My Spiritual Family Tree

So, I was thinking the other day about my spiritual journey. I started to think of people along the way who have influenced me and the meaningful contributions they have made to my approach to the world. Probably, most of the people have no idea that they have been a positive influence on me; and so, in some way, I write this to say "thank you." This blog is not meant to point out specific people; this is not a complete list. This is a tribute to how God has spoken to me through his children and the revelation that he gave through them. (In other words: if you don't see your name here, don't get pissed.) I'll probably think of a bazillion other people and things as soon as I publish this.

The people here have somehow impacted my spiritual growth in profound ways, through their lives and our interactions. Some of these were positive experiences; some negative, and still others bittersweet. I choose to remember these people and events because, in some way or another, they have become part of how I see the world. In searching for my spiritual ancestors, I found many, many cousins. Funny how one's spiritual family defies the biological classifications of what a "family" should be.

Anyway... here we go.

THANK YOU...

• St. Augustine, for telling me that God is one who changes the event but does not change the plan.
  
• Justin Martyr, for showing me the continuity of the Holy Spirit within the church across the ages.
  
• G. K. Chesterton, for showing me that the world is a supernatural place.
  
• Frederick Buechner, for telling me of life-changing grace in words that speak to the soul.
  
• C. S. Lewis, for showing me that Heaven is closer to Earth than I ever knew.
  
• Gandalf (the neighborhood stray cat), who provides a daily example of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.
  
• John Wesley, for making me wonder why grace is so important.
  
• Jerry Savelle, for the epic quote: "Opportunity comes dresses in overalls and looks like work."
  
• Novalis, for the encouraging thought: "He who seeks God will find Him everywhere."
• William P. Young, for writing "The Shack."
  
• J. R. R. Tolkien, for penning the most magnificent portrayal of the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.
  
• Garrett Quinn, for showing me that people matter.
  
• Tricia Archie, for living in the power of prayer.
  
• Brandon Shupp, for demonstrating the value of a vibrant mind. And for many hours of foosball.
  
• Steve Beresh, for showing me the value of living from the heart.
  
• Jeff Voth, for showing me the importance of seeking God where He may be found.
  
• Brent Sharpe, for the constant demonstration of the incarnational presence of Jesus.
  
• Josh Gerard, for being the very personification of a friend.
  
• The Celtic Church, for showing me that faith is not for fuddy-duddies.
  
• Emmanuel Earls, for showing me that God wants good things for his kids.
  
• Grammie and Gringa, for showing me the importance of love.
  
• Preston Sharpe, for helping me to see the importance of the crossroads between Christ and culture.
• Angels and Airwaves, for making me look for love in war zones.
  
• Nightcrawler, for showing me that one can be a superhero and a Christian at the same time.
  
• Aimee Raile, for helping me to understand God's love a little bit better.
  
• Carbon Leaf, for their beautiful portrayal of life.
  
• Julie Twilley and Shelli Chronister, for providing a definition of grace that was so astoundingly inadequate that I made up my mind to study it for the rest of my life.
  
• John Asher, for being the picture of spiritual passion.
  
• Pray As You Go, for showing me that spirituality happens everywhere.
  
• Jim Shelton, for showing me that there will be Catholics in Heaven.
  
• Jeff Lamp, for showing me that hippies aren't locked out of Heaven.
  
• Brad and Sue Smith, for living lives of hospitality.
  
• Arnie McCall, for helping to see that I have a place in community.
  
• Stuart Bents, for pulling me out of bed to seek God's face.
  
• Craig Garrison and Marc Harper, for showing me that pastors should know people's names.
  
• My Parents, for all that they've done - words cannot say.
  
• And to all who I did not mention, because I did not think of them or because words cannot do them justice. You have done far more than you know.
  

So not a tree... But maybe a web. A tapestry. Clouds in the sky, changing shapes, bumping into each other. Such is my spiritual family.