Dialog or dialectic?

I listened to "Plato, Socrates, and the Dialogues" by The Great Courses. Try #Audible and get it free:

https://www.audible.com/pdasin=B00DLM8PF6&source_code=AIPORWS04241590BD 

Have you listened? Let's discuss, ok? Call me at (303)861-1447 or if you're in Colorado join some Saturday evening for Socrates Cafe at University of Denver, more about it and parking map at http://Meetup.com/Colorado-Socrates-Cafe-Society 

Christian Unity?

Unity doesn't mean we agree about ideas, issues, and political candidates. But we disagree AND love the other, seeking to serve Christ in them whether we agree or not. What good my I do for them? For one thing I can really listen and make sure I understand.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/simcha-fisher/sins-against-unity-and-sins-against-love?utm_content=buffer873b3&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

PLEASE help me help the grassroots

Just posted this on http://Facebook.com/Small.Business.Chamber. Please go there and "Like" if you haven't already, "Share", then be sure to watch Inspiration Monday on The Startup Show right here and encourage your neighbors to do the same with as much social network and personal phone call power as you can.

Here, in celebration of Christopher Wren's birthday, is the message that was posted there I hope you'll "Like" and "Share":

Our vision: A healthy small group in every neighborhood. 

Why? To strengthen the grassroots, the voice of the common person in business and politics, in cooperation with everyone, especially with local chamber of commerce, community newspapers, and schools. 

To join just "Like" this Facebook Page, "Share" with your Facebook friends with your note about why you like what we are doing.

Then watch our weekly broadcast tomorrow or any Monday for our new feature "Inspiration Monday" about how we can each take action locally in our own neighborhood to help accomplish this world- wide vision.

What we are trying to make viral is what was first and best expressed over 2000 years ago: "Love God and love your neighbors, those who 1) live right next door, and 2) those who you are directly helping, as God has loved us. +

Help to strengthen the grassroots.

For years I've had an interest in the Colorado caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot, in my opinion the best chance the common person has for serving in elected public office. See http://www.COCaucus.org 

Here's a new idea. Let's created a new business, doing well by doing good, with grassroots civic education and a Welcome Wagon type neighborhood marketing network. 

Let's write a handbook for Colorado citizens, update every year, sell to newcomers through a network of neighborhood representatives who will welcome newcomers and be the hub for neighborhood communications.

The citizen handbook will cover the caucus system, referendum , recall and initiatives, as well as how to get elected to public office. 

If you'd be interested in being part of this project as a sponsor, neighborhood representative, writer, or advertiser, contact me via John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447 see http://Facebook.com/goodNeighborsWeVote PLEASE SHARE 

Mary, more important than Peter. Pope Francis

From daily meditation today from http://Jesuits-ChgDet.org 

Grief Will Become Joy

Grief Will Become Joy

So far in my life I have not had many occasions to be close to dying friends and their families, though that will surely increase through the coming years. Five years ago a friend was in her mid-thirties when lung cancer was detected late in pregnancy. She and her husband were valiant throughout, enduring with parents and siblings as they faced the disease, struggling to care for each other and for the baby. It was impossible during that time to believe that grief could become joy.

Join us for Faith Sharing 6 pm Saturdays

Denver Loyola Church, 5 pm Mass each Saturday, then our Faith Sharing group at 6 pm. Topic today, why did Jesus call himself the Good Shepard and not the Good Carpenter http://Meetup.com/Jesuit-Guide-Sharing-Groups

Holy Ghost 5:10 p Mass

The body has many parts...

Our new Colorado Political Committee to fight SB11 and Civil Unions being ignored by media

But a reporter for CNS did Tweet this: @kevinjjones: Tireless community organizer @JohnSWren was at anti-#civilunions rally yesterday spreading word about his site http://t.co/B1dvBwPy

Article in Denver Catholic Register to follow? I'll let you know if they call.

Jesus criticized the lukewarm, but that's exactly where the Catholic Church is in Colorado with it's lobbying efforts. The Colorado Catholic Conference Facebook Page that had been up for a long, long time had less than 140 "Likes", maybe it's time for the office to be shut down and the staff sent on retreat. When your tank is disabled and blocking a bridge, sometimes it has to be shoved into the river.

What really irritates me is that now they don't even allow posts on their Facebook Page. Big waste of time and money. I think a case could be made that civil unions wouldn't be about to pass in Colorado if the Colorado Catholic Conference had just stayed clear out of the elections last fall.

There is More to the Secret by Ed Gungor has just come out,a much needed perspective, in my opinion. It's a reaction to the run away best seller The Secret, which repackages the power of positive thinking. I just sent Ed this email:

Dear Ed,

Just picked up and read through your Secrets book,
very much needed right now. My friend was really
into his church, I thought, read Secrets and is now
separated from his wife, sold his business, gone off
the deep end.

I'm Catholic, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and
President of my Optimists Club. All of these things can
be a distraction from my relationship with God. Your
book helped me refocus.

Although, I could have the same problem with your writing,
after looking at your very interesting website.

Gospel reading for this morning for us Catholics is Matthew
7:13+ which in the Peterson translation starts,
"Don't look for shortcuts to God." So I'm off to Mass, Optimist Club
at noon, and AA meeting tonight. Thanks for your powerful
reminder to make sure my motives for all these things, and
connecting with your words, is to strengthen my relation with Him.

Do you have any plans to be in Denver?