Being that we are approaching Christmas time, I have been enjoying on the television a lot of Christian based shows and movies. I am particularly moved by the cinematic adaptations of the life of Jesus Christ. I am always aware of the fact that no matter how close to accurate the production may be to the scripture, there is always some form of creative freedom in use, so I don’t turn to these programs as a way to learn the scripture, but I do find them entertaining, and at times I am moved emotionally by what I see.
Yesterday, my wife and I enjoyed the 1970’s era mini-series called Jesus of Nazareth (shown continually without commercials), I could be wrong about the decade the movie was released, but the cast and effects of the movie lead be to believe this time period to be accurate. I had a great time during most of the show pointing out to my wife the parts that were scripturally accurate, and those that were “fluffed” a bit for entertainment. I also enjoyed explaining the historical circumstances surrounding the time of Jesus’ earthly life, it was easy to do with the scenes of the Roman soldiers and such.
As we got towards the end of the show my wife faded in and out of sleep (it was late), but I was riveted to the scenes from the passion narratives. During on particular part I was moved to write, something just kind of jumped out at me, a single phrase. The phrase was not from the script of the movie, it was just one that came to me.
It was during the trial of Jesus before the elders of the Temple. The high priest asked Jesus a question. In the movie the tone of the man’s voice was one that would make a person believe he was offering Jesus a chance to clear His name, he was offering…an easy way out.
It seemed the biggest charge that the scribes and Pharisees could bring against Jesus was the charge of blasphemy. They spent time questioning Him about His message, and the infractions of the Sabbath law, and other such things, but as a whole, the group could not agree on any charge against Jesus except the one. He had referred to Himself as the Son of God, and in doing so, He declared Himself the equal to God. This according to the Jewish law was blasphemy, punishable by death.
So as the group of elders quarreled amongst themselves regarding the other charges they wished to accuse Jesus of, the high priest finally looked at Jesus and asked Him, “are you the son of God?”. This gave Jesus an easy way out. All He had to do was to deny His divinity, renounce His ministry, and simply answer no. That one charge of blasphemy was all the group could fully agree on, if Jesus denied that He was the Son of God, they could have found no reason to have Him put to death. It was when Jesus answered that I was so moved.
To quote His response from my Bible using the words from the Gospel according to Matthew 26:64 “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Hearing those words coming from the actor portraying Jesus, all I could think was…He could have taken the easy way out. That thought returned when Jesus was facing Pontius Pilate.
The only charge the Romans could really try Him for was treason. His followers claimed He was King of the Jews, and Jesus did not tell them different. A claim of kingship in the Roman empire was treason. Again, He could have taken the easy way out, again I was moved by His answer. Again from Matthew 27:11 “it is as you say”. The movie actually used the response from the Gospel according to John, which varies a bit from the synoptic Gospels, and I will encourage you to seek that passage for yourself, for in His response He leaves a message for us, and of course the message is good. I would quote it for you here, but I prefer to encourage you to open your Bible and read.
I plan to continue with this posting, sharing with you some personal references to taking the easy way out, and some more Biblical references to the same. In the phrase itself is a couple of messages I wish to share with you. So, until next time, when you are faced with one of those “What would Jesus do?” situations, remember…He could have taken the easy way out.
Full Version: The Easy Way Out
("William Wilkinson":1n3cecu0)
Being that we are approaching Christmas time, I have been enjoying on the television a lot of Christian based shows and a place where one gets ordained. .
I am confused...perhaps a moderator can answer this for me...the phrase I typed in my posting was "I have been enjoying on the televisions a lot of Christian based shows and m o v i e s"...how does that transfer to "a place where one gets ordained"? I understand this may be some kind of filtering or editing software, but how is movies a word that needs editing? (m o v i e s)
The 'safety' software on this board is notoriously weird. Just use the edit button to add a few '.' characters to make it say what you want.
The Easy Way Out: Cycle of Violence
As promised I continue this post with more thoughts revolving around the phrase: the easy way out. I have spent much time thinking about how many different ways this topic can be approached, there are Old and New Testament teachings on people who could have taken the easy way out, there are social and economical references I can make on that subject, and I believe by the time I have completed this post I will have covered every imaginable situation that can be handled one of two ways.
Today I will touch on a topic that those who know me well will know is near and dear to me. As the title of this post states I will talk about the cycle of violence. I am both fortunate and unfortunate to be able to write on this subject without need for research.
You see, in my family the cycle of violence has existed for at least three generations. there is no doubt in my mind at all that it goes back further, but due to the silence that such a life generally brings, it is only the three I can speak of with confidence. Having no knowledge of my biological father’s side of the family, I speak only of my maternal lineage.
The story is pretty basic…we’ve heard it a hundred times: my mother abused me because her mother abused her, because her mother abused her, because her mother abused her. It should be pointed out that when I speak of abuse, I do not mean a spanking, I do not mean a whipping with a belt, or barber strap, or other forms of physical discipline that may have been common a few generations ago. There is a line where discipline becomes abuse, and it is over that line that I speak of.
I believe this line is crossed when the intent changes from teaching a lesson, or scolding a child…to intentionally causing pain. I was younger than five years old the first time I was knocked unconscious by a back hand from my grand mother, even earlier than that I had learned at the hands of my mother the consequences for crying out when I was struck.
My mother’s punishment of choice was to hit with a belt, I was struck once for every year old I was, and that doubled anytime I cried out. I can remember at one point during the second or third grade I had a bruise indented along the small of my back, the entire length of my back, the exact width of the belt…that bruise stayed with me for almost a year, as an adult I know that is because it was never given time to heal. By the end of the fourth grade, I knew I had at least the belt to look forward to on a daily basis…I also knew I was lucky if it was just the belt. When my mother struck me with her hands, it got much worse, she struck with passion, with rage uncontrolled, and the beating would go on for hours.
I could write for ever describing the different beatings I was subjected to, I have very clear memories of my early childhood. I will refrain from doing so in this post, but if you are interested you can find the story at http://myspace.com/wilkinblade look to the blogs on that page, and start with the oldest blogs first, or simply ask and I can share that story in an easier to read format in a private message or email. Meanwhile, back to the subject at hand.
I have spoken with my mother about this since reaching adulthood. Her stance has always been that I just made her so angry, and she didn’t know how else to handle it. Having spoken with my aunts and uncle, I know that the home they grew up in and the abuse they suffered at the hands of my grandmother was often much worse than what I endured. My grandmother always had the passion and rage my mother showed when using bare hands, in many ways I had it easy “just getting the belt”. One of my aunts had spoken to her aunt, and it was through those conversations that I learned the cycle of violence went back at least one more generation.
Many times we have heard a convicted murder say that he did the crimes he did because of an abusive childhood. Many times an alcoholic will say they drink, because they were born into a family with an alcoholic role model. The same for the use of illegal drugs. It is the easy way out…to not rise above what you know from your past. Trust me I know how easy it is to just follow the stereo type for the person you are supposed to be, based on your home life as a child. I was raised in a violent home, and as an adult I have felt anger that led me to the brink of violence, I was raised around drunks, and drug users…and it was easy for me to follow those steps as well (which admittedly I did).
Let’s look though at the more difficult option, or should we say…the narrow gate. When I was eighteen, I had dropped out of high school, worked to buy whiskey, pot and cigarettes…I was on the fast track to living the life I was born into. One exception, though I had a temper that could be described as volatile to be polite, I shied away from violence at any cost, I was afraid of what my anger might produce if I allowed myself to strike someone (this fear was realized in the one fight I did get into, luckily the fight was ended before I finished my goal).
I have always possessed an ability that I truly wish others did…I’ve always been able to look at myself from an outsider’s point of view. That is to say, I look at myself in the same light that I look at others in the world. I made a conscious decision at eighteen that I was not going to fit the stereo type that the world had laid out for me. It was not going to be an easy task, and I knew it would take most of my lifetime to see if I realized that goal.
Well let’s see how I’ve done. I’ve been sober for eight years, clean from drugs for eleven, and in a happy marriage for eight. As for the cycle of violence, I would love to tell you how that turned out.
One might think that in my attempt to avoid the fear and torment I was raised with, that I completely hid my anger from my children. That would be easy way out. But I have seen the results of the children raised in the last ten to twenty years, who were raised in that manner. It is, in my opinion, that many of these now young adults act in ways that are simply wrong. Working with the public as I do, I see children as young as ten cussing at their parents, talking out and outright disrespectfully with no consequences. I see twenty somethings that seem to feel the world owes them a living. Many, note I do not say all, have been raised as lazy, disrespectful, spoiled brats. I knew I would never raise my kids in this manner, I knew there would be need for discipline, and that at times that would include an occasional spanking. I believe that when a child is very young, they do not understand the full message we as adults try to convey in our words, I believe they know that when I touch what I’m not supposed to…my butt hurts.
You can say what you want about my methods in raising my children, but I will counter with this. Now, my children still very young (four and seven), I have not had to do more than change my tone of voice to get the behavior I disapprove of to stop, in over a year. Believe me when I say, I know the difference between a spanking and a beating, and I would like to share with you the one time my belt has been brought out in anger.
At the babysitters one day, my oldest child attacked my youngest. The sitter quite literally had to pry the child’s hands off her sister’s throat for fear she would kill her. That was it, there was no amount of time out hat was going to get my point across as to how wrong this behavior was, a simple spanking wouldn’t even do it. I wasn’t going to see my daughter that day because I worked late, and she would be sleeping by the time I got home. I had my wife tell her that the next morning she could expect she would be getting a spanking with daddy’s belt (and believe me I was angry enough). The next morning she came down stairs and looked at the table where I was sitting…on it was my belt, folded in half. I asked her if she knew what the belt was for, she did. I asked her if she knew why she was getting it, she did. I had her come to me, drop her pants, and lean over with her hands to the wall (this was the routine when I was young). Then I took the belt in my hand and hit the table with it as hard as I could. She jumped, and looked at me both scared and confused, I told her to pull her pants up, and we talked.
I explained to her how easy it would have been for daddy to strike her…just like it was easy for her to attack her sister when she was mad, and I told her that just because it’s easy, doesn’t make it right. I credit my actions that morning to God. This had happened just a few days after I began this journey with Him as my guide, I spent the night before in prayer, I let Him guide my hand that day. You might say that by giving Him this control…I took the easy way out.
Until next time, consider my words…when turning to God with the difficult choices in life, no matter how complicated the situation, we get to take the easy way out.
As promised I continue this post with more thoughts revolving around the phrase: the easy way out. I have spent much time thinking about how many different ways this topic can be approached, there are Old and New Testament teachings on people who could have taken the easy way out, there are social and economical references I can make on that subject, and I believe by the time I have completed this post I will have covered every imaginable situation that can be handled one of two ways.
Today I will touch on a topic that those who know me well will know is near and dear to me. As the title of this post states I will talk about the cycle of violence. I am both fortunate and unfortunate to be able to write on this subject without need for research.
You see, in my family the cycle of violence has existed for at least three generations. there is no doubt in my mind at all that it goes back further, but due to the silence that such a life generally brings, it is only the three I can speak of with confidence. Having no knowledge of my biological father’s side of the family, I speak only of my maternal lineage.
The story is pretty basic…we’ve heard it a hundred times: my mother abused me because her mother abused her, because her mother abused her, because her mother abused her. It should be pointed out that when I speak of abuse, I do not mean a spanking, I do not mean a whipping with a belt, or barber strap, or other forms of physical discipline that may have been common a few generations ago. There is a line where discipline becomes abuse, and it is over that line that I speak of.
I believe this line is crossed when the intent changes from teaching a lesson, or scolding a child…to intentionally causing pain. I was younger than five years old the first time I was knocked unconscious by a back hand from my grand mother, even earlier than that I had learned at the hands of my mother the consequences for crying out when I was struck.
My mother’s punishment of choice was to hit with a belt, I was struck once for every year old I was, and that doubled anytime I cried out. I can remember at one point during the second or third grade I had a bruise indented along the small of my back, the entire length of my back, the exact width of the belt…that bruise stayed with me for almost a year, as an adult I know that is because it was never given time to heal. By the end of the fourth grade, I knew I had at least the belt to look forward to on a daily basis…I also knew I was lucky if it was just the belt. When my mother struck me with her hands, it got much worse, she struck with passion, with rage uncontrolled, and the beating would go on for hours.
I could write for ever describing the different beatings I was subjected to, I have very clear memories of my early childhood. I will refrain from doing so in this post, but if you are interested you can find the story at http://myspace.com/wilkinblade look to the blogs on that page, and start with the oldest blogs first, or simply ask and I can share that story in an easier to read format in a private message or email. Meanwhile, back to the subject at hand.
I have spoken with my mother about this since reaching adulthood. Her stance has always been that I just made her so angry, and she didn’t know how else to handle it. Having spoken with my aunts and uncle, I know that the home they grew up in and the abuse they suffered at the hands of my grandmother was often much worse than what I endured. My grandmother always had the passion and rage my mother showed when using bare hands, in many ways I had it easy “just getting the belt”. One of my aunts had spoken to her aunt, and it was through those conversations that I learned the cycle of violence went back at least one more generation.
Many times we have heard a convicted murder say that he did the crimes he did because of an abusive childhood. Many times an alcoholic will say they drink, because they were born into a family with an alcoholic role model. The same for the use of illegal drugs. It is the easy way out…to not rise above what you know from your past. Trust me I know how easy it is to just follow the stereo type for the person you are supposed to be, based on your home life as a child. I was raised in a violent home, and as an adult I have felt anger that led me to the brink of violence, I was raised around drunks, and drug users…and it was easy for me to follow those steps as well (which admittedly I did).
Let’s look though at the more difficult option, or should we say…the narrow gate. When I was eighteen, I had dropped out of high school, worked to buy whiskey, pot and cigarettes…I was on the fast track to living the life I was born into. One exception, though I had a temper that could be described as volatile to be polite, I shied away from violence at any cost, I was afraid of what my anger might produce if I allowed myself to strike someone (this fear was realized in the one fight I did get into, luckily the fight was ended before I finished my goal).
I have always possessed an ability that I truly wish others did…I’ve always been able to look at myself from an outsider’s point of view. That is to say, I look at myself in the same light that I look at others in the world. I made a conscious decision at eighteen that I was not going to fit the stereo type that the world had laid out for me. It was not going to be an easy task, and I knew it would take most of my lifetime to see if I realized that goal.
Well let’s see how I’ve done. I’ve been sober for eight years, clean from drugs for eleven, and in a happy marriage for eight. As for the cycle of violence, I would love to tell you how that turned out.
One might think that in my attempt to avoid the fear and torment I was raised with, that I completely hid my anger from my children. That would be easy way out. But I have seen the results of the children raised in the last ten to twenty years, who were raised in that manner. It is, in my opinion, that many of these now young adults act in ways that are simply wrong. Working with the public as I do, I see children as young as ten cussing at their parents, talking out and outright disrespectfully with no consequences. I see twenty somethings that seem to feel the world owes them a living. Many, note I do not say all, have been raised as lazy, disrespectful, spoiled brats. I knew I would never raise my kids in this manner, I knew there would be need for discipline, and that at times that would include an occasional spanking. I believe that when a child is very young, they do not understand the full message we as adults try to convey in our words, I believe they know that when I touch what I’m not supposed to…my butt hurts.
You can say what you want about my methods in raising my children, but I will counter with this. Now, my children still very young (four and seven), I have not had to do more than change my tone of voice to get the behavior I disapprove of to stop, in over a year. Believe me when I say, I know the difference between a spanking and a beating, and I would like to share with you the one time my belt has been brought out in anger.
At the babysitters one day, my oldest child attacked my youngest. The sitter quite literally had to pry the child’s hands off her sister’s throat for fear she would kill her. That was it, there was no amount of time out hat was going to get my point across as to how wrong this behavior was, a simple spanking wouldn’t even do it. I wasn’t going to see my daughter that day because I worked late, and she would be sleeping by the time I got home. I had my wife tell her that the next morning she could expect she would be getting a spanking with daddy’s belt (and believe me I was angry enough). The next morning she came down stairs and looked at the table where I was sitting…on it was my belt, folded in half. I asked her if she knew what the belt was for, she did. I asked her if she knew why she was getting it, she did. I had her come to me, drop her pants, and lean over with her hands to the wall (this was the routine when I was young). Then I took the belt in my hand and hit the table with it as hard as I could. She jumped, and looked at me both scared and confused, I told her to pull her pants up, and we talked.
I explained to her how easy it would have been for daddy to strike her…just like it was easy for her to attack her sister when she was mad, and I told her that just because it’s easy, doesn’t make it right. I credit my actions that morning to God. This had happened just a few days after I began this journey with Him as my guide, I spent the night before in prayer, I let Him guide my hand that day. You might say that by giving Him this control…I took the easy way out.
Until next time, consider my words…when turning to God with the difficult choices in life, no matter how complicated the situation, we get to take the easy way out.
So, I know that many people are critical of the Sunday school stories from the Bible that are used to introduce our children to our faith, but my girls recently received a copy of the Children’s Picture Bible, and I was so excited to start reading to them. I would in fact actually recommend the book for anyone just trying to get into reading the Bible. As I skim through the stories, the Children’s Bible seems to cover all the basics, while eliminating the long drawn out parts that can hinder the deliverance of the message, or at least the enthusiasm one might have begun reading with. I even learned a little something from reading. What I learned was a simplified way of explaining the difference between the Old and New Testaments.
The question of this difference has been brought up to me several times since I began this journey with the Lord, and I suppose I have pretty much complicated the answer when I try to explain it to people. So, let me share with you the two introductions in the Children’s Bible uses for each of the Testaments.
The Old Testament:
The word testament means an agreement or promise. The Old Testament tells the story of God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. This promise was that if they obeyed and trusted in Him and kept His laws, He would always love and protect them. Even when His people disobeyed His rules, God showed that He was a loving Father by giving them more and more chances to change their ways.
The New Testament:
This part of the Bible is called the New Testament, because God made a new promise. He sent His own son, Jesus, into the world to offer forgiveness and a new life to those who believe and trust in Him. The New Testament is about Jesus-his life, his teaching, and his healing. It was written by the followers that Jesus chose and trusted.
I admit, when I first read the explanation for the New Testament, I felt it was a bit over simplified. The more I thought about, however, the more I realized that it should be oversimplified. For that is what the new promise from God does for us…it simplifies life with Him. In the old promise, God’s children had to obey a strict set of rules and rituals to realize His love and saving grace. In the new… “all things are possible, only believe”.
The New Testament does talk a great deal about the miracles performed by Jesus, but it does so largely to establish him as the Christ. The generation in which Jesus was born was in need of signs and miracles, without them they would likely not have believed his message.
Many, now a days, also seek a sign, or a miracle so that they too will believe…we’ve all heard it said “When God does something for me, then I’ll believe”, or even…”how can there be a God in a world where children die of hunger?”. Many of these critics will say that because there is still evil and injustice in the world, it is not possible that there also is a God of love and compassion. Woe to them who need a sign to believe. Do people truly not realize that God has left us in this fallen world for only a short time? The world will remain in it’s fallen state until the day and hour that God chooses to bring His kingdom upon it. Many will say that the benefits of the kingdom are already ours to have…and they are correct. But those benefits are not yet a given, we still must earn them through steadfast faith, and adherence to the will of God.
I realize that I have curved a bit off subject here, but that the will of God be done, I must continue; I do not write from personal feelings today, but I write that which God has driven me to write. That being said. I do not believe that the Lord our God will allow us, His faithful children, to remain in the darkness this world brings forth. I believe we are close to the next cleansing of the earth, the day in which we will see the kingdom of Heaven manifested here on earth. With our Lord, Jesus the Christ, sitting at the right hand of Power. The dawning of the new age is close at hand.
If we are to take the dates in the Bible as literal, it was only just under a thousand years from the creation of Adam, to the great flood of Noah’s day, and around fifteen hundred years from the flood to the coming of the Christ, this being the second cleansing. God has granted time now for His message to reach all the people of the earth. His chosen people rejected the message brought forth by the Christ, so He gave the word to all people. We as a people have all heard the way to come to God, we as a society continue to live in sin, and pull as far away from God as possible. God has granted time for all people to come to Him, most have chosen not to, the time is coming in which He will glorify His children, and cast out the rest. We will live our thousand years of peace and prosperity here on earth, and then those who have not turned away from Him during that time, will live with Him eternally.
All people will believe what they will about the end of days. Many will deny the end as a coming event, some will even go so far as to say that the event has come and gone, but we know this is not true. We continue to live in a world ruled by the evil one, we continue to live with injustice and violence, and ignorance and arrogance…God will not let us get much further away from Him. To deny the end is the easy way out, and this week I do not recommend the easy way out.
Prayer:
Loving and precious God, hold us that are faithful close to you, continue to guide us through this fallen world. Lord, we ask that you bring those who are willing to your glory, as well. We know Lord, that there is a peaceful solution to all the world’s troubles, and we know that the solution can be found through you and your son. Lord, know the love of those of us who seek your guidance, and we thank you that you continue to shine your love upon us. We ask as always that our words be true, our hearts be pure, and our actions be purposeful, that we too may walk in the way of whose name we pray, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The question of this difference has been brought up to me several times since I began this journey with the Lord, and I suppose I have pretty much complicated the answer when I try to explain it to people. So, let me share with you the two introductions in the Children’s Bible uses for each of the Testaments.
The Old Testament:
The word testament means an agreement or promise. The Old Testament tells the story of God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. This promise was that if they obeyed and trusted in Him and kept His laws, He would always love and protect them. Even when His people disobeyed His rules, God showed that He was a loving Father by giving them more and more chances to change their ways.
The New Testament:
This part of the Bible is called the New Testament, because God made a new promise. He sent His own son, Jesus, into the world to offer forgiveness and a new life to those who believe and trust in Him. The New Testament is about Jesus-his life, his teaching, and his healing. It was written by the followers that Jesus chose and trusted.
I admit, when I first read the explanation for the New Testament, I felt it was a bit over simplified. The more I thought about, however, the more I realized that it should be oversimplified. For that is what the new promise from God does for us…it simplifies life with Him. In the old promise, God’s children had to obey a strict set of rules and rituals to realize His love and saving grace. In the new… “all things are possible, only believe”.
The New Testament does talk a great deal about the miracles performed by Jesus, but it does so largely to establish him as the Christ. The generation in which Jesus was born was in need of signs and miracles, without them they would likely not have believed his message.
Many, now a days, also seek a sign, or a miracle so that they too will believe…we’ve all heard it said “When God does something for me, then I’ll believe”, or even…”how can there be a God in a world where children die of hunger?”. Many of these critics will say that because there is still evil and injustice in the world, it is not possible that there also is a God of love and compassion. Woe to them who need a sign to believe. Do people truly not realize that God has left us in this fallen world for only a short time? The world will remain in it’s fallen state until the day and hour that God chooses to bring His kingdom upon it. Many will say that the benefits of the kingdom are already ours to have…and they are correct. But those benefits are not yet a given, we still must earn them through steadfast faith, and adherence to the will of God.
I realize that I have curved a bit off subject here, but that the will of God be done, I must continue; I do not write from personal feelings today, but I write that which God has driven me to write. That being said. I do not believe that the Lord our God will allow us, His faithful children, to remain in the darkness this world brings forth. I believe we are close to the next cleansing of the earth, the day in which we will see the kingdom of Heaven manifested here on earth. With our Lord, Jesus the Christ, sitting at the right hand of Power. The dawning of the new age is close at hand.
If we are to take the dates in the Bible as literal, it was only just under a thousand years from the creation of Adam, to the great flood of Noah’s day, and around fifteen hundred years from the flood to the coming of the Christ, this being the second cleansing. God has granted time now for His message to reach all the people of the earth. His chosen people rejected the message brought forth by the Christ, so He gave the word to all people. We as a people have all heard the way to come to God, we as a society continue to live in sin, and pull as far away from God as possible. God has granted time for all people to come to Him, most have chosen not to, the time is coming in which He will glorify His children, and cast out the rest. We will live our thousand years of peace and prosperity here on earth, and then those who have not turned away from Him during that time, will live with Him eternally.
All people will believe what they will about the end of days. Many will deny the end as a coming event, some will even go so far as to say that the event has come and gone, but we know this is not true. We continue to live in a world ruled by the evil one, we continue to live with injustice and violence, and ignorance and arrogance…God will not let us get much further away from Him. To deny the end is the easy way out, and this week I do not recommend the easy way out.
Prayer:
Loving and precious God, hold us that are faithful close to you, continue to guide us through this fallen world. Lord, we ask that you bring those who are willing to your glory, as well. We know Lord, that there is a peaceful solution to all the world’s troubles, and we know that the solution can be found through you and your son. Lord, know the love of those of us who seek your guidance, and we thank you that you continue to shine your love upon us. We ask as always that our words be true, our hearts be pure, and our actions be purposeful, that we too may walk in the way of whose name we pray, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The easy way out: Passing Judgment
How easy is it for us to look away when we someone with a hand out? How easy is it for us to judge a man based on the clothes that he wears? How difficult is it for us to look at each and every person equally? I implore you to be honest with your self as you answer these questions. Think about a time you were waiting for a fast food meal…you waited longer than you felt you should. Did you take time to consider the circumstances that may have led to the wait? Or did you assume you waited due to some level of incompetence?
I return today to the book of James. The subject matter in the book of James, I realize makes many uncomfortable. This discomfort is brought largely by the fact that the book focuses on the works of faith. It spends a great deal of time describing a life that is fitting for one who considers themselves a Christian. Most often, books with this subject matter remind of us what we need to do, in opposition to what we regularly do. As should be apparent today, we will be exploring the subject matter of passing judgment, more directly the act of showing favoritism. I feel these two subject matters are one in the same…for if we show favoritism to one over another, we have judged the lesser to be just that.
I heard a new definition for the word religion today, and I’d like to share it with you. Religion can be defined as externalism, in other words religion can be described as an outward expression of a personal, internal faith or belief. Faith that is alive is three things…it is listening (to the word of God), believing (in that word), and doing or living (the life that word guides us to). The “do’s” of our faith can be described as a challenge of the profession of faith. In other words, it is easy to say one believes, but it is a challenge to live in the way that belief dictates.
Let’s look a bit at the term believer. A believer is not merely one who has made an intellectual determination on the historical accuracy of the existence of a man called Jesus of Nazareth. A believer is in fact one who can look back on their own personal lives and realize there was a time when they recognized Jesus as a savior, and more importantly they recognized their need for salvation. For example, if I were suddenly stricken with amnesia, and someone told me I was married…what consequence would that have? But being able to look back and know that on February 5, 2001 I was merely engaged, but on February 6 the same year I was pronounced husband of the woman I love…this has meaning, this memory makes my marriage life changing.
So if we are to say we are believers, what is it we are believers in? Not only that Jesus was sent by God as our savior, but also in the glory that is due to Jesus. How do we define glory in terms of the Bible? Let’s look back a bit into the text. I will be referencing my New International Version of the Bible today. I realize many of you may look to a different version, and the message will be the same, though the wording will be different, I also realize many of you will not look to your Bible at all, so the version I use will be of little consequence. In the book of Exodus 33:12-19, Moses has asked God to lead him and His people out of the land of Egypt. In verse 18 he says to the Lord, “Now show me your glory”. The Lord replies in the next verse by saying “I will cause all my goodness to pass before you…”. So God defines His glory as His goodness. Another reference to the term glory can be found in the pages of the New Testament. 2Corinthians 4:6 For God who said, “let light shine out of darkness”, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Now, I realize I have spent a fair amount of time defining words, and I have not yet taken time to address the topic of this post, or the scripture that this message is being pulled from. The reason for this is so that these definitions do not detract from the message I wish to convey. We turn now, to that message, and scripture.
James 2:1-4 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing gold rings and fine clothing, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes, and say to him, “you sit here in a good place”, but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “sit here on the floor at my feet”, have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
So looking deeply at that passage, with the definitions described above. Some texts open that passage with the wording “My brothers, as believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord of glory”. In that manner, James is addressing those that have come to the realization that they are in need of a savior, and the knowledge of the fact that Jesus is that savior they need. He is describing Jesus as our Lord of glory, our Lord who shows the goodness of God. I point that out only because I love the fact that there are no wasted words in the Bible. In this simple introduction, James forces his readers to see our Lord Jesus Christ as both the savior of man, and as the goodness of God.
The overall message the text brings to us is fairly clear, if you show favoritism you have passed judgment, and we have been instructed in the words of the gospels that we are not to judge, lest we too be judged. We know that it is not our place to judge the decisions of our God. A man or woman may contain wealth only at the willingness of our God to grant that wealth, a man lives in poverty also at the will of God. Who are we to judge the will of God, perhaps the man that is poor is poor so that he will help another in a way only a man in his position can. For example I was reading a posting earlier about a homeless man who was given more blankets than he needed to keep warm, and he shared them with other homeless who were in need.
The will of God is very difficult for us to determine. We know everything happens for a reason, but we often must allow time to pass before we can realize that reason. We must remain faithful that God does in fact have reason for everything He does, there is a plan. Some may ask a question, “if all things happen by God’s choosing, why must I believe?” This question could make sense, we will only be the saved of God at His will, so why must we believe in His Christ, and His word in the Bible? God’s choosing does not deny the necessity of our believing. A life boat is no good if the drowning man does not get in to it. The moment of our accepting salvation, is the moment we become believers, this is when we are given knowledge by God of His plan, There must be a moment when we become believers…and it must be done on a personal level, God will set the stage, we must play the part.
A final word on favoritism. Our culture is driven in many ways, by favoritism, or snobbery. To join in the judgment of the less fortunate is the easy way out. Jesus on this matter did not take the easy way out. He both took time to set the rich man straight in his ways, as well as letting the poor woman of ill repute wash His feet with her tears, and dry them with her hair. Jesus gave His life for the salvation of ALL. He set aside His due glory in Heaven to come down among us, in our existence. How can we without guilt show partiality? If God had shown favoritism with you, where would you be now? The church, or our religion, is God moving among all people…not just the rich, and well educated. So if the church you attend seems to get this message wrong, perhaps they could use a dose of James 2, the easy way out would be to not bring this up at all…don’t take it.
How easy is it for us to look away when we someone with a hand out? How easy is it for us to judge a man based on the clothes that he wears? How difficult is it for us to look at each and every person equally? I implore you to be honest with your self as you answer these questions. Think about a time you were waiting for a fast food meal…you waited longer than you felt you should. Did you take time to consider the circumstances that may have led to the wait? Or did you assume you waited due to some level of incompetence?
I return today to the book of James. The subject matter in the book of James, I realize makes many uncomfortable. This discomfort is brought largely by the fact that the book focuses on the works of faith. It spends a great deal of time describing a life that is fitting for one who considers themselves a Christian. Most often, books with this subject matter remind of us what we need to do, in opposition to what we regularly do. As should be apparent today, we will be exploring the subject matter of passing judgment, more directly the act of showing favoritism. I feel these two subject matters are one in the same…for if we show favoritism to one over another, we have judged the lesser to be just that.
I heard a new definition for the word religion today, and I’d like to share it with you. Religion can be defined as externalism, in other words religion can be described as an outward expression of a personal, internal faith or belief. Faith that is alive is three things…it is listening (to the word of God), believing (in that word), and doing or living (the life that word guides us to). The “do’s” of our faith can be described as a challenge of the profession of faith. In other words, it is easy to say one believes, but it is a challenge to live in the way that belief dictates.
Let’s look a bit at the term believer. A believer is not merely one who has made an intellectual determination on the historical accuracy of the existence of a man called Jesus of Nazareth. A believer is in fact one who can look back on their own personal lives and realize there was a time when they recognized Jesus as a savior, and more importantly they recognized their need for salvation. For example, if I were suddenly stricken with amnesia, and someone told me I was married…what consequence would that have? But being able to look back and know that on February 5, 2001 I was merely engaged, but on February 6 the same year I was pronounced husband of the woman I love…this has meaning, this memory makes my marriage life changing.
So if we are to say we are believers, what is it we are believers in? Not only that Jesus was sent by God as our savior, but also in the glory that is due to Jesus. How do we define glory in terms of the Bible? Let’s look back a bit into the text. I will be referencing my New International Version of the Bible today. I realize many of you may look to a different version, and the message will be the same, though the wording will be different, I also realize many of you will not look to your Bible at all, so the version I use will be of little consequence. In the book of Exodus 33:12-19, Moses has asked God to lead him and His people out of the land of Egypt. In verse 18 he says to the Lord, “Now show me your glory”. The Lord replies in the next verse by saying “I will cause all my goodness to pass before you…”. So God defines His glory as His goodness. Another reference to the term glory can be found in the pages of the New Testament. 2Corinthians 4:6 For God who said, “let light shine out of darkness”, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Now, I realize I have spent a fair amount of time defining words, and I have not yet taken time to address the topic of this post, or the scripture that this message is being pulled from. The reason for this is so that these definitions do not detract from the message I wish to convey. We turn now, to that message, and scripture.
James 2:1-4 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing gold rings and fine clothing, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes, and say to him, “you sit here in a good place”, but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “sit here on the floor at my feet”, have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
So looking deeply at that passage, with the definitions described above. Some texts open that passage with the wording “My brothers, as believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord of glory”. In that manner, James is addressing those that have come to the realization that they are in need of a savior, and the knowledge of the fact that Jesus is that savior they need. He is describing Jesus as our Lord of glory, our Lord who shows the goodness of God. I point that out only because I love the fact that there are no wasted words in the Bible. In this simple introduction, James forces his readers to see our Lord Jesus Christ as both the savior of man, and as the goodness of God.
The overall message the text brings to us is fairly clear, if you show favoritism you have passed judgment, and we have been instructed in the words of the gospels that we are not to judge, lest we too be judged. We know that it is not our place to judge the decisions of our God. A man or woman may contain wealth only at the willingness of our God to grant that wealth, a man lives in poverty also at the will of God. Who are we to judge the will of God, perhaps the man that is poor is poor so that he will help another in a way only a man in his position can. For example I was reading a posting earlier about a homeless man who was given more blankets than he needed to keep warm, and he shared them with other homeless who were in need.
The will of God is very difficult for us to determine. We know everything happens for a reason, but we often must allow time to pass before we can realize that reason. We must remain faithful that God does in fact have reason for everything He does, there is a plan. Some may ask a question, “if all things happen by God’s choosing, why must I believe?” This question could make sense, we will only be the saved of God at His will, so why must we believe in His Christ, and His word in the Bible? God’s choosing does not deny the necessity of our believing. A life boat is no good if the drowning man does not get in to it. The moment of our accepting salvation, is the moment we become believers, this is when we are given knowledge by God of His plan, There must be a moment when we become believers…and it must be done on a personal level, God will set the stage, we must play the part.
A final word on favoritism. Our culture is driven in many ways, by favoritism, or snobbery. To join in the judgment of the less fortunate is the easy way out. Jesus on this matter did not take the easy way out. He both took time to set the rich man straight in his ways, as well as letting the poor woman of ill repute wash His feet with her tears, and dry them with her hair. Jesus gave His life for the salvation of ALL. He set aside His due glory in Heaven to come down among us, in our existence. How can we without guilt show partiality? If God had shown favoritism with you, where would you be now? The church, or our religion, is God moving among all people…not just the rich, and well educated. So if the church you attend seems to get this message wrong, perhaps they could use a dose of James 2, the easy way out would be to not bring this up at all…don’t take it.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
The backbone, if you will of Christian teaching. The cornerstone of our faith. If not these two, certainly one of the most important of teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I would like to spend some time this week looking into this phrase.
We are first introduced to this as being the second greatest commandment in the Gospel according to Matthew. Chapter 22 verses 34-40. In this section the scribes, seeking to test the Lord, asked, “what is the greatest commandment of all?”. Jesus replied the greatest was to love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. He then goes on to say the second greatest commandment, is to love your neighbor, as yourself. But he does more than to just list this as another commandment. He likens it to the first and greatest. He seems to say that if you truly do either, you do the other as well.
So how do we love ourselves? Certainly, in most circumstances, the love we show for ourselves is not one of emotion, not one to be compared to the feelings we share with our spouse, or a family member. The love we show for ourselves can be described more as self preservation. We provide our body with food for nourishment, so that we will be strong to get through our day. We rest to rejuvenate our body. We keep ourselves protected from the cold, so that we will not perish from the elements. Something as simple as dressing in the morning…is that not done to protect us from the ridicule or shame our nakedness might be received with if viewed in he world?
So, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Luke 10:29 “but he wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”, and Jesus replied with the story of the good Samaritan. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, I will share a brief narrative. A man is walking along the road when he is approached by thieves. The thieves steal the man’s clothes, and all that he has. They beat him, and leave him for dead. Along comes a priest, he sees the man lying on the road, and passes by on the opposite side. Along comes a Levite, who does the same. Then along comes a man from Samaria. He stops and tends to the man’s wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays the inn keeper for the care of the man. Now which was the neighbor of the man who had fallen prey to the thieves?
Was it the priest, sworn to the work of God? Was it the Levite, destine to service for the works of the temple? No, it was the man from Samaria. For those who are unaware, Samaria was not considered a Godly place in the eyes of the Jews of Jesus’ day, it was in fact considered just the opposite. So, for Jesus to use the Samaritan as the symbol of the neighbor, was quite substantial to those he was speaking to. The neighbor was not, in this case, someone that would be held in high esteem with the people to which Godliness was associated with.
So, ask yourself, who is your neighbor? Is it only someone who sits in the same church where you gather? Is it only someone who shares your same belief? Is it only someone able to donate large sums of money to your cause? Is your neighbor merely the person living next door? Or do you truly feel that your neighbor can be found in all of mankind? It’s easy to see just the person next to you as a neighbor, yes...that’s the easy way out this week.
Until next time, I challenge you to reach out to someone you have not reached out to before. Show the love of Christ to someone who is need of seeing it. May your words be true, may your actions be purposeful, and may your heart be pure. So that you to may walk in the way if whose name we pray, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The backbone, if you will of Christian teaching. The cornerstone of our faith. If not these two, certainly one of the most important of teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I would like to spend some time this week looking into this phrase.
We are first introduced to this as being the second greatest commandment in the Gospel according to Matthew. Chapter 22 verses 34-40. In this section the scribes, seeking to test the Lord, asked, “what is the greatest commandment of all?”. Jesus replied the greatest was to love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. He then goes on to say the second greatest commandment, is to love your neighbor, as yourself. But he does more than to just list this as another commandment. He likens it to the first and greatest. He seems to say that if you truly do either, you do the other as well.
So how do we love ourselves? Certainly, in most circumstances, the love we show for ourselves is not one of emotion, not one to be compared to the feelings we share with our spouse, or a family member. The love we show for ourselves can be described more as self preservation. We provide our body with food for nourishment, so that we will be strong to get through our day. We rest to rejuvenate our body. We keep ourselves protected from the cold, so that we will not perish from the elements. Something as simple as dressing in the morning…is that not done to protect us from the ridicule or shame our nakedness might be received with if viewed in he world?
So, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Luke 10:29 “but he wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”, and Jesus replied with the story of the good Samaritan. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, I will share a brief narrative. A man is walking along the road when he is approached by thieves. The thieves steal the man’s clothes, and all that he has. They beat him, and leave him for dead. Along comes a priest, he sees the man lying on the road, and passes by on the opposite side. Along comes a Levite, who does the same. Then along comes a man from Samaria. He stops and tends to the man’s wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays the inn keeper for the care of the man. Now which was the neighbor of the man who had fallen prey to the thieves?
Was it the priest, sworn to the work of God? Was it the Levite, destine to service for the works of the temple? No, it was the man from Samaria. For those who are unaware, Samaria was not considered a Godly place in the eyes of the Jews of Jesus’ day, it was in fact considered just the opposite. So, for Jesus to use the Samaritan as the symbol of the neighbor, was quite substantial to those he was speaking to. The neighbor was not, in this case, someone that would be held in high esteem with the people to which Godliness was associated with.
So, ask yourself, who is your neighbor? Is it only someone who sits in the same church where you gather? Is it only someone who shares your same belief? Is it only someone able to donate large sums of money to your cause? Is your neighbor merely the person living next door? Or do you truly feel that your neighbor can be found in all of mankind? It’s easy to see just the person next to you as a neighbor, yes...that’s the easy way out this week.
Until next time, I challenge you to reach out to someone you have not reached out to before. Show the love of Christ to someone who is need of seeing it. May your words be true, may your actions be purposeful, and may your heart be pure. So that you to may walk in the way if whose name we pray, Jesus Christ. Amen.
History of Division
Everyone open your textbooks to chapter 9. Let’s discuss the history portrayed in the Bible, and compare it to scientific data of the past 200 years. Let’s see…hmmm…we seem to have a few discrepancies here. Well easy way out tells us that one of the two sources of knowledge must be wrong on a few points, so therefore the entire system must be wrong. Well I don’t generally advise the easy way out…do I?
I often times tell people that if they’ve opened their Bible in search of a history book, they have made a grave mistake. There is some history to be found in the book, as well as other early Christian writings that did not make it in, but God’s purpose in us having the Bible, I do not believe was that we would have a history book for the ages. The purpose of the inspired word of God is much deeper than scholarly advancement. Truly the only real history we can gather from the Bible, and other writings from that time period, that can be verified by other sources, is that from it’s inception the Christian community has been divided.
I recently finished a study on the recently discovered Gospel of Judas Iscariot. The study taught me much more than what the contents of the gospel tell, it helped me to understand the point I’m making in this post, that there has always been division among Christians. Study of the gospel does bring to light some interesting points about the life and ministry, and ultimate betrayal of Jesus, and if anyone is interested, I can share the book at the center of my study. But for the purpose of this posting, I will not delve into those points that do not reach my conclusion.
Ultimately studying this gospel introduced me to a belief of the early centuries of the current era, that many still hold today. The belief I speak of is Gnosticism, from the Greek word gnosis, meaning knowledge. The Gnostics claim there is a secret knowledge of the creation of our world that God has entrusted with a select few divine beings here on earth. Having this knowledge allows the bearer to learn the only true way to gain access to the divine realm upon death of the human body. It is ultimately impossible to argue or debate any point of Gnosticism, because no matter the argument you bring, the Gnostic can counter with a statement that obviously you have not been deemed worthy by God for the true knowledge.
So how does this apply to my topic of division in Christianity? Many early Christians subscribed to the ideals of Gnosticism, in fact most of the previously lost texts that have recently been discovered (including the Gospel of Judas Iscariot) are Gnostic either in their content or the supposition that the author shared these beliefs. Many Gnostics believed that Christ was sent to deliver the message of their belief. They believed Christ was sent from God, so it is safe to call them Christians. Early in the history of the Christian community, people fell into one of two main categories…either Orthodox or Heretics, Gnostics would fall into the later.
Christians who claimed to be orthodox did so because of the meaning of the word…orthos, meaning right, or true…and doxas, meaning opinion or belief. Those who were orthodox believed largely in what we now know as our Christian faith. Heretics, from the word heresy, basically meaning a choice…in other words the heretics were those that choose to believe different from the accepted traditions (or orthodox beliefs) of our faith.
We learn just from this little lesson on orthodox and heresy, that at some point there was a need to establish a set “rule of faith”. It can be supposed that this means there was a great deal of turmoil within the founding of the early church. This turmoil was even addressed in some of the letters of Paul to the early churches he helped to found. Some members of these churches claimed to be following different apostles, because the one they chose to follow delivered the correct message. It is interesting to note, that Paul probably had little knowledge of the life and ministry of Jesus, as his letters were written before the gospels that describe the life and ministry of Jesus. Therefore the only thing Paul could preach on for matter of fact was the death and resurrection of Jesus, thus proof that He was the promised messiah. I feel it safe to assume then that Paul did not in fact “buy into” any particular teaching of man. Though I can not quote the exact book, chapter and verse…I remember Paul at one time saying that all who had visited the church brought the same message…that Christ had risen from the grave, and through belief in that fact one found salvation.
There has always been division in the Christian faith, and no doubt due to the blessing of free will, there always will be. One thing most Christians believe in, is that there is a need to interpret the ancient scriptures of our faith, and as many as interpret those scriptures, probably there will be close to an equal number of different beliefs. It is with steadfast faith that I proclaim to you the reading of the Bible needs to be done looking for the underlying message. The one uniting theme of the book. That there is a right way of living in the eyes of God, and that way revolves around the two greatest commandments…love the one true Lord God with all your heart and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Turn to a book about history for history lessons, turn to a book about life for life lessons.
It doesn’t matter what denomination of Christianity you hold true to, the Bible is not a call to war, it does not promote violence even if the end result is the spreading of it’s message, it is a blue print for a moral lifestyle fitting in the eyes of God. Look for the underlying message in the stories of the Bible…it may not be the easy way out, but it is the only way to read the word of God.
Everyone open your textbooks to chapter 9. Let’s discuss the history portrayed in the Bible, and compare it to scientific data of the past 200 years. Let’s see…hmmm…we seem to have a few discrepancies here. Well easy way out tells us that one of the two sources of knowledge must be wrong on a few points, so therefore the entire system must be wrong. Well I don’t generally advise the easy way out…do I?
I often times tell people that if they’ve opened their Bible in search of a history book, they have made a grave mistake. There is some history to be found in the book, as well as other early Christian writings that did not make it in, but God’s purpose in us having the Bible, I do not believe was that we would have a history book for the ages. The purpose of the inspired word of God is much deeper than scholarly advancement. Truly the only real history we can gather from the Bible, and other writings from that time period, that can be verified by other sources, is that from it’s inception the Christian community has been divided.
I recently finished a study on the recently discovered Gospel of Judas Iscariot. The study taught me much more than what the contents of the gospel tell, it helped me to understand the point I’m making in this post, that there has always been division among Christians. Study of the gospel does bring to light some interesting points about the life and ministry, and ultimate betrayal of Jesus, and if anyone is interested, I can share the book at the center of my study. But for the purpose of this posting, I will not delve into those points that do not reach my conclusion.
Ultimately studying this gospel introduced me to a belief of the early centuries of the current era, that many still hold today. The belief I speak of is Gnosticism, from the Greek word gnosis, meaning knowledge. The Gnostics claim there is a secret knowledge of the creation of our world that God has entrusted with a select few divine beings here on earth. Having this knowledge allows the bearer to learn the only true way to gain access to the divine realm upon death of the human body. It is ultimately impossible to argue or debate any point of Gnosticism, because no matter the argument you bring, the Gnostic can counter with a statement that obviously you have not been deemed worthy by God for the true knowledge.
So how does this apply to my topic of division in Christianity? Many early Christians subscribed to the ideals of Gnosticism, in fact most of the previously lost texts that have recently been discovered (including the Gospel of Judas Iscariot) are Gnostic either in their content or the supposition that the author shared these beliefs. Many Gnostics believed that Christ was sent to deliver the message of their belief. They believed Christ was sent from God, so it is safe to call them Christians. Early in the history of the Christian community, people fell into one of two main categories…either Orthodox or Heretics, Gnostics would fall into the later.
Christians who claimed to be orthodox did so because of the meaning of the word…orthos, meaning right, or true…and doxas, meaning opinion or belief. Those who were orthodox believed largely in what we now know as our Christian faith. Heretics, from the word heresy, basically meaning a choice…in other words the heretics were those that choose to believe different from the accepted traditions (or orthodox beliefs) of our faith.
We learn just from this little lesson on orthodox and heresy, that at some point there was a need to establish a set “rule of faith”. It can be supposed that this means there was a great deal of turmoil within the founding of the early church. This turmoil was even addressed in some of the letters of Paul to the early churches he helped to found. Some members of these churches claimed to be following different apostles, because the one they chose to follow delivered the correct message. It is interesting to note, that Paul probably had little knowledge of the life and ministry of Jesus, as his letters were written before the gospels that describe the life and ministry of Jesus. Therefore the only thing Paul could preach on for matter of fact was the death and resurrection of Jesus, thus proof that He was the promised messiah. I feel it safe to assume then that Paul did not in fact “buy into” any particular teaching of man. Though I can not quote the exact book, chapter and verse…I remember Paul at one time saying that all who had visited the church brought the same message…that Christ had risen from the grave, and through belief in that fact one found salvation.
There has always been division in the Christian faith, and no doubt due to the blessing of free will, there always will be. One thing most Christians believe in, is that there is a need to interpret the ancient scriptures of our faith, and as many as interpret those scriptures, probably there will be close to an equal number of different beliefs. It is with steadfast faith that I proclaim to you the reading of the Bible needs to be done looking for the underlying message. The one uniting theme of the book. That there is a right way of living in the eyes of God, and that way revolves around the two greatest commandments…love the one true Lord God with all your heart and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Turn to a book about history for history lessons, turn to a book about life for life lessons.
It doesn’t matter what denomination of Christianity you hold true to, the Bible is not a call to war, it does not promote violence even if the end result is the spreading of it’s message, it is a blue print for a moral lifestyle fitting in the eyes of God. Look for the underlying message in the stories of the Bible…it may not be the easy way out, but it is the only way to read the word of God.
Easy Way out: Racial profiling
I am moved today to address politics in this weeks posting. I do not feel it is a minister’s place to preach politics, and I will refrain from doing so…today and always. I do however want to share some thoughts on the historic inauguration of Barak Obama, some thoughts on the man himself, and some thoughts on the months that led up to this moment.
First, I will come clean by saying that I was not a supporter of Obama during the election process, I was in fact not really supportive of either of the candidates that eventually won their party’s nomination…but I simply held views different to Obama’s more so than McCain’s. I suppose my nature is to lean more towards any conservative view point than that of the liberal.
Despite my lack of support for Obama during the campaign, I can not disregard the significance of this election in terms of social history. I stress the word social in that previous statement, because as of yet, we have not seen political history being made. We have seen a drastic change this year in the way African Americans are seen in our society. As mentioned in the inaugural address, a mere sixty years ago, Obama’s father would have been refused service in many restaurants, been forced to drink from a different water fountain, easily could have been falsely accused of crimes based solely on the color of his skin…and today, we have elected an African American man to the highest office in the nation.
I realize, as I know many others do, that this election does not put an end to racial profiling, or the need for ongoing civil rights movements in our nation. If in fact there was no longer a sense of racial prejudice in our nation, there would not have been need for the enhanced security during the campaign, and today during the swearing in. However it does show that anyone with the proper education and drive can accomplish what they want, despite the color of their skin.
Regarding racial prejudice, I want to share a couple of thoughts. One is that prejudice is not just wrong when we are speaking of a white being prejudice against a black, or any other race. It is also wrong the other way around. I spent a year of high school living in Florida where as a white student I was a minority, and though I know it can not compare to what blacks have gone through in history, I too was prejudged. Based solely on the color of my skin, and the fact that we were poor, it was assumed that I was racist. No action on my part could ever have led to that conclusion, but I was pushed around and accused of harboring feelings that I did not. I’m sure everyone will join me in saying that those who did not vote for Barak Obama based on the color of his skin were in the wrong. But will anyone agree that those who did vote for him based on the color of his skin were also in the wrong? I wonder how many new voters were registered only because there was a black man on the ballot. No one will deny that change was and is needed in Washington, I just hope this election was not won simply by that need. Certainly we have had a history of older white men running our nation…I hope people don’t think that just because Obama is younger and black that he will do better.
I do want to take time to point out a couple of things I found interesting watching the process today. One is that during this whole “transition in power”, as the press like to call it, we have seen that Bush and Obama seem to have a good relationship. This is despite the fact that Obama has spent the past several months running a campaign largely on the basis that he is not anything like Bush, but his opponent was. One would think Obama’s anti-Bush strategy would have left some hard feelings between the two, so why didn’t it? I believe it is because Bush realizes that Obama was playing the political game…say what it takes to get elected. The outgoing president, I’m sure realizes that there is nothing personal in a campaign. So what does this teach us? It teaches us that so far, Barak Obama is nothing more than a politician.
Obama comes into office with a 78% approval rating, I find that odd considering the fact that he has yet to do anything substantial to approve or disapprove of. He did take time to address some issues in speeches, but only those he wanted to address, if he did not want to stand for a topic, he simply stated that there was only one president at a time, and he was not it. Again we see some very wise political moves. It was stated during commentary on CNN today that the whole world approves of Obama, is this approval at home and abroad simply because he is not Bush? In a way I would say that we are prejudging Obama based on the simple fact that he is a new face in the white house. Just because we are not judging him poorly, does not make the judgment any less wrong.
Again, I am not in anyway posting this to take away from the historical moment witnessed by hundreds of millions of people world wide. Truly history was made today…social history. However I urge people to remember that Barak Obama was elected to president of the United States as a politician, a very well spoken, very well prepared politician…not as a civil rights leader. The change that will most benefit the nation and the world in Washington is not, in my mind, a social change such as this. The change we need is a political change. I hope and pray that our newly inaugurated president can and will bring that change.
So, you may be wondering how this post fits this topic, The Easy Way Out, to understand that, you merely need to look to my opening statement, that I was not an Obama supporter during the election. The easy way out would have been for me not to address this topic at all, based on my personal disagreements with the political views of Obama. The easy way out for many will be to continue to approve of our president based solely on the fact that he is new. It was difficult for me to come address this issue without personal feelings, it will be difficult for many to not look favorably on our president based solely on the social accomplishment he represents.
I am moved today to address politics in this weeks posting. I do not feel it is a minister’s place to preach politics, and I will refrain from doing so…today and always. I do however want to share some thoughts on the historic inauguration of Barak Obama, some thoughts on the man himself, and some thoughts on the months that led up to this moment.
First, I will come clean by saying that I was not a supporter of Obama during the election process, I was in fact not really supportive of either of the candidates that eventually won their party’s nomination…but I simply held views different to Obama’s more so than McCain’s. I suppose my nature is to lean more towards any conservative view point than that of the liberal.
Despite my lack of support for Obama during the campaign, I can not disregard the significance of this election in terms of social history. I stress the word social in that previous statement, because as of yet, we have not seen political history being made. We have seen a drastic change this year in the way African Americans are seen in our society. As mentioned in the inaugural address, a mere sixty years ago, Obama’s father would have been refused service in many restaurants, been forced to drink from a different water fountain, easily could have been falsely accused of crimes based solely on the color of his skin…and today, we have elected an African American man to the highest office in the nation.
I realize, as I know many others do, that this election does not put an end to racial profiling, or the need for ongoing civil rights movements in our nation. If in fact there was no longer a sense of racial prejudice in our nation, there would not have been need for the enhanced security during the campaign, and today during the swearing in. However it does show that anyone with the proper education and drive can accomplish what they want, despite the color of their skin.
Regarding racial prejudice, I want to share a couple of thoughts. One is that prejudice is not just wrong when we are speaking of a white being prejudice against a black, or any other race. It is also wrong the other way around. I spent a year of high school living in Florida where as a white student I was a minority, and though I know it can not compare to what blacks have gone through in history, I too was prejudged. Based solely on the color of my skin, and the fact that we were poor, it was assumed that I was racist. No action on my part could ever have led to that conclusion, but I was pushed around and accused of harboring feelings that I did not. I’m sure everyone will join me in saying that those who did not vote for Barak Obama based on the color of his skin were in the wrong. But will anyone agree that those who did vote for him based on the color of his skin were also in the wrong? I wonder how many new voters were registered only because there was a black man on the ballot. No one will deny that change was and is needed in Washington, I just hope this election was not won simply by that need. Certainly we have had a history of older white men running our nation…I hope people don’t think that just because Obama is younger and black that he will do better.
I do want to take time to point out a couple of things I found interesting watching the process today. One is that during this whole “transition in power”, as the press like to call it, we have seen that Bush and Obama seem to have a good relationship. This is despite the fact that Obama has spent the past several months running a campaign largely on the basis that he is not anything like Bush, but his opponent was. One would think Obama’s anti-Bush strategy would have left some hard feelings between the two, so why didn’t it? I believe it is because Bush realizes that Obama was playing the political game…say what it takes to get elected. The outgoing president, I’m sure realizes that there is nothing personal in a campaign. So what does this teach us? It teaches us that so far, Barak Obama is nothing more than a politician.
Obama comes into office with a 78% approval rating, I find that odd considering the fact that he has yet to do anything substantial to approve or disapprove of. He did take time to address some issues in speeches, but only those he wanted to address, if he did not want to stand for a topic, he simply stated that there was only one president at a time, and he was not it. Again we see some very wise political moves. It was stated during commentary on CNN today that the whole world approves of Obama, is this approval at home and abroad simply because he is not Bush? In a way I would say that we are prejudging Obama based on the simple fact that he is a new face in the white house. Just because we are not judging him poorly, does not make the judgment any less wrong.
Again, I am not in anyway posting this to take away from the historical moment witnessed by hundreds of millions of people world wide. Truly history was made today…social history. However I urge people to remember that Barak Obama was elected to president of the United States as a politician, a very well spoken, very well prepared politician…not as a civil rights leader. The change that will most benefit the nation and the world in Washington is not, in my mind, a social change such as this. The change we need is a political change. I hope and pray that our newly inaugurated president can and will bring that change.
So, you may be wondering how this post fits this topic, The Easy Way Out, to understand that, you merely need to look to my opening statement, that I was not an Obama supporter during the election. The easy way out would have been for me not to address this topic at all, based on my personal disagreements with the political views of Obama. The easy way out for many will be to continue to approve of our president based solely on the fact that he is new. It was difficult for me to come address this issue without personal feelings, it will be difficult for many to not look favorably on our president based solely on the social accomplishment he represents.
You can thank G W Bush and his cronies for the election of President Obama. As Martin Luther King Jr said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character".
People looked at Bush and said to themselves, "Who cares what color he is. We need a smart president, not a white president". Bush has indebted the nation's children, and its childrens' children, to the sum of about $12 trillion, while making a very few, very rich citizens extraordinarily rich. He has also shown himself to be absolutely lacking in moral integrity. And McCain was unable to indicate any significant differences with Bush.
The easy way out? There is no such thing. The problems caused by 30 years of Reaganomics and by the last 8 years of rule by pirates will not soon be repaired. However at least there is now the possibility that the country can start to move in the right direction.
(And I'm sure the Village of Crawford, TX will be pleased. They finally got their idiot back!
)
People looked at Bush and said to themselves, "Who cares what color he is. We need a smart president, not a white president". Bush has indebted the nation's children, and its childrens' children, to the sum of about $12 trillion, while making a very few, very rich citizens extraordinarily rich. He has also shown himself to be absolutely lacking in moral integrity. And McCain was unable to indicate any significant differences with Bush.
The easy way out? There is no such thing. The problems caused by 30 years of Reaganomics and by the last 8 years of rule by pirates will not soon be repaired. However at least there is now the possibility that the country can start to move in the right direction.
(And I'm sure the Village of Crawford, TX will be pleased. They finally got their idiot back!
)
Hmmmm.....a sore loser! Imagine what the country would be like under the rule of Sarah Palin, a woman who attempted to remove the subsistence hunting and fishing rights of Indigenous people so her "good ole boys" could open commercial fisheries and canned hunts for profit, leaving the Alaskan Natives to starve over the long, dark arctic winters. The woman who attempted to take away the sovereign status of these same Native people so she could open up the protected wilderness for oil drilling and uranium mining. Thank God the Supreme Court of the state of Alaska defeated her attempts. Or, John McCain who said in his campaign that he "knows what Indians need" while demonstrating that in the state of Arizona, the Indian population is impoverished and discriminated against in most of the cities. I have friends who have moved from NM to AZ and are disappointed in not having any contact with the Native Americans they were so connected with in NM. I asked them why this was so, and they said it is no secret that people don't want a bunch of "dirty, drunk Indians" wandering the streets of Phoenix. So yeah, I suppose one would think the country is better off with bigoted, prejudicial aristocrats who support the money grubbers and forget the true needs of the people. And have you considered that Barack Obama was being gracious to Geo. W. in the end? In his acceptance speech Obama refwerred back to the inadequate and ineffective leadership of the past with Bush standing directly behind him. Yeah, politics is mean, but it shouldn't be so mean to the private citizens as the last eight years has been to John Q. Public.
And what is wrong with social change and cohesiveness? If a person like MLK Jr. could bring the world a little closer and another has the same vision and courage to continue a magnificent work that was tragically cut short, opening the eyes of our people and fulfilling the dreams of millions of people who sought only justice, then, in the end, we have created a powerful force to be reckoned with. As an old hippie, I dreamed these same dreams! And now it is time for those who have sought peace, equality, justice, and an end to racial prejudice, to realize their work and prayers were not in vain. When Obama won the nomination, I told my domestic partner that I could now die in peace knowing that all my efforts, all my work, all my tears to acheive equality, were not in vain. And I will not allow the cynicism of one to spoil my joy, because my joy comes from a loving Creator who has revealed Himself to my mind and heart. Truly, my cup runneth over with love and joy.
And what of Spirituality? This is the "Spiritual Corner", not the "Political Corner". Nowhere in your post did you mention a Higher Power, the Grace of God, the Joy of Christ, the Principles of Jesus of Nazareth, or the 2 great commandments. And you have judged our President a little more than 2 hours (according to the posted time)after he took his oath of office. Well. I didn't like it when Geo.W. won the first time, and certainly not the second time, but nevertheless, I had to endure the hardships caused by his terms in office. So Karmic intervention dictates that what goes around, comes around. I mean, come on, give the man a chance and allow the people to celebrate this one more victory over discrimination and prejudice. If you can't share in the joy, maybe it is better to be silent. Otherwise people may see you as the one who would prefer to perpetuate these barbaric ideologies. The next great freedom will be the signing of a bill into law guaranteeing the rights of the glbtq communities. Oh boy! Won't the forum get lively again on that one?!! Did you know that HBO censored Bishop Gene Robinsons invocation, the first Gay Bishop of the Anglican Episcopal Church? You will now because I emailed it to you. These are the things that tear us apart as a nation. What has occurred as a result of this election has been a renewal of hope and the forming of a more perfect union, acheived through the healing process of forgiveness and acknowledging of injustice. With that, great things can be acheived. Social justice, social order, social change, is, and should be, the most integral part of any political system. Without it, oppression and bigotry, prejudice and inequality, and economic inequity will prevail, just as it has prevailed for several decades.
I'm sad you cannot share in the hope and vision that so many millions of Americans and foreign citizens are sharing in this great moment of history. It is true, he is just a man.....but so was Jesus of Nazareth....Ghandhi.....Buddha.....Mohammed....Martin Luther King Jr.....JFK.....DW Suiter....Me....
May the Grace of God and the Love and Mind of Christ remove your cynicism that you might join us in the celebration of the possibility and hope of a new age in America....God's Peace....To`na Wanagi
And what is wrong with social change and cohesiveness? If a person like MLK Jr. could bring the world a little closer and another has the same vision and courage to continue a magnificent work that was tragically cut short, opening the eyes of our people and fulfilling the dreams of millions of people who sought only justice, then, in the end, we have created a powerful force to be reckoned with. As an old hippie, I dreamed these same dreams! And now it is time for those who have sought peace, equality, justice, and an end to racial prejudice, to realize their work and prayers were not in vain. When Obama won the nomination, I told my domestic partner that I could now die in peace knowing that all my efforts, all my work, all my tears to acheive equality, were not in vain. And I will not allow the cynicism of one to spoil my joy, because my joy comes from a loving Creator who has revealed Himself to my mind and heart. Truly, my cup runneth over with love and joy.
And what of Spirituality? This is the "Spiritual Corner", not the "Political Corner". Nowhere in your post did you mention a Higher Power, the Grace of God, the Joy of Christ, the Principles of Jesus of Nazareth, or the 2 great commandments. And you have judged our President a little more than 2 hours (according to the posted time)after he took his oath of office. Well. I didn't like it when Geo.W. won the first time, and certainly not the second time, but nevertheless, I had to endure the hardships caused by his terms in office. So Karmic intervention dictates that what goes around, comes around. I mean, come on, give the man a chance and allow the people to celebrate this one more victory over discrimination and prejudice. If you can't share in the joy, maybe it is better to be silent. Otherwise people may see you as the one who would prefer to perpetuate these barbaric ideologies. The next great freedom will be the signing of a bill into law guaranteeing the rights of the glbtq communities. Oh boy! Won't the forum get lively again on that one?!! Did you know that HBO censored Bishop Gene Robinsons invocation, the first Gay Bishop of the Anglican Episcopal Church? You will now because I emailed it to you. These are the things that tear us apart as a nation. What has occurred as a result of this election has been a renewal of hope and the forming of a more perfect union, acheived through the healing process of forgiveness and acknowledging of injustice. With that, great things can be acheived. Social justice, social order, social change, is, and should be, the most integral part of any political system. Without it, oppression and bigotry, prejudice and inequality, and economic inequity will prevail, just as it has prevailed for several decades.
I'm sad you cannot share in the hope and vision that so many millions of Americans and foreign citizens are sharing in this great moment of history. It is true, he is just a man.....but so was Jesus of Nazareth....Ghandhi.....Buddha.....Mohammed....Martin Luther King Jr.....JFK.....DW Suiter....Me....
May the Grace of God and the Love and Mind of Christ remove your cynicism that you might join us in the celebration of the possibility and hope of a new age in America....God's Peace....To`na Wanagi
Dear William Wilkinson,
I agree that is much more difficult to admit to something that may have people look at you unfavorably, than to pretend or deflect otherwise and simply keep silent. I applaud your efforts to willingly offer yourself as an example who lives up to what they preach.
However, I must disagree with a few other things you have said, notably, the comment that President Obama’s inauguration was not politically significant as it was social. Perhaps the years of abusive brainwashing your former politicians demonstrated has caused you to forget. Politics, government, law, and the like are not simple and inconsequential words. They are things that are comprised of people and/or for the people. In order to separate social from political, one must find a way in where humans are not part of this equation. What affects political affects social, and vise versa. The body of any being must have a brain as well as a heart. The absence of one will cause death to the whole. It can be argued life support could compensate for the lacking of an essential, however, from my Canadian view, that is exactly the quality of life the American people have been made to survive with for far too many years. Obama has simply stepped in and pulled the plug, having all that is vital to your country.
In his speech, he spoke of unity for the common cause. He spoke of God. He spoke of past, present and future. He spoke of “we”, not “me”. His eyes darted with wrath when he spoke of past administrations, and collective mentalities of self-service.
As for your comments on racial discrimination. (either way), yes, I agree, there may have been people who voted Obama because he is black. There are some who did not vote for him for the same reason. But I also believe that he had the ability to ignite the remaining embers of hope to some, who, may or may not of thought firstly of his race, but more importantly believed in his abilities. But this is no different for people that voted McCain because he was white, or was male, or was old and therefore must be honest and wise. But what about the others who voted Obama because he is handsome, or because he is young, or those who were born in his father’s country and are not citizens of America? Literally, there are thousands of reasons why someone may or may not have voted for President Obama. Not all were racially motivated.
Now as for the friendship of President Obama and Bush. I seen the events too, and while I did see both President Obama and Bush be very civil and cordial to each other, I did not see anything that would indicate a friendship. President Obama has been reported as being wise in handling those who would appose him. Not everyone fights with fire and brimstone. Some would see the wisdom to keeping your friends close but your enemies closer. Personally, I like President Obama’s style.
Now for his 78% approval rate. Wow! I would offer the suggestion that this was possible because the people were in dire need of effective leadership, and most agreed that President Obama was the candidate that best represented their hopes? Because the majority does not necessarily mean they are right, the opposite is true as well in that, the majorities are not automatically wrong either.
Lastly, no matter who was elected President, would you not have held hope that your vote was not in vain. That your vote had elected a leader who would be the President you had hoped for? Of course, you would, so would anyone. Then why doubt so intensely because your President is popular and black? Do you think those two factors could keep him from making the political change you’re looking for? Personally, I look at the person and his/actions to make decisions like that. God fearing and God dependant, not even flinching when speaking hard to hear truth, focused, strong, and intelligent, sounds like a winner to me!
God’s blessings,
Rev. Campbell.
I agree that is much more difficult to admit to something that may have people look at you unfavorably, than to pretend or deflect otherwise and simply keep silent. I applaud your efforts to willingly offer yourself as an example who lives up to what they preach.
However, I must disagree with a few other things you have said, notably, the comment that President Obama’s inauguration was not politically significant as it was social. Perhaps the years of abusive brainwashing your former politicians demonstrated has caused you to forget. Politics, government, law, and the like are not simple and inconsequential words. They are things that are comprised of people and/or for the people. In order to separate social from political, one must find a way in where humans are not part of this equation. What affects political affects social, and vise versa. The body of any being must have a brain as well as a heart. The absence of one will cause death to the whole. It can be argued life support could compensate for the lacking of an essential, however, from my Canadian view, that is exactly the quality of life the American people have been made to survive with for far too many years. Obama has simply stepped in and pulled the plug, having all that is vital to your country.
In his speech, he spoke of unity for the common cause. He spoke of God. He spoke of past, present and future. He spoke of “we”, not “me”. His eyes darted with wrath when he spoke of past administrations, and collective mentalities of self-service.
As for your comments on racial discrimination. (either way), yes, I agree, there may have been people who voted Obama because he is black. There are some who did not vote for him for the same reason. But I also believe that he had the ability to ignite the remaining embers of hope to some, who, may or may not of thought firstly of his race, but more importantly believed in his abilities. But this is no different for people that voted McCain because he was white, or was male, or was old and therefore must be honest and wise. But what about the others who voted Obama because he is handsome, or because he is young, or those who were born in his father’s country and are not citizens of America? Literally, there are thousands of reasons why someone may or may not have voted for President Obama. Not all were racially motivated.
Now as for the friendship of President Obama and Bush. I seen the events too, and while I did see both President Obama and Bush be very civil and cordial to each other, I did not see anything that would indicate a friendship. President Obama has been reported as being wise in handling those who would appose him. Not everyone fights with fire and brimstone. Some would see the wisdom to keeping your friends close but your enemies closer. Personally, I like President Obama’s style.
Now for his 78% approval rate. Wow! I would offer the suggestion that this was possible because the people were in dire need of effective leadership, and most agreed that President Obama was the candidate that best represented their hopes? Because the majority does not necessarily mean they are right, the opposite is true as well in that, the majorities are not automatically wrong either.
Lastly, no matter who was elected President, would you not have held hope that your vote was not in vain. That your vote had elected a leader who would be the President you had hoped for? Of course, you would, so would anyone. Then why doubt so intensely because your President is popular and black? Do you think those two factors could keep him from making the political change you’re looking for? Personally, I look at the person and his/actions to make decisions like that. God fearing and God dependant, not even flinching when speaking hard to hear truth, focused, strong, and intelligent, sounds like a winner to me!
God’s blessings,
Rev. Campbell.
I'm sorry all, I know my post may seem like that of the "sore loser"...it was not the intended message. No I didn't support Obama during the election...for many reasons. I do however agree, that he has all the potential to bring an end to party politics in Washington that anyone does. As I watched the inauguration, my views towards Obama softened a great deal. I honestly have as much faith in him as I have in any politician.
Obama has some great plans and great ideals for the future of our nation, and if we were a nation where just one person could dictate law and policy...I would have favored him in the election. The main point in my post was exactly what I have seen in your responses. It is true it would be unfair for me or anyone to judge Obama poorly this early on...but is it ok to judge him favorably already? Should judgement in either respect be saved for say a year or better?
I agree 100% that Obama brings hope to our nation, not just o Blacks...despite the fact that I didn't vote for him, I was happy to see an election finally won by a clear majority. The election was clear cut...a nice change over the past two. And congress too shares in this success as the majority in both houses are now democrat. Clearly the people spoke...and were heard.
I apologize for "killing the spirit"...it was not the intention of my post. Like I say...Obama's election is a tremendous moment for the civil rights movement, it truly shows how far we have come as a nation in regards to race...no one can or should ever take away from that. I do believe that our leaders, as everything els in our lives are determined by the will of God...for the completion of His divine plan. The only real points I was trying to raise were that those who voted for him or not based on his race were both wrong, and that I have not yet seen more than politics as usual from him...I do hope he can bring the much needed change in Washington...the change where the people really do come first, not just the people with influence.
God's love and mine,
William
As an after thought: I did not mean to begin a debate on politics here (though I suppose there could be no other result from my post)...truly even if the ULC is a place for political discourse, as To`na said spiritual corner woul not be the place for it. I do enjoy a good political discussion though, and if anyone wanted to start such a thread I would love to join in . For now though, I apologize for bringing the subject up, as I said...politics was not my intended message.
Obama has some great plans and great ideals for the future of our nation, and if we were a nation where just one person could dictate law and policy...I would have favored him in the election. The main point in my post was exactly what I have seen in your responses. It is true it would be unfair for me or anyone to judge Obama poorly this early on...but is it ok to judge him favorably already? Should judgement in either respect be saved for say a year or better?
I agree 100% that Obama brings hope to our nation, not just o Blacks...despite the fact that I didn't vote for him, I was happy to see an election finally won by a clear majority. The election was clear cut...a nice change over the past two. And congress too shares in this success as the majority in both houses are now democrat. Clearly the people spoke...and were heard.
I apologize for "killing the spirit"...it was not the intention of my post. Like I say...Obama's election is a tremendous moment for the civil rights movement, it truly shows how far we have come as a nation in regards to race...no one can or should ever take away from that. I do believe that our leaders, as everything els in our lives are determined by the will of God...for the completion of His divine plan. The only real points I was trying to raise were that those who voted for him or not based on his race were both wrong, and that I have not yet seen more than politics as usual from him...I do hope he can bring the much needed change in Washington...the change where the people really do come first, not just the people with influence.
God's love and mine,
William
As an after thought: I did not mean to begin a debate on politics here (though I suppose there could be no other result from my post)...truly even if the ULC is a place for political discourse, as To`na said spiritual corner woul not be the place for it. I do enjoy a good political discussion though, and if anyone wanted to start such a thread I would love to join in
. For now though, I apologize for bringing the subject up, as I said...politics was not my intended message.
Dear William Wilkinson,
Please don’t feel the need to apologize for giving an opinion. Your comments were not a personal attack, and we all have the right to state our views peacefully and respectively as we all have done here. So our views differ; much the better that we should differ than to be mindless sheep who take no responsibility for our thoughts and actions.
In truth, I was terribly pro Obama during his campaign. But his popularity did in fact temper my zeal as prophesy came to mind at the results of the vote. Hearing him speak of God and unity helped to re-establish my favor.
I don’t know if the man is better or worse than any other. All I know is that he seems adamant in trying. A true, uncorrupted effort is all anyone can ask of another human being, President or otherwise.
God’s blessings,
Rev. Campbell.
Please don’t feel the need to apologize for giving an opinion. Your comments were not a personal attack, and we all have the right to state our views peacefully and respectively as we all have done here. So our views differ; much the better that we should differ than to be mindless sheep who take no responsibility for our thoughts and actions.
In truth, I was terribly pro Obama during his campaign. But his popularity did in fact temper my zeal as prophesy came to mind at the results of the vote. Hearing him speak of God and unity helped to re-establish my favor.
I don’t know if the man is better or worse than any other. All I know is that he seems adamant in trying. A true, uncorrupted effort is all anyone can ask of another human being, President or otherwise.
God’s blessings,
Rev. Campbell.
Rev William;
This type of discourse might be better placed in "General Discussion". As for the rest, well, if you were a member of a mininorty such as anything other than white, and you suffered under the past regimes, you would be enthralled to see a "person of color" (what color is America anyway?)come to the forefront. Me being Native American, I have taken an active part in the Equal rights Movement since 1965. I have campaigned rigorously not only for the rights of racial minorities, but also for the rights of those who suffer from mental illness, against wars, "otherly abled" persons, homelessness, substance abuse issues, gay rights, and others who may not have been able to find their voice to speak on their own. These are the social constructs that God has given us to do and that Jesus of Nazareth has instructed us how to acheive. As well, when I was living in Illinois, I actively campaigned for Obama and even met him at our local headquarters while he was visiting my home town. I asked him if he would look into the cause of the Native Americans and he promised he would. So far he has kept his promise, appointing at least six Native people to certain offices to represent our sovereign nations. I have done my homework on this man, and while some have villified him for purchasing property from an unsavory character, and associating him with his former pastor who has been hailed as less than patriotic, I have seen him stand unwavering and work his way through these inconsequential and minor events. Compared to what the past presidents have been involved in, these are truly minor mistakes. Just as we are not responsible for the actions of another, the same is true of him, he cannot be held accountable for the words or actions of another. And most importantly, there is a saying that, "It takes a village to raise a child." The implication is obvious, without unity and single-mindedness, there is no "village" only a loose group of people who happen to live in close proximity to one another, with no singleness of purpose, no vision, no common hope. And unless one comes along to show the village how to unite, how can they raise a healthy child amidst the differences and quarrels of our individual pasts? Someone needs to start the ball rolling, (again) to ignite the fire and passion that this country once exhibited. We are weary of war, of poverty, of the lies and deceptions of our elected leaders, of the avarice and greed of the laissez-faire and robber barons who steal from us with impudence. It is time for Americans to say, "Enough!" And this is what I saw and heard in the election and swearing in of our newest President. I hope you will be proven wrong in your vote against this man....God's Peace...To`na Wanagi
This type of discourse might be better placed in "General Discussion". As for the rest, well, if you were a member of a mininorty such as anything other than white, and you suffered under the past regimes, you would be enthralled to see a "person of color" (what color is America anyway?)come to the forefront. Me being Native American, I have taken an active part in the Equal rights Movement since 1965. I have campaigned rigorously not only for the rights of racial minorities, but also for the rights of those who suffer from mental illness, against wars, "otherly abled" persons, homelessness, substance abuse issues, gay rights, and others who may not have been able to find their voice to speak on their own. These are the social constructs that God has given us to do and that Jesus of Nazareth has instructed us how to acheive. As well, when I was living in Illinois, I actively campaigned for Obama and even met him at our local headquarters while he was visiting my home town. I asked him if he would look into the cause of the Native Americans and he promised he would. So far he has kept his promise, appointing at least six Native people to certain offices to represent our sovereign nations. I have done my homework on this man, and while some have villified him for purchasing property from an unsavory character, and associating him with his former pastor who has been hailed as less than patriotic, I have seen him stand unwavering and work his way through these inconsequential and minor events. Compared to what the past presidents have been involved in, these are truly minor mistakes. Just as we are not responsible for the actions of another, the same is true of him, he cannot be held accountable for the words or actions of another. And most importantly, there is a saying that, "It takes a village to raise a child." The implication is obvious, without unity and single-mindedness, there is no "village" only a loose group of people who happen to live in close proximity to one another, with no singleness of purpose, no vision, no common hope. And unless one comes along to show the village how to unite, how can they raise a healthy child amidst the differences and quarrels of our individual pasts? Someone needs to start the ball rolling, (again) to ignite the fire and passion that this country once exhibited. We are weary of war, of poverty, of the lies and deceptions of our elected leaders, of the avarice and greed of the laissez-faire and robber barons who steal from us with impudence. It is time for Americans to say, "Enough!" And this is what I saw and heard in the election and swearing in of our newest President. I hope you will be proven wrong in your vote against this man....God's Peace...To`na Wanagi
("To`na Wanagi":2zt9gxb0)
Rev William;
This type of discourse might be better placed in "General Discussion". As for the rest, well, if you were a member of a mininorty such as anything other than white, and you suffered under the past regimes, you would be enthralled to see a "person of color" (what color is America anyway?)come to the forefront. Me being Native American, I have taken an active part in the Equal rights Movement since 1965. I have campaigned rigorously not only for the rights of racial minorities, but also for the rights of those who suffer from mental illness, against wars, "otherly abled" persons, homelessness, substance abuse issues, gay rights, and others who may not have been able to find their voice to speak on their own. These are the social constructs that God has given us to do and that Jesus of Nazareth has instructed us how to acheive. As well, when I was living in Illinois, I actively campaigned for Obama and even met him at our local headquarters while he was visiting my home town. I asked him if he would look into the cause of the Native Americans and he promised he would. So far he has kept his promise, appointing at least six Native people to certain offices to represent our sovereign nations. I have done my homework on this man, and while some have villified him for purchasing property from an unsavory character, and associating him with his former pastor who has been hailed as less than patriotic, I have seen him stand unwavering and work his way through these inconsequential and minor events. Compared to what the past presidents have been involved in, these are truly minor mistakes. Just as we are not responsible for the actions of another, the same is true of him, he cannot be held accountable for the words or actions of another. And most importantly, there is a saying that, "It takes a village to raise a child." The implication is obvious, without unity and single-mindedness, there is no "village" only a loose group of people who happen to live in close proximity to one another, with no singleness of purpose, no vision, no common hope. And unless one comes along to show the village how to unite, how can they raise a healthy child amidst the differences and quarrels of our individual pasts? Someone needs to start the ball rolling, (again) to ignite the fire and passion that this country once exhibited. We are weary of war, of poverty, of the lies and deceptions of our elected leaders, of the avarice and greed of the laissez-faire and robber barons who steal from us with impudence. It is time for Americans to say, "Enough!" And this is what I saw and heard in the election and swearing in of our newest President. I hope you will be proven wrong in your vote against this man....God's Peace...To`na Wanagi
This type of discourse might be better placed in "General Discussion". As for the rest, well, if you were a member of a mininorty such as anything other than white, and you suffered under the past regimes, you would be enthralled to see a "person of color" (what color is America anyway?)come to the forefront. Me being Native American, I have taken an active part in the Equal rights Movement since 1965. I have campaigned rigorously not only for the rights of racial minorities, but also for the rights of those who suffer from mental illness, against wars, "otherly abled" persons, homelessness, substance abuse issues, gay rights, and others who may not have been able to find their voice to speak on their own. These are the social constructs that God has given us to do and that Jesus of Nazareth has instructed us how to acheive. As well, when I was living in Illinois, I actively campaigned for Obama and even met him at our local headquarters while he was visiting my home town. I asked him if he would look into the cause of the Native Americans and he promised he would. So far he has kept his promise, appointing at least six Native people to certain offices to represent our sovereign nations. I have done my homework on this man, and while some have villified him for purchasing property from an unsavory character, and associating him with his former pastor who has been hailed as less than patriotic, I have seen him stand unwavering and work his way through these inconsequential and minor events. Compared to what the past presidents have been involved in, these are truly minor mistakes. Just as we are not responsible for the actions of another, the same is true of him, he cannot be held accountable for the words or actions of another. And most importantly, there is a saying that, "It takes a village to raise a child." The implication is obvious, without unity and single-mindedness, there is no "village" only a loose group of people who happen to live in close proximity to one another, with no singleness of purpose, no vision, no common hope. And unless one comes along to show the village how to unite, how can they raise a healthy child amidst the differences and quarrels of our individual pasts? Someone needs to start the ball rolling, (again) to ignite the fire and passion that this country once exhibited. We are weary of war, of poverty, of the lies and deceptions of our elected leaders, of the avarice and greed of the laissez-faire and robber barons who steal from us with impudence. It is time for Americans to say, "Enough!" And this is what I saw and heard in the election and swearing in of our newest President. I hope you will be proven wrong in your vote against this man....God's Peace...To`na Wanagi
To`na, I hope you know me well enough by now to know that I too hope I was wrong in my vote againt Obama. I have never hoped for anything less than the best for our country...and the future it holds in store for us (keep in mind, my children are still quite young, I feel I have a vested interest in the long term prosperity of our nation). Please also know that my post was in no way intended to be "Obama-bashing". Had I opened that post by stating that I did support him during the election, my message would have been the same...we can not prejudge a person (be prejudice towards), regardless of weather that prejudice is in a positive light or a negetive one. For example, in the book of James, when we are told not to show favoritism to the rich man over the poor...are we told to instead show favoritism to the poor over the rich? No, we are told simply to not show favoitism...period.
I do believe that our new president has already shown the ability to unite a large part of the nation that has been very divided over the past two decades or more...most notably seen in the clear majority victory he recieved in the election...I just hope he can reform politics in Washington. Unite a clearly divided legislative branch the way he did the voters of our country.
On the subject of civil rights...you have a disticnt advantage over me...both my age and race keep me from fully understanding what it is like to be judged on the color of my skin. But I do know what it's like to be judged based on a situation that I could not control...the fact that I was the poor kid with old clothes and an abusive drug filled home. Without first hand knowledge, I can only assume that to some degree the ridicule that surrounded me in school and beyond is a lesser degree of what a "minority" may have gone through in the decades prior to my birth. (I put minority in quotes because I believe in todays day and age caucasions may infact be the minority...no fact there..just a belief). I also know what it's like today, despite all I've accomplished to be looked at as less of a person because I work in the service industry. It could be said that I also know how it feels to be judged harshly based soley on the person I voted for in this past election (and my willingness to be open about who that was).
You are also at a disticnt advantage having had the opportunity to meet with either of the candidates personaly...during the election I was still working 60 hours a week and trying to squeeze in time to see my family. The people in this nation that do actually get to meet these people face to face are either people with time to volunteer for the cause, or a few lucky people at a rally...or people with enough money to make a contribution worthy of a visit. Not the schmucks working to serve the people coming to town because the candidate is coming. I'm sure had I had the advantage of meeting either candidate...my support would have been more fully grounded. As I said in my previous post, I didn't really support either candidate whole heartedly...I'm just more conservative by nature, and that's where my vote went. Some may say then that I shouldn't have voted at all...that would be a waste of my right, and I simply wouldn't be counted among those that gave up that right.
Again, it was not my intention to start a political discourse here...I will be reposting my message in a different manner later this evening. I feel that the fact that I mentioned a candidate at all has allowed people to read the post with...well..prejudice, and ultimately miss the point I was trying to make. Untill later.
Sending God's love and mine,
William
The Easy Way Out: Prejudice…aka favoritism part2
I want to take time today to revisit the topic of my last posting. The example I used for delivering the message of that post, I believe, led some to miss the underlying message, and I feel that message is important enough to reiterate. The message we are approaching is prejudice. The question: When is prejudice ok? The answer, as I’m sure all will agree, is never.
First, as I often like to do, let’s define the term prejudice. Dictionary.com gives the following definition: Any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable. ANY preconceived opinion or feeling. Prejudice is not merely defined by unfavorable views, but favorable as well. Looking to the root of the word prejudice, we see clearly the word prejudge, and the definition of that root: to pass judgment on prematurely, or without sufficient reflection or investigation. Many will say we are reaching a time when our civilization has denounced prejudice, I disagree.
I will actually say with great confidence that our society, and the way most react within it is rampant with prejudice, it has in fact become so common place, that we can not even notice it…or we have come to ignore or deny it all together. Let’s look at some situations in which we form opinions without sufficient reflection or investigation. I believe you will be able to associate with at least one of the following examples.
You are driving pleasantly down the highway on your way to where ever it is you are going, suddenly out of no where a car flies by you clearly breaking the posted speed limit…”that guy’s a jerk, he’s going to get someone killed”, sound familiar? You are waiting in line at a fast food joint, you’ve been waiting forever…”these guys are incompetent, this is supposed to be fast food”, sound familiar? On your way into your office building is a homeless man asking for change…”this guy needs to get a job, lazy bum, just waiting for a hand out”, sound familiar? You know the family down the street waits for food stamps, and a check from the government every month…”well maybe if they didn’t have so many kids, or if he would get a decent job”, sound familiar? Outside of a school you see a group of kids with scrubby hair, and baggy clothes standing in a tight closed circle…”they must be selling drugs, or planning something, they‘ll never amount to anything”, sound familiar?
From a different point of view. You see a young man in a business suit walking with brief case in hand past a tall building…”oh he must be successful, see what hard work can get you”, sound familiar? The same school we were at earlier, with the kids in scrubby clothes, has also a group with fitting clothes, properly trimmed hair…”they’re the smart ones, they’ll go far in life”, sound familiar? A single woman, two kids in tow at the store…”that brave woman, raising those kids on her own, they are so lucky to have her”, sound familiar?
I suppose I could keep going, but I believe the point is made. What could we learn by acting without prejudice? That the driver of the car just got word his wife is in the hospital (been there), that the person at the head of the line in the restaurant just placed a large difficult order (been there), the guy outside of the office building will admit he’s made some bad choices, and he’s trying, but he still needs to eat (been there). The family down the street, perhaps both the mother and father work as hard as they can to make what little they do (been there). The kids with scrubby hair and baggy clothes, just might grow to become a minister (been there).
The flip side of prejudice: The young man with the brief case, on his way to court (been there), the clean cut kids at school eventually grow to become scientist, and develop weapons such as the atom bomb (seen that). The single woman? Abused her husband until he left, continues to abuse her children…they live in fear of her (my mother).
If we look to this in Biblical terms, I am pulled to the second chapter of James. The beginning of the chapter talks about favoring a rich man over a poor, and if you do (Jas 2:4) have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? The Bible is clear in it’s stance on favoritism, and this passage tells us that when we show favoritism, we have judged…we have in fact prejudged. If we show this favoritism, we are prejudging both the rich man and the poor. We prejudge the rich man by assuming he is worthy of a good seat in the church, we prejudge the poor by assuming he is not. Sounds far fetched from today’s day and age, doesn’t it? But is it really that far fetched?
Many times in today’s age we act just the opposite. We look to the poor man and feel pity, and give him the good seat because he deserves it…he’s been through so much. The rich man can sit where ever, he’s had it easy long enough. Do we honestly not take time to realize that the poor man, in the eyes of the Lord, is no different from the rich man? If both are truly faithful, they live the life that God has given them, they are equal in the eyes of the Lord, and thus should be in our eyes. So then we shall show preferential treatment to the one who comes to church with a cross pendant, and carrying their own Bible…for they must be true believers. No. Until we take time to know these people, if we judge them in anyway…positive or negative, we are prejudging…we are acting in prejudice. Each man will be judged by their actions (not sure the book chapter or verse), they will be judged by the way they live their life. When we start a new job, do we receive a performance appraisal on the first day? No, it is not until after we have been with the company a predetermined amount of time that we are judged on how we perform.
Think on this post, and re-read my previous post, and ask yourself…have we been prejudice? If any person can give an approval rating on, or disapprove of, anything they have not yet seen, they have been prejudice. If anyone casts a vote without sufficient reflection and investigation, they have been prejudice. I was in this last election…I voted for the conservative candidate, based primarily on the fact that he was the conservative candidate, I assumed his views would be closer to mine. It is not easy to admit to living a life of prejudice, but I feel it is vital that we all must. I continue to battle everyday with the urge to prejudge people I meet…I admit that fact, and therefore God continues to help me rise above it. Will you also admit it? And allow God to help you? I pray you will.
I want to take time today to revisit the topic of my last posting. The example I used for delivering the message of that post, I believe, led some to miss the underlying message, and I feel that message is important enough to reiterate. The message we are approaching is prejudice. The question: When is prejudice ok? The answer, as I’m sure all will agree, is never.
First, as I often like to do, let’s define the term prejudice. Dictionary.com gives the following definition: Any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable. ANY preconceived opinion or feeling. Prejudice is not merely defined by unfavorable views, but favorable as well. Looking to the root of the word prejudice, we see clearly the word prejudge, and the definition of that root: to pass judgment on prematurely, or without sufficient reflection or investigation. Many will say we are reaching a time when our civilization has denounced prejudice, I disagree.
I will actually say with great confidence that our society, and the way most react within it is rampant with prejudice, it has in fact become so common place, that we can not even notice it…or we have come to ignore or deny it all together. Let’s look at some situations in which we form opinions without sufficient reflection or investigation. I believe you will be able to associate with at least one of the following examples.
You are driving pleasantly down the highway on your way to where ever it is you are going, suddenly out of no where a car flies by you clearly breaking the posted speed limit…”that guy’s a jerk, he’s going to get someone killed”, sound familiar? You are waiting in line at a fast food joint, you’ve been waiting forever…”these guys are incompetent, this is supposed to be fast food”, sound familiar? On your way into your office building is a homeless man asking for change…”this guy needs to get a job, lazy bum, just waiting for a hand out”, sound familiar? You know the family down the street waits for food stamps, and a check from the government every month…”well maybe if they didn’t have so many kids, or if he would get a decent job”, sound familiar? Outside of a school you see a group of kids with scrubby hair, and baggy clothes standing in a tight closed circle…”they must be selling drugs, or planning something, they‘ll never amount to anything”, sound familiar?
From a different point of view. You see a young man in a business suit walking with brief case in hand past a tall building…”oh he must be successful, see what hard work can get you”, sound familiar? The same school we were at earlier, with the kids in scrubby clothes, has also a group with fitting clothes, properly trimmed hair…”they’re the smart ones, they’ll go far in life”, sound familiar? A single woman, two kids in tow at the store…”that brave woman, raising those kids on her own, they are so lucky to have her”, sound familiar?
I suppose I could keep going, but I believe the point is made. What could we learn by acting without prejudice? That the driver of the car just got word his wife is in the hospital (been there), that the person at the head of the line in the restaurant just placed a large difficult order (been there), the guy outside of the office building will admit he’s made some bad choices, and he’s trying, but he still needs to eat (been there). The family down the street, perhaps both the mother and father work as hard as they can to make what little they do (been there). The kids with scrubby hair and baggy clothes, just might grow to become a minister (been there).
The flip side of prejudice: The young man with the brief case, on his way to court (been there), the clean cut kids at school eventually grow to become scientist, and develop weapons such as the atom bomb (seen that). The single woman? Abused her husband until he left, continues to abuse her children…they live in fear of her (my mother).
If we look to this in Biblical terms, I am pulled to the second chapter of James. The beginning of the chapter talks about favoring a rich man over a poor, and if you do (Jas 2:4) have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? The Bible is clear in it’s stance on favoritism, and this passage tells us that when we show favoritism, we have judged…we have in fact prejudged. If we show this favoritism, we are prejudging both the rich man and the poor. We prejudge the rich man by assuming he is worthy of a good seat in the church, we prejudge the poor by assuming he is not. Sounds far fetched from today’s day and age, doesn’t it? But is it really that far fetched?
Many times in today’s age we act just the opposite. We look to the poor man and feel pity, and give him the good seat because he deserves it…he’s been through so much. The rich man can sit where ever, he’s had it easy long enough. Do we honestly not take time to realize that the poor man, in the eyes of the Lord, is no different from the rich man? If both are truly faithful, they live the life that God has given them, they are equal in the eyes of the Lord, and thus should be in our eyes. So then we shall show preferential treatment to the one who comes to church with a cross pendant, and carrying their own Bible…for they must be true believers. No. Until we take time to know these people, if we judge them in anyway…positive or negative, we are prejudging…we are acting in prejudice. Each man will be judged by their actions (not sure the book chapter or verse), they will be judged by the way they live their life. When we start a new job, do we receive a performance appraisal on the first day? No, it is not until after we have been with the company a predetermined amount of time that we are judged on how we perform.
Think on this post, and re-read my previous post, and ask yourself…have we been prejudice? If any person can give an approval rating on, or disapprove of, anything they have not yet seen, they have been prejudice. If anyone casts a vote without sufficient reflection and investigation, they have been prejudice. I was in this last election…I voted for the conservative candidate, based primarily on the fact that he was the conservative candidate, I assumed his views would be closer to mine. It is not easy to admit to living a life of prejudice, but I feel it is vital that we all must. I continue to battle everyday with the urge to prejudge people I meet…I admit that fact, and therefore God continues to help me rise above it. Will you also admit it? And allow God to help you? I pray you will.
Jesus was judging others when he called them hypocrites, brood of vipers, white-washed sepulchres full of dead men's bones, den of thieves, sons of perdition, proud and stiff-necked people(God), and on and on. While i never misconstrued the intent of your original post, we must alo realize there are times when we do, and must judge/pre-judge people, places, and situations. Especially when the actions of certain people are detrimental to the wlfare of the whole community. I will disagree with you on the man speeding through an intersection. He has broken the law, and put others at risk and danger based n his own decision that his interests are more important than the welfare of the rest of the driving community. Whether or not his wife is in the hospital, he does not have the right to endanger others. He should have called for a police officer to escort him with sirens and lights, thereby designating it as an emergency and making it safer for others.
In your original post, and in my response, I noted that I had met Obama personally and did my homework on him, and as well, I cited the unjust actions of the McCain/Palin camp regarding the inhumane treatment toward Native Americans. In this case, it is right to judge which of these is more adequately equipped to provide justice for the poor and oppressed. Based on their political histories and the attempts to create bills that would jeopardize the health and welfare of an entire nation of Alaskan Natives, I did indeed pass judgement and I make no apologies for doing so. It was a righteous judgement and a call to others to see and hear what their own records reflected, injustice to a minority population. In this respect I have judged others as Jesus of Nazareth would have judged those who were guilty of the same human rights violations in His times.
I also suggested that the spiritual corner was not the place to continue this debate and would be better placed in the General Discussion. This was also a judgement based on logic and rationale. Was I wrong? This whole discussion is a case of semantics and is subjective in its content. Every situation requires its own individual considerations and a judgement must be made on all of these things. Hopefully, they will be judgements that are based on righteous motives, a loving and unselfish heart, and one that will transcend us in the mind and spirit of Christ and will follow the creed of the ulc to aways do that which is right. Your message did not reach deaf ears, that is your own judgement. But the context of what you are saying was not lost dear brother. We do understand your message...God's Peace to you....To`na Wanagi
In your original post, and in my response, I noted that I had met Obama personally and did my homework on him, and as well, I cited the unjust actions of the McCain/Palin camp regarding the inhumane treatment toward Native Americans. In this case, it is right to judge which of these is more adequately equipped to provide justice for the poor and oppressed. Based on their political histories and the attempts to create bills that would jeopardize the health and welfare of an entire nation of Alaskan Natives, I did indeed pass judgement and I make no apologies for doing so. It was a righteous judgement and a call to others to see and hear what their own records reflected, injustice to a minority population. In this respect I have judged others as Jesus of Nazareth would have judged those who were guilty of the same human rights violations in His times.
I also suggested that the spiritual corner was not the place to continue this debate and would be better placed in the General Discussion. This was also a judgement based on logic and rationale. Was I wrong?
This whole discussion is a case of semantics and is subjective in its content. Every situation requires its own individual considerations and a judgement must be made on all of these things. Hopefully, they will be judgements that are based on righteous motives, a loving and unselfish heart, and one that will transcend us in the mind and spirit of Christ and will follow the creed of the ulc to aways do that which is right. Your message did not reach deaf ears, that is your own judgement. But the context of what you are saying was not lost dear brother. We do understand your message...God's Peace to you....To`na Wanagi
Hello William,
Your topic relating to politics, is as To’na stated more suited to be posted on the General discussion forum because it does not bring to this forum what the forum was designed for. However I do not rule or govern this board nor have any authority, Just a suggestion. You interests might be better served there.
In regards to prejudice, dictionaries define this word as follows;
prej•u•dice (pr j -d s)
n.
1.
a. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
b. A preconceived preference or idea.
2. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. See Synonyms at predilection.
3. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.
4. Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.
tr.v. prej•u•diced, prej•u•dic•ing, prej•u•dic•es
1. To cause (someone) to judge prematurely and irrationally. See Synonyms at bias.
2. To affect injuriously or detrimentally by a judgment or an act.
Sometimes prejudice is confused with preference even though preference is listed as a prejudice. It is my opinion Obama was elected because the people preferred him, not because of prejudice. He offered what Jesus of Nazareth offered; his word which is “spirit.”
I preferred Obama over the other candidates because of what he said and the principles he presented in his word. I believe what he proposed was more aligned with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the principles of God than the others. On this basis I preferred Obama. And I believe this is why the majority of people voted for him.
It doesn’t matter whether a person is of color or not. What matters is the spirit they manifest in their word. But political issues and arguments have a place. Here I prefer to honor God; praise God; and teach the truth concerning God.
Everyone has preferences on many different matters. And indeed some are prejudiced for one reason or another. You revealed your prejudice by being a “conservative.” This would be reason to be prejudiced toward Obama who is not a “conservative. But then, neither was Jesus of Nazareth. Understanding the words “conservative” and “liberal” mean different things to different people. Some are conservative in certain matters and liberal in others.
When electing a president, there is nothing a person has to judge other than the word of a person. No person first elected to the presidency can be proved beforehand whether he will be a good president or not. However I did look into the background of Obama and the fact he chose to help people instead of taking a plush job with an attorney firm has an impact on my judging.
So with this post, you are able to get thousands of opinions on preferences and reason for voting for or against Obama. It is a political matter. It has to do with politics of mankind which are not of God. And discussing the prejudices of mankind is also not a matter of God. Prejudices are of the mind of mankind, not of the mind and spirit of God.
In the love of God,
DW Suiter
Your topic relating to politics, is as To’na stated more suited to be posted on the General discussion forum because it does not bring to this forum what the forum was designed for. However I do not rule or govern this board nor have any authority, Just a suggestion. You interests might be better served there.
In regards to prejudice, dictionaries define this word as follows;
prej•u•dice (pr j -d s)
n.
1.
a. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
b. A preconceived preference or idea.
2. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. See Synonyms at predilection.
3. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.
4. Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.
tr.v. prej•u•diced, prej•u•dic•ing, prej•u•dic•es
1. To cause (someone) to judge prematurely and irrationally. See Synonyms at bias.
2. To affect injuriously or detrimentally by a judgment or an act.
Sometimes prejudice is confused with preference even though preference is listed as a prejudice. It is my opinion Obama was elected because the people preferred him, not because of prejudice. He offered what Jesus of Nazareth offered; his word which is “spirit.”
I preferred Obama over the other candidates because of what he said and the principles he presented in his word. I believe what he proposed was more aligned with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the principles of God than the others. On this basis I preferred Obama. And I believe this is why the majority of people voted for him.
It doesn’t matter whether a person is of color or not. What matters is the spirit they manifest in their word. But political issues and arguments have a place. Here I prefer to honor God; praise God; and teach the truth concerning God.
Everyone has preferences on many different matters. And indeed some are prejudiced for one reason or another. You revealed your prejudice by being a “conservative.” This would be reason to be prejudiced toward Obama who is not a “conservative. But then, neither was Jesus of Nazareth. Understanding the words “conservative” and “liberal” mean different things to different people. Some are conservative in certain matters and liberal in others.
When electing a president, there is nothing a person has to judge other than the word of a person. No person first elected to the presidency can be proved beforehand whether he will be a good president or not. However I did look into the background of Obama and the fact he chose to help people instead of taking a plush job with an attorney firm has an impact on my judging.
So with this post, you are able to get thousands of opinions on preferences and reason for voting for or against Obama. It is a political matter. It has to do with politics of mankind which are not of God. And discussing the prejudices of mankind is also not a matter of God. Prejudices are of the mind of mankind, not of the mind and spirit of God.
In the love of God,
DW Suiter
("To`na Wanagi":3s65l94a)
Jesus was judging others when he called them hypocrites, brood of vipers, white-washed sepulchres full of dead men's bones, den of thieves, sons of perdition, proud and stiff-necked people(God), and on and on. While i never misconstrued the intent of your original post, we must alo realize there are times when we do, and must judge/pre-judge people, places, and situations. Especially when the actions of certain people are detrimental to the wlfare of the whole community. I will disagree with you on the man speeding through an intersection. He has broken the law, and put others at risk and danger based n his own decision that his interests are more important than the welfare of the rest of the driving community. Whether or not his wife is in the hospital, he does not have the right to endanger others. He should have called for a police officer to escort him with sirens and lights, thereby designating it as an emergency and making it safer for others.
In your original post, and in my response, I noted that I had met Obama personally and did my homework on him, and as well, I cited the unjust actions of the McCain/Palin camp regarding the inhumane treatment toward Native Americans. In this case, it is right to judge which of these is more adequately equipped to provide justice for the poor and oppressed. Based on their political histories and the attempts to create bills that would jeopardize the health and welfare of an entire nation of Alaskan Natives, I did indeed pass judgement and I make no apologies for doing so. It was a righteous judgement and a call to others to see and hear what their own records reflected, injustice to a minority population. In this respect I have judged others as Jesus of Nazareth would have judged those who were guilty of the same human rights violations in His times.
I also suggested that the spiritual corner was not the place to continue this debate and would be better placed in the General Discussion. This was also a judgement based on logic and rationale. Was I wrong? This whole discussion is a case of semantics and is subjective in its content. Every situation requires its own individual considerations and a judgement must be made on all of these things. Hopefully, they will be judgements that are based on righteous motives, a loving and unselfish heart, and one that will transcend us in the mind and spirit of Christ and will follow the creed of the ulc to aways do that which is right. Your message did not reach deaf ears, that is your own judgement. But the context of what you are saying was not lost dear brother. We do understand your message...God's Peace to you....To`na Wanagi
In your original post, and in my response, I noted that I had met Obama personally and did my homework on him, and as well, I cited the unjust actions of the McCain/Palin camp regarding the inhumane treatment toward Native Americans. In this case, it is right to judge which of these is more adequately equipped to provide justice for the poor and oppressed. Based on their political histories and the attempts to create bills that would jeopardize the health and welfare of an entire nation of Alaskan Natives, I did indeed pass judgement and I make no apologies for doing so. It was a righteous judgement and a call to others to see and hear what their own records reflected, injustice to a minority population. In this respect I have judged others as Jesus of Nazareth would have judged those who were guilty of the same human rights violations in His times.
I also suggested that the spiritual corner was not the place to continue this debate and would be better placed in the General Discussion. This was also a judgement based on logic and rationale. Was I wrong?
This whole discussion is a case of semantics and is subjective in its content. Every situation requires its own individual considerations and a judgement must be made on all of these things. Hopefully, they will be judgements that are based on righteous motives, a loving and unselfish heart, and one that will transcend us in the mind and spirit of Christ and will follow the creed of the ulc to aways do that which is right. Your message did not reach deaf ears, that is your own judgement. But the context of what you are saying was not lost dear brother. We do understand your message...God's Peace to you....To`na WanagiTo`na,
You speak of righteous judgements...and you speak well. You also speak of the judgement you made after meeting the candidate, and comparing his ideals to thosse of his opnents...again you speak well. You speak of the judgments of Jesus against those who were the hypocrites etc...again you bring to light positive judgments. However all of these judgments are not preconcieved, they are not reached without sufficient reflection or investigation. This topic was not meant to denounce judgment entirely...the topic is prejudice...the act of judging without a history to judge...it is this that I discourage. I point again to the example of a new job...performance appraisal comes after there is perfomance to appraise. Your judgment that this topic did not belong in spiritual corner, was also made on fact...that the topic of politics does not...if I could in fact move this entire thread (the easy way out) to another forum I would...I am trying to compile my new messages in one place so that I can track the changes, if any, in my message (it is easier than having to look back at 40 different threads as I did after the No Middle Ground fiasco). As far as the driver of the speeding car...I agree there should be time for thought of others...however to assume just because he is speeding means that he did not consider others is again, prejudging, but that point is not important to the overall message that I'm glad was recieved. And finally your last thought...I too judged, based on the resposes to my post, that my message needed to be reposted...with different examples...my judgement may infact have been premature, but I will say that responses to this particular post have at least not revolved around politics...they are a discussion regarding the message of the both posts...discussions I truly enjoy
Peace to you as well, my sister. God's love and mine,
William
("DW Suiter":myojr8t4)
Hello William,
Your topic relating to politics, is as To’na stated more suited to be posted on the General discussion forum because it does not bring to this forum what the forum was designed for. However I do not rule or govern this board nor have any authority, Just a suggestion. You interests might be better served there.
In regards to prejudice, dictionaries define this word as follows;
prej•u•dice (pr j -d s)
n.
1.
a. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
b. A preconceived preference or idea.
2. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. See Synonyms at predilection.
3. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.
4. Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.
tr.v. prej•u•diced, prej•u•dic•ing, prej•u•dic•es
1. To cause (someone) to judge prematurely and irrationally. See Synonyms at bias.
2. To affect injuriously or detrimentally by a judgment or an act.
Sometimes prejudice is confused with preference even though preference is listed as a prejudice. It is my opinion Obama was elected because the people preferred him, not because of prejudice. He offered what Jesus of Nazareth offered; his word which is “spirit.”
I preferred Obama over the other candidates because of what he said and the principles he presented in his word. I believe what he proposed was more aligned with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the principles of God than the others. On this basis I preferred Obama. And I believe this is why the majority of people voted for him.
It doesn’t matter whether a person is of color or not. What matters is the spirit they manifest in their word. But political issues and arguments have a place. Here I prefer to honor God; praise God; and teach the truth concerning God.
Everyone has preferences on many different matters. And indeed some are prejudiced for one reason or another. You revealed your prejudice by being a “conservative.” This would be reason to be prejudiced toward Obama who is not a “conservative. But then, neither was Jesus of Nazareth. Understanding the words “conservative” and “liberal” mean different things to different people. Some are conservative in certain matters and liberal in others.
When electing a president, there is nothing a person has to judge other than the word of a person. No person first elected to the presidency can be proved beforehand whether he will be a good president or not. However I did look into the background of Obama and the fact he chose to help people instead of taking a plush job with an attorney firm has an impact on my judging.
So with this post, you are able to get thousands of opinions on preferences and reason for voting for or against Obama. It is a political matter. It has to do with politics of mankind which are not of God. And discussing the prejudices of mankind is also not a matter of God. Prejudices are of the mind of mankind, not of the mind and spirit of God.
In the love of God,
DW Suiter
Your topic relating to politics, is as To’na stated more suited to be posted on the General discussion forum because it does not bring to this forum what the forum was designed for. However I do not rule or govern this board nor have any authority, Just a suggestion. You interests might be better served there.
In regards to prejudice, dictionaries define this word as follows;
prej•u•dice (pr j -d s)
n.
1.
a. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
b. A preconceived preference or idea.
2. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. See Synonyms at predilection.
3. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.
4. Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.
tr.v. prej•u•diced, prej•u•dic•ing, prej•u•dic•es
1. To cause (someone) to judge prematurely and irrationally. See Synonyms at bias.
2. To affect injuriously or detrimentally by a judgment or an act.
Sometimes prejudice is confused with preference even though preference is listed as a prejudice. It is my opinion Obama was elected because the people preferred him, not because of prejudice. He offered what Jesus of Nazareth offered; his word which is “spirit.”
I preferred Obama over the other candidates because of what he said and the principles he presented in his word. I believe what he proposed was more aligned with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the principles of God than the others. On this basis I preferred Obama. And I believe this is why the majority of people voted for him.
It doesn’t matter whether a person is of color or not. What matters is the spirit they manifest in their word. But political issues and arguments have a place. Here I prefer to honor God; praise God; and teach the truth concerning God.
Everyone has preferences on many different matters. And indeed some are prejudiced for one reason or another. You revealed your prejudice by being a “conservative.” This would be reason to be prejudiced toward Obama who is not a “conservative. But then, neither was Jesus of Nazareth. Understanding the words “conservative” and “liberal” mean different things to different people. Some are conservative in certain matters and liberal in others.
When electing a president, there is nothing a person has to judge other than the word of a person. No person first elected to the presidency can be proved beforehand whether he will be a good president or not. However I did look into the background of Obama and the fact he chose to help people instead of taking a plush job with an attorney firm has an impact on my judging.
So with this post, you are able to get thousands of opinions on preferences and reason for voting for or against Obama. It is a political matter. It has to do with politics of mankind which are not of God. And discussing the prejudices of mankind is also not a matter of God. Prejudices are of the mind of mankind, not of the mind and spirit of God.
In the love of God,
DW Suiter
Again, for the benifit of all who have tuned into this topic...and followed this post in particular. Politics was not the intended discussion. I repeat that not assuming it is not known by most, just to try to set the record. Granted the inauguration, and commentary did motivate the topic, and the examples I originally used were political...but it was not the intended message, which is why I reposted using differnt examples. For the record, I do not believe Obama was elected by reasons of prejudice...I just meant to point out that those who either did or did not vote for him based on color were both in the wrong. I also mentioned that it is wrong to either approve or disapprove of the job he's done (as reflected by his approval rating), before he's done the job we are to judge him on.
Again, the intended message is that prejudice, wether positive or negative, is worng...this is my belief, this is the message I was aiming for. Once again, I do not reiterate that point for the benifit of those who understand...I reiterate it for the benifit of those who would continue a political debate. I personaly believe that politics has no place in a church at all...even a virtual church such as this. I should have better thought my original post on this subject...much could have been avoided, and much time saved...I will do so in the future. As I have previously stated all here, myself very much included, are human...and as such are subject to a certain degree of emotion and different motivations for the messages we bring.
Peace to all, and as always God's love and mine go with you,
William
Hello William,
I fully understand your intent and purpose in posting the post and also know you did so in good will. You were pointing out the errors of being prejudiced,
Prejudice may be described as “prejudging.” It may have adverse effects. The atrocities of the “lynch mobs” were because of prejudice. Even today, some who were incarcerated and killed were later found to be innocent of the crime they were accused of.
You gave the example of “stereotyping” or “profiling” which some do for different reasons. Good and bad.
Religionists are usually very prejudiced in regards to religion. It is the nature of mankind to judge by previous experiences or beliefs that have been passed down. Prejudice leads to “belief” which is quite different than knowing a matter to be true.
I am greatly prejudiced against injustice. Lack of justice in a social order. Justice calls for decisions to be “just.” In order to be “just” decisions must be based on “just law” which is the law and principles of God.
Sin, which is to have believed a lie, causes prejudice.
By speaking at length on the election of Obama, your intent was obscured by the political tone of your post. For in this matter, it is not possible to “know” a person before casting a vote. Perhaps what you thought to be prejudice by some was in fact a revival of a “dream” put forth long ago, and in this people found hope once again for “justice.”
And indeed, by prejudice the man who originally spoke of the dream was murdered. His word was aligned with the Word and will of God, but the prejudice was against the color of his skin. Could it be, because of the color of Obama’s skin, prejudice exists?
The hope of the young Afro-American boy interviewed on TV was that when seeing an Afro-American, people would not think of a thief or a sports figure, but of a president of the USA. Hoping the “stereotyping” would cease. Hoping the prejudice, bias, and bigotry toward people of color would cease.
I know for a fact, the government through the FBI who trained policemen in “riot control” disseminated defaming information on Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. saying be was associated with the “Black Panthers” and was affiliated with Berkley University and was a communist. This occurred during the 1960’s. The intent was to cause prejudice against this man. Propaganda is always used for this purpose; to manipulate the minds of people.
The liar uses the lie to cause people to be prejudiced. And those who are prejudiced teach their prejudices to their young along with other beliefs in matters taught that are not truth.
But some have preferences that are not prejudicial. Some people like sugar and cream in their coffee, others don’t. A matter of “taste” of what one “likes.” Some people like Rhubarb, others don’t. Some like a certain make of automobile, others like other models. But these preferences usually do not have an adverse effect such as most “prejudices” do.
For this reason I do not agree with listing “preference” as being prejudiced. Preference usually comes from experience; prejudice usually come from prejudging. By judging a matter before truth is known of the matter. In the election of the president of the USA, people had to “prejudge” for there was no history of this man acting as president to judge by. His “background” had to be used to judge with as well as the word from his mouth.
Indeed color of skin caused some to vote for or against him in prejudice. However, the vast majority of the people in the USA did not vote for him out of prejudice but because they believed he was better qualified to tackle the problems created and left from the previous administration.
Many people preferred a man with intelligence; a person who was “thoughtful” and did not “shoot from the hip.” And they preferred a man who knew and practiced “rule of law.” Even the law of God.
The wise man never judges by the outer man but by the inner man. Regretfully Jesus of Nazareth was judged by his outer man instead of his inner man. Religious teachings create prejudice because they are based on “law.” And usually this “law” is taught to be the law of God, which it is not. Jesus of Nazareth did not come to fulfill the law of religion but of the prophets; those who were taught by God. He often invoked the word of “David” who wrote of this law of God and the way of communicating with God. He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah who wrote of the Son of God. Explaining the type and kind of person this Son is.
The “principles” set forth in the word of the prophets were the principles they were taught by God. A Word given to them to deliver to fellow mankind. And by the prejudiced ones, they were murdered. Just as the prejudiced ones sought to murder the Son of God. And such is the danger of religion. Prejudice and bias. From this has come the many religious wars and atrocities.
By the Word from God I am prejudiced against a word given as this Word but is a lie. I am prejudiced against those who say they are ministers of God but are not, but are ministers of a religion and its beliefs and doctrines.
Truth causes a person to be prejudiced against non-truth. And non-truth causes a person to be prejudiced against truth.
In the love of God,
DW Suiter
I fully understand your intent and purpose in posting the post and also know you did so in good will. You were pointing out the errors of being prejudiced,
Prejudice may be described as “prejudging.” It may have adverse effects. The atrocities of the “lynch mobs” were because of prejudice. Even today, some who were incarcerated and killed were later found to be innocent of the crime they were accused of.
You gave the example of “stereotyping” or “profiling” which some do for different reasons. Good and bad.
Religionists are usually very prejudiced in regards to religion. It is the nature of mankind to judge by previous experiences or beliefs that have been passed down. Prejudice leads to “belief” which is quite different than knowing a matter to be true.
I am greatly prejudiced against injustice. Lack of justice in a social order. Justice calls for decisions to be “just.” In order to be “just” decisions must be based on “just law” which is the law and principles of God.
Sin, which is to have believed a lie, causes prejudice.
By speaking at length on the election of Obama, your intent was obscured by the political tone of your post. For in this matter, it is not possible to “know” a person before casting a vote. Perhaps what you thought to be prejudice by some was in fact a revival of a “dream” put forth long ago, and in this people found hope once again for “justice.”
And indeed, by prejudice the man who originally spoke of the dream was murdered. His word was aligned with the Word and will of God, but the prejudice was against the color of his skin. Could it be, because of the color of Obama’s skin, prejudice exists?
The hope of the young Afro-American boy interviewed on TV was that when seeing an Afro-American, people would not think of a thief or a sports figure, but of a president of the USA. Hoping the “stereotyping” would cease. Hoping the prejudice, bias, and bigotry toward people of color would cease.
I know for a fact, the government through the FBI who trained policemen in “riot control” disseminated defaming information on Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. saying be was associated with the “Black Panthers” and was affiliated with Berkley University and was a communist. This occurred during the 1960’s. The intent was to cause prejudice against this man. Propaganda is always used for this purpose; to manipulate the minds of people.
The liar uses the lie to cause people to be prejudiced. And those who are prejudiced teach their prejudices to their young along with other beliefs in matters taught that are not truth.
But some have preferences that are not prejudicial. Some people like sugar and cream in their coffee, others don’t. A matter of “taste” of what one “likes.” Some people like Rhubarb, others don’t. Some like a certain make of automobile, others like other models. But these preferences usually do not have an adverse effect such as most “prejudices” do.
For this reason I do not agree with listing “preference” as being prejudiced. Preference usually comes from experience; prejudice usually come from prejudging. By judging a matter before truth is known of the matter. In the election of the president of the USA, people had to “prejudge” for there was no history of this man acting as president to judge by. His “background” had to be used to judge with as well as the word from his mouth.
Indeed color of skin caused some to vote for or against him in prejudice. However, the vast majority of the people in the USA did not vote for him out of prejudice but because they believed he was better qualified to tackle the problems created and left from the previous administration.
Many people preferred a man with intelligence; a person who was “thoughtful” and did not “shoot from the hip.” And they preferred a man who knew and practiced “rule of law.” Even the law of God.
The wise man never judges by the outer man but by the inner man. Regretfully Jesus of Nazareth was judged by his outer man instead of his inner man. Religious teachings create prejudice because they are based on “law.” And usually this “law” is taught to be the law of God, which it is not. Jesus of Nazareth did not come to fulfill the law of religion but of the prophets; those who were taught by God. He often invoked the word of “David” who wrote of this law of God and the way of communicating with God. He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah who wrote of the Son of God. Explaining the type and kind of person this Son is.
The “principles” set forth in the word of the prophets were the principles they were taught by God. A Word given to them to deliver to fellow mankind. And by the prejudiced ones, they were murdered. Just as the prejudiced ones sought to murder the Son of God. And such is the danger of religion. Prejudice and bias. From this has come the many religious wars and atrocities.
By the Word from God I am prejudiced against a word given as this Word but is a lie. I am prejudiced against those who say they are ministers of God but are not, but are ministers of a religion and its beliefs and doctrines.
Truth causes a person to be prejudiced against non-truth. And non-truth causes a person to be prejudiced against truth.
In the love of God,
DW Suiter
Dear DW,
Very good summary on prejudice.
Might I interject the other motive for Williams post on this topic though; and William, please forgive if I have misinterpreted on your behalf.
As indicated on this thread, the main topic is “The Easy Way Out”. William, in delivering his most recent sermon on this topic had offered himself as an example of how we can keep silent to ourselves those things which others may find fault in for the purpose of avoiding persecution. We are capable of doing this even when the right thing was to speak up or act against popular opinion, hence, the easy way out.
Though his sermon wavered a little too much on the political, I thought his offering was very significant and should be commended. It would have been just as easy for him to deliver his sermon without speaking of his heart pre-Obama. As he mentioned, he was aware that it would not be popular.
Recently, this is one of two examples on this forum where our ministers have opted to take the hard road less traveled. William for one and Priestofthemoon for the other. As we all know, their efforts should not be taken for granted, as their actions were not the norms of the society we know. A society where the easy way is the best way, where aggression is met with more aggression and where self is more important than selflessness. It takes great strength and discipline to fight the weakness of being human, and whether they admit /recognize it or not, God was obviously blessing them with His guidance and presents to do so. Praise be to God. Way to go guys, I love stuff like this!!!
Very good summary on prejudice.
Might I interject the other motive for Williams post on this topic though; and William, please forgive if I have misinterpreted on your behalf.
As indicated on this thread, the main topic is “The Easy Way Out”. William, in delivering his most recent sermon on this topic had offered himself as an example of how we can keep silent to ourselves those things which others may find fault in for the purpose of avoiding persecution. We are capable of doing this even when the right thing was to speak up or act against popular opinion, hence, the easy way out.
Though his sermon wavered a little too much on the political, I thought his offering was very significant and should be commended. It would have been just as easy for him to deliver his sermon without speaking of his heart pre-Obama. As he mentioned, he was aware that it would not be popular.
Recently, this is one of two examples on this forum where our ministers have opted to take the hard road less traveled. William for one and Priestofthemoon for the other. As we all know, their efforts should not be taken for granted, as their actions were not the norms of the society we know. A society where the easy way is the best way, where aggression is met with more aggression and where self is more important than selflessness. It takes great strength and discipline to fight the weakness of being human, and whether they admit /recognize it or not, God was obviously blessing them with His guidance and presents to do so. Praise be to God. Way to go guys, I love stuff like this!!!
When the man on the road was beaten and robbed, left in the ditch to die, he was passed by his own kind. It was the despised and hated Samaritan who came to his aid, not giving thought to who, or what, affiliation he might belong, not caring what the repercussions may be.
As Jesus of Nazareth rested along the roadside he saw a woman at the well and asked her for a drink. She was a Samaritan woman who replied, "Who are you to speak to me, a Samaritan, and a woman?" Like the first story, Jesus was not concerned about the law of man that day because he had a job to do. In those days, it was unlawful for a woman or a man to speak together in an isolated area outside the presence of others, especially a Samaritan.
Anyone who experienced the racial strife of the 60's and has any sense of justice, will recall the insanity of "mob mentality" and the resulting violence that occurred. There were, nationwide, millions of people who had bought into the "lies" of both sides and responded with fear, malevolence, and hatred. Both sides proclaimed their righteousness and justified the violence that resulted. Both sides had pre-judged one another and only a few took the time to actually investigate the underpinnings of each movement. These were the peacemakers who were able to find balance through the wisdom God had given them, the Light that Jesus had provided them in their minds, and the true Love of the Spirit that was afforded them by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. Had it not been so, we would today live in a communist or fascist dictatorship in the aftermath of an incredible genocide of one side or the other. This was attained not through religion, but through a collaborative effort by people, who themselves, had been villified by both the factors who were in conflict with one another. It was through the grace of God that a few, like the good Samaritan, Jesus, MLK Jr., JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and numerous others who saw the darkness of injustice on both sides and who intervened, even giving their own lives selflessly, that it became possible for the U.S. to reach this place of modern day. Even more than a racial war, it was a Spiritual war, not a religious war. It was the war of evil and good, of darkness and light, of Truth and deception, of God and man.
The point is this, if one does not follow the Truth of God as given to every one of us in our hearts, the Wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth, and the Mind and Spirit of Christ, mankind will fail, and he will fall under his own power. Which is why we have been assigned to "rightly divide the Word of Truth", to use discernment in our comings and our goings, to recognize and speak out at injustice and the oppression of others, to call others to task for human rights violations, to intervene and assist those who have been beaten and robbed, cast aside to die, and to lay down our lives willingly, and without concern of death, in the interest of, and paths of, righteousness. To pre-judge anything or anyone is to follow the way of mankind and not of God. But must we judge those things that we see and hear for ourselves? Absolutely. And without equivocation. For we know these things are contrary to the Spirit of God. We are conscious of our consciences, and we are responsible, accountable not only for those things that we do, but also for those things we fail to do. Be not afraid, but stand and speak in the face of adversity and injustice. And let your yes be yes, and your no be no, based on what God has revealed and spoken directly to you. As I have said before, when we follow the doctrines and precepts of men, we are doomed to fail, for within these are all sorts of bigotries, biases, and prejudices which are meant to deceive and create a following of mobs. And when this occurs, the liberators will then become the oppressors. Know Peace. Seek Peace. Find Love. Then give Love......God's Peace....To`na Wanagi
As Jesus of Nazareth rested along the roadside he saw a woman at the well and asked her for a drink. She was a Samaritan woman who replied, "Who are you to speak to me, a Samaritan, and a woman?" Like the first story, Jesus was not concerned about the law of man that day because he had a job to do. In those days, it was unlawful for a woman or a man to speak together in an isolated area outside the presence of others, especially a Samaritan.
Anyone who experienced the racial strife of the 60's and has any sense of justice, will recall the insanity of "mob mentality" and the resulting violence that occurred. There were, nationwide, millions of people who had bought into the "lies" of both sides and responded with fear, malevolence, and hatred. Both sides proclaimed their righteousness and justified the violence that resulted. Both sides had pre-judged one another and only a few took the time to actually investigate the underpinnings of each movement. These were the peacemakers who were able to find balance through the wisdom God had given them, the Light that Jesus had provided them in their minds, and the true Love of the Spirit that was afforded them by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. Had it not been so, we would today live in a communist or fascist dictatorship in the aftermath of an incredible genocide of one side or the other. This was attained not through religion, but through a collaborative effort by people, who themselves, had been villified by both the factors who were in conflict with one another. It was through the grace of God that a few, like the good Samaritan, Jesus, MLK Jr., JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and numerous others who saw the darkness of injustice on both sides and who intervened, even giving their own lives selflessly, that it became possible for the U.S. to reach this place of modern day. Even more than a racial war, it was a Spiritual war, not a religious war. It was the war of evil and good, of darkness and light, of Truth and deception, of God and man.
The point is this, if one does not follow the Truth of God as given to every one of us in our hearts, the Wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth, and the Mind and Spirit of Christ, mankind will fail, and he will fall under his own power. Which is why we have been assigned to "rightly divide the Word of Truth", to use discernment in our comings and our goings, to recognize and speak out at injustice and the oppression of others, to call others to task for human rights violations, to intervene and assist those who have been beaten and robbed, cast aside to die, and to lay down our lives willingly, and without concern of death, in the interest of, and paths of, righteousness. To pre-judge anything or anyone is to follow the way of mankind and not of God. But must we judge those things that we see and hear for ourselves? Absolutely. And without equivocation. For we know these things are contrary to the Spirit of God. We are conscious of our consciences, and we are responsible, accountable not only for those things that we do, but also for those things we fail to do. Be not afraid, but stand and speak in the face of adversity and injustice. And let your yes be yes, and your no be no, based on what God has revealed and spoken directly to you. As I have said before, when we follow the doctrines and precepts of men, we are doomed to fail, for within these are all sorts of bigotries, biases, and prejudices which are meant to deceive and create a following of mobs. And when this occurs, the liberators will then become the oppressors. Know Peace. Seek Peace. Find Love. Then give Love......God's Peace....To`na Wanagi
Pathmender,
Thank you for your kind words and pointing out the bottom line on all my easy way out posts...that Jesus did not take the easy way out and neither should we. It wasnot, as you say, the main point of the original post...but it is an underlying common tie that binds all of my posts in this thread. Prior to my first post on this topic, I felt a strong desire to push the "easy way out" message, and like I said in one of the earlier posts, I will probably try to touch on every aspect of taking that way in today's society. Again I thiank you .
DW,
Thank you for joining the conversation on prejudice, I enjoyed your thoughts on the matter, as I do your posts in Meditation. You bring to light a good point in that often times we confuse preference with prejudice, however I believe one often leads to the other. It is easy to see how prejudice can lead to preference. I just want to quickly point out that often times the opposite is true as well (I'm quite sure you realize it, this would be for the benifit of those who might not...as all our posts here are). Out of preference we will often prejudge people or things. Your example of a certain make or model of car...we like Dodges (for example...let's not debate car companies) so we assume...we predetermine...we prejudge, that a dodge will better suit our needs than a ford.
Though I will say that prejudice in any respect is wrong, I will agree that in certain situations it is not used to make a desicion that will effect other people, such as the car, and therefore perhaps is not really that bad a thing...I suppose I mean that sometimes prejudice does no real harm. At times even, I suppose it could be said, prejudice is in fact justifiable. For example you are prejudice against injustice...when you see a lack of justice I'm sure you don't stop to look for the reason why, you just see it as wrong, who could blame you? I also hold prejudice against racism...I don't look for the reason why, I just hold it as wrong. There are no doubt certain things that just are wrong...like injustice, and racism, and these things I do not feel are in need of sufficien reflection or investigation.
You are correct also that many religions breed prejudice, on this fact we agree, but I suppose you also agree that if we are to say ALL religions breed prejudice, we would be in the wrong. Certainly at the root of all religions is the thought that thier beliefs are correct, which may lead many to feel that others are automatically wrong...it leads others to prejudge other religions, and the people that follow them. And it is this prejudice that, as you say, has led to much violence the world over...this prejudice is in fact the easy way out.
And finally, you are also correct (praying to not reignite this topic), that in a presidential election the bulk of what we have to make our desicion on, is prejudice...many hear one candidates points of view and assume...prejudge...that the other candidate must share a different view. Therefore, often times we hear what we like, and stop listening, we make up our mind rather hastily we take the easy way out. I do not mean to say that all do this, in fact I'm sure many (I pray most) don't. We certainly, in the days leading up to an election, do not have time for sufficient reflection and investigation...and in reality, for such a major desicion how much reflection or investigation would be sufficient. It is this example, again, that brings to light one of my other points...that prejudice is so rampant in today's society, that we either can not recognize it, or simply ignore it. It has become so common place, many people can, and do, justify thier acts of prejudice...in any form.
In conclusion...I suppose there is a time and place for prejudice, and there are also times when it is more or less unavoidable. But as we recognize these prejudices that may be justifiable (being prejudice against injustice, or acts of racism), and we acknowledge the prejudice that is unavoidable (like in an election), we can not ignore the prejudice that does not fit these two categories, the prejudices that lead to a hatefull view of other people, or the prejudices that are based on thing beyond control (using race for an example). It is the Lord's greatest commandment...Love thy neighbor as thyself...before we judge ourselves harshley (if we do, many will not, it's easier not to) do we not take time for sufficient reflection or investigation? If we are to judge others, we also must take time for the same....I believe Jesus did, when he judged the scribes and pharisees. He knew how they lived, He was at a distinct advantage over the rest of us in that he also knew what was in thier hearts.
Again thanks for the discussion, I enjoy it .
William
Thank you for your kind words and pointing out the bottom line on all my easy way out posts...that Jesus did not take the easy way out and neither should we. It wasnot, as you say, the main point of the original post...but it is an underlying common tie that binds all of my posts in this thread. Prior to my first post on this topic, I felt a strong desire to push the "easy way out" message, and like I said in one of the earlier posts, I will probably try to touch on every aspect of taking that way in today's society. Again I thiank you
.DW,
Thank you for joining the conversation on prejudice, I enjoyed your thoughts on the matter, as I do your posts in Meditation. You bring to light a good point in that often times we confuse preference with prejudice, however I believe one often leads to the other. It is easy to see how prejudice can lead to preference. I just want to quickly point out that often times the opposite is true as well (I'm quite sure you realize it, this would be for the benifit of those who might not...as all our posts here are). Out of preference we will often prejudge people or things. Your example of a certain make or model of car...we like Dodges (for example...let's not debate car companies) so we assume...we predetermine...we prejudge, that a dodge will better suit our needs than a ford.
Though I will say that prejudice in any respect is wrong, I will agree that in certain situations it is not used to make a desicion that will effect other people, such as the car, and therefore perhaps is not really that bad a thing...I suppose I mean that sometimes prejudice does no real harm. At times even, I suppose it could be said, prejudice is in fact justifiable. For example you are prejudice against injustice...when you see a lack of justice I'm sure you don't stop to look for the reason why, you just see it as wrong, who could blame you? I also hold prejudice against racism...I don't look for the reason why, I just hold it as wrong. There are no doubt certain things that just are wrong...like injustice, and racism, and these things I do not feel are in need of sufficien reflection or investigation.
You are correct also that many religions breed prejudice, on this fact we agree, but I suppose you also agree that if we are to say ALL religions breed prejudice, we would be in the wrong. Certainly at the root of all religions is the thought that thier beliefs are correct, which may lead many to feel that others are automatically wrong...it leads others to prejudge other religions, and the people that follow them. And it is this prejudice that, as you say, has led to much violence the world over...this prejudice is in fact the easy way out.
And finally, you are also correct (praying to not reignite this topic), that in a presidential election the bulk of what we have to make our desicion on, is prejudice...many hear one candidates points of view and assume...prejudge...that the other candidate must share a different view. Therefore, often times we hear what we like, and stop listening, we make up our mind rather hastily we take the easy way out. I do not mean to say that all do this, in fact I'm sure many (I pray most) don't. We certainly, in the days leading up to an election, do not have time for sufficient reflection and investigation...and in reality, for such a major desicion how much reflection or investigation would be sufficient. It is this example, again, that brings to light one of my other points...that prejudice is so rampant in today's society, that we either can not recognize it, or simply ignore it. It has become so common place, many people can, and do, justify thier acts of prejudice...in any form.
In conclusion...I suppose there is a time and place for prejudice, and there are also times when it is more or less unavoidable. But as we recognize these prejudices that may be justifiable (being prejudice against injustice, or acts of racism), and we acknowledge the prejudice that is unavoidable (like in an election), we can not ignore the prejudice that does not fit these two categories, the prejudices that lead to a hatefull view of other people, or the prejudices that are based on thing beyond control (using race for an example). It is the Lord's greatest commandment...Love thy neighbor as thyself...before we judge ourselves harshley (if we do, many will not, it's easier not to) do we not take time for sufficient reflection or investigation? If we are to judge others, we also must take time for the same....I believe Jesus did, when he judged the scribes and pharisees. He knew how they lived, He was at a distinct advantage over the rest of us in that he also knew what was in thier hearts.
Again thanks for the discussion, I enjoy it
.William
("To`na Wanagi":381k4xdx)
When the man on the road was beaten and robbed, left in the ditch to die, he was passed by his own kind. It was the despised and hated Samaritan who came to his aid, not giving thought to who, or what, affiliation he might belong, not caring what the repercussions may be.
As Jesus of Nazareth rested along the roadside he saw a woman at the well and asked her for a drink. She was a Samaritan woman who replied, "Who are you to speak to me, a Samaritan, and a woman?" Like the first story, Jesus was not concerned about the law of man that day because he had a job to do. In those days, it was unlawful for a woman or a man to speak together in an isolated area outside the presence of others, especially a Samaritan.
Anyone who experienced the racial strife of the 60's and has any sense of justice, will recall the insanity of "mob mentality" and the resulting violence that occurred. There were, nationwide, millions of people who had bought into the "lies" of both sides and responded with fear, malevolence, and hatred. Both sides proclaimed their righteousness and justified the violence that resulted. Both sides had pre-judged one another and only a few took the time to actually investigate the underpinnings of each movement. These were the peacemakers who were able to find balance through the wisdom God had given them, the Light that Jesus had provided them in their minds, and the true Love of the Spirit that was afforded them by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. Had it not been so, we would today live in a communist or fascist dictatorship in the aftermath of an incredible genocide of one side or the other. This was attained not through religion, but through a collaborative effort by people, who themselves, had been villified by both the factors who were in conflict with one another. It was through the grace of God that a few, like the good Samaritan, Jesus, MLK Jr., JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and numerous others who saw the darkness of injustice on both sides and who intervened, even giving their own lives selflessly, that it became possible for the U.S. to reach this place of modern day. Even more than a racial war, it was a Spiritual war, not a religious war. It was the war of evil and good, of darkness and light, of Truth and deception, of God and man.
The point is this, if one does not follow the Truth of God as given to every one of us in our hearts, the Wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth, and the Mind and Spirit of Christ, mankind will fail, and he will fall under his own power. Which is why we have been assigned to "rightly divide the Word of Truth", to use discernment in our comings and our goings, to recognize and speak out at injustice and the oppression of others, to call others to task for human rights violations, to intervene and assist those who have been beaten and robbed, cast aside to die, and to lay down our lives willingly, and without concern of death, in the interest of, and paths of, righteousness. To pre-judge anything or anyone is to follow the way of mankind and not of God. But must we judge those things that we see and hear for ourselves? Absolutely. And without equivocation. For we know these things are contrary to the Spirit of God. We are conscious of our consciences, and we are responsible, accountable not only for those things that we do, but also for those things we fail to do. Be not afraid, but stand and speak in the face of adversity and injustice. And let your yes be yes, and your no be no, based on what God has revealed and spoken directly to you. As I have said before, when we follow the doctrines and precepts of men, we are doomed to fail, for within these are all sorts of bigotries, biases, and prejudices which are meant to deceive and create a following of mobs. And when this occurs, the liberators will then become the oppressors. Know Peace. Seek Peace. Find Love. Then give Love......God's Peace....To`na Wanagi
As Jesus of Nazareth rested along the roadside he saw a woman at the well and asked her for a drink. She was a Samaritan woman who replied, "Who are you to speak to me, a Samaritan, and a woman?" Like the first story, Jesus was not concerned about the law of man that day because he had a job to do. In those days, it was unlawful for a woman or a man to speak together in an isolated area outside the presence of others, especially a Samaritan.
Anyone who experienced the racial strife of the 60's and has any sense of justice, will recall the insanity of "mob mentality" and the resulting violence that occurred. There were, nationwide, millions of people who had bought into the "lies" of both sides and responded with fear, malevolence, and hatred. Both sides proclaimed their righteousness and justified the violence that resulted. Both sides had pre-judged one another and only a few took the time to actually investigate the underpinnings of each movement. These were the peacemakers who were able to find balance through the wisdom God had given them, the Light that Jesus had provided them in their minds, and the true Love of the Spirit that was afforded them by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. Had it not been so, we would today live in a communist or fascist dictatorship in the aftermath of an incredible genocide of one side or the other. This was attained not through religion, but through a collaborative effort by people, who themselves, had been villified by both the factors who were in conflict with one another. It was through the grace of God that a few, like the good Samaritan, Jesus, MLK Jr., JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and numerous others who saw the darkness of injustice on both sides and who intervened, even giving their own lives selflessly, that it became possible for the U.S. to reach this place of modern day. Even more than a racial war, it was a Spiritual war, not a religious war. It was the war of evil and good, of darkness and light, of Truth and deception, of God and man.
The point is this, if one does not follow the Truth of God as given to every one of us in our hearts, the Wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth, and the Mind and Spirit of Christ, mankind will fail, and he will fall under his own power. Which is why we have been assigned to "rightly divide the Word of Truth", to use discernment in our comings and our goings, to recognize and speak out at injustice and the oppression of others, to call others to task for human rights violations, to intervene and assist those who have been beaten and robbed, cast aside to die, and to lay down our lives willingly, and without concern of death, in the interest of, and paths of, righteousness. To pre-judge anything or anyone is to follow the way of mankind and not of God. But must we judge those things that we see and hear for ourselves? Absolutely. And without equivocation. For we know these things are contrary to the Spirit of God. We are conscious of our consciences, and we are responsible, accountable not only for those things that we do, but also for those things we fail to do. Be not afraid, but stand and speak in the face of adversity and injustice. And let your yes be yes, and your no be no, based on what God has revealed and spoken directly to you. As I have said before, when we follow the doctrines and precepts of men, we are doomed to fail, for within these are all sorts of bigotries, biases, and prejudices which are meant to deceive and create a following of mobs. And when this occurs, the liberators will then become the oppressors. Know Peace. Seek Peace. Find Love. Then give Love......God's Peace....To`na Wanagi
Very nicely put, I love the brining to light the prejudice of Jesus' own day...that against the Samaritans. How ironic is it that the name of those who were once despised are now used as an example of goodness? Like when we hear someone say that someone else is a Good Samaritan, it is a common phrase in today's society, but few realize it's origin and importance. One could almost say that the last has become the first. You are correct, the way of God is not based on prejudice...His word was to be given to ALL the people of the world, not just a choosen few. It is a glorious thing that we see the fullfilment of our Lord's dream.
And yes...find love, then give love...for we can not give what we continue to seek...if it is not ours, if we have not yet found it, how can we give it to some one else?
Love be with you,
William
What will you do with your treasure?
I turn attention this week to the parables of Jesus as shared with us in the Gospels. I want to begin this series of studies with the two parables of the treasure. Many times our great teacher, and Lord, Jesus Christ refers to treasure, and it is probably common knowledge that Jesus does not use the term in the manner we may think of…in other words, He does not speak of gold and fine jewels. Though certainly these things, even in ancient Palestine, were in fact treasures, the treasure we speak of is spiritual, the treasure to be found in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Before we dive into the two parables I plan to approach for this posting, let’s look first at some other references to the term treasure. One of the definitions we find for treasure (as most know, I use dictionary.com for quick definitions) is wealth, rich materials, or valuable things. When Jesus teaches us not to lay up for ourselves treasure here on earth in Matthew 6:19, are we to assume that He does not want us to have money or fine things? Well that would be the easy way to interpret His words, but we don’t take the easy way out, do we? No, the treasure that we are taught to instead lay up for ourselves in Heaven, can certainly not mean money or other riches. It is the valuable things that the gospel gives to us…faith, hope, love, and knowledge. These things are the greatest gifts bestowed upon us by our heavenly Father. So with this in mind, what is the teaching?
Do not hold your faith, hope and love in mankind. Do not seek true knowledge from mankind…keep these treasures in Heaven. Our faith is in the one we do not see…the true God. Our hope lies in the coming of His kingdom, and our subsequent release from this world of sin in which we live. Our love is how we show His greatness here on earth. The knowledge that we seek is that which leads us closer to Him, and the life He intends for us, the knowledge of our need for salvation, and the knowledge that salvation comes with our belief in the son, Jesus Christ. Yes, I would say these are the treasures referred to by Jesus.
Another reference we may find revolving around riches is given to us more in the literal sense. When Jesus is approached by the rich young man on the road, He is asked what is needed to enter the kingdom. Jesus instructs the man, of course, to obey all of the Father’s commandments, which the young man has always done. He then instructs the man to sell off all he owns, and then come follow Him. At this the man is disheartened, and goes away knowing he can not enter the kingdom…do we really think Jesus was instructing the man to dispose of his worldly possessions? I don’t. What I believe the man was expected to give up was his knowledge of what would lead him to salvation. The man, no doubt being a devout Jew, would have felt that by strictly adhering to the laws of Moses, he would find favor in the eyes of the Lord. The young man’s faith laid in all he had been taught by the leaders of the temple of his day…Jesus was instructing him to let those things go, and follow Him, and His teachings of love for God, and his fellow man. Not out of obligation to the law, but out of a pure feeling found deep within.
So, now we turn to the two parables that motivated this post to begin with. They are the stories of the hidden treasure, and the great pearl. From the book of Matthew chapter 13 vv.44-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure in the field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all that he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Now, we can easily realize that the treasure and the pearl in these two parables refers to the kingdom of Heaven, and the faith, hope, love, and knowledge that comes with it. Let’s begin studying these two stories by looking at the man and the merchant.
The two main characters in these stories are very much descriptions of the two types of people we generally find in the faith of Christianity. The first is the man who stumbles upon the treasure, it seems, by accident…he is not looking for the treasure, he is not seeking the kingdom. Perhaps you can relate to this man…I know I can. We are going merrily through our lives of sin or self righteousness, when suddenly something happens, something we may call a miracle, shows us the realization of God, and His son Jesus Christ. Once we find the treasure, we “sell off all we own”, we leave behind the life we know, and do all it takes to get that treasure, to hold it as our own.
The other is the merchant. He has been searching for the pearl, he has spent his life seeking the kingdom, he knows it’s out there somewhere. Perhaps he even thinks he has found it at one point, but he is not sure, so he keeps seeking. Do you relate to this man? Have you spent your life trying to figure out what it is to have this kingdom? To really know God, and all He has in store for you? You have heard the word of the coming kingdom, and you crave to be part of it, you have spent your life seeking it…and finally there it is. So you leave all you have known, and all you have been to have it.
It should be apparent to all, but I’m sure some may misinterpret a point in these two parables, so I will clarify something for those in need of that clarification. These two stories do not tell us that the kingdom of Heaven can be purchased. They do make reference to the two main characters selling all they had and purchasing their treasure, but we know that is not the way of God. Some think it is…”I go to church, I put money in the plate, I donate to all sorts of good charities…certainly I will go to heaven”. But those of us that know, know that is not the case. Your charitable deeds are nothing without true belief. As many who have followed my postings know, I do not discount the works of faith, the way we live as Christians. However, I always try to point out that works alone will not lead us to our intended destination. I also have stated, and I believe, that faith alone will not do…it takes a combination of both.
So, we have now looked into the two men and there respective treasures. We have noticed the similarities in their responses to finding their treasures…they both sold off everything they owned to get what they had found. In looking at this the way it is meant to be interpreted…they left behind their lives of sin and self righteousness, and did all they could to obtain what they knew they needed, salvation. Now let’s look at the differences in how the two acted when they found this treasure.
The first hid it again, until he could secure it for himself. The second we can assume found the pearl in a marketplace of some sort, so I suppose there was not chance to hide it. It remained there, on display, for all the world to see. This too, is how some of us react when finding our treasure. Some hide it, it is something they do not want the world to see. It is perhaps unpopular to show this treasure in public…to bow our heads in prayer before a meal at a restaurant, or to give praise to God when we see or hear about His work among our fellow man. To the rest of the world, this man may seem a bit crazy to “sell off” his old way of life, people may wonder why he suddenly stopped hanging out with the boys. Why does this man no longer walk with pride and show the world what a great man he is? He now holds himself more humble, as if he has lost something valuable…the world will not know that these changes are because he has found something valuable. The world will not know that the man now realizes he is need of the kingdom, he has found his treasure, and part of that treasure is the knowledge is that he is need of salvation.
The second man, leaves his treasure (not necessarily by choice in this example) on display for the world to see. When he goes about “selling off” his previous life, it is obvious to those around him why, he has found the great prize that he has been seeking. There is no mystery to those around him why he is changing the way he lives, it is obvious to those around him why there is need for a change. Certainly if there remain people who don’t know the why, he would be glad to tell them, “I have found the great pearl that I have been seeking.” Perhaps others would be intrigued by his actions, and wish to follow suit. Again, if we interpret this in the way it is meant to be…we know there is more than one of these pearls of great value, we know in fact there is a pearl for all who are willing to pay the price…all that are willing to “sell off” their old way of life.
So what will you do when you find your treasure? Or what did you do when you found it? Did you hide it from the world? Or leave it for all to see? It is easier to hide it, to avoid the ridicule that may come from showing the world your faith. Do we, in a need for political correctness, simply wait until we are alone to enjoy our riches? Personally I feel that would be the easy way out, it is not the path I have chosen. My family and I bow our heads before every meal…if someone asks why I pray in the break room at work, I have an opportunity to share a little bit of my treasure. Again I ask, what will you do with yours?
I turn attention this week to the parables of Jesus as shared with us in the Gospels. I want to begin this series of studies with the two parables of the treasure. Many times our great teacher, and Lord, Jesus Christ refers to treasure, and it is probably common knowledge that Jesus does not use the term in the manner we may think of…in other words, He does not speak of gold and fine jewels. Though certainly these things, even in ancient Palestine, were in fact treasures, the treasure we speak of is spiritual, the treasure to be found in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Before we dive into the two parables I plan to approach for this posting, let’s look first at some other references to the term treasure. One of the definitions we find for treasure (as most know, I use dictionary.com for quick definitions) is wealth, rich materials, or valuable things. When Jesus teaches us not to lay up for ourselves treasure here on earth in Matthew 6:19, are we to assume that He does not want us to have money or fine things? Well that would be the easy way to interpret His words, but we don’t take the easy way out, do we? No, the treasure that we are taught to instead lay up for ourselves in Heaven, can certainly not mean money or other riches. It is the valuable things that the gospel gives to us…faith, hope, love, and knowledge. These things are the greatest gifts bestowed upon us by our heavenly Father. So with this in mind, what is the teaching?
Do not hold your faith, hope and love in mankind. Do not seek true knowledge from mankind…keep these treasures in Heaven. Our faith is in the one we do not see…the true God. Our hope lies in the coming of His kingdom, and our subsequent release from this world of sin in which we live. Our love is how we show His greatness here on earth. The knowledge that we seek is that which leads us closer to Him, and the life He intends for us, the knowledge of our need for salvation, and the knowledge that salvation comes with our belief in the son, Jesus Christ. Yes, I would say these are the treasures referred to by Jesus.
Another reference we may find revolving around riches is given to us more in the literal sense. When Jesus is approached by the rich young man on the road, He is asked what is needed to enter the kingdom. Jesus instructs the man, of course, to obey all of the Father’s commandments, which the young man has always done. He then instructs the man to sell off all he owns, and then come follow Him. At this the man is disheartened, and goes away knowing he can not enter the kingdom…do we really think Jesus was instructing the man to dispose of his worldly possessions? I don’t. What I believe the man was expected to give up was his knowledge of what would lead him to salvation. The man, no doubt being a devout Jew, would have felt that by strictly adhering to the laws of Moses, he would find favor in the eyes of the Lord. The young man’s faith laid in all he had been taught by the leaders of the temple of his day…Jesus was instructing him to let those things go, and follow Him, and His teachings of love for God, and his fellow man. Not out of obligation to the law, but out of a pure feeling found deep within.
So, now we turn to the two parables that motivated this post to begin with. They are the stories of the hidden treasure, and the great pearl. From the book of Matthew chapter 13 vv.44-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure in the field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all that he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Now, we can easily realize that the treasure and the pearl in these two parables refers to the kingdom of Heaven, and the faith, hope, love, and knowledge that comes with it. Let’s begin studying these two stories by looking at the man and the merchant.
The two main characters in these stories are very much descriptions of the two types of people we generally find in the faith of Christianity. The first is the man who stumbles upon the treasure, it seems, by accident…he is not looking for the treasure, he is not seeking the kingdom. Perhaps you can relate to this man…I know I can. We are going merrily through our lives of sin or self righteousness, when suddenly something happens, something we may call a miracle, shows us the realization of God, and His son Jesus Christ. Once we find the treasure, we “sell off all we own”, we leave behind the life we know, and do all it takes to get that treasure, to hold it as our own.
The other is the merchant. He has been searching for the pearl, he has spent his life seeking the kingdom, he knows it’s out there somewhere. Perhaps he even thinks he has found it at one point, but he is not sure, so he keeps seeking. Do you relate to this man? Have you spent your life trying to figure out what it is to have this kingdom? To really know God, and all He has in store for you? You have heard the word of the coming kingdom, and you crave to be part of it, you have spent your life seeking it…and finally there it is. So you leave all you have known, and all you have been to have it.
It should be apparent to all, but I’m sure some may misinterpret a point in these two parables, so I will clarify something for those in need of that clarification. These two stories do not tell us that the kingdom of Heaven can be purchased. They do make reference to the two main characters selling all they had and purchasing their treasure, but we know that is not the way of God. Some think it is…”I go to church, I put money in the plate, I donate to all sorts of good charities…certainly I will go to heaven”. But those of us that know, know that is not the case. Your charitable deeds are nothing without true belief. As many who have followed my postings know, I do not discount the works of faith, the way we live as Christians. However, I always try to point out that works alone will not lead us to our intended destination. I also have stated, and I believe, that faith alone will not do…it takes a combination of both.
So, we have now looked into the two men and there respective treasures. We have noticed the similarities in their responses to finding their treasures…they both sold off everything they owned to get what they had found. In looking at this the way it is meant to be interpreted…they left behind their lives of sin and self righteousness, and did all they could to obtain what they knew they needed, salvation. Now let’s look at the differences in how the two acted when they found this treasure.
The first hid it again, until he could secure it for himself. The second we can assume found the pearl in a marketplace of some sort, so I suppose there was not chance to hide it. It remained there, on display, for all the world to see. This too, is how some of us react when finding our treasure. Some hide it, it is something they do not want the world to see. It is perhaps unpopular to show this treasure in public…to bow our heads in prayer before a meal at a restaurant, or to give praise to God when we see or hear about His work among our fellow man. To the rest of the world, this man may seem a bit crazy to “sell off” his old way of life, people may wonder why he suddenly stopped hanging out with the boys. Why does this man no longer walk with pride and show the world what a great man he is? He now holds himself more humble, as if he has lost something valuable…the world will not know that these changes are because he has found something valuable. The world will not know that the man now realizes he is need of the kingdom, he has found his treasure, and part of that treasure is the knowledge is that he is need of salvation.
The second man, leaves his treasure (not necessarily by choice in this example) on display for the world to see. When he goes about “selling off” his previous life, it is obvious to those around him why, he has found the great prize that he has been seeking. There is no mystery to those around him why he is changing the way he lives, it is obvious to those around him why there is need for a change. Certainly if there remain people who don’t know the why, he would be glad to tell them, “I have found the great pearl that I have been seeking.” Perhaps others would be intrigued by his actions, and wish to follow suit. Again, if we interpret this in the way it is meant to be…we know there is more than one of these pearls of great value, we know in fact there is a pearl for all who are willing to pay the price…all that are willing to “sell off” their old way of life.
So what will you do when you find your treasure? Or what did you do when you found it? Did you hide it from the world? Or leave it for all to see? It is easier to hide it, to avoid the ridicule that may come from showing the world your faith. Do we, in a need for political correctness, simply wait until we are alone to enjoy our riches? Personally I feel that would be the easy way out, it is not the path I have chosen. My family and I bow our heads before every meal…if someone asks why I pray in the break room at work, I have an opportunity to share a little bit of my treasure. Again I ask, what will you do with yours?
Where will you seat yourself? or will you even come?
I turn today to the first two parables found in the fourteenth chapter of Luke, covering verses 1-23. The parables are quite long, and therefore I will not type them out word for word, as always, I encourage you to take out your Bible, blow the dust off the cover, and read the words for yourself before continuing reading this posting. I do this largely to encourage you to read the words, hearing them is nice, reading them is better.
These first two parables speak of a couple of great feasts. In the first, Jesus instructs us how to approach a banquet as a quest, and also how to host a banquet. Of course we do not believe that our Lord is giving a lesson in foodservice, or dinner manners, He is teaching about how we are to live our lives as Christians in a manner that will find glory in the eyes of our God.
First as a guest. In verses 7-11, Jesus has watched as people arrived at the house of a prominent Pharisee. As they took their seats at the table, Jesus watched as they first filled the seats of honor, the good seats. We have discussed the “good seats” previously with our study on favoritism in the book of James, but in that study we spoke of us offering the good seats to a person we were showing preferential treatment to, today we speak of choosing our own seat. Certainly many of us, as modern Christians, place ourselves in a seat of honor. We are good people, we obey the commandments, we feed the poor, we clothe the needy, we attend worship services once a week, we even take time to write sermons for the betterment of others. Certainly when the Lord calls us to His banquet we will be worthy of the good seats at the table. It is easy for many of us, myself very much included, to feel worthy of such a seat, but what will happen when we take that seat.
This parable tells us not necessarily that something will happen, it is entirely likely that we will have assumed correctly and chosen the seat that we would have been offered, but it also says that it is possible that we have assumed too much, that perhaps when our host arrives, we will be asked to take a lesser seat. Imagine that feeling, which is why I believe we are given this particular example. Let’s use a school classroom for a different example (largely because it’s easier for me to explain). You are the star student, you know all the answers to the questions, so on the first day of classes you take your seat at the front of the class, but then enters another student, perhaps a new kid to the school, one you don’t know. The teacher knows this new student’s record, he ranks genius on the IQ scale, she wants him at the front of the class. The new student being uncomfortable in the new class, took a seat towards the back of the room. When the teacher arrives, you are asked to move back one seat, let this new student have your prime seat at the front of the class, how embarrassing in front of the class to be removed from your seat of honor, and moved back.
Will this happen when we are called to our maker, most certainly I say to you, it will. The question that remains is will it happen to you? Do you make the assumption that because you are knowledgeable of more than just the Sunday School teachings of the Bible, that you are worthy of the good seat? Do you assume that because you have a way with words, and because you are able to connect with God on a level that many are not, that you will be worthy of a place of honor with the Lord? Do you feel you are worthy of sitting at the right hand of Jesus during His judgment? If when I say “you”, you take this as some sort of personal attack, perhaps you should look deep into yourself, and ask why you take it personal. I very easily could have replaced “you” with “I”, and asked these questions of myself, in fact that is what I have been doing since my last posting. It is not easy to judge ourselves in this manner, or to look on ourselves as less than what we perceive ourselves to be, but I don’t promote the easy way, so I? “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NIV.
I could stop my sermon here, and truly let the words resonate within you, but Jesus did not stop there, and neither will I. The words are worthy of rolling over in your mind a few times, and I recommend it, but I will go on.
Jesus then at this point addresses His host, the Pharisee that had invited Him to dinner. He instructs the host in verses 12-14 to not only invite his friends and neighbors and the rich people he knows, but invite the poor, the blind, and the crippled. Why is this? Is this just another teaching about taking care of those in need? We already know that we need to help those less fortunate, we have been told this from the beginning of the Old Testament, what is the need to bring it up again? Well that is not why He mentions this.
Jesus is not telling us to take care of the needy in this parable, He is telling us not to look for our reward here on earth. Do we only take care of those within our faith that are needy, no, for certainly they will repay our kind deeds. We will be rewarded with prayers, perhaps our name will be mentioned in a news letter from the church. When we help those from outside of our circle, we do so simply from the goodness of our hearts, our actions can be for no reason other than a simple, pure desire to help other people. Our reward then, is found in the resurrection. Our reward awaits us in Heaven.
My Bible at this point separates the next parable with a new subheading, but I find it important to remember that when these words were spoken, they were not separated by a new subheading, when the original text was written it was not written in that manner either. Therefore, I feel the second parable of this chapter is intended to reinforce the first. It is part of the same conversation, and so I make it a part of this same sermon.
The second parable is another of a great banquet, but this tells us more about how we act as Christians then it does how we should act. In this story the host has invited many well to do guests. It is safe to say that God is our host, and we are the well to do guests…as good Christians. We have all accepted God’s invitation to His banquet, to join the kingdom. We have said the prayer and asked Jesus to come into our life. We know we are in need of salvation, and have accepted that need. That was the easy part.
Now the banquet is prepared and we are called to join our host. I do not feel at this point Jesus is referring to the day of judgment, I feel He is referring to our way of living. We are now called to live as the Christians we claim to be. In the story those who were invited, when they were called to the meal, did what? They began to make excuses. One had a new field he had to tend to, another had just bought some new oxen he had to try, yet another had just been married. What is your excuse? Why is it when you are called to live the life of the Christian, when you have the opportunity to help your neighbor, to help the needy, to support a cause that is worthy, that you do not? Why is it that in a world where millions die of hunger, we who have been called to the banquet do not come? What is our excuse? I just started a new job. I’m far to busy with my new house. I just got married, I need to spend some time with my new wife. Our lives are so full of pursuing our desires that we can not find time for the work of God. We are so busy trying to make a life for ourselves that we fail to look for the life God has prepared for us.
So what happens when the invited guests do not arrive? In the story of the banquet the host sends his servants to call in the crippled, the blind and the lame that were living in the streets and in the alleys. When the seats are still not filled, the servant is sent to the country lanes and roads to bring in more guests. Simply put, when those who were invited did not come in…when those of us who replied to the invitation to be good Christians do not step up…the position is filled by another. God’s house will be full, but will it be full by those of us who quickly accepted the invitation? Or will it be filled by those that actually arrive? Will you be both? If you are reading this post, it is likely you have accepted the invitation, but when the banquet is prepared, when you are called to the work, will you step up? Or will you be too busy?
Our pastor told a story a couple weeks ago. About a certain favored player on a baseball team. This player was not the one who was always in the field, or always in the rotation for batting. The favored player spent most of his time on the bench. But when the chips were really down…a runner on second, one run needed to win the game, the coach knew this player could hit a double every time, more importantly…the player was always ready, always willing to step up to the plate when called. Are you this player? I pray, only, that I can be.
I turn today to the first two parables found in the fourteenth chapter of Luke, covering verses 1-23. The parables are quite long, and therefore I will not type them out word for word, as always, I encourage you to take out your Bible, blow the dust off the cover, and read the words for yourself before continuing reading this posting. I do this largely to encourage you to read the words, hearing them is nice, reading them is better.
These first two parables speak of a couple of great feasts. In the first, Jesus instructs us how to approach a banquet as a quest, and also how to host a banquet. Of course we do not believe that our Lord is giving a lesson in foodservice, or dinner manners, He is teaching about how we are to live our lives as Christians in a manner that will find glory in the eyes of our God.
First as a guest. In verses 7-11, Jesus has watched as people arrived at the house of a prominent Pharisee. As they took their seats at the table, Jesus watched as they first filled the seats of honor, the good seats. We have discussed the “good seats” previously with our study on favoritism in the book of James, but in that study we spoke of us offering the good seats to a person we were showing preferential treatment to, today we speak of choosing our own seat. Certainly many of us, as modern Christians, place ourselves in a seat of honor. We are good people, we obey the commandments, we feed the poor, we clothe the needy, we attend worship services once a week, we even take time to write sermons for the betterment of others. Certainly when the Lord calls us to His banquet we will be worthy of the good seats at the table. It is easy for many of us, myself very much included, to feel worthy of such a seat, but what will happen when we take that seat.
This parable tells us not necessarily that something will happen, it is entirely likely that we will have assumed correctly and chosen the seat that we would have been offered, but it also says that it is possible that we have assumed too much, that perhaps when our host arrives, we will be asked to take a lesser seat. Imagine that feeling, which is why I believe we are given this particular example. Let’s use a school classroom for a different example (largely because it’s easier for me to explain). You are the star student, you know all the answers to the questions, so on the first day of classes you take your seat at the front of the class, but then enters another student, perhaps a new kid to the school, one you don’t know. The teacher knows this new student’s record, he ranks genius on the IQ scale, she wants him at the front of the class. The new student being uncomfortable in the new class, took a seat towards the back of the room. When the teacher arrives, you are asked to move back one seat, let this new student have your prime seat at the front of the class, how embarrassing in front of the class to be removed from your seat of honor, and moved back.
Will this happen when we are called to our maker, most certainly I say to you, it will. The question that remains is will it happen to you? Do you make the assumption that because you are knowledgeable of more than just the Sunday School teachings of the Bible, that you are worthy of the good seat? Do you assume that because you have a way with words, and because you are able to connect with God on a level that many are not, that you will be worthy of a place of honor with the Lord? Do you feel you are worthy of sitting at the right hand of Jesus during His judgment? If when I say “you”, you take this as some sort of personal attack, perhaps you should look deep into yourself, and ask why you take it personal. I very easily could have replaced “you” with “I”, and asked these questions of myself, in fact that is what I have been doing since my last posting. It is not easy to judge ourselves in this manner, or to look on ourselves as less than what we perceive ourselves to be, but I don’t promote the easy way, so I? “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NIV.
I could stop my sermon here, and truly let the words resonate within you, but Jesus did not stop there, and neither will I. The words are worthy of rolling over in your mind a few times, and I recommend it, but I will go on.
Jesus then at this point addresses His host, the Pharisee that had invited Him to dinner. He instructs the host in verses 12-14 to not only invite his friends and neighbors and the rich people he knows, but invite the poor, the blind, and the crippled. Why is this? Is this just another teaching about taking care of those in need? We already know that we need to help those less fortunate, we have been told this from the beginning of the Old Testament, what is the need to bring it up again? Well that is not why He mentions this.
Jesus is not telling us to take care of the needy in this parable, He is telling us not to look for our reward here on earth. Do we only take care of those within our faith that are needy, no, for certainly they will repay our kind deeds. We will be rewarded with prayers, perhaps our name will be mentioned in a news letter from the church. When we help those from outside of our circle, we do so simply from the goodness of our hearts, our actions can be for no reason other than a simple, pure desire to help other people. Our reward then, is found in the resurrection. Our reward awaits us in Heaven.
My Bible at this point separates the next parable with a new subheading, but I find it important to remember that when these words were spoken, they were not separated by a new subheading, when the original text was written it was not written in that manner either. Therefore, I feel the second parable of this chapter is intended to reinforce the first. It is part of the same conversation, and so I make it a part of this same sermon.
The second parable is another of a great banquet, but this tells us more about how we act as Christians then it does how we should act. In this story the host has invited many well to do guests. It is safe to say that God is our host, and we are the well to do guests…as good Christians. We have all accepted God’s invitation to His banquet, to join the kingdom. We have said the prayer and asked Jesus to come into our life. We know we are in need of salvation, and have accepted that need. That was the easy part.
Now the banquet is prepared and we are called to join our host. I do not feel at this point Jesus is referring to the day of judgment, I feel He is referring to our way of living. We are now called to live as the Christians we claim to be. In the story those who were invited, when they were called to the meal, did what? They began to make excuses. One had a new field he had to tend to, another had just bought some new oxen he had to try, yet another had just been married. What is your excuse? Why is it when you are called to live the life of the Christian, when you have the opportunity to help your neighbor, to help the needy, to support a cause that is worthy, that you do not? Why is it that in a world where millions die of hunger, we who have been called to the banquet do not come? What is our excuse? I just started a new job. I’m far to busy with my new house. I just got married, I need to spend some time with my new wife. Our lives are so full of pursuing our desires that we can not find time for the work of God. We are so busy trying to make a life for ourselves that we fail to look for the life God has prepared for us.
So what happens when the invited guests do not arrive? In the story of the banquet the host sends his servants to call in the crippled, the blind and the lame that were living in the streets and in the alleys. When the seats are still not filled, the servant is sent to the country lanes and roads to bring in more guests. Simply put, when those who were invited did not come in…when those of us who replied to the invitation to be good Christians do not step up…the position is filled by another. God’s house will be full, but will it be full by those of us who quickly accepted the invitation? Or will it be filled by those that actually arrive? Will you be both? If you are reading this post, it is likely you have accepted the invitation, but when the banquet is prepared, when you are called to the work, will you step up? Or will you be too busy?
Our pastor told a story a couple weeks ago. About a certain favored player on a baseball team. This player was not the one who was always in the field, or always in the rotation for batting. The favored player spent most of his time on the bench. But when the chips were really down…a runner on second, one run needed to win the game, the coach knew this player could hit a double every time, more importantly…the player was always ready, always willing to step up to the plate when called. Are you this player? I pray, only, that I can be.
A thought on Bible study
I have been thinking a lot lately about the topic of Bible study. I find myself in a very unique situation at church, as I will be working with the pastor helping to lead a series of studies through Lent. So what makes this situation unique? I have never before led or even attended a Bible study, so I really have no preconceived thoughts on how the process will run. I have had a few conversations with our pastor to discuss what we will be studying, and we have one more meeting tonight to discuss particulars in the flow of study.
We have decided to revolve our studies around the scripture reading for the following week in church. The pastor is quite interested in hearing the congregations thoughts on the scriptures he chooses, to see how the words speak to different people, so our studies will include a definite period of open discussion. It is this that has weighed on my mind lately.
I have in the past been critical of those who pick and choose different parts of the Bible to follow, or those that interpret different parts of the Bible to say what they need it to to fit into their particular situation. For this criticism I apologize. I do still believe what I have stated in the past regarding the Bible, that it provides a blueprint for moral living in today’s society, but as I have grown spiritually recently, I can now understand how it is that the Bible does not speak to everyone the same. This realization, I feel, is crucial to what may be my future in the ministry.
As many do, I believe the words written in the pages of the Bible to be the inspired word of God. I believe the men who wrote the original texts did so under the influence of the holy spirit sent to earth upon the death of our savior the Lord, Jesus Christ. I also believe this spirit to be a living entity even in today’s world. Please do not misread my words, I am not separating the spirit from God, I feel the three (Father, Son, and Spirit) are one in the same.
I have come to think of the Bible as also a living being. I feel it lives only in the lives of those who walk closely with the spirit. I believe it provides knowledge for those that turn to it’s pages seeking it, it provides comfort for those turning to it for comfort. The words that come from our God, should be thought of as no less than what they are…an extension of God Himself, and as such…how could they not be everything to everyone all at the same time?
So I will be approaching these Bible studies in church, as well as those that I post here in these forums with a slightly different point of view. I no longer feel there must be one single interpretation of the words, I will be able to share only my interpretation of them. It would be easy to just come to these postings and tell you what the words should mean to you. It would be easy for a believer to take simply what they hear as matter of fact, and not take the time to dig deep into the words themselves to find how God is using the words to speak directly to them. Yeah, it would be easy…but I don’t recommend the easy way out…do I?
So, I encourage you, when you open your Bible for study, or just casual reading. Spend time to find what God is saying to you directly. His message is there, find it. You may be asking yourself how a book, an obviously inanimate object, can do this…well, dear Christian, the Bible is more than a book…isn’t it?
I know this posting is rather short, but it makes the point…so why drag it out? Until next time my friends. God’s love be with you.
I have been thinking a lot lately about the topic of Bible study. I find myself in a very unique situation at church, as I will be working with the pastor helping to lead a series of studies through Lent. So what makes this situation unique? I have never before led or even attended a Bible study, so I really have no preconceived thoughts on how the process will run. I have had a few conversations with our pastor to discuss what we will be studying, and we have one more meeting tonight to discuss particulars in the flow of study.
We have decided to revolve our studies around the scripture reading for the following week in church. The pastor is quite interested in hearing the congregations thoughts on the scriptures he chooses, to see how the words speak to different people, so our studies will include a definite period of open discussion. It is this that has weighed on my mind lately.
I have in the past been critical of those who pick and choose different parts of the Bible to follow, or those that interpret different parts of the Bible to say what they need it to to fit into their particular situation. For this criticism I apologize. I do still believe what I have stated in the past regarding the Bible, that it provides a blueprint for moral living in today’s society, but as I have grown spiritually recently, I can now understand how it is that the Bible does not speak to everyone the same. This realization, I feel, is crucial to what may be my future in the ministry.
As many do, I believe the words written in the pages of the Bible to be the inspired word of God. I believe the men who wrote the original texts did so under the influence of the holy spirit sent to earth upon the death of our savior the Lord, Jesus Christ. I also believe this spirit to be a living entity even in today’s world. Please do not misread my words, I am not separating the spirit from God, I feel the three (Father, Son, and Spirit) are one in the same.
I have come to think of the Bible as also a living being. I feel it lives only in the lives of those who walk closely with the spirit. I believe it provides knowledge for those that turn to it’s pages seeking it, it provides comfort for those turning to it for comfort. The words that come from our God, should be thought of as no less than what they are…an extension of God Himself, and as such…how could they not be everything to everyone all at the same time?
So I will be approaching these Bible studies in church, as well as those that I post here in these forums with a slightly different point of view. I no longer feel there must be one single interpretation of the words, I will be able to share only my interpretation of them. It would be easy to just come to these postings and tell you what the words should mean to you. It would be easy for a believer to take simply what they hear as matter of fact, and not take the time to dig deep into the words themselves to find how God is using the words to speak directly to them. Yeah, it would be easy…but I don’t recommend the easy way out…do I?
So, I encourage you, when you open your Bible for study, or just casual reading. Spend time to find what God is saying to you directly. His message is there, find it. You may be asking yourself how a book, an obviously inanimate object, can do this…well, dear Christian, the Bible is more than a book…isn’t it?
I know this posting is rather short, but it makes the point…so why drag it out? Until next time my friends. God’s love be with you.
As a seed is sown it may grow. If it is watered it may sprout. If the sprout is fed it may mature. If the plant is nurtured it may bear fruit. If the fruit is good and consumed by others they will benefit and be filled. If one is filled with good fruit they will be at peace.....God's Love....To`na Wanagi
Here's a wonderfull story about the one who did not take the easy way out...
God Bless all,
William
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-N ... render.app
God Bless all,
William
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-N ... render.app
Our Failures as a Society
How often in our lives do we look for someone to blame? I mean this question not so much on a personal basis, but a social basis. I think back several years ago to the tragedy of hurricane Katrina. As a whole people seemed more interested in who was to blame for the failing levies or the lack of government response, than they were in fixing the levies or responding to the needs of those left behind.
In reality almost every political or social injustice seems to come down more to the level of who is at fault than how do we move forward. The recent surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence, did we as a people look first for a way to put an end to the violence, or did we look first for someone to blame? The current state of the economy here in the U.S., even those who are working on fixing the problem seem faster to point a finger in blame, than to lift a finger to help.
So, who do we blame for this obvious fault in society? Just kidding there, thought it would be cute. Many times we as spiritual people will ask the question, “how could God allow this to happen?”. Many times atheists will use this same line in a different way, “if there is a God, how could this happen?”. My aim today is not to answer these questions, but to plant a seed of thought.
I have recently spent much time lost in a book by Richard Elliot Friedman titled The Disappearance of God. I have also spent a lot of time exploring my own calling to the ministry, and reading about the callings of others who have come before me to work for the house of God. This time of study and spiritual growth has been a wonderful experience. I will begin with the disappearance of God.
The book approaches the disappearance of God on a couple of levels. The first being in the text of the Bible itself. In the beginning God is very present in the lives of man, he walks and talks with Adam in the Garden of Eden. Not long after this joyous beginning, though, man turns away from God and breaks the one rule he has been given…he eats from the tree of knowledge. When this happens, man is put out of the garden, and it seems at that point, that God starts to separate Himself from man. However in these early chapters God does still talk with man on a personal basis. He speaks directly with Cain and Able. As we approach Genesis 6, God realizes that He will not be able to abide with men forever, because man was indeed flesh. It seems at this point that God withdraws even further, and man is allowed to make his own way in the world…what makes me think this? Because by the end of the chapter we are in, God is so fed up with man that He will bring the great flood. It seems obvious that if God were ever present, man would be better behaved.
I will not go through the text book by book, I will encourage you, if you are interested, to read the book by Friedman that I mentioned earlier, but allow me to summarize for you. Slowly but surely as we work our way from Genesis to Deuteronomy, God speaks to fewer and fewer men, for a while he does move among the Israelites on earth during the exodus, as a cloud by day and flume of fire by night, but he really only speaks to Moses. There is one instance in the wilderness in which His voice is heard by all the people, and it frightens them, so they ask Moses that they not have to hear the voice again. By the end of the time in the wilderness God has come to the conclusion that He will hide His face from them.
The next few books of the Bible continue to show God as less and less of a direct influence on the people. As time goes forward a people who once knew of the existence of God, now merely believe in the existence of God. Communication from God eventually comes as visions to prophets, gone are direct conversations….now the prophet prays, and awaits an answer in a dream or vision.
However, as Friedman points out, something else happens as God moves out of the lives of man, and I eluded to this earlier. Man takes control. Friedman does a wonderful job of putting things in chronological order for us, but even those of us who are not reading the Bible every day can recall the stories of men’s struggles with God. Starting with the eating of the fruit in the Garden. There is the story of Sodom, where a man, Abraham, is able to talk God into letting some righteous people live. I believe it’s Jacob that actually, physically, fights with God. Eventually these people of God even wish to have a king to rule them…not God, or priests of God, but a king.
It is the belief of many, that all this was in fact God’s plan from start. That man was created with the intention that eventually we would be independent of God. After all, why would an all knowing God have placed the tree of knowledge in the garden in the first place, certainly He knew that eventually man would eat from it. It is believed by many (myself included), that the gift of free will given us by our maker would be pointless if we were not left to use it. In other words, if we never had the knowledge of good and evil from eating of the tree, we would have nothing to choose freely between.
For those of us of the Christian faith, there is the belief that God walked among us again in the Flesh as Jesus Christ, and there is the belief that God continues to move among us in the form of His Holy Spirit. We are however at a point in our development as a society, where we choose to be guided by this Spirit, or we choose to go it alone. As we have now advanced another two thousand years, I believe it is fair to say that as a society, we are as far removed from the presence of God as we have ever been. I feel we need only look back to the past hundred years to see evidence of this. God’s blessings and miracles have become very personal intimate experiences for people, not public displays for the world to see. “This wicked generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it”, how true those words are still today.
So, I mentioned earlier that this post was motivated in part by my own study of my calling to the ministry, let me explain. The message that first brought me here was a passage from Jeremiah “it is not for man that walks to direct even his own step”…lately I have had doubts to my calling. These doubts have come because I have tried to take the matter into my own hands, or at least I have let myself believe that I had some control over the matter.
As a society, perhaps we can take a lesson from history, perhaps even a lesson from myself…if we would just get back to letting God guide our steps, we could not only stop looking for someone to blame, we would notice less things which require someone to blame.
I know my topic dwells on the Christian perspective, but I believe the concept can apply to other faiths as well. I speak of letting the God of the Bible guide your steps, but why not Allah, or Buda? (I apologize if I’ve misspelled). Even those with no faith at all…could find this accomplishment by following one simple rule in life: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. This doesn’t have to be a religious commandment, just a way of life.
So until we as a society can make this change, when you wonder who is to blame…the answer is you, and me, and him, and her. We have reached a point as a people where we believe one person by ourselves can not make a difference (sounds like the global warming excuse huh?), but if one of us can convince two others, and on and on, eventually….seems worth a shot, doesn’t it?
Much Love,
William
How often in our lives do we look for someone to blame? I mean this question not so much on a personal basis, but a social basis. I think back several years ago to the tragedy of hurricane Katrina. As a whole people seemed more interested in who was to blame for the failing levies or the lack of government response, than they were in fixing the levies or responding to the needs of those left behind.
In reality almost every political or social injustice seems to come down more to the level of who is at fault than how do we move forward. The recent surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence, did we as a people look first for a way to put an end to the violence, or did we look first for someone to blame? The current state of the economy here in the U.S., even those who are working on fixing the problem seem faster to point a finger in blame, than to lift a finger to help.
So, who do we blame for this obvious fault in society? Just kidding there, thought it would be cute. Many times we as spiritual people will ask the question, “how could God allow this to happen?”. Many times atheists will use this same line in a different way, “if there is a God, how could this happen?”. My aim today is not to answer these questions, but to plant a seed of thought.
I have recently spent much time lost in a book by Richard Elliot Friedman titled The Disappearance of God. I have also spent a lot of time exploring my own calling to the ministry, and reading about the callings of others who have come before me to work for the house of God. This time of study and spiritual growth has been a wonderful experience. I will begin with the disappearance of God.
The book approaches the disappearance of God on a couple of levels. The first being in the text of the Bible itself. In the beginning God is very present in the lives of man, he walks and talks with Adam in the Garden of Eden. Not long after this joyous beginning, though, man turns away from God and breaks the one rule he has been given…he eats from the tree of knowledge. When this happens, man is put out of the garden, and it seems at that point, that God starts to separate Himself from man. However in these early chapters God does still talk with man on a personal basis. He speaks directly with Cain and Able. As we approach Genesis 6, God realizes that He will not be able to abide with men forever, because man was indeed flesh. It seems at this point that God withdraws even further, and man is allowed to make his own way in the world…what makes me think this? Because by the end of the chapter we are in, God is so fed up with man that He will bring the great flood. It seems obvious that if God were ever present, man would be better behaved.
I will not go through the text book by book, I will encourage you, if you are interested, to read the book by Friedman that I mentioned earlier, but allow me to summarize for you. Slowly but surely as we work our way from Genesis to Deuteronomy, God speaks to fewer and fewer men, for a while he does move among the Israelites on earth during the exodus, as a cloud by day and flume of fire by night, but he really only speaks to Moses. There is one instance in the wilderness in which His voice is heard by all the people, and it frightens them, so they ask Moses that they not have to hear the voice again. By the end of the time in the wilderness God has come to the conclusion that He will hide His face from them.
The next few books of the Bible continue to show God as less and less of a direct influence on the people. As time goes forward a people who once knew of the existence of God, now merely believe in the existence of God. Communication from God eventually comes as visions to prophets, gone are direct conversations….now the prophet prays, and awaits an answer in a dream or vision.
However, as Friedman points out, something else happens as God moves out of the lives of man, and I eluded to this earlier. Man takes control. Friedman does a wonderful job of putting things in chronological order for us, but even those of us who are not reading the Bible every day can recall the stories of men’s struggles with God. Starting with the eating of the fruit in the Garden. There is the story of Sodom, where a man, Abraham, is able to talk God into letting some righteous people live. I believe it’s Jacob that actually, physically, fights with God. Eventually these people of God even wish to have a king to rule them…not God, or priests of God, but a king.
It is the belief of many, that all this was in fact God’s plan from start. That man was created with the intention that eventually we would be independent of God. After all, why would an all knowing God have placed the tree of knowledge in the garden in the first place, certainly He knew that eventually man would eat from it. It is believed by many (myself included), that the gift of free will given us by our maker would be pointless if we were not left to use it. In other words, if we never had the knowledge of good and evil from eating of the tree, we would have nothing to choose freely between.
For those of us of the Christian faith, there is the belief that God walked among us again in the Flesh as Jesus Christ, and there is the belief that God continues to move among us in the form of His Holy Spirit. We are however at a point in our development as a society, where we choose to be guided by this Spirit, or we choose to go it alone. As we have now advanced another two thousand years, I believe it is fair to say that as a society, we are as far removed from the presence of God as we have ever been. I feel we need only look back to the past hundred years to see evidence of this. God’s blessings and miracles have become very personal intimate experiences for people, not public displays for the world to see. “This wicked generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it”, how true those words are still today.
So, I mentioned earlier that this post was motivated in part by my own study of my calling to the ministry, let me explain. The message that first brought me here was a passage from Jeremiah “it is not for man that walks to direct even his own step”…lately I have had doubts to my calling. These doubts have come because I have tried to take the matter into my own hands, or at least I have let myself believe that I had some control over the matter.
As a society, perhaps we can take a lesson from history, perhaps even a lesson from myself…if we would just get back to letting God guide our steps, we could not only stop looking for someone to blame, we would notice less things which require someone to blame.
I know my topic dwells on the Christian perspective, but I believe the concept can apply to other faiths as well. I speak of letting the God of the Bible guide your steps, but why not Allah, or Buda? (I apologize if I’ve misspelled). Even those with no faith at all…could find this accomplishment by following one simple rule in life: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. This doesn’t have to be a religious commandment, just a way of life.
So until we as a society can make this change, when you wonder who is to blame…the answer is you, and me, and him, and her. We have reached a point as a people where we believe one person by ourselves can not make a difference (sounds like the global warming excuse huh?), but if one of us can convince two others, and on and on, eventually….seems worth a shot, doesn’t it?
Much Love,
William
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