00a0 That does nothing to advance healthy conversation.\u00a0 It is also not a helpful articulation that encourages us to discern truth, develop solution, and individually grow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The primary reason we host our annual Guest Blogger Series is because it gives you, the reader, an opportunity to hear from someone different than me.\u00a0 While I appreciate your sincere interest and commitment to the Intramuralist, I also wish to uphold our blog\u2019s primary principles:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 We value humility.<\/em><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 None of us have life all figured out.\u00a0 And,<\/em><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 We each need to listen better, often, and more.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Guest Blogger Series allows us to model each of the above.\u00a0 Agree or disagree with the perspectives expressed, the varied opinions by others have the potential to prompt growth…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

… if<\/em><\/strong> we listen…\u00a0 if<\/em><\/strong> we intentionally humble ourselves.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

True, those can be big \u201cif\u2019s,\u201d but they are necessary indeed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And so I return to you, refreshed, recharged, and ready to go.\u00a0 Friends, we have things to discuss!\u00a0 So join with me in the dialogue.\u00a0 Contemplate.\u00a0 Consider.\u00a0 Comment.\u00a0 Agree or disagree.\u00a0 Add perspective.\u00a0 Add an \u2018amen.\u2019\u00a0 You may even add a \u2018what-were-you-thinking?’ \u00a0But most of all, let us humble ourselves and listen to one another.\u00a0 Let\u2019s discuss.\u00a0 Let’s grow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A special thanks to our special bloggers… can\u2019t wait until next year!\u00a0 You spur us on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Respectfully… always…<\/p>\n

AR<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the words of one famous (for, uh, not necessarily always good reasons) ex-California governor\/actor, \u201cI\u2019m back!\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s been a special 3 weeks.   First and foremost, many thanks to our guest bloggers, who over recent weeks have creatively encouraged, inspired, informed and made us think; they were vocal about the shooting in Colorado, the … <\/p>\n

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