Today has been an experience in suffering. How anyone can be against doctor assisted suicide is beyond me. Sanctity of life? Experience what sufferers do and tell me all about the sanctity of life.
But that isn't what I want to talk about. It is the reaction to Monday and Tuesday's posts. You can delve deeper into the 'why' of my view of Jesus and who he was (and wasn't) reading a number of posts, but Was There A Resurrection--4-27-14 is a good place to start. Use the blog archive to navigate to the post quickly.
Last, I want to welcome the Bahamas to the site. Came aboard Monday and actually has been back a few times since. First new country since Portugal. Welcome Bahamas!
Sorry, that's all I got the strength for.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Jesus Was Wrong
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Mark 9:1
"Some of them that stand here..." Seems straight forward enough. No ambiguity. No pretense of waiting around a couple thousand years. "Some of them that stand HERE shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power."
Naturally, you should read the end of chapter 8 and what follows 9:1. It is important to strip away the "out of context" nonsense that Christians use to deflect anything that doesn't fit their narrative. And Jesus being wrong doesn't fit the narrative. How could he be wrong? He is the only begotten Son (capital S, not small s) of God. He is God actually, in a confusing, 3 in 1 trinity sort of way. And if God be wrong, I don't want to be right! Or so the attitude seems to be. The truth may set YOU free, but Christians don't seem to want to have much to do with it.
Listen, I knew yesterday's post would (metaphorically) strike at the heart of the Christian paradigm. I knew there would be a backlash. I knew I was "in for it." What I find fascinating is that its your text. It is what your God said. And you are upset with me for bringing it to your attention. Why?
You revel in the Gospel's description of Jesus denouncing the scribes and Pharisee's duplicity. When I show you yours, you vilify me. You want to present an attitude of taking the Bible literally, except of course, when you don't. And all of this would be fine, if only you would leave your God out of politics and quit trying to shove your morality down my throat.
So Jesus was wrong about the coming of the Kingdom. He was right about so many other things. He experienced the human condition and (somehow!) maintained his empathy and compassion. He saw that people are quick to point out problems in others, though slow to see those same problems (or worse) in themselves. He taught inclusion, both of women and social outcasts, something that was extremely controversial at the time. He spoke of forgiveness and he exemplified love. He said to love God with every fiber of your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) That everything else was secondary.
For me that's enough.
"Some of them that stand here..." Seems straight forward enough. No ambiguity. No pretense of waiting around a couple thousand years. "Some of them that stand HERE shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power."
Naturally, you should read the end of chapter 8 and what follows 9:1. It is important to strip away the "out of context" nonsense that Christians use to deflect anything that doesn't fit their narrative. And Jesus being wrong doesn't fit the narrative. How could he be wrong? He is the only begotten Son (capital S, not small s) of God. He is God actually, in a confusing, 3 in 1 trinity sort of way. And if God be wrong, I don't want to be right! Or so the attitude seems to be. The truth may set YOU free, but Christians don't seem to want to have much to do with it.
Listen, I knew yesterday's post would (metaphorically) strike at the heart of the Christian paradigm. I knew there would be a backlash. I knew I was "in for it." What I find fascinating is that its your text. It is what your God said. And you are upset with me for bringing it to your attention. Why?
You revel in the Gospel's description of Jesus denouncing the scribes and Pharisee's duplicity. When I show you yours, you vilify me. You want to present an attitude of taking the Bible literally, except of course, when you don't. And all of this would be fine, if only you would leave your God out of politics and quit trying to shove your morality down my throat.
So Jesus was wrong about the coming of the Kingdom. He was right about so many other things. He experienced the human condition and (somehow!) maintained his empathy and compassion. He saw that people are quick to point out problems in others, though slow to see those same problems (or worse) in themselves. He taught inclusion, both of women and social outcasts, something that was extremely controversial at the time. He spoke of forgiveness and he exemplified love. He said to love God with every fiber of your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) That everything else was secondary.
For me that's enough.
Monday, July 20, 2015
He Ain't Coming
I think it time we address this; Jesus ain't coming back. It isn't as though we haven't been patient. We have. Still, we are fast approaching TWO THOUSAND YEARS of waiting, and at some point, you know, you just have to face the cold, hard, truth.
He ain't coming.
If you're actually familiar with your Bible, Jesus' has a lot to say about the "end of times." Nation rising up against nation, famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes--that sort of thing. He even says, "And many will be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." (He sure got that one right!) The problem is, my dear Christian friends, later on, in the midst of the very same Mount of Olives discourse, he goes on to say this: "Verily I say unto you, THIS GENERATION shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:34)
He ain't coming.
Now, we can read the same in Mark and Luke, 13:30 and 21:32 respectively. [Luke is slightly different in that Jesus passes the Mount of Olives (19:37) but speaks to the crowd at the temple. 20:1] No matter, the point is all three of the Gospels relay pretty much the same words and event. Indeed, that is why they are called the synoptic Gospels. All three follow a recognizable and familiar story line.
He ain't coming.
So, here we have Jesus talking about the end of times, how to recognize that it IS the end of times, and that it is going to happen SOON! The people of THIS GENERATION will not pass (die) before the metaphorical shit hits the spiritual fan. Jesus has been extremely clear; It is going DOWN! Alas, it didn't. And hasn't. And we just have to come to grips with it.
He ain't coming.
Pat! Pat! You've taken it out of context. Pat! Pat! A day is like a thousand years in the eyes of the Lord! (see; 2nd Peter 3:8 and Psalm 90:4) Of course I have. How could it be otherwise? Because it HASN'T happened, I must be wrong, right? Well, go back to 2nd Peter, chapter 3 and see why a "day is like a thousand years in the eye's of the Lord." People have already started to complain: "And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." (3:4) So Peter does his best to spin what Jesus said. Misdirection at it's finest!
He ain't coming.
Because a day doesn't have a single thing to do with a generation. THIS GENERATION. Jesus was addressing people in front of him. And those peoples' day wasn't a thousand years long. It was 24 hours. And Jesus wasn't talking to the Father about the end of times--one gathers that God probably knows the agenda. In fact, is the only one who does. (see; Matthew 24:36) So who exactly is Jesus talking to? Us? The message was meant for us? Really? That is what you believe? That Jesus was cryptically sending a message to OUR GENERATION one thousand nine hundred and fifty years later--even though he said "this generation" with a life audience in front of him? Boy, that Jesus is sure tricksy!
He ain't coming.
Well, you say, that's depressing as all hell Pat, whats to be done? If our bacon isn't going to be pulled out of the fire by divine intervention, (which it most assuredly isn't) what the heck are we supposed to do? One thing we can do is read the brilliant insight of John Dewy: "Men have never fully used the powers they possess to advance the good in life because they have waited upon some power external to themselves, and to nature, to do the work they are responsible for doing."
Yep, we become accountable. We take responsibility for our own mess. We stand up and say its starts with me. We actually change our...hmmmmm...on second thought...
God help us.
He ain't coming.
If you're actually familiar with your Bible, Jesus' has a lot to say about the "end of times." Nation rising up against nation, famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes--that sort of thing. He even says, "And many will be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." (He sure got that one right!) The problem is, my dear Christian friends, later on, in the midst of the very same Mount of Olives discourse, he goes on to say this: "Verily I say unto you, THIS GENERATION shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:34)
He ain't coming.
Now, we can read the same in Mark and Luke, 13:30 and 21:32 respectively. [Luke is slightly different in that Jesus passes the Mount of Olives (19:37) but speaks to the crowd at the temple. 20:1] No matter, the point is all three of the Gospels relay pretty much the same words and event. Indeed, that is why they are called the synoptic Gospels. All three follow a recognizable and familiar story line.
He ain't coming.
So, here we have Jesus talking about the end of times, how to recognize that it IS the end of times, and that it is going to happen SOON! The people of THIS GENERATION will not pass (die) before the metaphorical shit hits the spiritual fan. Jesus has been extremely clear; It is going DOWN! Alas, it didn't. And hasn't. And we just have to come to grips with it.
He ain't coming.
Pat! Pat! You've taken it out of context. Pat! Pat! A day is like a thousand years in the eyes of the Lord! (see; 2nd Peter 3:8 and Psalm 90:4) Of course I have. How could it be otherwise? Because it HASN'T happened, I must be wrong, right? Well, go back to 2nd Peter, chapter 3 and see why a "day is like a thousand years in the eye's of the Lord." People have already started to complain: "And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." (3:4) So Peter does his best to spin what Jesus said. Misdirection at it's finest!
He ain't coming.
Because a day doesn't have a single thing to do with a generation. THIS GENERATION. Jesus was addressing people in front of him. And those peoples' day wasn't a thousand years long. It was 24 hours. And Jesus wasn't talking to the Father about the end of times--one gathers that God probably knows the agenda. In fact, is the only one who does. (see; Matthew 24:36) So who exactly is Jesus talking to? Us? The message was meant for us? Really? That is what you believe? That Jesus was cryptically sending a message to OUR GENERATION one thousand nine hundred and fifty years later--even though he said "this generation" with a life audience in front of him? Boy, that Jesus is sure tricksy!
He ain't coming.
Well, you say, that's depressing as all hell Pat, whats to be done? If our bacon isn't going to be pulled out of the fire by divine intervention, (which it most assuredly isn't) what the heck are we supposed to do? One thing we can do is read the brilliant insight of John Dewy: "Men have never fully used the powers they possess to advance the good in life because they have waited upon some power external to themselves, and to nature, to do the work they are responsible for doing."
Yep, we become accountable. We take responsibility for our own mess. We stand up and say its starts with me. We actually change our...hmmmmm...on second thought...
God help us.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Charmed, I'm Sure
News from Cern...
http://www.businessinsider.com/new-pentaquark-particle-discovered-by-lhc-team-2015-7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0kXkWXSXRA
(Days Later) The "double entry" (links) from Gwenn set off a tsunami on my computer. Created all sorts of problems with font and font size--Arggg. Didn't have the heart to ask her to come back again so soon and work on the computer. (see previous post) Oh well, fixed now and I can share the pentaquark with you! Whats it all mean? Not much in the long run. Just another aspect of God revealed on the sub-atomic scale. The discoveries will be never ending. Its just the nature of the beast. (if calling God a beast is an apt metaphor) On to dark matter!!!
http://www.businessinsider.com/new-pentaquark-particle-discovered-by-lhc-team-2015-7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0kXkWXSXRA
(Days Later) The "double entry" (links) from Gwenn set off a tsunami on my computer. Created all sorts of problems with font and font size--Arggg. Didn't have the heart to ask her to come back again so soon and work on the computer. (see previous post) Oh well, fixed now and I can share the pentaquark with you! Whats it all mean? Not much in the long run. Just another aspect of God revealed on the sub-atomic scale. The discoveries will be never ending. Its just the nature of the beast. (if calling God a beast is an apt metaphor) On to dark matter!!!
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Hat in Hand
"And there are those who have little and give it all."
This I have tried to do. Nearing the completion of the third year of this blog, though, I have asked Gwenn to do something I have had a great reluctance for; the installation of a "Donate" button. It is conspicuous over on the right hand side of the page. I find it more than embarrassing asking you for help. Truth is, I find it humiliating.
"And you receivers, and you are all receivers, assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings."
Still, this is my own particular peccadillo. And the ancient text are all consistent--'Ask and you shall receive.' So I am asking for your financial support, however little or much as you deem fitting. The humiliating aspects of asking for help are, apparently, something Life wishes me to grapple with.
"It is well to give when asked, but better to give when unasked, through understanding; and to the open-handed the search for one who will receive is joy greater than giving."
I would be that joy for you. And I would strive to rise with you on your gift, despite my inept and awkward nature toward receiving. Perhaps God has a grand lesson for me--transforming humiliation into humility.
"And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor do they give with mindfulness of virtue. Through the hands of these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth."
Thank you for smiling on me.
(all quotes from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.)
This I have tried to do. Nearing the completion of the third year of this blog, though, I have asked Gwenn to do something I have had a great reluctance for; the installation of a "Donate" button. It is conspicuous over on the right hand side of the page. I find it more than embarrassing asking you for help. Truth is, I find it humiliating.
"And you receivers, and you are all receivers, assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings."
Still, this is my own particular peccadillo. And the ancient text are all consistent--'Ask and you shall receive.' So I am asking for your financial support, however little or much as you deem fitting. The humiliating aspects of asking for help are, apparently, something Life wishes me to grapple with.
"It is well to give when asked, but better to give when unasked, through understanding; and to the open-handed the search for one who will receive is joy greater than giving."
I would be that joy for you. And I would strive to rise with you on your gift, despite my inept and awkward nature toward receiving. Perhaps God has a grand lesson for me--transforming humiliation into humility.
"And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor do they give with mindfulness of virtue. Through the hands of these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth."
Thank you for smiling on me.
(all quotes from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.)
Thursday, July 2, 2015
The 10 Suggestions
1) Thou shall relax! I've got things covered
2) Thou shall cease killing each other.
3) Thou shall refrain from fouling your own nest.
4) Thou shall value diversity.
5) Thou shall breathe deeply and dine slowly.
6) Thou shall grant the benefit of the doubt.
7) Thou shall learn to listen.
8) Thou shall speak often with your eyes and less with your lips.
9) Thou shall familiarize yourself with forgiveness.
10) Thou shall strive to be grateful.
Found in the appendix of the "Book of Padrac" at Skellig Michael, circa 600 AD.
2) Thou shall cease killing each other.
3) Thou shall refrain from fouling your own nest.
4) Thou shall value diversity.
5) Thou shall breathe deeply and dine slowly.
6) Thou shall grant the benefit of the doubt.
7) Thou shall learn to listen.
8) Thou shall speak often with your eyes and less with your lips.
9) Thou shall familiarize yourself with forgiveness.
10) Thou shall strive to be grateful.
Found in the appendix of the "Book of Padrac" at Skellig Michael, circa 600 AD.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Dance With The One That Brung Ya
Darrell Royal, head football coach at the University of Texas, was asked on the eve of a critical game with Texas' bitterest rival, if the coaching staff planned on doing anything different, had they planned any surprises. To which Royal replied with the title of this post. He meant that his Longhorns were going to do what they did best. I need desperately to heed that advice. With all that is going on in the world, and the killing of nine souls in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday the 17th, I have been overwhelmed with the negative aspects of life. So, I have to get back to the basics. I sought out an old friend for advice:
"And most of all I will love myself. For when I do I will zealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, my heart. Never will I overindulge the requests of my flesh, rather I will cherish my body with cleanliness and moderation. NEVER WILL I ALLOW MY MIND TO BE ATTRACTED TO EVIL AND DESPAIR, rather I will uplift it with knowledge and wisdom of the ages. Never will I allow my soul to become complacent and satisfied, rather I will feed it with meditation and prayer. Never will I allow my heart to become small or bitter, rather I will share it and it will grow and warm the earth. I will greet this day with love in my heart."
~Og Mandino The Greatest Salesman in the World (Scroll II)
To those victims of the shootings--what can I say? There is an insanity in our country that has nothing to do with mental instability. It is a way of life. It is a belief system. I realize that nothing significant is going to change. Not in our gun laws. Not in our cultural hatred. Not in the glorification of a short lived government (the Confederate States of America). I hope, despite my saying that, your deaths will not be in vain.
Depayne Doctor--Cynthia Hurd--Susie Jackson--Ethel Lance--Rev. Clementa Pinkney--Tywanza Sanders--Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr.--Sharonda Coleman-Singleton--Myra Thompson. Rest in Peace.
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