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.

Leadership: Figureheads, God, and Demigods

We need shepherds, mentors, protectors and teachers. Each of these are positions of leadership that bring people together in a community that helps each other and shares resources. No man is an island, even though some are very secluded by choice or circumstance. Leaders evolve naturally and elections give us opportunity to choose the best leaders for a situation. Appointed leaders can be effective if they are chosen by other reliable leaders. Self-appointed leaders and dictators are dangerous as they acquire power through force. The benevolent dictator is my favorite as they are represented by parents and rulers who have shown good judgement and are respected. God is a benevolent dictator. We are asked to follow his will without question. What is there to question about loving others and not expecting anything in return? Some fear God and therefore obey while others simply obey and believe that there is great reward for doing good deeds. God is an invisible leader and yet so very powerful. Tsars and kings and popes may have had this effect on multitudes when armies declared that their leader was now in charge of the land or territory. There must be a great trust factor to put faith in an unseen authority. How can someone or something rule a nation with so many people who really just want to live and let live; or be the boss of their own clan, flock, or family? It seems it is really about protection. One may live in peace if there is some one to protect us. Why anyone would want to take what we have seems unreasonable. Fighting against these marauders may really be just sport. Men have a natural aggression that requires them to tussle with others. We want our soldiers to be smart and strong. Leaders who teach and guide us to become skilled in our life endeavors must also be smart and respected. Many discover on their own how to get by at a very young age. How much better we can survive and thrive with the help of other sage people. The conflict becomes corruption of power. Those in a leadership position can easily abuse their charges. Democratic checks and balances are needed to prevent improper behavior. God bless loyal and loving leaders.

Advertising and Evangelism

Is advertising similar to evangelism- selling a product? Whenever we need financial support or we want to get our message out to multiple people; we need advertisements. Television commercials can be cute and convincing. Newspaper adds may dominate a page to draw our attention like a billboard while driving. But now, we have the Internet. Flashy promises pop up wherever we navigate. Do Christians need clever gimmicks to sell themselves or their religion? I believe a joyful life is the best add for a loving God. I did knock on doors to give away Bibles when I was a teen. And I have opened the door to Jehovah Witnesses. But evangelism today can now be electronically transmitted. There is a sense of safety and comfort sharing the Good News from an arm chair rather than a soap box on a city street. Allah, Yahweh, God must all be pleased with our connectivity. Profitable religion still remains an outrage. Yes, there will be poor always, but the story of anointing Jesus head and feet with expensive oil was not our cue to become lavish in our lifestyles or to exploit religion for monetary gain. Imagine Jesus wearing Nike shoes and wearing a Rolex. Imagine Mohammad as a car salesman , or Buddha hawking Ginsu knives, or having fundraisers in order to finance their seminars. What would be the spiritual message today? The message is still to live a joyous life.

Believe, my children...

There is nothing i would like more than to know that my children think as i do, and believe what i believe, and will do better than i have done. Perhaps, I wish really that all people would believe as I do and will do better than I have done. I want to thank those people who have helped someone today when i stayed home and rested. I praise the people who saved a life today when i stayed home and prayed. I cherish those who gave of themselves today when i was alone and quietly read. I marvel at those who solved a problem today when i may have fueled a fire when i talked on the phone. I wish i were a part of the organization that does the Father's will everyday by reaching out to millions on the television, but even more i wish i was a part of the group that gives loving care to hundreds everyday- and still has energy to take care of their own family at the end of the day. I admire all of you who have a plan and complete your plan. I love all of you who work as a trusted team. When I am done resting and have a new plan and a support system; I will join you strong people who work tirelessly for others.

Church

Where two are more are gathered. It is easy to talk about God and church. I can work it into any conversation just by saying, " In church yesterday I heard an interesting idea...". People often open up about their church experience after that or ask more about mine. I enjoy the smiles and hugs. I enjoy the discussions and messages. What I love most is the music and singing. Who can live with out song and dance? What I don't like is that after years of teaching, organizing, giving, and helping as much as possible; I am left with feeling that I still have not done enough. Even worse, I feel that I do not matter to anyone. Oddly, I believe I heard the minister say the same thing in his message today. He spoke about the humble donkey who carried the great Savior. And now the pastor does much the same in carrying the great message. But who can love a donkey? They work and then stand isolated in the field. Cute but not cuddly, powerful but apprehensive. Jesus warns us that we will feel alone, and sometimes rejected. He did not warn us that we will actually feel jealous of those who seem connected and loved and welcomed. Though we all know one must be a friend to make a friend, we still can't always pick our friends. We might feel called by God, but never called by those with whom we try to build relationships. What is the barrier? I must be sending the wrong signals. It is so depressing sometimes that the Jonah effect is all that is left- the feeling that running away to start new will solve everything. So, donkeys of the world unite. Eat your humble pie, continue to do the work of love, knowing with all assurance that you will be filled and fulfilled if your heart and mind is open.

Resurrection

This is the subject that is the whole basis for our faith and hope in Jesus' Way. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead after three days in a tomb proves that he is not an earthly human. Jesus said he would do this loving act to complete a promise to die for the sins of all people on earth. The celebration of the resurrection is a grand holiday with trumpets blaring and shouts of alleluia. This celebration has been paired with the rites of Spring. Many witnesses have given testimony to the risen Lord, the most compelling may have been from Thomas the doubter. He felt the holes in Jesus hands and bowed down and said, "My Lord and my God". We now are given the chance to be the ones who believe without seeing. It is a hard story to believe. Nothing has ever happened like this before or since. But, the joy of believing opens the doors to a new life that is free from fear and doubt. Those insidious tempters that still cause us to feel sad, lonely, hurt, left out, angry, jealous, lacking of confidence, greedy, hungry and insatiable; are constantly causing us to forget the resurrection joy. Jesus conquered death and wishes us to have eternal life for simply believing what is hard to believe, but oh so lovely. Intelligent people have converted to Christianity, people who seemingly have no need for God, believe. Religion is not just an elixir for the oppressed. It is not a collection of Fairy Tales. Christianity offers a code of moral behavior and an incredible opportunity to realize something beyond our simple understanding of the universe. If we become better people will we live longer and happier lives? Yes, but that is not the goal. The goal is the joyous pain free life to come.