I have a fear of flying. (It is said people who have a fear of flying have control issues. I am working on this) But I will fly to Sioux Falls to see you on 8/15. It is my 26 year sobriety anniversary, and my gift to myself. I cannot wait to be breathing the same air as you. I am an old Mexican Woman. I will either have pink or red hair, which is easily achievable since my natural hair color at this point in my life is white.
Kat, my prayer during every take off, moment o turbulence, and landing: “You are the God of this plane; You are the lord of my life.” Sometimes whispered, sometimes on repeat in my head and breathing for more than a few. And, it is August 22 as I write this from Charleston, WV (where I’ll be seeing Pastor Nadia tomorrow!), and you have successfully made your journey! Great job!!!!!! Wish i could hug your neck.
As one who is also afraid of flying (yet finds herself flying often) you can do this. It does help to have something to look forward to. Take something to read in the flight to take your mind off of it. And remember to breathe into your belly then chest (not just your chest). Have a fantastic flight!
I asked ChatGPT your question about a German word for fear or AI, robots, etc:
There isn't a widely recognized German word specifically for the fear of AI, computers, and robots taking over the world. However, you can describe this fear using existing German words and phrases. For example:
Technophobie — fear of technology (generalized)
Automatphobie — fear of automation or automatons
Angst vor KI (Künstlicher Intelligenz) — fear of artificial intelligence
Roboterangst — fear of robots
If you're looking for a coined or more poetic term, you could combine words like:
"Künstliche-Intelligenz-Angst" (fear of artificial intelligence) or "Roboterübernahmeangst" (fear of robot takeover).
In academic or philosophical contexts, sometimes terms like "technologische Apokalypse" (technological apocalypse) are used to describe fears of such scenarios.
There isn't a single, specific German neologism solely dedicated to this exact fear, but these phrases collectively communicate the idea.
I speak no German, but spent a few hours with a German friend on Saturday. He speaks no English. We had the entire conversation through Google Translate on our phones. We got to be best friends on the Camino in Spain in 2017, before I had a translate program. I did a bike ride along the Mosel River in Germany a few days ago, and am beginning to recognize some words.
Nadia, I was there to hear your sermon yesterday. That woman who waved as you were walking down the far side aisle. Thinking of the 18 years that have passed since we graduated from seminary and all you have done since then.
Earlier last week I read your post calling for folks to write about their fears and I found myself wanting to see how you would handle such a big issue in a 15 minute sermon. As always, your message was beautiful, funny, and so incredibly heartfelt. I will look at fear with a new lens now. Blessings to you as you continue on the beautiful journey you started 18 years ago!
Eighteen years ago you were a classmate. Yesterday you were a witness.
It is a strange and beautiful thing to be seen across that much time, especially in a moment when the topic is fear. Thank you for waving. Thank you for reminding me that the road from seminary to here has been walked with more companions than I sometimes remember.
That reads like a survival manual smuggled out of a monastery in the middle of a siege.
Fear wants us twitching at every shadow. Your words walk straight into the dark with a lantern and a hymn. That is the only way the night ever learns our names.
You're a wonderful and amazing human being, dear Nadia! If you ever come to France (I'm English but live here now) please let me know and come and stay! With love and blessings, Anna
Nadia, what a beautiful sermon. Again, thank you for providing us to the link so that we can see and hear you. This past Saturday, I attended the funeral of a wonderful man in our church, a man with a background in forestry and with a deep love of the natural world. I hadn't known him well, but by the end of the service I did know him. I realized that we are the leaves of a great tree, and when it is time for us to fall and decay, there are more leaves to follow us, and that life goes on. There really is no death, just transformation. And thank you for the word mycelium. I am an artist and have taken a long break from that particular expression of my own creativity. I knew that the theme of my next series will be about roots, about rhizomes; and now I know that it will also be about mycelium. Again, thank you for YOU.
PS I love your statement that "avoidance can be its own form of creativity." Thank God for that!
Thank you for this today! Navigating my husband's cancer treatment makes the fear very present. I'm keeping a gratitude journal and noting the small,frequent graces really helps. Your sermon will be noted in the journal today.
A gratitude journal in the middle of cancer treatments is no small act.
That’s you planting green things on scorched ground. Fear may still walk beside you, but those small and frequent graces are proof it doesn’t get to own the whole road.
That particular wait is a troubling wait. I always say I feel like I am both fine and not fine, sick and not sick - like Schrodinger's patient. Prayers for good news
I loved this. I fear things, too. And yes, they drain our energy and don't always happen. I drive about 23 miles to get to my church. Beautiful farmlands, green mountains and valleys, all stuff I overlook when I am stuck and cursing on the interstate. So I take back roads, observe cows running playfully, children making chalk pictures on their driveway, all sorts of simple things that I miss worrying about why people can't driver more responsibly. You're right, fears take us away from where we can experience God in the simple things of life. Thanks be to God for your words.
Brief commentary: Fear is also useful. Our primal emotions, love, anger, hunger - and fear - are not just useful, they're absolutely essential to life, my life, our lives, all life. And, like all other living things, our living is about acquiring the skills necessary to manage, to modulate these primal emotions as we - living things - adapt to our environment. The environment is not really scary, much less hostile; it's just reality. Reality bites. It. Is. Not. Fair - RbIINF - anyone who says it's supposed to be, or should be, or could be is trying to sell you and me something. We need our primal emotions. Especially the first, LOVE, because only love can modulate, allow us to manage the other three, including and especially fear. Along the way we learn to not to take advice from talking snakes and a lot of other useful things - like without love we're just a noisy brass band. Life is (can be) sooo much better when we get in tune, especially when our environment (reality) is difficult.
Yes. Fear is a blunt instrument. It kept our ancestors from becoming saber-tooth snacks, but it’s a terrible life coach if you let it drive all the time.
Love doesn’t erase fear, it just refuses to let it be the loudest voice in the room. Without that balance, we’re all just clanging cymbals looking for a melody.
I have a fear of flying. (It is said people who have a fear of flying have control issues. I am working on this) But I will fly to Sioux Falls to see you on 8/15. It is my 26 year sobriety anniversary, and my gift to myself. I cannot wait to be breathing the same air as you. I am an old Mexican Woman. I will either have pink or red hair, which is easily achievable since my natural hair color at this point in my life is white.
Love,
Kat
Kat, trading control for pink hair and a boarding pass sounds like holy rebellion to me.
Kat, my prayer during every take off, moment o turbulence, and landing: “You are the God of this plane; You are the lord of my life.” Sometimes whispered, sometimes on repeat in my head and breathing for more than a few. And, it is August 22 as I write this from Charleston, WV (where I’ll be seeing Pastor Nadia tomorrow!), and you have successfully made your journey! Great job!!!!!! Wish i could hug your neck.
As one who is also afraid of flying (yet finds herself flying often) you can do this. It does help to have something to look forward to. Take something to read in the flight to take your mind off of it. And remember to breathe into your belly then chest (not just your chest). Have a fantastic flight!
That last bit - your message to those babies - perfect. That's what we all need to be reminded of - daily. Love your message and the way you tell it.
Thank you Nadia. As always, spot on. Blessings!
I asked ChatGPT your question about a German word for fear or AI, robots, etc:
There isn't a widely recognized German word specifically for the fear of AI, computers, and robots taking over the world. However, you can describe this fear using existing German words and phrases. For example:
Technophobie — fear of technology (generalized)
Automatphobie — fear of automation or automatons
Angst vor KI (Künstlicher Intelligenz) — fear of artificial intelligence
Roboterangst — fear of robots
If you're looking for a coined or more poetic term, you could combine words like:
"Künstliche-Intelligenz-Angst" (fear of artificial intelligence) or "Roboterübernahmeangst" (fear of robot takeover).
In academic or philosophical contexts, sometimes terms like "technologische Apokalypse" (technological apocalypse) are used to describe fears of such scenarios.
There isn't a single, specific German neologism solely dedicated to this exact fear, but these phrases collectively communicate the idea.
Robert, the Germans may not have one perfect word for it, but give them time.
If anyone can turn our collective panic about AI into a 47-letter noun that sounds like a car part, it’s them.
Until then, I’m fine calling it “the fear that my toaster is secretly unionizing with my phone.”
You are hilarious 😂,
see, I am German.
You only have to add the suffix „-Phobie“ or „-Koller“ to the description of what kind of fear-content you are talking about,
like „fear of losing your mind with all these media news contents“
= „Mediennewskontextexzessverstandesverlustphobie“
Bam 💥
There ya go
A German gal named Renate
I speak no German, but spent a few hours with a German friend on Saturday. He speaks no English. We had the entire conversation through Google Translate on our phones. We got to be best friends on the Camino in Spain in 2017, before I had a translate program. I did a bike ride along the Mosel River in Germany a few days ago, and am beginning to recognize some words.
Nadia, I was there to hear your sermon yesterday. That woman who waved as you were walking down the far side aisle. Thinking of the 18 years that have passed since we graduated from seminary and all you have done since then.
Earlier last week I read your post calling for folks to write about their fears and I found myself wanting to see how you would handle such a big issue in a 15 minute sermon. As always, your message was beautiful, funny, and so incredibly heartfelt. I will look at fear with a new lens now. Blessings to you as you continue on the beautiful journey you started 18 years ago!
Hi Lisa! Hopefully I can grab hug next time!
Eighteen years ago you were a classmate. Yesterday you were a witness.
It is a strange and beautiful thing to be seen across that much time, especially in a moment when the topic is fear. Thank you for waving. Thank you for reminding me that the road from seminary to here has been walked with more companions than I sometimes remember.
Citizen of Dark Times
Agenda in a time of fear: Be not afraid.
When things go wrong, do right.
Set out by the half-light of the seeker, for the well-lit problem begins to heal.
Learn tropism toward the difficult. We have not arrived to explain, but to sing.
Young idealism ripens into an ethical life.
Prune back regret to let faith grow.
When you hit rock bottom, dig farther down.
Grief is the seed of singing, shame the seed of song.
Keep seeing what you are not saying.
Plunder your reticence.
Songbird guards a twig, its only weapon a song.
--Kim Stafford
That reads like a survival manual smuggled out of a monastery in the middle of a siege.
Fear wants us twitching at every shadow. Your words walk straight into the dark with a lantern and a hymn. That is the only way the night ever learns our names.
Thank you--yes, Stafford's work is bracing, challenging stuff, so needed for these confusing times. Here's one more for the road I think you'll like:
Champion the Enemy’s Need
by Kim Stafford
Ask about your enemy’s wounds and scars.
Seek his hidden cause of trouble.
Feed your enemy’s children.
Learn their word for home.
Repair their well.
Learn their sorrow’s history.
Trace their lineage of the good.
Ask them for a song.
Make tea. Break bread.
(cf. Haskins's "The Gate of the Year.")
Subscribing! I like your poetic impulse! TDM
You're a wonderful and amazing human being, dear Nadia! If you ever come to France (I'm English but live here now) please let me know and come and stay! With love and blessings, Anna
Anna, offers like that are the kingdom breaking in.
Hospitality with no agenda. A table already set for someone you’ve only met in words.
Fear can’t imagine a world like that, which is why love keeps building it anyway.
Nadia, what a beautiful sermon. Again, thank you for providing us to the link so that we can see and hear you. This past Saturday, I attended the funeral of a wonderful man in our church, a man with a background in forestry and with a deep love of the natural world. I hadn't known him well, but by the end of the service I did know him. I realized that we are the leaves of a great tree, and when it is time for us to fall and decay, there are more leaves to follow us, and that life goes on. There really is no death, just transformation. And thank you for the word mycelium. I am an artist and have taken a long break from that particular expression of my own creativity. I knew that the theme of my next series will be about roots, about rhizomes; and now I know that it will also be about mycelium. Again, thank you for YOU.
PS I love your statement that "avoidance can be its own form of creativity." Thank God for that!
Thank you for this today! Navigating my husband's cancer treatment makes the fear very present. I'm keeping a gratitude journal and noting the small,frequent graces really helps. Your sermon will be noted in the journal today.
I'm honored to be there and I respect your practice.
A gratitude journal in the middle of cancer treatments is no small act.
That’s you planting green things on scorched ground. Fear may still walk beside you, but those small and frequent graces are proof it doesn’t get to own the whole road.
Oh, thank you!!!!
Just like Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself”
Inhaling and exhaling…….. Wise, kind, and healing words. Sending this to my husband, waiting for biopsy news
That particular wait is a troubling wait. I always say I feel like I am both fine and not fine, sick and not sick - like Schrodinger's patient. Prayers for good news
Laura, waiting for biopsy news is its own wilderness.
May each breath you and your husband take be an anchor in the now, where fear’s stories lose their grip.
And may the quiet work of love keep holding you both, even before the phone rings.
Thank you beautiful person!❤️
I loved this. I fear things, too. And yes, they drain our energy and don't always happen. I drive about 23 miles to get to my church. Beautiful farmlands, green mountains and valleys, all stuff I overlook when I am stuck and cursing on the interstate. So I take back roads, observe cows running playfully, children making chalk pictures on their driveway, all sorts of simple things that I miss worrying about why people can't driver more responsibly. You're right, fears take us away from where we can experience God in the simple things of life. Thanks be to God for your words.
Greg, cows running playfully are a better theology than most sermons I’ve heard.
Back roads are where fear gets bored and beauty gets loud.
May your detours keep teaching you the gospel of slowing down enough to see it.
"A kingdom of wild grace and humble healing." Thank you. I absolutely need that reminder every day. ❤️
Brief commentary: Fear is also useful. Our primal emotions, love, anger, hunger - and fear - are not just useful, they're absolutely essential to life, my life, our lives, all life. And, like all other living things, our living is about acquiring the skills necessary to manage, to modulate these primal emotions as we - living things - adapt to our environment. The environment is not really scary, much less hostile; it's just reality. Reality bites. It. Is. Not. Fair - RbIINF - anyone who says it's supposed to be, or should be, or could be is trying to sell you and me something. We need our primal emotions. Especially the first, LOVE, because only love can modulate, allow us to manage the other three, including and especially fear. Along the way we learn to not to take advice from talking snakes and a lot of other useful things - like without love we're just a noisy brass band. Life is (can be) sooo much better when we get in tune, especially when our environment (reality) is difficult.
Yes. Fear is a blunt instrument. It kept our ancestors from becoming saber-tooth snacks, but it’s a terrible life coach if you let it drive all the time.
Love doesn’t erase fear, it just refuses to let it be the loudest voice in the room. Without that balance, we’re all just clanging cymbals looking for a melody.
Appreciated this. Preacher to preacher, Thank you.
I did not cry until those closing words to the six babies. Those words are why we need to renew our baptisms. Thank you.