MSI Press Blog

  Opposites rarely mean harm — but they often misread each other’s signals. Introverts and extroverts offend each other not through malice, but through misunderstanding. One withdraws to recharge; the other reaches out to reconnect. Each interprets the other’s natural rhythm as rejection. How They Offend Each Other 1. The Introvert’s Silence When introverts go quiet, they’re usually self‑regulating — calming their nervous system, sorting their thoughts, or protecting peace. But extroverts may read that silence as disapproval, distance, or emotional coldness. To an extrovert, silence feels like a wall. To an introvert, it’s a sanctuary. How it offends: The extrovert feels shut out, dismissed, or unimportant. The introvert feels invaded, misunderstood, or pressured. 2. The Extrovert’s Energy Extroverts often process emotion aloud — talking, venting, brainstorming. Introverts may experience that as noise or intrusion, especially when they’re overstimulated. To an e...

  Interfaith spaces don’t attract people who are looking for a new religion. They attract people who are trying to live honestly in a world that is already religiously mixed, relationally complex, and morally interconnected. When you look closely, three patterns show up again and again. 1. Relationship: Real life pushes people toward understanding Most people don’t wake up one morning thinking, “I should explore interfaith dialogue today.” They arrive because someone in their actual life matters to them. A child marries outside the tradition. A coworker becomes a friend. A neighbor’s holiday ritual sparks curiosity. A grandchild asks a question that doesn’t fit neatly inside one catechism. Interfaith work gives people a place to honor those relationships without feeling disloyal to their own tradition. It lets them say, “I want to understand you better,” without implying, “I’m leaving what formed me.” 2. Complexity: Life refuses to stay inside one doctrinal box Modern life is me...

WORDS MATTER “If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging symbol.” --I Corinthians 13: 1   My three brothers recently visited from afar. We spent a week together crammed into my small apartment. We exhausted ourselves talking about our lives and our favorite subjects--religion, psychology, and politics. I daily used up my quota of words. Many family and friends avoid talking about these subjects to avoid conflict. But we relish the give-and-take of debate. Coincidentally, the Republican National Convention was televised each night. We watched it diligently and exchanged views. Our convictions ranged across the political spectrum. So our conversations were animated, our disagreements passionate. However, at the end of the week, we learned something from each other and parted friends. Words matter. They have power. Our traditions attest to this fact. For example, God created the world with His word. He began, “Let there be li...