Devilish

We really want to blame someone for our temptations and wrong doing. We don't want to admit to weak will power and bad choices. We are such self-centered beings that we often do not think about how our actions affect others. And so, there is the devil and his evil incarnate. The Bible does not even mention the Beelzebub until the book of Ezekiel. Until then, people were probably blaming their mothers and difficult childhoods. If Lucifer rules the world and we are in a constant power struggle of love versus hate, then it is a wonder that man still exists. Love is the superior power and conquers all of course. Yet, why don't we all join forces to eliminate the devil. Is he more powerful than the sum total of manpower? If we could labor each day for our food, shelter, and entertainment; there would still be those who need help and those who need encouragement. But why do we become evil enablers? I am not suggesting punishment keeps people from wanting more than they need and sinning to secure it. I am proposing that some people are slackers and will let others do for them until an inequitable state occurs. That inequality breeds jealousy and discontent that leads to so many hurts and heinous crimes (taking an other's life or dignity). The devil indeed then is the one who fosters inequity in the minds of the masses. " If he can, then why can't I?" How our world filled up with so many baffling and contrived needs is ridiculous. Thank you to all the advertisers and marketers who make things look sexy and necessary. The best thing about "going green" is that it recognizes the ability to use less and need less. Perhaps our environmentally responsible children will be the ones to fight the red devil down with a powerful, loving, "Shrek" like attitude. Use less, share more, take care, and be free from the devil.

Sinful Nature

The first sin was wanting more. We continue to want more of everything even when we have all we need. We often want something when we see someone else has it. Jealousy. Why do we not want others to have what we have, and we don't want others to have what we do not have. Crazy. A loving act would be to say, " I have enough and want no more, please have some of mine". What is really ours? We come into the world with nothing and we apparently leave with nothing. We borrow from the earth and abuse it. It is not ours. We work for each other and exchange services. We surround ourselves with things that represent what we value. How does it become under our ownership? We all want to be fed, watered, clothed, sheltered, loved and gratified. Do we have to provide for others in return for these things? Those who work the hardest or smartest are rewarded more for their efforts. Not really. Those who are the luckiest and convince others by marketing cleverly that they need something more, will become the richest. The next sin: taking a life to obtain something more. Can punishment help us to recognize our sin so that we will sin less? Nope. Pain in child bearing is suffered by all female animals (and the male seahorse) but does not keep us from having sexual interaction, or conceiving children. Having to toil on the land has not kept us from more crops and food than we need. Being locked in a cage does not keep anyone from committing offenses on other innocent people. We will always want more food, and sexual contact, and land because it brings pleasure and security and nourishment. Who do you suppose sins less; the poor man or the rich? Jealousy visits all people in myriad insipid ways. Fight back with prayers of thanks giving for what you have, and supplication to do the Father's will.