A Wider Window To Life

 We’re all born to this world with individual wonderment of the same universe. And, sharing gives life to that wonderment. Human nature is revealed on the face of an innocent child where love comes first, shown with a smile. Life is an individual journey.

“The Nature of Reality in the Conscious Mind is thru Stories.“ said Deepak Chopra.

What better excitement of your finding the beautiful flower, smelling it’s unique aroma, adding to the joy by telling a friend who delights in your story?

A fundamental question of Life’s adventure, when and where is the line drawn on the depth of Parenthood?  I find it difficult to share life with adult children who are distant. The sharing of life’s wonderment goes beyond a calendar.

As parents, we went through the stage in life and had the ‘Baby Thing’.  Our children grew up, but as adults they decided to be distant. That’s their choice.  We did the ‘Baby Thing’ by raising our children with love and a bundle of care.

The gateway to happiness is held in the hands of Humanity with the Key of Love. Let Love keep us at the top of this tapestry of humanity.

I find wonderment in life with the love of animals.  Watching the little creatures keeps life simple. Sniff, look, feel, hear, taste, all reminded about what’s important, and gives us a wider window to life.  

What motivates us? Remember, life is an individual adventure. Some grow up with a competitive effort to conquer the same universe that they were born to and cleave to greed, while others are grounded in sharing, love.  

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” - Tagore

 A reflection from a spoken Native American, which harmonizes with this theme of wonderment, saying their religion is not Faith Based but real. You can feel it, taste it, breathing the air, drinking clean water, seeing the sun, feeling and smelling  the earth, living plants and animals in harmony - living, loving, sharing.

“One is responsible for life: It is the small beacon in that terrifying darkness from which we come and to which we shall return.” - James Baldwin 

“We are all tourists, God is our travel agent who already made our itineraries, bookings and destinations...Trust him and enjoy LIFE.  Life is just a journey! Live today!”- Charles Chaplin

We sit in awe of the wonderment of the miracles of Nature. My wife Bobbi grows butterflies, from picking itsy bitsy caterpillars on dill from the backyard garden, placing them in a cage, feeding them dill / parsley until they’re big enough to form chrysalis. Then 7 to 10 days when they emerge as butterflies is a miracle.  

Further mystery is the time when the chrysalis stops evolving at Fall Equinox, waits through winter to then emerge in the Spring as Butterflies.   It’s Life’s Wonderment.

I'm reminded of Rumi who said:  "Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life."

The Religious Right Is Wrong

James Madison, fourth President of the United States, in his Federalist Papers No. 10 explained that factions, alliances, were the natural state of man, that the like minded would form in groups.  But he warned of the inherent danger when these Factions tuned political to the detriment of the public interest. 

The adherents of the Religious Right focus on the “me” society rather than the “we” society.  Therein lies a major conflict with the Bible: Matthew 25:45 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”  

Trump canceling 500 tons of emergency food aid, enough to fee 1.5 million malnourished children, and having it incinerated instead is a great anthesis to Matthew 25: "feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, invite in the stranger, clothes the needed, tend to the sick, do for this least of these."

A big difference between the members of the Religious Right and mainstream Christian Churches is the former are political, and Republican.  Moreover, these gospel grifter groups claim to be Christian by taking passages out of context from the Bible and twist the meaning to further their agenda.

There are many issues with so-called Religious Right Christian views.  They justify their hate, as evidenced to me by a religiosity weirdo making disparaging remarks about Jews, and others, including me, which gives me the creeps.

In his acceptance of the Ecumenical Council of 1960-1965, Vatican II, Pope John Paul II asserted that as a descendent to the throne of St. Peter, the true message of Jesus was all inclusive, that all people of the world were saved.  I believe all main-stream Christian Churches believe the true message of Jesus was love for all religious communities since all mainstream religions believe and practice the same love. 

Former President Jimmy Carter, who in 2000 officially severed ties with the Southern Baptist Convention after the SBC declared its opposition to female pastors and reiterated its calls “for wives to be submissive to their husbands.”   He condemned the mistreatment of women by religious leaders, writing: “the words of God do not justify cruelty to women.”

In an opinion piece published “Losing my Religion for Equality.”  President Carter said that a “twisted interpretation of the word of God” taught by male religious leaders has been used to justify the oppression of women:  “The truth is that male religious leaders have had — and still have — an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter.”

There are phrases in the Bible that exalt women and here is just a sample of many:  Romans 16:1New International Version (NIV) Personal Greetings 16 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae”; Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”; Romans 2:11 “For God shows no partiality”; Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”.

And, they want to turn our country into a theocracy.  The Christian Right’s plan is simple: dominate the courts, state legislatures, and push their twisted morality on all of us.

I refuse to live in their world.  A world where men are superior, where women are subordinate, controlled, and relegated to motherhood.  A world where anyone different from me are not only shunned, but pursued.  

What’s right is St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  The Bible is replete with God’s message of Joy and Salvation for all religious communities of the world. Inherent in a gift is there is no payment in return.

The Carousel of Life

 

                 The Carousel of Life

                    by Bobbi Reiter

Do you remember as a parent trying to discipline your children by teaching them your morals or the difference between right and wrong?  I'm sure as teenagers they rolled their eyes, plugging their ears, and maybe giving you the finger behind your back.

It's amazing as a parent to listen to your adult child reiterating the very same values or teachings they once heard as a child then regurgitating the same to their kids.

I feel I'm riding that carousel as a child I feared, but in life's it's a comfort.  The rhythm is the sound of the music so soothing, and I don't think I'm ready to get off just yet.  

Draining Good Health

Perhaps the best part of the potato is the potato water, packed full of added nutrients extracted from the potatoes themselves! Nutrients like vitamins B and C, potassium and fiber, and phytonutrients like carotenoids and flavonoids which are thought to promote good overall health.

The potatoes release their starchy goodness into the water as they are boiled or steamed. The potato water can then be used as a substitute for tap water in your bread making recipes for example, or as a thickener in other recipes that is naturally gluten-free.

Want to show even more love and care in the form of great-for-you vitamins? Use the water that you used to boil or steam your vegetables instead of pouring the water down the drain, as I see in so many TV cooking programs.  

For example broccoli, kale, spinach, to name a few, are packed with vitamins, minerals, containing potent antioxidants, bioactive compounds that contribute to reduced inflammation, protect against cancer, and support a healthy heart. 

Repurpose that liquid left in the pot after cooking or steaming, avoid wasting any part of food byproducts.  Think twice when boiling or steaming.  I'll drink to that!

Creepy Cults And High Priests

What is the nature of a man who considers himself a Christian and High Priest of his family, relegating his wife to subordinate status? What kind of church does this man subscribe to? What drives a person to seek a life’s position other than equal, and more importantly, what is his message?

This man is not part of the main stream churches, although President Jimmy Carter left the Southern Baptist Church because of their failing to promote women as pastors of the church. Moreover, Jimmy Carter said that the leaders of the SBC choose to interpret the bible phrases that subjugate women rather than exalt women.

This defining oneself as High Priest is clearly a case of self-adulation! Where does one get support for his Priest Hood? The main-stream Christian churches do not support this sacrilege. He would have to search for a cult religion, where they twist the interpretation of scripture to meet their selfish ways.

A “Purity Ball” is an example of a cult. It is a sacrilege where the father swears an oath as High Priest of the family before god to protect his daughter’s virginity. Likewise, the daughter swears an oath to be faithful to her father and remain “Pure”.

The “Purity Ball” is sick, creepy, and a sacrilege thus violating Matthew 5:34 “But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;” and James 5:12 “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” The idea of “Purity” should be discussed in the privacy of the home and not put on public display with a cult ritual!

The New Testament clearly teaches that all believers regardless of gender, are joint heirs with Christ, and wives are not junior partners in the marriage. Men are not the High Priest and women are not subordinate. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The High Priest uses the Bible as a tool to further his gain and justify his behavior using twisted scripture to get his way. He thinks that he holds the keys and locks out those who do not agree with him, and joins groups that think like him. Salvation is the tool that gives him the power to divide and shut out family members who do not worship his twisted scripture.  And we know where the Jews stand with his outspoken beliefs. 

The creepy cults focus on the “me” society rather than the “we” society. Therein lies a major conflict with the Bible: Matthew 25:45 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

The basis for their entire thinking revolves around 1st John 5:5 "only those who believe in Jesus are saved."  They wear the "Jesus Blinders" proudly, placing the "Jesus Name" over the Jesus Message as their creed.

The High Priest believes that if you are rich, it must be because God loves you. If you are poor, it is of your own sinful doing. The High Priest singles out one or two needy people to help thus fulfilling Matthew 25 and not costing him too much money or effort, but still justifying his “me” society.

There are many back-yard, barn yard churches with their self-ordained ministers and cult church followers that the High Priest can seek out. The High Priest seeks out the cult church where he can join to influence and be an active part of the ministry, solidifying his High Priest knowledgeable status.

The High Priest’s thinking would not be complete without home schooling, which completes full circle the living in a 'cloud' where he holds the keys. After all, the earth is 6,000 years old, dinosaurs were on Noah’s Ark, and homosexuals are going to hell!

The religious intolerance of this group is repulsive, including their social behavior and lack of humanitarianism, and qualifies as a cesspool congregation.

 I believe in Dr. Kimball’s phrase from his course “Comparative Religion” regarding the similarities of the 5 basic religions, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, the “human capacity for self transcendence” transcends all religions. This religious creepy cult group is excluded!

The Beaker of No

“Listen with the ears of tolerance!  See through the eyes of compassion!  Speak with the Language of Love” a quote from Jelaluddin Rumi,

When Rumi's advice is tested beyond compassion, testing tolerance, we have the choice of saying "No" if only to persevere the love of ourself.  Your "Beaker" is the measurement.

I'm reading "The Righteous Mind, Why Good People Are Divided By Politics And Religion" by Jonathan Haidt and through my  eyes a morality test:

The husband who found scattered throughout the house narcotics hidden.  She was a nurse who stole from her patients.  He said No, and she divorced him.

The husband and wife work The wife's company gives dental insurance. His company too.  He goes to her dentist for a crown. Dentist asks her to double dip on both company insurance plans. and split it. Wife says yes.  Husband says no.

The Bride followed the demands of the Groom to wear sneakers under her wedding gown so that she would not tower over him.

A son who moved many times with his wife and children, finally somewhere unknown for 7 years, only to be contacted for a wedding invitation for his second marriage.

A son who married into a hateful family, who showed hate at every gathering, starting with the shitty seating arrangements for his parents at the wedding reception, next to the kitchen and restrooms.  It ended with no announcement of the birth of their child, and the non acknowledgment of a personal announcement of a death in the family.

A daughter who took sides with her husband who took sides with his cottage neighbors over the physical attack on her father, starting with the neighbor's whippet, and continuing with the fists.  The Sheriff said state law says all dogs must be on a leash and that he would witness for a personal law suit.  The daughter calls her father begging for dropped charges.

A daughter who joins with her husband a wacky doodle church after leaving a traditional Christian Church, and sends a letter stating they want nothing further to do with her parents because they are bad grandparents.

We have an umbrella enveloping our likes and dislikes hopefully guided by ethics. "Even children have an innate sense of morality, knowing right from wrong", from his story of children playing a game of marbles, a game of simple rules from his book.

But some things go beyond the pale.  The "No Beaker" overflowed. I wonder under which foundation would Jonathan Haidt place these beyond rude, absurd behaviors?

The Profoundness of the Number Three

Number 3 has a significance from ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras who said number 3 was considered the perfect number, of harmony, wisdom and remembering. Most people won’t remember beyond 3 sayings. 

Most drugs have 3 syllables, e.g. Fen Tan yl, Vi ag ra, Lib ri um

1 Corinthians 3:6 Paul said he planted the seed of the Gospel,  Apollos watered it, but it's God who causes the growth, conveying the importance of divine nourishment in the spiritual life of believers. 

Which begs the question, is the sun, the ultimate cause of growth, an instrument of God?  The Sun is the source of everything on Earth.

I'm reminded of the popular movie “Tin Men” at the vegetable banquet bar setup

“How can all these things come outta the ground?  With all these things comin’ outta the ground there must be a God.” - Ernest Tilley

Incidentally, the Fossil Fuel Billionaires hate the Sun, because you can't patent the sun.

I'm reminded watching “Democracy Now! shared history with an interview of Dr. Peter Salk, son of Dr. Jonas Salk, Polio Vaccine. Edward R. Murrow asked: “Who owns the patent on this vaccine?” Dr.Jonas Salk replied “well, the people, I would say.  There is no patent.  Could you patent the sun?”

Nicaea Turkey, Nicene Council - Nicene Creed-Christian Council of Nicaea 325 gives countenance to the fact that Constantine made  Christianity - around 300 AD.  

The Nicene Greed is a statement of Christian faith, affirming the doctrine of the Trinity, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Nicaea Turkey is today’s Iznik and is known for Ottoman-era hand-painted Iznik tiles

Easter, Passover, and Ramadan coincide. This event happens three times a century or once every 33 years.

“To succeed in life, you need three things:  a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” Reba McIntire

“I was in darkness, but I took three steps and found myself in paradise.  The first step was a good thought; the second, a good word; and the third a good deed.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

"The three most important ways to lead people are by example, by example, by example."  Albert Schweitzer

Your friends are 3 and your enemies are 3.

 

“Your friends are: your friend, the friend of your friend, and the enemy of your enemy.

Your enemies are; your enemy, the enemy of your friend, and the friend of your enemy.”  

Hazrat Ali

I visited the Catacomb S. Callisto, Rome Italy.  Most impressive was a statute of Saint Cecilia, a Christian Martyr. The sword missed cutting her throat, and she laid dying, professing her faith with 3 fingers.

1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain"faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."

Just trying to put a pattern to our thinking. We’re all born to this world with individual wonderment of the same universe, and the wonders of the mind are as vast as the universe.