Saturday, July 27, 2013

Onion and Opinion

The Onion

We often here about peeling the onion as a description of developing character. It is a process of taking each layer sometimes tearfully until we reach a place in our spiritual life that is peaceful. We sometimes forget that the goal is inner peace.
 After peeling the onion we need to find wisdom to replace all the harm that our desires or selfishness left behind. More times than ever we do not find a main course for supper. We go back to the onion and it just gives us bad breath.

The Opinion

 When we offer an opinion that is not spiritual it can be harmful to relationships. Sometimes even offering any opinion can be taken wrong by religious persons. We hear it is wise to keep our opinions to ourselves. Sometimes an opinion can separate us it very seldom welcome. An opinion should be tried by fire or thought about carefully. Especially when you have a higher place in society. Sometimes it is wiser and a better choice to just remain silent. Silence is golden if it keeps the peace , especially inner peace.
 Once I wanted to make a comment on a news network and thought why? Does it offer food is it wisdom or is it just a part of the onion. If we are just sharing the onion we peeled away it is not a very good opinion. If it is good food for thought then perhaps it is worthwhile sharing.
Another often used saying if you do not want my opinion do not ask for it. Because sometimes the truth is not accepted in the light it was given. Giving pearls to the swine is spoken about in the bible. It is talking about offer pearls of wisdom to someone who would not benefit. Not everyone is seeking wisdom and is appreciative of sharing it.

 Words of wisdom, never share your onions. If you have faults keep them to yourself someone may serve them back to you at a later  time. Let your opinions not be onions.

Peace.
Earl. 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Imagination

Imagination can sometimes inspire us as it can be a creative force. We are told about dreamers and visionaries and many we have seen in our time. These are the people that solve problems , the people that bring social issues to the forefront. We hear the I have got a dream, we hear the ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. Many inspiring words of Gandhi who led nations to freedom. Where did this imagination begin? It took something from their faith to inspire them. Martin Luther King was a baptist, John F Kennedy a catholic, and Gandhi a hindu. These men had the faith to bring about change. This started as a thought perhaps it was a divine thought.

Vain Imagination is something we are warned about as it becomes counter productive. Vanity is something we can easily fall into when we think we know it all. It is the force of ego that says there is no God. We start to go down this path when technology seems to become dominant. Look what we have built , it kind of reminds me of the tower of babel. We seem to feel at times that man is the highest intelligence in the universe , after all we did go to the moon. I will be honest my faith is not always perfect, at times weak and others strong. That is when we need to rely on our notes , just like any other student.

I encourage everyone to write down their thoughts , whether it be a song or poem. Whether it be an idea or just a good memory. Imagination is a valuable asset to mankind and can change a situation whether it be social or just a handy invention.

I encourage everyone to also go to the source of the imagination to find if it is something that may be divine thought. Perhaps the source was vanity, something that was created by our ego. There are many who will never admit there is a divine source, a higher intellect. It will always be the scientific solution or the philosophical but never a divine. We all are in fact students even if we have phd and have been teachers or professors.

Use the imagination but always remember we are students, a good student takes notes and gives credit to the source.

Praise God.
-Earl.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

The Fountain and the Well

In an earlier post we spoke about- How many times we need to go to the cross?

Answer: Just once.  Deciding to live for christ , to be a follower of Jesus is believing in the forgiveness. It is accepting that Jesus is the way , the truth and the life. Believing he alone is the way to salvation. This is the first step to salvation.

We also spoke about how many times do we need to go to the well?

Answer: Many - We are each unique and the well is a place of communion. It is also a place of refreshment and living water. We find it is also a place of cleansing. We find God sent the holy spirit to comfort us. Personally have found that Jesus often gives us drink at the well. The well was often a place people came not just to drink but socialize. Perhaps this can be a gathering place also with other christians. Prayer and meditation take place here.

What is the fountain?
The Fountain - It seems that living water is overflowing, we become like a fountain in our own lives. Wanting to share with others. Water in motion is faith. The mystery of any belief system is water in motion. We are filled with joy and love it needs to be shared - the fountain. The fountain can produce great change in our personal lives. It also seems to shower upon those around us.
 In spiritual teaching we find living water or water in motion is a passing of blessing to others. If a pool becomes stagnant we will find the presence of the spirit not as active. We are encouraged to share our blessings - as freely you received , freely give.

Peace.
Earl.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Providence

There are basically (2) types of providence one is a general typography and the other divine.

General providence is conferred to animals , pets and the like. It is also surprisingly thought to be conferred unto certain human populations. Tribal and slave nations were typically categorized in the general providence. Some larger scale religions teach that their members are in divine providence , exclude the rest of humanity, causing a great divide and often hatred. Who gave them the right to decide? Who decides whether the person or human being fits into the category of general providence? Of divine providence? Who judges?

Actually the biggest opponent of peace in the world today , Yes - it is judgement.
Judge not lest you be judged!

In reality we are all just humans that have a divine soul. In essence it is about the soul and becoming more aware of the presence of God. All are welcome to divine providence - there is not magical number or membership requirement. A divine image of God is represented in all, it is only becoming aware of our own potential that is important.

Divine providence - this is usually the us and them mentality. You are either for or against us, you either believe exactly as we do or the destroyer will deal with you. Probably the most deceitful practice in humanity is mans religion. If we knew the truth we would not be judgmental but understanding. The fate of many in the religious sense was often determined by the toss of a dice. Providence was often determined by royalty or priestly costume. Usually takes on some sort of ritualistic form. Peace is often spoken about but it is not what is actually being said. We hear of inheritance another word often used
by religion but misunderstood. We can recite the Lord's prayer (Our father) this is the best explanation of divine providence. We are all a part of God, the creator.

 Hatred has no place in religion, yet it is there. Religion can be two faced and that is why most of the population are taking up atheism. We are seeing a rise in atheism like never before. This is becoming the most popular view because of a bad experience with religion.

  We have to constantly purify our thoughts of religious prejudice and respect the beliefs of others. The spiritual path will overcome differences of culture and religion.

  We are all a part of each other yet unique. This is not strange but wonderful to have this uniqueness. Diversity is beautiful , color is beautiful , to me everything is beautiful it is just hard to explain.

 To me there is no black and white, it is just color. There is no us and them just humanity. There is no chatter just heartbeats.

 In taking care of my son with down syndrome , and the elderly it is sometimes exhausting. People tell me you will get your reward in heaven. Actually my walk is very spiritual not so much based on rewards. I do not usually share my supernatural experiences but once was kissed by an angel on my right cheek. Some churches encourage others to get deeper into the spiritual realm, to me this should be left to those who are called to be mystics. It takes many years to understand and live in this kind of awareness.

 Gandhi was one of the most outspoken opponent of the caste system in India but he also was considered a mahatma or hindu spiritual leader. Often spend time reading his letters to the United States and he is warning us of the various scenarios in which capitalism without regards to human interest was not healthy. We see how providence can be turned into a caste system if politics and religion are not separated. The purse of happiness and the pursuit of happiness are not the same. Often we respect those with the biggest purse in capitalism not those with the concern for the benefit of all.

 Capitalism is an ongoing experiment that has yet to be proved. We only put up with as much as we can stand, eventually we all need to eat , have shelter and clothing. In capitalist nations we see an influence on our churches to preach a sort of capitalist gospel , which is something new and apparent. This is not the gospel Jesus taught, the inheritance spoken about in the beatitudes.

  God makes stones not clones. God makes many gems , and love will find a way. There is hope for peace but we will need to hold onto the basic truths and keep the message simple like Jesus explained in the parables.

 I believe Jesus wanted us all to know we are loved, he spoke out against judgement. The purpose of teaching truth and grace was to free us from religious persecution and condemnation. His teaching sets us free - it is not meant to bring fear. Perfect love casts out fear.

What is the real divine truth. God is spirit, cannot stress this enough. The spirit of knowledge with understanding. Knowledge and understanding = WISDOM.

Peace.
Earl.

Independence Day

What does it mean to be independent? As a nation it meant to free from foreign rulers and royalty. In Canada independence day is the formation of the government , the joining of all the provinces to form Canada. Independence day is celebrated throughout the world , it is a day of national pride regardless if you are from the USA, Canada, Mexico or Russia.

Independence is also sometimes cultural identity and the freedom to express that identity. We go through life in search of identity it is not something we always benefit from or maybe are satisfied with. The color of our skin, the sexual orientation, our height or stature, the DNA of identity. There is also cultural and religious identity. Of all these it is important to note the freedom to belong and  of expression is important. We are all unique , all of different character. Yet we may all belong to the same country - so we not only celebrate the union but also the uniqueness. This is what make us independent.

Independence is freedom, a portion of civil liberties that we have accrued though the toils if not the blood of our founders. Whether we are Chinese or Greek , independence is celebrated across the globe.

Does independence always bring about a perfect union, No -  but it is a beginning.

Peace.
Earl.