The Christian Bible
(personal observation)The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): God speaks to people.
The New Testament: People speak for God.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Man, Was I Stupid!
Looking back at the last few years I've said to myself, "Man, you did some really stupid shit." Relationally, educationally, and practically, I've made some major blunders. As I sit here and write this, I can't blame anybody but myself. At the same time, there is absolutely nothing I can do to change or alter the mistakes I've made. As a matter of fact, those mistakes have shaped who I am now. No matter how bad I've tried, those things can't be erased, deleted, or removed from the "history" tab of my life.
I've got a few options as I consider 2015; wine and complain about the past, play the victim of the past and let that shape my identity, or just move on. Moving on is so difficult because I find the past reverting back into this sick vicious cycle of repetition. The insanity of this is that many, like myself, have found comfort in this cycle of psychosis. It becomes all we know. Therefore, we repeat what we know because we have become quite good at it. I will admit, I like doing things that I'm good at.
In order for 2015 to be a year of success I must do things I may not be comfortable doing for the better of those around me, but more importantly for me to be able to unlock hidden potential that has been buried by the vicious cycles of repeating the past. The fight will not be external, but internal. The fight will not be against others, but against the self-created system within. The fight will not be against the past, but being able to be fully present in the moment. The fight will not be against what I realize to be true, but the unconscious involuntary past habits that hijack present possibility. I want to have a conscious awareness of the subconsciousness.
Do you have things in your past that you can't seem to help repeating...it's like an involuntary response--like breathing. Do you have subconscious "triggers" that you don't understand? Do you react when certain things are said, seen, or heard that send you involuntarily to places you regret going? I do...
2015--"The Year of Consciousness"--Living in the Now. It's not going to be easy, but I've always enjoyed a challenge.
I've got a few options as I consider 2015; wine and complain about the past, play the victim of the past and let that shape my identity, or just move on. Moving on is so difficult because I find the past reverting back into this sick vicious cycle of repetition. The insanity of this is that many, like myself, have found comfort in this cycle of psychosis. It becomes all we know. Therefore, we repeat what we know because we have become quite good at it. I will admit, I like doing things that I'm good at.
In order for 2015 to be a year of success I must do things I may not be comfortable doing for the better of those around me, but more importantly for me to be able to unlock hidden potential that has been buried by the vicious cycles of repeating the past. The fight will not be external, but internal. The fight will not be against others, but against the self-created system within. The fight will not be against the past, but being able to be fully present in the moment. The fight will not be against what I realize to be true, but the unconscious involuntary past habits that hijack present possibility. I want to have a conscious awareness of the subconsciousness.
Do you have things in your past that you can't seem to help repeating...it's like an involuntary response--like breathing. Do you have subconscious "triggers" that you don't understand? Do you react when certain things are said, seen, or heard that send you involuntarily to places you regret going? I do...
2015--"The Year of Consciousness"--Living in the Now. It's not going to be easy, but I've always enjoyed a challenge.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Experiences > Words
A couple times a year, my wife and I load up the family and travel south. "South", includes one of two places; Norris Lake, TN or Florida. Even though we've been countless times, we still wait for the signposts to tell us "how many more miles" we have until we reach our destination. Our youngest child will say every few minutes, "how much longer."
"How much longer." That seems to be motto for much of spirituality. We sit next to the signposts, but miss the journey. We miss all the potential experiences that lead to the destination, and sometimes we miss the destination all together because we hang on to "how much longer" the experience will last. Like a wise man once said, "Words are like signposts...they just point to what they are describing, but aren't the object of our desire."
Words are important!! I don't want to belittle their importance. They give us a sense of direction and purpose for our seeking, but yet, words are not the end goal. Words are merely a starting point. If you ask me for directions, I will give you words, "Go this way," or "Go that way." The words will never get you to the point unless you "go." The same is true with words that are in the Bible or whatever book you choose to be your "spiritual guide." The words are not made to be deified or something to be worshipped. I've seen people kissing their Bible like it is some magic book of spells or a genie in a bottle. If they carry it with them, it will bring them some great fortune. I used to carry my Bible around with me everywhere I went thinking that it would bring me some sort of good luck. Now, I didn't say "luck" because good Christians don't believe in luck (at least they won't admit it publicly). The Bible doesn't have any special power in and of itself.
Even the book of John describes this "word." It was in the beginning, it created everything, it was with God, and the word was God. Yet, when describing "the Word" it is described not with "it" but a personal pronoun, "he." It goes on even farther and describes "the Word" as having flesh and living among us. "Word" or the Greek "logos", is used as an abstraction or figuratively. The Word is an experience--it is a living person. The words of the text lead you to "The Word," a person/experience. It isn't that you get hung up on the semantics of signposts, but that you get to experience the destination in which the signpost points. The destination is formless and filled with experiences that are formless as well. They are the abstract emotions that are felt and the energy experienced. It is the experiences that awaken the inner life force that bring forth joy, peace, excitement, and a kingdom within that Jesus so frequently speaks about.
The words are forms, concrete and unmoved. That is why the Bible speaks of "his words" not changing (heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away--Matthew 24:35). His concrete words are like signs that will sit there in a certain spot and point. In this chapter he was giving the people directions, or a road map if you will. Until the people began to move and walk towards the destination He speaks of, they will never experience the energy and life behind the words.
There is no life in the WORDS, but in the experiences, the destination, and especially the journey. Don't miss the journey you are on because you are paralyzed by the signpost. My soul cries out: I WANT TO EXPERIENCE "LIFE"...not just read about it or sit by a signpost.
"How much longer." That seems to be motto for much of spirituality. We sit next to the signposts, but miss the journey. We miss all the potential experiences that lead to the destination, and sometimes we miss the destination all together because we hang on to "how much longer" the experience will last. Like a wise man once said, "Words are like signposts...they just point to what they are describing, but aren't the object of our desire."
Words are important!! I don't want to belittle their importance. They give us a sense of direction and purpose for our seeking, but yet, words are not the end goal. Words are merely a starting point. If you ask me for directions, I will give you words, "Go this way," or "Go that way." The words will never get you to the point unless you "go." The same is true with words that are in the Bible or whatever book you choose to be your "spiritual guide." The words are not made to be deified or something to be worshipped. I've seen people kissing their Bible like it is some magic book of spells or a genie in a bottle. If they carry it with them, it will bring them some great fortune. I used to carry my Bible around with me everywhere I went thinking that it would bring me some sort of good luck. Now, I didn't say "luck" because good Christians don't believe in luck (at least they won't admit it publicly). The Bible doesn't have any special power in and of itself.
Even the book of John describes this "word." It was in the beginning, it created everything, it was with God, and the word was God. Yet, when describing "the Word" it is described not with "it" but a personal pronoun, "he." It goes on even farther and describes "the Word" as having flesh and living among us. "Word" or the Greek "logos", is used as an abstraction or figuratively. The Word is an experience--it is a living person. The words of the text lead you to "The Word," a person/experience. It isn't that you get hung up on the semantics of signposts, but that you get to experience the destination in which the signpost points. The destination is formless and filled with experiences that are formless as well. They are the abstract emotions that are felt and the energy experienced. It is the experiences that awaken the inner life force that bring forth joy, peace, excitement, and a kingdom within that Jesus so frequently speaks about.
The words are forms, concrete and unmoved. That is why the Bible speaks of "his words" not changing (heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away--Matthew 24:35). His concrete words are like signs that will sit there in a certain spot and point. In this chapter he was giving the people directions, or a road map if you will. Until the people began to move and walk towards the destination He speaks of, they will never experience the energy and life behind the words.
There is no life in the WORDS, but in the experiences, the destination, and especially the journey. Don't miss the journey you are on because you are paralyzed by the signpost. My soul cries out: I WANT TO EXPERIENCE "LIFE"...not just read about it or sit by a signpost.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
An Unexpected Gift
As somebody who comes from a Christian tradition in America, Christmas is about expectations. An expectation is a strong belief that something will happen or be the base in the future. There are expectations of giving gifts, receiving gifts, and the celebration of the birth of Christ. There are the expectations of office parties, family get togethers, and for some--Christmas church services. It is a time for family and friends.
This morning I had an UNexpected reality. Surprises that go outside what is expected can bring a plethora of emotions, but surprises are part of the "expectations" of Christmas. I opened my Bible and read this out of Colossians chapter one:
5 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
I've read this countless times, but this Christmas morning I couldn't help but notice the word "all." For those of you that know me I'm really hung up on semantics, especially when it comes to a book that was written in three different languages, 2000+ years ago. I love breaking down words in their original context and trying to understand what the author was trying to communicate. In the midst of this deconstruction, there was one word I couldn't deconstruct. It was the word "ALL." ALL: everything, the whole, the greatest possible quality, each and every one. It covers EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY.
I don't know about you, but there are a lot of things I don't agree with, organizations I don't like, and things I just don't enjoy--about myself and others. In spite of what I agree with, like, or believe in, ALL encompasses all of that (I know that is kind of a weird sentence but stay with me). Now, when we start plugging different words/substitutions for Christmas (happy holidays, merry xmas, etc), some people get offended because religiously, they think it is leaving "Christ" out of Christmas. Yet, according to the verses above, Christ created it all anyway, even if His name isn't in it...if you believe ALL is all, and not just some.
You could go as far as saying that God, through Christ, is even reconciling all religions and religious holidays unto himself because ultimately it was all created by him in the first place and then went astray somewhere. Therefore, Merry Christmas, X-mas, Happy Holidays, Eid, Yule, kwanza, umoja, kujichagulia, ujima, nia, Imani, and any other quasi religious Christmas. Ultimately, the announcement of this reconciliation by the angels was not, "we are starting an exclusive religion that has the right holidays for you to celebrate" but, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
Are we afraid of "good news" that will cause great joy for ALL (there is that word again) people in spite of religious affiliation or how they say "Christmas." Is "Christ" bigger than holidays and what we expect. If we could get over personal expectations that create our own personal reality, we will enter into a reality that is much bigger and full of joy. This Christmas I'm glad my expectations were surprisingly interrupted by a bigger reality than the one I've created. So, whatever you are celebrating today or tomorrow, I stand with you as a fellow member of the human race being reconciled to God. What great news! I'm not here to fight or be "right," I just want to experience this "great joy" with ALL people. I guess the only thing I can expect from here are new experiences that will create a greater consciousness of what already is. Have a great Christmas!!
This morning I had an UNexpected reality. Surprises that go outside what is expected can bring a plethora of emotions, but surprises are part of the "expectations" of Christmas. I opened my Bible and read this out of Colossians chapter one:
5 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
I've read this countless times, but this Christmas morning I couldn't help but notice the word "all." For those of you that know me I'm really hung up on semantics, especially when it comes to a book that was written in three different languages, 2000+ years ago. I love breaking down words in their original context and trying to understand what the author was trying to communicate. In the midst of this deconstruction, there was one word I couldn't deconstruct. It was the word "ALL." ALL: everything, the whole, the greatest possible quality, each and every one. It covers EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY.
I don't know about you, but there are a lot of things I don't agree with, organizations I don't like, and things I just don't enjoy--about myself and others. In spite of what I agree with, like, or believe in, ALL encompasses all of that (I know that is kind of a weird sentence but stay with me). Now, when we start plugging different words/substitutions for Christmas (happy holidays, merry xmas, etc), some people get offended because religiously, they think it is leaving "Christ" out of Christmas. Yet, according to the verses above, Christ created it all anyway, even if His name isn't in it...if you believe ALL is all, and not just some.
You could go as far as saying that God, through Christ, is even reconciling all religions and religious holidays unto himself because ultimately it was all created by him in the first place and then went astray somewhere. Therefore, Merry Christmas, X-mas, Happy Holidays, Eid, Yule, kwanza, umoja, kujichagulia, ujima, nia, Imani, and any other quasi religious Christmas. Ultimately, the announcement of this reconciliation by the angels was not, "we are starting an exclusive religion that has the right holidays for you to celebrate" but, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
Are we afraid of "good news" that will cause great joy for ALL (there is that word again) people in spite of religious affiliation or how they say "Christmas." Is "Christ" bigger than holidays and what we expect. If we could get over personal expectations that create our own personal reality, we will enter into a reality that is much bigger and full of joy. This Christmas I'm glad my expectations were surprisingly interrupted by a bigger reality than the one I've created. So, whatever you are celebrating today or tomorrow, I stand with you as a fellow member of the human race being reconciled to God. What great news! I'm not here to fight or be "right," I just want to experience this "great joy" with ALL people. I guess the only thing I can expect from here are new experiences that will create a greater consciousness of what already is. Have a great Christmas!!
Thursday, December 11, 2014
What Are You Expecting?
עבור לעצמך ואתה תמצא את השלום.
Go to yourself (lech lecha) and find peace.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
The Unlikey Response
You've probably seen the recent backlash in the Christian community against Victoria Osteen. She recently went on air at the end of Lakewood's broadcast and said:
Twitter blew up with Christians bashing her with idea of humanism and idolatry. Steve Camp, pastor of The Cross Church in Palm City, Florida, told Christian News Network that Osteen's remarks went directly against scripture:
“It’s the age old sin of idolatry -- that it’s not about God, it’s about us. True worship for the humanist is about how we feel at the end of the day and what gives us meaning, as opposed to what gives God glory.” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/04/victoria-osteenreactions_n_5759860.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592)
Christians immediately went to work making up parodies and posting them on You Tube. The most popular was the video with Victoria Osteen giving her message and Bill Cosby responding at the end (watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00-6OyXVA0M)
Morgon Guyton, a college chaplain said; "I would revise Victoria Osteen’s words to point out that the way we gain true happiness is to forget ourselves because of our delight in God."
I'm not here to jump on either side and say, "this person is wrong and this person is right, " all I want to do is just ask a few simple questions in which I don't have answers. If I can ask the right questions, maybe I'll stumble on some right answers eventually in regards to Victoria Osteen's statement and the Christian backlash against her.
1.) Were we created in the image of God? If "yes", proceed to #2
2.) Being made "like God" or a "duplication of God" does our emotions duplicate the copy (God) as well? How about our desires? Does the image of God desire the same things as God?
3.) If the people correcting Victoria Osteen are correct about the Bible saying that God wants glory and worship for himself, then what does that say about us? Back to statement 1 & 2--we are created in the image of God--a duplication of who He is. If He wants glory and worship, is it built into us to want something similar? Would God forget about himself? (You could make the argument of "yes" if you believe Jesus was God...but that is for another blog :))
4.) What does glory and worship look like for the image bearer of God? Is it directed only towards the Creator, or is there this secretly imbedded instinct that seeks this same thing within us, yet it is supressed because of the idea of pride, idolatry, and self-rightousness. The idea just isn't politically correct amongst most Christians. It just "seems wrong."
5.) If "yes" for #4, what would the new definition of pride look like?
Just thinking out loud tonight because I see both sides point of view. Could the answer lie somewhere in the middle? Remember, I am not on either side or justifying Osteen's statement or the Christians response. Lech lecha!!
"When we obey God, we're not doing it for God...we're doing it for
ourself. Because God takes pleasure when we're happy. Do good 'cause God
wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him,
you're not doing it for God, really. You're doing it for yourself
because that's what makes God happy."
“It’s the age old sin of idolatry -- that it’s not about God, it’s about us. True worship for the humanist is about how we feel at the end of the day and what gives us meaning, as opposed to what gives God glory.” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/04/victoria-osteenreactions_n_5759860.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592)
Christians immediately went to work making up parodies and posting them on You Tube. The most popular was the video with Victoria Osteen giving her message and Bill Cosby responding at the end (watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00-6OyXVA0M)
Morgon Guyton, a college chaplain said; "I would revise Victoria Osteen’s words to point out that the way we gain true happiness is to forget ourselves because of our delight in God."
1.) Were we created in the image of God? If "yes", proceed to #2
2.) Being made "like God" or a "duplication of God" does our emotions duplicate the copy (God) as well? How about our desires? Does the image of God desire the same things as God?
3.) If the people correcting Victoria Osteen are correct about the Bible saying that God wants glory and worship for himself, then what does that say about us? Back to statement 1 & 2--we are created in the image of God--a duplication of who He is. If He wants glory and worship, is it built into us to want something similar? Would God forget about himself? (You could make the argument of "yes" if you believe Jesus was God...but that is for another blog :))
4.) What does glory and worship look like for the image bearer of God? Is it directed only towards the Creator, or is there this secretly imbedded instinct that seeks this same thing within us, yet it is supressed because of the idea of pride, idolatry, and self-rightousness. The idea just isn't politically correct amongst most Christians. It just "seems wrong."
5.) If "yes" for #4, what would the new definition of pride look like?
Just thinking out loud tonight because I see both sides point of view. Could the answer lie somewhere in the middle? Remember, I am not on either side or justifying Osteen's statement or the Christians response. Lech lecha!!
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Underground Reality
Today, I found myself enthralled within the first chapter of The New Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, M.D., F.I.C.S. Though I've read the book before I felt the need to go back and reread it again. I remember being told once that the first time you read a book you are just a tourist. The second time you become a visitor, and the third time you become a student. I noticed many things I hadn't noticed before. It made me question a few things in my life, and why things in the past didn't work, especially in regards to previous goals and religion. He didn't bring up the second, but it was like I had one of those "light bulb" moments where things just "clicked."
I've always been one that has set goals for myself. In the last few years, especially my last years of Christian ministry, I had others help set those goals, that I was to achieve, and help the organization achieve. I was taken through a series of psychological assessments, interviews, and even some quasi-counseling sessions, to see if I could achieve the goals that were set before me. After months of deliberation, it was decided that I would venture out to achieve these goals. In other words, my identity was directly attached to an external set of circumstances. This "self-image" was based upon a contract, a look, a talk, and by the way I conducted my day. The contract (goals) were the "outside of the cup" that people saw.
When this contract couldn't be fulfilled my self-image was lost. The only way to gain a self-image was to create a new contract, a new set of goals, and a new challenge. I had failed to accomplish that which I promised to do. Maxwell, in his book, talked about students that identified their self-image with their test taking abilities. He said, "The trouble with these students was not that they were dumb or lacking in basic aptitudes. The trouble was an inadequate self-image ("I don't have a mathematical mind"; "I'm just naturally a poor speller"). They identified with their mistakes and failures. Instead of saying "I failed the test (factual and descriptive), they concluded "I am a failure." Instead of saying "I flunked that subject," they said "I am a flunk-out."(Maltz, Maxwell. "The Self-Image: Your Key to Living Without Limits." In The New Psycho-Cybernetics, . ed. New York: Penguin Books, Ltd. , 2001.)
Rather than saying, "I failed the contract" I said, "I am a failure." My self-image was directly connected to the contract and goals. It was based upon external circumstances rather than internal factors. It is quite easy to create an identity on goals, but should we can create an identity based on external past events, which I am also guilty of doing? This is where I disagree with Alcoholics Anonymous. I think it is a great organization, and it helps people get honest and real with their problems, but it also creates a false sense of self-image that I think can be eternally damaging. To stand up and say, "I am an alcoholic" is basing your identity on something external that a person chose to do. They chose to over drink, become addicted, and struggle with alcohol. The issue is that you can only function in the identity that you create for yourself. If you say you are something based upon the external your subconscious brain then adapts to make that a reality.
When it comes to religion there is a popular movement in Christianity that attempts to "speak things into existence", or the "word-faith" movement. If you speak good things, good things will happen. In a non-religious world, this is called, "The Law Of Attraction." You will naturally attract that which you speak because of the positive energy and vibrations that you emanate. If I say, "I am going to have a great day at work" I speak into an external situation. If I say, "I will achieve the goals that I have set out before me today", I've spoken into an external situation. This is problematic because the internal situation has not changed. Maxwell said, "In fact, it is literally impossible to really think positive about a particular situation, as long as you hold a negative concept of self."
To bring it even more closer to home and a problem I've always had with what I call, "controlling religion" is that it defines a person, even universally, by the mistakes they've made. They call it "sin." Therefore, many identify with being a sinner--something they do. Therefore, they become the situation. Just like the kid who says he is dumb because he failed a test, and continues failing, the person who calls himself a "sinner" defaults to sinning (this is relative to what the denomination defines sin as). The system, hence, becomes the defining entity of the person based on their interpretation of what or what isn't sin. It is so easy to become imprisoned within the concepts of your mind because of external circumstances.
I like what Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day. ""Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean" (Matthew 23:27). The outside, external circumstances can be cleaned, new goals dreamed up, and new contracts made, but these past failures lurk underneath the surface in our subconscious minds, wreaking havoc on the inside that is like "dead bones and uncleanliness." The subconscious then hijacks the new contracts and dreams because our self-image was created by past failures. Many times we subconsciously high-jack a goal before it begins because we know we are going to fail at it.
I have somebody very, very, close to me in my life that subconsciously high-jacks relationships and intentionally breaks them up because of an event that happened to them in the past. A past event determines their behavior now, because their self-image rests in an external event. Your behaviors and motivators follow past experiences you've identified yourself with. You and I create an underground reality that creates the external reality that you and I live in. The roots determine the height and width of the tree.
This is why I am convinced of the Jewish idea of "Lech lecha" that I mention so often. It is a call to leave the reality you've created and step into the reality the Creator has already made. Step out of the perspective you are so convinced of, and into the perspective of "an outsider." Let me define "outsider." It is seeing yourself from outside yourself. I would compared this to a scientist who is observing his experiment, running tests on his experiment, and analyzing it with outside sources other than his own. The interesting thing about the experiment that he is observing is that he is both the scientist and the experiment. He must step outside of himself and become the observer of that which he is studying--"himself."
Have you ever tried to observe yourself outside your perspective. Have you ever listened to yourself on a recording and said, "Do I sound like that?" It is different from what you hear when you just talk. Have you ever seen a video of yourself? Have you noticed that it looks differently than the person you see in the mirror everyday when you brush your teeth. Have you ever seen yourself from another person's perspective? That is metaphysical and what Maimonides calls the "highest form of connecting with the Divine. Have you ever just really tried seeing somebody else's point of view without trying to discredit them or convince them that you are right? What if this happened religiously? What would happen in the Middle East if those fighting would just stop, observe, and walk in the person's shoes they are fighting with.
This is tough...not an easy journey and I'm sure many, if not most choose to live on the mountain. Then their are the few, fueled by adventure and curiosity, that want to know how deep the mountain goes underground. I want to know why I "tick". I want to know this Creator that formed the universe. I want to know the divine image that I was created in. I want to understand the depths of "loving my neighbor as myself", "blessing my enemy", "being a Good Samaritan", "having peace that passes all understanding." I desire the secret Paul found when he said, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want"(Philippians 4:12). I want to understand the depths of what the Buddha said when he said, "the whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you. Depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help you are you free." I want to understand the mystery of "Christ in you, the hope of glory"(Colossians 1:27).
What is this "Christ" in us--that is below the surface of what everybody sees. That which is internal and not based on external circumstances. This isn't Jesus' last name, but the title He was given. This same title is nestled somewhere deep within our self-image that we must find a way to identify with in spite of what we've been told or the way external situations have turned out. It is "salvation."
It isn't through the church, a religion, a synagogue, mosque, or enlightenment center--but through a journey. A journey that starts by leaving the mental images that have been shaped by external events. These events have shaped how we view God--so, we must leave that god (atheism), to find God. When we find ourselves, we find God, and when we find them both, we find the "Christ" within that is able to save us from those external situations that have crippled and defined us. Yes, Jesus was "the Way" of this journey to a "land that only God can show us" (Genesis 12:1). The result of "leaving" is:
I've always been one that has set goals for myself. In the last few years, especially my last years of Christian ministry, I had others help set those goals, that I was to achieve, and help the organization achieve. I was taken through a series of psychological assessments, interviews, and even some quasi-counseling sessions, to see if I could achieve the goals that were set before me. After months of deliberation, it was decided that I would venture out to achieve these goals. In other words, my identity was directly attached to an external set of circumstances. This "self-image" was based upon a contract, a look, a talk, and by the way I conducted my day. The contract (goals) were the "outside of the cup" that people saw.
When this contract couldn't be fulfilled my self-image was lost. The only way to gain a self-image was to create a new contract, a new set of goals, and a new challenge. I had failed to accomplish that which I promised to do. Maxwell, in his book, talked about students that identified their self-image with their test taking abilities. He said, "The trouble with these students was not that they were dumb or lacking in basic aptitudes. The trouble was an inadequate self-image ("I don't have a mathematical mind"; "I'm just naturally a poor speller"). They identified with their mistakes and failures. Instead of saying "I failed the test (factual and descriptive), they concluded "I am a failure." Instead of saying "I flunked that subject," they said "I am a flunk-out."(Maltz, Maxwell. "The Self-Image: Your Key to Living Without Limits." In The New Psycho-Cybernetics, . ed. New York: Penguin Books, Ltd. , 2001.)
Rather than saying, "I failed the contract" I said, "I am a failure." My self-image was directly connected to the contract and goals. It was based upon external circumstances rather than internal factors. It is quite easy to create an identity on goals, but should we can create an identity based on external past events, which I am also guilty of doing? This is where I disagree with Alcoholics Anonymous. I think it is a great organization, and it helps people get honest and real with their problems, but it also creates a false sense of self-image that I think can be eternally damaging. To stand up and say, "I am an alcoholic" is basing your identity on something external that a person chose to do. They chose to over drink, become addicted, and struggle with alcohol. The issue is that you can only function in the identity that you create for yourself. If you say you are something based upon the external your subconscious brain then adapts to make that a reality.
When it comes to religion there is a popular movement in Christianity that attempts to "speak things into existence", or the "word-faith" movement. If you speak good things, good things will happen. In a non-religious world, this is called, "The Law Of Attraction." You will naturally attract that which you speak because of the positive energy and vibrations that you emanate. If I say, "I am going to have a great day at work" I speak into an external situation. If I say, "I will achieve the goals that I have set out before me today", I've spoken into an external situation. This is problematic because the internal situation has not changed. Maxwell said, "In fact, it is literally impossible to really think positive about a particular situation, as long as you hold a negative concept of self."
To bring it even more closer to home and a problem I've always had with what I call, "controlling religion" is that it defines a person, even universally, by the mistakes they've made. They call it "sin." Therefore, many identify with being a sinner--something they do. Therefore, they become the situation. Just like the kid who says he is dumb because he failed a test, and continues failing, the person who calls himself a "sinner" defaults to sinning (this is relative to what the denomination defines sin as). The system, hence, becomes the defining entity of the person based on their interpretation of what or what isn't sin. It is so easy to become imprisoned within the concepts of your mind because of external circumstances.
I like what Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day. ""Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean" (Matthew 23:27). The outside, external circumstances can be cleaned, new goals dreamed up, and new contracts made, but these past failures lurk underneath the surface in our subconscious minds, wreaking havoc on the inside that is like "dead bones and uncleanliness." The subconscious then hijacks the new contracts and dreams because our self-image was created by past failures. Many times we subconsciously high-jack a goal before it begins because we know we are going to fail at it.
I have somebody very, very, close to me in my life that subconsciously high-jacks relationships and intentionally breaks them up because of an event that happened to them in the past. A past event determines their behavior now, because their self-image rests in an external event. Your behaviors and motivators follow past experiences you've identified yourself with. You and I create an underground reality that creates the external reality that you and I live in. The roots determine the height and width of the tree.
This is why I am convinced of the Jewish idea of "Lech lecha" that I mention so often. It is a call to leave the reality you've created and step into the reality the Creator has already made. Step out of the perspective you are so convinced of, and into the perspective of "an outsider." Let me define "outsider." It is seeing yourself from outside yourself. I would compared this to a scientist who is observing his experiment, running tests on his experiment, and analyzing it with outside sources other than his own. The interesting thing about the experiment that he is observing is that he is both the scientist and the experiment. He must step outside of himself and become the observer of that which he is studying--"himself."
Have you ever tried to observe yourself outside your perspective. Have you ever listened to yourself on a recording and said, "Do I sound like that?" It is different from what you hear when you just talk. Have you ever seen a video of yourself? Have you noticed that it looks differently than the person you see in the mirror everyday when you brush your teeth. Have you ever seen yourself from another person's perspective? That is metaphysical and what Maimonides calls the "highest form of connecting with the Divine. Have you ever just really tried seeing somebody else's point of view without trying to discredit them or convince them that you are right? What if this happened religiously? What would happen in the Middle East if those fighting would just stop, observe, and walk in the person's shoes they are fighting with.
This is tough...not an easy journey and I'm sure many, if not most choose to live on the mountain. Then their are the few, fueled by adventure and curiosity, that want to know how deep the mountain goes underground. I want to know why I "tick". I want to know this Creator that formed the universe. I want to know the divine image that I was created in. I want to understand the depths of "loving my neighbor as myself", "blessing my enemy", "being a Good Samaritan", "having peace that passes all understanding." I desire the secret Paul found when he said, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want"(Philippians 4:12). I want to understand the depths of what the Buddha said when he said, "the whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you. Depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help you are you free." I want to understand the mystery of "Christ in you, the hope of glory"(Colossians 1:27).
“The
whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will
become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are
you freed.”- - See more at:
http://quotesnsmiles.com/quotes/calming-buddha-quotes/#sthash.qW3vd7oD.dpuf
“The
whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will
become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are
you freed.” - See more at:
http://quotesnsmiles.com/quotes/calming-buddha-quotes/#sthash.qW3vd7oD.dpuf
What is this "Christ" in us--that is below the surface of what everybody sees. That which is internal and not based on external circumstances. This isn't Jesus' last name, but the title He was given. This same title is nestled somewhere deep within our self-image that we must find a way to identify with in spite of what we've been told or the way external situations have turned out. It is "salvation."
2“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
There is something in "the name"... or just some unorthodox heresy.
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