INVESTIGATING

When I look at the sky I am reminded of how very small I am.  Yet, as a Christian believer I am also aware that smallness does not mean insignificance.

I am continuing to investigate "The Historical Jesus." with the help of a book called "The First Christian" by Paul M. Zahl

The age of reason has left out the miracles and glossed over the ressurrection, so that the picture of Jesus differs from what we have traditionallty thought of.  Later there would be attention turned to the eschatological theme in the ministery and teachings of Jesus.
Albert Schweitzer became a Christian egnostic deciding that Jesus was in fact unknowable.

Traditionallly there would be seen in the words of Jesus an emphasis in divine grace.  All where welcome in his presence.  There then came a movement in the 1990's was a movement of skepticism and critical reasoning.  This was heightened by the terrible experiences of the war, experiences of suffering and death,
Also there was the struggle between the law and grace, the powers of this world and the power of the kingdom.

There had been a switch at Universities from stories of Jesus to ban the bomb!

Then comes the group called the "Jesus Seminar";

TIME

I am finding it hard to find the time to do another blog.  I start with some thoughts but do not finesh what I have started.

The thought that faith and belief are two different words for the same thing is something worth examining.

We can believe something to be true without it making much difference to us, but we place our faith only in something that is vital for the way we live. 

DISCOVERY

We want to discover the truth that we once found hard to believe but gradually realize that what once was thought of as false not only is true but the truth enhances what we already believe!  We all have to look beyond what we have been taught to open our eyes to what others are learning.

Evolution is one of those truths that as I have listened to and trusted new swcources I have discovered what I at one time thought was antithetical to religious belief.  If there can be a sense of sharing what is sacred understanding of cosmic history there can be new doorways for all to enter into and find new light,  Fact has to make room for imagination and inspiration and transformation.  Science is excitred about it's revelatory experiences and revelations even as the great religions have had similar moments of awe.

INFORMATION

There is so much to learn about life; about nature, history, medicine, success and failure, and about religion.  Religion is not subject to the same scrutiny as the other subjects because it is meant to add beauty to our lives and help us to find peace within ourselves and create a better world starting where we live and helping when we can those whose lives are full of injustice, pain and suffering.  Only when we leave the security defined as reason can we then be open to a powerful transcendence.

Most of us will suffer during our lifetime at some time or another.  We may feel unjustly treated and that the burdens we bear are just too heavy.

Religious faith is being challenged by science but I believe it can never replace our need for inspiration,  hope and unconditional love.

THE CHURCH

What role should the church play in our lives?

The church was formed to connect people together with the common goal of creating sacred theology that wouldd shape their lives with new meaning and purpose; but most important we want to know spiritual truth. 

I  have myself been taken in with the  orthodoxy which places the highest priority upon what we believe.  Our belief will open the door to God.  This same belief creates divisions and mistrust.  As I understand scripture now I see more clearly an ancient document that was written by many different people with specific views of God. 

We now live in a world where there have been intellectual, scientific and theological discoveries.  We are not influenced by superstition nor do we need to regurgitate the past.  Oue schools, our medicine. our understanding of human nature have all changed and with change have grown and developed.

Growth that transforms is very powerful.  The fear of hell or the promise of heaven will not motivate unbelievers to become believers.  Making our goal one of justice and compassion will show that we do love our neighbor and that God's love is within us.

THE CHURCH

We know that the church is made up of a community of people who have come together because of similar beliefs.  Now those core beliefs are being changed  but I am hopeful that the core teachings of Jesus will be the values that give our lives meaning.

I am quoting now from "If The Church Were Christian."

"Jesus would be a model for living rather than an object of worship". 

I celebrate the presence of God in Jesus without having to worship him as divine.  All that Jesus knew and taught grew out of his Jewish tradition.

SPIRITUAL GUIDES

It seems a common practice now for minister to have spiritual guides and advisers.  ministers have been to University and have been taught the history behind the Bible and religious practices that grew out of tradition.  I would have thought with prayer and the Holy Spirit they would be able to feel God's guidance.

I know that I read many spiritual books to get new insight into what I believe.  I know that growth in this area of the spiritual takes courage if I am going to be released from rigid beliefs and work towards change.  Seeking divine wisdom, which is a higher source than reason and science can tune into, means taking time to quiet the mind and heart and wait and listen. 

Sometimes what I think God is saying will require me to do some actions or it can help me to accept something that is not within my power to change.  I firmly believe that I have a free choice about what I choose to believe and this is liberating to my spirit.  My goal is a more vibrant and alive and passionate sense of life!

I am trying to learn to live this everyday life to the fullest as a very human, human being.

There is a lot of wisdom in the words of Jesus that reveal intellectual brilliance and a deep understanding of human nature.  I would hope that he would be a joy to hang around with and make everyone feel welcome in his presence.  In stead of denying life, or pleasure, and being judgemental of others be open to embracing all that is uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

The world is changing and so is the church and what it means to be a Christian.  We are slowly becoming less sexist and open to those who are living a gay life style and the goal is to become mature in our moral values.  What is really important

ATTACHMENTS

It may be physical or spiritual but if something is too painful or embarrassing our minds may simply refuse to accept it.  Our chief goal in life is to find pleasure in what we are doing and who we are.  But becoming aware that underneath all there is still a deep longing that is not being filled.  We may be doing good works and we may think our heart is pure but are we deceiving ourselves.  We need to hold those we love lightly and if we truly love we will be happy when they are happy.  Things that once gave us satisfaction can no longer feel rewarding or pleasurable.  A painful loss can jolt us into a reality that there is a deep emptiness and meaninglessness to our lives, and we feel confused and shaken.  My soul will try to tell me things in my dreams especially when I feel lost and alone.

Even those things that have given me a sense of comfort and security can restrict and restrain me from the transformation-the freeing of love from attachment-is what the Bible calls salvation.  Even the name Jesus which means Jesus saves implies that in Jesus there is a freedom from bondage and sin.  Our desire to be loved and accepted is transformed into the grace of love that is healthy and pure.  Only then can we be free to really love unconditionally.

There can be a recognition of my own beauty but also a real compassion for others.  For most of us this takes time as the spirit like water purifies a little at a time.

PRAYER IS THE DOORWAY

For some of us the doorway into the spiritual reality within is through the power of prayer.  Although we were born with the breath of life breathed upon us with amazing love we can be drawn away by the lure of this world.  Yet, we are all longing for love to awaken us and remind us of our potential for goodness.

HIDDEN TRANSFORMATION

Early morning!  The day started out looking promising but soon clouded over and we had a light rain shower.

I only know what I am experiencing at a given moment of time and may be unaware of changes that I will be forced to face.  This transformative process may be complicated and painful but there are always new lessons to be learned.  It is very humbling to realize that you have been wrong but until I can do so there will be no transformation or to use a biblical word no salvation.

Many of the new bible critics are really challenging authority of scripture and of priests and of the church.  In actual fact all must be held accountable  by their actions;  and possess a firm grounding for
what they are declaring is spiritual wisdom.

THE BEGINNING

I always knew the first and second chapter of Genesis were a little different but just now realized that the first chapter says it was good and God was pleased.  We where created in the image of God, urged to procreate as well as care for creation and God's blessing was with us.  We were created with potential and our relationship with God was one of wonder, and trusting love.

But then the plot thickens and evil enters and brings sin and disobedience into the picture and shame comes through disobedience, lack of trust, failure and punishment.

We have put more emphasis on the second chapter and religion has been distorted ever since.  Instead of adding to our health and well-being we have become burdened with the sins of the past and forced to be aware of our brokenness.  Jesus was and is our salvation as a fully human and alive human being he lived his potential as given by God free from worldly authority and institutions.

We are beloved children and we can break the chains of cruelty and addiction that being unloved put on us.

COMMUNICATIONS

I admit the human mind cannot ever really grasp the real true of God;   that is beyond us.

I believe that I have experienced moments when the presence of God seemed very real and close.
This did not last although I would have liked to have felt held in this amazing love forever!

I live hopeful of becoming aware of this Love that is always there.
The grace of God is His desire for intimacy with me even though I feel unworthy especially on days when I am tired and grouchy; and I am not good company for anyone
There is a mutual attraction that pulls me even as the gravity keeps me grounded.

Why did God create human beings who have been disobedient from the beginning.

Acts 17:27 says it is so that we might seek and find God.  He is available for us all.  And like St. Augustine said: "Thou has made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee."
Love is at the heart and fuels the energy and desire for deeper intimacy and inner completeness.

RETHINKING

My desire is to start a more spiritual blog; one that is not meant to be controversial but to communicate the path I am taking spiritually.  This means that I am looking at the things that I have been taught from early in my childhood and also looking at new ideas that have been difficult at times for me to understand.