I don't have a "right" to offend -- so I apologize first (smile).
As we approach the holiday season......
Well.... when your heart says you gotta do something you gotta do it.
Why do we let other people's "shoulds" control our lives? I took my nap
this evening and I am not tired now -- my heart was pounding that I had
something to write. Now, I could hold off and send it in the morning but
why do you care what time of day I write? Well we went over this before --
but some didn't get the message. Some think that if one writes, one must be
mentally ill -- not true. One writes to get stuff OFF their mind. Johannes
Richer wrote to get stuff OFF his mind so he could move on with his day to
day life. In Johannes Richer's writings, he worried about what had become
of Christianity (was he "chosen"? How do we know?). He wondered what went
wrong -- if there was some other way? He lived the way his Bible taught him
to live. His son Christian did the same -- my Grandfather and father did
too (Oh, they were not perfect -- not even grandfather -- who was a
preacher) so I am trying to do the same -- and my oh my haven't I made some
mistakes in my life too (I just try not to)
I have had a message to share with the world. One that I hear in churches
all the time. But many do not listen (well obviously some do listen). I
know from research, books and sermons that when someone says they are the
"messiah" -- that they are put away - they are institutionalized. So now
God knows to tell the new messiah to keep it secret ("Shhhh -- don't say a
word - Oooo don't ask - don't tell"-- So you will not hear it from their
lips. I heard this in many sermons while I was growing up -- and just heard
it again this past Sunday - "The new messiah walks among you"). Don't you
think God learned his lesson the first time? He isn't going to give up his
second sun -- or third -- or fourth or fifth -- he might just keep plopping
more down and try to get folks to follow "the way" -- his word didn't work
the first time! Even miracles didn't work. He got it perfect - and still
folks didn't follow. There may be no fan fair -- no red carpet -- no crown
or thrones. The new messiah may not be any more a royal king than the one
we are remembering this season. I felt so moved when I talked to Antonio --
could it be him? I don't know - no one will know (and he certainly will not
say -- so don't ask him -- You may choose to think that person a
messiah --- as you do have freedom of thought - God gave that to you). The
new messiah will walk among you.....will SHOW you the way -- not just tell
you -- and will INVOLVE you in the way. The new messiah with be red -
yellow - black - and white ( I got that from Antonio) - or the new messiah
will be Indian -- or Jewish -- or African. My challenge to you is to be
careful how you deal with people -- Strive to treat each person you come in
contact with as is he or she may be the messiah. What if God's plan will be
to have many -- he may change the plan as he goes along -- maybe he will
plop one in each classroom just to see if you are teaching "the way" (oh I
know this is going too far --- but I am having fun) Since I will be home
for a while -- I will be posting my thoughts from time to time. Please do
not take offense those who are not Christian - I know you respect my
beliefs and I will try to show what is beautiful in these beliefs. ...and
those of you are "spiritual" will see that you will already find yourself
in my words - spiritual people I know already have the way..
Since we are in the season to reflect on the meaning of Christmas - NO ONE
can find these words crazy --- and certainly not depression! Reflection is
a good thing. You may not believe what I wrote -- and that is OK-- it is
just my humble opinion -- and I can have them on this list -- in this
family. My hubby gets a little upset when I post religion nature stuff on
this list -- I tell him it doesn't hurt anyone.
A friend of mine sent this to me quite some time ago.... I thought it was
good -- even Jesus has some troubles (smile). Now I know it is OK to do
this kind of stuff -- there was a lot of humor in the Mennonite Church I
went to. Please no offense intended to those who do not believe.
<< Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathering them around,
He
> taught them saying:
> BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF
> HEAVEN.
> BLESSED ARE THE MEEK.
> BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN.
> BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL.
> BLESSED ARE THEY WHO THIRST FOR JUSTICE.
> BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN PERSECUTED.
> BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN YOU SUFFER.
> BE GLAD AND REJOICE, FOR YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN.
> Then John said, "Do we have to write this down?"
> And Andrew said, "Are we supposed to know this?"
> And James said, "Will we have a test on this?"
> And Phillip said, "I don't have any paper."
> And Bartholomew said, "Is this our homework for tomorrow?"
>And Matthew said, "Can I go to the boy's room?"
>And Peter said, "The other disciples didn't have to learn this."
>And Judas said, "What does this have to do with real life?"
> Then one of the Pharisees who was present asked to see Jesus' lesson
plans
>and inquired of Jesus, "What are the objectives in the cognitive domain
and
>your plans for remediation?"
> JESUS WEPT.
My challenge to you..... Those of different religions on this list --
please post what you find joyous in your religion. We --- I think you will
find some strong parallels with all. When I talked to my Muslim student --
I knew he had the same big idea as I do. Try to introduce the big ideas in
all religions you teach. A great way to do this is through cultural
studies.
