To begin with, the topic of the sermon for Sunday, July 19, 2009 was extremely thought provoking. One of my prayer partners had a wonderful conversation with me about the meaning of the word itself and how it is applicable to church. Well, hang on heathcliffe, what an awareness of not only our attitudes as Christians, but also our attitudes and perceptions of others that we feel are different from ourselves.
In doing research on the topic itself before church, I came across many cultural and societal differentiations as well as spiritual. The most comprehensive statement was found on the MOST website and is as follows: “An attitudinal orientation of hostility against non-natives in a given population.” After much thought, meditation and prayer, I have reached a conclusion in my life that perhaps I need to work on better understanding various cultures even within Houston itself.
The feelings that I am having are of a migrant worker status, very transitory here in Houston, and not to be taken seriously. In other words, I to shall pass on to the next job, the next adventure, the next whatever, and will no footprint here in Houston, because it is not the way things have been done. I hear the demeaning way people talk about each other, IE: Wetback, Spic, Kike, Tennessean, Californian, Northerner, among others, and here I have concluded that being an outsider with different ideals, norms, situations, that I am not allowed to express these ideas, because of some preconceived notion that I and people like me will take over and change things. A great fear here in Houston, perhaps founded or perhaps unfounded, this remains to be seen.
In my feelings, growth does not mean destruction, knowledge leads to wisdom, communication with understanding leads to a melding and appreciation of various cultures and societal norms. Perhaps we are all afraid of the realities that surround us, varying ideologies, varying ways of doing things, each one not superior, but just a way of doing things. In my way of thinking and feeling, there is not a right way or a wrong way, there are just many ways to do anything and everything.
Without creating alarm, perhaps the question could be “What Would Jesus Do?”. We tend to leave that question as a stand alone question, however, I do see things a bit differently, and follow up with the question, “How Would Jesus Do It?” Just another way of looking at a very popular question in our Christian way of life. Are we Acting as a Christian should Act (by perception), or are we putting our Christian way of live into Action itself? Acting a part is exhilarating, to say the least, but actually living the life is a whole different concept perhaps, that many are not familiar with. Acceptance and understanding are majors parts of feeling and sharing love. Going on the premise that we are all sinners and are save by grace, are we not all equal in the eyes and sight of God? The bible speaks in Romans as well as throughout the New Testament of the differences that already existed in the Christian Faith, and the acceptance/understanding issues of the day. Perhaps we have not learned yet that in our cultural diverseness, there is a great strength and power for learning other ways, and while we may not adhere to them personally, they are all valid ways of expressions of faith, hope and love.
I believe for now, these are enough questions to approach a situation in all our lives and carry forward from here…
A great website for me! In Touch Ministries..
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ulitimate Equipose
“If they say, Come Along with us, let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul; lets swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; throw in you lot with us, and we will share a common purse!”. (By the way, there is more to this statement than just this, but, taken out of context, perceptions can change and be manipulated for the ultimate control factor)
In the prophetic words of a man named Solomon, true values that hold through the ages, have been pushed aside throughout history. Why, you may ask, are things like this done? Perhaps it’s that special gift that God has given us, free will, the ability to make choices in our lives that lead us to life, or to destruction/death per say.
What are some of the realities of today, seemingly no respect for elders, the have and have not, the social strata that envelopes all of us, the mass consumerism that rules our lives all leading to various complexities of personality disorders. Some call these disorders Sin, others call them just a fad or phase and then again, who’s to say? Gossip and innuendo seem to be more powerful in our society and world than truth and integrity. Looking at the magazines, the news on tv and in the paper, there seems to be a proliferation not only of porn, but false statements and misconceptions pushed just to get ratings and sell advertisement. Humm very destructive things for all of us, and yet we bite into it on a daily basis.
Trust, wow, what a term! Trust implies honesty, integrity and other very wonderful heartfelt values to maintain between even two people (much less trusting yourself to make appropriate decisions). Trust in relationships is waylaid by undercurrents of accusatory statements, criticizing others without looking at your self first. In actuality, most of us, as human beings, are hypercritical of ourselves and take for granted that we have the right to judge others on our own metrics of life, instead of attempting to understand the other persons’ metrics.
Perhaps an exceptional evaluation of personal metrics and what criteria we base this on is in order. The metrics of my life are probably not the same as anyone else, but they may be close in a comparative sense. Definitions and values, even though they have the same wordings, still vary in perception of what is real and what is not, and can be twisted and used against people at will, or, the opposite of this coin could be the ability to accept and understand the other persons perception, and not take it as a criticism of your personal perceptions.
Perhaps it’s time for a personal introspection and going through that 4th step in the 12 step program, a fearless and personal moral inventory and see just what our individual metrics are, and whether they fit our perceptions of various values or not……
In the prophetic words of a man named Solomon, true values that hold through the ages, have been pushed aside throughout history. Why, you may ask, are things like this done? Perhaps it’s that special gift that God has given us, free will, the ability to make choices in our lives that lead us to life, or to destruction/death per say.
What are some of the realities of today, seemingly no respect for elders, the have and have not, the social strata that envelopes all of us, the mass consumerism that rules our lives all leading to various complexities of personality disorders. Some call these disorders Sin, others call them just a fad or phase and then again, who’s to say? Gossip and innuendo seem to be more powerful in our society and world than truth and integrity. Looking at the magazines, the news on tv and in the paper, there seems to be a proliferation not only of porn, but false statements and misconceptions pushed just to get ratings and sell advertisement. Humm very destructive things for all of us, and yet we bite into it on a daily basis.
Trust, wow, what a term! Trust implies honesty, integrity and other very wonderful heartfelt values to maintain between even two people (much less trusting yourself to make appropriate decisions). Trust in relationships is waylaid by undercurrents of accusatory statements, criticizing others without looking at your self first. In actuality, most of us, as human beings, are hypercritical of ourselves and take for granted that we have the right to judge others on our own metrics of life, instead of attempting to understand the other persons’ metrics.
Perhaps an exceptional evaluation of personal metrics and what criteria we base this on is in order. The metrics of my life are probably not the same as anyone else, but they may be close in a comparative sense. Definitions and values, even though they have the same wordings, still vary in perception of what is real and what is not, and can be twisted and used against people at will, or, the opposite of this coin could be the ability to accept and understand the other persons perception, and not take it as a criticism of your personal perceptions.
Perhaps it’s time for a personal introspection and going through that 4th step in the 12 step program, a fearless and personal moral inventory and see just what our individual metrics are, and whether they fit our perceptions of various values or not……
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tis the gift to be simple tis the gift to be free!
'Tis the gift to be simple,'tis the gift to be free,'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,And when we find ourselves in the place just right,It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.To turn, turn will be our delight,'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain:
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",And when we hear what others really think and really feel,Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
Labels: Copland, Hymnology, simplicity, spirit
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.To turn, turn will be our delight,'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain:
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",And when we hear what others really think and really feel,Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
Labels: Copland, Hymnology, simplicity, spirit
Saint Andrews Prayer, July 14, 2009
God our Father, we come to You as your own people - grateful because You have chosen us for adoption into Your family. You decided this before you every created any of us. You did no t leave this to chance. Your are not about chance, it is Your nature. You are a God who is intentional and it is your intention that we should belong to You as much as Your Son, Jesus Christ. You were the first one and we follow in the way You have made for us and it's eternal! A place for each of us, so that where You are, we may be also, when we choose You. God, You have chosen us, now we muct choose You. We must choose You with all our heart, soul, mind, energy.
Holy Spirit, where is it that I am not choosing You completely?.....Jesus, where I am affraid of being inadequate, or afraid that Your provision will not be adequate, please help my faith in You to grow....
Jesus, all things find their satisfaction in You....We are surrounded by situations and projects and commitments that are incomplete or broken down and we participate in relationships that are not satisfying. We bring these to You now...bring Your presence inoto these situations to heal them as we pray.
Jesus, Your Presence brings wholeness.
From Jane Whitney, given to Jere Douglas after the service.
Holy Spirit, where is it that I am not choosing You completely?.....Jesus, where I am affraid of being inadequate, or afraid that Your provision will not be adequate, please help my faith in You to grow....
Jesus, all things find their satisfaction in You....We are surrounded by situations and projects and commitments that are incomplete or broken down and we participate in relationships that are not satisfying. We bring these to You now...bring Your presence inoto these situations to heal them as we pray.
Jesus, Your Presence brings wholeness.
From Jane Whitney, given to Jere Douglas after the service.
Is Dead really Dead?
Most people dream of happiness, others stay awake and make it happen!
“Forgive and Forget?! This concept to me, doesn’t work on the front end, because I don’t know what I’m forgiving and the emotions get buried and I’m unable to move past the experience. The emotions you are tying to bring to the surface are the very ones you have long tried to bury and forget.
Dead is Dead!
Get over it, they’re Dead, they’re not here anymore…
My, what a statement to make to someone who has just lost a loved one. That’s probably the most offensive statement I’ve ever heard in my life, from a supposed well meaning “Christian”. A very destructive statement perhaps meant with the best of intentions, but against the very nature and beliefs of the Christian Faith. This reminds me of Madeline Murray O’Hare and her statements about God being dead.
On simplistic proven scientific principles, physical matter simply transfigures into other forms of matter, take for example, burning logs in the fireplace for warmth, the logs turn to ashes which are then disposed of a put back into the ground or recycled in another way. Spiritual Matter, on the other hand has no tangible or materialistic formation, per say, meaning it’s not something we can hold in our hands and actually use the sense of touch to feel. However, the feelings of love surrounding the person who is no longer physically standing beside us, continue forward, perhaps for the rest of our physical lives on this earth. Feelings and spirit are not a tangible, black and white thing and sometimes are hard to identify. Perhaps the hurt and pain of losing someone near to you takes over and there is a refusal to even acknowledge the pain of loss. The out of mind syndrome comes to mind here, if we just ignore the pain and them, then it’s as if they never existed.
Based on these premises alone, Dead is not Dead, it’s just a transference of physical presence into another form of matter.
“Forgive and Forget?! This concept to me, doesn’t work on the front end, because I don’t know what I’m forgiving and the emotions get buried and I’m unable to move past the experience. The emotions you are tying to bring to the surface are the very ones you have long tried to bury and forget.
Dead is Dead!
Get over it, they’re Dead, they’re not here anymore…
My, what a statement to make to someone who has just lost a loved one. That’s probably the most offensive statement I’ve ever heard in my life, from a supposed well meaning “Christian”. A very destructive statement perhaps meant with the best of intentions, but against the very nature and beliefs of the Christian Faith. This reminds me of Madeline Murray O’Hare and her statements about God being dead.
On simplistic proven scientific principles, physical matter simply transfigures into other forms of matter, take for example, burning logs in the fireplace for warmth, the logs turn to ashes which are then disposed of a put back into the ground or recycled in another way. Spiritual Matter, on the other hand has no tangible or materialistic formation, per say, meaning it’s not something we can hold in our hands and actually use the sense of touch to feel. However, the feelings of love surrounding the person who is no longer physically standing beside us, continue forward, perhaps for the rest of our physical lives on this earth. Feelings and spirit are not a tangible, black and white thing and sometimes are hard to identify. Perhaps the hurt and pain of losing someone near to you takes over and there is a refusal to even acknowledge the pain of loss. The out of mind syndrome comes to mind here, if we just ignore the pain and them, then it’s as if they never existed.
Based on these premises alone, Dead is not Dead, it’s just a transference of physical presence into another form of matter.
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