But when Love is engaged -
INSEPARABLE are
JOY and SUFFERING
FOR LOVE.
WHEN JOY IS ABSENT,
OR SUFFERING IS AVOIDED,
LOVE IS DISENGAGED.
7.09.2007
LIFE IS GIVEN TO SPEND FOR GOOD
Well, you have to believe one or the other of these:
- God, a sentient being, gave you life, or...
- Your Genes gave you life.
Either way...
LIFE IS GIVEN TO SPEND FOR GOOD:
1. GOD IS GOOD AND
WOULD HAVE YOU DO ONLY GOOD
2. YOUR GENES WANT
THE GOOD OF THE SPECIES
OUR REWARDS DIMINISH AS WE
STRAY FROM
SPENDING LIFE FOR GOOD
COWARDS SEEK TO PAY WITH OTHERS LIVES. HEROES PAY WITH THEIR OWN.
COWARDS SEEK TO PAY
WITH OTHERS LIVES.
HEROES PAY WITH THEIR OWN.
WITH OTHERS LIVES.
HEROES PAY WITH THEIR OWN.
ANY QUESTIONS?
7.08.2007
JESUS' SOLUTION TO LIFE: AGAPE
This is a sermon I heard elsewhere, but the following catches the same informatino very well. From: feed_my_sheep
Do you love Jesus? Do you really love Him? If so, are you obeying His commandments (see John 14:15)? Are you feeding His sheep? Let’s look at John 21:15 again:
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. In the Greek, Jesus asked, "Do you AGAPAO me?" He was referring to AGAPE love... which is God’s love. Agape love is an uncompromising love. It loves whether or not the subject returns that love. It loves even if the subject returns hate. Agape love is an unconditional love. It loves even the un-lovely. It loves those who don’t want to be loved. If you truly love Jesus, feed His sheep.
The word "Feed" in this verse in the original Greek language means to promote the spiritual welfare of Jesus’ AR-NEE’-ON (little lambs). Would any mother give birth to a baby, then leave it to fend for itself? Of course not! When a soul comes to Christ, we need to embrace that spiritual babe and foster his/her spiritual growth. When a new convert (or even a veteran believer) comes to the church, it is imperative for you to wrap your arms around that person and agape them. Lift them up in your prayers. Let them know that somebody cares about them. They may not look or act like the type of person you would want to love... which is even more reason to agape them.
Peter’s reply to Jesus’ question, "thou knowest that I love thee," wasn’t really a direct answer. Peter was saying "Lord, you know that I PHILEO (not agape) you." The Greek word phileo means friendship, fondness, affection or personal attachment. Phileo love is qualified by a relationship or attachment of some sort. It is very conditional. It is not the pure, high AGAPE love that Jesus was asking for.
Sometimes, we’ll love our Christian brothers and sisters... but only if they’re doing what we want them to. We won’t love them if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient for us. THAT IS SIN! Look at what happens in John 21:16
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus repeats his question to Peter. However, this time the word "feed" in the Greek is POY-MAH’EE-NO, which means to oversee or to provide their soul needs. You see, once a baby Christian progresses along the path of spiritual maturity, we no longer need to "bottle feed" them. I like the way Keith Green put it... we’re simply like the curb on the street. We keep them from running off the road. Although the primary responsibility for providing POY-MAH’EE-NO falls upon the pastor, we all play a part in edifying the body of Christ in love (see Ephesians 4:16).
Jesus also uses a different word for "sheep" in this verse. He calls them PROB’-AT-ON, which means sheep but, in its most literal translation, means a thing that walks forward.
The body of Christ does not sit still... we are moving forward, taking the gospel to the world. In order for us to effectively move forward, we must remember to lift each other up in a spirit of love. In fact, if we don’t receive support and fellowship from each other, we can’t walk forward. Not only that, we couldn’t do anything without the "mutual support" of our sisters and brothers.
I heard a minister say that if it was God’s responsibility to hold the church together, that He was doing a "lousy job of it." At first, I found that statement to be shocking. Later, I realised that the truth is, it is not God’s job to hold the church together. It is our job! Look at what Ephesians 4 says:
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {fill: or, fulfil}
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {in: or, into} {stature: or, age}
14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere}
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: {blindness: or, hardness}
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
We see in verse 16 of Ephesians 4 that the body is joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies. You supply a little love, the next person supplies a little exhortation, the Pastor supplies preaching... etc. Each one of us has a role to play. Each one has a gift to use. Now, let’s move on with John 21:17
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
This time, Jesus used Peter’s word for love. Jesus asked, "Do you PHILEO me?" Notice that, when we can’t seem to make it to Jesus’ level, He will always meet us where we are. He did the same with the woman at the well, starting the conversation with a request for a drink of water, not with a diatribe about the woman’s sinful life (read the account in John 4:4-42).
Jesus goes on to tell Peter about the sacrifice that would be required of him, closing in John 21:19 with "Follow me." In the Greek, Jesus was telling Peter, "Be in the same way with Me" or "Join/Accompany Me." Remember Jesus taught (and demonstrated) that the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friends (see John 15:13).
This is what Jesus did (see John 10:15). This is what He requires us to do... to be perfect (or, complete), as our Father is perfect (see Matthew 5:48). How can we be perfect? By being made perfect in love (see Ephesians 1:4 and Colossians 3:14).
Peter eventually caught on to what Jesus was saying. Jesus met Peter at the PHILEO level in John 21:17, but Peter met Jesus at the AGAPE level in I Peter 1:13-16 as he feeds the body of Christ.
If you love Jesus... if you really love Jesus, you will feed His sheep. As He took up the cross and died for us — when we were His enemies (see Romans 5:6-8, 10) — we must take up our cross daily (see Luke 9:23) and die on it. The cross is the first century equivalent to the electric chair. It’s not a shiny emblem that you wear like a piece of common jewelry. It is an instrument of death. To take up your cross (daily) is to kill the selfish and carnal works of the flesh (see Colossians 3:5-17) and be crucified with Christ... allowing Him to live through you (see Galatians 2:20).
Would Jesus walk over one of His sheep, callously ignoring it’s piteous bleating? No way! Neither should we. Make an extra effort to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to be ready to encourage the hearts of your brothers and sisters in Christ with love and compassion. Help them to walk forward and continue to promote their spiritual welfare (see Hebrews 10:24 and II Timothy 4:2).
Do you love Jesus? Do you really love Him? If so, are you obeying His commandments (see John 14:15)? Are you feeding His sheep? Let’s look at John 21:15 again:
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. In the Greek, Jesus asked, "Do you AGAPAO me?" He was referring to AGAPE love... which is God’s love. Agape love is an uncompromising love. It loves whether or not the subject returns that love. It loves even if the subject returns hate. Agape love is an unconditional love. It loves even the un-lovely. It loves those who don’t want to be loved. If you truly love Jesus, feed His sheep.
The word "Feed" in this verse in the original Greek language means to promote the spiritual welfare of Jesus’ AR-NEE’-ON (little lambs). Would any mother give birth to a baby, then leave it to fend for itself? Of course not! When a soul comes to Christ, we need to embrace that spiritual babe and foster his/her spiritual growth. When a new convert (or even a veteran believer) comes to the church, it is imperative for you to wrap your arms around that person and agape them. Lift them up in your prayers. Let them know that somebody cares about them. They may not look or act like the type of person you would want to love... which is even more reason to agape them.
Peter’s reply to Jesus’ question, "thou knowest that I love thee," wasn’t really a direct answer. Peter was saying "Lord, you know that I PHILEO (not agape) you." The Greek word phileo means friendship, fondness, affection or personal attachment. Phileo love is qualified by a relationship or attachment of some sort. It is very conditional. It is not the pure, high AGAPE love that Jesus was asking for.
Sometimes, we’ll love our Christian brothers and sisters... but only if they’re doing what we want them to. We won’t love them if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient for us. THAT IS SIN! Look at what happens in John 21:16
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus repeats his question to Peter. However, this time the word "feed" in the Greek is POY-MAH’EE-NO, which means to oversee or to provide their soul needs. You see, once a baby Christian progresses along the path of spiritual maturity, we no longer need to "bottle feed" them. I like the way Keith Green put it... we’re simply like the curb on the street. We keep them from running off the road. Although the primary responsibility for providing POY-MAH’EE-NO falls upon the pastor, we all play a part in edifying the body of Christ in love (see Ephesians 4:16).
Jesus also uses a different word for "sheep" in this verse. He calls them PROB’-AT-ON, which means sheep but, in its most literal translation, means a thing that walks forward.
The body of Christ does not sit still... we are moving forward, taking the gospel to the world. In order for us to effectively move forward, we must remember to lift each other up in a spirit of love. In fact, if we don’t receive support and fellowship from each other, we can’t walk forward. Not only that, we couldn’t do anything without the "mutual support" of our sisters and brothers.
I heard a minister say that if it was God’s responsibility to hold the church together, that He was doing a "lousy job of it." At first, I found that statement to be shocking. Later, I realised that the truth is, it is not God’s job to hold the church together. It is our job! Look at what Ephesians 4 says:
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {fill: or, fulfil}
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {in: or, into} {stature: or, age}
14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere}
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: {blindness: or, hardness}
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
We see in verse 16 of Ephesians 4 that the body is joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies. You supply a little love, the next person supplies a little exhortation, the Pastor supplies preaching... etc. Each one of us has a role to play. Each one has a gift to use. Now, let’s move on with John 21:17
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
This time, Jesus used Peter’s word for love. Jesus asked, "Do you PHILEO me?" Notice that, when we can’t seem to make it to Jesus’ level, He will always meet us where we are. He did the same with the woman at the well, starting the conversation with a request for a drink of water, not with a diatribe about the woman’s sinful life (read the account in John 4:4-42).
Jesus goes on to tell Peter about the sacrifice that would be required of him, closing in John 21:19 with "Follow me." In the Greek, Jesus was telling Peter, "Be in the same way with Me" or "Join/Accompany Me." Remember Jesus taught (and demonstrated) that the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friends (see John 15:13).
This is what Jesus did (see John 10:15). This is what He requires us to do... to be perfect (or, complete), as our Father is perfect (see Matthew 5:48). How can we be perfect? By being made perfect in love (see Ephesians 1:4 and Colossians 3:14).
Peter eventually caught on to what Jesus was saying. Jesus met Peter at the PHILEO level in John 21:17, but Peter met Jesus at the AGAPE level in I Peter 1:13-16 as he feeds the body of Christ.
If you love Jesus... if you really love Jesus, you will feed His sheep. As He took up the cross and died for us — when we were His enemies (see Romans 5:6-8, 10) — we must take up our cross daily (see Luke 9:23) and die on it. The cross is the first century equivalent to the electric chair. It’s not a shiny emblem that you wear like a piece of common jewelry. It is an instrument of death. To take up your cross (daily) is to kill the selfish and carnal works of the flesh (see Colossians 3:5-17) and be crucified with Christ... allowing Him to live through you (see Galatians 2:20).
Would Jesus walk over one of His sheep, callously ignoring it’s piteous bleating? No way! Neither should we. Make an extra effort to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to be ready to encourage the hearts of your brothers and sisters in Christ with love and compassion. Help them to walk forward and continue to promote their spiritual welfare (see Hebrews 10:24 and II Timothy 4:2).
7.07.2007
BELOVED BLINDNESS
This insight is still in development but major progress is being experienced by me.
"Blindness" is beloved by us:
"Blindness" is beloved by us:
- Conservatives: Beloved is their "blindness" to "the least of these"
- Liberals: Beloved is their "blindness" to their need to "PAY THE PRICE" for "the least of these"
Blindness is BELOVED by:
- We the people because it enables our incalculable selfishness
- Corp-Military-Media-Government complex because in turns otherwise troublesome Humans into mailable "consumers" and "corporate drones"
- Liberals
- Conservatives
Our U.S. blindness is despised by:
- World-wide terrorists
Our U.S. BELOVED BLINDNESS SHOULD BE DESPISED BY US ALL.
7.04.2007
TERRORISM DIFFERES FROM BUSH POLICY HOW?
TERRORISM
1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
3. a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.
The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.
the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
Acts of violence committed by groups that view themselves as victimized by some notable historical wrong. Although these groups have no formal connection with governments, they usually have the financial and moral backing of sympathetic governments. Typically, they stage unexpected attacks on civilian targets, including embassies and airliners, with the aim of sowing fear and confusion. Israel has been a frequent target of terrorism, but the United States has increasingly become its main target.
1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
3. a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.
The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.
the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
Acts of violence committed by groups that view themselves as victimized by some notable historical wrong. Although these groups have no formal connection with governments, they usually have the financial and moral backing of sympathetic governments. Typically, they stage unexpected attacks on civilian targets, including embassies and airliners, with the aim of sowing fear and confusion. Israel has been a frequent target of terrorism, but the United States has increasingly become its main target.
If there were Christians there would be no Terrorists
"If Christians lived according to their faith, there would be no more Hindus left in India." Gandhi
If Militant PeaceMAKERS abounded there would be no more terrorists in the world.
Until Militant PeaceMAKERS abound,
Terrorsts will abound.
WE BETTER GET BUSY.
7.03.2007
BECOMING A SOLDIER IS TO BECOME A DIFFERENT HUMAN TYPE
Of fundamental importance to personal Joy / Heaven in this life is to realize that we have available to us the option of not one, as our culture would have us believe, but two profoundly OPPOSITE states of mind:
- Selfishness
- Brotherliness / Otherishness
It has just struck me that there is an institution that consistantly and relyably CONVERTS individuals during the course of one's enlistment from Selfishness to Brotherliness (Brotherliness of an important sort). THE U.S. MILITARY does this.
The points here are that:
- The choice of Otherishness is one that anyone can make as we see in the choice made by millions in the military;
- Otherishness (the READINESS to give one's life for others) is profoundly opposite to Selfisnness as we can clearly see in this mass military "conversion" that ;
- WAR, such intensity of commitment, trumps any alternative through its overwhelming Joyfulness / Purpose / Meaning. From movies, imagination and personal knowledge we can see that there was no price that could get Ryan to leave the war (Saving Private Ryan.)
A ONE-SIDED PLANETARY WAR / SLAUGHTER RAGES
The forces of Greed / Selfishness / Mammon / Indifference / Disconnection / Neglect are assaulting the world on every conceivable front with a war-like seriousness of intention and approach of infecting every human heart.
Nowhere in serious opposition is to be found the forces of Love / Life / Truth. Nowhere are there those that:
Nowhere in serious opposition is to be found the forces of Love / Life / Truth. Nowhere are there those that:
- Face the fact of this global war by the forces of cancer.
- See, envision that the forces of Love / Life / Truth can and must fight to win.
- Envision that winning is possible.
- Begin fighting despite apparently insurmountable odds.
Start, is nothing being done? Oh yes:
- Liberal lip service.
- Token actions.
- Symbolic actions.
- Band-Aids
7.02.2007
ATTN MERCHANTS! "UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE..."
In the face of emergency where do you expect to find the good Dr., minister, nurse, soldier? At the emergency helping!
"Unto This Last (1868)," is one of two books to galvanize Gandhi in his early 20's. The thrust of these 3 essays is that nothing less should be expected of merchants. Their goods are the life's blood of society and they should be every bit as morally responsible to "the least of these my family," as are the best of Dr.s, soldiers, nurses....
THE WORLD IS ONE BIG EMERGENCY AND MERCHANTS SHOULD FOCUS ENTIRELY ON "THE LEAST OF THESE" AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS. NOTHING LESS. NOTHING MORE. NOTHING ELSE.
"Unto This Last (1868)," is one of two books to galvanize Gandhi in his early 20's. The thrust of these 3 essays is that nothing less should be expected of merchants. Their goods are the life's blood of society and they should be every bit as morally responsible to "the least of these my family," as are the best of Dr.s, soldiers, nurses....
THE WORLD IS ONE BIG EMERGENCY AND MERCHANTS SHOULD FOCUS ENTIRELY ON "THE LEAST OF THESE" AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS. NOTHING LESS. NOTHING MORE. NOTHING ELSE.
ULTIMATE ADVENTURE; THE REASON TO "BE" "GOOD"
People give their lives for adventure:
* Sky dive
* Scuba dive
* Hang glide
* Fly
* Ski
* Mountain climb....
Why "be" "good" like Jesus calls us to do?
"BEING" "GOOD" IS THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE ; GIVE IT YOUR LIVES! Start Loving
* Sky dive
* Scuba dive
* Hang glide
* Fly
* Ski
* Mountain climb....
Why "be" "good" like Jesus calls us to do?
"BEING" "GOOD" IS THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE ; GIVE IT YOUR LIVES! Start Loving
OUR FEELING FOR HYPOCRISY MAY BE LIFE ITSELF
I highly recommend that as I am trying to do, that you connect with your experience of Hypocrisy as a youth; your youth being a time when your Hypocrisy detector was alive and well - full of feeling.
Hypocrisy: The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness. An act or instance of such falseness.
In our youth there is a very strong emotion within us when we detect Hypocrisy. No? As young people we have a strong FEELING about Hypocrisy!
Our feeling for Hypocrisy gets amputated as we become socialized as we move through life from our mid teens to mid twenties. Our Feeling for Hypocrisy may be our conscience and morality; Life / Love / Truth are integrated with our feeling for hypocrisy. When we lose one we lose the other.
If our-feeling-for-hypocrisy IS integrated with feeling and morality, with Life and Truth, then this explains why Jesus was so singularly riled by displays of Hypocrisy, as these arise from a loss of Feeling fro Hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy: The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness. An act or instance of such falseness.
In our youth there is a very strong emotion within us when we detect Hypocrisy. No? As young people we have a strong FEELING about Hypocrisy!
Our feeling for Hypocrisy gets amputated as we become socialized as we move through life from our mid teens to mid twenties. Our Feeling for Hypocrisy may be our conscience and morality; Life / Love / Truth are integrated with our feeling for hypocrisy. When we lose one we lose the other.
If our-feeling-for-hypocrisy IS integrated with feeling and morality, with Life and Truth, then this explains why Jesus was so singularly riled by displays of Hypocrisy, as these arise from a loss of Feeling fro Hypocrisy.
"FOLLOW JESUS WORD." Teresa of Calcutta
To the best of my knowledge, when asked how she became who she became, and how she did what she did in her life Teresa said that all she did was "follow Jesus word."
I know of no evidence that at any juncture in her life did she offer any further explanation either in word or action:
I know of no evidence that at any juncture in her life did she offer any further explanation either in word or action:
- To my knowledge she never focused on what the evangelicals totally focus on - Teresa focused not at all on PAUL'S WORD: Romans 10 Verse 9: "if you confess 5 with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Bosh.
- To my knowledge Teresa never focused in her thoughts, words or deeds on the Old Testament, NOT AT ALL!
The same goes for Gandhi, and I think also for Dr. King and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Teresa, Gandhi, King, Bonhoeffer... found it sufficient to -
"FOLLOW JESUS WORD."
Duh.
"Flesh" / Selfishness is INFERIOR, NOT "BAD"
SELFISHNESS IS NOT BAD -
My interest here and elsewhere is not academic accuracy or consistency although I believe my work would score quite high on this dimension.
My interest IS how to live a life of extraordinary Joy; how to find that Path and how to avoid the pitfalls and traps.
Although counter intuitive, A MAJOR TRAP is the notion that "Flesh" / Selfishness are "bad." It cannot be true that they are "bad," REALLY, as evidenced by:
My interest here and elsewhere is not academic accuracy or consistency although I believe my work would score quite high on this dimension.
My interest IS how to live a life of extraordinary Joy; how to find that Path and how to avoid the pitfalls and traps.
Although counter intuitive, A MAJOR TRAP is the notion that "Flesh" / Selfishness are "bad." It cannot be true that they are "bad," REALLY, as evidenced by:
- An entire globe that is Hell bent :-) on embracing the Religion fanatically practiced by the West - "Flesh" / Selfishness.
- Two hundred years of U.S. pleasure beyond measure without APPARENT hell to pay (let's continue to overlook the American Indians, Coal Miners, Mill Workers, Slaves....) isn't bad; not "bad" in a generally useful sense of the word. In Truth, Selfishness seems awesome!
HERE IS WHAT WE MUST RECOGNIZE: SELFISHNESS IS INFERIOR TO MILITANT PEACEMAKING -
Selfishness is INFERIOR to Militant PeaceMAKING, Otherishness / Love / Life / Truth / Global Connectedness. The proof? Although in our movies we pull the punch in the end as the "guy gets the girl," OUR HERO DOESN'T REALLY GO THROUGH HELL AND BACK FOR THE GIRL. DOES HE!?!?!?! He does it, pay an enormous price in order to SAVE the world, FOR THE INTRINSIC JOY OF IT!!! And
THE JOY OF MILITANT PEACEMAKING
IS SUPERIOR TO
THE PLEASURE OF SELFISHNESS.
Disconnectedness - the Conservative / Republican Sin
I wonder if Conservatives / Republicans / Hawks realize that it is their -
- Disconnectedness from "the least of these"
- that infuriates Democrats / Liberals; and rightly so.
Democrats may somewhat recognize this.
Lip service - the Liberal / Democrat Sin.
I wonder if Liberals / Democrats / Peacenicks realize that it is their -
Republicans do not recognize this.
- Lip Service
- Lack of personal sacrifice
- Lack of commitment
- Lack of hard work
- Lack of willingness to die for their cause
Republicans do not recognize this.
ATTN! "How did you use the time I gave you," Our Father asks.
Ye seekers of Truth / Life / Love be ware!
The gift of Our Father, the "talent" S/He gave us is TIME!
The gift of Our Father, the "talent" S/He gave us is TIME!
- Do not burry it in the ground!
- Don't spend His/Her time worrying.
- Don't spend His/Her time planning.
Take your best shot! Learn from it. Take your best shot again. Learn from it. REPEAT.
"Ready, Fire, Aim." Tom Peters, consultant. This is a wonderful concept he writes about. Did you ever go to, or see the arcade game where you shoot a streem of water into an opening, and if you can get in enough water in time you win a prize? One could pull the trigger on shot at a time, BUT NO ONE DOES. They use the stream continuously to aim!
Teresa of Calcutta said. "God does not expect us to be successful--only faithful."
BE FAITHFUL!!!! ENJOY!!!!
"CONNECTION," "WORLD FAMILY" IS THE "GATE"
Selfishness / Sin / Error is the
SYMPTOM.
Disconnectedness / Indifference / Ignorance (of "the least of these") is the DISEASE.
Love / Life / Truth / World Family / Connection / Empathy / Compassion is
HEALTH / CURE
7.01.2007
Organized Religion is beyond recovery
No? Ok:
- Caucasian is what anyone that sees me would label me, DESPITE THE FACT that I have dark brown moles and other marks on my body.
- Healthy despite some aches and pains...
- Bald is what I'd be called despite the few hairs left.
- Non-athlete...
- Non-brain-surgeon....
Aside from being trite, the above illustrates a crucial point. The Truth is not to be confused with Purity or Absolutism.
Organized Religion, taken as the "bodies" that comprise it CAN NOT NOW, NOR OVER THE CENTURIES, BE DESCRIBED AS:
- Healers
- World-wide brothers
- Powerful forces of global healing
- Courageous
- Army of God
If one were in desperate need of any of the following I, Start Loving, would NOT be the best place to begin:
- Black Man.
- Brain Surgeon.
- Athlete....
We are in desperate need of:
- Healers
- World-wide brothers
- Powerful forces of global healing
- Courageous Army of God for ALL humankind
Is there a body promising of becoming these (above)?
- Catholics?
- Protestants?
- Evangelical?
- Jews?
- Muslims?
NO. We must begin outside any of these bodies. These bodies are beyond redemption.
6.26.2007
ULTIMATE FREEDOM? FREEDOM FROM DISCONNECTION
Like the ultimate goal - FREEDOM FROM DISEASE.
All DISCONNECTION IS -
All DISCONNECTION IS -
- DISEASE / DIMINISHMENT OF THE SPIRIT, THAT IS,
- SEPARATION FROM THE ALMIGHTY, SEPARATION FROM LOVE / LIFE / TRUTH.
ALL CONNECTION IS -
- HEALTH OF THE SPIRIT, THAT IS,
- UNITY WITH THE ALMIGHTY, UNITY WITH LOVE / LIFE / TRUTH.
"Healing." "Leaving disease behind." I testify that these describe what connection feels like to me.
CONNECTION IS FREEDOM FROM DISEASE. HEALTH.
Readiness for Responsibility, Health, comes from Connection
"Action comes not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"Love ... [is] not... able to avoid making sacrifices." Teresa of Calcutta.
Action, Life, comes from Connection, Love. Start Loving
"Love ... [is] not... able to avoid making sacrifices." Teresa of Calcutta.
Action, Life, comes from Connection, Love. Start Loving
6.25.2007
YOU CHOOSE YOUR KINGDOM / STATE OF MIND / WORLD
I can only report that it is true. You almost certainly have had experiences that you have given little thought or credence to that are evidence of what I say if you take some time to think about it.
My point in this post is to report that without question our nervous system has at least two distinctly different "states:" "me & mine" (selfishness, flesh) OR "we & thine" (otherishness, brotherliness, PeaceMAKING).
Imagine your mind is a Personal Computer that can run Microsoft Word OR Microsoft Excel. Two pretty PROFOUNDLY different worlds, no? Different code, procedures, MEMORY, LOGIC.... MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE - if one is running THE OTHER IS NOT!
So it is with "me" and "we;" totally different "states of mind," "worlds apart." Most of this site is about these two different worlds so I'll have to point you to the other posts on this site for now.
Each "world" looks CRAZY from the other. But "we" is the one with "wisdom" and any individual that spends much time in "we" rarely will go back to "me." The reverse is not true. This is what "Saved" or "Converted" is about although this Truth has been totally lost in the "church."
Now, these "worlds" are separated by a crevasse! It is just as scary as a crevasse in a glacier - scary as hell to contemplate jumping over - ESPECIALLY FROM THE FLESH SIDE. It is NOT a linear path. 99.9999999% of us glimpse the other side, the other world, the Kingdom, but spend ourselves deluding ourselves (with all the help that the "church" can muster) that standing on the edge occasionally (doing "good" occasionally) is the same as leaping the crevasse into the Kingdom. 'Some of you will say Lord, Lord... but I do not know you."
My point in this post is to report that without question our nervous system has at least two distinctly different "states:" "me & mine" (selfishness, flesh) OR "we & thine" (otherishness, brotherliness, PeaceMAKING).
Imagine your mind is a Personal Computer that can run Microsoft Word OR Microsoft Excel. Two pretty PROFOUNDLY different worlds, no? Different code, procedures, MEMORY, LOGIC.... MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE - if one is running THE OTHER IS NOT!
So it is with "me" and "we;" totally different "states of mind," "worlds apart." Most of this site is about these two different worlds so I'll have to point you to the other posts on this site for now.
Each "world" looks CRAZY from the other. But "we" is the one with "wisdom" and any individual that spends much time in "we" rarely will go back to "me." The reverse is not true. This is what "Saved" or "Converted" is about although this Truth has been totally lost in the "church."
Now, these "worlds" are separated by a crevasse! It is just as scary as a crevasse in a glacier - scary as hell to contemplate jumping over - ESPECIALLY FROM THE FLESH SIDE. It is NOT a linear path. 99.9999999% of us glimpse the other side, the other world, the Kingdom, but spend ourselves deluding ourselves (with all the help that the "church" can muster) that standing on the edge occasionally (doing "good" occasionally) is the same as leaping the crevasse into the Kingdom. 'Some of you will say Lord, Lord... but I do not know you."
6.24.2007
"[THE] CROSS [IS] THE VIOLENCE [OF LOVE] THAT WE MUST EACH DO TO OURSELVES" Romero
"[The] cross [is] the violence [of Love] that we must each do to ourselves, to overcome ... such cruel inequalities among us. The violence we preach is not the violence of the sword, the violence of hatred. It is the violence of love, of brotherhood, the violence that wills to beat weapons into sickles for work." Oscar Romero
The "Cross" is the most perverted of concepts by "A Christian." One who is "Christian," one who has the eyes of Family, of Love sees this in the cross - JOY / LIFE / LOVE / PEACE:
The "Cross" is the most perverted of concepts by "A Christian." One who is "Christian," one who has the eyes of Family, of Love sees this in the cross - JOY / LIFE / LOVE / PEACE:
- "Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give." Eleanor Roosevelt;
- "The joy in life is to be used for a purpose. I want to be used up when I die." George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
I NEVER WANTED ANYTHING FOR "ME" FROM MY 2 SONS
All I ever wanted, ALL I EVER WANTED regarding my biological sons was that they be filled with Joy in their lives. In my experience this is extraordinary, unusual, odd.... Parents want loyalty, tradition, association, respect, relationship.... All I ever wanted was for them to have Joy in their lives. And Joy only comes from doing good for our brothers and sisters.
I think they do for their brothers and sisters. I think they have Joy.
:-)
PS: I pray this grows.
I think they do for their brothers and sisters. I think they have Joy.
:-)
PS: I pray this grows.
"Life" exists only OUTSIDE of our gated communities / lives
You suspect this don't you? I did all of my "gated community" life [no, there was never a physical "gate" in my case - just miles of wealth and safety separating me from where Life / Need / Purpose lay for me.]
You are right! I was right! Life is found only, ONLY in the face of our "family's" need, EMERGENCY.
I pray that you find the courage of your convictions long before I did, unless you already have.
You are right! I was right! Life is found only, ONLY in the face of our "family's" need, EMERGENCY.
I pray that you find the courage of your convictions long before I did, unless you already have.
"Addicted to [our] own place and privilege." Bill Moyers
You'll be really glad if you read this:
Moyers challenges UCC: 'Drive out the money changers'
We don't do what our Heart / Conscience / Still Small Voice tells us to; we don't LIVE what it tells us to do we? WHY? Addiction. Clinical Addiction to:
Moyers challenges UCC: 'Drive out the money changers'
We don't do what our Heart / Conscience / Still Small Voice tells us to; we don't LIVE what it tells us to do we? WHY? Addiction. Clinical Addiction to:
- Stuff,
- Superiority (ability to get what we want from others), and
- Systems / Institutions (church, family, work, country....)
WHAT IS "NORMAL," "BALANCED" IN THE FACE OF GLOBAL ATROCITY?
My life recently provokes me and others to ask, "is what Start is doing "balanced," "normal."
And of course the answer is no, UNLESS WE SHIFT PERSPECTIVE.
From the perspective of western comfort and affluence, western day to day values what Start is doing is crazy.
From the perspective of our Global Family's Emergency (GFE) Start IS BALANCED, NORMAL, NO?!?!?!?!
100 adults witness the roof of the Elementary School across the street cave in trapping the children. One adult races into the dangerous situation to help. WHO IS UNBALANCED? WHO IS NOT "NORMAL?
And of course the answer is no, UNLESS WE SHIFT PERSPECTIVE.
From the perspective of western comfort and affluence, western day to day values what Start is doing is crazy.
From the perspective of our Global Family's Emergency (GFE) Start IS BALANCED, NORMAL, NO?!?!?!?!
100 adults witness the roof of the Elementary School across the street cave in trapping the children. One adult races into the dangerous situation to help. WHO IS UNBALANCED? WHO IS NOT "NORMAL?
THE ALMIGHTY LIES IN THE DIRECTION OF "OVERWHELMING"
This mornings epiphany as I awoke from a long night's sleep:
THE ALMIGHTY (Life, Love, Truth) LIES IN THE DIRECTION OF "OVERWHELMING."
Duh!!!!!!!!! How else would it feel in the face of the Almighty besides Overwhelming??!?!?
In so many ways we feel, 'I can't face Darfur, Palestine, Iraq war, corrupt US Gov, Congo... It is too overwhelming!'
This is to say, "I won't face the Almighty. I'll not go where the Almighty calls me."
THE ALMIGHTY (Life, Love, Truth) LIES IN THE DIRECTION OF "OVERWHELMING."
Duh!!!!!!!!! How else would it feel in the face of the Almighty besides Overwhelming??!?!?
In so many ways we feel, 'I can't face Darfur, Palestine, Iraq war, corrupt US Gov, Congo... It is too overwhelming!'
This is to say, "I won't face the Almighty. I'll not go where the Almighty calls me."
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