As the above scripture above states....we live in a temporary tent. As hard as it is to fathom this type of thinking I believe it is so. We take it from the Greeks that physical body is everything. From our westernized thinking we do all that we can to promote a physical health and vitality to keep us in the here and now. But what about the hereafter? Peter assures us that he is soon to depart this world,as Jesus had told him. And he makes no bones about it and even the language he uses seems uncannily serene! Wow! If only we could be as him and accept that fact. We are really spiritual beings, engaged in a physical experience. Wrap that around our thinking, and things begin to make sense. The temporal world is not as real as the spiritual world we are heading to. Case In Point. Think about all of the miracles Jesus performed. They were absolutely mind blowing. The supernatural always invaded the natural. Including the pouring out of the spirit on pentecost. He was showing us something of God's kingdom. A kingdom that has a very different set of physical laws. Ones that defy , our physical laws here on Earth. Walking on water, calming the seas, increasing food ( bread and fish) out of nothing. And healing all manner of ailments and diseases. So, we are headed to a place that he prepared for us and we better be ready.
How? By heeding his simple commandments. Love one another as I have loved you. And, by putting on goodness, knowledge, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, And finally love. If we do these things, Peter assures us we will abide abide and attain the kingdom. Peace.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Saturday, September 8, 2018
A Case of Conscience vs The Law of The Land, and Christian perspective
When do we disobey law? Is it when we discern it is amoral, unjust, political, or based on ethical beliefs? What should a Christian do? Well I for one growing up in the Age of Vietnam and selective service that was mandatory for all 18 year old that posed a significant challenge for me. I of course knew what I would do. Disobey the Law of the Land, preserve my life and ruuuuuun! Why? Number one, I was afraid, two I did not want to kill people I did not know, and three from the standpoint of common sense, a small Asian country thousands of miles away with a totally different culture was not a threat to our very large and strong country. Values aside I did not buy in to the Domino Theory of Communism. Especially since many of the people we fought for years were farmers, living simple lives and the war imposed was between their own people. North vs South. sound familiar? Still it was complicated, A totalitarian government is unjust. And they still remain so today.
I was not Christian then, but now am. But there still exists laws that are unjust, either economically motivated and judicially enacted that cause questions of conscience to bear. Case in point, a Colorado baker was sued by two people because of a refusal to serve them, a cake.....harmless, yes but should one be forced by a law to do something against conscience? This case pitted a Christian against the secular world view of sexual orientation and ended up in high court. The baker won. It was ruled in his favor on the basis of "hostility toward religion." It did not end there, the Civil rights commission (Colorado) "doubled down" and again had their sights on him when he refused another cake making request this time definitely offensive in nature. So as a friend suggested, it need not go that far in extremes to one, sue someone over a cake..but rather why not just go to another place who will make one? Why be contentious. One wonders at motive, and true intent. If it was an AR 15 sold to a minor or mentally unstable person ....then I would be concerned...it's deadly, requires permits, background checks etc. etc. etc. and it kills (or rather the person does), a cake does not.
So can we build tolerance into law? And a common sense approach to civility in a democracy, that is subject to a litigious society? Thirty eight years ago when I was a newly believing Christian, I had my first ethical challenge. I worked for a year in a delicatessen as a cashier, in November on my one year anniversary, the owners opened up another small shop on the same property to sell, tobacco products, lottery tickets and what I then would call Pornographic magazines. That's all they sold and they wanted me to work there. I said no, because it was against some beliefs I now held. And new ones to me. So I was told not to come to work for two weeks and that I was not needed . I Was not fired and I did not quit. So now I was needing income and suddenly had none and I qualified for unemployment compensation, but since I was in limbo placed there by my employer, he contested my status to receive that income. Ethics now on display, the secular vs the religious....I was granted a hearing by an Administrative Law judge and won my case. I was unfairly discriminated against.
But the consequences required my seeing it through, poverty was at issue and my income at stake as well as temptations that directly conflicted with my ethical stance as a Christian. Getting another job was not that easy in a recession ( the 80's). And I held my ground. Looking at these issues now and especially the case against the Christian Baker, it requires a thoughtfulness and a tolerance on both sides. "Intolerant laws lead to anger, resentment, sedition." So said Baruch Spinoza, about government. "The most tyrannical government will be one where the individual is denied the freedom to express and communicate to others what he thinks."
We live in a time when extremes are in full view and action. And we have a President bordering on the fascist, end of the spectrum, let alone on a dictatorial bent, who fancies himself friends with totalitarian regimes. The driving force of those who support his agenda includes a very large number of Evangelical Christians who have chosen to look the other way on many serious ethical lapses on full display. I wonder if they would have supported Nero? Peace......
True religion is this....feed the poor, take care of the widow, the orphan, the fatherless,the stranger in your land....." favor no one above another,
I was not Christian then, but now am. But there still exists laws that are unjust, either economically motivated and judicially enacted that cause questions of conscience to bear. Case in point, a Colorado baker was sued by two people because of a refusal to serve them, a cake.....harmless, yes but should one be forced by a law to do something against conscience? This case pitted a Christian against the secular world view of sexual orientation and ended up in high court. The baker won. It was ruled in his favor on the basis of "hostility toward religion." It did not end there, the Civil rights commission (Colorado) "doubled down" and again had their sights on him when he refused another cake making request this time definitely offensive in nature. So as a friend suggested, it need not go that far in extremes to one, sue someone over a cake..but rather why not just go to another place who will make one? Why be contentious. One wonders at motive, and true intent. If it was an AR 15 sold to a minor or mentally unstable person ....then I would be concerned...it's deadly, requires permits, background checks etc. etc. etc. and it kills (or rather the person does), a cake does not.
So can we build tolerance into law? And a common sense approach to civility in a democracy, that is subject to a litigious society? Thirty eight years ago when I was a newly believing Christian, I had my first ethical challenge. I worked for a year in a delicatessen as a cashier, in November on my one year anniversary, the owners opened up another small shop on the same property to sell, tobacco products, lottery tickets and what I then would call Pornographic magazines. That's all they sold and they wanted me to work there. I said no, because it was against some beliefs I now held. And new ones to me. So I was told not to come to work for two weeks and that I was not needed . I Was not fired and I did not quit. So now I was needing income and suddenly had none and I qualified for unemployment compensation, but since I was in limbo placed there by my employer, he contested my status to receive that income. Ethics now on display, the secular vs the religious....I was granted a hearing by an Administrative Law judge and won my case. I was unfairly discriminated against.
But the consequences required my seeing it through, poverty was at issue and my income at stake as well as temptations that directly conflicted with my ethical stance as a Christian. Getting another job was not that easy in a recession ( the 80's). And I held my ground. Looking at these issues now and especially the case against the Christian Baker, it requires a thoughtfulness and a tolerance on both sides. "Intolerant laws lead to anger, resentment, sedition." So said Baruch Spinoza, about government. "The most tyrannical government will be one where the individual is denied the freedom to express and communicate to others what he thinks."
We live in a time when extremes are in full view and action. And we have a President bordering on the fascist, end of the spectrum, let alone on a dictatorial bent, who fancies himself friends with totalitarian regimes. The driving force of those who support his agenda includes a very large number of Evangelical Christians who have chosen to look the other way on many serious ethical lapses on full display. I wonder if they would have supported Nero? Peace......
True religion is this....feed the poor, take care of the widow, the orphan, the fatherless,the stranger in your land....." favor no one above another,
Friday, August 31, 2018
Through a Christian lens ; reaping and sowing
I choose to see things through a Christian lens. By this I mean a viewpoint taken with ethical teachings by Christ and not necessarily a morphed and inclusive of teachings from the viewpoint of denominational churches as in organized religion.
Which brings me to the point of reaping and sowing. If one plants corn, one would not expect to reap peas. You would look for what you planted and nothing else. In planting a garden various seeds could be planted and a mix would then spring forth. And maybe some weeds would be mixed in as well. Not to worry, they can be identified. So as in nature a bee is a bee and a bear is a bear and a wolf is a wolf and nothing else can be determined from what it appears to be! It has it's own characteristics and is differentiated by it's own nature and it is visible.
Why then are we not? What has become of us? Why are we not satisfied with what we are? Are we to be chameleons of the human race? Ever changing because we can? I wonder.
Choice seems to be the biggest factor along with cultural norms that are being expressed in ever different ways. Choice, the ever present factor with us from the beginning. And there was a beginning, a linear state of time we are hemmed in by it and it is like no other restrictive force that we face. Our mortality. And what do we do with our mortality? We bend it, try to extend it, ignore it, and obsess over it. After all our minds seem to conjure up the infinite and we are finite. So our choices mean everything to us, here in our democracy, we are free to expand and choose things we never could before.
Is this OK? Is this raising up new and ethical issues we have never encountered before? I think so. It causes us to examine our closely held beliefs of what is acceptable and also raises a new need to examine basic rights of ours and the ethical treatment of those we find different. Undoubtedly it causes divisions.
We are indeed a complicated species. Endowed with reason above and beyond that of the animal kingdom we have "subdued the Earth" and much more.
We conquer and change things, some good some I say not so good. If then I have chosen to hold certain beliefs, then it is not for others to judge from the external the inward within me, they cannot know for certain. That is reserved as a Christian belief for (God alone). But, we must as humans get along with one another, strive for the good of all, certainly reap some good things and expect good things to follow, (even if you hold atheistic or agnostic views) why harm one another? Why sow dissent, division, and hold so fervently to beliefs that they become destructive?
I think with this new cultural changing we are now in and with nationalism and fascism on the rise we need to step back and realize the dangers ahead. It is a sowing caused from a discontent within and with that nature we can only reap the consequences. Don't expect anything else. Peace.
Which brings me to the point of reaping and sowing. If one plants corn, one would not expect to reap peas. You would look for what you planted and nothing else. In planting a garden various seeds could be planted and a mix would then spring forth. And maybe some weeds would be mixed in as well. Not to worry, they can be identified. So as in nature a bee is a bee and a bear is a bear and a wolf is a wolf and nothing else can be determined from what it appears to be! It has it's own characteristics and is differentiated by it's own nature and it is visible.
Why then are we not? What has become of us? Why are we not satisfied with what we are? Are we to be chameleons of the human race? Ever changing because we can? I wonder.
Choice seems to be the biggest factor along with cultural norms that are being expressed in ever different ways. Choice, the ever present factor with us from the beginning. And there was a beginning, a linear state of time we are hemmed in by it and it is like no other restrictive force that we face. Our mortality. And what do we do with our mortality? We bend it, try to extend it, ignore it, and obsess over it. After all our minds seem to conjure up the infinite and we are finite. So our choices mean everything to us, here in our democracy, we are free to expand and choose things we never could before.
Is this OK? Is this raising up new and ethical issues we have never encountered before? I think so. It causes us to examine our closely held beliefs of what is acceptable and also raises a new need to examine basic rights of ours and the ethical treatment of those we find different. Undoubtedly it causes divisions.
We are indeed a complicated species. Endowed with reason above and beyond that of the animal kingdom we have "subdued the Earth" and much more.
We conquer and change things, some good some I say not so good. If then I have chosen to hold certain beliefs, then it is not for others to judge from the external the inward within me, they cannot know for certain. That is reserved as a Christian belief for (God alone). But, we must as humans get along with one another, strive for the good of all, certainly reap some good things and expect good things to follow, (even if you hold atheistic or agnostic views) why harm one another? Why sow dissent, division, and hold so fervently to beliefs that they become destructive?
I think with this new cultural changing we are now in and with nationalism and fascism on the rise we need to step back and realize the dangers ahead. It is a sowing caused from a discontent within and with that nature we can only reap the consequences. Don't expect anything else. Peace.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Collecting Life; Viewpoints
Life is short; And along the way of this life we collect our various viewpoints.
They shape shift, and transform in many different ways depending upon the circumstances we are in at the time and the people who influence us as well. I call this "collecting life." Lord knows I have changed opinions and stand points many many times along the way. For me I depend upon others to gain understanding. For too long I was an Island, alone and pondering life's many peculiarities by myself. I have found refreshing times in listening to others and forming opinions with a deft hand by integrating their insight with my own. Although I may not agree with everything, it is a wonderful experience to gain. Wisdom is something I have always wanted to gain, and treat it as a close ally and friend. This is because I had not so much as to call my own. Essentially fatherless and without guide, I always looked with longing at those who seemed to possess it in great abundance.
Now I relish listening with an open ear and sifting the gems that perhaps I will hear and add to my internal being. It is a strange thing to be a Christian and sort of feel like we are living backwards. By this I mean that as a Christian we are constantly being renewed in our minds by a close relationship with Christ. This renewing is called "putting on Christ" and putting off the old man, so to speak. Though my body ages, and I can visibly see the years adding up to an eventual end, the internal renewal I feel is bewildering, but greatly appreciated. I don't feel at all my age of 63 years. And this surprises me. When growing up, the only reference I had was my grandfather and he definitely fit his age. Now that I have reached his age, and compare each if us it baffles me.
I cannot but help but wonder if living in Christ adds a dimension of "youth" that belies age and helps us along the way. My curiosity is so much more boundless than when I was a twenty year old. Seems to me that It does not make sense. Save for the fact that the working of the Spirit, adds a dimension I had not counted on.
So I gladly accept the new and curious things that I collect along the way and add it to my being. How does one translate this to another? The re-generation of the Holy Ghost is a complete transformation of being. We are changed here and now both mind and body, and our thinking takes on magnitudes and levels not thought of before. I greatly appreciate other Christians, and "Philosophers" who have reached pinnacles of thought I have not and that share graciously with me. It opens the mind to other perceptions and avenues to facilitate change.
So I will continue with an open mind and heart to see where this leads. For now it is an interesting journey. Peace.........
They shape shift, and transform in many different ways depending upon the circumstances we are in at the time and the people who influence us as well. I call this "collecting life." Lord knows I have changed opinions and stand points many many times along the way. For me I depend upon others to gain understanding. For too long I was an Island, alone and pondering life's many peculiarities by myself. I have found refreshing times in listening to others and forming opinions with a deft hand by integrating their insight with my own. Although I may not agree with everything, it is a wonderful experience to gain. Wisdom is something I have always wanted to gain, and treat it as a close ally and friend. This is because I had not so much as to call my own. Essentially fatherless and without guide, I always looked with longing at those who seemed to possess it in great abundance.
Now I relish listening with an open ear and sifting the gems that perhaps I will hear and add to my internal being. It is a strange thing to be a Christian and sort of feel like we are living backwards. By this I mean that as a Christian we are constantly being renewed in our minds by a close relationship with Christ. This renewing is called "putting on Christ" and putting off the old man, so to speak. Though my body ages, and I can visibly see the years adding up to an eventual end, the internal renewal I feel is bewildering, but greatly appreciated. I don't feel at all my age of 63 years. And this surprises me. When growing up, the only reference I had was my grandfather and he definitely fit his age. Now that I have reached his age, and compare each if us it baffles me.
I cannot but help but wonder if living in Christ adds a dimension of "youth" that belies age and helps us along the way. My curiosity is so much more boundless than when I was a twenty year old. Seems to me that It does not make sense. Save for the fact that the working of the Spirit, adds a dimension I had not counted on.
So I gladly accept the new and curious things that I collect along the way and add it to my being. How does one translate this to another? The re-generation of the Holy Ghost is a complete transformation of being. We are changed here and now both mind and body, and our thinking takes on magnitudes and levels not thought of before. I greatly appreciate other Christians, and "Philosophers" who have reached pinnacles of thought I have not and that share graciously with me. It opens the mind to other perceptions and avenues to facilitate change.
So I will continue with an open mind and heart to see where this leads. For now it is an interesting journey. Peace.........
Monday, August 13, 2018
MYSTICAL MADNESS; TRANSCENDENTAL JOURNEYS & SPIRITUAL CHAOS!
RE-THINKING, RE-IMAGINING, RE-STORING, THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN WARPED......US>>>>>>
I was contemplating.......thinking........journeying.......in my mind. and guess what....
it's a mess. Thoughts abound, unbound, free roaming, UN-ending, mystical madness, transcendental journeys, spiritual chaos..... that's where I was....where am I going?
Who has the truth? Shall I step into this? Try this avenue? Pursue this street? Try this stuff? Is this the way? OMG! Endless pursuits of roads to take.....
they all offer. something...but what?
That is the million dollar question? I live in an area of spiritual pursuits...a town called Manitou or Great Spirit...In Ute Indian. Great Spirit is a recognized trait of this area. And it seems that a lot and I mean a lot of people gravitate here for something, natural springs for healing waters, spiritual peace, eclectic living nirvana etc. etc. freedom from the norms of life. An old hippie town. Pot is legal, tie dye shirts, and jeans exist as a symbol of the 60's not forgotten. Of times remembered and held tightly onto. Liberalism is the antithesis of conservatism a few 4 miles away the so called capital of Evangelicanism. Focus on the family is premier for thought molding among conservatives. But here, there survives a mentality of "against the grain" and a tight knit community activism that sustains this little mountain town nestled below the magnificent Pikes Peak Mountain. In between here and there there is a stretch of road known as no man's land...that transients and homeless travel night and day. A grim reminder of a survival , hard to keep. And that is my point in all of this.........Where do we find the life that eludes us? For surely money, jobs, cars, music, whatever.....can't be the all in all?
So mystical madness, transcendental journeys and spiritual chaos and all of our journeys to find our peace in the many offerings available to us , what are we to believe? And how do we know when we find it? For me it took 24 years and some introductions to the many who and shared their truth. Some I immediately outright rejected as crazy, and to far "out there ," for me. Some were tantalizing, and I wanted to explore, but afraid. others required massive change or adherence to dogma I did not think was true. And so, after many such things I found a Spiritual walk, and in-filling I could trust. and it was historical. And proven. Christianity... and I mean true Christianity. not a westernized, tele-evangelized version we see so much of. But a bare bones version of the good news....Christ preached. It's worth seeking out. It's definitely a life changing road that all others cannot compare to. I leaves them high and dry. It will astound you! For it covers all of the issues that flow from the human heart!...Peace
I was contemplating.......thinking........journeying.......in my mind. and guess what....
it's a mess. Thoughts abound, unbound, free roaming, UN-ending, mystical madness, transcendental journeys, spiritual chaos..... that's where I was....where am I going?
Who has the truth? Shall I step into this? Try this avenue? Pursue this street? Try this stuff? Is this the way? OMG! Endless pursuits of roads to take.....
they all offer. something...but what?
That is the million dollar question? I live in an area of spiritual pursuits...a town called Manitou or Great Spirit...In Ute Indian. Great Spirit is a recognized trait of this area. And it seems that a lot and I mean a lot of people gravitate here for something, natural springs for healing waters, spiritual peace, eclectic living nirvana etc. etc. freedom from the norms of life. An old hippie town. Pot is legal, tie dye shirts, and jeans exist as a symbol of the 60's not forgotten. Of times remembered and held tightly onto. Liberalism is the antithesis of conservatism a few 4 miles away the so called capital of Evangelicanism. Focus on the family is premier for thought molding among conservatives. But here, there survives a mentality of "against the grain" and a tight knit community activism that sustains this little mountain town nestled below the magnificent Pikes Peak Mountain. In between here and there there is a stretch of road known as no man's land...that transients and homeless travel night and day. A grim reminder of a survival , hard to keep. And that is my point in all of this.........Where do we find the life that eludes us? For surely money, jobs, cars, music, whatever.....can't be the all in all?
So mystical madness, transcendental journeys and spiritual chaos and all of our journeys to find our peace in the many offerings available to us , what are we to believe? And how do we know when we find it? For me it took 24 years and some introductions to the many who and shared their truth. Some I immediately outright rejected as crazy, and to far "out there ," for me. Some were tantalizing, and I wanted to explore, but afraid. others required massive change or adherence to dogma I did not think was true. And so, after many such things I found a Spiritual walk, and in-filling I could trust. and it was historical. And proven. Christianity... and I mean true Christianity. not a westernized, tele-evangelized version we see so much of. But a bare bones version of the good news....Christ preached. It's worth seeking out. It's definitely a life changing road that all others cannot compare to. I leaves them high and dry. It will astound you! For it covers all of the issues that flow from the human heart!...Peace
TRUE NORTH
)
In loss of direction there's true north: Christ
In loss of hope there's an anchor : Christ
In the darkness that surrounds: there's light in Christ, the light of men
In the tumult and endless noise there's peace, not as the world gives: but in Christ
In the race to achieve and stay on pace with the world: there's rest in Christ: striving is met with grace
In brokenness there's a repentance that leads to life
In loss: there is gain, in Christ
If I am dead to sin: I am made alive in Christ
I run the race so that I may win: this is the vision of every athlete and it must be also be true with us:
True Christian..........peace to you.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Timeless or not?
Event after event
A parade of thought
What of my being if not distraught?
For a moment in time
Is my body to me
What is next but a divinity?
I know not what lies beyond
I know but here and now becomes
My my mind perceives what my eyes do not
Reality beckons and the great unknown
To one who holds keys so bold
As if to go beyond the fold
I await the great mystery
Salute the ones who’ve gone before
Times pursuit has me now
This body of mine sowed in just ground
Of what becomes of my knowledges gained
For earth and sky have I attained
A house prepared not just for me
All hope ahead .....eternity
A parade of thought
What of my being if not distraught?
For a moment in time
Is my body to me
What is next but a divinity?
I know not what lies beyond
I know but here and now becomes
My my mind perceives what my eyes do not
Reality beckons and the great unknown
To one who holds keys so bold
As if to go beyond the fold
I await the great mystery
Salute the ones who’ve gone before
Times pursuit has me now
This body of mine sowed in just ground
Of what becomes of my knowledges gained
For earth and sky have I attained
A house prepared not just for me
All hope ahead .....eternity
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