Love

Love is the greatest power beyond faith, hope, and knowledge. With the power of love everything is made perfect. Love can remove envy, lust, sloth, vanity, anger, gluttony, greed, and criticism. When we appreciate, share, and help, there is no more wanting. When we put others first, there is no more anger or complaint. Hope allows for some prediction and worry. Faith needs trust and assurance. Love stands alone in its ability to conquer and succeed. Patience, kindness, and forgiveness are all products of love. What are the barriers to the love we seek? Our thirst to be God and all powerful and knowing causes us to believe we need and want more than we have. There lies the irony. If love is God, then we already have what we need. God is already within us when we care for all that is in our environment. If we feel we have all the answers to satisfy every ones needs and wants, then we want people to listen to us, act as we command, and even to be worshiped. Isn't it enough to be patient and kind without flaunting our knowledge? Some are meant to follow, and may our leaders be blessed by love.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

The novel, " The Lost Symbol" is a history of the Masons and their architecture that is set in Washington DC. The author ties Science and Religion together in a way that is logical and spiritual. Obviously, if great Scientists of the past, such as Isaac Newton, respected the ancient mysteries; then there should be no more either/or between concrete and abstract thinkers. Stories that seem far fetched and whimsical to us now may have factual evidence to convince the most skeptical. But, there is a beauty in faith; believing in that which one has not experienced. If something is factual or not, it can still be believable when the history is well documented. Yet, history is so often fabricated or embellished. So, belief has to have a purpose. Goal driven people rely on faith as a motivator for their outcome based actions. No one is without a sense of trust, or there would be few with the confidence to build or create. Engineers are artists after all. So, to use mythical based design as their inspiration is a natural combination. The masons have rituals and a respect for a higher power. Brown often quotes Biblical scripture to point to the power within the brain of man. We are gods created in the image of God. Many men have believed themselves to be a god. I thought this egotistical, but it may have some legitimacy. Some people, like Einstein, had incredible connection with cognition and creativity. The fact that he was Jewish may be significant in the evolution of religious thought and scientific discovery. Mason's have a reverence for the bible and its ancient wisdom. Half of the bible is Jewish law, history and prophesy. Christians and Jews will always be closely tied together since Jesus was a Jew and the star of the second half of the bible. The Jewish are a "chosen " race and have been successful in many endeavors even when greatly oppressed. All of this was thrown together to make an exciting story that used biblical allusions. such as, Abraham willing to sacrifice his son as proof of his love of God. Brain power and blessings equal a rich life.

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.