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kate huey
Posts:52
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| 05/19/2008 11:06 AM |
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| In an age of anti-anxiety medications and high stress AND lots of pressure to acquire and own, the words of Jesus in today's reading sound especially counter-cultural.
First, Jesus talks about our priorities. He says that we can't hold both money and wealth as our number one priorities. Only one can be Number One, he says. We'll love one and hate the other, but we can't love both.
Let's begin with a closer look at the words "love" and "hate": Holly Hearon says that these words aren't about our feelings but about the setting of our hearts, that is, how we fix our priorities: "'love' is demonstrated as loyalty or commitment to another; 'hate' is demonstrated by disregard or scorn. Neither word is concerned with how we feel about things so much as how we orient ourselves and, consequently, how we will behave." This fundamental orientation draws us toward the kingdom, or realm, of God. It draws us into God's way of living.
What's your experience and observation about Jesus' words? Isn't he just making an observation rather than handing down a law? He knows the human heart better than anyone else, doesn't he? |
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ProudDog
Posts:511
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| 05/20/2008 8:16 AM |
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| This week kate's written about priorities and worries. I've written about superheroes. What would you like to talk about? Take a look at Seeking
God's Way and Superheroes
and please share your thoughts! |
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-Kirk Moore |
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Gertie
Posts:19
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| 05/20/2008 11:12 PM |
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I'm a little awestruck to even begin to try to respond to this study. There is so much in Kate's meditation that it is hard to take it all in.
A few things that struck me; "desire to acquire and own", this is not something I have an issue with. right now. I have more stuff than I should, and that I want, and have, over the last year and a bit, started scaling back, giving away, not buying. However, this is a direct consequence of where I am in my life - that is - I'm in a transition state. My priorities and focus are being realigned. BUT, I see this 'need to have' issue all around me. Someone today said to me, partly in jest but I think partly for real, "you really ought to dress a little nicer for work", "buy some new clothes". Hmmmmmmmm.... I have lost weight and my clothes don't fit me so well, but I don't really care... And as for wealth, I recently told my boss, I make enough money, please give my raise to so and so, who has 2 kids and is a single parent. I think he wanted to check me for a psych evaluation. I'm not martyring or anything, I just don't need it right now.
As for my priorities, they are not clearly defined; I'm in a constant search for what is going to bring me meaning in my life. The reason for all this is my husband died in Jan 07 after many years struggle with cancer. My whole purpose in life was taken from me and I had to figure out who I was and what I can do now. I despearately want to be needed I think.... But we had no children and my outlet is not clear to me at this time. So I work and spend time with friends and keep looking and listening, kind of waiting for the thunk on the head...... Probably not going to be that simple I suspect.
"My actions prove that the one I trust is myself--and that I am still afraid of You" - OK, now we get to my spiritual journey, well, it's been a growing one. My little church has a little Sunday School group - all women for some reason (maybe a subject someone could take up at some point). I do not find myself putting it all in God's hands. I seek, I ask, I discuss, I read, I listen, but I don't trust. This I fully understand. And now putting it in writing, makes me ask myself, why? I'm not sure.
I'm not satisfied with this post, but it's a start.... Thank you for all the food for thought, I'm going to print out what you wrote and study it more.
Thanks for allowing me to share.
Blessings,
Gertie
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Ephesians 4:29-30 ..speak only words that will give grace to those who hear. |
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subear
Posts:774
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| 05/21/2008 12:18 PM |
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Wow! I'm with Gertie; blown away.
Kate's Reflection was rich and thought provoking, satisfying "food" for thought.
Where to begin? Ah, the challenge of living in the world as a spiritual being! How to do the dance of the world, which involves food, clothing, shelter, community and human dynamics. When we're young, we think that acquiring possessions will bring us "security," reduce our anxiety (something's calling me). We buy a house, make a home for our family and fill it with stuff. We buy cars to drive to work to earn the money to pay the bills. When we look at our expenses we find that (outside of the mortgage), insurance takes the biggest chunk of the budget. "What is that about?" (I ask myself).
When I go to "board" or "council" meetings at church, it seems that the (underlying) thing or impetus for everything else is "the building": paying rent on the building, planning to buy a building, expanding the existing building, renting out extra rooms to bring income to the building, insurance on the building, burglar alarms, and keeping the building "safe." It seems that the (underlying) motive for increasing attendance is really about bringing in enough income to "keep the building." The "building" becomes more sacred than the message.
"But you can't have a church without a building," we say. I know, we have a message that is helpful for people's lives, for their very souls, and we think we need a space for the community to meet. I don't see myself walking around, like Jesus (and other holy men) did (do). We'd be arrested for "unlawful assembly."
But, back to our personal lives. (Or, my personal life). How to live in balance. We wouldn't be here if this isn't what we are supposed to learn, how to manage Spirit in material form. Because, that is what we are, manifest Spirit. We are Spirit in Form, (mostly Spirit). Really, when you look at matter under a powerful microscope, you see that there's a lot of space and a bunch of vibrating molecules, atoms, electrons, photons . . . just a bunch of vibrating particles and waves, responding intelligently to the intentions of Consciousness ("the Word"). Yours, mine and God's; it's all One Consciousness. Use it wisely, responsibly, consciously.
There I go, getting all cosmic again. (LOL)
So, don't worry, be happy! God/Spirit provides, and we have a part in that, by accepting our responsibility in the process, with Love, gratitude, generosity, balance, ease and grace.
In Peace, Love and Understanding,
Susannah |
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"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin |
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